Ngong Hills - Hiking with Hannah

The church where we attended the Good Friday service meets in the large striped tent.

We really enjoyed worshiping with the congregation.

After attending a wonderful Good Friday service, my friend, Hannah, and I hiked up to the hills. We had a wonderful time enjoying the views and interacting with a few kids. It was her first time to be up there, but I've had the distinct pleasure of hiking them numerous times. I enjoy a fond fascination with them.

The full Maa word for the hills is 'Enkong’u-e-nchorro-emuny', but it was shortened to Ngong, by early explorers from Europe. A ridge of undulating hills, they are characterized by the four peaks that are the highest. The word means 'knuckles', and sure enough the peaks resemble the knuckles of a closed hand. The tallest peak is 8070 feet above sea level.

Maasai legend has it that the hills were created from a handful of earth that a giant clutched after falling over Mount Kilimanjaro (to the south in Tanzania).

On a clear day the Ngong Hills overlook the city of Nairobi. On the other side, one can view the Great Rift Valley dropping over 4,000 feet below, where Maasai villages dot the flat and arid landscape. The highest peak of the Ngong Hills is 8,070 feet above sea level.

During the years of British colonial rule, the area around the Ngong Hills was a major settler farming region, and many traditional colonial houses are still seen in the area. Local residents report seeing lions in the Hills during the 1990's.

In the 1985 film Out of Africa, the four peaks of the Ngong Hills appear in the background of several scenes near Karen Blixen's house.

Local Maasai graze their cattle, sheep, goats, and donkeys on the hills.

View looking toward the Great Rift Valley 4,000 feet below

Issac spent a lot of time with us, and we became good friends with him.

What’s in a Name?

"What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other word would smell as sweet." 

-Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet

The Swahili word for ‘white person’ is mzungu. While I've never heard it used in a derogatory way, I long ago grew weary of its use to greet me or to get my attention. I’m obviously a white person… but I don’t like being defined by my skin color. Most particularly, I do not like having all the assumptions that go with my skin color arbitrarily applied to me as a unique individual.

In my early years in Kenya, I made a couple t-shirts and this bag. Although making a strong statement, they also drew a lot of smiles and lighthearted conversation.

Similarly, I haven’t cared for what people do in Kenya to my very simple name – Deb. My given name is Debra and I went by Debbie during my childhood and teens. But for many decades now, I have much preferred to simply be called Deb.

Many of my British friends call me Debs. That seems rather odd to me; after all, I’m only one person!

Kenyans struggle to pronounce ‘Deb’ correctly, with it usually sounding like ‘dob’. Some call me Debu (pronounced Deb-oo). And of course, people always want to call me Debbie or insist on calling me Debra or Deborah - none of which I particularly care for.

However, I gained a new appreciation for the name Deborah when I recently re-read the story of Deborah in Judges four and five.

Deborah was an amazing woman. She was a prophet, a judge, and a spiritual leader for Israel. She sat under a palm tree, making decisions and settling disputes for her people. She desired to draw the Israelites back to following God and she knew action lay in her hands. As a woman, she boldly took initiative in a patriarchal society.

When she summoned Barak (Israel’s military commander), he was afraid to go to battle against Sisera (the general of their enemies) without Deborah by his side.

Deborah had no fear of going into battle and agreed to do so. But she proclaimed that the glory of the victory would not go to Barak… but to a woman.

God used another woman, Jael, to kill Sisera when he fearfully entered her tent. After the battle was over and the general of the enemy army was dead, Deborah composed a song praising God. In this victory song, she likewise praised Jael, calling her ‘most blessed of women’. Deborah also rejoiced that her people once again worshiped God.

Deborah was faithful to God and obedient to her calling. She modeled willing cooperation with God, offering all of herself – her gifts and her passion – for him to use.

Deborah boldly and fearlessly proclaimed the battle cry of ‘charge’, confidently knowing that God himself marched ahead of them. She rose up with abandon, while many Israelite men stayed back and played it safe… afraid to leave their comfort zones and the safety of their campfires and caves. When Deborah followed God’s plan for her life, even the stars in the sky joined in to bring her success.

Both Deborah and Jael were agents used by God for his purposes of justice and righteousness in the world. They were both heroines! After this incredible victory, brought about by two women, Israel had peace for forty years.

Like Deborah, I desire to offer my gifts and passion to God. I want to guide and encourage people to also offer themselves wholly to God.

Like Deborah, I desire to rise up and take my position in the world, obediently following God’s call on my life. 

