Final chapter

Blog 812

The final Chapter 

We left Silas's at 3 o'clock in the afternoon Monday  which would've been about 6 o'clock in the morning Montana time.  We didn't get home until nearly 3 o'clock on Wednesday morning because of flight delays in Minnesota. Most of the next three days I did little else but sleep. Ann unpacked all the suitcases and did laundry and straightened the house. During short periods of being awake I did pay some bills and sorted through the pictures trying to get a slideshow together for our friends.  We also did make couple of visits to friends and family to share some of our pictures and our experiences. All this week we've been trying to put our trip into perspective. Here are some of my conclusions.

Silas's vision of training young men and women in the proper handling of the Scriptures seems to be a very vital need.

I want to generate prayer support for Silas's family and for each one of these students and the Bible school.

Our greatest successes on the trip were the relationships that we established with the Kenyan Christians.

We have a real desire to support Silas and other leaders at the Bible college. 

Although we are willing to offer financial support to certain individuals we want to be very careful not to have any funds be counterproductive.

We are so grateful to Silas for his vision and for his invitation that brought us into a position to serve in such a an unbelievably fulfilling fashion.

We count the chance to experience an African culture in such a unique way an opportunity of a lifetime. We were truly privileged. 

We cannot even begin to understand in six weeks the complexities of a culture that has developed over thousands of years.

The Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ is the only answer for this world's needs.

Thanks for all the assurances since we've returned that the time spent in keeping you all informed was appreciated and helped generate the prayer support that we believe was key to all of our accomplishments. Thanks again for your interest and your prayers. 

Art

Still totally holding up !!

The home stretch

We are facing a slight delay in MN. Sincerely trusting that it does not become a major one. Photos don't lie unless you have photo shop. We left Silas' house around 2:45 PM on Monday. There it is already 6:00 AM on Wednesday and we are under severe thunder storm warnings. Departure time has been pushed ahead 10 minutes. We will see what we will see

After 40 hours all holding up well

Arrived in USA

Got into Minneapolis on time. Cleared immigration and customs. Have a few hours to wait for flight to Bozeman. We hear there will be a welcoming party for our 11:20 PM arrival. 

Departing gifts from Phoebe, Mary's friend.

Elizabeth

Henry attends Man. Bib. Ch. This is his sister who we met the last Sunday. 

Last Sunday church service.

Gracie having breakfast

Ryan off to an early Saturday HS meeting

Silas waiting for overdue airport van

Prayer for us at last Saturday service.

Hillary taking down the tarp after Saturday church

Ready to head home

Have been low on power and signal but all is well and we are preparing to leave for Eldoret and the first leg of our almost 40 hour trip home. 

Tuesday August 6

Blog 806

It is Tuesday morning. We are in a layover in Amsterdam Netherlands.  Our flight was delayed for about three hours of Nairobi but that one affect our connection here. Seven hour layover has just been about four. Want of adequate power and lack of good Internet connections have kept me from posting over the last few days.

Friday the group took a trip over to a nearby village to visit some of Silas's relatives.  I decided to not try to keep up with everyone else. I got to talk to Silas for a short time while I helped him we just garden. I got in a couple of naps and worked on my Sunday school lesson. The report came back that I missed a really good time. It included a walk to some high rocky terrain overlooking the valley that we had seen on our visit to Pastor Josiah's. Everyone enjoy the height and the chance to climb the rocks.  I heard that grandma was a little concerned about some of the rock climbing that Caleb was into.  The rains came while they were visiting and made the roads very slippery so that the truck had to be pushed a long distance up a trail from the before it got on the main road.

Saturday which was like our Sunday while we were in Kenya I taught Sunday school from Genesis 25
and Ryan preached the sermon. From there we walked over to Mary's for lunch. That was when the rains began. It alternated between teeming rain and just plain hard rain for a couple of hours. Finally it broke and I was anxious to get back to Silas's. There had been a plan in place to visit another home, the home of a man named Joseph.  His house was up the dirt road from Mary's past Silas's. I thought that the rainy weather had probably canceled that walk.  But as I got up to leave Mary informed me that Silas was on his way to pick us up.  I thought maybe it was in the truck. But it was not. He showed up pretty soon with his boots on and we began our ascent of the muddy  rivulet ridden dirt track. It was the kind of terrain that the further you walked the taller you got as the layer of mud on the soles of your shoes thickened with each step. I'm really looking forward to this visit but we met a man there named Jacob who had some very interesting insights into Kenya and some very interesting stories. Back on the muddy road our shoes continued to grow but the grassy path between the maize and wheat helped immensely to get rid of all that red clay. 

