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!!!
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!!!
posted by Tami Dale | 12:56 AM
1 Comments:
Hey there TAM! *HUUUUGS* Just thought i would post a comment here and let you know that you're on our hearts! I find myself wondering from time to time how Tam's doing in Africa... :) Not sure when you'll get to read this. Just thot i'd say HI! :) and it's such joy to hear and read about your updates!
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