From Germany to London

It has been strange to be unconnected to the general populace. My phone stays off and we rarely have internet connectivity as we are out and about.
Germany was another new country and we drove along the Rheine seeing castle after castle on the high hilltops on either side. Quaint little towns below with adorable old buildings lining the river banks. Barges and boats floating by. The weather was perfect, very warm with a slight wind. We were in the car but we would have loved to climb those steps to the castles which had differing qualities of repair. Some were just ruins and others were clearly still in use in some manner. Oh to have google at my finger tips! I would have looked up St. Goar and Obervessel (I have that second one spelled incorrectly.)
We had driven on the autobahn to Veldhoven in the Netherlands--I have already been through Amsterdam but now I was really somewhere in the Netherlands rather than just passing through. and there was no border check. That was odd. It was just like crossing a state line in the USA. Just a sign and then you are somewhere else.
and oh I already miss precious little Julian and little Sophie!!! My goodness those children have captured my heart. I asked to speak to Julien on the phone and he said, Aunt Stephanie, I am missing you. (PRECIOUS!) because we had gone around that day talking and talking. He's such an interesting little guy. Very verbal in both languages. He told us he wanted to be a train driver. Then later he said he wanted to be a bus driver. His mom asked him, Which one then? and I explained that it depended on what he liked. Did he want to have lots of people get on and off and make lots of turns and go around different places? or did he want to go in one sort of straight line but with lots of power. He thought a minute and said; " I want the power." I told him, "Trains it is, then."  and he agreed.
and now we've come to London. It is always good to be in London. Such a hub of activity! and the variety of peoples everywhere--great to watch and pray for. We are close to Picadilly Circus in this crazy hotel. It is very expensive due to location, but they are really working on everything to be ready for the Olympics in 375 days (we saw a countdown clock in front of the National Gallery.) I wish I could show the room--I did make a video because I was incredulous. Purple crushed velvet bedding and garish silver printed lavender leather for a wall of a headboard. Purple couch and well, you half expected to see something like a mirror on the ceiling, but praise God, they didn't go that far. The toilet room had a bidet and a sink and a door for privacy but the tub in like smack in the middle of the whole suite! It's shaped like half an egg shell. I love baths but it seems scary to try to get out of that one and step on the marble floor. The towels hang on heated bars--that is super cool--but steve made it super COOLER and by that I mean cold! the room was at 19 c and I froze this morning. I had them bring an overpriced breakfast to the room and I guess I'll make do in the future with something from a nearby grocery in order to avoid those costs. We got that blood sausage which looks like a black jimmy dean sausage patty but if you bite into it, you spit it right out--UGH! I did get them to leave off the tomato and mushrooms. Just not what I like to see in the morning. and the baked beans don't work for me in the states, I sure don't want them here.
I have no idea what we'll do today. We keep trying to decide. We've done all our supreme favorites at least twice already--but we may do the tower of London anyway. I'll go out to the Kew Gardens and view the National Gallery when Steve works on Mon and Tues. I'd like to go see if I can find something cool for Nicole's baby due in November. Other than that, I never buy trinkets for anyone because they end up in the trash or worse--some people keep them and clutter their lives needlessly. I am really not a shopper anyhow and so although everything looks so cool, the prices here will keep you from reaching out to bring something home. No---just look and smile and walk on by.
I think I am finally rested. My shoulder seems to have stopped bothering me for now. I am working well on this time zone. It's 9am here and I want the room to warm up a bit before getting ready. We are near a lovely park and I'd like to go sit and watch the geese or hear some music in the square. I am right by Jeremyn St. where I think an ancestor was a butcher--unless that's the one that was a watchmaker/jeweler. I had ancestors who were from SoCo when it was nice and then in the70s it turned into a dive. Now it is restored again and I hear it is lively in a good way.
We are at Leicester square (really I should check out the spelling in the guide) but it does seem like a bit of a red light district-and I don't recall seeing it this way before. The theatres are all around here--maybe that is part of it, but we feel so out of place in this modern hotel. In Germany, it was so cool and European. Everything seemed so European--because it was!! ha ha! Here, we get to speak our language---I keep struggling on accident to say Bitte (please) or Dankeshen (thank you spelled wrong by me) or even Spanish or Swahili. I want to say, Asanta Sana (thank you very much.) it is fun. I'm in England. The motherland. Steve was in his German motherland. Actually, I am a citizen of heaven on my way home and I can't wait---but for now, I am in this part of the world where the congestion of Chicago seems mild and suddenly everything in the US seems low priced and reasonable.
I'd like to visit some churches. I'd like to sit in the parks. I might go see a palace on mon or tues. I know I want to see some gardens. I watched Martin Luther (the movie) on my Ipod last week and really enjoyed Germany thinking about him. How good it is that he translated the bible to common language. how thankful I am.
in the middle of all this here in London, I spied a white board where someone had written Psalm 107. (He sent His Word and healed our disease.) and I was so encouraged in my heart. What is this life but a gate to the next? A testing. An opportunity to love and obey God. when you love Him, it is so easy to obey--He puts that love in your heart and you love other people! When you don't love God, I can see and remember how everything feels like you aren't allowed to have your own way. it feels like you are shamed and you resist that shaming. When you come to Christ in repentance, your sins are forgiven and what power to LIVE! and to live well. and to enjoy things! Did I even notice the flowers before i knew Jesus? Did I even see the beauty in others before I knew Him? Did I long to help the downtrodden or the helpless? maybe a little of that, but mosty I just cared for me and mine. Mostly I wanted to avoid getting hurt by all the mean people in the world. Now I care that they understand God's love and I understand they are hurting or just sinful, as I am. Meanness has such a small effect on my now, although it can make you lose your balance at first from shock.
We saw a guy in the lane who seemed to be persuing the crowd for an opportunity to steal. We prayed for him in several ways.
How can I make a difference in this world for Jesus as I'm here in London? I ask the Lord but I am unsure if I will do anything I would consider meaningful. For now, I'm with my husband who prefers to travel WITH me. I got to visit family on the other side of the world. That was lovely. and I guess I will just enjoy where I am at and praise Him.