Saturday night it was confirmed that Ryan and I were invited to visit the church of one of the students in the Bible college. Actually we will all invited to attend but since the Bible college students were coming that afternoon Ann and Andrea were needed at home to bake some American specialties for the crowd that was coming. They were doing some more cornbread and also attempting to bake a carrot cake in the charcoal oven.  I gave a lesson on the three trees that is the tree in the garden of Eden the tree on which Jesus died and the Tree of life in the book of Revelation. Ryan preached from Jesus high priestly prayer in John 17.  We had made the trip to the church on the motorbike driven by Ezra.  He had also taken Ryan to a local Christian high school for a service on Sunday before our regular service.  The ride on the motorbike was much more smooth than the usual one we  had taken in the white pickup truck. Of course they served us some food after the service and while we waited for it to arrive the sky darkened and the clouds thickened. With one eye on the sky I hesitated to accept the offer for a few cups of Kenyan tea.  After one cup we decided it was time to go.  We pulled into the yard just as the large drops started to fall around us. Soon the Bible college students started to arrive. There was no volleyball to be played in this downpour. We had a very emotional parting ceremony with the college students. They dressed Ann and Andrea in traditional African garb and also put robes on Ryan and myself. I am not big into robes but I figure it's practiced for the white robes that will have in heaven. Too many kind words were spoken to even begin to record.  One after another people shared words of thanks for our coming to Kenya. Tears were shed by both the Kenyans and the Americans.  It was very late before the last people left. 

Monday was to be our last day in Kenya. We were not due to fly out until 7 o'clock in the evening but I was very concerned that we would get there before the plane took off.  In Montana we laugh about ranch time being slower than the rest of the time in Montana. In Africa and Mexico we are even more amused at the lack of things happening on time. Silas asked me what time I thought that the van should arrive to take us to the airport. After suggesting noon I was a little concerned that I might have set the time too early.  Not to worry it was 2:45 when we left his farm in a van that contained all of us and 10 more people. When transport is moving in a certain direction there are many people who need to get there.  We had seen rain but nothing like the rain that we saw on the way to the airport. Soon van was leaking back front and on both sides. The road and the ditches on both sides were like a river of red clay.  You could not see 50 yards ahead of you.  I had two concerns one that we would get drenched getting our luggage into the airport and two that we would get ourselves soaked getting from the airport out to the airplane.  Neither fear came to fruition. It stopped raining by the time we got to the airport. It rained a little bit while we are there but almost stopped before we had to board. The short flight to Nairobi  was without incident except for Caleb who had a. stomach issue as we approached landing. We trekked across the wet tarmac and into the building where we collected our luggage.  We found the international terminal without too much trouble. But the crowds there were strung out in long lines. We had a couple of hours so there was no immediate concern. As the lines continue to move more slowly some concerns began to arise.  At the check in counter I was questioned about some yellow form but I did not respond. When Ryan and Andrea stepped up they were sent back outside the area to get these forms and fill them out. We have now learned that our flight was going to be an hour late and that gave us some sense of relief. I went up to check out the gate situation while we were waiting for Ryan and Andrea. We stood a long line at the gate only to find at the gate had been changed. Now the estimated time of departure was two hours late. When we got inside the gate where the seating was we learned that there have been a gasoline pipe disruption and that we would be taking off three hours late. The troops were getting restless so KLM decided to feed us.  The sandwiches were good course Ann couldn't eat the bread. I petition one of the uniformed men to find us a place to sit down. In a few minutes a new section was opened for all the people standing  to at least find a comfortable place to sit while they ate and drank. It was somewhere along in that time that I realized I had some Shillings in my pocket that I could turn into chocolate. I went out to security made my purchase and on the way back the alarm went off when I went through the screening. I guess the machine didn't like the foil wrap Swiss chocolate packages.  Security examine them and decided that they were harmless so we'll have a little snack during the final minutes of our wait boarding to begin. It was then I realized that Ann and I were not seated together.  She was in business I was in the front of economy and Ryan and the kids were in the last row of economy.  I tried to talk them into letting me go up into business and and was certainly willing to come back into economy but I wanted her to enjoy the pleasure of the better seating.  She claimed she didn't sleep very much but when we has to how she enjoyed the first meal she said she didn't even know there was a first meal. So she must've gotten some sleep. Again Ryan got the prize for the least sleep Caleb and  Gracie  did well. I did very well but he was awake most of the night. He is on the floor over in the corner trying to get some shut eye. I hope this dictation into my phone is helping. I find the answers in the airport make it very hard to get any sleep.

