the birthday blog

I remember when 25 seems old. Not like, gray hair and wrinkles old, but the kind of old where everyone has to consider you an adult and you obviously know what’s going on in your life.. that kind of old. Now, the more I think about it, the younger 25 feels.
At this point in my life I feel more of a need for guidance from my elders than ever before, and feel less confidence in my ability to plan my life on my own. The past few months God has humbled me in a way that I never would have imagined. I now know that at 25, I know nothing more than His love, I have nothing more than His mercy, I am nothing without Him period and I was silly to ever forget that in the first place.
I have truly had a blessed life in the Lord. Its easy in difficult times to forget every blessing and every promise and focus solely on the doubts, questions and difficulties. But I can’t do that. Not if I want to live in wisdom and truth.
This is the 4th country I’ve spent a birthday in. And in each of those, and a couple more, I have been blessed with the opportunity to show the love of God to people through his Word and my life. In several of those I have seen lives changed and in all of them I have seen God change my life. Even in Kenya the effects of the Love of God are visible. So maybe the workshop hasn’t opened, but Mwangi is in school and off the streets (as well as 5 other children who are in school thanks to our funding), maybe the location didn’t work out for the ministry, but I have spoken to young guys and girls around the country about the call to follow Christ and about the freedom that they have from the bonds of harmful cultural practices. Maybe the culture has taken a toll on my heart and making friends has been a struggle, but I am celebrating today with a wonderful fiance and a handful of people that I truly care for and who bless my spirit. Maybe I got terribly sick and almost died (or at least they say so) but hey.. I’m down several sizes and we all know that’s nothing to complain about! haha
What I’m trying to say I guess is it hasn’t been a waste… none of the past 25 years has been. I may never comprehend the effect that my being in Kenya has had on the people around me but I am continually growing in the understanding of how it has changed me and how God, in His unexplainable love is perfecting me and working in my to bring Himself glory… and that’s the best birthday present I can think of.

Africa on Pause

On Tuesday night I packed up everything I owned and moved out of Kerio Valley.

It was one of the hardest things I’ll ever have to do but we arrived at a point that there was no other option.  As many of you know (if you don’t skim through some of the previous posts) the situation with the church in Liter has been difficult.  The work in the valley has been delayed and blocked over and over and the condition of the church has worsened and worsened.  It is because of the unwillingness of the eldership to cooporate with the mission and the unrighteous acts/attitudes of the church itself that I have, prayerfully and painfully, decided to no longer partner with AIC Liter.

Without the partnership of AIC I am left with no location for the ministry or personal housing.  There are also questions as to how the village would react to my abrupt relocation if I tried to immediately begin work somewhere else and how the eldership might play a role in possibly damaging the future of such a ministry.  Therefore there remained little option but to leave the Valley altoghether.

I cannot be sure right now if this is a permanent move.  I feel in my spirit a strong desire to return to Kerio Valley and continue to pursue a ministry with the people.  We have seen not only a poverty for physical wealth but the greatest poverty of all, a lack of the Word of God.  It is my hope and that of Steve to come back to the Valley, with a team, to bring development in both of these areas if Christ will allow it.  However for now, the church must be left to work out their own struggles and there is little more we can do than to step aside peacefully and to pray that God will win back the hearts that the enemy has gripped so tightly.

I have been blessed this past month by meeting a wonderful couple from Maine who are living in Eldoret planting a church.  They have provided me with friendship, prayer, encouragement, and even a place to stay.  We are grateful for them and their arrival at such an important time.  It is also great to be helping them out with the ministry and life in Kenya as they are still fairly new here.

That said, I’m coming home.  There are still many things to take care of and put in order such as the vehicle, the fiance, my personal belongings, relationships etc.  As soon as all of that can be arranged/settled I will be flying back home to live life and wait upon the Lord.  I’m already looking for jobs and the closer I get to having one the more I’ll know about finding a car and a place to stay.

Its scary to come home, especially since i’m almost empty handed.  I have no idea what the next step will be, or even what I hope it will be.  But I know that I started a life of ministry more than 5 years ago and God, while allowing me to be humbled and refined, has never allowed me to be defeated and He will not now.

There you have it.  I welcome your prayers and support as always and I look forward to seeing many of you soon.  Don’t forget to keep an eye on the employment section of the classifieds for me! 😉

Blessings.

