Home Again!

The team arrived safely home on Saturday evening, minus Dave who came home on Thursday for Davey's homecoming.

It is good to be home and in our own beds and showers, but our hearts are still in Kenya. We return with some incredible memories, and a continued desire to help the people we met. We had several new requests for assistance this year, so we will be praying and planning on what to tackle next.

We have many more orphans to get sponsored also. It was difficult to go to the schools and pull aside the children we sponsor and take their pictures, as the children without sponsors looked on. So, please pray about sponsoring a child; we have seen a tremendous difference in the children with sponsors. They are happy, healthy, and well fed.

We also brought home various items we'll be selling over the next couple of months, so if you are a St. John member, remember to stop by the Africa Mission table.

Thanks again for your prayers and support. St. John is making a huge difference in the lives of the Kenyan people and they are very grateful to you and to the Lord for remembering them and caring about their needs.

Serving Him together,
Dcs. Linda

A Heartbreaking Day

Today was the most heartbreaking day I can remember in three years of traveling to Kenya. On our last day here we visited Veronica’s slum school called Love School Center. Sue and I missed out on the visit last year when Veronica was well situated in a large, clean school. This was her third move to find a suitable place to hold a school for the children of the Kawangware slum in Nairobi. She had to move from her last school because they were asking too much for the rent, and the area was hostile to her school.

Veronica has set up her school on a much smaller plot of land, and is absolutely horrendous! With donated iron-sheet she has created classrooms that are approximately 10’ X 10’, and hold from 12 to 40 children per class! The children are crammed into these tiny classrooms, some with only benches for the children to sit on and write their lessons.

Each room has a door and a tiny window, and in which the smell from the very public open latrine, not more than 40 feet away, wafts in! These are the worst conditions we have ever seen. None of us can ever imagine sending our children to such a place! The “school” sits in the mud and the grounds are covered with garbage. There is a small open area for the children to play, but it is half under water from the daily rain.

For the past three years we have fed these children, and if you remember, the first year was only a roll and juice. Last year we provided a hot meal, and this year we wanted to do the same. We served the children out of clean plastic garbage bins filled with rice and stew. The children would come through the line with small plastic food containers that we would fill to the brim. I asked Veronica what the children normally eat and she told me that they don’t eat anything for lunch, and sometimes go from morning until night without anything. She told me they have not had any kind of lunch since we were there last year! I was shocked. No lunch at school for an entire year!

St. John Lutheran is the only group who has ever done anything for them. She said Lorna is the only person who remembers her, so when she needs help she calls Lorna. Lorna told us that whenever she has some extra funds she gives them to Veronica, but with such great need everywhere you can imagine that not too much goes to the school. Please pray about supporting this school. For $120 dollars these children (over 300 of them) could have lunch for a day! That’s about 50 cents per child for a good, filling, hot meal! If we can get enough supporters we could feed these children at least once a week.

This has been the hardest day in three years for me, and we all leave here with very heavy hearts. Dave said Lorna saved this for the last intentionally. Lorna just laughed and said, “That is so you will want to come back!” God willing, the Lord will allow us to come and serve these incredible people again.

We also visited the Luther Academy School where we have sponsored several children. Dave took pictures to bring home to the sponsoring families, but we weren’t able to get all of the children because many are away at school.

We leave for the airport in two hours, so we will see you all in about four days. Thank you so much for your prayers and support! We have felt them and know that we are being prayed for!

In Christ's Love,

Dcs. Linda

Medical Camps, Maasai Village, and Maasai Markets

It is our last night in Kenya before we fly to Amsterdam tomorrow night. It has been a long two weeks and a short two weeks. We’ve had a multitude of feelings; loving it here, yet ready to eat American food again! Helping the people here, yet wishing we could do so much more. It has been an intense couple of weeks in different ways.

