Praise God! Today i took Cynthia, an orphan, to the doctor. She came to the church we were speaking at. I think her family goes there. and she was crying and shivering and sick. she had diarrhea and high fever. I was supposed to speak at Sony's church (we were at Makunga) but I had already spoken at Alfred Okwanya's church and I so wanted to take her to the doctor immediately. I left Medine in charge of speaking with a hope that I could make it back. it was such a thrill that a muslim family came to Jesus that day! the wife had married a muslim and became a muslim but she prayed and prayed and then her husband gave his life to Jesus. The daughter was the lead in it. She was visiting the church. She is a preteen or young teen. She asked the pastor to come to her house, but he was nervous. he was afraid of what a muslim family might want with a pastor. but he went ahead and was surprised to be welcomed! Hallelujah! They were deeply welcomed and cheered. We prayed and hugged them. They gave their testimony. It was a great joy. Then Cynthia showed up outside and Joseph called me out to her. I was stricken. So I spoke to the church, told them of my love for them. It was so great to see Stella! And Evelyn, Joseph's wife was there. But I needed to go.
At Dr. Kennedy's, he checked Cynthia and found her abdominal pain to be symptomatic of malaria. Her temperature was over 39 (37 is normal.) He sent her to the lab for confirmation. In the meantime, he asked me to go around and pray for patients at his clinic. They were two to a room. 8 women. All confirmed malaria! Two were pregnant mothers and one was an old mama with typhoid, too! I used my swahili and Luhya and then also prayed in English. It was good. Many were comforted and loved. I prayed many things over them. It was a great joy to me. Then I was with the last woman. I heard screaming. I asked the doctor, "It is my girl?" He said, I don't think so. but I was anxious to find her. Sure enough. They were trying to give her a shot. She was fighting like a mad woman! Screaming and yelling and writhing! Pastor Joseph was trying to hold her and they were trying to get her in the hip. Dr. Kennedy after a moment said stop. We will give her oral medicine. Joseph was concerned about how well she would actually take the medicine. But Kennedy assured him that we would WATCH her take it and be sure. She screamed and cried, I am ready for medicine, please! So that was good. She promised to take the medicine as directed if it meant she did not have to get a shot.
So while they finished up with her and once I knew she was alright, I went with Edwin, the pharmacist to look at his stock. We discussed amounts and sicknesses and local patterns of consumption. I'm to go to Emusanda Clinic, the one up the hill, and see what their top ten sicknesses are. Then we will stock with those.
We are still working to get the nets. TGD is going to get 300 to 500 dollars worth of mosquito nets depending on supply. It is such a good preventative.
The bicycles for the pastors are here. I am eager to get a photo with them on one. so many times, though, I am so busy living life here that photos seem inappropriate and distancing.
After the clinic, we went back to see Sony and Stella in their home. It was very interesting and would have made a lovely video. We walked in through a store front area. Then we walked along cement halls. Then it opened up to cement apartments on each side. There were clothes hanging from lines hung diagonally through the walkway and plenty hanging. So we wound our way through the bare spots with children playing in the dirt on porches and little chicks under a sort of net umbrella on the ground to corral them. Then we were at Sony's and Stella's, I suppose. they had the typical lovely spread with some variety. I made a plate of chipati and rice for Cynthia and we got her a sprite. She was now ready to eat. There was lovely boiled chicken and some beef and some kind of vegetables with onions. a really nice african dinner. Cynthia was able to eat well. Good thing. I hope she can keep it down because her fever had not broken. I even had Medine pray for her, too. I pray she has a good night and is able to make it to school tomorrow.

here I am

it is so good to be online. i have had such a week. I went to the hospital. they gave me gloves to help deliver babies. I said I will observe. i stayed with two mamas (that's what we call them) and they had their babies with me with them. I saw three dead babies wrapped in a room. During the same time, Steve went to see a man to pray for him, but they were trying to make him breathe--then he died. Steve and Sarah were right there. Another friend of Titus' was in his home and masked men came in. They hit him on the head. they broke his fingers. they slashed him with a machete. they pulled out his teeth. his 8 year old grandson was watching. his wife was stripped, but they did not rape her (praise God.) He is such a good man. they took what was in his cabinets and fridge. terrible men.
I have seen the orphans. several. it is sad. I am eager to raise support for them. two of them have a mother but are in such terrible situations. One girl is so smart, she has such promise. i have a little video of her telling a poem. oh she is good. Gladys. Always my favorite. I have known her since I first came. I have always seen her in the exact same dress and she is always worshipping and singing. smart girl. she is 9 or 10, I forget.

oh I have so much to say.
we are working on the hospital.
we have worked with the government. we have such good computer students. we found land for the consulting practice. it is called Joyland. How about that? I like it.

I am learning a lot of swahilli and a little luhya.
i am going to go to the masai this month.
anita leaves in the morning.
I am speaking at a funeral. I have a speech in swahilli and luyha to give. It was an old man. the one who died that sarah and steve saw. he was a good man named Elijah. He was 70_

I go to the churches and preach and pray for people. God has really blessed us and the people are so encouraged and give good testimonies of how it is strengthening them. I had a terrible migraine the day steve left. all day I suffered. still I took Ibuprofen and went out to the churches on the bumpy roads in the heat. then on the way home, Medine laid hands on me----IT LEFT! MIRACLE! oh how I wish I had made her lay hands on me sooner. I asked her to pray but did not make sure she came over and did it. I went to bed and slept soundly and woke refreshed.

so much to say. i will wait and do more. Medine leaves next week. I have 30 days before sTeve comes. Each day I do TGD work and church work. Oh it is such a blessing! we are helping so many. Dreams come true. I love this work. I am just at peace.

I love you all! God bless you! thank you for your prayers! many are touched here and they thank you.

random photos

right now I have to put on random photos, but when I have more time, I'll put good ones into a folder and then choose from that to upload.

last night we had a special TGD meeting. Steve had people come up to The Golf Hotel for a banquet. We had a buffet set up with some fried chicken, some ugali (stiff grits), some chapati (tortillas), fruits, greens, beef stew, and more. Employees got to bring their families and it was fun to have them get up and give speeches about how grateful they were and how it was a great thing. We will try to capture some of their comments in interviews next week. One employee, Joseph, is a teacher. He says it has changed his life. Catherine went from never touching a computer to being a teacher. she changed from being a young girl to a woman of respect in a few short months. it is an amazing transformation. praise God!

