You may have already read the first part of this post as a newsletter I sent. Just scroll down to the 'January 8, 2013' line about halfway down and you'll get to the newest update.
Dear Family and Friends,
We’re back in Kenya now ready to do the Lord’s bidding. The journey
was sweet but not without challenges. We left our home in Tennessee on Saturday
morning, December 29th, at about 7 am. Frank and Simchah took us to
the airport in Nashville in our little Passat, or should I say their little
Passat, since we sold it to them. The sale of most of our possessions and the
help of friends and family enabled us to come to Kenya free of debt. For that
we are grateful.
So the ride to the airport was nice and relaxing, chatting
with friends, reminiscing of days gone by and looking forward to our future.
Our only concern at this point was that our luggage would be under the weight
limit and our extra bag wouldn't cost too much. We usually don’t need extra
bags but since we plan a long term stay we brought more household and personal
items. We were expecting to pay $150 - $200 for the 5th bag but were
only required to pay $100. That was a happy experience.
We got through security just fine, had some lunch, and
waited for boarding…and waited …. and waited… and waited. It turned out that we
had a 2 hour delay because of weather conditions. The plane we were to fly
required weatherizing for the trip to Washington D. C. where ice and snow
storms were expected. This put us arriving in Washington D.C. at the exact time
our connecting flight was taking off for Brussels. So we missed our flight. We
weren't the only ones. We were told to go stand in a line 50-60 people to
reschedule our flight. While I waited in line Noah went to ask for help. He
found a nice young man and asked if there was any other customer service desk
we could go to. The man said he was sorry but that was our only choice.
A few minutes later the same man came to where we were
standing in line and called us to follow him. He took us to another desk at one
of the gates and began to search for us another flight. We chatted a bit while
he worked. We found out he is a Christian from Ethiopia and his wife has an adoption agency
there. He was interested in what we are doing in Kenya. He was able to get us
the same flights as before, just 24 hours later. Because we were not at fault
for missing our flight he gave us vouchers to help with expenses for a hotel room and meals for the
time we were delayed. We caught a shuttle to the Comfort Inn and got a good
nights sleep.
All went well as we traveled to Brussels, Belgium then onto
our final destination to Nairobi. The plane wasn't full so we got 4 seats all
to ourselves. That was nice. We had a quick one hour stop in Rwanda to let
off and pick up passengers. Just like a bus stop.J
Then on to Nairobi.
We arrived at the airport and began the process of entry. As we waited at the customs shouts went up all over welcoming in the New Year. Thus we began a New Year in the service of our Master. We
didn’t plan for the extra $100 it takes to buy the visas. No problem. We can
just get money from our debit card ATM. That always worked before but we forgot
to tell the bank we were going to Kenya so the bank would not issue the money.
We didn't have enough cash so I looked pitiful and asked our taxi driver to
loan us the money. I knew Jon from a previous trip to Nairobi with Kate. I
couldn't believe I was asking him for money when he was there to take us to the
mission home we were going to spend the night at. He didn't have to help us but
he did. We found a way to get the money we needed and were able to pay him back the next morning. God has given us so many good people to help us along the way in our
journey. We got the visas and welcomed in the new year at the customs desk.
Now to get our luggage. The airport was
almost completely empty when we went down to the baggage claim area. We looked
in the off loaded bags and finally found ours grouped together. Only problem is
one was missing. Noah went to the desk and as he approached they asked if he
was David Taylor. The airlines had already informed them of the bag left
behind. After filling out paperwork we were told the bag would be delivered to
Nakuru and we could get it on Friday. It was a misc. bag and didn't have
essential in it, thankfully.
As we went outside to load up Jon’s car we realized it was pouring
down rain. Jon brought the car around and we packed them in with just barely
enough room. I don’t think that 5th bag would've fit anyway. He
drove us to the Mission home in Nairobi where we got some much needed sleep.
Sammy and Irene picked us up at around 9 am the next morning. We went to have
breakfast at the Java house and started the 3 hour drive to our house in Nakuru
where good friends greeted us and gave us a wonderful meal.
We’re settling in thanks to all who prayed us through. God
is so faithful to take care of our every need. I’m reminded of the scripture
that tells us to go, take nothing with you, no money in your bag. [Luke 9:3]
In the midst of the challenges we had a safe journey and no
lack. Sometimes we pray for everything to go without problems. … as for me… I
love the problems. They’re teaching us to rely on God more than ever before. We
welcome His intervention in our lives. We've met some wonderful people because
of our need. God’s ways are not our ways and for that we are happy.
This is my version of the trip. I’m sure Noah will have more
to say as soon as he recovers from sleepless nights and daysJ
We love you all and already miss you! Happy New Year!
January 8,
2013
It’s been a
good week. We’re making the time change of 9 hours adjustment with oh too
familiar sensations. We wake up at about 2 am thinking it’s time to get out of
bed. So we read and hope for sleep to return. It usually takes about 3 weeks to
make the transition.
Our Kenya
homecoming was sweet. Kind friends, James, Beatrice, Thomas and Pamela, Patrick
and Christine, and their kids greeted us. We had a feast of chapati, stew, rice
and potatoes and, of course, Chai. We sang praises and prayed for the New Year.
It’s good to know we are not alone in the work here in Kenya.
The next day
we went to Godfrey and Pricilla’s for dinner. We had a friendly visit. You will
always be laughing when you visit with Pricilla. She has a light heart and
joyful spirit.