The medical camps were emotionally and physically exhausting, yet gratifying; while the Maasai Market today was a grueling battle of bartering on the items we want to bring back and sell to raise funds for the orphans. The market is the place where dealers bring their goods, and as you get out of the van you are mobbed by a group of “agents” who want to take you around, collect your purchases so they can “wheel and deal” you for the total price. It’s very overwhelming, and takes perseverance and a firm attitude to get to a price you can live with. We did our best, but we all left feeling like we paid too much anyway.

Yesterday was the visit to the Maasai village. What a unique people they are. They live as they have for thousands of years. They greeted us in their “new” church made of rustic lumber and steel corrugated siding with a dirt floor. The children sang two songs for us, then the English speaking local pastor interpreted as the elder of the tribe and one of the leading women greeted us and thanked us for getting some of their girls into school. The woman said, “We know we are behind here, but we want to get better. We want to send our children to school so they can have a better life.” They were so grateful for our assistance they wanted to give us a live goat to take home! These extremely poor people were willing to give up one of their goats to thank us. Amazing.

Tomorrow we will return to Veronica’s school in the Kawangware slum. This will be our third visit to the school. We have committed to provide a meal to the poorest of the poor in this slum each year. Last year was the first year we provided a hot meal, thanks to a friend of mine (Thanks Jill!) who gathered funds from her family and friends after she saw our pictures of the children only receiving a roll and juice the year before.

Veronica has faced many challenges with this school. She’s had to move her school three times in three years because of rent issues. She receives no funding from anywhere, but is extremely dedicated to these children. Lorna helps whenever she can, but it is always a challenge. When we found out that the rent on the property she had last year, which was a wonderful space and set-up for the school was only $120 dollars a month, one of my team mates agreed to pay that monthly fee. This is how impressed we are with what Veronica is doing. She is trying to give these children a chance in life. If not for her, they would be trapped in their circumstances. She seeks out children who are HIV positive and abandoned and gives them a safe, caring environment.

God has sent us to this very special place called Kenya to make a difference, and believe me; we have made a huge difference in the lives of many women and children. This was very apparent this year as I was greeted and formally thanked by the government officials at Dago, two bishops, and the Maasai elders. They realize that we have kept the promises we made last year. Many people come to Kenya and promise things and don’t ever follow through, but St. John has delivered on our promises, and they are very impressed.

I am so proud of St. John’s commitment to the people of Kenya! They are truly grateful because they see how many people we have helped to “live positively” with HIV because of your help.

Love in Christ as we together support the poor and needy in Kenya,

Dcs. Linda

Days 10 & 11 – Springs of Life and Maasai Village

On Sunday the team attended worship services at Springs of Life Church in Kibera. Pastor Dennis Meeker and Pastor Mark Rabe led the worship.

One thing that stood out were the amount of children attending worship, many without any adults with them. They walk in from the Kibera slums. We were able to meet some of the children sponsored by members of St. John. We also met others and heard many stories as we gathered outside after the service. I was particularly moved by a young woman attending the church who has been trying to finish her schooling.

Winnie is 18 years old and lives with her aunt. In order to pay for school, her aunt told her she had to “go with men” to earn the money. She is one semester away from graduating from high school, but does not have the money to finish. It is hard to think that she may resort to prostitution just to finish her schooling. Lorna Meeker is trying to work with her to accept help from Springs of Life. Winnie is not the only girl facing this problem. Girls of all ages are used in this way. This is why Dennis and Lorna are working so hard to move these girls out of the slums.

On Monday we visited a village named Enkiloriti in Maasai Land. The Meekers, the ELCK and our St. John mission support these people, and this is the same village where our team attended a wedding last year.

The trip was slow and long over “roads” that were nearly impassable. We had a Masai guide with us that knew the area and we arrived to a big welcome by the village. The tribe invited us into their church where the children sang for us and we were greeted by several members of the community.

They introduced the elder man who has donated 30 acres to be used for a church, school and hospital. They are so grateful for all we are doing to help with these projects. Their hunger for the Gospel is incredible. In November, Bishop Obare and Pastor Meeker will be baptizing over 100 Maasi people in this village!