The children enjoyed the PBJ sandwiches that doug and sarah made. I bet I already posted about that but I can't remember. Children were putting them in their shirt pocket to save a bit of it for their parents. cute! probably pretty hard on the shirts.

we brought a soccer ball and a little rubber ball. we gave out cookies one time, candies another.

you can imagine, they love to see us come through the gate! ha ha! it is fun.

when I came over to them the other day, I had no treats, but they all crowded around to touch me and shake my hand. they were so sweet. I love them! i want to know them more. they will see me when i move onto the church property and stay with Titus this week.

the building is progressing. could be done in two or three weeks. definitely in time for the shipment. the lawyer is in nairobi. we overnighted him new papers we just filled out on saturday. he should get the NGO papers on Wednesday and we start the process for Tax Exemption papers.

we go to the churches, I meet the local orphans. we go to the store and buy supplies. we go to official offices. we buy building materials. we buy stuff for churches or children. it is busy and fun. today is slow. it was going to be another long day but sarah was so upset when she lost her phone after visiting a small church (they gave Titus a chicken there.) When we went to the next church they had an amazing P.A. system and were jamming to Jesus with a keyboard and singers. We sang a while but then Sarah was sick and needed the outhouse. She was very unhappy to see them. They really weren't bad at all, but I think her mood was so low that she just couldn't tolerate the smell, the bugs, the tiny hole in the ground. but they were good stalls! with nice metal doors! very private. the cockroach kind of threw her over the edge. she wanted to go to the hotel or to any western toilet. We went ahead and left. Steve had so much work to do he was not even sure we would be able to go to a church that day. at least we were at one and then a time of worship at the other one. Anita and Medine stayed there. Anita has been to that church many times. Mom has been at that church. Mom took some great pictures at that church and the cover of my TGD photo books is a picture taken there.

but we headed back and had a nap. oh what an amazing nap! i think when I come home, I am just going to nap through the month of august and september. except for Lindsays wedding and Shelby's reception. i will come alive for those days. I have had a sore throat and lost my voice and I'm coughing each morning with tons of gunk, but hey, it is not a sick tummy! so I am so happy and I keep going. but I am so tired. and if you know me, I can be a whiney baby. I have two speeds. Hyper and lethargic. or so it seems.

steve is teaching doug programming right now. maybe steve's dream of creating a programmer will come true. doug is great fun. we've enjoyed him so much. he is one of my children. he has always fit in the family perfectly. he's been a great comfort to sarah. they've been able to hang out while steve and i talk to everyone. It was a great decision to bring him.

I think i am done trying to bring people though because I was so thrilled to bring medine but I have not been able to even spend time with her! Steve's focus is not the church. I end up not doing all the church stuff. medine wants to go do church stuff each day. and i think i am not working her enough! but Kenya has its own way. and then I have so many TGD things to do. I still get to go to plenty of churches, but with doug and sarah here, i am even more family oriented then working to get to the churches.

anita, however, is such a blessing. she wants to go to the churches every day. she loves it. she can go all day. she can eat the food and she never gets sick. medine was sick when she first came which is weird because she never gets sick. it was probably her kind of malaria med.

in the future, on trips I do take someone, we will make a calendar with titus ahead of time. but the churches want you to come out to see them. and they are so hopeful.

so Christa--you are still coming with me! Debbie and Brenda--you are still coming with me! Susan-- I found you a single mother. It is Gladys' mom. i love Gladys. I am taking her to the doctor Tuesday night.

Sunday night

We did not get many pictures lately. We've been living life rather than filming.

Yesterday was a leadership meeting at the Big church of Cornerstone. The men leaders all came and many of their wives. the men were in the big church and the women met in the school. anita and medine went to speak to the women and the men called me out to speak to them. I was honored. you talk to men differently. they are the leaders. I am a woman. I definitely start out humbly. but you know me. I can be a hard hitter. i spoke about leading in the home, church, and community. about humility and repentance. living for Jesus and putting him first. Then Boniface came and preached. I sure enjoyed him. I don't get to see him much anymore. i saw him so much on that first visit with Ed when we had a series of meetings in the big church during conference. but on subsequent visits, I have not seen him much. on my second visit when I was at his church, i got sick. that was my first sickness. then I was sick last trip. i have not been sick this time with stomach problems, praise the Lord!

I have learned some luhya. merebe is greetings and orenomino is thank you very much to one preson murrenomino is thank you very much to a group. i have not really learned any new swahili but I can use and understand those words I do know.

steve found some land for TGD services. it is amazing. it maybe 1/2 an acre and beautiful. prime land. near the provincial government offices and next door to the district commissioners residential home. it is between 2 cell towers and electrical line in front of the property. it has sewage lines and water lines on the property. and it is so pretty! it is next to a golf course, too. far enough away --probably no balls in the windows.

we bought bicycles for the pastors and bibles.

i bought medicine for 3 orphans. i am pushing steve for the orphan house and my house. there is land right there near the church.

the hospital may be a money maker. thanks to all who have donated to the TGD general fund. God bless you for building this amazing building that is bringing hope and life into the community. it is changing the economic scenery.

also, steve is going to check into reselling computers. they have an outrageous markup here.

I'm going to let doug get on my computer....

At Titus House

Hey, this is cool. so I hope i get this from STeve so I can be online.

I think the Malerone just does not agree with the stomach. I am not pleased.
I spent last night thinking about the orphans. There are so many barriers. Mom wrote me an email saying stay focused on the computer lab and medical clinic because the medical clinic takes so much work. True, but we will need a place to stay here. We are spending a lot at the hotel. We are going to be here frequently.
Titus has a TV here. freaks me out. I did not expect that. they didn't have it before. how am I going to make it? I LOATHE tv. hate it. i think it is evil. I do go ahead and watch a few programs because steve watches--and some with the girls. but I could live my whole life without tv or movies. but i know that our culture is just obsessed. even though man lived centuries without it--now people think they must have their TV. a few times we went without a tv at our house. people will try to give you one. ha!

We are so busy each day. On Monday, steve meets with the health director for kenya regarding the clinic. i think it is going to be a hospital because people do not have this equipment. Doctors will come to rent the equipment from us. that is cool. Praise the Lord.

I can't imagine how or why this computer decided to post three of this picture!

Friday

Friday

I have had a full day and it is just now noon. We came down at 7:30. My cold is much improved. The throat is better although a small cough with congestion has set in.

Bishop came and there was a pastor here to meet us. he wanted to tell us he had a son in medical school in uganda. he was almost finished and desired to come and serve the people here. Steve told him to talk to Dr. Kennedy. Seems we have so much to do in order to get the clinic off the ground. so many steps. so many regulations. that is to be expected. if steve was just having a health center or a clinic, we could open easily. but we are bringing so much equipment from medical bridges that we are putting ourselves in a higher catagory.

I was able to get a prescription for the orphan girls, Jane and Vivian. I hope to give the medicine to Joseph to bring to them. They will need to wash their bedding in boiling water and their clothing. they must not share. Vivian will need to shave her head. it is very close cut even now. it should not be a problem.

we have been here over a week. Sarah and Doug are beginning to wear out. Doug was a little ill from the malerone this morning. I arrived at the hotel to find him in the lobby sleeping with his head in hand. He came to slowly and appeared confused. He cracked all his knuckles and a couple of extra joints before he livened up. he had not seen Sarah. that was not good.

Sarah had asked me to leave our room key so she could get the food in our room. I forgot. she did not know the room included breakfast--doug did not either. so they went hungry. During that time we were out looking at houses for the consulting practice. we really like Titus’ house in the city and Mama Selfa’s house in the city but they are rented out. We cannot get them. Titus has some extra land on that property and he could divide it, but nothing is built yet.

we looked at a home of Mama Selfa’s that was deep into a bad neighborhood. We are not sure it can receive internet signals, which is a must. It was beautiful with tile roof and many toilet bathrooms, even one kenyan bathroom with a porcelain hole in the floor--AND an outhouse. It could surely be set up with a few apartments, but it would not be good for the location. Not secure. it is going to have an electric fence, though, so we’ll see how those negotiations go.

we visited the lawyer who said that he would be in nairobi on monday to meet with the people there. He could get it expedited to Wednesday, for a fee. He would let us know what that fee would be. It is our fault for the delay. so we said thank you. we need those NGO papers so we can begin the process for the exemption papers. another weeklong ordeal ahead and another fee.

