Teacher Seminar

Sharing with teachers has been our big passion. Integrating our teaching skills with our faith is something we both feel strongly about; being here in East Africa it has been a great privilege to spend time with other educators, encouraging them to take bold steps as they shape young lives.

On Tuesday we held a seminar for 21 teachers - a group of primary teachers from the Brook of Faith primary school (a Christian private school started with ELI) and Chebaiywa primary school (government school). Focusing upon the development of students, we encouraged teachers to move beyond the instructional curriculum to also focus upon the heart needs of children. Our discussions centered upon formative instruction, learning styles, and critical thinking...all topics Mark and I love to talk about. Challenging teachers to think about the unique opportunity they have to shape the hearts of students, not only their minds, we hope that our seminar and exploration of the scriptures will bear much fruit in the lives of children.

Oreos and Ice Cream!

Sunday nights with kids from the Children's Home continue. This Sunday we had Ebby, Olivia, and Sharon over to share a meal. We enjoyed hearing about their dreams for the future and their passion for service. Sharon wants to be a musician, Ebby a pastor, and Olivia a professor - great aspirations for young girls of 13, 11, and 10 years of age! As this photo shows we also enjoyed sharing a dessert from America with them!

Movie Night!

What would you do if you found that the kids you hang out with loved science and nature and you have access to an awesome video about the world? Host a movie night, of course!

We had great fun organizing a 'night at the movies' for all of the children and teachers at Brook of Faith primary school. Then we had the idea to make it a REAL movie night by giving a bag of popcorn to each person who came. During a recent trip to Kipkarren market we saw a popcorn machine outside of a little shop; making arrangements for the purchase of 350 bags of popcorn took a little arranging but 3 large burlap sacks and 4 big plastic shopping bags later we got it taken care of.

"Planet Earth - Shallow Seas" was our movie offering and everyone LOVED it, especially the parts about Humpbacked Whales and Great White Sharks! Mark opened the evening by reading from Genesis, emphasizing the creation of the seas and sea creatures. The buzz in the room was great as the children and teachers marveled over God's creativity. We hope to have another movie in the future and share more about His wonderful creations!

Graduation Day!

Today the students from the Sustainable Agriculture and Community Development Programme held their graduation ceremony at the Kipkarren Training Centre. By our estimate over 500 people were in attendance to celebrate their accomplishment. It is our prayer that each student will a change agent in their community, bringing new ideas to inspire their villages toward increased agricultural productivity, food security, and knowledge that God is the great provider of all things!

Hair cut!

Mark noticed that the kids at the Children's Home had gotten haircuts...and wondered how they did it. We found they have a hair razor here, which he was really missing. Needing a haircut himself Mark asked one of his buddies, Brian Kibet, to give him a haircut. It turned out great!

A Visit to the Eye Doctor

Recently my reading glasses broke. If I was in the USA I would just go to the Dollar Store for a cheap replacement...but living here in the village my alternatives are limited. I was prepared for the 'functional' but unattractive solution that most missionaries would use - duct tape! Thankfully, a nicer alternative exists at the Chebaiywa Medical Clinic. Last year, due to training and assistance from churches and community groups in the USA, an eye clinic has been operating as part of the medical clinic. Last summer, people had the opportunity to have their eyes tested and glasses made right in the village! Knowing that Dr. Julius has been well trained I thought I'd see if he could help me out with a new pair of reading glasses. My examination was carefully done and happily I ended up with a new pair of glasses that have helped me continue studying and preparing for the numerous sharing opportunities I have each week. It was a GREAT visit to the eye doctor!

A Day at the Office

Much of the work Cathy and I do requires a bit of studying, preparing, and writing. There are the daily devotions at the Children’s Home, the Teacher’s Seminar coming up on July 27^th, preparation for the graduation of the Training Center’s Agricultural and Computer Programs, and most recently a new Bible study for some of the agricultural students staying at the Training Center. I am also still preparing to teach a new course called Comparative Religions this upcoming school year. All of this means quite a few hours down at the gazebo by the river, affectionately known as “the office”…and what an office it is! The “wall hangings” are beautiful 3D images of nature, “air conditioning”, a 674,215,897,325 gallon fishbowl (the Kipkarren River), an alarm and security system that runs on leftovers and dog food (a local dog that has adopted us), and a sprinkler system that functions most every day in the late afternoon (rainy season here).

The office happens to be the best zone for connecting to the internet. Who needs a TV for local news? Just look out and watch the latest developments at the water project. Now THAT’S local news. If you hang around enough you might catch the latest cobra snake snapping at the behind of an innocent bystander (that was me… thanks Wayne for frantically yelling, “Mark! Move away from there!” I actually listened. No harm done.)