Like Deborah, I desire to be fearless in the battles of life.

And from now on, if someone wants to call me Deborah… it’s very okay with me!

Who is Deb Smith? And what exactly does she do?

I recently had two of my blog pieces published in the Thrive online magazine:

• 'Measuring Success' 
• 'I am a Triangle'

In addition to those, they asked me to compose a piece about myself. Here's a teaser, but you can see the whole thing by clicking here.

Who knows? You just might learn something about me that you didn't know!

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My God-given assignment is simple, that of living out the second greatest commandment: Love your neighbor as yourself. God has me primarily focusing on single parents and their children, as an example of 2 Corinthians 1:4 - God comes alongside us when we go through hard times, and before you know it, he brings us alongside someone else who is going through hard times so that we can be there for that person just as God was there for us.

I am a proud mother of four children and have the joy of loving several delightful grandchildren ranging in age from six months to the oldest who is in college. After going through an unwanted divorce many years ago and continuing to homeschool my children as a single parent, I stand as an example that God’s joy and purpose for our lives rises up out of the ashes....

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Click here to see the rest of the piece.

Great quotes from missionaries

Friends, when we are living our lives intentionally we stumble into opportunities to be a blessing just by being ourselves and doing what we do.

What are you offering the world today? Perhaps we don’t know the big picture, or what exactly is going on behind the scenes, but our lives can be an offering if we’re intentional about doing the things we’re good at – a little at a time – to those already in our lives, and to those we “happen” to find crossing our paths.

~ Adriel Booker (missionary in Australia and Asia)

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I don’t want to grow old and one day look back on my life with regret that I didn't fulfill the call of Jesus on my life. I don’t want to be standing before Jesus one day, desperately trying to explain why I buried my life in the ground instead of multiplying it.

~ Kristin Jack (missionary to the urban poor in Cambodia)

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People seem to think that the moment you leave behind the securities of a job, insurance, or a home that you are being reckless. But there is a big difference between being reckless and trusting God.

People constantly ask if I'm being careful and safe. But in reality, those are two different things. You can be careful but not necessarily safe. In some ways, that is what it is to live life. You take precautions. But if you avoid anything that could turn into a dangerous situation, well that's not living, it's dying. You take a step of faith and pray that God's will be done.

You should not necessarily pray for safety. Gods will and safety do not always line up.

God calls us to roll up our sleeves and get our hands dirty. God calls us to step out of our comfort zone. God calls us to live dangerously. God calls us to do crazy things.

It doesn't matter how hard it is. It does not matter how many people advise me not to. It doesn't matter how messy and terrifying the job becomes. It doesn't matter how crazy it sounds.

I am surrendering to the insane.

~ Carissa (missionary to Guatemala and soon to Uganda)

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Being a cross-cultural worker overseas is hard. Crazy hard. Let me just confess - it's not all rainbows and beautiful adventures. We thought it was when we moved here, but we quickly realized otherwise. Is it life-changing and completely worth every drop of blood, sweat, and tears? If you are in the will of God, ABSOLUTELY!

~ Jillian Kittrell (missionary in Haiti)

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I’m what most people call a “missionary”. Yet, most days I am not so sure if I want that title. Being a “missionary” comes with expectations- expectations from supporters of how I should act, expectations from friends and family of being a super Christian or something, and expectations from locals of having unlimited money, resources, and an obligation to help all.

I don’t want to be called a missionary anymore. And my reason is this: I don’t want people to think I am better. I just live life loving the people God called me to love. And I imagine a lot of you are too. God has placed us all where He desires us to be on mission for His kingdom. He has placed all the people He wants us to love in our path. He has given all of us a part in His body. So let us all be missionaries. Not just me, but you too.

~ Jillian Kittrell (missionary in Haiti)

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You need to walk, not run. Your mission is not a marathon and you shouldn’t be in any rush to save the world tomorrow. If you want to last as a missionary or as someone who wants to help others for a long time, you need to go slow, take care of yourselves, and take care of your family.

~ Jillian Kittrell (missionary in Haiti)

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The Christian should never worry about tomorrow or give sparingly because of a possible future need. Only the present moment is ours to serve the Lord, and tomorrow may never come. Money is really worth no more than as it can be used to accomplish the Lord’s work. Life is worth as much as it is spent for the Lord’s service.

~ George Müller (19th century evangelist and defender of orphans)

Note: I don't know any of these people. I got the first six quotes from the blogs of the authors. 

And I recently happened upon George Müller's quote; it's one of many of his that I like. 

