Christmas Wishes

Merry Christmas! As many have been very eloquent in sharing the blessing & message o

f Christmas, I will pass on their wisdom and words. May you and yours be abundantly blessed this Christmas!

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this [shall be] a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. That’s what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown. - Linus van Pelt

And the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow, stood puzzling and puzzling, how could it be so? It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes or bags. And he puzzled and puzzled 'till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before. What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store. What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more. ~Dr Seuss

Here is a man who was born in an obscure village, the child of a peasant woman. He grew up in another village. He worked in a carpenter shop until He was thirty. Then for three years He was an itinerant preacher.

He never owned a home. He never wrote a book. He never held an office. He never had a family. He never went to college. He never put His foot inside a big city. He never traveled two hundred miles from the place He was born. He never did one of the things that usually accompany greatness. He had no credentials but Himself...

While still a young man, the tide of popular opinion turned against him. His friends ran away. One of them denied Him. He was turned over to His enemies. He went through the mockery of a trial. He was nailed upon a cross between two thieves. While He was dying His executioners gambled for the only piece of property He had on earth – His coat. When He was dead, He was laid in a borrowed grave through the pity of a friend.

Nineteen long centuries have come and gone, and today He is a centerpiece of the human race and leader of the column of progress.

I am far within the mark when I say that all the armies that ever marched, all the navies that were ever built; all the parliaments that ever sat and all the kings that ever reigned, put together, have not affected the life of man upon this earth as powerfully as has that one solitary life.

Greatest man in History, Jesus, had no servants, yet they called him Master, had no degree, yet they called him Teacher, had no medicines, yet they called him Healer, had no army, yet kings feared him, won no military battles, yet he conquered the world, committed no crime, yet they crucified him...He was buried in a tomb, yet he lives today.

Great little One! whose all-embracing birth

Lifts Earth to Heaven, stoops Heaven to Earth.

~Richard Crashaw

Fail not to call to mind, in the course of the twenty-fifth of this month, that the Divinest Heart that ever walked the earth was born on that day; and then smile and enjoy yourselves for the rest of it; for mirth is also of Heaven's making. ~Leigh Hunt

I heard the bells on Christmas Day

Their old, familiar carols play,

And wild and sweet

The words repeat

Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

DIY?

In the last week or so I’ve come to learn that home improvements here are not what one would expect. Here’s the story...

The Omondi’s have about 4 acres of property here. Currently it is used for: the gues

thouse, staff housing, main house, chicken houses, cow shed, greenhouse, garden, and some yard space. Daniel (their youngest son) is home for the Christmas break from University. He is the “master planner” for overhauling the property and making it more inviting to guests, as well as trying to make better use of the property itself.

That these plans were more than just “on paper” began just after Daniel arrived. Within a week the cow shed was gone, and piles of sand, rock, and other things started to arrive. As I write this there is a new roof on the office of the main house, a new walkway from the drive to the new house, a pile of rocks that are being “dressed” to become a wall to replace the wood fence in front of the guest house, fence posts in the guest house yard, and George is digging up grass to create a new entrance walk to the guest house from the driveway.

I’ve been most amazed by the stone mason. The lorry from the quarry :), dropped off a load of these big rectangular rocks. He has spent the last week, sitting on the pile with a hammer and chisel cutting the rocks to the shapes he needs to build the wall. Here’s the pile of rocks:

Here’s the “left-overs”:

Here’s what the wall will look like:

Kenya, and probably all of Africa, depends very much on manual labor for most everything. As I watch these artisans at work, very often I’m amazed at what they can accomplish. There are also times where I’m appalled at how “in-efficient” it can seem to my American sensibilities, but it is in those moments I remind myself that these “inefficiencies” mean job security for many.

So next time you see a road construction crew and hear the jack hammers, remember that it could be more people at work with pick-axes and shovels digging up the road. It may take longer, but more people are working

Giving Thanks...

For the last 24 days a few friends of mine on Facebook have been counting down the days until Thanksgiving. However, it’s not just been counting the numbers. They’ve taken a letter from the alphabet each day and listed what they’re thankful for that starts with that letter for the day. I’ve been inspired, and so, a couple of days early here are some of the things I’m thankful for this year:

A - the amazing grace of God that leaves me in awe of who He is and how He views me

B - being still, taking the time to breathe in and see where I fit into God’s plan

C - companions that walk through life with me, they have been there through all of the messes and the celebrations. You all know who you are...

D - deadlines and due dates - they keep me organized and focused

E - eternity, God has placed a sense of it in each of us and I am left in wonder

F - family - we may be a bubble of center but I wouldn’t trade them for anything

G - giraffes! I love these gentle creatures that leave my heart in wonderment of our Creator

H - househelp :) I don’t know how I’d make it here without the wonderful people I work, live and interact with each day

I - I AM, God is everything that I need, want, or desire. He is whatever my heart cry is at the moment

J - justice, I’m learning that loving God means desiring His Kingdom on earth & doing what I can to see that Kingdom be established. I want to see Kingdom justice for those that live without it daily - the orphan, the widow, the unborn

K - the kindness of the Lord that draws us to Himself and into a lifestyle of repentance. Leaving behind the things that trip us up and running into His arms

L - life and learning to enjoy it to the fullest

M - mentors and people who love me enough to speak into me so that God can accomplish His will and purpose for my life