Directly above “the office”, high up in a tree is an eagle’s nest… home to two awesome and quite large eagles. One morning we discovered one of the eagles walking and standing in “the office”. As we got closer, we realized the poor magnificent bird was injured. As the “security system” approached, the eagle spread its wings, stretched out flat on the cement floor and hissed. The “security system” ran away. I took multiple pictures and video of the injured bird throughout the day. Eventually it hopped/flew over the fence and into a bush. Nearby an elderly man saw this incredible creature and began making his way towards it. He motioned to me as if to say, “Did you see that?!!!” I acknowledged I did with an attitude of awe. As the man got closer to the eagle, I wondered what he was going to do. In a split second, he raised his walking cane and clubbed the bird to death. One quick swift blow to the head and this magnificent bird became idle, one claw quivering. With a bit of pride the old man picked the eagle up by one wing and raised it high as if it were a trophy. Then just as quickly he threw it back into the brush. Needless to say, my jaw was hanging wide open. What had I just witnessed? My friend Wayne and I just turned around, went back into the “office” rather stunned. “They don’t treat eagles here in Kenya like we do back home… do they Wayne?” “Nope.” Later that day, and for several days following, the locals explained to Wayne and I that those eagles come and snatch up their little chicks, which are quite significant to their families for economic reasons. As one House Parent told us, when the eagle takes a chick that the children were trying to raise, it brings them to tears. So, I guess they treat eagles like snakes… if you see one, KILL IT! The surviving eagle can still be seen from time to time. We have been thinking… perhaps the snake went after the cobra, the cobra won the battle, and the eagle was stunned from the venom. We really don’t know… but that’s a day at the office.

Sunday Night Suppers

Our great love for the kids at the Children's Home has given us a fun idea...Sunday Night Suppers. Each Sunday evening we invite three kids from the home for 'chakula toka Amerika' (food from America). The idea has been well received and we're finding it an incredible opportunity to spend some quality time with the kids.

The first week we invited three boys who we affectionately call 'the Brians'. It was a great time to joke around as well as spend some time investing in them spiritually. Drama is something the kids love so they spend a good chunk of time after supper digging into Proverbs and planning out some skits to share at nightly devotions when Mark teaches. This week was "Girls Night" and Magdaline, Veronica, and Stella were our guests. Our menu of hamburgers, pineapple coleslaw, and peach iced tea was named 'sweet' by all. We introduced them to another American favorite for dessert...Oreo cookies and milk! Teaching them how to dip their biscuits (British term for cookies) was great fun! Afterwards the girls requested that we teach them how to use the computer - they ended up typing letters to Kimberly which was so sweet. We are very grateful for the chance to pour overselves into this young lives!

What does a shilling buy?

We went to the Kipkarren outdoor market Sunday afternoon. Here's what we bought for $2.56:

9 oranges

a head of cabbage

3 large tomatoes

about 4 pounds of potatoes

two small bunches of spinach

a large avocado

several onions

Today we filled up the gas tank of our vehicle. This wasn’t as economical as the vegetables and fruit. The fuel cost over $100! 'Petrol' is currently about $5.30 a gallon. Obviously our greatest expense while being here will be transportation costs as we move about for ministry and just taking care of life. :)

Our First Drive to Eldoret Town

After two years of owning our Mitsubishi Pajaro, several hundred dollars of repairs, insurance, international drivers licenses, and petrol, I was able for the first time to actually drive the vehicle. It was a beautiful Tuesday morning, following the usual afternoon downpour of the day before, and the 6 kilometers of Kenyan reddish-brown dirt roads were their typical slimy, muddy selves. To those who know what it is like to drive in about 4 inches of freshly fallen snow, you know what I’m talking about!

It is difficult and actually silly to make the trip to Eldoret without hauling people and/or goods to and/or from the big city. Our maiden voyage was no exception. In the back of our jeep-like vehicle was a refrigerator in need of repairs. Since it took up the entire back of the Pajaro, William (the refrigerator’s owner) drove ahead of us in his smaller vehicle, thankfully providing direction and wisdom for navigating the notorious dirt roads. (William would use his vehicle to pick up extra passengers along the way.)

It is actually a story in itself just describing these “roads”. Cattle use them as well, not to mention the foot traffic, pikipikis (small motorcycles, often loaded with extra people and goods), tractors, an occasional pig wallowing in a puddle, etc. Since the local people are used to these heavy rains they control the water by crowning the roads with rather steep slopes on either side. This pretty much dictates your strategy when driving under wet and slick conditions… you stay in the middle of the road or risk slipping off into oblivion on one side or another. Usually it is just woods, weeds or a field you would slide off into, but the slopes off to the sides are often so steep it is impossible to keep your vehicle from rolling on its side. This is just to keep the pressure on to keep from getting too far over. If there is actually some sort of deep ravine off the side they sometimes build what I call Kenyan guardrails… a row of pretty tough weeds and bramble, pulled and strategically placed to indicate danger. All of this being said, you might be asking yourself, “What if another vehicle is coming in the other direction?” Yes… well… in our maiden voyage, we only encountered cows. I stayed in the middle and they managed to walk around us.

