Monday morning, Happy Valentine's Day
Dear Praying Friends,
Wow! We had a whirlwind tour! We left a bit late Friday morning as our driver, Joseph, who lives next door had to help his neighbour with her van. We went to the market and bought cabbage to take up country where there is drought. We left about 9:30 am. We went through several routine police checks, and had to pay a small fine at a speed trap for going 90kmph instead of 80.
We arrived about 1:30 for lunch with Joshua and Julia in their home. We walked over to see the plot of land they have a downpayment on, and a balance of $5,500. It is about 1/2 acre, with full evidence of the curse on mankind on it, LOTS of thorns. With some levelling, it will provide a place near town, where they can have a small church building and a flat space to do AWANA.
At each stop, we were privileged to deliver Study Bibles, Study New Testaments and Halley's Bible handbooks to the leaders. Thanks for your donations, and for favor at the airport, where KLM allowed us three extra containers at NO CHARGE!
We then drove on to Kataooni (kah..ta..oh..nee) which was a long, dry, dusty ride. The further we drove, the more evidence of drought there was. It last rained in December, and this is their hot season. Jackson and Elijah had plowed some land with oxen, and planted, but got just enough rain to germinate the crops, but then the rain stopped. The Kenyan government sends in relief food, but as you can imagine, those are just survival rations.
We stopped under the Baobab tree where we went with Eric, Jennifer and the team, 2 years ago, then drove to Jackson and Elijah's nice little homes they have personally built. We had a good meal of rice, beans and potatoes, in a stew, and chapati (round flat bread, sort of like pita bread). We left after dark and headed back to Mwingi to our hotel, and were glad to get a shower and get to bed.
Saturday morning we got up early and headed to Kitui, a couple of hours away and met Patrick Kitema there. He went with us to Isovya, the small orphanage/training school for teaching young women to be seamstresses, and young men to be carpenters and masons. The drive there was likewise, long, slow and dusty. At some places you have to negotiate over large rocks, and gullies, and just crawl at 2 or 3 miles an hour.
After a program there, of lively singing, and rythmic shuffling (sort of like a dance) I spoke on a clean, educated pig but nevertheless a pig inside, a dirty, indifferent pig with full testimony to being a pig, and then a CHANGED pig, one that has receive a "cat nature" to replace his "pig nature". This pig is not changed by education, or culture, he is changed by a new nature. We are too, 2 Cor. 5:17, Romans 6, Col. 2 when we, by faith, receive the new nature of Christ, and the power of the Holy Spirit to be a new kind of being, that is able to worship God in Spirit and Truth, and is able to overcome the self-centred, selfish world system, the flesh and the devil and live a life of ongoing, progressive repentance and conformity to the character and Spirit of Jesus Christ. One young woman, Carol, made a profession of faith.
The well there is at 39' deep, and has water, and is lined with brick and concrete, but needs to go another 11' deeper. This will provide more water to make more bricks, and build a dormitory for the guys. We left there at dark and drove to Patrick Kitema's and Elizabeth had prepared a meal of rice, soup, chapati and we went back to the hotel, exhausted.
Sunday morning we had fried eggs and bread and coffee for breakfast, and went to church. Patrick taught from Galatians for Sunday school, then after a break, we sang and I preached from Genesis 35:5 and part of the story of Jacob , and God's supernatural intervention in his life, much as He has done there at Kitui to provide, land, victory against demon possessed people, and confrontational Muslims, and now to have a beautiful, brick shell of a church on an increasingly attractive piece of land, with a fence around it. From a stranger in town, to a growing ministry. The "potty" was upright poles, with tyveck around it. Patrick invited anyone who did not like it especially, to donate concrete, and a better one would promptly be built!
After a lunch nearby, we did the long journey home. We stopped by Blue Post for a pit stop, and to look at what we might buy tomorrow as we head out, of course, we were thinking of you. We got home about 9 pm.
We are heading to Bible school class with Papa and Mama this morning and tomorrow morning, then we will head for Nairobi and eat lunch with Terry and Sandra, and shop at the Sarit Centre and the "roundabout" market, for last minute trinkets, then head to the aiport about 4 pm. Our drivers see us through customs, then head home before dark, and we fly out about 11:30 pm to London, Whitney goes to Paris, then we meet again in Atlanta on Wednesday pm and Travis Crouch will drive us all home, Lord willing.
