Miscellaneous Items of Interest at Kakuma Town

These young boys, unlike their elders, didn't mind getting photographed!
The one fellow is selling "groundnuts" (peanuts)
in the cones of recycled paper.
Kim and I bought some from him.

The above 2 photos are of dung beetles.
Dung beetles feed partly or exclusively on feces.
Many, known as rollers, are noted for rolling dung into spherical balls (with their hind legs), which are used as a food source or brooding chambers.

These young lads are selling hard-boiled eggs.
We bought some from them on two occasions.
Many children in Kenya do not attend school, because of child-labor.

An interesting contrast of construction styles.
The structure in the foreground is someone's home
and is made out of sticks and odd pieces of cardboard, plastic, etc.
The other building is some sort of church, still under construction.

More from Kakuma Town and Vicinity

I loved the view of the small mountain ranges all along the horizon!

After arriving at Kakuma town,
Kim and I enjoyed a cup of Somali tea in a small cafe.
This woman sat outside the door for the entire time we were there.
The owner of the cafe tried to get her to move away from the door,
but she remained in the same exact place.
Eventually her husband came and they went on their way.

Yet more women carrying heavy bags of charcoal!
They'll walk and carry it in this fashion all the way to their homes,
which could be miles away!

After I took this picture
(discretely and from the safety of a vehicle),
one of the women hollered, "Camera!"
They all got angry and some dropped their bags of charcoal.
I was glad we were in a vehicle and could just drive away!

While I certainly never want to offend anyone,
my main motivation in taking such photos
is for those of you back in the States.
I simply want to share with you (as much as is possible)
what I'm experiencing in this most fascinating place called Kenya!

This man is carrying firewood.

6 Questions I’m Often Asked:

1) "How did you end up in Kenya?"

Well, the short answer is, "The Holy Spirit compelled me there."

The longer answer is - About the same time my kids were becoming adults and getting established on their own, during a period of about 3 years:

• I did much self-discovery re: my spiritual gifts, personality, etc
• I wrote a mission statement for my life and annual "assignments" from the Lord
• I put goals down on paper
• I spent serious time in the Word, in prayer, in fasting
• I got my passport after a sermon by my pastor and I told the Lord I was available to go
• I got my affairs in order; I sold my house and got rid of stuff

By then, I sensed the Lord was leading me specifically to Kenya

My 1st trip to Kenya was for one month in 2001. I went with two other ladies from my church. When I went, I thought it was just for that one month and then I'd go back to my normal life.

But... while there, I distinctly heard the Lord telling me to come back. I then sold my truck and a piece of land I owned and made preparations to go.

2) "What do you do in Kenya?"

First of all, let me say this: Effective ministry flows out of who we are and our relationship with the Lord. I am a human be-ing, not a human do-ing! My doing must flow out of my being first and foremost!

Mark 3:14 says, "And He ordained twelve, that they should BE with Him.... and that He might send them out to preach."

To answer the question more specifically... I actually do the same thing in Kenya that I did when I lived in the States.

• I lend a helping hand.
• I strengthen weak knees.
• I give a listening ear.
• I come alongside.
• I mentor, counsel, and advise.
• I awaken forgotten dreams.
• I break stereotypes and demonstrate thinking (and living) outside the box.
• I give a word that sustains folks in their weariness.
• I blow bubbles.
• I fly kites.
• I bake birthday cakes.

God sends me to the confused, the depressed, the hurting, the lonely, and the forgotten.

My motivating passion is to affect change in individual’s lives.

God has equipped me to do this effectively through one-on-one relationships with an intentional goal of mentoring in tangible and practical ways.

God has used the pain of my divorce as I especially come alongside and encourage single parents and their children.

By investing my time and energy with key people, I am leaving a lasting impact on my generation.

Currently I am compelled by the Holy Spirit to eat, sleep, and play in close proximity with Kenyans.

A second way I impact others is through the gift of writing my stories. I foresee publishing more books as God leads.

As I continue to obey God’s leading, He will reveal more and more of the jigsaw puzzle of His calling on my life. I will know I have been effective in fulfilling my calling when I observe those I’ve impacted embracing what I’ve modeled and taught and then in turn passing it on to others. My aim in life is to fulfill my purpose in my generation.