God is working mightily there. Our team provided food for the families. We handed out maize meal, salt, lard, soap and matches. They were so happy. It seemed like such a small thing to us, but was so important to them.

Rockie Brandenburg

The Power of Your Name

No words required on this one. Please watch, listen, & enjoy.

(Awesome job Sue!)

DH

The Hand of St. John Extended in Kibera Slum

Today the team went to Springs of Life church at Kibera, and I can tell you that after visiting here for the last three years, it felt like coming home. As usual the service was alive with beautiful singing, the kind of melodious voices you might imagine hearing as you enter the gates of heaven.

This time it seemed that the children out numbered the adults, and at the end of the service Pastor Dennis asked for volunteers to be Sunday school teachers so that the children would understand God’s word accurately and grow to be strong, healthy and confirmed Christians.

One of the congregation members sent blessings to each of the team members using some neat clapping method, which was directed at us and then the Pastor. Very cool to see and experience!
After church the team, as a whole, went into Kibera slums to do some home visits.
It amazed me to realize that I knew the way and recognized many landmarks. They had even added a bridge over one of the “ditches”!

As we reached the first home I knew we had been there before, it was the home of Anastasia, a lady we had visited in 2008. Back then, as we allowed our eyes to adjust to the darkness, we saw a baby of around 10 lbs sitting on the bed cross legged. Today he is a healthy and robust three-year old!

In 2009 we learned that Dennis and Lorna had used the donations from St. John to give Anastasia 3000 shillings (about $32) to help her set up her own business. She chose to sell dried fish. As this business thrived she was able to become more self-sufficient, feeding her family, sending her children to school and even making donations to the church. Today she was delighted to see us, remembered many of us and expressed her thanks for our (and your) help. Now doesn’t that make your heart sing?

Next we went to visit Grace who is a widow, but is very young. She is taking care of 6 children. Four are her own, and two are orphans who she had taken in. The children were healthy and well fed; she even wanted to feed us! Dennis and Lorna met this lady during the post-election violence in early 2008, when she entered the Springs of Life church with many children following behind. They helped her out with donations for food, rent and school fees. Now this same lady shares whatever she has with needy neighbors. If Lorna is unable to visit people in hospital, Grace will help out, visiting and taking food.

There are still times when she struggles and needs help, two of the children will soon need sponsors to enable them to attend school, but she is thankful for the help she has received and tries very hard to give back.

On a more personal note, Grace sells jewelry, she took us to the “factory”, (if you can call it that) where it is made. For those of you who may not know, my post nursing speciality is in Occupational Health Nursing. This place was a healthy and safety nightmare, with bare wires plugged into 240 volt sockets and animal bone dust everywhere. Then we were taken into the “shopping area” where we were almost gassed with carbon monoxide from the generator, oh well, it’s Kenya!

On a more serious note, please pray for families like these (as there are many) and for discernment for Dennis and Lorna in making the correct decisions in who should receive such help.

Now, please indulge me as I express just how much I miss my Michigan church home and all of my special friends (you know who you are). St John, you are constantly in my prayers, I hope you will be united in fellowship very soon. Thank you so much for the opportunity to come to Kenya, something I have had my heart set on for more than 20 years.

In Christ,

Karen Morrell

Day 2 Aigo Medical Camp

People, people and more people! Yesterday we saw approx 450 patients. Today the number was over 750! They came from all over the area. It is hard to believe there are that many in such a rural area. Some came from an island out in Lake Victoria, approx 2 miles away by boat because they heard the music coming from the camp. Incredible! 200 school children arrived also for treatment.

The camp was held southwest of Kisumu in a village called Aigo, at the site of the new school and rescue center that is being built by Compassionate Social Care Ministries. (Check our their blog also at: http://www.cscmkenya.org/) The history and acquisition of the land is an intriguing story. Parcels were donated as word spread as to what was going to be used for. There is no rhyme or reason to how the property boundaries are platted. A surveyor’s challenge or nightmare for sure!