N - notes of encouragement that show up in my inbox

O - opportunities - to travel, to share my life, to learn, God has definitely kept my life from being boring

P - partnership with God - I don’t have to do anything alone. God chooses to allow me to walk with Him each day and partner with Him and other believers to see the Kingdom of Heaven become reality on Earth

R - restoration, God has reached out and touched deep places in me that I didn’t even realize were broken and has redeemed and restored them

S - swahili, another language to learn and be able to praise God in

T - travel, to have the chance to see God’s creation and get a broader perspective of Him and the people He loves

U - being uncomfortable, it is these times that keep me growing and seeking God

V - variety and change, they keep life interesting

W - writers & authors; of books, blogs & blarney. Thank you for keeping me entertained & encouraged, challenged & cackling.

X - xoxoxo the only way I can get hugs and kisses these days from family and friends in North America. Its the little things...

Y - Yesu - He has made all the difference in my life.

Z - zain - their phone service keeps me in touch with home (at a decent price!)

Carnivore!

Wow, I can’t believe its been a week since I last posted. It seems like everything has decided to hit at once. Last week we had visitors in from HISG for a workshop day at the office for our Micro-Finance clients.

Bonus to that was that I got the chance to go to Carnivore! This restaurant is an experience all its own, in fact its included in a lot of safari packages. When we drove up we had to go through some security gates (not surprising). As we approached the gate went up & just as I was about to be surprised by motion sensors in this country I noticed the security guard. I should have known. [With all the available manpower here, it does make sense that a lot of jobs use people power versus being automated]. The parking lot was packed so we asked where to park & the attendant said “down after the nissan” so that’s where we went only to be told by someone else “this isn’t a space.” We explain it’s where we were directed & then wait while the attendants figure it out between themselves. So, we pulled up a bit into a formerly reserved space & went inside.

As you enter you’re hit with the explosive radiant heat coming from the 360° flaming rotisserie grill. It is massive (may 7 or 8 ft in diameter). As we joined the guys at the table I saw there was a lazy susan in the middle with a bunch of little bowls and a flag on it. The bowls are condiments and sauces and the flag lets the roving meat carvers know that you’re “open” to them bringing you food. But before they start, you get salad (on the lazy susan) and a small cup of soup. Then when were done with the starters, they brought thermo-nuclear heated cast iron plates and roasted potatoes. Now as you can probably ascertain from the name of the place, Carnivore is all about the meat, and they’re known for the exotic meats. The roaming meat carvers walk around the restaurant with either giant metal skewers of roasted or cast iron platters with various roasted meat items. I tried quite a few “normal” things - honey chicken wings, roasted chicken, turkey, beef & pork, along with 2 exotics - camel & ostrich. I liked them both. The camel reminded me a bit of beef jerky (maybe because I had a smoky outside piece) and the the ostrich was quite yummy, especially with the garlic sauce. I did turn down the ox “mountain oysters”, lamb, and crocodile. Sorry, but I already know I don’t really like lamb, crocs live in water so they’re out, and just the idea of the first one puts me off.

I decided against taking pictures this visit & instead to just enjoy the experience. I’ll take pics next time I go because I’m sure I’ll go again. It was a blast!

This week I’m preparing for the RTF seminar at the church, thanksgiving dinner next Wednesday (I’m cooking for 16!), and the DOVE Africa convention in December. Oh, and I’m starting on Christmas too! Life is getting busier - oops, better be careful what I wish for :D

Christmas is coming!

I’m listening to Christmas music and its helped put in the mood to create my Christmas “wish” list. Also, I was prompted by some family members who wanted to know what I wanted (as opposed to need). As I’m going to be spending Christmas here and not in the US (for the 1st time!) Most of the things are on my “Amazon Wish List” so you can purchase online and can ship directly to me instead of having to deal with the post office hassle.

TV Series DVD Sets (any season)

• Bones
• House
• Royal Pains
• Glee
• CSI: NY
• NCIS
• NCIS: LA

Movies (I like rom-coms, chick flicks, & epic dramas)

• Letters to Juliet
• Notting Hill
• LOTR trilogy
• Robin Hood (new one w/ Russell Crowe or old w/ Kevin Costner)
• Book of Eli
• Gladiator

Books

• Indian cookery
• any cookbook by Nigella Lawson

Other Stuff

• anything from the “Stuff I Miss” section
• Maple syrup
• ear plugs
• any new music (Christian Contemporary, worship) Go here for suggestions

Gift Cards - feel free to designate its use

• e-gift cards (Amazon)
• paypal $ (email me for the link to my site)
• VISA gift cards (cannot use AMEX or MasterCard here well)
• iTunes cards

If you are going to mail/ship things, here’s the address

Angela Kung’u

DOVE Africa

P.O. Box 28721

00200 Nairobi

Kenya

Driving lessons

Let me paint you a picture. You’re driving, its night and very dark out. The dark is only dispelled by the headlights of your car & others coming toward you, the rare signage by the roadside, or the even more rare yard light.

You realize you are seated in the right side of the car and therefore driving on the wrong left side of the road. You feel a bit disconcerted and off balance. Just as you start to get a bit comfortable you realize how narrow the road is. Barely wide enough for two small to average sized cars and definitely a squeeze if you happen to encounter a lorry truck, bus, or average SUV. You try to see if there is any shoulder to pull onto to be prepared, but you realize that there is a difference of anywhere from 2 to 6 inches between the tarmac and the dirt. This does not look promising.

