Day 7 Personal Reflections: How I Have Been Changed?

Deaconess Eunita Amidst One of Her Lutheran Communities

The deaconess ministry of the ELCK is exemplified by the amazing ministry of Dcs. Eunita here surrounded by HIV positive women in the Dago coummity. The community has turned out to raise a new home for a widow with four children. The joy of the Lord is their strength!

Deaconess Eunita Introduces A Girl to Present A Poem
This poem about the nature of HIV/AIDS, and others like it, are being taught to the smallest of children to educate from the earliest possible age of the nature of this disease.

Another Poem in Front of the Congregation Under the African Sky
Our sanctuary this day was magnificent! The beauty of the Southwestern Kenyan country is the only sanctuary appropriate for the joy of these people!

Back in Nairobi: Some Rest, Prayer and Conversation

What was once foreign seemed comforting and welcoming. When a week ago we walked into the ELCK Nairobi "Compound" things were new, different, and the security of the setting slightly unsettling. Upon returning, after all God has revealed and the seeming month's worth of experiences packed into a week, we felt relaxed, welcomed and home!

After hours of prayer and conversation, in which we sought the direction of the Lord and the direction of the people of the ELCK, we feel the Lord's leading to support Deaconess Ministry (in ways they tell us will be helpful) and the work of Pastor Momposhi among the Masai tribe (in ways he and the ELCK will define).

The ELCK will take the lead to make sure we're meeting their needs -- not our own. We're praying for long-term blessing, not quick fixes. We're wanting a partnership and global relationship -- because that's really what we already have in Christ.

The thoughts below are in answer to the question, "How has this experience changed you?" Thanks be to God for changed hearts and the passion become action in years to come. --Keg

Day 7 Reflections from Elizabeth

Having traveled all over western Kenya I saw the Holy Spirit at work among God’s people. I was trying very unsuccessfully to process the vast array of experiences while I had some down time on the Masai Mara. A common thread finally emerged – any support here must be sustainable and rooted in the community. I was privileged to witness the strong impact of Deaconess Eunita’s work. The care she provides delivers hope to the hopeless, life where once was only death and replaces the fear of HIV/AIDS with God’s Grace and Mercy. I had an opportunity to discuss the work and life of the deaconess in Kenya with Deaconess Lourna who currently lives at the guesthouse in Nairobi. The stories of these faithful women and their day-to-day personal struggles moved me to tears. It is overwhelming to me that the deaconesses here live in same poverty stricken circumstances of those they serve. I am so taken by their powerful spirit and personal sacrifices made everyday. Lourna explained to me that these servants receive no salary and yet share what little they have to serve the needy. It is the story of a struggle to serve five congregations, meet the challenges of the extremely rough remote roads without transportation, serve selflessly and at the end of the long day work to meet the needs of their own families. It has become clear that these women are the very heart and arms of Jesus in these Lutheran congregations. I feel compelled to find a way to empower these deaconesses to continue to serve and bring life and eternal life to those who are most desperately in need of both.

How am I different after this experience?

I was expecting the poverty, I was prepared for the desperate needs, I had an understanding of the rampant spread of HIV/AIDS and all of these challenges are truly evident in Kenya. But I also found hope and joy amongst the struggle. I know that it’ll take more than passion to affect any lasting changes. This can not become about me and making myself feel good about what I can do in the short term, it must be in empowering the suffering children of God to overcome their circumstances. So how am I changed? I have a new sense of how ridiculously blessed I truly am. It is shameful that I can have the petty complaints about minor inconveniences when people in Kenya must struggle for basic needs of water, shelter and food. I feel I have squandered resources that have been lavished upon me when all my needs are met & always have been. I have a new understanding of community and sacrifice for the sake of those around me. How many times have I not risked helping someone who was desperate for my attention or love? I have more questions and some pretty serious thinking to do. I am not sure how I could ever be who I was when faced with a woman named Jacqueline who charged me with the task of remembering her & the struggles of her people.

Day 7 Reflections from Kirk

Kenya, like other developing countries I suppose, is a land of paradox. The sublime and the absurd exist side by side. We drive through a countryside with the sun sparkling off tin-roofed dirt-floored single room huts that reflect the poverty in the rural areas, but there are also cell phone towers along with the ramshackle, and everyone is seemingly connected to pay-as-you-go Safaricom. (Children in Kissii were giving me email addresses and SMS numbers.) In Nairobi there are gleaming sky scrapers that would be at home any western city, but the largest slum in Africa is only a few kilometers away, where over a million people live amid unspeakable filth.