 Well I think I have done enough for one day so I will bring this to a close and is just thank you fur your prayers expressed for us in your emails and your texts. Art

Thursday

Blog 801

I can't believe it is August first. I actually typed in 7/31 before I checked the date. We did visit pastor Josiah on Monday and it was in a beautiful area of Kenya. A few kilometers past the church we visited on Saturday we were  in valley between two ridges that got everyone thinking of Montana. My phone was on low battery so I used the camera for pictures. We are heading for Ziwa today so maybe I will be able to post some pix from my computer. We visited his church building and met one of the elders and joined hands in a prayer of blessing. Then we proceeded along red clay roads to his farm home. Near the house a couple of barb wire gates needed to be opened and then closed behind us.  We had a traditional Kenyan meal seated on couches in the sitting room. Dishes of hot food were brought in from the outdoor kitchen in insulated covered dishes and placed before us.  We all stood up and did a buffet line around the two coffee tables and back to our places. We had 9 in our party by the time we ate there were at least 13. Other church members arrived so we took a walk to give them our seats. We walked over to meet Josiah's dad 91 who lived over the ridge with his other wife. Josiah's mom lives near him. Here mom's are called by their oldest child's name so Ann would be Rachelle's mom. Widows often live with one of their sons. The plan was to get everyone together for tea in the garden but there were thunderstorms threatening which make the high crowned clay roads dangerous. We made all of the introductions on both sides, took a few group pictures and after a prayer of blessing we headed back. There were a couple of swollen rivers with inadequate culverts  but we made it safely across and got home just before the heavy rain started. That night we had a huge thunderstorm I am told. I could only remember one boomer that made me think I was inside a large drum while someone was doing a loud tattoo on the outside. 

Tuesday morning I made some large staples out of some steel rod to make a repair on a small gate down at Mary's house. With my tool sack over one shoulder and a heavy hammer on the other Gracie and I set out across the edge of the maize field through the barb wire fence and down the red road to Mary's.  As we arrived she and a young girl were just herding a half dozen cows out of the yard and up the road we had just traveled. The tree stump I was fastening the gate to proved to be too much for my home made staples. The gate still had one hinge and by using a hand drill and cutting the nails short with a hacksaw I managed to get the gate hung on that knarley old stump. Plan B was to use a strip of rubber tire in place of the staples.  That went well until the tire strip I had cut that morning totally disintegrated. Time for plan C. I just fastened some wire to the top and nailed that to the stump until a better idea could be thought of. The school let out for lunch and soon Gracie was inundated with admirers and more were running up the road. I tried to give Gracie some space and eventually got them all on their way. I hope they were not too frightened by the old man shooing them off. 

That afternoon it was back to Ziwa. The students were scheduled to watch some videos and hand in some assignments. My goal was to recharge electronics and publish pix. We arrived to find the power was out so videos and charging were both temporary scratched. Bananas and a couple if other things were on my shopping list so I figured I might as well do what I could.   When I got back the power was back on so I started plugging things in. Ryan joined me at the power strip and the last plug blew the fuse in the strip. Fortunately the video had just started because that had to be restarted. Ryan found a fuse in another discarded extension cord and soon all was well. I did some final printing and copying for Ann and we headed back but not before Caleb and Ryan got another ponga at the market. Now they can build stilts with two machetes. 

Wednesday I decided I needed a sabbatical. I skipped breakfast and stayed in bed. Before noon I worked on my Sunday school lesson felt much better by lunch. Ann did some laundry and she and Ryan spent time doing grades and I got a hair trim. The rains came and lasted all afternoon so the clothes on the line got a couple of extra rinse cycles. This afternoon we will head back to the college for more videos and assignments due. Ann is trying to get all her papers ready to hand back today. Caleb wants to stay in Africa but only if mommy and daddy do. Thoughts are starting to turn toward home as we look forward to our last weekend here. We are scheduled to leave Monday afternoon. Will try to post more pix. Keep us in your prayers for a strong finish. Art ps. Two hours of trying to overcome obstacles only to find new ones got almost one (zero) picture uploaded. 

