June 27, 2006

…And I thought it rained a lot in Washington! Perhaps it is the tin roof, or the lack of heat, or maybe it’s because we are outside a lot, but the rain here seems VERY hard and cold. When it looks like it is going to rain, we wear Gum Boots (galoshes for adults). I love wearing mine. I feel like a little kid running through the mud and puddles. This is an essential wardrobe piece to have when you are in the North Kinagop region in Kenya. Although Naivasha (closest city) is not far away it has very different weather. When we are having rain, there is no trace of it there (or anywhere else in Kenya for that matter). It is strange to see such an extreme climate change over such a short distance. Today was some of the hardest rain we’ve experienced yet.

This morning I woke up with a cold. The heavy rains turned into a blessing because that forced us to stay at the house and work here all day. It was nice to have a day off and a bit more rest, particularly since I’m not feeling the best. The chore around the house for the day was washing… washing everything (clothes, shoes, floors, seat covers, pots, pans, etc…). With the warm water, it was nice to wash, it helped take away some of the cold-to-the-bone feeling. Not to mention that washing everything took the whole day to accomplish.

Yesterday, I received a batch of mail. So, when I wrote before about it taking 10 days for mail to get to me was wrong. It’s closer to 20! The reason is because there is no way to get mail to me unless someone picks it up in Nairobi and brings it out or I go to Nairobi and pick it up. It was so encouraging to receive notes from home. With very little to do for entertainment, I have read and re-read the letters. In fact, I’m reading the last book I brought (Confession by St. Augustine) and even have found some time to try painting with watercolors. Days here are structured very differently. I am usually in bed reading by 9pm and there is always time in the morning between chores as we are waiting for another pot of water to heat up to enjoy other activities (i.e. painting) or simply play with some of the local children.

Last week we had a bit of a scare. Nighttime is when all the bad people and animals are out prowling, looking for food or mischief. By in large, our area is safe, however last week we were invaded by elephants, wanting to eat the cabbages and potatoes. When this happens, everyone runs out of their houses carrying anything that will make noise (i.e. pots & pans) and they begin banging it all together to scare off the elephants. Everyone comes together to help. Unfortunately, I slept through the whole thing (which everyone thinks is very funny and weird), so I do not have any photos to share. So if it happens again, I’ve asked to be woken up so I can help scare off the elephants (and take pictures). The other news from our farm is that a lamb was born yesterday. This is a big blessing for the family. Not only does it add to the number of sheep, but also it symbolizes future revenue.

In terms of ministry, the Jr Youth (3rd-8th graders) that I teach on Sunday mornings are great kids. They have a genuine heart for the Lord. However, none of them have their own Bibles. Actually, it is normal for a family to perhaps have one Bible that they all share. On Sunday morning, I purposed a challenge to the Youth. If they would memorize Col 3:1-17, they would be given a Bible at the end of the summer. Most of the children at Tumaini (a local orphanage, run by a man who sounds exactly like James Earl Jones) have already started. When I was at Tumaini yesterday, they were reciting what they have already memorized. At the most it will take them two or three weeks to have the passage committed to memory. Their desire to have their own Bible humbles me. I take for granted that I have a Bible that I can read at any time.

Hope this last week in June is going well for all of you and that you are feeling the presence of the Lord in all your work!

In His Love,
Tami

June 20, 2006

“Every Problem Becomes a Blessing
When I Know the LORD is Mine.”

As we walked back to our house, some local children ran from their farms to walk with the white lady. I was the first white person they have ever seen. The children are excited and rather frightened of me. As we walked along the rocky road together, we began trading songs back and forth. They would sing a simple Kikuyu song, which I would try to imitate and then I would sing a song in English. The last song they were teaching us was actually in English. It is a simple song, repeating two lines. “Every problem becomes a Blessing, When I Know the LORD is Mine. Thank You, Jesus. Thank You, Jesus. When I know the LORD is Mine” As the children were singing with great gusto these lines, I couldn’t help but notice that all but one was barefoot. Their clothing was little more than rags and hadn’t bathed in a while. Yet, they were singing a song, with words so simple that every problem (no food, shoes, clothes or bathing) becomes a blessing when I know the LORD is Mine.