Fun Facts about Kenya

During Omar’s recent visit with us here in Kenya I realized that I give very few updates about Kenya in general. Technically I give very few updates period, but it might be worth it to put together some fun facts about Kenya and life there… fun may or may not be sarcastic. **(note here that these facts do not apply in most cases to Nairobi… so if you’re an urban Kenyan, don’t start arguing.)
1. Kenya has its own version of English. Its true that English is one of the official languages of the country and all of the education and examination are done in English but trust me, its different. The typical American will find themselves within the first month starting to adapt their own English to that of the Kenyans around them. For an outside observer it sounds rude (as Omar accused me of being :p) to speak to people on this level but if you’ve been here a while you know its completely necessary. While mostly, Kenyan English means little more than slowing down drastically and over enunciating everything, I’ve put together a few specific examples that I enjoy.
a. The ‘Me-I’ clarification. Most Kenyans rarely start a statement about themselves with only one personal pronoun. You hear very often such sentences as “Me, I am going to the store.” “Me I would like to speak with you.” “Me I don’t know.” And yes… eventually its contagious.
b. The dropping of the ‘er.’ True to their British heritage the American ‘er’ sound does not register with the people here. I once asked my 11th grade English class for ten minutes straight who the protagonist received a letter from in the book we read. After ten minutes I finally started picking up on their whispers and got a quick answer to my question when I restated it thus: “From whom did the protagonist receive a LETA in the story?” Lets not even talk about ordering water in English… just use the Swahili word!
c. Omar’s favorite: Juice. This word, in Kenyan English, is pronounced ju-ee-s.
d. Add a plethora of vocabulary words from the brits like: Tarmac (paved road) Lorry (big truck) Hotel (restaurant) paper bag (plastic bag) Friend (significant other) etc and you may start being proficient in the language that is Kenyan English!
2. Kenyans love committees. I’m told they get this from their colonizers as well. I’m not sure. Everything in Kenya requires a committee. For example, Steve’s brother is planning a wedding. There is a committee of people who will do the fundraising, planning and delegating for the wedding. At least that’s what they are supposed to do. What they mostly do, at least as far as I can tell, is cut budget, complain, question, and re organize the committee. At the church in the valley I soon found that the committee for the clinic, school, compound, Sunday morning program and many others are comprised of the same 5 people in every committee… but yet they mention each committee separately when called for. As a strongly independent personality I find it incredibly irritating 96% of the time.
3. If you are at all acquainted with the world of foreign aid or development you’ll know that its as trend following as the American Church. Every decade or so we come up with a new way to correctly aid and develop and spread it as far and wide as we possibly can (although we still, at least on paper, claim that there is no single way to reach all the various needs around the world.) The current trend is micro finance and people are promoting it like there has never been a better idea. Let alone the fact that many of the areas we are trying to promote have less of a cash economy than would be required to sustain the businesses built by micro-loans, or that the people we have marked as needy have found their own way to turn micro-finance into a business itself (small loan, big interest, big guys to collect etc) that is what we’re selling around the world today. Kenya however is stuck in the era of ‘let the people develop themselves on our dime.’ Nearly, very nearly, everyday I am met on the street, in the church or at lunch by another Kenyan who ‘has a proposal to share with me’ it’s always ‘a wonderful idea to really help the people of Africa if only I could fund it.’ When I remind them that I’m on my own project, which is already usually below budget I am asked for my American contacts so that they may be asked to chip in. When that fails, I’m asked for a job, or at least a small loan to pay for … whatever. It is baffling the number of requests I get for money everyday; both for legitimate and not so legit needs. It is also alarming how the people who are seen with me on a regular basis get asked for money and accused of selfishness for not sharing the millions of dollars the white girl is giving them.
4. The vast majority of Kenyans, even in the towns, do not use electric stoves as we are so accustomed in the states. While more well-to-do families will use a gas stove top (I cherish mine!) most everyone uses either firewood in a pit stove made of clay, or a small charcoal stove. The second option is tediously slow and the first alarmingly fast… but once you learn the timing of the, oh, 4 dishes that are staples in Kenya, you don’t really have much to worry about. That’s right 4. When asked about the food in Kenya only one word comes to mind: repetitive. These people survive on a daily menu that hardly ever varies away from this: Breakfast-Chai and bread. Lunch-Githeri (a mixture of corn and beans) Supper- Ugali (corn flour paste/cake) and kale, maybe alternating to meat one night a week. When going out for a meal they rarely ever look to anything other than Fries (they have little option) on a medium budget add a sausage, if you’re going all out as a chicken leg and you’re in heaven. The redundancy is good for one thing- a diet. After so many days of the same menu, your appetite is amazingly decreased without any kind of pills!
5. Sad observation ahead. The majority of Kenyans (and they will admit this about one another- though never about themselves, everyone is an exception) They have an incredibly jealous culture. They abhor the idea of anyone succeeding or doing well and they will do anything (almost literally) to put that person back in their place. Anything from guilt tactics, to lying, spreading rumors, stealing even physical violence can and has been utilized, and I’ve witnessed it all in my time here. I’m sure that this is not a trait specific to Kenya, however I have never seen it be so blatant and obvious before both inside and outside of family, friendships and even the church.
I’m sure there are many more observations to be made about Kenya and the life here and I’ll try to think of them from time to time. Till then, if you’re really interested in the culture where I live… Welcome for a visit!