Titus is going to push the building to be finished, though. He said that he could finish it in 2 weeks if he stayed right on everyone and had all the money. Steve said he would be sure the money was there and to keep going. We are stuck right now only drawing out of the ATM our whole amount daily. God is good. It will all work out.

Oh all of a sudden i need a nap. I am tired. We still have to buy the mosquito nets. about 300 dollars worth-- maybe 500 dollars worth. We have to buy a new mattress. I wanted to buy a mattress for me and let Medine sleep on it. I am not even getting to see Medine because of the business I keep doing. I love to go out to the churches and so does Anita, so they get to go out together every day. I suppose I would be going if it weren’t for Anita, so what a blessing!

We definitely need to build a house for the orphans. We could buy some land next to the church. I looked at the two possibilities. It would keep them near the three pastors and near the Cornerstone church family. They could go to the Cornerstone school for free (still need uniforms, books, etc) and the older children could go just across the street where Rose teaches or to the high school next to that. We could reduce some fees that way.

We would have our medical clinic right there. They would get free care. They would have each other as family and the three girls who are related to each other could help form the "family" that would be in the house. The sweet little boy worries me. He is only 3!! how terrible for him to be in an orphan home. but for the teen girls, I think it would be fine. Around here, the rich girls go away to school anyway and live there. so it is not too different from being a rich girl (in a sense.)

I still have several girls to see, but I was crushed to learn my sweet Mary is 13 years old. She is far behind. She is underdeveloped. Time to get these children some protein! Even the little school children are only eating gruel for breakfast and rice for lunch. Doug and Sarah want us to make 130 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. we're going to do it.

today I am supposed to meet the lawyer for the NGO papers, meet the provincial health guy--some big wig like a governor. I think we are meeting the provincial governor sometime. Plus we are going to see Mama Selfa and see her Western house. We need to house the consulting practice in the city to get the high speed internet. We are going to put it in some residential area so it does not attract much attention or else there could be theft. It is a big problem with all the big things we are bringing here. God protect us!

new post from day before yesterday

Then Pastor Joseph with Pastor Steve and brought two little boys to my attention. Benjamin and Emmanuel. Emmanuel was a darling little boy. Cheerful. Little Benjamin did not want anything to do with Doug. SCARY! He screamed!

I interviewed the aunts and they wanted the boys to go to some home where they could get schooling. Emmanuel is teased for being an orphan. Their parents have died of AIDS. Little Emmanuel understood what they were talking about. It crushed my heart. His shirt was ragged. His smile remained.

Then we were off to see the girls.

We went through the most terrible roads yet-and believe me, that is saying something! The ruts in the road WERE the road. They were deep and difficult to maneuver through. It was going to rain. They sky darkened and the temperature dropped and the winds blew. It was beautiful! Then the rains came in a Texas torrential downpour. I thought of Bernard in his home that was damaged from the rains. He would be soaked right now.

Pastor Joseph, Pastor Steve, and I discussed the orphans. They said that if we could get the children into one place, we could better administrate their support. This means a building. Buildings cost so much! I hate buildings! But to look at these girls and know they cannot go to school where they are at--well, buildings are okay.

I have wanted a place to live here when I come that has western amenities. The woman in Out of Africa had her whole setup with her--even her dogs. I like that. I know, I know, perhaps I must suffer on the mission field, but God has given me Steve. Steve is amazing. He does not like to slum it.

I am thinking that I could build me a house to stay in --and increase it so that the orphans could live there. Titus could educate them grade 7 and below for free at Cornerstone school. We could find sponsors for these children to help them get shoes, clothes, uniforms, and food. We could give them medical care at the clinic. Two of the girls had health issues. One had a fungal scalp condition and one had something similar on the back of her neck. It was not ringworm or scabies, but it looked like something treatable.

Steve is prepared to build for them. We will look at some land tomorrow. The pastors said that if we get a building and we are all official with our NGO, the government will provide some sponsorship. If we are established for five years and have good accounting records, I would be able to apply for grants from the U.S. government.

June 2 WEDNESDAY

Oh I am tired. I have lost my voice. it is so husky. i am so weak. all the strength draining. but i want to go on to the church. we went to Eshitsitswe headed by Pastor Steven. A new Steve. I can remember that name! He was a sweet man. Pastor Alipaul took Anita and Medine. I feel like we are separated. I have so much other business to attend. I am searching out the orphans.

So Pastor Joseph comes and says, Come see the orphans at the preschool. We go over to the throngs of children. I let Steve take the candy, but he just starts passing it out. There are over 100 children and they gather and circle hoping for another chance for a sweet.

At the church the other day, I passed out candy when everyone was seated so that you can go row by row without repeats. I think there were a few who went without in the end, but considering the amount of children involved, it was a small number.

My throat hurts. I’m faint. We had to take the most rocky roads yet. deep ruts in the road kept us thrown from side to side and up and down. We slid through some parts but never stalled.

The outhouse was the most substantial mudhut outhouse yet. it had very seriously smooth walls of a cylinder. A beautiful thatched roof. The flies buzzed and the odor was pungent but i felt sure I’d be concealed. As I went around to the front, I was dismayed. There was a little tarp hanging over the large doorway. AS IF! Since it was far enough away from the next home and a little hidden by a couple of corn rows, I consented.

Oh at the preschool I met Ben. A little boy. He was sad. He did not talk. The teacher said that even when he first came, he was very sick. He did not talk. He is six years old. Ben Amuko is in the pre-unit class. Both his father and mother died from AIDS. He has a married sister, but he lives with his grandmother who brews alcohol. Sometimes when there is not enough food, he is given alcohol to sleep. His favorite thing is school is drawing and painting. He plays with the other boys. He is trying in class but he is not that good. He has no shoes and no uniform. He needs school stuff.

I saw little Paul again today. Paul Wesa who is 8 now and in class 1. His father was poisoned and his mother died in a car crash. I thought earlier that it was both of his parents in the wreck. He is living now with an older step-brother. He leaves home at 5:30 am to arrive at 6. He has not had any shoes. His favorite toy is a bicycle and he loves coloring, drawing, painting and playing ball. His favorite food is rice. His brother’s wife mistreats him and gives food to the other children but he is not given food. There are five children in that home.

I lost my spice round at the church. I wonder if anyone would care to get it back to me. I think they had time to ask us. I’m disappointed. I never even used it for myself.

Doug spoke up at the meeting telling the men (and including the women) to take these teachings to heart and to have accountability with each other. Men should ask other men....how are you treating your wife? and in this way, they can grow in love towards their wives rather than forgetting a good teaching.

Stanley told me about his life when I asked him. He was poor. His father left and was always drinking. His grandfather was a preacher and gave his books and bible to Stanley, told him he was called to preach, and then died. it was solemn. Plus, Stanley had a vision at 3 am and when he woke up he went straight to church to fulfill the vision and pray. He saw a whole giant gathering of people and saw himself preaching and heard God tell him that this was what He was going to do.