To keep things interesting, let’s add a few “obstacles.” First - potholes. They can’t be seen until you’re about 6 feet away and can range from minor (5 or 6” in diameter & 1-2” deep) to car-gobbling (2-4’ wide & up to 18” deep) - seriously I’m not making this up.

Next - pedestrians. They are Kenyan and therefore by nature dark-skinned. Their clothing also tends to be darkish and they like to walk on the relatively smooth surface (as compared to the mud/dirt/what have you in the shoulder) of the tarmac. They will also randomly dart across the road in front of you & it is VERY BAD to hit one, even accidentally (so I’m told).

Finally - public transportation. Buses will randomly pull off the road to drop off passengers (who then become pedestrians) or they will arbitrarily pull into the road after picking up/dropping off passengers, often without using signals. Also in the public transportation department are matatus. These haphazardly driven VW vans are crammed with upwards of 14 people and are under the influence of drivers who are either the best drivers in the world because they know exactly how much space their vehicles need, or they are absolutely insane crazy out of their ever loving minds. I tend to agree with the latter theory. You can determine a matatu from a basic VW van by the multiple stickers/placards/decals on them, often referring to God, Jesus & heaven. (which imho is to help their passengers know from where to seek safety & salvation). These vehicles will pass you on the wrong side, pull out without warning, stop short, and generally cause you great anxiety.

There. Now you know the story of night-time driving in Nairobi & why I’m perfectly happy to allow Bouvince to do it. Anybody want to come to Kenya??

How it all started... (the short version)

Apparently I have new readers all the time (who'd a thunk it) and so it is for you that I write this post as to how in the world I ended up in Kenya. Apologies to anyone who knows the story - feel free to disregard this post, well that is unless you're really bored and want something to do, or you really love me so you'll go through this again... Anyway, on with the story

God really recaptured my heart in Aug 2001 and I dedicated my life to live according to His whims and not mine. It was at that time He birthed in my heart a call to foreign missions. I went on my first short-term trip in 2002 to Romania & fell in love with the country and people. After a lengthy process, I finally went on a long-term basis in April of 2006. I spent 6 months that year & 8 months the next. However I got to a point where I was asking God "Why am I here?" I felt purposeless & useless. Not a great place to be. The Father was kind enough to hear my desperation and put me out of my misery by shutting the door and sending me home to the States.

Once home, I had some time to heal and spent some more time in prayer trying to discern what had just happened. He revealed to me that I'd spent much of the last few months in my own strength doing what "I" thought was right & not using the gifts He'd given me. I had wrongly esteemed other gifts above my own. So I went back to work for my church as the office manager and back to using the gifts and talents I had. (I'm an administrator & I like lists)

After being back Stateside for a year, my mission organization (DMI) asked if I would lead a team to Kenya in June 2009. I willingly said yes. However a team didn't materialize and I decided to go on my own, as I'd missed being out of the USA. In March I was at the annual DMI Mission Fest & met up with Diane at the Ladies Tea. I told her that I'd be coming on my own & that I'd do whatever was most helpful for her, even if it meant doing office work. She got very excited at that prospect, and as I would find out shortly her mind went to work.

Apparently she went back that afternoon and began talking about this with Ibrahim. He, being a former journalist, decided to do a little investigating about me. Later that week during the DOVE Int'l leadership conference we had lunch and all of this came out. The conversation ended with the Omondi's asking if I would be willing to come to Kenya long term as an administrative assistant to Diane. I was blown away. Here I was being given the opportunity to use my gifts on an international level. This was my dream! I wanted to say yes immediately, but decided to wait and see.

The 2 week trip in June/July 2009 went well and I decided to approach my pastor/boss with the news and ask for his input. He prayed and told me I should do what was in my heart. I then sought the approval of the DMI board and received that in Sept.

So, here I am in November of 2010 after a year of support raising in Nairobi, Kenya. I work with Diane and so far my duties primarily consist of the "busy" work. I do newsletters for the 3 main ministries they are involved in - DOVE Missions Africa, Springs of Africa, and DCF Africa. Soon I'll be learning how to update, upgrade, and maintain the websites as well.

Life on God's terms is pretty crazy, but I wouldn't live it any other way.

Now this is Kenya...

First things first, I've heard from a couple of newer readers requesting info on why I'm in Kenya and what I'm doing here. A brief intro to that can be found here. But I will write more on that another day so keep watching (and asking questions, it gives me material for the "boring" days)

But today! Oh my head. It started out early because I was told we were leaving at 8am for Diane & Ibrahim to meet with the regional leaders in Ukambani to see the progress of the wells that were dug there. We were to meet up with Diane's niece Debbi and her husband Aram because I was going to spend the day with Debbi and Aram would go along with the Omondi's to Machakos. We ended up leaving about 9 after waiting to get vegetables to sell from the greenhouse, and (I can't believe I'm typing this) putting "naughty puppy" in the trunk. Yes, you read that correctly. We put a dog in the trunk of the car. She is permanently moving to Machakos to live with friends there.