In Germany

I won't have any pictures of Laura's wedding for a while. When some friends send them to me, I will try to post a couple of good ones here. For those on facebook, it is much easier to see a variety of photos that people have already posted. Plus, I am tagged in some of those photos.

I wasted all of today in Germany by sleeping. We came into the city on Saturday morning and we went straight to bed and slept all day and night. Then Ben Weeks, Steve's nephew, came out to pick us up at 9:30am on Sunday morning. We had a great day with him and Leah's family! We had Jael's (Leah's sister) birthday dinner with the family --it was delicious! We had a wonderful assortment of German foods and their favorites. We got to see baby Sophie, who is so adorable, she can't even help but be perfect! and little Julien, now four, was a hoot. He is very verbal in both languages. He wanted more food than his father put on his plate. We all chuckled at him. He stood there on his chair, looked around and said, "There is nothing here to laugh at." with all seriousness. Of course, we laughed all the more. His father told him, "They are just laughing because you are so cute." which was true. He's a precious boy and very smart and active--as four year olds tend to be.

We got to go visit St. Elizabeth's Church. She was married to some rich ruler (I forget which one) but when he died, she went on to live a life of simplicity but work for the poor. She founded a hospital of sorts and was very generous and kind. A church was built over her burial spot and then later they dug up her bones to put them in the altar for veneration. I'm sure she would not be pleased! She wouldn't want a giant church in her honor or she could have built that. She would want to inspire others to serve the poor. I liked her. I bless her. I pray I meet her in heaven. They certainly built a lovely church in her honor and I had a peaceful moment of prayer amidst the mutterings of tourists around me.

Then we went to the Castle Marhlburg or something. I'll have to come back and correct that spelling. It was amazingly large. It was built on a hilltop. So interesting to see these castles jutting up in the sky. Their good vantage points are obvious. There were many delightful relics in the place. We went up and down miles of stairs. The stairs here tend to be in circles; definitely a space saver. There were some gorgeous tapestries. One of them made my jaw drop and I had to resist my strong instinct to brush my hand across it. It was maybe 10 feet wide and about 7 feet high. I was not allowed to take pictures and in that moment I was longing to break the rules and steal a photo. (The Holy Spirit gave me grace and I went away honorably.)
Steve enjoyed the armour and the shields. It was a beautiful place with a lovely view of the town below.

I had hoped to get up today to go to Grandpa's 80th birthday but my body refused to wake. I am still having shoulder/neck pain and it drains my already lazy body. I hoped all the sleep would help but it is there haunting me still. All prayers are appreciated. Drugs are not helping. Nothing seems to help. and then today I had that carpal tunnel issue in my left hand. Chronic pain is so unnerving! It leads me to compassion for people who experience far deeper levels than I can imagine. All over the world, even the rich are unable to soothe what ails them--and the poor? They suffer with so many ailments we quickly dismiss with this or that treatment. Pray today for those less fortunate than you. Pray today looking at what you DO have rather than focusing on what you want. Oh Lord, we are grateful to You. Oh Lord, grant us your mercy by the Holy Spirit in the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ, Amen.