He found that when he strayed away and tried to do other things, that life went poorly, but when he honored the call on his life, things were smooth. Eventually, he witnessed to his father who gave his life to jesus. His father has been saved since 1988 and is now such a good man.

Stanley has 5 children. One boy child died when age 6. He has a child of 8 and a new baby. Also Sharon is about age five. He traveled around doing drama and speaking in churches and schools. He has spent much time teaching children although he does not have a college education. He worked for an oil company and was a salesman for a Indian company selling spice. His wife is evelyn.

i had a hard night. this throat was killing me. I have had prayer, I have tried to believe for healing and rebuked sickness--but to no avail. My voice is hoarse and my body is weak. I slept from 6pm to 5:15am only waking to eat an oreo and take ibuprofen. I thought I had eaten a whole roll of oreos, so I was delighted to see that it was only half the roll. but so much for weight loss!

I had one bout of diarrhea and was shocked to have it end there! hallelujah! now that is fabulous and the only time that has happened. So prayer is working. Otherwise, all bowel function is normal and I am so blessed and thankful!

I have not been able to eat the food here. I suppose my body remembers my earlier sickness and associates the food. That is terrible and I am not sure how to overcome. I’ll be eating that food every day for the next few weeks. I brought a scone with me from the hotel.....more like a hard cookie, which was delicious and plain. Easy on the stomach. I ate it with water and was able to get through the service.

It is so fun here having church each day. We sing, we pray, we preach, we break for lunch. Then we do it again. We lay hands on people and minister. There are variations each time. It is so good how the different pastors come out with us. We love them so! It is such a joy.

One sweet mama came up to me to greet me. She told me I must take her to USA! and she made a swoosh gesture up to the sky as if her hand was a plane and made a swoosh sound! and laughed with a smile! She was so fun.

One little old guy made a special little .....violin? fiddle? it had one string on a stick and he had a bow to play it on. He could tune it with the nail at the top. It was quite clever and we got it on video. The rooster, chickens, and little chicks running about were delightful. I cannot get enough of them! I hope I can have chickens one day. I love to see them running around. Sarah fed the chickens from the table. I was afraid it was rude, but Lydia told me it is okay.

Lydia loved Sarah’s tattoos and piercings. She laughed saying, I am so black! Sarah said, I am so white! and Lydia said, You are! You are so white! and they laughed together and got photos. Sarah is so pretty and people are enjoying her. She did a great job on the accounting. Steve praised her telling me she did a wonderful job and worked well with Henry. Sarah praised Henry saying he worked hard and stayed focused even with people all around talking. It kept her on task and she appreciated his good work.

We went through some serious roads out to that church. it was the farthest we have gone yet. Pastor Joseph told Sarah, “Sarah, now you have been to Kenya. Golf Hotel is not Kenya.” And we knew it. We have already gone far back into the bush with Pastor Stanley and this was even further. It was good. The people in these areas have not had a church. Even if they have been a Christian, there was not a place to come together.

Anita spoke on the differences between men and women. She explained how men need respect and women need love. It was good to hear. Women come up to talk it out when there is a problem, but a good man walks away from a fight with other men--and so when he does that to his wife, she feels ignored. A man has to learn to comfort his wife when she is distressed. A woman needs to know how to approach him so he feels respected.

I guess I have profile several orphans now. There was Diana and Celestine at Pastor Juma’s church. There was Benjamin and Emmanuel at Pastor Wycliffe’s church. We spoke with the three girls at their home; Jane, Lillian, and Vivian. I talked to Paul and Ben at the preschool. That is 9 children so far. We still have 10 children to go.

We are supposed to go to ANOTHER church today. There are so many! But first we have to have a TGD board meeting. On Saturday, Steve is taking tons of people to the hotel to eat. I think I will ask him to have the hotel bring more cooks or something. They take nearly an hour to make you dinner. It drives me crazy. But everything takes forever here. It is African Time. You have to just settle into it. By the time I come to dinner, though, I am so tired and ready to have something to eat and go to bed. Yet, it is another long wait.

Another funny thing is at church when it is nearing the end. Pastor Stanley will imply that we are at the end and we are going to do one prayer or song and then go. But there is at least an hour from the time he says it and maybe more. It is easy to forget. When you are worn out from sitting in front of everyone or even from preaching or praying for people, it is easy to get eager to dismiss. You just long to relax and let down. Still, I love being in the house of the Lord. I love praising God and discussing Jesus and His Word. I love encouraging others to fix their eyes on Jesus.

I am so thankful to Jesus. Here I am in Kenya. I am praising Him among the nations. I know God is glorified and exalted! It is so good to worship Him with brothers and sisters on the other side of our globe! It is so good to know that He is everywhere. He is our all in all. Even my weakness has not dimmed my joy! But I have learned to moderate my mood. I got so euphoric last time that it made me ill! Now I just rest in the peace of deep joy. I am abiding in Him and resting in Him. I know that I will be here for such a long time, too, that I don’t have to take it in all at once. I can savor my time and relax into it.

I wish I could go to the churches and hear them preaching. Instead, they are so grateful for visitors which is a great honor. So we never get to hear the locals preaching, we just hear ourselves over and over. Anita worries that her message is the same, but she always changes it and the people are always interacting with questions. It is good! The people are often sharing examples and the pastor share their testimonies of how it is changing their families. It is a great blessing. I know so much about relationships and counseling. It is hilarious to me that my mind is blank when I come here. NOT IN THE USA! But when I am here, I have the Word of God and a Jesus focus and nothing else. I want to preach Jesus. I want to share Jesus. I want to encourage Jesus. But I must remember when I was a new Christian, that I wanted the practical advice of.....how do I implement this? What does this mean day to day? Maybe that can help me think about it.

Today I must be careful not to talk. I am over using my voice. But there is so much to say. To everyone! I must greet people, I am asked to speak, and I can’t help but review with Anita/Medine or Doug/Sarah. We are having a great time. It is so full and wonderful. It is so great to have church under the tree, like yesterday. Oh the joy of it! It is so fun to go to the little remote churches. God is so good. He has come to the people. He is changing their lives. I love to hear their testimonies.

Emmanuel

He's 7. His parents died of AIDS. He's a precious cheerful boy! I have video of him talking with me. He understood his extended family wanted him to live somewhere else. He still managed to keep up his attitude. Evidently, he is teased for his circumstances. The pastors hoped that being in an environment of respect and love would be better for him.

Benjamin

He's 3 and he's an orphan. His parents died of AIDS.

Jane, Vivian, Lillian

Ages 14, 13, and 12. They are related. Their parents died of AIDS. One was born out of wedlock. They are not able to get school fees. Their grandmother takes care of all of them plus several more little children. She would like them to go to school.

Jane, Vivian, Lillian

Greeting the orphans

I met with a few orphans today. First was Benjamin and Emmanuel and then three girls: Jane, Lillian, and Vivian. They are related. They live with their elderly grandmother. There were 9 children there today, but the girls said they do not live with all of them.

All the girls said they wanted to live somewhere that they could go to school. they could not go to school in their current situation. School is about $250 a year. They were in ragged dresses and I know it was not staged because when they came to get their photos taken as orphans, they were dressed nicely.

