Monthly Archives: October 2009

Thanks from our brother Gideon to you…

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Gideon sent the following picture (Nice View Academy’s food storage) and email to Chuck on October 20th.  

Nice View food storage

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dear brother Chuck,

The Lord is good and loves His people without measure

I am happy to tell  you that the rains eventually came and we have received so far some heavy rains.We are gratiful to God for hearing our prayers and for remembering us with the rains.We have planted and now waiting for the seeds to germinate  (Unfortunately as of today the rains have stopped, pray there was enough for the seeds to grow)

Brother ! thank you for packing the store with food again.I bought enough to last until December .  (meaning through November)

Brother i made sure i bought enough food to last and some items like the sugar and maize might go up to January (meaning through December 2009) next year.So may God bless all the donors who contributed towards the food.Tell them that i am most grateful to them for assisting me to feed the needy children

 I have some balance and if you allow me i can use it in buying vegetables  which cannot be bought at once to store

 I forgot to include milk in the list of the items i had bought for Mercy (Mercy Child Foundation)  which i sent to  you in the previous letter and so you can include that

Once again thanks for your tremedous support na Bwana akubariki sana!  (and God Bless you very much)

 Greetings from the children and teachers

 Say hey to your family

Brother Gideon

Friday’s Child: A Chance to Support an Impoverished Child in Kenya

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Gladys Mukoya (Child Number ER101)

Gladys-Mukoya

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gladys was born in 1999 in Butere Mumias District and has six other siblings.    

Her father died a few years ago, and because he provided for the family her mother was not able to continue to provide for all of the children.  (Very common and many times after the husband dies his parents/siblings etc. come in and take everything from the wife and children.  Sometimes they may even take the children away from their mother.  Hard to comprehend but we have friends in Kenya this has happened to.)

The Chief of Eldama Ravine stepped in to assist and was able to bring Gladys, and her younger sister Alice, to Eldama Ravine Children’s Village in February of 2007.  (We became friends with the Chief while in Kenya and he has a heart for helping the children.)

She is currently attending Eldama Ravine Primary School and is in Class 3 (3rd grade)

Gladys is among several children who are ready for sponsorship.  To choose a child to sponsor, please visit our Sponsorship Gallery.

Wednesday’s song…

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Phenomenon by Rita Springer is a song I instantly fell in love with.  The beat, the words, the tempo – yes!!   When she says “I want to know this Jesus who’s been loving me“  I want to yell it on the housetops that I want to know Him!

The first time I heard it was in Kenya, we didn’t have many tapes to listen to so we heard this tape (All I Have) over and over but I never got sick of listening to it.  Now whenever I hear it I’m taken back to Kenya in an instant, but I pray the Lord’s passion will burn in my heart forever more, where ever He has me at the moment.

The butcher…

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Farm life was never part of my upbringing.  My mom worked at a cafeteria so we got a lot of food from there – no farm animals at our house only a stray cat once in awhile and no vegetable garden to attend to.  So my first visit to the butcher in Tala, Kenya was an experience…

Butchers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Walking into the butcher’s you first see in the window where all the meat is hanging.  It’s freshly slaughtered that morning (I can remember a couple of times going to the butcher’s but he had not slaughtered the goat yet so we had to return at a later time).  You tell the butcher how many kg’s (kilograms) of meat you want, he walks to the window, hacks off a chunk of meat from the window (bones included) and brings it to the counter (pictured above).

(I’m not going to get into any sanitation issues with any of the above – no refrigeration for the meat to hang in, no running water to wash hands/machetes (which are used to cut the meat/internal organs/bones), no sanitizer around for wiping surfaces – I could go on but that’s not what this post is about!)

Then the butcher will put the meat on a scale (you can see a small portion of it in the picture below) with weights on the other side to weigh how much meat you want and remember you are also getting bones in that.  He’s pretty good at estimating the weight, but will cut pieces off or add more as needed.  After he gets the right amount he will wrap the meat in brown paper, put it in a plastic bag and possibly give you a few herbs to cook with the meat.

Butchers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I also wanted to mention, in the above photo are the goat intestines (along with other various internal organs) and these are considered a delicacy to many Kenyans.  We had the honor of being served these a couple of times but we try to persuade the locals not to serve us anything “special” since that means taking food off their table for their family and feeding us.  Plus, meat is a luxury many families aren’t able to afford and we don’t want them to use their few shillings (Kenyan money) on food or slaughtering their only goat/chicken for us.  We ask them instead for a cup of tea or if we know the family is very poor (so even tea would be a stretch for them) we will ask the mother or grandmother to pray for us.