Whats about to happen

I’m pretty sure I’ve released, at least vague, details about the workshop project.  Just in case i’m mistaken, or you missed that part, here is a look at what, Lord willing (Oh Please God, be willing) is about to start happening here in Kerio Valley.

February will host the grand opening of our Women’s workshop and training center.  What that means is that ten women, 7 of which are already aware of the plan and in complete (excited) agreement will be coming into the compound Monday through Friday from 8-12 where they will be trained in Jewlery design and craftsmanship.  The trainer, a wonderful, talented friend of mine will be staying on with the ladies for the entire month.  They will receive a small but adequate salary and a bonus for punctuality (necessary).They will be making a variety of necklaces, bracelets, rings, earrings, watch covers and more.  The possibilities are countless in this area, even if we will start small.

These crafts will be tagged and eventually marketed to the US.  We will of course start on a personal level (ladies get your purses out) and eventually begin the search for other markets such as fair trade boutiques, gift shops etc.  The money that comes in from sales will then be translated into salaries for additional women, supplies, a variety of skills training etc.

By working with this set up as opposed to micro-finance, we are providing not only local employment but also training that can be used anywhere.  In our area, unfortunately, the economy cannot be expected to sustain micro-finance businesses.  By targeting women we assure that the needs of the family, especially of the children are met first, something that cannot be said of entrusting the men. (don’t shoot the messanger, check the research!)

There will be a small area dedicated to a nursery (hopefully with a teacher eventually) where the smaller children can be entertained without disturbing the work of the mothers.  I hope to stock this area with carpets, toys, educational materials etc.  Look ma, i’m starting a day care!

The work days are short because, while the women are expected to find the funding to put food on the table and pay for schooling, they are also expected to do a plethora of other, incredibly strenuous tasks.  Eventually, the goal would be to either have women working in shifts, or to have the community in such full support of the project that a full day would be possible.

This project obviously is not going to be easy. Its big sighted and expensive. It depends heavily on outside funding and community cooperation. Luckily I’m pulling the trump card and calling in Christ as the overseer.  I’m trying to be optimistic.

I will tell you that we have been attempting to start this for six months now, and the battle has been tough, so tough in fact that this could amount to what will be the final attempt.  I am begging you to pray, to send funds, to pray, to get excited about what this could mean to a  family, a village, a community an entire region of people if we are willing to trust God and to work hard.

I’m going back in on the 17th, praying that the construction on the workshop is finished.  I will be finalizing plans with the 10 women, trying to furnish the workshop and the nursery, buying supplies for the jewelry making and depending on your partnership, especially that of prayer, to get us through these next couple of months.

So, that, my friends is the basic plan of what is about to happen… keep an eye out though, there is surely more to come.

Pictures

I couldn’t get the uploads working well on here so i went the facebook route.  Even if you don’t have FB you can check out all the pictures here:

Chatty’s Kenya Photos

So Far in 2011

Happy New Year!  We’re about a week in and I already feel like I could use and extra weekend to catch up on sleep!  So far January has been a blast… a completely unproductive blast but good times.  My dear friend Omar came for a visit (way to short of a visit) on the 31st and just took off yesterday.  Lucky guy is on his way to zanzibar!  We’ve toured the uneventful town of eldoret, had good food, lots of catch up time and just relaxed.  While it may not have been the perfect holiday for him I am sure I will continue to feel blessed by it for months to come.  I also am still enjoying the contents of a care package sent by the lovely Abbey down in the bayue!  I’m a lucky girl.