Again, the people are what it is all about here and the local workers were tireless in their determination to see all of the patients. Mothers with babies in one location being immunized and examined, the testing and counseling for HIV/AIDS, two doctor consultation rooms, a nurses pre-exam station under a tree, and the non-stop pace of the pharmacy.

In observing the culture, it is not uncommon to see “babies with babies”, a 19 year old with a 5 year old child, etc., and lots of twins. One mother had 2 sets of twins and 3 other children as well. Education is the key for survival here and that is what was there for them today. Lorna and her sisters are determined to lift these people up and give them what they need to care for themselves and their children.

Words can’t express the atmosphere and sense of accomplishment of our mission there. Dave’s incredible pictures will help. The day ended with a refreshing rainstorm as we rushed to clean up, as it was critical we leave the area before dark.

To God be all the Glory for his mercies endure forever!!!

Sue Wood

It's the end of another long day

As the "newbie" of the group it has been overwhelming yet amazing. The sights, smells and sounds are so different. After a week, however, it feels almost commonplace and a rhythm has fallen into place. A rhythm though that is easily disrupted at any given moment. Disrupted by a child's beaming smile or by their sad eyes. Disrupted by a young mother with five children looking pleadingly for help for their sickness. Disrupted by an elderly woman bent over who has walked miles to seek medical help. Disrupted by the treachorous roads, dusty air and heat. Yet this is life in Kenya.

To a non-believer it would be a lost place, a forsaken place where the people do nothing but try to survive. But to us as a team we see God everywhere. He is working mightily in this country and many people we encounter know God and Jesus and openly praise Him. We are welcomed and everyone wants to say hello and shake our hand or give us a hug. We see hard workers who do all they can to provide for their family. We see beautiful children who hunger not just for food, but for love and attention. We see young people who work hard in school as they know that is how they will make their lives better.

To all the sponsors of children, please know that you are helping them create a future. They are so very grateful to all of you. Praise God that He is providing everything we need as we work with the people.

Today was Day One of a medical camp at Lake Victoria. This is a compound started by Pastor Dennis and Lorna Meeker. There is a house and classrooms that will be opening soon for school. When we arrived the people in the area had already begun to line up. Sue Wood and I helped the pharmacist organize and distribute medication. The common drug of the day was Malaria treatment medication. Over 80% of the people coming to the pharmacy were sent off with malaria medication. It's hard to comprehend. I know I silently prayed for each family as they left. Karen and Linda worked in the HIV testing room. Rockie and Dave passed out "sweets" (suckers) and stickers to the kids and mosquito net repellent to the families. It was a non-stop day. Last count was 450 men, women and children. Tomorrow we return and were told to expect even more. This medical camp is only held once a year, so we wonder how do they follow up with their illnesses? The only answer we have at this time is that they were helped today and to trust that God will take it from there.

As we close out another day, we send greetings from the people of Kenya and love to all. Please continue to pray for us. God is good. Alleluia!

Sandi Brandenburg

Dago Medical Camp – Day 3

This was our last day at Dago and we experienced an array of events and emotions. Each of us experienced different things, but equally special. Karen and I worked in the HIV testing room, Rockie went to the market and bought goats, Sue and Sandi worked in the pharmacy, and Dave was the staff photographer and greeter again.

The numbers of people were reduced today, but our experiences were very poignant indeed. Karen and I met with 17 people in the HIV testing room, with 5 positive results. One was a 70 year old woman who didn’t know how HIV was transmitted. Her husband had died several years ago and she had been ill for a while. After the county worker went through a lengthy explanation, and this very thin woman sat there with a smile on her face the entire time, she agreed to be tested. While we waited for the test results to process this beautiful woman laughed and joked with us. As I looked over at Karen and she mouthed “positive” to me, all of our hearts sank. When she was told that the test was positive, she raised both arms in the air and said, “God is good!” My role as deaconess was to be there to pray with those receiving a positive test result. As I approached her, she had a big smile on her face and told me she was a Catholic and she knew God would take care of her. We prayed together and as she was about leave, I asked if I could take her picture and tell everyone in the America how brave she was. She said, “Yes, yes!” She is holding one of the crosses that Neal Hoegemeyer made. Thanks Neal! She left the room praising God. What an amazing woman!