Many of those prayers were said in their tribal language but we could sense their devotion and thanks to God, just as in David’s psalm of thanks:

Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name;
       make known among the nations what he has done.

 Sing to him, sing praise to him;
       tell of all his wonderful acts.

 Glory in his holy name;
       let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice.

 Look to the LORD and his strength;
       seek his face always.

 Remember the wonders he has done…

Kenyan queue

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Standing in line (called the queue in Kenya) is something we Americans are getting away from with internet shopping, bill paying online, express lines at the grocery store, etc.  When we must stand in line we are familiar with “personal space” issues.  Don’t stand too close or you’ll get the evil eye or even a reprimand (‘back off weird-o!’).  If you’ve never traveled outside the United States you may not know different countries have different ideas of personal space while standing in line:

  • United States – roughly 4 feet
  • Europe – roughly 2-3 feet
  • Kenya – non-existent!

I can speak on this from experience when I stood in line at the bank in Tala, Kenya.  There are no checks or credit cards so all transactions are done either in cash or, if the vendor trusts you, they will let you transfer the amount you owe them directly into their account.  While we were doing several projects last year in Tala Chuck had to visit the bank almost daily.  Usually I would stay at Nice View, but one time I went with him…big mistake! 

We walk into the bank and say hello to Michael, the bank guard (always good to know the guy who runs security!)  Then I see the Kenyan queue with about 20 or so people and think 1) how long is this going to take and 2) why did I agree to come.  I like being at the end of the line because no one is behind me, but that doesn’t last long and before I know it I’ve got a Kenyan on my back.  There is literally no space between me and the person behind me.  Chuck is in front of me and I’m staying roughly 2 feet behind him (after all he is my husband so I can stand a bit closer!) but I’m hoping the person behind me sees that and will think “hmmm, she must not like to be too close to people so I’ll step back a few steps” – no such luck!

As I take a step forward I keep looking over my shoulder, you know, the universal sign for ‘back off’, but they don’t take the hint.  The person behind me takes a step along with me and stays attached to me until finally I am about ready to slap someone!  That, I’m sure, would have caused a commotion – “look at that crazy white woman!” So instead I step outside the line and wait next to Chuck not behind. 

I understand there are differences in culture and I’m really trying (Lord please help me!), but this may be one aspect that will take me a bit longer to get used to.  So I continue happily on the outside of the line until we reach the bank teller and promise myself and Chuck to stay as far away from the Kenyan queue as I can!

Quote from Shane Claiborne…

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The more I get to know Jesus, the more trouble he seems to get me into.

…the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.  Hebrews 4:12-13

This is so true for me too.  The more I read about the life Jesus lived and how He wants me to live I find myself living more counter-culturally, denying myself and my wants and seeking His will for my life.  You know what?  It’s a fulfilling, abundant, joyful, contented, challenging, thought-provoking life and I’m so thankful the Holy Spirit gives me the strength to go on.

…the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.  John 14:26 

Friday’s Child: A Chance to Support an Impoverished Child in Kenya

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Cicilea Njeri (Child Number MC113)

Cicilea Njeri-MC113

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cicilea was born in 1997 in Muranga, Kenya.  She has three brothers living elsewhere and three sisters living with her here at Mercy Child Foundation. (her sisters are Naomi, Lucy and Leah)

Cicilea was living with her grandmother before coming to the orphanage.   After coming here her grandmother has visited her once.

Her mother is alive but has not visited her at the orphanage and her father’s whereabouts are unknown. (We do not know the circumstances of why her mother is not involved) 

Her favorite color is red and she enjoys playing football (American soccer).  (many times they use rolled up garbage to make a ball)

Cicilea says her favorite class is math because she understands it but her least favorite is Social Studies because it’s hard. 

She helps around the orphanage by sweeping, mopping and washing utensils.  (all the children at Mercy Child Foundation have chores to help keep the home clean)

After her chores she likes studying.  (this is difficult since there is no electricity at Mercy and they must share a torch (flashlight) among the children) 

Cicilea is among several children who are ready for sponsorship.  To choose a child to sponsor, please visit our Sponsorship Gallery.

Water and electricity just don’t mix

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Our shower

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The picture is almost self-explanatory, don’t you think?  This is the shower head in our home in Tala, Kenya and remember Kenya runs on 240 volt electricity, not 110 like here in the United States.  Depending on water flow, we would have to flip the lever from warm to cold, being very careful not to reach too far and touch the wires!