The inescapable fact in Kenya and throughout Africa is the grinding poverty. What is so paradoxical to me, again, is the very nature of the people here who have to endure the lack of every basic necessity that the developed world takes for granted. The Deaconesses and project leaders of the ELCK who guided us to Lutheran community projects in very remote areas are well educated, articulate, competent professionals who would be at home in any similar leadership role in America. Many of them every day go home to the same conditions as the people they serve, and in fact give away part of what little they have. The HIV/AIDS widows who have formed community groups have found a peace and joy that passes understanding and have taken control over their lives; they have praises on their lips for mercy and grace of our Savior.

Nothing prepares you for these sights, nothing can describe how I felt when Deaconess Eunita stood in front of 50 orphans and another 20 adults, all tragically affected by HIV/AIDS, and asked us to stand with them, to help in any way possible, not a hand-out but a hand-up. So as we wind down I don’t know what personal change that translates into just yet, but my heart was broken then, and many time again here. I can’t help but think of these wonderful people in their huts and the hurdles to daily existence they encounter. God has shown us many wonderful things here, and we can use this to prepare new ministry opportunities here at the ends of the earth.

Day 7 Reflections from Karl

How am I different after this experience?

Physically tired. The jet lag combined with Kenya travel, food, risks and challenges tires me out daily. Spiritually invigorated. Orphans and poverty I expected. Pure light and joy in the midst of it surprised me. Then I felt embarrassed by the surprise. Did I think Jesus was a U.S. citizen? A Lutheran? Sorry Lord, that’s my small faith – just made bigger (again). Impatient. When I think about the things that bother me, when I think about the things that bother us at St. John, I experience something akin to impatience. Ready. Like so many of our missionaries returning, I’m more eager than ever for the mission. Let’s do this thing. Time is running out. We’re not going to play church, we’re going to be the church. Loving. The relationships here between the least of these and those just beyond that experience move me to deep spiritual joy and move me to further cherish my own. I look forward to my reunion with Marilouise (I really miss her and should have brought her along), and with my family and friends in Christ.

In any hemisphere, or on any continent, relationships aren’t something – they’re everything – in Christ. That’s true here, back home and in eternity. It’s true everywhere all the time. I love that, and just learned it again!

Day 6 Reflections on the Lord's Directions

Kisii Worship Blessing 320 Secondary Students the Day Before a National Exam
This is the first Lutheran congregation formed in Kenya which now has a complex of orphan care, secondary school, and regional ELCK headquarters. It's amazing to hear LCMS Biblical theology in this setting spoken in English, Swahili and Kisii!

Bringing St. John Greetings to Kisii Congregation
Everyplace we went people were extremely welcoming and anxious to "hear our voice!" Everyone laughed when Kirk was introduced. It turns out that "Kirk" means "big hen" in Swahili. They also laughed at "Galik" -- but didn't say why!

Leaving Kisii For Journey to Masa Mara In Our Safari Van
Leaving each of our sites was more process than event. We were always invited to eat (a cautious endeavor in Kenya) and stay. Parting sometimes took 30 minutes or more.

Our Photojournalist, Kirk, on the Massai Mara
Just out of view on the other side of the river, a herd of hippos were resting after a night of foraging. We tried to be quiet and stay in the distance!

Massai Lutheran Pastor Joseph Momposhi
He will play an increasing role in our intended support of "ends of the earth ministry." Our plan is to encourage/fund a "Rescue Center" for Massai girls to provide basic necessities such as clean water, education, and shelter for those fleeing female circumcision.

Days 4 - 6

Blogging from a slow internet cafe connection, back in Kisumu, we have no way to post pictures. That should change tomorrow back in Nairobi. Meanwhile, here's the recap:

Day 4: Worship at ELCK Kissii
Traveled from Kisumu to Kissii, the city where the ELCK was founded.
Worshipped with over 500 people in an open air setting.
We all spoke to the congregation in turn.
Needed to leave early (for the service that lasted until 2:00PM) but were interrupted by an invitation for lunch.
First stop on the bumpy road, Kilgore, to pick up Pastor Joseph Momposhi, from the Massai, who proved to be an entertaining, informative, and inciteful guy.
More bumps and groans on the way to Mara West, a camp overlooking the Massai Mara game preserve on the northern end of the Sarengeti plain.
Dinner at Mara West and introduction to an entirely new part of Kenya, different climate, different culture, different vegetation.