So Diane, Bouvince, and I leave to meet up with Ibrahim and Ruth who sells the veggies. Then we did the car swap - Ruth to the Toyota w/ Bouvince; Diane, myself & the dog to the Land Rover with Ibrahim. We filled up and were on our way. Next thing we know, all the windows are rolling down because Naughty Puppy decided to live up to her name and release her waste (hmm, I found a tactful way to say that!) inside the car and we were in no place to be able to pull over & clean it out. So I spent the next 30 minutes or so with my face close to the window regardless of the dust & truck exhaust pouring in. I now know that I prefer the smell of diesel fumes to dog-doo.

Finally we arrive at the meeting place & Diane and I go in to find Aram & Debbi while Ibrahim got to clean up the car & the dog. SO happy that job didn't fall to the personal assistant! After some tea, the others headed south and we headed to the game park next door.

Swara Plains is a 20,000 acre private game reserve for non-predatory animals. There is also a small B&B inside with cottages for people who'd like to stay overnight. A little pricey, but not too bad. You can learn more about them here.

We had a lot of fun and saw quite a few animals - Thompson Gazelle, Vervet Monkeys, wildebeest, zebra, Masai Giraffe, a wart-hog, and lots of birds. I posted the pics on my FaceBook page if you want to take a look. On the way home we also saw camels, vultures (obviously something must have been dead out on the plains) and some storks.

Other 1sts today - I ate sugar cane for the first time & got a sunburn because of sitting in traffic.

Hmm, I guess life in Kenya can be interesting!

hectic but good

Last week, there weren't a lot of posts. Why? Because my life is not all that interesting. Really. I get up, do my daily B90x reading & have breakfast, then I get dressed and go back to the laptop broken up by the occasional trip to Nakumatt or the kitchen. See, VERY boring... so I don't feel like there is anything to post.

But today made up for it. I got up, normal routine, and because its Monday that means leaving by 8:45 for staff meeting @ the DOVE office. When I got home, the first thing I noticed when I walked in the door was the smell of BLEACH! This is what I saw when I walked around the corner from the lounge (living room for the Americans) into the kitchen:

Yup, Irene & Mercy had emptied every cabinet & were scrubbing everything down with bleach water. What prompted this you may ask? Me. Yup, yours truly. See last week I casually mentioned to Diane that I'd seen some cockroaches when I went in at night to make my tea before bed, & that the kitchen could really use some organization. I didn't know we had measuring cups until Mercy found one for me while I was making some soup (how else could I figure out how much 850ml of water means in english?) So, she said something to the girls & boy howdy did they get busy.

Now, this means that tomorrow afternoon, Mercy & I get to go into the kitchen & put it all away in a lovely organized fashion. Makes my heart happy... I'm sure this doesn't take my mom by surprise at all because I tend to do this to her kitchen whenever I return after a prolonged absence. (especially corralling the plastic lids & containers, they breed like bunnies!)

BUT that is not the end of my day. Nope, Diane came over a little after 4 and asked if I would go w/ Bouvince to the FOREX office & cash a check and run a few other errands. As a bonus I got to drive! (well at least while it was daylight - no one likes to drive after dark!) So we went to Karen & the FOREX office, then back toward the house to the feed store (gotta fatten up the chickens!), and then back toward town & the Junction shopping mall/plaza to meet Debbi's bus. Just to make life interesting, that meant driving through a 4-way intersection that doesn't line up 3 times. And if that wasn't enough, there was a cow in the middle of the road. Ahh, life in Kenya.

However, there was a VERY big upside to waiting for Debbi at Junction. That is where JAVA HOUSE is. JH is a very western style coffee house/restaurant. That means I was able to get a large iced vanilla latte & a fruit salad. SO yummy... Take a look for yourself:

So, all in all a good day. Tomorrow looks promising too.

An adventure... sort of

So today because it was warmer outside than in, I decided I'd move my "office" from the dining table/coffee table inside to the picnic table outside. I loaded up my laptop, french press, coffee mug, warm milk, and papers of notes and out I went. It was lovely... this was my view...

The wind was a little contrary and tried to blow my papers all over, but I solved the problem w/ my coffee mug & cell phone.

But that wasn't my adventure. No that happened this evening in the parking lot of the Karen Crossroads Nakumatt (there's several throughout the city). Diane & Debbi had arrived to fetch me, but Debbi needed something so whilst (can you tell the Brit English is rubbing off) they ran in, I took the keys so I could put my stuff in the Land Rover.

As I was about to take a pic of the lovely full moon and clouds, a security guard came over and this was our conversation:

"Do you belong to this car?"

I answered in the affirmative, and opened the car w/ the keys to prove it.

"Doesn't this car belong to Mrs. Pastor?"

"Yes, I work for Mrs. Pastor" as I put the bags in the car hoping he would take the hint and go away.

"I know Mrs. Pastor. I used to go to Dove church, but now there is the new church in the tents. Do you know it? It is closer, so I go there now."

I nod & keep putting bags in the car, mentally cringing & hoping he'll just go away if I don't continue the conversation.

"Is Pastor Omondi around? I know he travels."

"Yes he is."

"I saw Mrs. Pastor drop you off & leave. Is she here now?"

"Yes" (if you saw me why are you questioning me??? I think)

"How long you been with them? Do you fellowship at Dove church?"