Josiah's place

Pappa and braids girl beads included

Thursday AM

Blog 801

I can't believe it is August first. I actually typed in 7/31 before I checked the date. We did visit pastor Josiah on Monday and it was in a beautiful area of Kenya. A few kilometers past the church we visited on Saturday we were  in valley between two ridges that got every thinking of Montana. My phone was on low battery so I used the camera for pictures. We are heading for Ziwa today so maybe I will be able to post some pix from my computer. We visited his church building and met one of the elders. Then we proceeded along red clay roads to his farm home.  As we neared the house there were a couple of barb wire gates so familiar in Montana  to be opened and closed behind us. We had a traditional Kenyan meal seated on couches in the sitting room. Dishes of hot food were brought in from the outdoor kitchen in insulated covered dishes and placed on the tables before us. We all stood up and did a buffet line around the two coffee tables and back to our places. We had 9 in our party by the time were ready to eat there were at least 13. Other church members arrived so we took a walk to give them our places and time to eat.  We walked over to meet Josiah's dad 91 who lived over the ridge with his other wife. Josiah's mom lives in a house nearer him. Here mom's are called by their oldest child's name for instance Ann would be Rachelle's mom. A widow would often live with one of her adult children as Silas's mom does. The plan was to get everyone together for tea when we returned  but there were thunderstorms threatening which make the high crowned clay roads dangerous. We settled for just making all of the introductions on both sides, taking a few group pictures and heading back. There were a couple of swollen rivers with inadequate culverts making some muddy going but we made it safely across them and got home just before the heavy rain started. That night we had a huge thunderstorm I am told. I could only remember one boomer that made me think I was inside a large bass drum while someone was doing a major tattoo on the outside.  The house trembled with its force. 

Tuesday morning I made some large staples out of some steel rod to repair a small gate down at Mary's house. With my tool sack over one shoulder and a heavy hammer on the other Gracie and I set out across the edge of the maize field through the barb wire fence and down the red road to Mary's.  As we arrived she and a young woman were just herding a half dozen cows out of the yard and up the road we had just traveled down. The tree stump I was fastening the gate to proved to be too much for my home made staples. The gate still had one hinge and by using a hand drill and cutting the nails short with a hacksaw I managed to get the gate hung on that knarley old stump. Plan B was to use a strip of rubber tire in place of the staples.  That went well until the tire strip I had cut that morning totally disintegrated. Time for plan C. I just fastened some wire to the top and nailed that to the stump until a better idea could be thought of. The school let out for lunch and soon Gracie was inundated with admirers and more were running up the road. I tried to give Gracie some space and eventually got them all on their way. I hope they were not too frightened by the old man shooing them off. 

That afternoon it was back to Ziwa. The students were scheduled to watch some videos and hand in some assignments. My goal was to recharge electronics and publish pix. We arrived to find the power was out so videos and charging were both temporarily scratched. Bananas and a couple if other things were on my list so I figured I might as well do what I could.   When I got back from the market the power was too so I started plugging things in. Ryan joined me at the power strip and the last plug blew the fuse in the strip. Fortunately the video had just started because that had to be restarted. Ryan found a fuse in another discarded extension cord and soon all was well. I did some final printing and copying for Ann and we headed back but not before Caleb and Ryan got another ponga at the market. Now they can machete more stilts. 

Wednesday I decided I needed a sabbatical. I skipped breakfast and stayed in bed. Before lunch I worked on my Sunday school lesson felt much better by lunch. Ann did some laundry and she and Ryan spent time doing grades and I got a hair trim. The rains came and lasted all afternoon so the clothes on the line got a couple of extra rinse cycles. This afternoon we will head back to the college for more videos and assignments due. Ann is trying to get all her papers ready to hand back today. Caleb wants to stay in Africa but only if mommy and daddy do. Thoughts are starting to turn toward home as we look forward to our last weekend here. We are scheduled to leave Monday afternoon. Will try to post more pix. Keep us in your prayers for a strong finish. Art

Silas and Ezekiel braced against the cold

Leah eating and roasting maize

Ryan preaching Lazarus interpreting

Bible students being prayed for

Caleb and new stilts

Local cranes

Gladys. And her sister

Gracie's braids

Tropical splendor

Monday morning

Blog 729

Monday morning here as we begin our last week in Kenya. As usual I was the last one up. We had breakfast of fruit, a kind of pancake called chipati, and cooked green bananas. I also had my regular morning ripe banana. When we got the bananas for the banana bread I got a few extra so I  am able to start my day in my traditional fashion. Right after breakfast Ryan and Caleb went on a banga adventure whose goal was to find some suitable poles in the brush pile to fashion stilts. Success came quickly and soon Caleb was strutting about on the smaller pair while the rest of the company tried the larger version. Silas' mom even tried. I had flip flops on so have not taken a turn yet. Last time I was on stilts was when Ann and I were on them in MX. Ann was doing laundry so I was tending the hot water fire. That is a job I particularly enjoy. I love to get the big kettle steaming. Today we are invited to have lunch at pastor Josiah's house. It will be an hour ride in our chariot. Silas says it will be nearer the mountains and we will see scenery we have not yet experienced here. He has farm work to catch up with after three weeks of class so be will not accompanying us. Hillary will be our faithful chauffeur and Tony, a friend who has been visiting Silas the last few days will be going along. Time for me to get cleaned up. Have not been doing so well with the pix uploading. If I get to better coverage I would love to upload another church video. Until next time. Art