Day 5: Massai Mara
Travel through the game park, hundreds of pictures to follow.
After dinner, extended opportunities to discuss ministry opportunities with Pastor Momposhi.

Day 6: Mara to Kisumu to Nairobi
A new road! Without potholes! Thanks be to God! Thanks also to Pastor Momposhi who told our intrepid driver of a new road that takes us back to Kisumu without most of the kidney churning bumps and bruises experienced on the way there.
Outside of Kisumu the heavens open and we experience out first tropical downpour, a deluge that goes on for many minutes.
Then BANG a suspension part is broken about 10 kilometers outside of Kisumu, and we limp back to the ELCK office.
Now we fly back to Nairobi, Lord willing, to debrief, update this blog with pictures, and prepare for the long trip home.

In his service,
Karl, Elizabeth, and Kirk

Day 3

ELCK Project Director Supervising Kirk's Carpentry Skills
As noted below, the joy of this community was effervescent -- truly life coming from death. We were all caught up in it like a song you can't help but sing!

"Harambee" observed. What happens when a widow with Aids, four kids living in a 15' x 9' hut meets the Christian community? "Pulling together" is the answer and the translation of "Harambee."

The journey today was another 2 hour exercise in narrow margins with bikes, bumps that jar, small towns with piles of goods stacked in front of glassy-eyed farmers hoping for today's schilling. We knew we were getting closer when the pavement disappeared, only to be replaced by mud, rocks and puddles posing as a road.

We knew we arrived when we saw 40 children, orphans, students, HIV positive women and Deaconess Eunita stand and raise a song to God as we slowly pulled forward. We knew that Jesus had moved to a new location (was he following us?) when their song moved us to joy -- deep, welling up, almost surreal joy as we absorbed their song in this sanctuary under a tree, the tropical sun blazing on the equator in Kenya.

The dancing of worship ended, we walked 100 yards on a footpath that provided spectacular overlook of the Kenyan country and background of mountains that set the perfect view of a new house for the new widow, double the size the original home!

The construction crew? The Lutheran community of HIV positive men and women who had gathered in this field. The cooking pot was on, the branches were being trimmed, (our version of 2x4’s) to form the roof trusses and the support for the mud (our wall board).

But song interrupted the work as we approached. We saw deep eyes full of life (not death). We heard songs with clapping as we stood by the the victorious shell of a house in yet another sanctuary of field, sky and red dirt. We were celebrating “humbrai” -- pulling together. Yes, Kirk adroitly handled the hammer and nail, and yes Elizabeth took dozens of strokes to drive a crooked nail, but, no, the “harambee”, the pulling together was of the Spirit.

We had come to help, but even more importantly, we had come to know, to share, to participate in the victory of community. Where there was death, life was newly discovered. Where there was isolation there were cooking pots full of shared food equipping labors of love.

Where we thought we had found the ends of the earth, Jesus just smiled a knowing smile! He was here, there in his own sanctuary he had called into existence, with his own people he had suffered for, with his own people that loved, with his community to be gathered before the throne from every nation, tribe and race! People with AIDS, orphans and widows -- the least of these -- before the throne somewhere South of Kisumu in communion -- pulling together.

We were moved. We were blessed. We were altered. In Christ, we were one.

In His Service, Karl, Kirk and Elizabeth

Trip Recap

Pastor Galik with Springs of Life Church Preschool Children
at the Edge of the Kaberra Slums
Uniformed school children are the norm in Kenya, and attention from colorless visitors, with hairy arms are the curious delight.

A blow-by-blow account of our first two very busy days:

Day one: Nairobi
Locked into our rooms behind secure gates.
Compound formerly owned by the United Nations.
Breakfast at the compound.
Boiled milk, coffee, eggs.
Travel to downtown.
Uhuru Church.
New ELCK headquarters under construction.
Modern looking offices in downtown area.
15 minutes to Kibera slum.
Springs of Life ELCK in Kibera.
Pastor Dennis Meeker.
Health clinic treated over 800 people last weekend.
80 HIV tests.
100 yards away is the preschool, visited with 30 children.
Journey through a steel gate into the slum.
Led by elder John a former resident.
Walked about a 1/2 mile into the heart of the slums.
A sense of relief to leave.
Passed back through the gate.
From Kibera to another smaller slum, Kawangary and another Lutheran Church and orphanage.
Heard stories about Jesus in Swahili.
Played games with the children.
Listened to “The Conquerers”, former orphans now a singing group.
Visited for lunch with Bishop Obare, head of the ELCK.
Back to the compound, rush to the airport through Nairobi rush hour traffic.
30 minute flight later, arrive in Kisumu.
Frequent city wide power outages throughout the evening, hotel has candles in the rooms for guests.