There has been some confusion with Mwangi’s school and that has been another headache but I’m grateful to Newland Christian Church for donating the school fees for this term.  The other three children we sponsor are all in their classes already and I will offer updates on them at half term.

I met with Naomi, who will be training the women in the valley in hand crafts and we are excited about the workshop eventually getting off the ground.  She had to move her leave to Feb and so is very hopeful that we will not be forced to postpone again.  I assured her that even I myself wouldn’t be able to hand yet another postponement as the original opening date for the workshop was back in October!

I will be travelling shortly to immigration to try and work out which visa is most accesible for my permanent stay here.  I ask that you keep that in your prayers.  The trip will also be utilized for purchasing all the supplies for the women to get started with their work.

Steve’s brother is getting married on 15th of this month so I will be staying in town until that time.  After that I will be moving back down into the valley for longer periods as the work will officially be piling up and the girls are impatiently waiting for me at school.

I am in search of a phone that will help me to update from the valley.  We’ve been searching for a suitable version as inexpensive as possible and i will have something in hand before leaving to return to the valley.  I know that none of us benifit from my long periods of silence!

I hope that 2011 so far has seen God at work in your life and you at work in your community.  We pray for you here and look forward to what God will do around the world this year.  I hope to upload pictures soon and will continue to add more information over the next few days.