There are various strategies to travel these local roads. Some feel speed is essential to maintain momentum through the mud, especially approaching inclines. However, I chose to shift into 4WD Low, never get beyond 2^nd gear, and follow the heart of the tortoise. Ahead of me was William the hare. His back end swerved from one side of the sloped road to the other, probably in 3^rd gear, but actually moving forward much slower due to the additional distance from going side to side. My slow and steady pace kept our vehicle much straighter, in the middle of the road, and probably saved one or two heart valves from rupturing. I just kept telling myself, “Since we have William’s fridge in our car I don’t want to make the ride too bumpy.”

It took 30 minutes to travel just under 4 miles and then we finally made the tarmac (asphalt “highway”). Only about 20 more miles to go to our destination… Eldoret. Truthfully, I could easily turn this short story into a novel but I will just say a few more things. I still have not figured out if the highway is 2 or 4 lanes. Tarmac does not have mud, it has potholes, otherwise known as craters… which have mud in them… along with a few hubcaps, retreads and other broken automobile parts (now that was an exaggeration). The general rule of thumb when driving on the highway is this… if there is space on the road, it was obviously meant for you. Oh yea, Cathy just reminded me of the “mutatu” drivers. Those are the many, many vans that travel up and down the highway as taxis. They clearly believe it is a 4 lane highway. These vans are probably 6 to 8 passenger vehicles, with legal capacity of 14, but I personally counted 19 in one of them. Horns are important when driving in Kenya. Blinkers mean something, but usually not as directional indicators. And headlights, well, I think they mean that they are not stopping or getting over regardless of which of the 4 lanes they are in.

In the end, Cathy and I now feel that we can be a blessing to others as we make the journey from village to city, instead of being at the mercy and graciousness of others. Here are some facts to ponder. Though Cathy can purchase about a weeks supply of fruits and vegetables locally for about $2, just to get to the city of Eldoret costs approximately $16 dollars (over $5/gal). That doesn’t include the wear and tear on the vehicle. We truly do thank God for the provision of what seems to be a sturdy and trustworthy vehicle, very much needed to get around here in Kenya. And if you think the roads are an adventure wait until you read about our “office”.

I Thess 5:18 Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God.

Week Two - Saturday, July 3rd

Sunday morning services at the Kipkarren UPEC Church were very lively. The majority of the children from the primary school and children’s home attend so the service is full of kids! Morning worship is very active with lots of dancing by several choirs. Much of the service is in Kiswahili so Mark is being challenged to listen for the words he has learned this week.

Next door to the church is a hospice ministry, The Living Room. One of the residents there, and elderly man named Stephen, accepted Christ this week. He is struggling with several health issues but is so joyful! After church the entire congregation gathered under the mango trees outside for his baptism. It was a wonderful experience to see someone who is nearing the end of his earthly life eagerly step into eternal life with the Father. It was another time of great celebration!

This week we’ve been busy with lots of visits to the primary school, Children’s Home, and helping at the training centre. Mark & I are going to the Children’s Home each evening to participate in nightly devotions and we’ve having lots of fun getting to know the children better. The children we connected with last year have been so happy to see us and our friendships have continued to grow. We’ve had several opportunities to teach during the week and we’re developing more lessons about wisdom (Mark) and faith (Cathy).

Meeting with the Headmaster of Brook of Faith primary school earlier in the week was very productive. We’ve been invited to attend the Monday morning staff devotion next week and Mark will share. Plans have also begun for an educator’s retreat for the end of this month. We plan to invite the staffs of Brook of Faith and the local government primary school for a time of refreshment and encouragement.

This week we attended the ELI Training Centre staff devotion and we were introduced to those ministering at the TC through its many programs. We are helping Pastor Peter, TC director, make preparations for the graduation of 34 students from the Agriculture & Community Development Training Programme.

Prayer Requests for the coming week:

1. Update on the child being abused with a hot knife like a branding iron: 3 yr old Sammy is living at The Living Room for a season as he heals from his injuries. He is cared for by loving Christians but struggles to adjust. It is obvious he has seen many bad things in his short life. Pray that he learns to accept the unconditional love of his caregivers and stops being fearful.

2. Mark continues to study Kiswahili. Cathy will meet with her Kalenjin teacher on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Pray that our minds can absorb a new language and that we’ll communicate boldly the few words we know. J

3. We’ve begun driving the dirt roads in the village, even after a bad rainstorm! All has gone well and we want our vehicle to be a blessing to our ministry in Kipkarren/Cheibaiywa.

4. Pray for the planning and venue for the educator retreat at the end of this month. We anticipate about 25 teachers will attend – not all know Jesus as Savior so it will be a good opportunity to share about Him!

**Internet connections are challenging but we still hope to post weekly updates.

Power of Water - Friday

This morning we read our devotions as we often do, at the gazebo down by the Kipkarren River. It is a place of great beauty – we really love the sound of the water passing by as we read and pray. Of course, the view is changing as the water project continues.

This afternoon, after a long rainstorm that included torrential rain and hail, we were called down to the gazebo. The rains had caused such a rise in the water that parts of the bank were washed away. One large tree right next to the gazebo fell into the river, along with a large portion of the garden land. Check out these pictures to see the power of water!