Sunday afternoon

Blog 727

Gracie spent many hours in the salon on Friday with very mixed results. The women had zero experience with western hair and despite all their efforts including adding fake hair the braids refused to stay in. Andrea finally convinced them that rubber bands were the only solution. They left the shop with two packs of 300. The job of redoing the ends and banding them began on the ride home that afternoon. With various helpers much of it was accomplished before church today. (Saturday). It is still a work In progress. Friday was the last day of class. I did some printing for Ann and ran out of paper. The last run was completed using one side good. Then I went over to a local market and purchased some local air time for  Ann's iPhone. We were able to get it unlocked before we left and purchased a local SIM card after we arrived. Air time for voice or data is very inexpensive here. The way we have been successful in getting computer access to the Internet   Is by tethering that phone to the computer and creating a hot spot. In this way I am able to post Ryan's updates. I would not rate this as high speed but it works. Posting from my phone app is super easy because the pix are from the phone and the text is dictated on my notes and pasted to the blog. This morning we all piled into the pickup to head cross country to a large church where a joint service was held to welcome the Americans. Some of the Bible college students attend there so we were among friends. When we arrived a Bible lesson was in progress. We learned later he was a guest speaker who had been invited before the news of the Americans coming had been known. When he finished we sang a song and I was invited to give a Bible lesson. I spoke on the body as a temple and urged people to repent. Silas said I should have given an altar call. An extended time of worship followed which I thoroughly enjoy. Some songs are in English but I enjoy all the music and the choreography. The. Ryan was introduced and he gave a powerful sermon on standing up for Christ Jesus even when it means suffering. There are tribal conflicts stemming from the post election distress of a few years ago. The students have been asking many questions as to how to handle family and tribal pressures on them to exact revenge for intertribal transgressions. Lunch followed. We were ushered into a large room, seated at a table and served heaping platefuls of rice, beans and chicken. My plate held twice what I usually take but it was very good and I finished to the last kernel. Music was being played over a loud speaker so I asked if I could play one from my phone. They were pleasantly surprised by a black gospel group I enjoy called the Dixie Hummingbirds. Rain clouds were threatening so Hillary wanted us to get going before the roads got too slick. There were 15 or 16. On the ride home but by the time we got here it was down to 8 or 9  Today is Sunday. Ryan and I traveled to Ziwa to a small church. We had met Pastor Ben at the market last week and he wanted us to visit. I gave the Bible lesson revisiting my thoughts on the body as a temple from yesterday. Ryan spoke on discipleship. The ladies stayed home to cook more banana and cornbread for the Bible college students tonight.  They are here now playing volley ball and we will soon have dinner. This may be our last time with the students although we have another week to wind up marking and final grades. Ryan twisted his ankle in a volley ball game but claims he will be just fine. While we were in Ziwa today we charged up all our electronics. From here on out we may not have reliable power or cell coverage but will do our best to keep you all informed. 

Sunset over the wheat and corn

Walking home along the grass pathway after the tire blew out

Results of tree harvest.

All through yesterday's rain the chainsaws were buzzing turning out planks. 

Silas mom Leah warming herself

After supper is cooked using this charcoal pot as an extra burner it is brought into the sitting room for warmth

Dinner at Silas' brother's home

Planks sawn by eye with chainsaw

Planks are cut without a guide. The workman's eye is the gauge.

 

One tree down one on the way

Silas' brother next door selling some soft wood for concrete forms. 

Preparing for planting

Ryan's update

Monday, July 22, 2013

Wow – what to say . . . it’s getting harder and harder to just make observations and tell simple stories.  I feel like we’re getting beyond the “it’s very different here” stage to really getting to see into the culture and the hearts of people. 

A culture that is so full of smiles and hospitality and warm greetings is brewing with all sorts of conflict and dysfunction and enslavement just under the surface.  We in the US aren’t too different.  We put on our happy faces and give our warm greetings, but if you get to know us you begin to see our wounds and struggles.  

The more we observe families here, and the more we get to know the students of the college, the more we see much pain and heartache.  Just like the students in the US, these young men and women have already in their short lives experienced a tremendous amount of difficulty.  Some have faced abuse – physical and sexual; some have faced other violence; some have been abandoned; two young men in the class grew up in a local orphanage.  One young man was so estranged from his mother due to conflict that the two hadn’t spoken in about five years.  One young woman is the only daughter of the second wife of a man.  Because of a cultural practice I don’t understand yet, as the only child of this marriage and a daughter, she will never be allowed to marry, but must remain in her parents’ home.  Yet she has had five children who must call her ‘sister’ while calling her parents ‘mother’ and ‘father.’ Who is the father of these children?  I’m afraid to ask, but I think I can guess.