Don’t get me wrong, I am very thankful for this bit of comfort – when we have water running through the pipe and when we have electricity so we can have a warm shower.  However, during the last six weeks of our stay in September/October 2008 we did not have running water, the pump was broken at the well where our water came from so it had to be trucked in for cooking, washing and bathing. 

For bathing purposes the water would be heated, transferred to a large plastic jug (approximately 5 gallons) then we would pour the water into a basin (pictured below) and use a pitcher to pour water over ourselves.

Our bathroom

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Showering became a team effort between Chuck and I and we learned you can really get by just washing the “essential” areas, and baby wipes became our friend during this time!

Many times as I’m standing in my shower here in the States I remember Paul’s words to the Philippians:

I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.  I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

I thank God for my shower here and my shower in Kenya, no matter how different they may be.

Guest blog…

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Pauline will be my “guest blogger” today!  (I have added a bit of clarification where necessary to her email)

Hi sister, 

May this one find you in good health and spirit!

Today was another public holiday and since i was not reporting on duty i decided to join the kids in Nice view and talk abit and see what they were doing with themselves  October 20 was Kenyatta Day, a public holiday.

As soon as i drove in i saw a group of boys seated together in a group and thats where i went first to join them.From where i had parked the car to the place where the boys were, there was a channel dug to drain off water since the compound is flooded.So i had to jump over the channel with the flowing water and once with the boys i asked them about it and they responded and said that was river nice view draining water to the quarry.They really amused me and the funny bit is that they did not take a second to think about the” river”[see the river in the attached photo] See below for the photo.

Moving around i met three girls and one was busy making the hair of another [See the attached picture].See below for the photo  Others ,else where looked bored and when i sat down to think of them all i realized that the boys were seated  idle coz the field was flooded and so they could not kick their balls while the girls opted to engage themselves with their hairs since their ropes had no place for jumping and i sympathised with the whole lot and wished i could raise the ground to drain off water for their play 

I talked to Annastacia and told me that her phone has some problems and thats why it went off immediately you called her.Occasionally, its not sustaining communication though i had no problem with it when i called her.  I called Annastacia a few days ago and we were cut off, assuming her phone was out of battery since I was unable to get through to her again.  I will be calling her again this week, so hopefully her phone will be working!

I have received the letters that you sent and i will release them to the kids tomorrow  Pauline is referring to pen-pal letters I sent her from a school  here in Phoenix.

I also talked to Ruth yesterday and she was in a very pleasant mood.She is ok  Ruth is expecting twins early 2010.

Yesterday we had our candidates in Fr.heeran making the sitting arrangements for their exams that will start  tomorrow.Pray that they will be calm and at peace  Fr. Heeran is a secondary school Pauline is principal at.  Students around the country will also be sitting for their exams.

We are now looking forward to seeing the seeds germinate so that we can start weeding.A very tedious work dear !  Tedious but what a blessing!  I wrote Pauline earlier she will need to teach me how to garden when I’m living there-I definitely do not have a green thumb!

We are thanking God for all His goodness in our lives  and so are we – thank you Father for the provision of rains!

Keep well dada and my love to your family please!  Dada is Swahili for sister.

Sister Pauline

"River Nice View!"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nice View girls

Wednesday’s song will be back next week, I was so exctied with Pauline’s email I wanted to let everyone share in our joy over the rains!

This bed is too short…

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Isaiah 28:20 – The bed you have made is too short to lie on.

When I read this I immediately thought about our bed in Kenya (in a non-theological kind of way).  In a small village like Tala it isn’t uncommon to have your furniture made, so we had to have a bed made to the dimensions of the mattress that was available to us in Tala, which happens to be approximately – 5’7″ or 8″ x 5′, and that’s the largest mattress we could find in the area!  It is also made out of a foam material so just a couple of night’s sleeping on it and you’re sleeping in a trough with no foam left under you.

Our bed

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now that’s not much of a problem for me being 5’3″, it’s just trying to get out of the trough once in awhile!  For Chuck it’s a bit bigger problem because he is 6′.  Sleeping on his side and bending his knees isn’t easy because of the trough.  Depending on which side he is sleeping on his knees are higher than the rest of him and hanging over the edge which puts a nasty twist on the lower back…not good.  The worst position for him is on his back because then his feet hang over the end of the bed and he wakes up with numb feet.

God-willing, we would like to get a bigger bed when we are living in Tala, but whether we get one or not we will be thankful the Lord has given us a place to rest our head at night.