Mrs. Nelson Reflexively Teaches Students to Read
A gift from St. John Lutheran School 1st-3rd graders, Elizabeth shared the story and images of Jesus from one hemisphere to the other.

From Classroom Presence to Personal Attention Elizabeth Shared Her Gift
This child would follow her around as we toured this orphanage clearly appreciative of her gift of self -- even for a short while

Day two: Kisumu and surrounding area
Our personal driver, Nelson (first name, no relation), picked us up.
Met David ChuChu, project coordinator for ELCK.
Met briefly to discuss projects, went to Nakumatt (a Kenyan version of Walmart) for water and schillings.
On to Matongo complex: Immanual Orphanage, Matongo Health Center, Matongo Lutheran Theological Seminary with 25 students.
Othoro Rescue Center for high school age boys, built in 2006.
Picked up Deaconees Eunita on the way to the next stop.
Visited the Pongo Lutheran Community, miles from the nearest paved road in the Kenyan countryside.
Pongo supports orphans and people living with HIV/AIDS.
Two hour drive dodging potholes back to the Imperial Hotel in Kisumu.
Tuskers at the hotel restaurant and blogging.

Unsure of This Strange Visitor a Mantongo Orphan Glances Toward Pastor Galik
Brief visits to discover great needs makes it very hard to leave....

Day end thoughts: The Lord led us to yet another “ends of the earth” experience! We drove almost two hours on roads designed for steering wheels on the right, passing cars within inches, potholes, bumps and jarring that can’t be good for your kidneys! We turned onto a dirt road that made those look like a superhighway! We picked up a Deaconess on this dirt road who led us on a twenty minute journey at 5 mph -- which was fast for the rocks scrapping the undercarriage. Finally, finally, we came to the end of the road; got out of the car, thankful to God for the walk.

Here, at our next personal ends of the earth place, a group, digging a fish pond stopped to welcome us and welcome us and welcome us. They led us to a group of students in uniform, awaiting our arrival and we were welcomed, and welcomed and welcomed as the guests of honor!

Here we discovered the same Jesus we found deep in the Kibera slums! Here we found the same Jesus blessing HIV positive adults with a community of acceptance and work. Here the same Jesus was blessing orphans of HIV parents. Here we were moved to tears by the same Jesus present way, way, way out in the Kenyan countryside.

Thanks be to God -- here we found Jesus -- again. Imagine that...

In His service, Karl, Kirk, and Elizabeth

Day One - Nairobi

Attentive Eyes with Hope and Light
Here at the Kowengare, another Lutheran congregation told stories of Jesus from pictures used in Sunday Schools since the 1960's, providing hope and light then, there and here now.

Kirk and Karl sitting back at the end of day one -- in a place with WiFi -- and at least one view of the "ends of the earth." Today we experienced the largest slum in the world, called, "The Kibera Slums." We walked deeper and deeper through narrow caverns, open sewage pits, hanging laundry and small, small, "shelters" that "house" about 1 million people. Our senses were alerted, offended and ocassionally freightened -- especially after one of our leaders gashed his head on a low hanging corrugated metal roof, entering a home. Yet even after about a half mile journey deeper, we met a man in an old small, dirty ~6'x8' dark room who's name was -- Immanuel! Yes, Jesus was there. We traveled around the world to find Immanuel -- because Jesus was there! He had recently been to Pastor Dennis' ocassional med clinic and received the gift offered on the edge of the slums. His pastor was there, we were there and most of all Jesus was there!

We toured one other slum in Nairobi, and there found Jesus as well. A Lutheran church, ministering to HIV/AIDS orphans was reviewing Jesus' stories from an old CPH color flip chart. A group of older orphans formed a musical group called "The Conquerers" and filled the place with incredible sounds of praise to the Lord who had surrounded them with love!

Day one: We found Jesus working at the ends of the earth. We were blessed by the seeing of it (and tired from the journey)!

In His Service, Karl, Kirk and Elizabeth (now centered in Kisumu)

Prayers are being lifted up for you!