Nixon and Whitney have been great, adjusting to heat, food, accomodations, lots of new places and people, and a continuous, sustained pace. They have been able to see where our pastors live, the difficult circumstances they minister under, the financial need for just basics, and the need for encouragement and prayer as they work. They have also seen the fruit of perseverance, and God's provision in various places, and been able to witness ministries developing in a new town, with rented rooms, to church owned property, Mabate buildings ( a church building made completely from roofing material, top and sides) to more permanent structures.
Elijah and Dorcas named their little two month old "Steve", and I got to hold him and give some money to take the little guy to hospital, as he was very congested.
Well, we have had our oatmeal breakfast, and coffee, and head of at 7:40am for class at 8am-10am to Mama and Papa's classes.
Thanks for your love and prayers.
Steve, for the team here.
See you SOON! Lord willing.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Rabbits and Such
I already wrote last week about Monday. On Tuesday Terry and I went visiting in Mathaithi and had one good visit with a neighbor to the church.
A lady at Ihwagi sent 7 rabbits to feed the visitors, only trouble they needed to be killed and cooked and eaten… all of which needed time. Some of our guys killed them. I cut and cooked two for the visitors because I didn’t have time to do more, and already had my meal planned for Wednesday when they all came here to eat. Anyway, what I prepared was all eaten and enjoyed. The rest we were told could be given to our Youth In Training kicds. We are thankful. So, Wednesday we had about 25 here for lunch. Our apartment is small, so Terry set up tables outside, and had backache the rest of the week. Things went smoothly. The visitors then went to an outreach ministry and came back late.
Thursday Daniel and Cherie (nephew and wife who stayed with us) left with most of the visitors. We then had two singles move here; the girl in the office and the guy on the floor in the living room.
Had class at Pan African school. Whitney, the girl, went with us and seemed to enjoy it. It went well. In the afternoon I helped sort through clothes (the visitors are encouraged to bring clothes and leave them here to help people. With 20 visitors, there was quite a lot.) to be given out in the ministries.
We were saddened to hear that the girl we visited in the hospital last Saturday, died on Thursday. The funeral is Wednesday or Thursday this week. She had made a profession of faith.
Friday we went to the town orphanage managed by the Town Council and donations from outsiders. Steve (brother) and friends raised a lot of money for uniforms for the kids and are letting our ladies make them and the sweaters for school to make a little money. So Pastor H will be in charge of the money, and I am to get money from him. Would appreciate prayer for God’s guidance.
Saturday class with YIT kids went well.
Today we only had 2 deaf in church…
We leave early in the a.m. to go and see Daniel and Kristie until Wed. a.m. Lord willing. There wasn’t room for us at Menno, so are staying at a place closer to town.
Sandy for us both
A lady at Ihwagi sent 7 rabbits to feed the visitors, only trouble they needed to be killed and cooked and eaten… all of which needed time. Some of our guys killed them. I cut and cooked two for the visitors because I didn’t have time to do more, and already had my meal planned for Wednesday when they all came here to eat. Anyway, what I prepared was all eaten and enjoyed. The rest we were told could be given to our Youth In Training kicds. We are thankful. So, Wednesday we had about 25 here for lunch. Our apartment is small, so Terry set up tables outside, and had backache the rest of the week. Things went smoothly. The visitors then went to an outreach ministry and came back late.
Thursday Daniel and Cherie (nephew and wife who stayed with us) left with most of the visitors. We then had two singles move here; the girl in the office and the guy on the floor in the living room.
Had class at Pan African school. Whitney, the girl, went with us and seemed to enjoy it. It went well. In the afternoon I helped sort through clothes (the visitors are encouraged to bring clothes and leave them here to help people. With 20 visitors, there was quite a lot.) to be given out in the ministries.
We were saddened to hear that the girl we visited in the hospital last Saturday, died on Thursday. The funeral is Wednesday or Thursday this week. She had made a profession of faith.
