My first Kenya report 7/2010

Dear Friends,

Thank you so much for your prayers, we have experienced the kind intervention of the Lord several times already.

Donna and Anna Thomas from Clevland, Tenn. a Mom and 20 year old daughter from Bryan College, and on their basketball team; Charlie Thomas (no relation), track coach at Morehouse College in Atlanta; Mike Parham, pastor, missionary and now heading the public defender team in our judicial circuit; all left Atlanta at 11:50pm Wed. 21st. We got 10 containers of books on board for $1,000, since I scarfed one of each person's free 50 pound bags. They gave everyone a boarding pass from Amsterdam except me?? and told me to get one in Amsterdam. When we got there, they said I had to wait until boarding. Mike got me in the front of the security check line boarding the plane, and they said they were overbooked, and did not know if I would get on the flight. I explained we were a group, 4 of whom had never been to Kenya, and thank God I got a ticket just before boarding.

Our flight was rougher than usual. I sat beside a couple from Germany who were doing a second 2 year stint as optometrists in Tanzania. He said that a 15 minute cataract surgery gave half of his patients vision again! They had been raised Lutheran, then got into an evangelical church and seemed to be devoted Christians. They had well worn Bibles. They had a little baby with them, but it did well.

We were an hour late, and Pastor Harrison, and Pastor James had been waiting more than two hours, but cheerfully greeted us as we breezed through customs with no hassle (another PTL!)

The Ibis #2 in Karatina, is nicer than the Starbucks hotel we have been using, and much quieter, with good food. Everyone is together on the 2nd floor. Mark and Elaine Dennis arrived Sat. a.m. and got settled in.

Sunday Charlie went to Ihwagi, to James Kahaia's church. The new building is under construction, and is already up to window level, about 30'x80' Charlie said. Charlie preached there, and they enjoyed it, Mike preached at Karatina, on the 23rd Psalm. Mark and Elaine went to Nyeri, and due to ordination proceedings etc. did not get out
of church until 3pm, and home by 7:30pm, they were exhausted. Donna and Anna and drove out to Karogoto (in Kerri Kiker's Memory) Church, and had a good service there. There was lots of singing, special choirs etc. I preached then we came and met the others at Starbucks diner. We have had fried chicken, more roasted really, rice, chips (fries) curried fish, fish etc. We had alot of laughter and fun. It has been great to spend time with each team member!

It was great to see Papa and Mama again, Mama just turned 89 on the 10th.
They were delighted with the gifts some of you sent, thank you again. My bed is in the living room, in the corner, a bunk with mosquito net hanging down. It has been cold enough at night for a blanket and thick quilt. I woke up at 2am Sun. Morning, and 3am this morning, so I hope for a long night's rest tonight.

Today was our first session with about 60-70 who came in late last night, and this morning. Mike did the introduction to the 7 habits of highly effective people, and covered "being proactive". Charlie, Mark and I chirped in, and it was a great day. The head police office in our region will be coming tomorrow for us to cut the 10th anniversary of the police seminar, so that will be a big event in the morning. Donna had an upset stomach, so pray for rapid healing.

Papa and Mama, Pastor Harrison and Juma are interviewing candidates for Bible school. It costs a little over $100/month to sponsor one, if you have the calling for it, and would like to help train pastors. Our previous students who are pastors now, bring candidates they believe should be considered for Bible institute, pray for wisdom in choosing.

Most of the children are still in school, so we have had fewer to interact with.

A 5 person team from BobJones University was here for the weekend working with the Youth in Training street kids. We went to part of a session, and it was great.

Ndegwa is trying to set up a modem for the rest of the team to get on computer at their hotel.

Well, I am sooo tired, so that is all for now.

Love,
Steve for the rest of the team.