Lake Victoria and Children

Wednesday found us traveling to Lake Victoria. Pastor Dennis and Deaconess Lorna have land there that was donated to build an orphanage and school. I am very impressed by the heart, compassion and vision of these two and their family. They see the tremendous need and do whatever it takes to help.

The property sits atop a hill at the edge of the lake. This area is one of the larger fishing ports for Kisumu and is not very large or modern at all. The boats are very primitive wooden shells about 18 feet long and 3 feet wide with a homemade sail strung on a log mast. They reminded us of how the disciples may have fished in Galilee. Kenyans are very resourceful people and, we have found, are willing to work hard for whatever small amount of funds they receive.

We then stopped for a couple of home visits in the community where Stefan, our driver, lives with his wife and 3 children. His father is the Lutheran Pastor there. Karen and Deaconess Linda attended to the sick. They were both infected with TB and, of course, both HIV positive. Not uncommon at all.

On to Stefan’s home. His family lives in Kisumu and he works mostly in Nairobi, 7 hours away. We also visited his father’s home, which was a little more improved and lovely in their own way. They served us warm Cokes and cookies and we listened to Pastor tell us about the struggles with his congregations. His community consists of 8 congregations and he takes turns being there and, therefore, they can only receive communion every 2 months. That is, if they can afford the wine.

Back to Kisumu City and the “new” house that Pastor Dennis and Lorna rented in January where they now house 22 children. We visited and played with all of them, Elizabeth led them in song and took videos of them singing. We were served a traditional dinner of chipati "flat corn bread", machusi beef stew and some type of donut. The children also had a very large portion and were very proud of their stomachs being full and round when they had finished. We brought clothes and shoes for them and they were thrilled to receive them. The St. John School t-shirts were a big hit! We took more pictures of children for sponsorship and the children sang us a song about how Jesus changed their life. Even in their meager existence they can see the many Blessings they receive. What a true joy and inspiration to be with them.

Deaconesses Galore!

Today we visited Dago, the ELCK project started by Dcs. Ruth, Dcs. Lorna’s sister. Dago is a place where HIV women and children gather together for fellowship, support and worship. The deaconesses across Kenya gather there each Tuesday for worship, Bible Study and encouragement. I had the opportunity to lead a Bible Study with my deaconess sisters and encourage them in their ministry. It was like heaven on earth being with them! They shared how difficult it is to minister to a child who has lost both parents and is asking you to take them in when they already have several orphans they are looking after. Their hearts were breaking for these children. They also shared that it is the African tradition to bring a small gift when you visit someone, and they have so little that they are giving away food they need themselves.

There was a large celebration for us when we arrived. The women greeted us with song and three government officials were there to greet us and thank us for what we are doing to help the Dago Community. It was very encouraging to see the government officials acknowledging the astonishing change in the death rates, thanks to the efforts of the Dago project and the deaconesses. They then proceeded to share their gratitude for our support. They put forth many concerns and requests for our assistance. One trip to Home Depot would do it! What we take for granted, they do without.

There are so many needs here and the team wants to fix everything! We are beginning to realize, however, that it would be impossible. We will come home, put our heads together, seek the Lord’s guidance, and come up with a plan. There is a reason God has us here! We need your prayers for guidance and wisdom as we assess these needs.

May the Lord be with you all! He is definitely here in Kenya! All our brothers and sisters in Kenya send you warm greetings and much love! Thank you for all your donations, they are being used in amazing ways.

Sunday Worship

The team worshipped at Springs of Life Lutheran Church on Sunday. Many children wanted to sit with “The Visitors”. Little children chose a team member to claim as their own. Most of the team held a sleeping child throughout the service. Deaconess Linda felt the effects of a very relaxed sleepy toddler, not once…but twice! The service was all in Kiswahili but the same King of Kings & Lord of Lords was present. One of the hymns sung was Nothing But the Blood of Jesus.

The choirs sang several selections; the 2^nd was one I recognized as the greeting song from the Dago group under the tree in 2007. I had a twinge of longing to share that moment with the guys from team 1. Don’t worry, boys, I shot some video for you ;)

When the children left the service for Sunday School, a woman came to sit beside me. I kept thinking I recognized her; but couldn’t place her face. Halfway through the sermon I realized it was Peres and the sleeping child in my arms was her grandson David who is sponsored by a St. John member. Peres is the woman Team 2 had met when she had been so close to death; she has now regained strength. Although her body is still a battlefield for HIV; she has the strength from her hope in the Lord & assistance for the many children in her care with the help of sponsors from St. John. She shared her hymnal with me to sing in her native tongue. I felt humbled & honored to sit beside this gentle, faithful sister in the Lord.