Blessed covenant season: Frank and Cynthia

Here's just two of my favorite pictures among many. Congratulations to Frank and Cynthia, already married by African Tradition, but sealing their covenant before God through a ceremony acknowledging Christ. Amen.

Wedding is coming up!

Getting close. Garson Skelton will marry our baby Laura on July 16.

This Friday is Kevin's birthday-27!

This Saturday, Frank in Kenya officially marries his wife in a Christian ceremony. They were married by the African 3 cow method originally. I'm so happy that they are making vows before God! But there is no prescribed wedding instructions in the Bible, so the cow method works, too.
Garson hasn't given us any cows. I don't know where we would put them.
We are going to have a beautiful ceremony in Austin and I pray the Lord give us a miracle: a cool night in July with no rain for the wedding on the 16th. Pray we manage to complete all the details! We bless them with long life, good health, prosperity, good strong relationships and a whole life devoted to glorifying Jesus Christ!

TGD Kenya FRONTRUNNERS Program

Repha needs $1200 for a complete high school education. We disburse funds monthly across four years.

Vitalis is nearly finished! He needs $600 total to complete his education. He hasn't paid this year and is in danger of being kicked out, but his dedication allows him to attend. He has half of this year and all of next year to finish.We hope that God provides the funds so this young man can go the whole way! You can see his story in the June Newsletter.

Lydia sponsored a full year!

It is such a joy to see that Lydia has a new full sponsorship for the year! She's been given the gift of $600 for the year which pays for her uniform/school fees/school supplies plus a monthly allotment of goods such as water purification drops, toilet paper, rice, beans, oil, flour, oranges and more. Our Kenyan team stays on top of the current needs. One month they provided extra clothing and on another month each child received a jacket.

New children sponsored. Hallelujah!

You can read more about these two in the upcoming July Newsletter! These children do not have to pay school fees to Cornerstone Preschool due to their dire poverty, so their homes will see a larger amount of food and water treatment.

NEWSLETTERS: Review how God is blessing and comforting....

Here are the TGD links NEWSLETTERS!!!!
Seriously, these really work. My guys in Kenya got these on the TGD web server! Now they will be able to usdate the TGDonline web site remotely. THAT IS SO COOL. I am blessed to have such hard workers together with me for the Lord. All Thanks to Jesus for His Glorious Mercies! now check these out:


June Newsletter
http://www.tgdonline.com/newsletters/tgdjune2011.pdf

May Newsletter
http://www.tgdonline.com/newsletters/tgdmay2011.pdf

April Newsletter
http://www.tgdonline.com/newsletters/tgdapril2011.pdf

March Newsletter
http://www.tgdonline.com/newsletters/tgdmar2011.pdf

 To have the files download to the local computer then one needs to right click on the link and select Save As but if you are on a relatively fast connection then you can just click on the link and it will open in the browser.

Sharon Osimbo honored by all. God is glorified when we love one another

Beautiful lace purchased by her sponsor

TGD Kenya served her well

Thank you to Gail Reed for providing a glorious funeral

Titus honored her with his full robes and acquiring tents for the gatherers

Mama Anita and Team honored our precious child, one of our own

Frank shared his memories

Mama Florence, Sharon's guardian, and her brother and not sure who on the right

Surely her classmates could see how we loved her

and even in the end, Sharon blessed them with a good meal provided by her sponsor

The full Cornerstone choir memorialized brave and kind Sharon, she always prayed for a sponsor but waited many months patiently

another set of school children coming to pay respects

Please Donate today--it's not too hard to change a life right now

Watch our video:
http://www.youtube.com/user/stephanietexasrivers?feature=mhee#p/a/u/0/Qfjyk5IuoSQ
Orphan Day Out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFBEAY6tn_Y

So proud of our girl, JANE!

Jane proudly poses in her offical Butere Girls School uniform. THANK YOU SPONSORS and thank you for her extra donor who made this happen!

A very real tragedy brings some blessing in the end.

Both girls were devasted by the loss of their precious grandfather who loved them and kept up with their schooling--he was so proud of them. When he passed, their situation turned bleak, but God had the Trinity Global Development team in place to watch over them. We added Grace to the sponsored children list and brought some hope back into their life!

Everline and Grace's new guardian

After the guardian/grandfather died, Frank and Team went to visit the extended family of Everline and Grace. There were four of the grandfather's children still alive, but all in such dire straits. Very sad situations and this woman's was among them. Still, she seemed the best suited to care for the children.

She was married with children when her son developed Cerebral Palsy (or muscular dystrophy! sorry I cannot remember.) The husband abandoned her for another woman and left her to care for their children alone. She did nto abandon her son but continues to work for his development.