Mother Teresa said, "It is very fashionable to talk about the poor. Unfortunately, it is not so fashionable to talk to the poor."

Well… I not only talk to the poor, I listen to the poor. I eat with and play with the poor. God has cleverly engineered circumstances to connect me to a handful of individuals to whom he wants me to minister. They live in the urban slums and in the rural villages.

They’ve become my close friends.

Let me tell you very briefly about just a few of them:

• Karo and Jeremiah – Together, they pastor a small church in an urban slum. They receive no salary. They walk through the mud to reach the crudely constructed church building.
• Collins, Masudi, Deng Deng – Through myself and other friends and supporters, these 3 boys are able to attend high school because we pay their school fees. Deng Deng is an orphaned Sudanese refugee. Collins and Masudi, both Kenyans only have a mother.
• Charles and Agnes - I had the incredible experience of helping to deliver Duane (named for my dad). On a cold, rainy night, this little baby was born on the ground; I tied and cut his umbilical cord and had the privilege of holding him for the first hour of his life. It will likely remain a highlight of my time in Kenya
• Siaya well - One of my supporters sent money for this poor, rural family to have a well. Before that, they walked a mile to get water from a stream that was unfit for human consumption! It was also used to water livestock and for laundry and bathing.
• Martin – He is the son of a poor and landless rural family that struggles just to eat each day.

3) "What’s it like to live in a foreign country?"

One of Myles Munroe’s definitions for the word PASSION is: "Something you’re willing to do at the expense of your own comfort".

Living in a different culture is not easy. Coming to visit for a couple of weeks is easy for most people. But living there long term isn’t always easy. It takes the grace of God.

Some areas that are difficult for me:

• Food is something that is very much a part of all of us. Well, in Kenya, the food can be rather bland and monotonous, as well as rather strange:

1. Ugali – staple food: tasteless, made of boiled corn flour and water
2. Tilapia – a fish served whole (eyes and all)
3. chicken – served as a stew or soup, often with the head and the feet
4. live termites – eaten raw, right out of the ground (wings and all)
5. roasted grasshoppers

But… I've learned to eat whatever is prepared for me. I love chai (tea brewed with milk). In fact, I've adopted their motto - "anytime is tea time")

• Diseases: malaria, typhoid, typhus, amoebic dysentery, parasites under my skin – I’ve had them all! I was once hospitalized for 10 days with malaria.
• Worship music and flow of church services – The music in most churches doesn’t sit well with me; it's hard to enter into worship. It's hard to follow the preaching. In many rural churches, the men and women sit on different sides.
• Social interactions – Kenyans are very formal in their greetings; shaking hands is almost mandatory. One should ask permission before leaving someone’s house.
• Thought process – Kenyans’ reasons and ways of doing things can be very different than mine. I often ask God to help me understand how Kenyans think!
• Colonial mindset - Unfortunately there is a prevailing mindset that whites are superior. I actually fight this stereotype every day I'm in Kenya.
• Language barriers - Although Kenyans do speak English, often we can struggle to be on the "same page".
• People constantly starring at me simply because I have white skin

In many ways, I live like the Kenyans I minister to:

I ride public transportation (matatus). I ride a bike. I walk in the mud and slosh through the puddles.

These facts alone help me relate better to those God has connected me with.

At my house in Matunda (made of mud with a grass thatch roof):

• I get water out of a well
• I squat to use a pit latrine
• I use a kerosene cooker and lantern
• The closest electricity is 3 miles away
• I take “splash” baths out of a basin of cold water

When I spend the night at friends' houses, I'm not above sleeping on the floor (even with cockroaches) or sleeping on an extremely uncomfortable homemade grass mattress.

4) "Is it safe to be in Kenya?"

I firmly believe the “safest” place to be in the whole wide world is in the center of God’s will.

John Piper, in Don’t Waste Your Life, says, “Paul never knew where the next blow would come from. Every day he risked his life for the cause of God. The roads weren’t safe. The rivers weren’t safe. The cities weren’t safe. The wilderness wasn’t safe. The sea wasn’t safe. Safety was a mirage. It didn’t exist for the apostle Paul. He had two choices: waste his life or live with risk. He never knew what the day would hold. But the Calvary road beckoned. And he risked his life every day."