We’re amazed at the poor treatment of women in this culture.  They bear an immense share of the labor required to survive.  As far as we can see it is a rare thing indeed to see a husband honor his wife in even a small way or speak a word of appreciation to her.  We’ve had some long discussions with people regarding the issue of child-raising.  We have not yet witnessed a parent interact meaningfully with a child here, with the exception of mothers of infants.  The children roam around completely on their own.  They put themselves to bed.  Parents do not read to or play with or spend time with their children.  Children are not disciplined unless they do something “bad” enough to warrant a beating.

My peacemaking class this morning was to address the topic of forgiveness.  What a nerve that touched!  The students have, up to now, asked very few questions.  This morning, the dam broke.  The discussion was so intense that we went right past the end of the class time, right on through break, and all the way to the end of the next two hours that were supposed to be the narrative class.  We moved from questions regarding personal forgiveness to difficult questions regarding conflict between the tribes here in Kenya.  The post-election violence from a few years before came up with force.  All the students raised their hands to indicate they had vivid memories of that time and had been affected.  They said that though the tribes today are “at peace” in the worldly sense of having no open conflict, they are far from being truly at peace. They are struggling deeply with issues of allegiance to God versus family and tribe. “What do we do,” they asked, “when members of two different tribes and two different political parties all claim to be Christians, yet they fight one another?” They said, “Ryan, what would you do if your tribe came to you and said, ‘Pastor Ryan, pray for our victory as we go to fight that other tribe – or we’ll burn your house.’?”  They talked about the pressures on them to participate in the slander and violence or else be labeled a traitor to their own people.  Some of them have faced threats of physical violence if they don’t participate.  So I took them to the only place I know to go for answers – God’s word.  And we read Scripture about the cost of discipleship, putting God as number one in our lives even above mother, father, wife, husband, or tribe.  We considered the words of Jesus that the world will hate His followers as they hated Him.  We looked at our call to follow Christ in His example of bearing up under unjust suffering.  We looked at the promises of Jesus calling those “blessed” who endure persecution, knowing their rewards are not in this life.  We discussed the realities of being ostracized and ridiculed alongside the opportunities for witness to the saving power of Christ.  What a discussion!  It was the justice of God and the mercy of God and all the other glorious truths of the gospel.  It was painful for students.  It was hard-hitting, yet so good.  My one paragraph here can’t possibly do justice to the discussion, but I can say that the word of God is transforming the hearts and lives of these students.  By the way, we also mentioned the temptations of the church in the US to mix our allegiance to God with allegiance to materialism and nationalism. We talked about the temptation for American Christians to hate and fear Muslims rather than love them more than ourselves and take the gospel to them.

The response from the churches to the preaching of God’s word has made an impact on me as well.  The basic response is, “This is the kind of preaching we need. It has substance.  It knows what it is talking about.  It challenges us to respond.”  An older man was telling us after the service on Saturday that he is so encouraged by the young people.  He talked about the huge change they saw in Silas and how they respect him.  He said, “We wanted to argue with some of the changes the young people are suggesting because that’s not how we’ve ever done things before, but we couldn’t argue because they were showing us from the Bible why the changes were right, and we can see the Holy Spirit in their lives.”

The truths of the gospel are so desperately needed in every human heart all around the world to free people from the bondages of sin. 

We’ve also confronted poverty and the difficulties of helping people much more forcefully.  We learned that two young men at the Bible college were missing class and struggling to pay attention because they had wives and children at home who were crying from hunger.  They had no money and no food.  Of course, our hearts wanted to bring immediate help to these situations, yet long conversations with Silas were good as we wrestled through how to follow the Scriptural principles in James to do something about physical needs of our family in Christ while also following 2 Thessalonians to insist that people live productive lives and earn the bread they eat.  Gracie and Caleb, especially Caleb, are struggling with these issues as they have found in themselves a desire to give everything they own to help and yet are finding it difficult to understand the complex issues surrounding poverty.

We also had a meeting with the still-forming group of leaders for the Bible College.   Again, much of the discussion centered around how to do some economic development for the students. In this area, most pastors are not paid at all.  Almost no student could expect any financial compensation for his or her ministry in a local church, so if they are to complete the task God would lay before them, they must also learn to support themselves.  A micro loan program seems to be vital for the completion of the school’s mission, yet this too must be done with real wisdom.  LONG DISCUSSION – I’ll spare you the details. 

