Karibu Kenya! Welcome to Kenya!

Home again, and yet homesick

Yes, we are home again, yet our hearts, minds and prayers will forever be in Kenya!



I returned home on Oct 5th and had surgery at U of M hospital on Oct 7th. I was sad to leave Kenya, but so thankful for a great American hospital. I have broken the fibula bone in two places, so the Dr. "installed" a plate with four screws. He and Mauro got into a dicussion about self-tapping screws which Mauro tried to convey to me upon awakening from surgery, but I was having none of that discussion! The inside ligement that had snapped was healing nicely so he didn't have to sew it. Overall, I am doing much better with the pain now, and I only need the meds a couple times a day. Thank you so much for all your prayers, cards, and meals! Mauro and I are overwhelmed by your generosity and kindness.



As I read Elizabeth's post, I am reminded of all the work we have to do! There are so many needs, that we could never meet them all; but God in His mercy will direct us where to focus our energies. We encountered many more children who need to be sponsored, both for basic sustainance and for school fees. Please let me know if the Lord is leading you to be one of those sponsors.



I have to comment on the team this year. It was very evident that God choose this team. Each brought their own unique gifts and talents with them.

• Elizabeth was clearly there to help the teachers at the the Luther Academy. Her giftedness in teaching and loving children was a great blessing to all she encountered. She also went above and beyond by painting my toenails and washing my hair for me before I left! Thanks Elizabeth! You have a true servant heart.


• Shani used her gifts of compassion and organization to touch the hearts of the children and help the teachers to more organized. Shani, you blog was beautiful and I wanted to cry along with you for the children of Kibera.


• Rockie was in "seventh heaven!" I am so glad that he was able to use the gifts God has given him to lay tile, paint, and whatever else was needed at the school. What a blessing you were Rockie to the young men that you mentored!
• Sue was a women 'possessed' I'm told as she unloaded that cargo carrier! I didn't see it, but anyone wo knows Sue, knows that she puts her whole heart and soul (and back!) into a project. Thank you Sue for your strength, not only of body, but of character. And thank you for leaving Kenya early to be my nursemaid on the way home!
• Karen was our rock. Her wisdom and kindness saw us through. She was a great blessing to the people of Kenya who needed medical attention, and to me! She was right there with me when I fell and I trusted her wisdom and calming presence the entire time. Thanks Karen! You know I miss you already!

I praise the Lord of the Harvest for sending us and I thank all who contributed to make it possible. Look for future presentations and new items for sale!

Home Again

Deaconess Linda had her surgery & is home recovering. She not only broke her leg in two places but also tore a ligament. Continue to pray for her complete healing.

Our team became the dwindling group as the trip went on; first we were 7, then Kirk became ill, then Linda & Sue left early, we went to Amsterdam with 4, Karen went home & then there were 3.

The two flights were interrupted by a one day stint in Amsterdam. It was cold & rainy but we enjoyed the city anyway. We mostly spent our time strolling around & took a canal barge tour. Karen's husband met us for dinner, which we all enjoyed immensely. Karen rode the train to the airport with us & caught a cab home. Rockie, Shani & I flew home to Michigan.

The adventure is over for now,much of the team is already discussing when to return...felling the pull of God's calling to Kenya.

Each team member has their own journey to reflect on; God truely brought us togther for His purpose, to grow us as a team and as His children.

For me the journey will most certainly continue. I'm tied to that place & those people in a way that breaks my heart fresh each time. I walked away from Luther Academy across the red, dusty field & already knew that I would be returning to this place of great suffering, disease and hardship...but God dwells here in the heart of the people who have been drawn so close to Him through those same trials.

Deaconess Lorna says that when you meet people in their suffering, that's when they see Jesus. My hope & prayer is for that to be true of our team.

A Heartfelt Goodbye

With great sadness we just said goodbye to both Sue and Dcs. Linda. Pastor Dennis and Karen drove the two to the airport. It seems as if the last three days have been filled with great joys and sadness, the mix of emotions is at times overwhelming. Even though I know they are comforted in the knowledge that God has plans for them both. I can not even imagine the sadness that both Sue and Linda are feeling on the way to the airport. They are both such talented and gifted women and there is much work to be finished. I know they are imagining their next journey to Africa. I knows that only GOD nows what the next journey has in store. Please pray that Dsc. Linda and Sue have a safe journey home. Pray for Mauro and Cori as they await the safe return of their loved ones, also for the doctors who with help Linda on her road to recovery.

Our team seems to be disappearing before our eyes. With Rocky left in charge of the three crazy women please, please pray for his guidence and patience. Let's face it Karen, Elizabeth and I are loud, out spoken, and for those of you who know us a little off.

Now, for what we have been up to the last couple of days. Dcs. Linda rested with Karen caring for her. Rocky and Pastor finished the Baby class, this is a class for 3 year olds (54 to be exact)with just one teacher. We spent a few hours of Saturday with Lorna. She took Sue, Elizabeth, and I to the textile store and Maasi Market. We wanted to pick up a few items to share Kenya with all of our friends and family. This allowed us to experience Kenya in a new way. With vendors coming at you from every angle, one of the nice vendors watched over us to make sure we where safe and taken care of. The vendor was a painter and Elizabeth and I ended up purchasing African art work.