5) "Do I miss my kids and grandkids?"

The answer is “YES, I do miss them!” I miss my family and my friends. But, in spite of that, I strongly believe Kenya is where the Lord wants me.

Oswald Chambers says,

"Where does Jesus Christ figure in when we have a concern about our natural relationships? Most of us will desert Him with this excuse – 'Yes, Lord, I heard You call me, but my family needs me and I have my own interests. I just can’t go any further' (Luke 9:57-62). 'Then,' Jesus says, 'you cannot be My disciple.' (Luke 14:26-33). True surrender will always go beyond natural devotion. If we will only give up, God will surrender Himself to embrace all those around us and will meet their needs, which were created by our surrender. Beware of stopping anywhere short of total surrender to God."

6) "How long will I be in Kenya?"

I can't say for sure.

This I do know: God created me for His purposes and He prepared me in so many little ways to live in Kenya. I’m actually more comfortable in Kenya than I am in the States! I believe that I’ll continue to spend the majority of my time in Kenya for many years to come.

May Prayer Letter - God is good all the time!

Let me share a praise report about my recent 11-day trip through 3 states, 4 cities and in 5 different homes:

The entire trip - by car, bus, and plane - was incredible! It was a journey of re-connecting with folks I've met in Kenya!

I started off by driving through the night with Naomi and her kids. They'd been in Omaha for a few days and were returning to their home in Cleveland, Ohio. It was great to hang out with them at their home for a couple of days. I even played with Tony in the recent 18-inch snow they'd gotten!

My next stop was Cincinnati, Ohio to see Edith and Peter. While there, I went to one of the city's parks and also a conservatory. The plant and flower displays were spectacular!

Peter and Edith had 6 others over that I've gotten to know in Kenya. Four of the eight are Kenyans, so it was wonderful to hear the Kenyan accent again! We had a wonderful time of catching up with one another! I also attended their Wednesday night church service. It was my 2nd time to be at their church. As I left Cincinnati, I was surprised when 4 different people handed me gifts of money. God is so good!

Next was Shelbyville, Kentucky to stay with Randy and his wife, Marti. Again, a gathering of about 8 folks came over one evening. Four of them had just been in Kenya in February, so it was great to hear the report of their trip while we ate some fun food! A friend of Randy's stopped over one day. He's was a complete stranger to me, but he felt compelled to give me a great big bear hug and pray for me. It was cool!

I got to watch "End of the Spear" (the movie about Jim Elliot, Nate Saint, and the other missionaries that were killed in Ecuador). It was excellent!

Their daughter (who I also met in Kenya) was excited to get my book. Randy and his wife gave me money to buy a new bike for Matunda (since my other one was stolen). Again, I was pleasantly surprised! God is so good to me!

I next went to stay with Tom and Trish in Mt.Vernon, Illinois. They had a large gathering of folks over one evening (and more great food). Most of them I'd met in Kenya, but some were new to me. Actually... there was a continual parade of folks stopping by to see me the whole time I was at their house! It was pretty cool!

A good friend of theirs (who is now a new friend of mine) bought me a video camera! My goodness, the blessings seemed to never stop on this trip! It was amazing!

I watched "Pursuit of Happyness" with them. (It's an excellent true story, by the way, in case any of you haven't yet seen it.)

I spoke about my ministry at their church's Sunday morning service. I think it went well, especially judging by all the many comments I got afterwards. There was a potluck lunch afterwards. I really connected with a few of the folks, one of whom I gave my book to. Then, I did an hour Q/A session in the evening. The questions came non-stop. Often 5-6 hands would be up an one time! I thoroughly enjoyed it.

The church blessed me by spontaneously taking up a special offering. Again, I was not expecting anything of the sort! Many people told me that they believe God will greatly use my presence there to spur others towards missions.

I also stayed at Scott and Tammy's house. It was great to spend time with them again and to get to know their newly adopted 14-year old daughter - Araceli. She's a sweetie!