Every Problem??? Lord, are you sure? Here I am: I have attended and worked at a strong Bible church for years, I have had the privilege of attending seminary, and I have my own Bible that I love to read and study (many people don’t have their own copy of the Bible) and yet… do I truly believe that EVERY problem becomes a blessing? 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says “give thanks in all things, for this is the will of God concerning you.” If I am honest, there are many things that happen that my first response is not to think that this is a blessing from God, let alone giving thanks for it. For example, I was called to speak at a rally on Sunday (with NO notice to 700+ High School girls). My first response was more along the lines of uncertainty and lack of desire rather than thanking the Lord for this ‘problem’. Pastor Jerry used to say, “You have to be ready to preach, pray or be martyred on a moment’s notice.” Well, I am now learning to see all of the no-notice speaking ‘problems’ as opportunities/blessings to share the gospel (and there seem to be PLEANTY of them). So that is one problem where my attitude is being changed to see it as a blessing, but... How about the problem of not being clean? Or the problem of not knowing the language? Or the problem of feeling lonely, missing my family and friends? Or the problem on bugs? Ok, the last one reminds me of Corrie Ten Boom:-)!!

Oh, May I become a woman of great faith, who can recognize immediately that every problem becomes a blessing when I know the Lord is mine!!

As I write this note, I would appreciate prayer for a heart of thankfulness, quick to praise the Lord for EVERY situation I encounter!

In His service!
Tami

PS-a note on the bugs...the mosquitoes are growing in size everyday (number and physically). Yesterday I found myself praying that God would remove them when I used the pit toilet. It was as if the Lord parted the red sea of mosquitoes in front of me. Immediately they went to the walls and it was as if they were stuck there. The simple answers to prayer have given me such GREAT amusement. It is fun to know that God cares if I have to deal with mosquitoes at the pit!!!

June 16, 2006 (Friday)

Howdy from Kenya! I have no idea when the next time I’ll have the opportunity to post this message, but yesterday was a day that needs to be communicated.

Daily life takes time here. Actually, I think that is the understatement of the century. It’s now 11am, and we just finished all the morning cleanings. Simple tasks like washing dishes easily take 1.5 hours. First you have to warm the water, then the process of washing and rinsing is quite extensive. With no modern connivances, I am impressed at the cleanliness. I have come to love doing the morning dishes. It provides an opportunity to simply sing praises to God and get the dirt out from under my fingernails.

Another example of daily life taking time is transportation. Walking is the main (and almost only form of transportation) and it takes time to simply move from one location to the next. One of the sweetest blessings I have received came from a very old woman who prayed that my legs and feet would remain strong all the days of my life. When your legs and feet are the only form of transporting the gospel to people this becomes a very thoughtful prayer and blessing. This brought new meaning to Romans 10, ‘Blessed are the feet of those who bring the good news’…

Speaking of walking, a few moments before we left the house yesterday, a local preacher stopped by to meet the American guest. He had walked 15 miles that morning just to introduce himself, and invite me to speak to the ladies of his church. 15 MILES!! I was blown away. I have never walked 15 miles just to introduce myself to someone. Right after he arrived, we had to leave to make our next appointment. And the pastor didn’t seem to mind that he had walked 15 miles just to sit with us for 10 minutes and turn around and walk back. He will come again on Tuesday and have lunch with us (which is another 30 miles roundtrip). I am quiet humbled that someone would sacrifice so much time and energy just to meet me.

The reason we had to leave the visiting pastor is the reason I want to write this letter. Our appointment that we had to keep was with a 75 year-old widow. She had three daughters and is taking care of her 10 young grandchildren. Out of her three daughters, one died in December, another is dying of AIDS currently, and the third took off with out notice 2 years ago, all leaving their children behind for this grandmother to care for. We (Phyllis, Paul-a Kenyan studying at an American seminary, Aaron-an elder at the church, and I) purchased some basic food items to take to this grandmother. We spent just under $14 and were able to procure about 2-3 weeks worth of food. Carrying the food as we hiked though the woods and farms to get to the house, I was paying more attention to the conversations we were having than thinking about and praying for the family we were going to minister to. As we approached the house many children came out to greet us. Most were not wearing any shoes, their clothes we little more than material that would make good rags, not to mention their attire was not close to being sufficient for a cold, rainy day. Strangely, I didn’t notice any of that until we were sitting inside. What I did notice was the incredible joy that radiated off of the faces of the children and their grandmother. Even though they had nothing, they were quick to thank the Lord for their weekly income of 10 Ksh (about 14 cents), with which they can buy soap. The house itself is incomplete. There are no doors and the wood slats that frame the house have 1”-2” gaps between each board, offering a little shelter from the cold winds. While we met with the family, most of the children were falling asleep and had other obvious signs of mal-nutrition. As we sat and spoke of a God who provides, I was humbled at how God was providing for this family. Some of our food supplies came from others who didn’t have much to eat themselves. They were giving greatly out of their poverty. They were limiting their own food so that this woman could feed her children TODAY. It was strange to walk away from this family, feeling challenged to evaluate how I spend money and humbled at the comparison between watching those that have so little, give so much and the Widow’s Mite in the gospel of Mark (12:41-44).