Today, we went to church, we watched a teenager get baptized and the service was lovely. After we met with some of the congregation. We left the church and went to Peres' house for a home visit. Many of you may know Peres from last year. She is the grandmother of many of the children that are sponsored by St. John families. Rockie was amazed by the improvement in Peres over the last year. Peres takes great pride in her home and was very welcoming.

I'm having a very difficult time expressing the feeling of our visit to the Kibera slums. The people are trying so hard to survive, the small amounts of food that they have they seem to share. The look on their faces are forever etched in my brain. The desperation in the eyes of the children are without words. The homes are built of stick, mud, and left over scraps of metal. Even with the desperation of the slums, the people that we visited take such pride in their homes. The smell of the entire place will never leave me. I thought I might have vomited from the smell. When I expressed that to Rocky he said "you gotta do what you gotta do." At Peres' house the chicken roam freely, and one seemed to like to peck me. She went in out of my legs and as we left she seemed to follow. Even though the area is uncomfortable the home was inviting and she was very proud to have vistors. We sat, visited and played with all the children and Elizabeth was able to give Beryl a gift. Beryl is the Nelson's sponsored child. As we left the slums I had a mixed feelings of sadness and relief. One of the little children that I have become attached to was really sad and wanted to leave with us. I felt so bad leaving him.

As this journey is coming to end I know that there is much work to be done. I realize that the needs are so large and that I have to trust in God for the next step. I will do my best to organize the teacher's supplies and love as many children as I can. I am unable to solve all the problems of this area and culture. I will do my best to make a small change during this trip and pray that God's guidance and love embrace all of the individuals at the church and school. When I return home I will share with anyone who listens the stories of this journey. I encourage each of you to pray for this area and all the people who are struggling everywhere.

Many Blessings,
Shani

Coming Home Early :-(

Yes, it is true. I slid down a slight hill and lost my balance. I knew it was serious when I heard the bone in my leg snap. That's a sound I won't forget for a very long time! I was taken to Nairobi Hospital, which Lorna said was the best hospital in Kenya. The doctor was so kind. The first thing he said to me was, "Polysana." When I didn't understand, he explained that it means, "Very sorry." He even offered to get me something to eat!

The pain is manageable, thank to my personal nurse, Karen, who was with me and has been my constant companion every since. She is staying home with me today while the others go to the Safari Park and shopping at the Maasai market.

We have accomplished many things so far and I am disappointed to be coming home early, but God in His wisdom must have a reason for it. Sue will be coming with me. We have travel insurance that will be covering the flight home and medical assistance, so we are all set. I guess the Lord wanted me to have the experience of a Kenyan hospital! I was pleasantly surprised. However, I didn't want to experience the entire experience of having surgery there! I will be coming home Sunday and going to U of M on Monday, hopefully.

Thank you for all your prayers, and I look forward to seeing you all and sharing how God has used this team in such an amazing way! We are now beyond the "look and see" stage and are ready to formulate a plan to be of real assistance to Pastor Meeker and Dcs. Lorna.

Blessings to you all!

Serving God and His people everywhere,

Dcs. Linda

Cargo Container, Classrooms and a Cast?

Thursday we traveled back to Nairobi from Kisumu. A 6–7 hour trip on a good day. One of the areas we traveled through was Kericho. It is acres and acres of tea fields and workers picking the tea. We had trouble with the van twice but persevered through and we finally made it home safely.

Friday was a workday at Springs of Life Church. Rocky was back in his element working on tiling the classroom floors. The materials are not quite what he is used to using but he improvised and the floor is looking great and will soon have 54 three year olds using it.

Elizabeth and Shani worked with the teachers in cleaning the classrooms and preparing them for the “new” desks that were shipped in the container to replace the wooden bench type of desk for the children. The “new” desks are probably 40 years old. One of the teachers could not believe they had individual desks. She said this is like the high school use. Elizabeth also trained them in organizing the materials and schedule. Each classroom was also getting a teacher desk and file cabinet. They were beyond thrilled to have even the basics.

I worked with Pastor Dennis and his trusted youth to empty the cargo container that had been shipped from a congregation in Canada. It has been a real concern to get it emptied quickly and as soon as possible. There were groups in the area already planning how to break into the container. Just an example of the volatility because of the shear need of this place.

The contents included the student desks, teacher desks, filing cabinets, 50 new backpacks filled with school supplies, bikes, hospital beds, numerous medical supplies to furnish the clinic, 1,000 Bibles, school books, Bible study books, and clothes, clothes and more clothes. I truly enjoyed working with these young men and witnessing God’s Love from others through these items. It was very encouraging to communicate with them on a more intimate level.

Karen, Linda, Deaconess Lorna and a local man from the congregation went into the slums to do home visits. After a few visits and traveling the unstable terrain they call a street, Linda slipped and fell and broke her leg in 2 places. The local people were very compassionate to her while waiting for help to arrive. She was taken to Nairobi Hospital for treatment and it was determined she needed surgery. They put it in a cast for travel. Linda and I will return today so she can have the surgery done at home. Please pray for safe travel for us and for the team as they carry on without us.

I am sad to leave this place early as I was just beginning to gain the full understanding of our purpose for these people. By God’s Will, I will come back.

Praise God from whom all Blessings flow, Praise Him all creatures here below, Praise Him above ye heavenly Host, Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.

Pictures...Finally!!