After the service there were announcements and of course introductions of “The Visitors”, then a gathering outside for one more hymn, a Blessing and greeting each other. Deaconess Linda and Karen worked on seeing congregants who were seeking medical help.

Deaconess Linda gathered together a group of children who need sponsorship and requested that pictures be taken. A line formed and once again the crush of humanity became a little overwhelming. I was prepared to take a few pictures…2 hours later, 75 children had been photographed & information written down by Shani. The burden of increasing needs are continually being placed upon our hearts, but we are counting it all joy! What amazing potential to change lives!

Over dinner a discussion of the days events normally occurs. While discussing sponsors and how to meet these needs, Pastor Dennis & Deaconess Lorna shared (only when pressed) that the $30 sponsorship fee covers food but doesn’t cover the rising cost of school fees.

New opportunities often give way to new questions. Do we procure several sponsors for 1 child? Should the sponsorship amount be raised for those wanting to be the sole sponsors of their child? Solutions will have to be considered upon return. For now the harvest is waiting, a majority of them children.

For those sponsoring Peres’ children & grandchildren; know that your compassionate sacrifice is giving hope to the hopeless, strength for fear, gladness for mourning & peace for despair. That is a Blessing unfolding before our eyes!

Posted by Elizabeth Nelson

Comment Away!

A Blog, at it's best is conversation where everyone can contribute.  Gary let me know that only certain users could comment!  I have changed the settings to allow all viewers to post comments!!  Sorry for the difficulty.  Speaking of difficulties...I had some trouble posting last night (long boring story) & will be posting this evening (Kenyan time ;) &  will make every effort to post some pics as well.  I have taken 543 photos so far...mostly of children, imagine that!

We are off to Kisumu today; six hours on a bump road!!  God is continually placing new burdens on our hearts, but we are counting it all joy!

Love to all :)  Blessings on your day!

A Maasai Wedding

Today was early to rise, breakfast at 7 on the road by 8 so we could travel 3 hours to a Maasai village with Deaconess Susan. The journey consisted of a decent paved road for about an hour, an hour of construction, (Michigan construction is a joy compared to here!) and an hour on a 2 track through the desert of the rift valley. 2 track is being generous. The road was not marked and mostly washed out.

When we finally arrived at the extremely primitive village, they were having church service under one of the few shade trees and the choir was singing!! It was a beautiful sight to behold. The women were all dressed in ceremonial clothing including extensive bead necklaces that they made themselves. Their songs of praise to the Lord was joyous indeed in any language. Several choirs sang, their pastor spoke, Pastor Dennis spoke, we were all introduced and were warmly welcomed from several villagers.

We then discovered this was a special day in the village. The new bride would be arriving for a wedding. She traveled 10,000 km to be there. It was a very interesting ritual to observe. A wedding feast was prepared and shared with us. Goat meat and a type of corn bread. We were polite to say the least.

After the wedding we distributed food, clothing, toys and other supplies. They were desperate for anything we had to give. Karen treated those in need of first aid and we all visited and played with the children. Perspective takes on a whole new meaning here. I do not see color in this place, just people who are trying to live and learning to love the Lord.

After a long, dusty day and long bumpy ride home, Rocky greeted us with the news of his day. He stayed behind to work at the school painting today with help from the locals. He enjoyed doing the work, but I really think it was the new ladder we bought for the school!

Time to rest and anticipate church tomorrow morning. Our days are filled to the brim seeing God's hand and showing the Love of Christ here.

We're here!!

Thank you to everyone for your prayers! We arrived yesterday safe and sound after two long flights and not much sleep. We were all so excited to be going, but also that we would see Karen again. We overwhelmed her with all the hugs we were supposed to give her when we saw her. She says "Hi!" Well, we all know she'd say more than that!

We were all a little worried about getting through customs with all of the donations we brought, but Elizabeth and Caleb had been praying for weeks for the customs agents to have "blinded eyes," (which I didn't Know) and Karen and I prayed the same thing before we landed. I thought of Corrie Ten Boom when she prayed that the guards in the concentration camps would not see the Bible she had hidden on herself. We sailed through the Visa process and went to collect our bags. As Sue and I went first, we were asked simply if we were on 'holiday,' to which we answered "Yes," and he said, "Just go ahead." Two down, four more to go. Rockie sailed through, and Elizabeth, Shani, and Karen decided to just walk on through without stopping, and an agent looked and at them and said nothing! I think our prayers were answered!