It seems there is overwhelming need for basic items such as food, clothing, shoes, and adequate shelter (by Kenyan standards, not American). And knowing that I could give all the money I possess and that wouldn’t even begin to help meet all the needs, challenges me personally. As I share the love of Jesus, it is not to be in word alone, but also in action. Only the Lord’s wisdom, moment by moment will help me discern how to minister to each person!!!

Although I have pictures, I am hesitant at showing them over the Internet. I do not want to add to the impression that white people come and take pictures that move our hearts, with the intent to exploit the needy. This is a common belief among the rural Kenyans. Many of these pictures (don’t worry I already have well over 200) will have to wait until I get home.

Know my prayers are with each of you! Serving Christ with you!

Tami

June 11/12

June 11, 2006...

Here was my day…
7am wake up
9am walk 2 miles to school
10am teach on Loving the Word of God to a student-run service at one of the local boarding schools
11am take tea (a Kenyan must) with students
12pm walk back to Karima Church (on the same property as our house)
12:30pm Share my testimony with Church
1pm meet the church members individually
2:30pm visit a dying woman (Dorca). Read and pray over her through a translator
4pm go to a service for a young woman who just died
4:30pm speak at the service (no warning and with not knowing anything about the person that died). Actually, at that time I was assuming the service was for an old man- I had not found out that it was a young mother).
5pm walk back to our house with the father of the woman who just died
5pm find two people waiting at the house to visit with the pastor, so I excused myself and helped prepare dinner

The rest of the evening was pretty mellow. As this day comes to a close, I am praising God for the words He gave me to say today. Fortunately, I had at least 12 hours notice before teaching this morning, the rest I found out at the same time everyone else did that I was supposed to speak. God is faithful at providing words when we are called upon to speak.

Getting accustomed to Kenyan culture has not been easy, but I am finding that the Lord has been renewing my heart moment, by moment. The relationships with Phyllis, David and Evelyn (their niece who lives with them) are deepening very quickly. Part of that is because there are no distractions (TV, video, radio or anything else…) and for safety reasons, I am with at least one of them at all times. I feel truly blessed that they have welcomed me into their family.

I will try to post picture the next time I'm in Naivasha! Thank you for all your prayers and support! I feel truly blessed!

In His love,
Tami

PS- this morning on my walk in, 20+ kids were teaching me how to sing psalm 23in Kikuyu (they were on thier way into school). What a great way to start the day!

June 10, 2006
Somewhere in the middle of Kenya…

It is strange to be writing on a computer today. After all, my toilet is a pit, all of our food is cooked on an open fire with wood from the near by forest, and for a game with the orphans we played a version of ‘jacks’ with rocks (and I lost miserably to the amusement of the kids). When I arrived I couldn’t help but think that the houses and fences look like the houses of the first American settlers at Plymouth Rock. (I just lit the lantern so that my computer screen isn’t the only source of light and finished purifying my water for tomorrow.) Somewhere the thought began to plague me, ‘what am I doing here?’

Phyllis and I had a great conversation this morning, where she expressed her appreciation and heart for the missionaries who came to bring the Gospel to Africa, even though they endured great hardships. Since she would still be trapped by the darkness if it had not been for those who came. So even as I was questioning, God provided a reminder of why I am here through one of the people I came to minister to. Talk about humbling.

Yesterday, I went to meet the principle of a local primary school. As we approached the school, the children came running up to me, pushing in on top of each other, wanting to shake my hand and touch a white person. I felt like a celebrity! One little girl reached up and touched my hair and ran away into the crowd giggling when I turned and winked at her. After looking at the classrooms, and with very little warning (I mean VERY LITTLE), I was asked to “bring a word to the children’. Now, I quickly learned that means teach or give an evangelistic message. So, for the first time in my life I ‘brought the word’ to 250-300 students, sitting outside, with no notice and through an interpreter. God is faithful and provided words for me to share (Also, thankfully I had decided to carry my Bible with me). I am learning that I am expected to speak a Christian message everywhere I go, even if it isn’t a Christian school.