Later in the day, Rockie arrived with eleven goats in the back of the same ambulance that transported the man who was so ill on the first day! Sue, Sandi, Rockie, and I had collectively purchased these for the women at Dago. Lorna wanted us to present the goats to the women so they knew who had provided them. There were many happy faces in the crowd! Rockie also purchased two cows, but they wouldn’t arrive until after we left. However, we did meet the two women who are to receive them though. The team will have much to share from today, so stayed tuned. Blessings to all!

Deaconess Linda

One of the Little People

Local Officials, Waiting room, Pharmacy, Greetings, Patients with Patience

Day 2 at Dago Medical Camp

This day was almost over before it began. The rural Kenyan roads nearly got the best of us when our wonderful driver Stephan lost a battle with the slick red muddy surface that was greased by the evening rains. The colors are really quite beautiful most of the time, but when you are up to your ankles in the stuff, attempting to push a van back onto solid rocky surface, the adjective “beautiful” takes on new meaning.

Today for the first time we “just happened” to be travelling together with a 4-wheel drive ambulance that was equipped with a chain, and after a few tense moments and some very dirty shoes, we were back on our way to Dago Medical Camp for Day 2 of an amazing display of compassion.

As we arrived at the familiar Dago compound, I was struck by what had to be nearly 200 people who had already managed to find their way to this tiny haven in search of medical assistance, dental care, eye care, and spiritual comforting. Most of the medical team from the day before had returned, and today we were also joined by an impressive dental team from a German relief organization (Arzt und Zahnarzthilfe), as well as a local Ophthalmologist from nearby Nybondo.

As I watched these skilled professionals transform a run-down class room into a less than private doctor’s office for the day, I was humbled to learn that they freely give of their talents and services, and pass up family vacations to be here and serve in rural Kenya for those who need them most.

After what appeared to be another chaotic start to the day, the compound that was buzzing with activity and desperate for order soon fell into a rhythm. By days end, and by the grace of God, over 380 people, from infants to the elderly, women and men alike, had been cared for in one or more ways on this day.

There were more today in search of HIV/AIDS testing, counseling and comfort that Karen and Deaconess Linda provided from the moment we arrived. I lost count of the number of tooth extractions that were performed by the efficient German assembly line, and Sue massaged the shoulders and encouraged a weary eye doctor who could only pause and sigh when he saw the massive number of people whose vision was perhaps dependent on his being there today.

Eye diseases and tooth decay are an extremely serious problem in this part of the world in addition to the more familiar malaria, tuberculosis, HIV related and other tropical afflictions that we saw today by the score.

Just beyond the never-ending queues of people patiently waiting in the hot African sun, Rockie and Sandy can always be found somewhere occupying the orphans and other children with a game of ring-around-the-rosy or some other pass-time. Those unforgettable smiles and laughter have become such a familiar part of the hope that springs from this place called Dago, and they lift the spirits of all.

God is good, and he was certainly in this place with us today.

Dave Halvorson

Dago Medical Camp

10:30 pm, Monday, September 27, 2010

No matter what you think or plan what your day may bring in Kenya, it’s always so much more diverse.

Today was Day 1 of 2 medical camps we are doing at the Dago Project near Kisii. This area has the highest per capita HIV/AIDS in the country. This is also the place where our container clinic will be placed. (Hopefully within the next couple of weeks. It was to leave South Africa fort Kenya today.)

We arrived and immediately set to work unpacking medications and preparing for the area medical teams to arrive. Patients had already gathered and were there very early to be the first in “Queue”.

The first man in line to be seen was very ill. He was HIV positive, had TB, was extremely anemic and had a very severe wound on his leg. The doctors said that they would not be able to help him and he needed to go to the hospital for treatment and most critical was a blood transfusion. As they spoke to his son about what he needed, it was determined that he had no insurance and no money. I asked the Dr. what would happen and he said he would go home to die. Deaconess Lorna’s sister Ruth, who manages the Dago Project, said this happens all of the time because treatment is unavailable to most.