"I've been here two weeks, yes I attend Dove."

"Good, its a good church. I don't think they remember me, was a long time ago. You understand Swahili, you speak it? You in Kenya now, you need have Mrs. Pastor teach you Kiswahili."

"I'll be taking lessons. Thank you, Asante." I say as I take the cart and start to head back to the store & the rescuing presence of other people & light...

"Oh, you go back now?"

"Yes, thank you. Goodbye..."

So that was my adventure in the dark parking lot with a security guard that used to attend Dove. And it reminded me that I'm CONSTANTLY being watched. Good thing to remember as we're all "living epistles" of the Word.

I'm okay, really...

Nope, not dead. Just didn't blog on Monday & then I went to upload a video blog yesterday & it ate all my internet credit... So, suffice it to say we're down to Wednesday 'til you get a blog posting.

What've you missed? Not much. Sunday was church, which is great (even when I have no idea what I'm singing about). To watch these people worship with their WHOLE selves is so contagious. And then the word was about our maturity being defined by our fruitfulness. Hmm, makes you stop & think. Am I fruitful? Am I mature? If not, why not? Good word!

Then Monday was staff meeting @ the DCF Africa office, not so interesting for outsiders. Really, I promise. We prayed, discussed, made action plans... that's it. Then I worked on some projects on the laptop while Diane was in a couple of other meetings, & we came home. Of course we couldn't come directly home, we stopped @ Karen Crossroads and went into the FOREX (exchange bureau) & the small "Muzungu" store for some minced beef (hamburger). Then we split the chore list & I went into Nakumatt for a couple of things and Diane went to another bank. BUT at the provisions store, we got BANJI! They are some of the most delicious things ever! Just potatoes, but they are dipped into some kind of Indian spiced batter deliciousness... They could become a problem...

When we got home, I took a couple of Tylenol & laid down to get rid of a headache... and that was pretty much Monday.

Tuesday, I pretty much just worked on the laptop, and met with Diane to go over deadlines, due dates, and things coming up... And of course the failed video blog upload..

So there you go. Such is my life, not so interesting for me, but maybe for you.

And if you have questions, comments, or suggestions - let me know! Leave them in the comment section & if you don't have a google account, log in as anonymous & just leave your name @ the bottom.

Friday Follies...

So here's what happened today...

I got up & did my reading for #B90x - reading the bible in 90 days. It's not easy, it takes dedication, but wow. I'm reading stuff I totally forgot was in there. This pic is from later in the morning, that's why you don't see the french press (an integral part of the morning routine). This is also one of the places I use as an "office"...

This is my other "office." Its also the living room & where I read in the evenings with my mug of drinking chocolate (similar to cocoa, but not exactly)...And here's my room. I finally got to arranging it & putting on my Ikea sheets & duvet (w/o the insert). And that happened because after breakfast I did laundry. And not just my clothes, today I learned how to wash sheets today. Whew... that is not an easy task & my raw knuckles bear the evidence.
Oooo, this was lunch the other day. Rice, fried cabbage & ndengu. I'm not sure of the origin, but its made w/ "green grams" and they kind of look like small oval peas. VERY YUMMY! I'm spoiled here.My last adventure of the day was going to Nakumatt for a few things... and how did I get there? I DROVE!! (and nobody was harmed in the process) Here's the proof:

I took this pic as I was parked @ the butchery waiting for Diane. I don't take pics & drive, especially when its my first time w/ right hand driving (really what were you thinking?!)

Freedom!!!

Today I've been out & about with Diane. Currently as I type this, we're both sitting in the car working on our laptops while we wait for her daughter Debbi to finish track practice after school. This is my first day really "out" from the compound since the weekend. It was interesting on the drive here to go through part of "Embassy Row." We passed the embassies for the USA, Iraq, Romania, Morocco, & the Congo. We also passed the UN headquarters. Maybe on the way back I can grab a pic & add it to the post later...

Debbi is fortunate enough to attend a Christian "American" style school. What does that mean you ask? Let me 'splainify. Here in Kenya there are several "streams" for schooling - Kenyan, British, & American. I'm not sure exactly how the Kenyan system works, but I do know that the little ones start school as early as 2 1/2 or 3. The British & American models both follow the basic types of schooling available in the home country. Thus an American model school is in session from September to June like the schools at home, even though it means the kids are in school through the "summer" months.

That's another thing. Because of the proximity to the equator, there aren't really seasons here - well unless you count rainy or dry as seasons. Per Diane, this time of year is usually known for the "short rains" and the rainy season is in March/April. Yesterday was a "hot" day and it may have been about 85 degrees or so. So not too bad, especially with the absence of the humidity. Yes it was hot, but if you were in the shade it was manageable.

So, there you go. More insight into my life in Kenya, whether you want to know about it or not.

airing some dirty laundry...

Real quick before I start this post... I'm endeavoring to post 5 times a week, well at least here at the beginning of this adventure so I can introduce you to my crazy new life & the people that help me survive it...

One of the things that I have to learn to live in Kenya is how to properly do laundry - by hand. In the past the closest I've come is washing out someunmentionables (but did I just mention them?) in the sink while I was traveling. Here, there is NO washing machine, except for the two that God gave me on the end of my arms.So today Irene, Ruth, & Mercy offered to teach me. As I said, I've never really done anything like this before so I decided to start small with only a few things & nothing big. Suffice it to say there was much laughter at my expense. Though they promised that I would be an expert by the time I leave.