The money that Everline's sponsor, Laura Stubbins, donated would help cover costs of bringing in Everline, but not Grace.. Frank suggested to me that we really work to sponsor Grace because this home was so needy and every single bit of aid would go a long way. It would be a hardship on this mom to bring in two girls, however, she could see that she was the best option for the girls and the whole family had gathered over concern for them.  We took on Grace as a general donation case and assigned Kevin Rivers, who gives a monthly general sponsorship which help covers those sponsors who are unable to pay at times or who forget. The good news is that a new donor has just offered to sponsor a child for a year, The Terhune's will take over and sponsor Grace this year. What a special blessing! When we all come together, then the needs get met and God is glorified. It is good to be in His service and to be His Hands and His Feet. It's GOOD NEWS when these families learn that someone far away has spotted them in the crowd and although we don't know each other, we share in our humanity before God and care for one another.

Emmanuel, Elizabeth, Fredrick, Mary and Paul

My New Favorite Picture! Frida from the May distribution. C. Horst sponsors her

More links. REALLY, there ARE photos on here! you gotta scroll down and check archives

Here is a great link for a fabulous radio show about "NO MORE MR CHRISTIAN NICE GUY"
https://www.homeword.com/dangers-being-christian-nice-rb-a-1553-t-4_40.html
God calls us to be GOOD not NICE. Seems the world is all about "nice" and anything they don't like they call "not nice" but good people have to stand for what is RIGHT and take the criticism from the world. Let God judge our actions because He is the only one that judges rightly.

http://www.lifesaversystems.com/unique.html
I seriously want to take a few of these to Kenya and ship over some Jerry Cans. No American can really understand the need for safe water unless you GO THERE and see how everyone suffers from Diarrhea robbing their strength and nutrients because the water is NASTY. Here we can drink out of any public water faucet and no one gets sick! Here they argue about unsafe trace elements ---THERE is human waste (POOP!) contaminating the waters there! Sickness just goes around and around and around:
http://www.lboro.ac.uk/well/resources/Publications/Country%20Notes/CN6.2%20Kenya.htm
Oh if you are reading and you are not below the poverty line--would you please consider donating so others can drink freely as you do?? Please help my team: Frank, Joseph, Henry and Catherine. Please help Bishop Titus and his family. Please help the preschool children of Cornerstone and the Pastors. Please help the Trinity Global Development sponsored orphans! I pray God put it on your heart over and over and that He give you the grace to follow through on your excellent intentions, in Jesus name!

Refresh VIDEO LINK

Just in case.....have you seen THIS video? oh I watched it afresh and I gotta say.....You can make a difference! You can take people from sad to glad by helping them in their desperate circumstances!!! When we see the people in the flooding here in the USA, we see them lose everything they have. Well, Americans can rebuild. Our Kenyan orphan children???? They NEVER had any of that to begin with---they are going through life in desperate circumstances and it is a flood of poverty. There is no neighbor there to help them---they need someone from across the ocean to come lend them a hand. Through TGD, we have had so many donors bring so much joy to children like Cynthia and Gladys, pictured in this video. It has been my personal joy to get to fellowship with my friends in Kenya, worship the Lord with them, dance before Him and praise God among the nations. Come with me to Kenya so they can see your beautiful face and you can see what joy you are bringing to people--the treasure of God's eternal Kingdom is people and you have purchased an eternal treasure....watch and see....
http://www.youtube.com/user/stephanietexasrivers?feature=mhee#p/a/u/0/Qfjyk5IuoSQ

Check out how Trinity Global Development celebrated World Orphan Day!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFBEAY6tn_Y

Here is a great short video (2 minutes!) with our children, students, staff, and some guardians celebrating a day of togetherness for the sake of the children.
Paul, Daisy, Elizabeth, Everline, Grace, Brenda, Emmanuel, Benjamin, Ben, Noel, and others all spent the day in various activities finishing up at the grocery store. The children had never been inside the grocery store and enjoyed the fountain and the carts and all the stuff everywhere. They rode in the carts and bought items for themselves through the guidance of the staff. They are so well dressed, who would know they are orphans??? Next they will be getting coats. Our Trinity Global Development Director, Frank Adungosi, is purchasing coats for the children to stay warm during to cooler months and current rainy season. Thank You Frank! Thank You Donors! Thank You Jesus!

God has provided a well to a thirsty community.

Nothing is more basic to life than air and water. God has provided for the needs of about 200 people to give them access to clean water. How generous is the Lord through the hearts of His Children! We rejoice with this giver who feels the joy of the Lord in sharing from their blessings!!

Well, well well!