One girl said on command, “We love you and we want to live with you.” God bless her. I was sad for her. Can you imagine having to say such a thing to someone you do not know?

The grandmother gave me 2 eggs, a pineapple, and a chicken. I was very blessed. I had to give the chicken to Titus. Sarah insisted that I avoid killing and eating it. Pastor Steve told me that I could get our hotel restaurant to cook it for me....but Sarah would have none of it.

We started our day heading out to the bank. it was closed. Independence day. We went to Jako market where we spotted a white female dressed up and walking alone. She had sunglasses and high heels and we were amazed. We stared at her as she walked away.

When we got to the church, someone had already taken Medine and Anita to Ibuti church. It is Pastor Wycliffe’s new church. I came late with the other Wycliffe and Doug. Sarah and Steve stayed to do TGD work with Walter, Frank, and Henry.

Anita was preaching on marriage and it was great. I felt like it was good preaching for Doug to hear and I would have liked Sarah to hear it, too. It was good for ME to hear! She talked about how to love one another as men or as women.

When the time came for me to preach, I explained that I had lost my voice and so I was going to do something different. It was hard to speak but I could be heard with some effort. I had Doug read John 14 and John 15 one verse at a time, then Pastor Stanley would read it in my new Luhya Bible, and then Pastor Wycliffe would read it in Swahili. Then we had the congregation repeat it back to us. That way we all had the Word of God in our hearts and minds. Abide in Him and you will bear much fruit. If you love Him, you will obey His commands, His command is love one another. We love one another by caring for others as we care for our own needs.

Afterwards, we ate. I had a terrible time! I gagged when I was eating the ugali! It is because of the association with eating when I was here before and was so sick. We eat this same thing every day so I am praying God will get me through this.

Tuesday June 1st

We went to a funeral for a sweet little baby the other day. It was so sad. The baby was six weeks old. She caught malaria and they took her to the hospital but she was dead on arrival. She had only been sick for 8 hours. She was so perfect and beautiful, appearing to rest in sleep in her little crib coffin. We comforted the mother who was dazed and heavy with grief. We prayed over the couple. Will and Jackie still have a beautiful little girl about 3 years old. God protect them. The mother has had malaria, too, and is very sick and weak.

The whole church turned out and had church in their yard.

Yesterday we bought Bibles for the pastors with the money donated to Anita. We drove over those outrageous potholes that boggle the mind --and the body! Doug and Sarah and I went over old memories and their childhood stories. How I loved those days! I loved being a mother of little children even as I looked forward to a future with them older. Times seemed easy then, before teenagers. And now, with all of mine out of the teens, life is so good and easy again. What a blessing.

I lost my voice yesterday. I didn't go with Medine and Anita to the other new church, but I go to one today. How will I speak? one plan is to have someone stand up and read John ...I think ch 14, 15 but I can't remember. read one verse in Luyha, read it in swahili, have them repeat the verse in one language (asking pastor) and then silence to ponder it. then read it in English. I might do it this way. read it in english, then luhya, then swahili--they repeat in swahili, then a pause to consider. then next verse.

we'll see what God does. that way I don't have to speak, though, but we still preach the Bible. I am relying on God. He is my strength.

Pray for us for strength and health. There is so much sickness here this time. So many hurting. May God remember the orphan and the widow. More on that later, God willing.

one guy testified that he used to steal men's wives, but now he is saved and no longer has a temper. another used to rob people at gunpoint and his partner would make people dig a grave and then bury them alive. His partner died, but he went came to Jesus and is now a pastor. Many are blessed by his change, but some who remember were very afraid of him still.

I'm HERE!

Already things are moving so fast I can barely remember. We are so thankful for prayers for our safety. Our plane from Nairobi to Kisumu was speeding down the runway for lift off and the whole plane seemed to be vibrating and making loud noises. The plane began to slow. I was praying we had enough runway if we were going to come to a stop.--we did! Turns out we had a flat tire. How thankful I am that it blew on takeoff rather than landing!!

We were taken back to the airport on a bus until another plane was arranged. it all worked out fine.

We headed out to Eubulechia. They were having a womens meeting. OH it was good to see friends! I wish I could talk more! but I know so many names, now. It was just me and Medine. We were so happy!

Afterwards, Titus took me to see Deacon Bernard's church. It was destroyed from the flooding and rains. Many homes had damage, but his was the whole side and part of the roof. They can't live in there until it is repaired. He has a wife and two children.

Oh My! The blooger connection is failing. I pray I don't lose this blog.

I got to see Mary, the orphan Laura sponsors. I met two other girls, Diana and Celestine (?)

Diana is 13 or 14. I forget right now. but she is not happy living with her aunt. there are other children in the home. she wants to go to school. she does not always have fees. she needs $50 US dollars to get her whole uniform, there are book fees and school fees.

So Joseph thinks we might need to bring the children to one place so the funds go right to them. She wants to go to school to be a lawyer. She wants to go to school.

the other girl, too. She wants to go to school. they both looked pretty sad. and they were not thrilled to talk to me. they seemed embarrassed or ashamed. Diana likes Ugali and she likes reading storybooks. Celestine likes football.

The problem is that we were TRYING to keep them in HOMES! but we may not be able to get them fair treatment in homes. they work like house girls taking care of the children, gathering firewood, fetching water, washing clothes. It is not the end of the world for them to work as housegirls. but they are without representatives in this world.

It rained while we were at Mahalerie church. they brought a P.A. system out there and it was crazy to see them stringing a wire between mud huts!!

Oh we went to a funeral. It was a six week old child who died of malaria within 8 hours. The mother had malaria when she gave birth, too. it was so sad. the little baby was so perfect. we went and greeted the mother and laid hands

Countdown to lift off......3

I'm ready to be on the plane and in Kenya already. The rains have increased the mosquitoes. I pray the rains cease! It has rained every day and flooding has washed away some friends' homes. We pray against malaria. I suffer with my friends. I ask God for mercy.

I'm packed except for the final once-over. I cannot finish because I am waiting on Medical Bridges. They are supposed to complete a hand-carry load of medical supplies. I have to drive over and pick it up in Houston. It will take up one of the extra suitcases. It only takes one suitcase for a two week trip, but I am going for 8 weeks. We usually take another suitcase full of supplies or over the counter medicines. Since Trinity Global Development sent an entire shipping container, I can use the extra suitcases for my personal needs. I already had mine and Sarah's completed. I insisted Steve take an extra so I could put foodstuffs in there. However, with the addition of the medical supplies, I may have to cut back significantly. It is all good. I know God can take care of all my needs and I trust Him for them. As long as I have water and sleep, I can survive. I suppose I am thankful that Sheila insisted I take Malaria preventatives. Looks like those are going to come in very handy! I insisted that Steve go and get some. He's pretty lax about it generally. We got Sarah all that she needed as well. Costly, since she is not on our insurance, but worth it.

I have been praying and reading the Word and preparing spiritually. There was so much physical labor for a while there, that my prayers were not in a quiet time but continual as I worked. I made it through!