The college, too, faces some immediate challenges.  It’s currently renting rooms in a building, but the minimal tuition and financial status of the students makes it so the college’s income is not meeting its expenses.  The school will move to the church building under construction near Silas’s home when it has a roof and electricity.  The churches have come close to being able to pay for all the trusses, but they must still raise a significant amount to put the metal roofing needed and install electricity.  So, it’s unclear when the college will be able to move.  In the mean-time, Silas hopes to generate some income through small-business pursuits that may also employ a few students.  He is gearing up to begin well-drilling after this term is complete in a couple of weeks. They are also hoping to revive the printing business if a better printer could be purchased.  This business had been running on one small HP deskjet that only printed black.  When we arrived, that printer was dead, and we purchased a new color inkjet to meet the immediate need of printing necessary materials for classes.  However, printers here are about twice the price in US dollars of the same model bought in the US, so a printer of good quality for a business will probably need to be shipped from there, which spells TIME.  By the way, you can purchase a brand new motorcycle here for $1000 US dollars, while the little ink jet printer we bought cost over $200 US dollars.  Go figure!!

Speaking of motorcycles, I was on the back of one yesterday.  The young man driving was asking me if I found Kenya to be very different from the United States.  I said that, yes, there were many differences in almost every way, but that the place I had found the most similarity was in the human heart.  People here have the same desires and aspirations; the same things fill them with joy or grief; the causes of their conflicts are the same; the results of their sin are the same. Though the people may live very differently, the human heart is very much the same.

OK, I’d better bring this to a close again. Obviously, there’s a LOT to chew on.  Oh, by the way, there is one young man at the college who talked with me today about coming to Montana Bible College.  I have previously warned the students about all the difficulties and hurdles to face in this pursuit.  However, in Edwin’s case, I think God may be putting something together. Edwin is a standout among the students. Academic performance is not strong, to put it mildly.  But Edwin shows an unusual level of understanding and competence. During his years in the orphanage, he was sponsored by a family in the US – in Montana of all places.  This family has taken a real interest in him.  They had a very active relationship through e-mail and even Skype.  About two months ago, the family traveled to Kenya with a team from their church that worked in the orphanage.  They told Edwin that they had been praying that a door would open up to allow him to come to the US to study, and they have offered to sponsor him financially.  I don’t know any details yet, but it looks as if this could be a real possibility.  Edwin had been wanting to study electrical engineering, but now believes God has a call on his life toward some sort of ministry.  I asked him what brought about the change, and he started describing for me all the changes that God has made in his life through his study of God’s word at Ziwa Bible College.  He is finding in himself a heart and passion to share the word with others, and he realizes he needs more equipping.  Also, just a fun tidbit on him – yesterday as we played volleyball with the students at Silas’s home, we found out how true it is that Kenyans love volleyball.  Edwin can POUND that ball, and yet he has incredibly soft hands – really fun to watch.

Now I’m really going!

 

With love to all,

Ryan, for the team here.

 

P.S.  The internet modem was crashing my computer over and over and causing all kinds of crazy virus symptoms, to the point that I finally uninstalled it completely. Last week I tried to connect for over two hours – unsuccessfully.  I’ve given up and am trying to send any communication like this through Silas’s computer.  So, my communication will stay very limited.  I’m thankful Art has been able to blog via his phone.

Friday AM

Blog 726

It was not raining Thursday when we left to traveling the now so familiar route but by the time we were pulling into Ziwa it had started. Ann's Class was working on puppets. I had some initial chores to complete but when they were done I noticed the skies had cleared. I had some shopping to so I made my way to the market. The red clay mud made it a tricky fete to accomplish. A couple of times I almost slipped. One of goals was to get enough bananas for another batch of banana bread.  The students enjoyed that so much last Sunday that they requested it again for this weekend. Everyone really enjoyed making their puppets. When class was over we piled into the pickup and headed home. There were extra bodies and suitcases and the back was very crowded as we jostled through the mud sploshed through the puddles. About one kilometer from home a strange noise emanated from the left rear of the vehicle. We were almost across the road from the tire repair shop which was excellent planning because that tire had breathed its last. I for one was happy for the chance to walk. With the recent rains I had not been getting enough walking done. The air is fresh and cool after the down pours and the mud retained on the soles of my sneakers was soon left behind as Gracie, Ann and I cut a cross the grassy path between the foot high wheat and the ten foot high maize stalks. While we waited for supper Ann graded papers while I rested. Then I created a spreadsheet for her grades and entered the ones she had recorded.