One evening, Tammy, Araceli, Katie (Tom and Trish's daughter), and I went to an Origami class. It was fun! The teacher spontaneously bought one of my books! I also spent some time talking to a wood carving teacher. He spontaneously gave me a carving knife and a gouger, plus a piece of wood to carve.

Scott, Tammy, Araceli, and I went to the St.Louis zoo and had White Castle cheeseburgers before I caught my plane home.

I marvel at how many people I've come to know in Kenya since I first went there! We have a special connection because of our similar experiences in that foreign land. It's so wonderful to get to spend time with them and share our stories with each other.

This trip was an amazing example of how God will bless us if we walk in His will!

"God guides, then provides!"

I sort of topped off my trip by going to a "welcome home" dinner a mere 2 hours after I arrived back in Omaha yesterday. It was held for Chis and Erin - 2 more neat people I've met in Kenya - who had just returned from a 9-week missions trip to India, Cambodia, and Thailand. It was a fun evening!

This Sunday, I met with a small group of folks that I also met in Kenya. Before we knew it, 3 hours had passed by. We were so engrossed in conversation, that we had no idea of the time.

Tomorrow night, I'm meeting with yet some more folks that share an interest in Kenya.

Relationships are so important! I feel blessed to know so many neat people!

To be sure... God is good all the time!

My Four Grandkids

Aren't they great?!

Terran is 12
Aaliyah just turned 4
Tony is 3
Mia is 10 months

Flight from San Juan, Puerto Rico to St.Croix

I was pleasantly surprised to see this little 8-seater plane for my 45-minute ride from one island to the next! There were only 2 passengers, plus the pilot.

I t-h-o-r-o-u-g-h-l-y enjoyed the flight!

It was an absolute blast!

Snorkeling at St.Croix

I went snorkeling for a solid hour. I also thoroughly enjoyed that experience! It was only my 2nd time to snorkel - the first was in the Indian Ocean, off the coast of Kenya.

This time, of course, was in the Caribbean Sea. The fish, plant life, and even the ocean floor was amazing and spectacular to behold! God's creative imagination displayed all over the world is incredible!

Info on Kenya

I thought you might like to read some of what I shared at Victory Christian Center in Mt. Vernon, Illinois -

Kenya gained her independence from Britain in 1963

Beautiful country!

Size of Texas; 75% of the country is ASAL (Arid and semi-arid land) – less than 10% of land is arable (able to grow crops)

Tea, coffee, sugar cane, fruit, flowers, corn, wheat

Tourism – one of biggest industries

Currency – Shilling (current exchange rate is about 68/= to 1 USD)

Located in East Africa – Indian Ocean on the east; neighboring countries are Tanzania, Uganda, Sudan, Ethiopia, and Somalia

Straddles the equator; majority of country (that isn't ASAL) enjoys a very temperate climate (70’s and 80’s year-round) – 2 rainy seasons - flooding is common during rainy seasons; recurring drought common during dry seasons

Mt. Kenya is tallest mountain (2^nd tallest in all of Africa) – about 17,000 feet high – snow on peaks year round

Population – 35 million; 42 different tribes

Protestant 45%, Roman Catholic 33%, Muslim 10%, indigenous beliefs 10%, other 2% - I often see taxi drivers reading their Bibles while waiting for the next customer – cyber cafes often play Christian music

Languages: English (official), Swahili (national), numerous indigenous (tribal) languages – I hear and speak a little Swahili, enough to get by – but most of the time, English works fine

75% of Kenyans live in rural areas / US is the exact opposite

50% unemployment

Nairobi – largest city and the capital – 3.5 million people – 50% live in dilapidated hovels in disgusting slums

Kibera – 2^nd largest slum in all of Africa – home to one million people – I’ve visited there numerous times; have been in homes and schools

Kenyan people - friendly, hospitable, warm welcome (even when guests are unexpected and even if they’re total strangers), content, hard workers, patient, respect elders, giving and selfless (will share a meal even if it’s all they have to eat; they would give the shirt off their back)

Kenyans appreciate the joy of simple pleasures. They display true contentment in the midst of dire poverty and daily struggles.

Really, they’re just like you and me. They have dreams. They fall in love. They want what’s best for their kids.