Dave and I could not believe what we were hearing. I could barely contain my emotion knowing this man would soon die unnecessarily. We tried to get an estimate of what the charges would be for him to go to the hospital. After much discussion, we were told for the blood transfusion and up to 2 weeks in the hospital would be upwards of 10,000 Shillings. That amounts to about $120!!! That was a no brainer for us and we made arrangements to ensure he received treatment. I found out later from Karen that at the blood level he was at, he should have been unconscious; yet he walked who knows how far to get to the clinic and waited hours to be the first person seen. Please pray for his recovery.

After that, the rest of the day was calm yet very productive as 126 men, women and children were treated. Karen helped in the HIV/AIDS clinic with testing and education. We immunized and played with the children, assisted with the pharmacy, helped wherever we were needed and Linda even did a little “politicking” with the local officials about electricity and other needs for the area. I am learning more and more what it means to be Jesus’ hands and feet here on earth.

The day ended with a bumpy ride through extremely rough terrain to the Atemo Mission Center where we are staying for 2 nights. We enjoyed a candlelit dinner since the power went out and as I write it is still not back on. God is in control and is clearly in this place. Can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings!

Sue Wood

Awesome Day!

The Lord blessed us with an awesome day today! Before we arrived I had asked Lorna if we could meet Bishop Obare on this visit. We hadn't been able on previous trips. Bishop Walter Obare is the Archbishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Kenya (ELCK). He is just like our Synodical President. Since we have been doing so much work here, I thought it would be a good idea to meet. However, Lorna surprised us by arranging for us to worship at his home congregation near Kisii. We drove for about an hour and then departed the main road. Lorna, who was sitting up front with the driver turned to us and said, "That is the end of the good road." As we turned onto the red muddy road we realized this was going to get interesting. It was reminiscent of our trip to the Masai Mara (Remember that Pastor Luke?) ! As we journeyed up this very muddy road, we all prayed that we wouldn't get stuck. We drove all the way to the top of mountain, but when we arrived at the gate leading up another hill to the church, we had to get out and walk. Being many miles and many dirt roads away from a hospital, everyone was concerned for my footing. Dave was kind enough to lend an elbow to an old lady in sandals! Yes, sandals because we were in skirts and going to church. Bisphop Obare greeted us at the top and welcomed us to his "real" home where he was born and grew up on the top of a mountain. He sat and talked to us so long church started a half an hour late!

When we went into the church, Dave and Rockie were surprised when they were directed to sit on the left with all the men. The women and children all sat on the right. Sounds like a former Lutheran tradition! The worship was wonderful and we sang "Rock of Ages" in Luo, Dcs. Lorna's language.We shared the Lord's Supper in the common with our brothers and sisters in Christ, and as one American pastor once said after visiting Kenya, "There's a lot of humanity in that cup." What a blessing to worship in oneness so far from home!

After the service we shared a greeting outside the church and the Bishop took Dave and I around and showed us the compound, then we all returned to his home and his wife Eunice served us lunch. Before we could leave Bishop told us about an African tradition that guests are not allowed to leave until the hostess allows it. With the rain coming, Lorna had asked if could be excused, so we made our way back to the van and down the mountain. This was indeed a very special day for the team and especially for me as a deaconess.

Thanks for all your prayers. God is listening. Love to all at home. Dcs. Linda

We have arrived!

Thanks be to God, we have arrived safely! It 's amazing to be here once again. It's very much like being home in a way. We've come back to the familiar guesthouse, familiar friends, and familiar surroundings. When we arrived Lorna called us from Kisumu and said, "Welcome home!" It makes doing ministry here easier to jump right into.

Today, we napped and shopped for provisions. Tomorrow we leave for Kisumu to begin our work with the two different medical camps. It is a 7 hour drive and very bumpy! We can't wait!