On Immigration and December Frustration

I can imagine that some of you have had a lot of questions in the past few weeks. I’ve been almost completely out of communication except from a few requests for prayer and random updates about leaving the country temporarily etc. Well and then there was the Facebook announcement about an engagement. Obviously some updates are in order. This is my attempt to clear things up as simply as possible. I probably wont answer all your questions here, I may not even know some of the answers, but I will try and will continue to try over the coming weeks.
Many of you have been aware that the work here has not always been smooth going. Somehow I allowed myself to believe it would be, but then I’m young and naïve and those are both good and bad characteristics to carry with you on the mission field. I can simplify the majority of the struggles of this ministry down to a couple of things for you: first I am a young girl living in a place where women are of little value in the eyes of society despite most of the work falling on their shoulders. Second I am alone making minor difficulties and many tasks more difficult to handle.
Several months ago I moved into the valley. A rural area of Kenya where culture is still running stronger than many in America could imagine and where the opportunities for Godly change are countless. As we’ve covered in past updates I then found that there were issues with the local church I had come to work with which was less than convenient but not a deal breaker. There was much work to be done on a compound that had been abandoned for a decade, a garden to plant, schoolgirls to work with, people to get to know. It was a lot and it was great. I started noticing however that everything was becoming such a difficult process. While I had been assured of volunteers from the local church I received none, until Lorna and Simon, both from villages a fair distance from my own began coming around to help out. Any ideas or requests or changes I mentioned met with a “we’ll talk with the elders about it soon” and little more. I have been confronted various times informing me that I cannot work with ‘the other church’ until they decide to repent and come back to the main-stream church, while weekly having people from ‘the other church’ come by to offer help and friendship. I have struggled with the spiritual side of these issues as well as the cultural and have prayed constantly hoping for resolution and answers all the while struggling with an array of health issues causing me to travel often in and out of the valley.
In the midst of the day-to-day struggle (which, if we’re honest, is to be expected) I met with the elders of the church about the process required for me to find a permanent visa. It is a tedious process involving a complicated hierarchy of the church structure here. I was assured many times, by several levels of said hierarchy that everything was in order and I had nothing to worry about. (Here comes my naivety strong) I let it be at that. When, after another round with doctors I realized my current visa was expiring I rushed to Nairobi to get an extension on the basis that I had an application for a permanent visa on file, I was dumbfounded to hear that no file with my name had ever been opened. Many people were contacted before even more shocking truths of rumors and lies and betrayals started coming out. After several pleas for mercy at the immigration office I was told that I had no option but to exit East Africa by the next day or face a jail stay.
That, is how I found myself in South Africa. I am blessed to have a friend in Nairobi who is a travel agent and was able to credit me a ticket last minute as well as many friends still in SA who were ready and willing to welcome me and my crisis into their homes for however long I needed. (The family I stayed with, and LOVE also happens to have a Doctor for a mom who was able to help me to find some answers for my stomach issues, which have improved drastically.) I stayed for two weeks, praying, crying, debating, watching way too much tv and regaining some of that lost weight. Then it was time to face the music and come back to Kenya.
This is where the engagement comes in, kind of. Part of the rumors I mentioned found their root in my relationship with Steve. In general in Kenya mixed race relationships are not taboo, though outside of the city they are a rare sight as the few white people who travel through are nuns, priests or already married missionary couples. Steve and I have been careful to keep our relationship to ourselves in the Valley as we did not want to offend any cultural ideals (our idea of courtship in any form is not accepted in the rural tribes of Kenya and even the most progressive of couples have probably not spoken to one another alone more than a few times, and this in secret). Somehow, however, we found that information about our relationship was leaked to the elders and to keep safe Steve stayed in Eldoret and did not come down to the valley again after finishing a week of painting and gardening. For completely unique circumstances surrounding Steve and myself we have faced struggles throughout our relationship. We have been told that we mustn’t be together for any reason, we have been told that if we are truly interested in one another we would just get married, we have had people meeting about us, talking about us, fighting for us and against us from the beginning and through all of this we’ve had to try and decipher the truth about our personal feelings and plans. (In all honesty there is no time when a white person in Kenya can claim any sort of privacy and you can imagine how difficult that can be.)
During my trip to SA I was forced to think clearly about my relationship with Steve and where it was going. We couldn’t just keep fighting as it was wearing both of us down and causing not a little sin in the lives of our brothers who seem bent on vicious rumors, and ourselves who were becoming quite bitter. I realized that this man has stood by me through incredibly tough times, supported me in my dreams no matter how big, dealt with all kinds of my crazy, risked his privacy and reputation to be by my side and that I had no reason, other than those purely selfish reasons of a girl who loves her freedom, not to marry him (note: he’s been waiting for me to realize this for about a year now.) I like to tell people that Steve got the ‘hero factor.’ He came along when I was alone and overwhelmed and just starting to see the depth of the complications in this country. He made me laugh and trust and when I just couldn’t keep going he prayed with me and spoke from a faith that I struggle to match. He’s taught me about culture, language, washing clothes by hand and so much more. He’s my hero, all right. So when I got back to Kenya and mentioned that if the ministry in Kenya was going to continue at all I couldn’t continue to do it alone, I wasn’t exactly surprised to find that he’d brought a ring in his pocket… turns out he had been thinking the same thing.
So, now I’m still in Kenya. It was close there for a while… and there are still days when if I had a ticket in my hand I’m sure I’d be on a plane. We’re working on different ways of getting a visa, as well as a new definition of partnership with the church in Liter. I’ve contacted some people who are trying to help and we are desperately trying and praying that this work can continue. We still hope to open the workshop in January providing that the finances pull through (the impromptu holiday put a kink in the finances and left me praising God once again for amazing supportive parents, obviously being young has its perks on the field too!) and the details can be ironed out with the people of Liter. If there are problems still, we will reevaluate and take things one-step at a time.
For December I am in Eldoret mostly. Mwangi is home from school and is enjoying his new bicycle he received for becoming number 2 of 29 in his class. It’s hard to imagine that only a year ago he was number 29 himself and struggling. He has been a blessing, and a lot of work. He wants so desperately to be grown even in 4th grade, and I’m not grown enough yet for him to start so soon. Pray for him and for the other children on the streets we have built relationships with but haven’t been able yet to relocate. Meli, who I sponsor in nursery school graduated baby class as number three after only half the year… she’s a prodigy and more westernized everyday thanks to her auntie Chatty. Lorna’s two youngest girls will start a new nursery school run by the catholic sisters as one of them has recently failed class 1 for the third time and we are very concerned for her progress. Pray for better schools and teachers in the Valley area. It is something that we hope to work on in the future should our work in the valley continue successfully.
I apologize for the lack of communication. With everything going on I appreciate your concern and your patience. I hope you have all had an amazing Christmas and are looking forward to a 2011 of breakthroughs… I know I am.