Friday we went to the town orphanage managed by the Town Council and donations from outsiders. Steve (brother) and friends raised a lot of money for uniforms for the kids and are letting our ladies make them and the sweaters for school to make a little money. So Pastor H will be in charge of the money, and I am to get money from him. Would appreciate prayer for God’s guidance.
Saturday class with YIT kids went well.
Today we only had 2 deaf in church…
We leave early in the a.m. to go and see Daniel and Kristie until Wed. a.m. Lord willing. There wasn’t room for us at Menno, so are staying at a place closer to town.
Sandy for us both
Friday, February 11, 2011
New Courage
Well, since the one last night went through, I have renewed courage to type a fast epistle. We have to leave to stage two of our journey.
Charlie Thomas called last night as the crew boarded the plane, and said all was well, PTL!
Nixon and I arrived Sat. night about 11:30pm at the Mennonite Guest house, got to bed an hour later and up at 6am to leave about 8 am for Karatina. We had breakfast with Kristie and Daniel Elmer, (Sandy Washer, my sister's daughter, who had just had a baby a few days earlier, and came to Kenya due to possible complications at birth, but all was well.). I had never met Daniel. He teaches in the Bible school in Zambia, and we bonded immediately.
Our driver made good time and we arrived at Mama and Papa's about 10:30, and loaded up to go to Ihwagi to dedicate that answer to prayer. Many of you have toured the area, helped us pray for land, then funds to build, and now a paid for, dream come true! Several sister Antioch churches came together, and choirs sang and I preached from 2Cor. 8,9 "Jesus Christ became poor, so that through His poverty we might become rich....Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!".
Thanks to all who have sacrificed time, talent and treasure to provide a better facility to minister the gospel in. Several came forward at pastor Harrison's invitation, and we had a precious time of prayer, and got to dedicate a little baby to the Lord also!
The ladies had prepared rice and Githeri (beans, potatoes etc). and we all ate there.
Mon. am we went to the Aberdare country club and took a walking safari to see giraffe, zebra, eland and impala and warthogs. With this big gang, every event was a boistrous adventure. We had 21 of us from Fla, NC and Ga.and some I met in Kenya! We then took a game drive in jeeps, and with a little financial motivation, we were able to keep our driver in front, and "share" our dust with our loved ones behind us!!!
An elephant siting was "worth something" and so on. We had fun singing and finally got to THE ARK where we stayed. up to 20+ elephants came in to drink and lick salt in the mud. The area has been a bit dry, so the lake there attracted them. A large, beautiful leapord lounged across the other side of the lake, looking for the unwary worthogs, and we got a beautiful view with binoculars. Buffalo etc. came and we drank good coffee and tea and really had fun interactiving.
Derek Tirschell came to me about 11pm, looking for Ben Kiker. We could not find him and Derek said he wanted to become a Christian, but needed some help. Of course I told him he would have to wait until he got back to Georgia, and see a preacher!!!! N O T! Ben and I had the delight of kneeling with him later as he called on the Lord to save him, and the team had a joyful celebration as we welcomed a new brother in Christ.
The sunrise was clear the next am, so we could see Mt. Kenya with snow on it, and the rolling mountains and plains, and did some "profile" shots as the dawn brightened, it was awesome. At 8:30 am we loaded into jeeps again and rode to Solio game preserve and got to see lions, rhino, monkeys, baboons etc. and had a great day together.
Each evening different ones had devotions together, and I stayed with Papa and mama.
Must hurry, we are leaving. Wed. am we did a karate demo at a Poly Tech. school nearby, Nixon went to Papa's freshman class, others went to tour the hospital.
Wed. lunch we baptized Justin Chadwick who made a profession of faith last Feb. on this trip. We also baptized Joyce, his wife and Derek Tirschell! COOL! We then drove to Solio settelements where we are establishing a church, 1.5 hours away.
Thurs. 8:30 am the team left.
Me, Nixon and Whitney are headed to Kitui, Mwingi, Isovya and will be back Sunpm Lord willing.
Must go.
Love, Steve
Charlie Thomas called last night as the crew boarded the plane, and said all was well, PTL!