Yesterday I was blessed to have Camilla bring her family to church with us. That was fun! and then we went to Ztejas for brunch on 6th street. Lovely. Later I went to Fitzhugh Baptist church way out 290 past the Y at Oak Hill. It was a lovely time with the music minister of Hyde Park Baptist presiding over a small symphony of worshippers. It was awesome. It was perfect. I was lifted. We sang old classic hymns and different members gave personal presentations. It closed with a short message on salvation and rejoicing. I was blessed. I am going to go to Lifeway bookstore TODAY and buy a book of hymns to inspire and encourage during my work in Kenya.

I cannot wait to see my Kenyan family. I cannot wait to go around to the villages. I am eager to deepen relationships. I rejoice in overseeing the work there. It is good to be about the Lord's work. I am a Son of God!

Blogger issues!

I wanted to post how excited I am to go to Kenya. Instead, my blogspot connected this blog with a different profile. I have a google profile which gives me a trinityglobaldevelopment@gmail.com email address. Then I have the one we use for Trinity usually anyway, which is sarivers@sbcglobal.net

Obviously, I cannot get concerned for privacy when I am a public charity--however---I wanted these identities separate electronically. The systems merged them.

Frustrating! For a moment there, it wanted me to set up a whole new profile.

Another weird thing is that I have a Picasa album online that holds all the photos from this blog. I did not even know it. I ran into it somehow. I am setting up different things on this new Apple computer so I am just going down different rabbit trails. Weird again.

My friend Jana keeps pulling her facebook down for privacy concerns. I have several friends who don't even do facebook because they are afraid of exposure or identity theft. Identity theft is serious. We had it happen twice. Wells Fargo caught it for us both times quickly, plus pegged us wrong on two international trips---which is FINE. We worked it out quickly because we really are who we are.

And I have a thousand passwords now. I had forgotten my YouTube account for a long time. It really upset me. It is a very hard password. I have old passwords and so many different log in names. You cannot be a dim wit and do this stuff! I am border line, obviously!

More posts about Kenya next time. I have to get my thoughts in order afresh.

The Rivers minus our Kevin

Kevin was too tired to come over for photos--so we'll try again in November! Glad the puppies made it! They were precious!

I love this picture. No, it is not our most favorable--but we are cracking up! We'll be married 27 years on May 26th. Then off to Kenya on May 27th.

trinityglobaldevelopment@gmail.com

trinityglobaldevelopment@gmail.com EMAIL FOR KENYA TRIP

email me while away

while in kenya, i will not be able to access my sbcglobal.net email because i do not know how to get to that server or what my passwords are--or anything! so I am using my trinity email because I can access it from anywhere as long as I can get online. maybe I'll make it my apple laptop email receiver--if I can figure out how to do it--or get someone else to do it for me.

I've been praying and reading the Bible and encouraging my spirit today. I've been packing. I emailed Medical Bridges about taking another package of medical equipment and supplies on the plane. I messed up on needle sizes but I will have Dr. Kennedy fill out an order form for me--to show me what he knows he will need. Joy Joy Joy. God is good. I'm beginning to have freedom from worrying about food. I'm ready to go.

Packing for shipment

No, this is not a picture of me packing. but i am on my new Apple laptop and to import some pictures--i pulled out my dusty external drive and found this cool photo. Looking through several years worth of old photos is difficult and makes me wistful about the past....BUT I AM MOVING FORWARD! and the forward is delightful! so much good work to do for Jesus through TGD.

Today I packed up my nursing books and midwifery books to send with the shipment. I really want to focus on maternal health and safe prenancy/delivery. There is so much to be improved upon. Many women need iron. They need blood pressure monitored. and when bleeding becomes excessive, they need intervention. I want to teach and promote healthy behaviors to the women who are already teaching others. then they can do the good work of saving lives. i'd love to do it myself --but i see now that my best gift is to empower others--not be the doer. sniff sniff. i'm okay with that.

and back to work I go....packing and planning and training on the mac for long breaks. :-)

FIRST FLOOR COMPLETED!!

I just got news today that the building has an enclosed first floor and they are beginning the second floor!

Building Progress!

You can see here---we have walls! Rose, Immanuel and Samuel all give us a wave.

Hooray! It is a wonderful blessing. Thank you for supporting www.TGDonline.com and the people of Kenya as they grow in their skills and ability to work and feed their families.

The next blog entry is our newsletter--but all the titles and squished together with the paragraphs and all the pictures are missing. I just wanted to post it on here for those who want to read through it online.

Trinity Global Development
May 2010- What’s New?

CHECK OUT OUR VIDEO: http://www.photoshow.com/watch/IP3bp9FC

TGD Services: Our Profit Arm Gets Some Focus.
We are so excited to announce that Shanker Karpe has joined the Trinity Global Development team. Shanker is developing the business model for the new for-profit arm called TGD Services. We are so excited to welcome him! His knowledge, skills, and his abilities will be a great benefit as we move forward towards the consulting business that will help fund the medical clinic and computer lab. Sarah Rivers will oversee the billing for TGD Services. She is training on the accounting software now. She will be going to Kenya with Steve and Stephanie on May 27th along with Medine Watson, Doug Tyler, and Anita Nenonen. Welcome Shanker and Sarah!
Now is the Time to Purchase Items for the Computer Lab!
We are working diligently to ship many items. We had a snag with the paperwork for the official NGO status in Kenya. We’ve had to start over again. Now it should proceed smoothly and be finished within the month. Now is the time to purchase items for the computer lab because we are preparing the shipping container. We can fill it with your donations and get them to Kenya! Donations from literally change the reality of the people in need. Scroll down, BUY so the industrious can LEARN and WORK!
We Have T-Shirts for Sale!
Special Purchase: We purchased a very luxurious soft t-shirt and got a super cool graphics design from The Sanctuary Printshop. (See attachment to email for a sneak peek.) Order for yourself and as gifts for those you love. They are high quality t-shirts in chocolate brown or heather gray with a shield logo graphic on the chest. WOW! Only the best people will have them. YOU!  Come pick one up for $20 or we’ll mail it to you for $25 in Small, Medium, Large or X-Large.
Second Floor Going Up on Trinity Global Development Community Facility
Building Update: You are changing LIVES! You are directly connected to the people in need. Walter says that the progress is remarkable. They are almost putting up the slab for the second floor. He asked me to, “Please include the fact that it has continually touched lives. It has been a source of livelihood to most families.”
Orphan Sponsorship On Hold
Well, I think the orphan program is going to be put on hold even though it is featured in the videos I made for TGD. We do not have a system of oversight created. Obviously, the time is not right. When we can be certain about the children in need, their circumstances, their guardians, and someone watching over the administration of the money—we will proceed. I know many of you are poised to sponsor a child and several of you have chosen that certain child. I hope that when I get everything ironed out, that you will have the flexibility to begin then. Until then, please give to a general fund for TGD, which will benefit the whole community. I will proceed with orphan sponsorship when I can guarantee the program. I am confident that the time will come!
God Encourages Us!
Steve went to the hospital for knee surgery and God sent him two Kenyan nurses! One woman is from our area and speaks a Luhya dialect, Maragoli. We are so thankful to have met Jackie and look forward to partnering with her for the benefit of her people!
Determined To Donate Somehow—God Made A Way!
Anita has been blessed by those who determined that they would give something. She tell us: “One friend saw on my Facebook page that several pastors in the Cornerstone churches need transportation and that I was collecting money to provide bicycles for them. She determined that she would donate $100, which would cover one bike, even though family funds are less than usual at this time. Within a day, she was cleaning out summer clothes and found $100 she had forgotten she had.
A group of ladies in the Southern Illinois area have sponsored an orphanage in India for several years and when they saw that we are trying to provide bicycles for the pastors, they sent $100 because they have provided Indian pastors with bikes in the past and understand the need.
One friend’s company moved out of the area and she is unemployed. It was time for her unemployment benefits to end. When she saw the need for the bicycles, she really wanted to help but had no provision to do so. She told the Lord that if He would provide, she would send me $100 each for each additional benefit check she got until I leave to go to Kenya. That afternoon she got word that the benefits are extended and now she can provide two pastors with transportation!
Another friend really wanted to help by providing sewing machines to the women in the Cornerstone churches. Many people have come to the Lord by first coming to see the machines in the churches. The machines provide many of the women with a way to provide for their families. I told her that I wouldn't be able to take the machines that she owned for several reasons-- so she sold them and was able to provide $500 which will buy two machines and notions and material to get them started. We are BOTH thrilled!”
Together we are all making a tremendous difference in the lives of others.