Why I need my car back

It’s entirely true that one can survive in Kenya without a personal vehicle. Most of the population does so their entire lives. However, it seems that I am frequently being reminded of the benefits brought about by having a car. I decided to share a couple stories that highlight this fact and to ask for your prayers that the car can be repaired sooner than later.
As most of you know this past month I became quite sick. So sick in fact that I had to travel into town to find a doctor and the proper medications (not to mention a hot shower and cold drinking water). I make this trip often and NEVER look forward to it but this time was even worse. For days I had done little more than sleep due to a lack of energy. I hadn’t eaten in several days and my whole body was sore. So naturally the idea of getting into a crowded shuttle at 7pm, traveling on ruined roads until 10pm, then sleeping on the ground in the cold until 2am so that we could get back into the car and finish the trip at 6am, was not at all appealing. Of course I am forced to consider that this is life for almost all of the people in the Valley as there are no decent hospitals and the sick are forced to either stay home or travel as I did. The realization is humbling, as is the idea that were my car in working order at least those close by would have another option when things got tough… and so would I.
Cut to Eldoret this week. I had just arrived back from speaking at a prayer day for high school seniors who are preparing to sit for exams. I had traveled a total of 6 hours and was ready to get home and get some rest. Then I realized it had rained. When it rains in Eldoret there is inevitable trouble: Mud. Because a motorbike could by no means reach the house where I stay I was tempted to just pay for a bed in town for a night. But was assured that a taxi could reach. What was I thinking believing that a rear wheel beat up car could make it on these roads in the mud? Obviously it didn’t happen and it took 7 young men to push the car out of the mud and onto better ground so that he could return to town, leaving myself and my escort to walk the remaining 5k barefoot reaching home at 1:30am. No worries though, my friend was carrying a machete to ward off trouble-makers.
Finally there is the problem of transporting supplies and helpers. If there is a large amount of food or paint or hand held goods to be carried I can easily pay for an extra seat in the shuttle (which never actually carries the goods as the shuttles are always overloaded with people, so I pay for 2 seats and sit in half of one. Life.) The problem there doesn’t come until reaching the valley when the shuttles refuse to go all the way to my village due to roads and I’m forced to find people to help carry the luggage to the house or a motor-bike to carry it. However, pipes, roofing metal, mattresses, seats, tables etc those things are too large for the shuttles and thus require the hiring of a truck which is a large expense. So far none of those things have actually been sent because of the trouble of getting transport although it appears that next month a truck will have to be hired to carry all of the above.
I hate to complain about something that is daily life and fact for the people I serve. It seems almost sinful to do so knowing how those around me struggle. But the church supplied the car so that help could easily reach these people and I could better serve the community where God has called me and it is a shame for that same car to now be sitting still, without purpose. So I ask you to pray that a solution would be found.
The new engine for the Freelander is around $2500. However, I have discovered that all Freelander engines tend to have trouble so if the car is repaired with its proper engine I will most likely choose to sell to someone who is not traveling off road and purchase a more reliable model. However, if it is possible to replace the engine with another model such as a Toyota, not only would it be much less expensive but the car could remain in the valley without problem. (If you know the answer to this question please let me know!)
These months have been expensive as there have been many repairs to be done, school fees to pay for children, sicknesses etc so saving for the car repairs has been put on the back burner as second priority. November and December are also going to stretch because of girl’s camp, opening the workshop and Christmas. It may be the New Year before money can start going towards the car, or God might provide sooner. I can’t know. I only ask for your prayers as that is all that is required for God to act. Until then, I’ll stick with the shuttle, and I’ll keep my Ipod charged up so I can praise the Lord all the way there and back!

