09 November 2006

Goat Skull, Seasonal Lake, the Road, Bird Nests






As we left Nairobi and drove through Thika and on towards Mwingi, the scenery was green and lush. But it changed rapidly as we dropped in elevation. Nairobi is almost a mile in elevation; Garissa is at only 600 feet above sea level. It’s an arid area and suitable only for grazing livestock. As a matter of fact, 80% of Kenya is ASAL – Arid and Semi-Arid Land.
We saw lots and lots of goats, donkeys, camels, and cattle, to be sure!
There are many seasonal rivers throughout the area. Except when it rains and the rivers roar with rushing water, they remain bone dry. There are also a few seasonal lakes, like this one.

Baobob Trees



The baobab (or monkey bread tree) are native to Africa and Australia. They reach heights of 15-80 feet, and up to 23 feet (exceptionally 36 feet) in trunk diameter. They are noted for storing water inside the swollen trunk, with the capacity to store 32,000 gallons of water to endure harsh drought conditions. All occur in seasonally arid areas and are deciduous - shedding their leaves during the dry season. Some are reputed to be thousands of years old. Because the wood doesn’t produce annual growth rings, this is impossible to verify.



Besides the prolific and many-varied Acacia trees, the Baobob - at least in my mind - has to rank as the 2nd quintessential tree of Kenya (and perhaps all of Africa). They are almost amusing. They appear to me to be akin to a young child's drawing of a tree. I enjoy viewing them. God certainly expressed Himself creatively in the earth's variety of plant and animal life.

By the way...

It seems there's been some problems with folks posting comments on my blog. You don't need a Google account. Anyone can post.

Just click the "Anonymous" circle, compose your comment (please leave your name at the end), and click the "Login and Publish" button. It's that simple!

03 November 2006

Me Teaching God's Word at Kwa Njenga

Please pray that the ever-present communication gap isn't a hindrance to my teaching. Both Jeremiah and Karo are good interpreters, but still the three languages (American English, Kenyan English, and Swahili) can be confusing at times.


Jeremiah worshiping the Lord.



November Prayer Letter


Praise –
I recently joined four others for a 3-day trip to Garissa. One of our objectives was to encourage Rita, a Kenyan missionary. She teaches (as a volunteer) at the Bangale Primary School, in the hopes that she can be a witness for Christ among the Muslim population. I praise the Lord for safe travel, the opportunity to visit a very different and interesting part of Kenya, and also for the opportunity to encourage another missionary.
Recently I’ve “hosted” some fellow Omahans –
19-year old Travis (from a former church of mine): He spent ten days with me before going to South Sudan for two months with Samaritans Purse. I enjoyed introducing him to many of my friends and showing him various aspects of Kenyan life.
Chris, Erin, and Sonya (all in their 20’s): I exposed them to “normal” life in Kenya. Friday we had lunch – a feast – at Karo and Jeremiah’s house in Kayole. On Saturday, we took an adventurous tour of Kibera slums. While there, we ministered to a man we happened to meet. Sunday we attended the service at Karo and Jeremiah’s church in Kwa Njenga. Even though Chris, Erin, and I are from the same city, we met here in Kenya. I’m continually amazed at how God connects people.
Prayer Items –
Please pray for Rose, Sammy, Masha, and Esther as they take their KCSE exams. This is the climax of ones secondary school education in Kenya. Much emphasis is placed on the results.
Please pray for Karo and Jeremiah’s new business. They’ve opened a small shop (located right outside their house) to sell milk and other staple items. The profit margin on such businesses is small. Please pray that the Lord would prosper it and bring them many customers.
Please continue to pray for me as I teach at their church once a month. Besides the obvious language barrier (even with interpretation), there are many other hindrances to effective communication – babies crying unrelentingly, stifling hot air in the iron sheet building, nauseating smells from the pit latrine, the next door neighbor’s loud TV, rain leaking through the roof (in rainy season), etc.
Also, please pray for them regarding their landlady. Their church currently meets in a small school. She’s difficult to work with, to say the least.
Please pray for Rita as she serves the Lord in a challenging and lonely place.
As always, please pray that I’ll stay focused on the ministry God has assigned to me.
* * * * *
“All God’s people are ordinary people who have been made extraordinary by the purpose He has given them.” - Oswald Chambers
* * * * *
If you’d like to contribute to my financial needs:
Use my Omaha address (I’ll receive 100% of your contribution) –
Deb Smith
PO Box 34083
Omaha, NE 68134
[Make the check payable to Deb Smith]
Or, you can obtain a tax receipt (I’ll receive 90% of your contribution) –
Ripe For Harvest
2824 N. Power Rd. #113282
Mesa, AZ 85215-1674
[Put #98 on the memo line of your check]
[Make the check payable to Ripe For Harvest]
* * * * * *
My prayer is that this could be said of me –
“The teacher taught the plain truth, and she did so in an interesting way. A wise teacher’s words spur students to action and emphasize important truths.” Ecclesiastes 12:10, 11