Thank you for your prayers! They helped us get on the plane in Detroit after they almost didn't let us fly! (A credit card issue) They also helped us get through customs without any difficulty here in Kenya.

Blessings to you all and hello from here. We'll blog from Kisumu when we can. We are all healthy and happy and look forward to serving the people of Kenya.

On our way!

The Team is prepped and ready! We are so excited to be returning to Kenya. We have formed lasting relationships with the people there and can't wait to see them again.

Please remember to keep us in your prayers, and LEAVE COMMENTS on the blog! We really look forward to hearing from you. God bless you all, and may the Lord keep us all His loving arms!

Our flight leaves today at 5:40 pm. We won't arrive in Kenya until tomorrow night.

Africa Mission Team Leaves in One Week!

Please remember to keep our Africa Mission Team in your prayers from Sept 22-Oct 9th! We will be leaving next Wednesday in the afternoon. For most of the team this will be a repeat visit and my third visit to Kenya. We are looking forward to working with Pastor Dennis and Deaconess Lorna Meeker as we assist with two medical camps and visit the schools and slums where St. John L.C. sponsors 51 children! If you are at church this Sunday and would like your picture taken, we will make every effort to see that your child gets your picture. We'll bring home pictures for you also. We also hope to help unload the container that we shipped over the end of June!

Please pray for our health and safety, and that the Lord God of the Harvest will be enable us to share the love of Christ with everyone we meet. May He do awesome things through our hands of mercy. Remember to check this blog frequently and LEAVE YOUR COMMENTS! They mean so much to us when we are so far from home. We will be spending more time in the rural areas this time, so blogging will not always be easy, but hang in there! We will write as often as we can.

Many, many thanks to all who helped to make this possible with your donations and your prayers! We truly do appreciate your support. Blessings! Deaconess Linda

God's Blessings to Our New Synod President!

This Saturday in St. Louis our synod will install a new president and other officers. Here is a prayer for President Matthew Harrison and his fellow officers from our Lutheran Book of Prayer (94)

For the Leaders of our Synod

O Lord, God and Father, send the bright beams of your grace and mercy on the leaders of our synod, as they serve the people of Your church. Equip them with every good and perfect gift that comes down from above. Give them wisdom and insight, that they may discern what is best as they provide national leadership of our church. Give them courage and strength as they deal with the pressing and difficult issues of church administration and supervision. Most of all, Keep them faithful to their promise to carry out their office according to Your Holy Word and in accord with the Lutheran Confessions. Do not let the stresses and pressures and difficulties of their office discourage them or lead them into error. Keep far from them the temptations of the evil one.

Give them the heart of the Good Shepherd, that they may serve You and Your people with humility, so that in all they do, they may decrease, so that the kingdom of Christ may increase. Let them stand without wavering on Your clear and gracious Word. By the infallible truth and power of Christ and Him crucified, let them be comforted in all the difficulties that their office brings. By the power of Your Spirit, give them peace and joy in their service to You, and make them a blessings to our church, as together we give You all praise, honor and glory, O Father, together with the Son and the Holy Spirit, one GOd, forever and forever, AMEN!

Great visit with the Meekers!

The Clinic for Kenya is on it's way! It should arrive in Kenya about the first week of September, so we hope to be able to unload it!

We just spent three great days with Pastor Dennis and Deaconess Lorna. They were able to take time out of their whirlwind tour of the U.S. and spend a couple days of "down time" with Mauro and I. What a joy it is to spend time one-on-one with these humble and dedicated servants of God. Dennis enjoyed our easy chair and the boat ride, and Lorna and I went shopping! It is a joy and a pleasure to work so closely with them. We heard all about the children St. John sponsors, and about their mission plans for Kenya. Dennis shared how the many items on the container will probably go all over Kenya and help so many people! They are very excited to receive the Clinic and get it set up and ready to service the widows and orphans in the Nyanza Province.

Sue Wood had the Africa Mission Team all over for a wonderful dinner! Even though she had NO power most of the day! Kirk and Renate Radford were able to join us (Kirk went on the first trip), and it was great to see them again.