BUY NOW! GIVE NOW! In addition to the many opportunities that are available via our web site www.TGDonline.com to give, we have a few short term targets, as well. The final stages of the new TGD Resource Center are nearing completion! We are making plans now to furnish the building with the equipment needed to implement our vision for the medical clinic and the computer lab.
Below is a list of the items that we will be shipping and quantities of each needed.
First we will be shipping all of equipment and supplies to Kenya via sea cargo shipping. We will be loading a 40 foot shipping container with the cargo and it will depart from Houston. The port of landing will be Mombasa Kenya. We will then truck the container from Mombasa to Kakamega via an overland carrier. HELP!

40’ Class A Shipping Container and transport from Houston to Mombasa. Cost $3,985.00.
Transport of container from Mombasa to Kakamega $1,250.00. Total cost $5,235.00.
In addition to the 14 pallets of medical equipment and supplies that we have from Medical Bridges, we will be shipping the following equipment and furnishings:
FOR STUDENTS! 21 Dell Inspiron 400 Zino HD Desktop Computers with keyboard and mouse, basic configuration. Unit Price $293.00 Total Purchase $6,153.00
FOR SERVERS! 2 Dell Inspiron 400 Zino HD Desktop Computers with keyboard and mouse, advanced configuration. These boxes will function as servers for the computer lab.
Unit Price $560.00 Total Purchase $1,120.00
22 Dell Inspiron 19” Monitors. Unit Price $119.99, Total Purchase $2,639.78

FOR CLASS INSTRUCTION 1 Casio Slim Line DLP Projector, $499.00
1 60” X 60” Wall/Ceiling Projection Screen, $108.13
1 Royal Sovereign 10,000 BTU Portable AC Unit, $358.00
Oh My! We SO need these…2 Lasko 30” Industrial Oscillating Fan w/Wheels, Unit Price $169.62 Total Purchase $339.24
1 Gentron 10,000 W Generator w/Electric Start, $878.00
10 6’ X 4’ Folding Utility Tables, Unit Price $49.37 Total Purchase $493.70
2 8’ X 4’ Folding Utility Tables, Unit Price $79.74 Total Purchase $159.48
1 60” Round Utility Table, $99.88
Come On! Only 20 Bucks! BUY ONE! (or more) 40 Black Utility Chairs, Black Metal Frame - Black Vinyl, Unit Price $19.99 Total Purchase $799.60
4 Gorilla Rack 6’ x 4’ Steel Shelving, Unit Price $57.98 Total Purchase $231.92
2 Commercial Bin Shelving, Unit Price $113.24 Total Purchase $226.
3 6’ X 4’ Stainless Steel Work Tables, Unit Price $109.76 Total Purchase $329.28
1 Multi-Media Projector Cart, $217.18
5 Commercial Pneumatic Work Stools, Unit Price $29.34 Total Purchase $146.70

Your donations are changing the world.

WE APPRECIATE YOU SO MUCH! THE PEOPLE OF KENYA APPRECIATE YOU SO MUCH!!
We are so thankful to those of you who donated in March and April through Dell Matching Program which DOUBLES your gift!!! And we are so thankful for every gift, large or small and every donation of time, talent, and effort. God bless you!


Send your check to: TGD, 1008 Vanderbilt Circle, Pflugerville, TX 78660
or
Go online at www.TGDonline.com to use Paypal and Please send an email to sarivers@sbcglobal.net noting which item you are purchasing.

or Dell Direct Giving for those who can give online at Dell and double their gift up to $10,000 this year!!

Big Changes!

I'm getting ready to make my May newsletter for Trinity. There have been some exciting developments!

Video for Trinity Global Development

click on the title of this post, "video for Trinity Global Development" and it will take you to a roxio slideshow of Kenya. Please give!
www.TGDonline.com

Our donors have been so good to the people there. Thank you!

http://www.aish.com/j/j/83191097.html

What do I need to live in the villages for a few weeks?

I find myself preoccupied with this question. Jesus said not to worry about what you will eat or drink or what you will wear. So instead I think of things like water, bugs, potty spots, hair washing, medicine and cameras.

What will I need in the villages? I need a little lock box thingy that wraps to a tree so I don't have to worry about theft. In a world where there is so much scarcity, someone like me bringing essentials would be a prime target for pilfering.

I saw a spice box set on uncommongoods.com and I could make one of those for fun. it is not something i feel I need, but i could give it as a gift to mom, or rose, or something. probably for less than the $35 since i have some spices already.

but I need my medicine. I would like to get off medicine so I would be free to just be myself. that's not likely to happen and I wouldn't have a way to monitor blood pressure. without hormone meds, I am the devil, so best not chance it unless God requires it. Medicine has been a great blessing! but it does cause us to look to science rather than God and to bless science rather than God.

my hair.

i have purchased several cheap scarves at Old Navy. I suppose this actually falls under worrying about what you wear. But my hair gets oily in one day (although it is great for having less wrinkles!) and YUK!! I need to wash it AND condition it, particularly because I color it.

If I spent a whole year in Kenya, I would just shave my head and let it grow out slowly. This horrified Steve. I think I have a mandate from my husband to keep my hair if at all possible. but I would be wearing a wrap on my head! not walking around bald. I don't think I have a good head for bald.

Water. OH WATER. WATER WATER WATER WATER. Water is important. and I cannot drink the water there. (neither can they!) I will have some prayer warriors standing in the gap for me before the Lord.

which leads me to remember potty issues. Toilet paper. it is scarce. Titus was so shocked when he came to the U.S. and he saw that someone had papered a house. He could not believe the waste of something so valuable!!! I second that now.

so I am thinking I would like to arrange having a toilet seat placed on top of a bucket that has had the bottom cut out. then we could set that over the outhouse hole in the ground and I could sit down (at least in the mornings!)

and if I happen to get sick in those 8 weeks, I will need to sit because nausea, vomiting and diarrhea make me dizzy and faintish. I could never hold myself up. I end up laying on bathroom floors at home if I am ever hit with such a virus.

chin hairs. I don't usually worry about those stupid chin hairs that begin after 30. but what do you do out in a village for weeks? grow little sparse beards about one's chin? HILARIOUS! and leg hair? ugh. I shall be a circus attraction in no time, if God so chooses. However, if I can come up with suitable alternatives, I will avoid such catastrophe.