The Church Issue

I am convinced that there are few places more difficult to work than the church. Now I’m sure that many of you will not appreciate that statement, and may even condemn me for it but hear me out on this one if you will, then if you disagree, I wont mind.
If you look back to the times of Jesus you see that the biggest troublemakers of the time are indeed those who work in the church. Quick to judge, overly proud, jealous, yearning for power, greedy… all of this they directed towards the Savior who was the opposite of the church of His day and at the same time WAS the church. He was never without trouble from those who claimed to be waiting for Him and serving the Father.
So little has changed in all these years. As I look back on the churches I have attended and worked with I find that many (though not all by far) have faced similar problems. I have seen churches split multiple times; I have seen pastors forced out or forcing others out. I have heard false accusations and judgment between brothers. In the midst of it all I have played my part and proudly stood to the side in critique and judgment of those ‘involved.’
Now, here in Kenya, I am partnered with a church that breaks my heart at every turn, and I can only wonder how the heart of Christ must feel when He looks at his bride. Here is the situation:
The church of Liter divided itself into two churches. There are a plethora of reasons and excuses for this, most in the form of accusations and personal attacks. For a while they were so pitted against one another they attempted to hold two separate services in the same building, AT THE SAME TIME! They have since chosen to hold separate service times but they seem no closer to resolving their differences, nor do I see either side of the problem with a desire to bring the church together again. There are questions now about what belongs to which church, who is in charge of what, who is stealing money from whom etc. It is indeed a sad time in Liter and the surrounding communities have begun to take notice that this church is no longer the light to the community that it used to be.
I have managed to remain neutral in the conflict, as I came to serve the community and not a specific church. I tend to go in the direction of Christ and prefer to work with the people who are outside of the church entirely… aren’t they the ones who are supposed to need the missionaries?
But then, where is the prophetic voice within the church? Who will stand and speak against the evil that has been allowed to lure the Bride of Christ away from His heart? Will we all continue to listen to the sermons about brotherly love, humility, generosity and repentance, without calling attention to sin that is leading so many of us astray?
I thank God because as I struggle and cry over the church in Liter, He has been faithful to point out my own sin and to draw me daily into a heart of repentance. It is a long process, friends. To have the Lord pull out your file and tell you to empty it before you look into the files of others is challenging and rewarding. “Hello Eye, meet plank.”
Please pray for the church of Liter. Pray with me that they will find a heart of repentance and love. Pray that God will raise up a prophetic voice from among them who can actually break through their hardened hearts (many have tried). Pray that they can come together as one, not that they will simply remain separate yet civil. Pray for me as I continue to work with the church and speak truth slowly and in love. Pray that I can remain neutral and that both parties will respect my neutrality.
Pray for the church as a whole. She may be a mess sometimes but she is the bride of the risen Christ and He is set on perfecting her and bringing her to Himself and we are all to rejoice in her and to build her up, starting with ourselves and never fearing to speak when the spirit stirs us. Pray for your pastors and your leaders. Pray for your Sunday school teachers. Pray for the person sitting next to you on Sunday morning.
The church may be one of the most difficult places to work. Where else but within the body of Christ is sin so easily brought to the surface so that it can be dealt with and tossed into the sea? Yeah, it’s a difficult place to work, but it is also the most rewarding of all places to be. For when that sin is cast into the depths of the sea and the one standing before you, the new convert, the repentant elder, the weeping mother, the face in the mirror, the bride of Christ glows with the light of the Father; that is glory!

The Help

I am really excited about being a farmer. Of course, I don’t know hardly anything about farming but I’m still excited. The garden is growing well. We were able to plant over 200 tomato plants, even more kale, carrots, onions, butternut squash, that other kind of squash, cabbage, chili peppers, coriander, and even watermelon. It’s a big garden (Swahili: Shamba) and I can’t wait to see the harvest and how many people will be blessed by it.
I also have to admit that I can’t take care of the shamba alone. It’s a lot of work to weed and water and transplant and everything else involved in bringing about a good harvest. That’s why I have Simon. Simon is a young man who, despite difficulties in life has become a great man of God. He is also a hard worker and wonderful farmer. I love to sneak up on Simon when he’s working in the shamba because he’s always undoubtedly singing praise songs and giving thanks to God for … everything. He’s an encouragement truly. He also helps out with any other ‘man-type’ jobs that need to be done such as digging trash pits, burning brush, or killing mice. He’s great and I’m lucky to have him a couple days a week to help with everything and to be able to bless him by providing a small salary to help himself and his family.
There is also Lorna. Lorna is a widow and mother of 4 and still quite young. Lorna is possibly the hardest working woman I’ve ever met. I can’t remember ever asking her to do anything before she had already started it, except maybe to sit and relax! Lorna discovered that my hands do not react well to the washing powder used to wash clothes and started coming by every few days to wash my clothes for me. While she was there she would almost always wash what few dishes where dirty in the sink, sweep or even mop the floor, pull weeds from the flower beds… the woman doesn’t know how to stop and she sings through it all. So I decided to let her keep it up. She now comes a couple days a week to help me keep the house clean, wash clothes, work in the garden with Simon or whatever else needs doing, even if its nothing more than being company for a couple hours. The money she gets from this work is added to her own profits from farming to pay school fees for her 4 girls.
Then there is Andy and Chamo, my cat and dog. They don’t get paid but they are provided room and board and lots of space for running and playing. Their job? To keep me company, protect the house from sticky fingered children, unwanted night visitors, mice, snakes and other critters. Andy is still small but learning quick. Chamo is afraid of everything but is good at barking. They’re also great company whether I’m healthy or sick. Now if I could just get them to be friendly each other!

Pray for Lorna and Simon as they work along side me and help me not only with manual labor but also encourage and assist with the ministry.