Back in Kenya

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 29^th, 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 5^th 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 5^th 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…..