Nixon and I arrived Sat. night about 11:30pm at the Mennonite Guest house, got to bed an hour later and up at 6am to leave about 8 am for Karatina. We had breakfast with Kristie and Daniel Elmer, (Sandy Washer, my sister's daughter, who had just had a baby a few days earlier, and came to Kenya due to possible complications at birth, but all was well.). I had never met Daniel. He teaches in the Bible school in Zambia, and we bonded immediately.
Our driver made good time and we arrived at Mama and Papa's about 10:30, and loaded up to go to Ihwagi to dedicate that answer to prayer. Many of you have toured the area, helped us pray for land, then funds to build, and now a paid for, dream come true! Several sister Antioch churches came together, and choirs sang and I preached from 2Cor. 8,9 "Jesus Christ became poor, so that through His poverty we might become rich....Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!".
Thanks to all who have sacrificed time, talent and treasure to provide a better facility to minister the gospel in. Several came forward at pastor Harrison's invitation, and we had a precious time of prayer, and got to dedicate a little baby to the Lord also!
The ladies had prepared rice and Githeri (beans, potatoes etc). and we all ate there.
Mon. am we went to the Aberdare country club and took a walking safari to see giraffe, zebra, eland and impala and warthogs. With this big gang, every event was a boistrous adventure. We had 21 of us from Fla, NC and Ga.and some I met in Kenya! We then took a game drive in jeeps, and with a little financial motivation, we were able to keep our driver in front, and "share" our dust with our loved ones behind us!!!
An elephant siting was "worth something" and so on. We had fun singing and finally got to THE ARK where we stayed. up to 20+ elephants came in to drink and lick salt in the mud. The area has been a bit dry, so the lake there attracted them. A large, beautiful leapord lounged across the other side of the lake, looking for the unwary worthogs, and we got a beautiful view with binoculars. Buffalo etc. came and we drank good coffee and tea and really had fun interactiving.
Derek Tirschell came to me about 11pm, looking for Ben Kiker. We could not find him and Derek said he wanted to become a Christian, but needed some help. Of course I told him he would have to wait until he got back to Georgia, and see a preacher!!!! N O T! Ben and I had the delight of kneeling with him later as he called on the Lord to save him, and the team had a joyful celebration as we welcomed a new brother in Christ.
The sunrise was clear the next am, so we could see Mt. Kenya with snow on it, and the rolling mountains and plains, and did some "profile" shots as the dawn brightened, it was awesome. At 8:30 am we loaded into jeeps again and rode to Solio game preserve and got to see lions, rhino, monkeys, baboons etc. and had a great day together.
Each evening different ones had devotions together, and I stayed with Papa and mama.
Must hurry, we are leaving. Wed. am we did a karate demo at a Poly Tech. school nearby, Nixon went to Papa's freshman class, others went to tour the hospital.
Wed. lunch we baptized Justin Chadwick who made a profession of faith last Feb. on this trip. We also baptized Joyce, his wife and Derek Tirschell! COOL! We then drove to Solio settelements where we are establishing a church, 1.5 hours away.
Thurs. 8:30 am the team left.
Me, Nixon and Whitney are headed to Kitui, Mwingi, Isovya and will be back Sunpm Lord willing.
Must go.
Love, Steve
Steve's Update
Dear Friends,
This is Thursday evening 10/02/11. I typed a long, descriptive email this am. and sent it, but it does not show in the sent, or draft mail. I really will not type all of that on this computer again, I hope it actually went out, and you got it, if not, that was my second and last attempt at an epistle this time from here!
Nixon, Whitney and I head with Pastor Harrison and Joseph, to Kataooni, Mwingi, Kitui, Isovya and Kitui and come back Sunday pm.
The team left about 8:30am, one van full of luggage, and 2 vans full of our loved ones!
Nixon, and Whitney are staying in my sister's home, and we leave at 8am.
We have been blessed. One profession of faith by Derek Terschell, while we were at the ark, and I baptized he, Joyce and Justin (who became a Christian this trip last year) Chadwick.
Mama moves slowly, Papa is doing well for 84 +-.
I am headed to bed, after I pack.
Love, Steve
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