And, I even took a few pictures & I'm willing to share them with you. Why? Because I dare any of you machine owners to get outside & do this... Perhaps I've reached a new level of domestic diva-ness. Just wait 'til its time to do sheets & towels...

This is the laundry area... those are my clothes in the smaller blue tub

Here I am filling the laundry tub w/ water...

Now I move the tub over to the concrete so I can wash & not make a larger mess by making mud...

Finally, its all done & hung on the line... should be dry in just a few hours thanks to the abundant sunshine here...

of walks, hills, and sunshine...

Everyone is asking for pictures of my life in Nairobi, so I took a few during my walk today. I went for a walk because Ibrahim prompted me this morning about getting out and enjoying the sunshine. I'd spent most of the morning working in the main house because I'd needed to talk some things over with Diane. And seeing as there aren't any outlets (or tables for that matter) I don't think I'll be working outside too much. Thus, the walk.
I didn't go very far, just to the local corner market, mostly because 1. I'm afraid of getting lost, and 2. I'm not very acclimated to the elevation yet (5,000 ft is pretty high up for a coastal girl like me).

My first realization? Oops, I forgot to put on sunblock and its 2:00 in the afternoon. I live near the equator now. I am most probably going to regret that unfortunate memory lapse.




Our street - Lamwia Rd. - just outside the gate. Yup I have to go down & up the hill to the left if I want to get anywhere.


And this is a GIANT agave plant that I saw as I was walking up Twiga (Giraffe) Hill Rd. If I'd had my tripod w/ me I might have tried to get one of me in front for scale. Trust me, its taller than I am.


And around the corner from the agave plant I found a cactus in bloom, I think it might be prickly pear, but don't quote me on it.


This hill seems much steeper on the way back than it did going to the store. And it continues up beyond where you can see. We live at the very top of the hill, just before it starts to go down again... I really need to learn how to drive...


So this is the last picture I took before I walked in the gate & into the guest house to collapse & write this post. Its the jacaranda tree at the neighbor's. They're in bloom all over & have a really nice spicy scent in the evening.

From Wal-Mart to Nakumatt

My life has just changed again - I’ve spent 15 hours in airplanes, 7 hours in airports, 3 hours in queues, 30 minutes in a car, crossed 7 time zones, and have arrived with Springtime in Nairobi, Kenya. And I’m really tired - jet lag will do that to you.

But one thing hasn’t changed - I’m still making lists of things I have to get at the store. Thursday morning I ran to Wal-Mart on my way to the airport to get a new toothbrush, Saturday morning I went to Nakumatt to get shampoo, conditioner, and coffee for my french press.

So life is different yet the same. I’m sleeping under a mosquito net & brushing my teeth with bottled water & driving on the left side of the road, but I’m still making lists and worshipping Jesus.

Welcome to the new normal... whatever that is

i want it all

Tonight I took myself on a date. I'd had other plans that fell through, and I refused to stay in and mope. So I went to the movies and saw "Eat Pray Love" Now, don't be hatin' and start ranting on the dangers of entertainment in our society, because I believe God has used it to prompt me in some inner places. I went expecting the normal escapist reality that Hollywood has begun, and got a Balaam experience instead. What was meant to be a tool of deception in to spiritualism and eastern mysticism, God used to prick my heart and draw me a little more closely to Him.

Two years ago at this time, I was in Romania begging God to take me out of this world. I didn't understand why I existed. I felt unloved and unlovable. Like Elizabeth at the beginning of the film, I hit a wall and just begged God - "Help me." Life had gotten so beyond me, I wasn't living my life, I was surviving it. Gracious God that He is, kept me on my knees and brought people into my life that could speak the encouragement that I needed. And so I began my own journey out of the darkness, and deeper into Him. It started with a book (When the Heart Waits) and how appropriate that once again I've been prompted by another book, well sort of.

In the "eat" portion, Liz learned to appreciate all the little wonderful things that surround us daily while she was in Italy. It was the idea that God has given us life to fully enjoy it. Instead of rushing from one appointment or meeting to the next, being driven by others ambitions and expectations, enjoy the journey instead. See the flowers along the road, the tears of joy or grief, taste and savor all that is offered. I am learning to do that, I hope. I want be able to see all the things that He does daily to show me that truly He does "richly give me all things to enjoy" All I have to do is open my heart to trust them and eyes to really see them and arms to embrace them. I have been so privileged to experience so many blessings of God, to see Him at work in people and places all over the world, how can I leave them in little compartments instead of allowing God to weave them into the fabric of who I am?

Next, in the "pray" portion Liz travels to an ashram in India because of a boyfriend. He'd devoted himself to a guru when he was "looking for God" and because Liz loses herself into her relationships, she too tried this guru to find God. Yes, God has created within all of us a desire for something larger than the world around us. We want to know that this isn't all there is, because that is too depressing. Truly God has implanted eternity into our hearts and until we find Him we will remain restless. Toward the end of her time at the ashram, the movie shows her sitting on a bench while some others are in a meditation and she comes to a couple of revelations. Here is what I took away from her revelations: First - we each have our own individual relationship with God. Not one of us has the same make up as another, and if we try to conform ourselves into what others claim as pious then we have simply become actors in a play and do not have an authentic relationship with God. He calls us to worship Him in spirit and in truth. Acting is not truth. Secondly she says "God is in me as me." I believe that "I am me, when I am in God" The divine creator formed me and knew every breath I would breathe before the world began. When I identify myself with Him and die to my fleshly desires, seeking His purposes instead, it is then that I truly become myself.