It is now almost lunchtime on Friday. I spent the morning sorting things out and doing a cryptogram puzzle. Ann graded papers and got ready for class. It was very quiet here because while Ryan was administering his final exams Andrea was taking Gracie to a local salon to get her hair braided in tiny braids. We are not sure what our schedule will look like for next week so today was a the best day. We have gotten a few comments on the blog and appreciated them immensely. Art

Wednesday July 24

Blog 724

Ann's class yesterday was given the assignment of making game pieces for certain activities used as competitive ways to have children review Bible lessons. It was fun to watch the energy they put into their cutting, marking and gluing of the colorful materials provided. By the time they finished the tables were piled high with zip lock bags each containing the instructions and parts necessary to conduct fun review and memorization activities with children. One of the activities was to make a bean bag. Mary and I walked over to the market to purchase a 25 kilo bag of rice for the insides. Nobody thought the old man (a term I seem to hear more often each day I am here) could carry fifty pounds across the parking lot and up the steps to the college so one of the shop keepers handled the chore. Mary had no idea that the large bag had been purchased with the idea that what was left would be a gift from us to her and her family. The smiles on their faces when we told them as they were getting out of the pickup indicated that our little thank you gift could not have been more appreciated. 

The plan for supper was to walk across the fields to Silas' brother's house if it was not raining. It wasn't actually raining but it was threatening and Silas feared the roads would be too muddy. With the new top we have the advantage of rain shield but the problem of getting enough fresh air to dispel the exhaust fumes. On the main road air coming in from the front vented area is adequate but on the muddy back roads the supply of fresh air was a bit marginal. The great thing about being here is that there're always ways to improve make something better out of what you have to work with.  We arrived in just a few minutes and were welcome into a small sitting room with chairs and couches lining the walls each one fronted by a coffee table.  While we were waiting for dinner Gracie taught Hillary our faithful pickup chauffeur to play Rock Paper Scissors. He is very quick to catch on to our games and was very quickly out in the lead much to the amusement of all the guests.  The dinner was served in the insulated serving dishes common here in Kenya. Rice, potatoes, chicken, beans and lentils were on the menu tonight. Silas' sister-in-law is a specialist in cooking chicken. I would share some of her special recipe tricks but we were all sworn to secrecy. We got home well after 9:00 which is long after dark. The day/night ratio is almost equal here year round so sunrises and sunsets vary little from six o'clock morning and night. Walking the muddy roads and paths would have been quite a challenge especially with the kids who were pretty tired by that time of night. 

It is now Thursday morning. We left home four weeks ago today. This morning since Ryan left we have been working on making game pieces to help those who missed class yesterday or struggled to finish. Gracie and Caleb joined in cutting and pasting and picking out appropriate stickers when game pieces required them. They are such a big help in so many ways. Kenyans love children and they make a bridge many many times. Time to get ready to go with Ann to class thanks for you interest and your prayers. 

Wednesday

Blog 723

One of the things that is always interesting to me when I go to a new place is to find out where's north south east and west.  In Kenya it was easy because the first morning the sun peaked in our bedroom window as it came up early in the morning. One thing that is a little disorienting is the fact that the sun is in the north. We are located on the equator and that means in this time of year the sun is north of us. Can you picture the southside being the shady side of the building. Although I started this yesterday it is now Wednesday afternoon. Rains have been coming with a lot more regularity. We were very happy to have the top on the little white pick up coming into Ziwa today. I am sitting here on the balcony of the Bible college watching the rain come more and more heavy. Ann andI made the trip to Ziwa this morning make preparations for her class this afternoon. I was at the printer for about four hours straight. Then she and I collated things for the rest of the week and for next week. The lecture portion of the classes will end on Friday. Next week the students will have assignments which will include watching DVDs and filling out worksheets. There will also be assignments from this week that will be due the first part of next week. To talk here is all about there are only two days left out of this three week session. As I'm standing here outside the door of the classroom Gracie and Caleb are standing on the railing watching the rain. They have been loving watching the downpours that are typical here in Africa. Gladys will be leaving Saturday to go to her job which is a different part of Kenya.  We are going to be eating at Silas's brothers tonight.  Happily that will give Gladys a break from cooking. Silas decided to stay home and take some time to be with his wife this afternoon.  That is just a quick update from Kenya for today. We thank God that he is answering your prayers and that all is well here. Until

next time. Art

Ziwa from Bible College balcony

Creative game creation

Students creating review games in Ann's Teaching Children class. 

We got a top on our pickup

We are now sheltered from rain and dust to the great amusement of the local children. 

A plate of food Kenyan style!!

All aboard from Ziwa to Silas's

Gathering eggs with Silas

Family song time

Gracie sporting her new Kenyan head dress. 

Street scene in Eldoret