June Prayer Letter

Please join me in praying for the following items:

1. Safety while on the road - My mom and I will be on the road from the 4-13th. We'll spend some time in Ohio with Naomi and her family. We're taking Aaliyah with us and returning with Terran. We'll also stop along the way to see two of my aunts.
2. I will be flying to Las Vegas on the 25th to spend a few days with my son, Zach.
3. I only have 6 weeks remaining in the States before I head back to Kenya. While I'm very eager to return to my "2nd home", I do struggle at times to reconcile living in two different parts of the world. Just as I long to see my Kenyan friends, simultaneously I experience tension as I start to emotionally separate from friends and family members here.
4. Pray that I'll accomplish all God has in mind for me in these last few weeks.

Thank you so much for joining me in prayer about these issues! I appreciate it greatly!

Focused Leaders

Focused leaders:

• Are intentional about their personal growth and development
• Live in alignment with God’s calling on their life
• Have the courage to live before an audience of One rather than seek the approval of many
• Are committed to expanding the Kingdom

Statistics show that only 30% of leaders finish their lives well. Leaders who finish well are:

• Still in love with the Lord
• Still in love with Scripture
• Still growing and learning
• Increasing in ministry effectiveness
• Their legacy is still intact

It's my desire to be a focused leader and to finish well!

Paul said in Acts 20:24, “I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me.”

Acts 13:36 (Message) says, “David completed the work God set out for him.”

At the end of my life, I want to hear, 'Well done, my good and faithful servant!'

Kakuma Refugee Camp

Kim and I both know several refugees that have lived at Kakuma Refugee Camp. They've come from Sudan, Rwanda, and other countries. Because we've heard their stories, we really wanted to see it with our own eyes.

The camp is run by the UNHCR (United Nations High Commission for Refugees). At the peak of the exodus from south Sudan, 90,000 people called this informal settlement "home". The population has since decreased somewhat, as some of the refugees from south Sudan are returning home. The current influx of refugees are from the Darfur area of Sudan.

Kim and I spent 3 days there, and stayed right in the camp (at the compound for US FilmAid, an agency of the UNHCR). We learned so much!

More at the Refugee Camp

This is a "video hall".
It looks like they're advertising a soccer match for the next showing.

Sudanese kids

We ate at Franco's (considered the best place to eat in the entire camp). They serve Ethiopian food.

We had injera (fermented rice) with beef and vegetables. It was delicious.

Samuel served as our guide on a walking tour through the camp. It was most fascinating!

Food Distribution at the Refugee Camp

These large tents are where the food is stored. The Lutheran church handles all of the food distribution.

The residents are given non-perishable staple food items. We were privileged to get a rare tour of the distribution area. Again, very fascinating!

Aaliyah and Tony

WHAT a couple of pills!

Please note: On the right-hand column, you'll notice a hotlink called "Video of Aaliyah". If you click on it, you'll be able to view a fun 27-second video of her.

This was a "test" of sorts. I hope to do more such videos when I'm in Kenya, so you'll be able to view the sights and sounds of that foreign land!

A Special Prayer Request

You may recall that my mud house in Matunda was broken into last December (just before I came back to the States). At that time, my bicycle, solar panels, and radio were stolen.


I've just been informed by Collins that it was broken into again :(

He says the culprit may have come in through the roof, but isn't sure. In looking around, he could only see that a few small items were taken. Things were also in disarray.

While disheartening and discouraging, I remain convinced that the Lord desires for me to live in this remote village area!

Nathan tells me often, "Deb, just by you living here... you're teaching all of us so many things! No one else like you - a "mzungu" (a white person) has ever lived here with us! It's a miracle!"

Please pray with me for divine protection over my possessions! Ask the Lord to grant me wisdom to know what other steps of security I may need to take.

Thank you so much for standing in agreement with me!

-deb

Kakuma Town

I still have some remaining photos from Kim's and my trip to Turkana land that I haven't yet posted. I hope you'll enjoy these from Kakuma town!

These men and women are buying kerosene to use for cooking fuel.
They use the yellow plastic "jerry cans" to store it.

Typical sights:
Trash and puddles on the side of the road, numerous bicycles,
Turkana men dressed in blankets,
and a matatu carrying piles of luggage on top
(in this case, it's more yellow plastic "jerry cans").

My friend, Kim, who (like me) is also plagued with wanderlust!

Notice the ladies carrying charcoal on their heads.

More women carrying charcoal on their heads.
I once purchased such a bag for use with my "jiko" in my mud hut.
Let me assure you, those bags are extremely heavy!

The barrier is used when "bandits" are active and security becomes an issue.

Another very, very common sight in Turkana land:

Men spending the entire day sitting in the shade of trees.
You can see a number of them in the background.
I'd love to know what they're discussing!

NOTE:
I tried my best to be fast and discreet.
However, this gentleman in the foreground noticed that I took a picture.
He yelled something to some of them in a very angry tone.
Kim is quite certain that if I'd tried to take one more photo,
we could likely have been attacked
(or at minimum, approached by an angry mob of men).
You may recall that in earlier posts,
I described this people group as being "bellicose" (warlike).