We talked about our upcoming trip and the plans Lorna has for us. She said there won't be much time to relax, she has lots of work for us to do! We can't wait!

Our team leaves Sept. 22nd and returns on Aug 9th. Watch for the blog posts and remember to share your comments!

Ready, Set, Go!

Thanks and praise to Almighty God for His provision! The Clinic for Kenya is scheduled to be shipped on Friday (7/23) at noon! The Lord has provided the best prices and funding and all things needed! It has been HIS timing all along, despite the doubts and fears of us and others. Why did we doubt your great provision? Forgive us Lord. All praise and glory go to YOU Lord! It's NOT about us.

The Clinic should arrive in Kenya around the first week of September, so it should be there when we arrive. Pastor and Lorna will be back in Kenya and the St. John Africa Team will arrive in Kenya on September 23rd. Watch for our blog posts during that time, and remember to leave your comments!

Clinic for Kenya Needs Funds for Final Leg of Journey!

Good News-Bad News!

Thanks be to God the Cargo Container (Clinic for Kenya) is full and ready to be shipped! The bad news is we have discovered that another $10,000 is needed once it arrives at Mombassa! This is twice what we expected to pay to truck it across the country! We are concerned, but trusting God that He will get it there one way or another. We are asking for your prayers!

This Clinic will be such a blessing to the people of Kenya, and the equipment inside will make diagnosis and treatment SO much easier for them. May the God who began this project bring it to fruition in the name of Jesus.

Cargo Container is Here!

The container has arrived and has been painted inside, thanks to the wonderful people at Crittenton Hospital in Rochester! We will fill the container with medical equipment, supplies, clothing, shoes, school supplies, and more. It will then be shipped to Kenya and become an actual medical testing and treatment center. donations of the above items can be delivered to St. John Lutheran Church at 1011 W. University Dr. in Rochester, MI. Help us fill it to the brim! The Lord willing the container will then be trucked across Kenya to the Nyanza Province and be waiting for us when our fourth mission team arrives in September. Stay tuned for further updates!

BIG PLANS IN THE WORKS for 2010!

The Africa Mission Team of St. John has big plans for our next trip in September, 2010!

We have been working very hard to expand this ministry and serve the widows and ophans of Kenya. On our last trip we met many children who were in need of sponsors so they could attend school, purchase a uniform, and receive a good meal while there. After discussing the need with Deaconess Lorna Meeker we determined a monthly amount that would take care of those needs. We took pictures of the children at the Luther Academy in Kibera, the school on the grounds of Springs of Life Lutheran Church where Pastor Dennis Meeker and Deaconess Lorna serve. On returning home in October '09 we set about getting those children sponsored. Through the generosity of the people of St. John and a few non-members, we currently have 37 children sponsored! We have a goal that all 76 children at the Luther Academy will be sponsored and an additional 26 children we met at a Maasai Village near Kisumu will be sponsored. (Currently we have 11 of the Maasai children sponsored.) Please prayerfull consider sponsoring a child! The cost is only $35.00 a month. You will be blessed beyond measure and so will the child that you enable to change their life.

We also have several projects in the works:

Our "Klinic for Kenya" project entails purchasing a 8 ft X 40 ft cargo container that will be filled, with the generous help of Crittenton Hospital in Rochester, medical supplies and equipment, diapers, clothing, and anything else we can get in it! That cargo container will then become a medical clinic in the Nyansa province of Kenya. Watch for the container in mid June in the parking lot at Crittenton Hospital, adjacent to St. John.

We will also be asking the school children of St. John Lutheran School to fill a shoebox full of hygiene products and school supplies for the children in Kenya at the Luther Academy and the Maasai village.

We also look forward to collecting clothing and shoes from our St. John annual Rummage Sale the third week on June. If you would like to contibute anything for the coantainer, please contact Deaconess Linda Nobili at lnobili@stjohnrochester.org. Let's fill it to the brim!