After we finished, some of the girls had prepared (evidently they knew I was coming) a Kikuyu dance and song for me. I wish I had my camera to capture their singing. They then asked if I would sing a song for them. So I had them sing with me, Jesus loves me. It was the only thing I could think of to sing.

In the past 24 hrs I have had 6 or 7 invitations to preach, and when I explain that I will teach ladies of all ages and children but not preach form the pulpit, it is met with curious glances. So they decided that I should preach to the women of this whole region about ‘what God tells to women’. That should be in about a month.

Every day it gets dark at about 6:30pm and we go to bed around 9:30pm. We walk everywhere and everywhere is at least a few km apart, with hills on rocky roads. So by the end of they day, 9:30 seems pretty late. I like getting all of this sleep!

Anyways, I will try to attach some photos to help visually show life for me. I pray that the Lord is encouraging each of you and that you are able to see His presence in every aspect of your life!

In His love,
Tami
Is 41:10


Praise:
1. Safety… we have guard that watches our house at night and more bolts and bars of wood to put across the doors and windows that I know what to do with. It feels very safe.
2. Warmth… Kerima (the town I’m in) is cold at night and in the morning, but is warm during the day. The amount of covers I have to sleep with keeps me VERY warm at night, so the Lord has taken care of this prayer request.
3. Relationships… meeting so many different people and children!!!
4. Phyllis’ encouraging words this morning.
5. Opportunities to speak about God to children and explain importance of good theology to adults. This is one the Lord continues to give sensitive words to say!

Prayer:
1. Knowing what the Lord would want me to speak at each opportunity.
2. To be able to prepare talks faithfully (and w/o all the resources I’m used to). All I have is my Bible.
3. Relationships… that they are able to deepen even with the language barriers.
4. Wisdom with ministry opportunities. When and where I should serve and which invitations to accept.

Thank you for your faithful prayers!!!

Habari! (What’s up?)

In an hour, I leave to go up-country. This past week in Nairobi has been filled with many experiences. Although many people told me the Kenyan people are friendly, I didn’t know just how friendly. I have been amazed at their warmth and genuine kindness. Yesterday as we were in the outskirts of Kibera (slums) the children would run up to us say ‘Hello, how are you?’ over and over and over and over… and they were delighted if we stopped and shook their hands.

This morning I met with the overseer for the church I will be working with. He let me know that one of their greatest needs (up-country) is for discipleship, especially of the teens. The work that has been done in spreading the gospel is profound. However, David expressed that little has been focused on the teen’s spiritual growth. So, it seems that I am being prepared for working also with the teens.

Nairobi is a beautiful city. On a funny note, we were driving along a main road and ran into a family of baboons that were sitting in the grasses on the side of the road. It was hilarious to turn my head and see them hanging out, staring at the people.

As I go up-country I find myself excited and a bit fearful. There are so many unknowns. Last night, the weekly Bible study for those living in Nairobi, the subject was fear. I guess God knew I needed to be reminded that He is always with me and His plan is perfect. Even as I write these words, I am amazed at how God has calmed my heart. PLT!

Thank you for all of your prayers and emails. I could not be up-country without your partnership!! THANK YOU!!

In His Love,
Tami

Praise:
1. Physical strength - I am over all of the Jet lag
2. New relationships with many missionaries that have been of great encouragement to me.
3. Bible Study on Fear last night :-)

Prayer Requests:
1. Quick and safe travel up-country (the last half is what we would call off-roading)
2. Great relationship with Phyllis, that we would be able to have the deep fellowship of sisters in Christ.
3. That I will not be cold (physically). I am going into the mountains, and it should be beautiful but even colder than I had anticipated.


PS- Above is a picture I took right before we entered Kibera. This is simply a small section (Kibera holds roughly 1 million people).

I've Arrived!

Greeting from Africa!!! (ok, I've wanted to say that for a long time!)

Not only did I arrive safely, but my luggage did as well. Execpt for one of the containers of Parmesan cheese I was bringing for some local missionaries. So, I (and everything in my bad) smells like cheese right now.

The plane from Amsterdam to Nairobi was sparse in people, so I had a whole row to stretch out and nap- huge praise.

Last night was my first night sleeping under mosquito netting- I must say that it was quite an adventure tucking myself in and creating this cocoon.

Thank you for your prayers for safe travel and good connections, the Lord has answered. It's two in the afternoon, and a few of us are going out to a local market to explore.

In His Love,

Tami