Our 40 Days group prayed for Karl, Liz, Kirk and Mark tonight. We asked the Lord to provide safe travel on the trip over and to light your path to guide you to the place where He will use each of you and St. John to shine His light brightly to His children in Africa so that they may experience the heart of God (and never be the same again!). May you have a clear sense of the Lord's presence throughout the trip and witness His activity in Africa.
Marilouise Galik

Bringing Love to Kenya From St. John Students

How do I bring St. John Eagle spirit with me to Kenya? The students in 1st, 2nd & 3rd grades illustrated books with the song Jesus Loves Me for me to give to the schools & orphanages we will visit. The children's love for their Lord shines brightly through their drawings! I got goosebumps yesterday while looking through the powerful images. They show such enthusiasm for sharing that good news with children halfway around the world whose lives are so desperate for the unconditional love of our Savior. What a blessing to be in the St. John Lutheran School community!

Kenya and East Africa News

What's going on in Kenya and East Africa? Here are two news sources that provide stories you usually won't see in American news outlets.

The Kenya Broadcasting Corporation provides news and information specific to, you guessed it, Kenya, along with some stories about other parts of Africa.

The East African covers the region as a whole, including Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, and other countries.

Take a look!

Travel to Nairobi

Two of the most frequently asked questions are "how are we going" and "how long does it take to get there?" So, here's our itinerary.

Tomorrow we fly to Amsterdam on Northwest Airlines, leaving at 5:45PM and arriving the next morning. We have a brief layover and then depart for Nairobi at 10:15AM, on KLM, arriving around 7:30PM Kenya time, which is one hour ahead of Europe. Altogether about 16 hours of air travel.

What Time is it in - Nairobi, Kenya?

Pastors Galik and Sell, along with Elizabeth Nelson and Kirk Radford will be in Kenya soon. As they make their way through the countryside, visiting orphans and building relationships, they will 7 hours ahead of our time in Michigan. So, in Kenya, it is currently...



Keep this in mind as you go through your day. It makes for an interesting contrast.

St. John's Partnership with Friends of Mercy to Minister to Children in Kenya

The Partnership

Friends of Mercy is very thankful for this opportunity to work together with our brothers and sisters at St. John. Partnerships are the way to get things done, especially when following through with God's Word to "the ends of the earth." You might want to take a look at our web site (here) to learn about what Pastor Galik, Elizabeth, and Kirk will learn about. Please feel free to e-mail me and ask any questions that you might have about our upcoming trip.

Kenya and AIDS Orphans and FGM

Our goal in Kenya is to work with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Kenya to assist the weakest victims of HIV/AIDS, the children left behind. Most parents are dying by the time they are 30 years old. Sibling families are formed, where the 11-18 year old brother or sister steps in as a "parent" figure to the younger children.

FGM is a terrible rite still practiced by the Masai tribe. I suggest you take a look at FoM's website here to learn about the details of exactly what it is. Our goal is to build a compound called the Entito Rescue Center which will be a girls boarding school for 500 young girls.

Check back often for more information and updates by the whole team!

Thanks again for allowing Friends of Mercy to serve our Lord through St. John.

Pastor Mark Sell

If we don't do something...

HIV/AIDS

By 2010, an estimated 15.7 million children in sub-Saharan Africa will have lost at least one parent due to AIDS. Even where HIV prevalence stabilizes or begins to decline, the number of orphans will continue to grow or at least remain high for years, reflecting the time lag between HIV infection and death.

In Kenya, according to UNAIDS, in 2005 there were 1.1 million orphans due to AIDS. This crisis impacts entire communities as they struggle to respond to the needs of these children, who suffer physical, emotional, educational, and sociological impacts.

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Kenya ministers to these orphans and to the families and communities mobilizing to provide them with care. We seek to partner with the ELCK to fund and support a project, perhaps a community-based orphanage, over a five year time frame.

Poverty

Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, is a city of 3 million inhabitants. Some 60% are packed into slums, which comprise only 5% of Nairobi's land mass. The biggest and poorest slum in Nairobi, and in fact in all of Africa, is Kibera, with a population of over 1 million. A BBC reports describes it as "600 acres of mud and filth, with a brown stream running through the middle."

The ELCK has a church in Kibera where the living Word is preached and people without hope hear of a Savior.

Just barely scratching the surface, these statistics and descriptions of a humanitarian crisis inform and influence our calling. Because at the end of the day, if don't do something people will die. We can do some-thing, and therefore we go to Kenya to find out what that is.