"Joy Shop" - Karo and Jeremiah's Kiosk


Please pray that the Lord would prosper this small business venture! They long to become self-sufficient financially.

Rita - Serving in Bangale

01 November 2006

My Friends' Quest to Identify Their Passion and Purpose

Judith


Michael & Kim


Robert


“Deb, how do you measure ‘success’ in your ministry?”

Michael, a quite insightful friend of mine, asked me this intriguing question recently.

A short time ago, Robert acknowledged that he’s yet to discover his purpose. A few days later, with the concept obviously still on his mind, he asked if I might have a hunch regarding it.

Kim, another insightful and curious young man, is – right now – intentionally exploring this very idea. He’s putting pen to paper in a pro-active attempt to compose a mission statement for his life. Once he has that successfully done, he will be better able to govern all of his decisions.

In the past several months, Judith has done some self-discovery exercises. As a direct result of that investigative process – and in spite of some trepidation – she has recently taken the courageous steps of quitting her job and moving in order to pro-actively pursue her purpose!

How exciting it is to see people, not only showing an interest in and beginning their quest to identify their passion and purpose, but to also take the necessary steps in order to pursue it!

I celebrate my friends’ probing efforts as they move forward on their own personal paths in life!

[article continued on next post]

Examples of Kenyans Who Have Pursued Their Passion With Zeal

The nation of Kenya has some remarkable – and famous – examples of people who have not only discovered their passion, but have pursued it with zeal. I admire each and every one of them!

Perhaps my (above mentioned) friends will one day join this illustrious hall of fame!




Congestina Achieng has an undying passion for boxing. As a single mother, she has fought all odds and discouraging setbacks. In spite of a lack of money and public criticism, she has now gained respect and some major titles. “Conje” is currently training in the United States.



Wangari Maathai founded the Green Belt Movement and for nearly thirty years has mobilized poor women to plant 30 million trees. In the process of chasing after her dreams, Maathai stood up courageously against the former oppressive regime in Kenya. She suffered much public ridicule and was even jailed. By simply following her passion, she was awarded the 2004 Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of her “contribution to sustainable development, democracy, and peace”.


Mzee Kimani Maruge, a poor farmer and a widower with thirty grandchildren, entered primary school at the incredible age of 84. He simply wanted to learn how to read the Bible. At lunchtime, his teacher allows him to go home and care for his goats. He’s now in the Guinness Book of World Records as the oldest primary school student in the world. In 2005, Maruge boarded a plane for the first time in his life to address the United Nations Millennium Development Summit (in NYC). He spoke on the importance of free primary education.



Fidelis Wainaina quit her teaching job to unselfishly help peasant farmers achieve food sufficiency. She operates at a village level to keep children off the streets, enabling families who are led by widows or orphans to continue farming their land in a sustainable way. By simply pursuing her passion, she was awarded the 2006 African Green Revolution Yara Prize in Oslo, Norway. The prize includes a cash gift of $90,000.



Phillip Boit will forever be in the record books as one of the first two Africans to ever compete in the 1998 Winter Olympics. In spite of the fact that he hails from a country where most citizens have never even seen snow, he has now competed in three Winter Olympics as a cross-country skier. “Someone will find their way to the mountains if they really want to.”

[article continued on next post]