Last is the "love" part of the movie. Liz returns to a medicine man in Bali where she believes her journey truly started. He tells her that she needs balance in her life. To live at the intersection of heaven and earth. She is to meditate in the morning, enjoy Bali during the day, and in the afternoon to visit him and meditate for an hour being quiet and just smiling - with her mouth, her mind, her heart, and even her liver. She sets out to do this and seems content until she meets Filipe, a wonderful Brazilian man who has also learned to be cautious with love due to a divorce. Yet she runs from him because she can no longer find her balance, which to her means following the ritual laid out for her. In the end though she learns that you cannot run from love. Truly, real balance is not performing the ritual but living life and allowing love to knock you out of balance. I need to find the faith to believe that His grace is for me, just as He loves me. His love - how I can receive it unless I believe that I deserve it? It is the biggest love of all - can you describe the feeling of an artist toward his masterpiece? Knowing that you have taken an idea from inside of yourself and turned it into something tangible for all the world to experience with you. That now not only can you imagine it, but you can interact with it? This is His love for us. And I can only begin to take it in when I believe that I am the masterpiece and not just the rough draft.

In the end, Liz sails into the sunset with her love leaving you to imagine that like Cinderella, she lived happily ever after now that she has spent this year learning to eat, pray, and love. And it brings me back to my fairy tale dreams from childhood, when I believed it was all possible. And once again, I want it all. I want a passionate love affair with God that is so rich it steals my breath away, and a fulfilling ministry that brings others to Him flowing from that place of love and grace, and I want to love a man so deeply that I begin to get a taste of the divine connection that makes two people one and shows us just how much God intended for us.

Now the question how do I get it? Is it really possible? I don't know, but I hope so and I'll hang on for the ride.

33 - Birthday FB style...

As my birthday winds to a close, I find myself pondering the day and looking forward. The celebrations started shortly after mid-night with international greetings from Swaziland, Kenya, and Romania. What an awesome opportunity I've had to live such a global life. To have been given this gift from God to share His Kingdom by traveling around the world and receiving the blessing of meeting & loving these amazing people... I am in awe

And yes, thanks to FB the b-day wishes from family & friends, both intimates and acquaintances, every time I checked the page there were always several new messages there to help me feel encouraged & special.

But, I have to admit, this was the best chuckle of the day - from the very analog funny page in the daily paper... I heart Garfield!

on the road again...

Packing... unpacking... packing... unpacking... So seems to be the rhythm of my life as of late. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy my life and I'm loving watching the pages of this new chapter of my life unfold in front of me, but wow, this is a lot of traveling, and hoping, and trusting, and wondering... Yet I still "know in my knower" that somehow He is going to take all of this and make it into something glorious so that He will be KNOWN among the nations

I got back a couple weeks ago from traveling to Virginia, Washington DC, and South Carolina... Now that I've actually downloaded the pics, I thought I'd share some of them with you...


This is the flag I left at "The Wall" also known as the Vietnam War Memorial... Why here? My dad came back, but many didn't. I'm as aware of this as I am of my big toe. I remember that my freedoms were paid for by someone else's sacrifice. I wanted to use my Memorial Day holiday to honor that sacrifice and not just to celebrate the unofficial beginning of the summer with another BBQ (mmm BBQ) So I left this flag in a spot without any other remembrances, to say my humble thank you.


1600 Penn Ave... one of the most famous address in the world. Pray for this man & his family, pray for those who work here... God may we truly be a nation that trusts you and not self...


Tomb of the Unknowns (Arlington Nat'l Cemetery) Little did I know when I took this pic the brouhaha that would erupt over this place. Yet still, this is a sacred spot. This is where you can begin to see the price this nation has paid for freedom. And it stirs my heart to know that we even remember to honor those who've served & paid the ultimate price, even if we don't know their name - God does

So there ya go... a few of my impressions of the Nation's capital and the monuments & memorials... take time to remember our history, it will prayerfully keep us from repeating their mistakes.

Intentional Integrity

“The church is full of hypocrites.” If I had to guess, this would probably be the most common excuse for not attending church and writing off those who claim a relationship with Christ as irrelevant. How can Christians be relevant to society if they live hypocritical lives? This brings two questions to mind – What is a hypocrite? How can I keep from being one?

Webster defines hypocrite as “1 : a person who puts on a false appearance of virtue or religion 2 : a person who acts in contradiction to his or her stated beliefs or feelings.” It comes from the Greek hypokritēs meaning actor. Thus a hypocrite is an actor, someone who pretends. Hypocrites are those that can talk a good game, but have nothing to back it up. And for a majority of society to believe that the church at large is full of hypocrites, there must be a thread of truth to the notion. 85% of Americans claim that they are “Christians” and yet our society certainly does not reflect a true notion of biblical ethics. Consider the rate of divorce, abortion, and the openly gay lifestyle. These are widely accepted as “normal” and a representation of how advanced and progressive our culture is. Yet all of these things are contrary to what is taught in Scripture.