The next day
we went over to Johnny and Kate’s to roast marshmallows in the fireplace and
have smores. Quite a treat! I brought the ingredients from the U.S. because
it’s not possible to find them here. It’s nice to have missionary friends with
children close by.
Patrick,
Christine and their 5 children are the first family we have been able to
‘rescue’ out of the slums. They are grateful and doing well. The ‘shamba’
(garden) is full of tomatoes, spinach, skuma wiki (a type of greens), and
carrots. Oh yes, and sunflowers! The chickens are thriving. Their eggs are the
darkest golden yellow I have ever seen! You can see the nutrients and only have to eat one instead of the two you
would eat of most eggs, to be satisfied. We have 6 hens and 1 rooster,
including a ‘big fat hen’. She must weigh twenty pounds! We have 10 new chicks
and more on the way. Patrick is an awesome farmer and grounds keeper. Not to
mention security guard.
Christine
and the girls help me with the housework and do the laundry. She told me how
much less stress there is in the family now. God has healed their marriage and
brought peace, where there was distress and conflict, due to the devastating
stress of living in the slums now there is peace. Christine and I are becoming
very good friends.
Flora is
almost 18 years old now and still has those big brown eyes and that beautiful
smile. Sunday morning she came to my room short of breath and wheezing. I
listened to her lungs with my stethoscope and was concerned with the wheezing
and tightness I heard. She had been to the hospital two weeks ago and was given
medication which she had stopped taking. I gave her some Resco (herbal combination
for respiratory problems) and one of her pills (bronchodilator). She was better,
so we went to church. We talked to her parents and we decided to help them get
her to a doctor so we can manage her asthma without always coming to a crisis.
So Monday we
found a good health clinic with Godfrey’s help. Noah had meetings planned for
the day so he dropped us off at the doctor’s office in town. We went into the
building only to find out the office had moved to Nakumat. So we, Godfrey,
Christine, Flora and I, walked to a couple of miles Nakumat. It was a beautiful
day and we enjoyed the walk. We found the new office but there were 10 people
in line ahead of us. That meant about an hour and a half wait. We asked what
the doctor’s fee was and the receptionist told us 2,000 kenya shillings (ksh).
I about choked. We decided to try to find a different clinic. Godfrey took us
about 2 blocks back to another place. I liked it much better and the doctor’s
fee was only 500 ksh. The medicine he prescribed will cost about 1,600 ksh
every two months but it will control the asthma and help prevent a crisis. I
liked the doctor and the clinic. It’s nice to know there’s someone we can trust
with our medical needs. We also got a note from the doctor to her school
principle to help them understand the seriousness of her asthma. She has had
problems in the past with being made to sweep the school room, even when the
dust caused her respiratory distress. The teacher thought she was faking. That
won’t happen again.
‘Delightful
Dianna’ is sweet and quiet as always. She is a lovely young lady, 15 years old
now, almost 16. She’s always willing to lend a helping hand and her smile will
turn anyone’s frown upside down.
Lewis is 12
years old and growing up fast. He still loves to take things apart and put them
back together again. He’s our main ‘gate keeper’, which means he opens the gate
for us and lets visitors in. Kuja loves him and plays with him. He takes care
of Kuja. He helps his dad in the ‘shamba’ and also teaches us KiSwahili.
Lynn is 11
years old. She’s doing very well in school and is helpful with household
chores. She’s growing up to be a beautiful young lady, very sweet and tender
hearted.
Faith, also
known as ‘Toto’, is the baby of the family. She’s 8 years old and loves the
doll we brought her. She carries her on her back in the back pack Yashana made.
She’ll be a good momma one day. She transformed my dirty shoes into almost new
looking when she scrubbed them clean.
All the
children love to play Temple Run on our Kindle firesJ Overall the family is very happy.
They are all hard workers and it’s noticeable that their new life has brought
joy and gladness to them and us as well.
The Moniki
family also came to visit, Elizabeth, Zippy, Rose, and Joshua and the kids.
They walked 20 miles from their home and back just to say ‘welcome’. That meant
so much to us. They could have waited for Sunday to see us but they wanted to
give us a special welcome as only the Monikis can. They are always cheerful and
bring excitement to our home. They love to sing and dance and praise God.
Saturday
morning Noah, James, and Thomas taught the employees Christian Fellowship at
Nakumat. They are very receptive and now some are asking where our church meets
and how they can become a part. This has become a growing ministry of
StoneHouse Ministries.
After the
teaching Noah and James drove back to the house to pick me up and take me to
the Ladies’ meeting. I made them some breakfast – eggs, fried rice and chai –
then we went.
At our
ladies self help group the ladies shared the difficulties they have been
through in the past year - Sickness, death of loved ones and times with no food
on their tables. But through all this they are praising God for life and
looking forward to the coming year and the things God will bring. They have
grateful hearts and bless God for bringing them through adversities. Their
faith is strong. They were grateful for the income we brought them for their
crafts. They are working hard to teach each other skills and already have an
inventory of crafts ready to sell. We really want to find a market here in
Nakuru as well as in the U.S. They are committed to the work and to each other.
It was very encouraging to be with them. The gifts of their hearts far outweigh
the material things we give to them. Thank you all for contributing to this
ministry.
I’ll end
this post for now. There’s more to tell of the following days.
Thank you
always for your prayers and financial support. It means so much to us.
To be continued…..