I am looking forward to working the plants, sorting the beans, washing laundry with the women, and learning names, words, and the language. I want true fellowship in the spirit.

moods. I dread my pouty moods, whiney moods, angry moods. Should be good discipline for me. I seek it! I want the Kingdom of God to begin with me. I want to live in Christ! I want to throw down the god of the stomach and appetite and comfort. I am too much a follower of the god of comfort. Time for idols to fall and Jesus to be lifted up!

"If indeed we share in the sufferings of Christ..." well.....Stephanie doesn't suffer much here in the U.S. I don't have the sufferings of Christ. I am not persecuted, I am not hungry, i have a NICE place to lay my head. I do not battle the pharisees, I do not bear many burdens of others. Mostly it is a really nice life where I get to do whatever I want to do, I can pay for most anything I need, I get to worship in freedom, I talk about Jesus freely everywhere with little pushback (strange looks though!), I don't have crowds interfering in my life, I don't have to walk everywhere. Very few people question my motives or my direction or my integrity.

I want to follow Jesus.

I DO follow Jesus.

It seems He's led me into the promised land!!!

It seems that He fights my battles and is the lifter of my head!

It seems that He always promotes me.

so I can afford to let this all go and love others, serve others, bless others, forgive others, submit to others. The love of Jesus compells me!

but I do worry about water, medicine, bathroom facilities, my hair, and yes, "what you will eat." I try not to worry. I try to trust. I want to love. I want to go reaching out in love. It is not a sacrifice, it is a joy. I'll probably hate it, though. My flesh is going to scream. My spirit takes a perverse delight in considering how my flesh will suffer. I am an overcomer! I am a victor in Christ! This life is not my own. I pray I can do this well. I think of the Christy Nockel's song--"My light will shine on earth and my Father WILL BE praised!" Normally, I am not into light shining because it smacks of the boasting we are not to do---but let my light shine in this.

Huge diversion here.......which makes me think of Laura Koke of Shoreline church. She shines dimly due to her fashion focus but since her son died last year, her light has been like a stadium and I praise the Lord she serves for how He has upheld her and proven her to be a true child of God in spite of all the criticism. Bless her, Lord. She has suffered. She has loved you. She trusts in You. Let her light shine. You are praised, Lord!

Dr. Kennedy, Rose and Titus

I am so thankful for these three! May the Lord bless them abundantly. Without Titus, we would not know where or how to work in Kenya. Without Dr. Kennedy, we would not be able to move forward on the medical clinic. I cannot help but want to live my dreams of serving others through the gospel, education and medical care. I am always amazed that I have the crazy privilege of doing these things for Jesus.

Dr. Kennedy will help us acquire anything we need for the medical clinic. He runs a hospital in the Kakamega area somewhere between Kakamega and Kisumu. He runs his own private clinic in town. He was able to quickly provide medicine when I was so ill. He gave me some kind of anti-spasmodic for the intestines---what a gift! what a relief! It was a painful illness and his knowledge and availability made everything run smoothly (oh that is a pun, ugh.)

I am so eager to stay in the villages with the people. Even Titus is staying in villages lately to get to know the people more and to love others.

I want to stay in the Ebulechia area. I don't know what all I will need. Water and Toilet paper, for sure.

Beano? I'm not used to eating beans but it is a common meal there.

My medicine's, sunscreen, hair covers since I will get so yucky. I have to wash my hair every day at home. and then my color will be growing out ridiculously by the end of 8 weeks. But Old Navy had wraps for under $10, which means I could purchase many and then I can leave them as gifts when I go. The women love head wraps and scarves. In this photo of 11 women, there are only five with head wraps. But it is beautiful to see all the color in the clothing when I am there. I am not one to wear colors because I feel so fat in colors, but in Kenya, it means you are prosperous---so I get to be fat. so I can wear colors! yay! Another gift from Jesus.

TGD facility develops!

We excitedly watch the building go up. We exercise patience. It is a long process and all is going well.

www.everyculture.com/wc/Japan-to-Mali/Luhya

Although I have purchased some gospel media in Swahili and even Kikuya, my friends are Luhya and I long to get some materials translated into Luhya.

The Jesus Movie

I have purchased solar audio players with the God Story in Swahili and a DVD of The Jesus Movie in Swahili.

Trinity Global Development facility

It is very exciting getting news about the building progress. How many buildings do you use regularly in your life?

How many times do we take good buildings for granted?

But we are bringing a good building to the Kakamega area. A missionary friend tells me, "Oh they love buildings!" and so do we. I never think about it, but what if I didn't have all these nice buildings in my life? I would wish we had something substantial and clean.

The foundation has been poured as we head into the month of April. We have wired more funds to begin the walls. We are praying daily for the computers to be donated, for the medical equipment shipping costs to be donated, and for our programmers to get up to speed in Java and C sharp so that we can begin the For Profit that will fund the community development. It will be the locals supplying their own community with relief! They are very motivated.

I was speaking to another missionary the other night. She, too, has read Walking with the Poor. She asked me if I had read, When Helping Hurts. She described someone who thought they were doing a good work and had to pull out because it was undermining the life of the locals. I suppose she was asserting that there is a problem with passivity when you come in and "rescue" the poor.

She either said or implied that people were passive. I assured her that our friends are anything but passive. That is why we got involved! They are already working on changing the community on their own. We are just joining them and adding to their efforts.

We have listened to what they wanted to see improve. Bishop Titus said definitely his dream was to have a library. What he really wanted was the computer lab. Later, he said with the change in the local medical clinic, he wanted to see the medical clinic come to his area. The people have asked for wells. And now they'd like to see some support for the orphans and widows.

In the meantime, they are working on improving agricultural yields and income by changing from sugar cane to corn. They have gotten a community tractor and they also rent it out to the area so that they earn income. The church growth has been phenomenal and is difficult for them to keep up with. In remote areas, they are planting many new churches. They are teaching the people the good news of the gospel and promoting a biblical culture above the traditional culture. Whereas a woman formerly had to marry her brother in law when her husband died, she now has freedom to remain single. A man who has many wives is told to take no more. Young men are told to marry one wife and to remain faithful to her. Men are to love their wives and treat them kindly. Women are to respect their husbands and affirm them. Great change has come! Many of the Christians have taken in orphans, even though they struggle. They resist putting the children in orphanages and strive to keep them in families. The churches try to aid widows who care for orphans. Oh they are anything but passive in Western Kenya. They are serving and loving God.

Obviously, all is not utopia. We are still on this side of heaven. Family members are killed so that someone can gain their land. A boy was killed for eating a farmer's sugar cane. A child dies because no one knows CPR. Children die of Malaria from lack of treatment--a bed net costing 1.50 can reduce malaria 100%. A house worker steals the furniture from the home. But changes have come and the quality of life continues to improve. People are eager to work, thankful for work, eager for education, thankful for education--this is not a passive people. God is at work in their lives and He is active and powerful. It is very evident.