As a professor friend of mine tells her students, “people will believe your actions over your words …” To avoid being labeled as a hypocrite we have to live out our beliefs intentionally. Integrity can be defined as being the same when people are around and when you’re alone; being undivided in your thoughts and actions. Those who profess a relationship with Christ must be intentional in our integrity. As Jesus said in Matthew 5:37 “Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No'…” If we are truly “a letter from Christ, … written not with ink … on tablets of human hearts (2 Corinthians 3:3 NIV) then we must honestly represent the complete gospel of Christ, the gospel of the Kingdom of God, when it is easy and when we may look foolish.

In the US we have the privilege of religious freedom. The Bill of Rights guarantees that “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof…” That is the first amendment to our Constitution. This is not true worldwide. In fact statistics say that there are an estimated 171,000 people martyred for the Christian faith every year. What would your faith look like if you had to worry if it would kill you rather than whether or not you would still have your reputation. King David said “I will become even more undignified than this, and I will be humiliated in my own eyes…” (2 Samuel 6:22)

So the choice is yours. Prove to society that you are a stereotypical American “Christian” who professes faith but does not live it. Or count the cost and be intentional in your integrity and live a life worthy of Christ who died that you may live.

highways and by-ways and such...

My life feels like its so much "on the go" lately. I spent the end of last week and the weekend in Lancaster County, PA. I was there to help man the DMI booth @ the Missions Fest at Lancaster Bible College, which in itself was interesting. Our booth was between Voice of the Martyrs and Village Missions. (Both really great mission organizations, I encourage you to click the links and check them out.) So that was Friday afternoon. Then on Friday night I got to spend a lovely 1 1/2 hours (read 3 hours stuck in bumper to bumper traffic) on PA highways driving to the young adult cell in Chambersburg, PA. Overflow is a great DCFI church in that area and God is using them to expand His kingdom.

Then I got to spend Saturday @ my blessed host's home mostly, except for a brief jaunt out over Lancaster twisty back roads to meet a friend and discuss my "next steps" in fundraising. She was so helpful!! What I thought would be an hour to share hearts and tea turned into a 3+ hour give and take. She was able to give me some references to those who had a heart for both Africa and the Omondi's who I will be serving when I get there. It was so encouraging to remember that $2000/month is not an insurmountable obstacle to God!! Plus she just encouraged me personally when it comes to being a woman running after God's heart in spite of what some may see as my "lack of a relationship." I say I'm in a very deeply committed relationship with the love of my life - His name is Jesus!

So then, Sunday morning I got the chance to share a bit at Newport DOVE. God bless them, they are joining the support team on a monthly basis!! I'm jazzed every time someone says that they believe in the vision God has given me and want to support that. As Rich keeps telling me, "Projects are great, but projects don't happen without people." I know, Rich. I know. Now if only everyone who tells me "its so great you're going... God bless you... Wow you're really brave..." would actually take those sentiments and act upon them! If everyone would do a little, I'd be able to really look into dates and get ready to GO.
This weekend, I'm packing up/ getting rid of stuff and moving back to my parent's house. They are being so generous in allowing me to impose on them rent free until I'm actually on the plane. But I'll still be part-time at Lighthouse thru March and then on and off as they need me until I'm gone. So I'll be seeing a lot of I-91N.

But, I know this is what God has called me to for this time in my life, so I'll choose to be content and seek Him above all. At the very least I guess it'll give me some great prayer time!

Oh, and if you're a pastor type or have a venue where you'd give me a chance to share, shoot me an email!

humility lessons

I'm fasting. But then again our whole church body is. So what is the big deal when people tell me I'm all hard core because of the fast that God impressed upon my heart. I'm not being strict because I want to be (I miss bread!) but because a fast must cost me something. If its easy its not a true fast, or so I've been taught & believe. Am I being too legalistic about this?

I'm fasting the things that steal my heart and time from Him. And yet I'm find myself filling that time with other things rather than spending time with my Father. Why? What is it in me that is pushing Him away? Why can't I learn to quiet my heart and be laid bare before I God? My hands so readily gravitate toward the novel or DVD on my bedside instead of the Word that is right next to them... My flesh is too strong, it MUST come into submission.

I want to be led by the Spirit, not by my desires (or stomach). Too many of my resources go to these other pursuits when I could be using them to further adoptions, missions, or other things that are Kingdom advancing. But is God really calling me to be an ascetic or is it to realize that every choice is one I need to put before Him - missions or movie? adoption or a novel? a latte or a larger offering?

I see that I am a statistic. I am part of the American Christian culture that professes that God is living in me, yet I act as though I am in control and not Him. I believe in God, but too often I do not depend on Him. This is what I mean when I say "I don't like myself in the States." I've found that when He puts me into another place in the world, depending on Him to provide for my every need, when my very existence is all in Him, my faith grows and my relationship with my Father is so much closer. But why is that true there and not here? Is it really so different? Does my existence here not depend on Him? Is God not the true supplier of all my resources no matter where I am?

It is my desire to have these petitions answered before I leave for Kenya. That I would have resolved in my heart that no matter where I am, that He is all, and that is enough. More than enough. Because if He isnt', what's the point?