Lorna had a wonderful dinner waiting and then we crashed into bed.

Today Lorna took us to Springs of Life, the church and school she and Pastor Dennis serve at in the Kibera slums. We were able to see how much work they had done since last year. There are four new classrooms and they are renovating the two classrooms that we saw last year. Rockie's eyes lit up when Pastor Dennis told him he would be painting those rooms and installing tile floors! I don't think he could have had a bigger smile on his face if he tried :-) He is itching to get there tomorrow and get started.

Meanwhile, Elizabeth and Shani couldn't wait to see the children at the school. They went to work immediately. Elizabeth read to the children and taught them a song. Can't you just see her doing that! She then worked with one of the teachers and taught them a very simple, yet profound way to teach a child to read. Shani was the consummate caregiver and helped one little girl to be accepted by the other children where she hadn't been before. You'll have to ask her about that one. God is working in amazing ways through this team already, and it's only the first day!

Karen, Sue, and I took a tour of the improvements at the school and saw the giant cargo container that was sent by the Canadians. Eh! It is filled with clothing, desks, bicycles, and they don't even know what all. When it is empty they will convert it into a Medical Clinic, and they would love to have a double-wide. So Sue said, "We can do that! Game on!" So get ready St. John. We're going to be filling a cargo carrier and shipping it here! To show you God's hand in all this, Corey, her daughter, has a friend, whom she had not spoken to in a very long time, who knows someone at the U.N. in Kenya and may be able to assist us.

Is that a God-thing, or what!

Tomorrow, Rockie will stay behind and work at the School, while we go to a Masai village with Susan, the one and only Masai deaconess. We will get to see a real Masai village and how these people, who have lived the same way for thousands of years, live. Dcs. Lorna told me today that there are no toilets, so we will have to go in the bush. How does that sound ladies?? Not only are there no toilets, but there's lions out there! Keep praying :-) This will be a real adventure!

We have been profoundly touched already, and we are looking forward to seeing the hand of our AWESOME God at work in the days to come. Pastor and Lorna have been overwhelmed by YOUR generosity to them, the children, and the deaconesses! We will be taking lots of pictures, and we will show you where your tithe and contributions have made a difference in so many lives here.

May God continue to bless and keep you! We should be able to post fairly often because Lorna has an Air Card and Sue has her MAC.

Kirk and Dave we miss you! We picked up a surprise for you both at the Nakumat!

In Christ's amazing and all sustaining love,

Dcs. Linda

What will we find this year?

For the last two years, I think, our visits have been as "spectators." This year I believe the Lord will allow us to feel and experience some of what our brothers and sisters in Christ are experiencing each and every day in Kenya. We are SO privileged in this country, that we can't bear the thought of being without electricity, food, or water. I don't know about the rest of the team, but I am looking forward to being humbled by the experience. I am sickened at times by the amount of waste in this country, in this Rochester area. Lord, show us what it is like to suffer want, so that our hearts will be awakened to the great need of our fellow human beings in the rest of the world!

2009 Kenya Team gearing up!

Nine days and counting! We depart on September 23rd at 4:00 pm. The flight is over 16 hours, accomplished in two segments. First a stop in Amsterdam and then on to Nairobi. Kenya here we come!

This year's mission team consists of Deaconess (Dcs.) Linda Nobili, Kirk Radford, Rockie Brandenburg, Karen Morrell (currently living in the Netherlands), Elizabeth Nelson, and two 'new-bees', Sue Wood and Shani Stadnika! Today we start packing the extra bags we're taking filled with donations of school supplies, small stuffed animals, kids clothes, first aid supplies, and the like. Can't wait to get started!

Donations have been pouring in, thanks be to God, and the expenses for our entire trip will be covered. We want to thank everyone who contributed finances, toys, clothes, and prayers! We couldn't do it without you! May the Lord return to you double what you have done for us and the people of Kenya.

Please check back here for updates. We will try to post as often as possible. Also please keep the people of Kenya, Pastor Dennis and Dcs. Lorna Meeker and us in prayer. We ask for prayers of protection, patience, and productivity for the saving Gospel of Christ. Kenya is experiencing severe drought conditions and we have been told to expect electricity every other day.

Blessings! Dcs. Linda