I'm posting the quotes here, because each one of them speaks to me. I hope you also like them!

True Fasting: Maintaining justice and doing what is right

Today marks the end of my 21-day Daniel fast, based on Daniel's life as recorded in the Bible:

Daniel determined that he would not defile himself by eating the king’s food or drinking his wine, so he asked the head of the palace staff to exempt him from the royal diet.  

“Try us out for ten days on a simple diet of vegetables and water. Then compare us with the young men who eat from the royal menu. Make your decision on the basis of what you see.” 

The steward agreed to do it and fed them vegetables and water for ten days. At the end of the ten days they looked better and more robust than all the others who had been eating from the royal menu. So the steward continued to exempt them from the royal menu of food and drink and served them only vegetables. (Daniel 1: 8-16)

Along with a few friends, I started my fast on Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the season of Lent. Basically I ate only things that come from plants - vegetables, fruit, whole grains, nuts, and seeds. I did not consume anything that comes from animals - meat, milk, eggs, cheese, etc. I also had no sweeteners, no caffeine, and no leavened bread.

We know from Matthew, chapter four, that Jesus fasted. Guess what? If we're a follower of his, then he also fully expects us to fast. This spiritual discipline is included in a list of three acts of righteousness in Matthew, chapter six: giving to the needy, prayer, and fasting. He said, 'When you give to the needy... when you pray... and when you fast.'

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However, Isaiah chapter 58, speaks of a different type of fasting. God calls it a true fast.

This is the kind of fast day I’m after:

•     to break the chains of injustice,

•     get rid of exploitation in the workplace,

•     free the oppressed,

•     cancel debts. 

What I’m interested in seeing you do is:

•     sharing your food with the hungry,

•     inviting the homeless poor into your homes,

•     putting clothes on the shivering ill-clad,

•     being available to your own families.

The book of Isaiah speaks a lot about justice:

• The Lord is a God of justice. (30:18)
• Maintain justice and do what is right. (56:1)
• We look for justice but find none. The Lord was displeased that there was no justice. (59:11, 15)
• I, the Lord, love justice. (61:9)

In fact, the theme of justice and doing what is right, is found throughout the entire scriptures:

• Keep the way of the Lord by doing what is right and just. Genesis 18:19
• David did what was right and just for all his people. 2 Samuel 8:15
• The proverbs of Solomon are for... doing what is right and just and fair. Proverbs 1:1-3
• To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice. Proverbs 21:3
• Josiah did what was right and just, so all went well with him. He defended the cause of the poor and needy. Is that not what it means to know me? Jeremiah 22:15-16
• Give up your violence and oppression and do what is just and right. Ezekiel 45:9
• What does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8
• I will come near to you for judgment. I will be quick to testify against... those who oppress the widows and fatherless, and deprive aliens of justice. Malachi 3:5
• Jesus: "You're hopeless, you Pharisees! Frauds! You keep meticulous account books, tithing on every nickel and dime you get, but manage to find loopholes for getting around basic matters of justice and God's love." Luke 11:42 (Message)

A few more related scriptures:

• For I desire mercy. Hosea 6:6
• Religion that God the father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. James 1:27
• Mercy triumphs over judgment. James 2:13

For the past sixteen years, I've been doing a variety of fasts as a spiritual discipline; I will likely continue to do so throughout my life. 

But I will also follow the true fast, as laid out by God. 

I will share my bread with the hungry and open my home to the homeless poor. My life will be characterized by removing the yolk of injustice and letting the oppressed go free.

Like Josiah, my aim is to do what is right and just. I shall defend the cause of the poor and needy. 

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Do you fast? 

If so, what kind - a fast centered around food for the physical body? Or maybe you've chosen to give up something non-food related for Lent - such as TV, the internet, etc. Either of these types of fasts are excellent ideas.

However... the question I want to leave with you is - 

Do you regularly participate in what God calls a 'true fast' as described in Isaiah, chapter 58?

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Note: both images taken from internet

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Gospel Lighthouse Churches honor Bishop Wanjala and his wife, Margaret

Bishop Justus Wanjala and his lovely wife, Margaret [Note: photo taken on a different day than the auspicious occasion]

Pastor Josiah Syanda with his wife, Josephine (in red), and Carol

Pastor Syanda and the Kayole branch of Gospel Lighthouse Church recently hosted a day to honor Bishop Wanjala and his wife for their many years of faithful service.

Many pastors from the ministry came from all over the country of Kenya to attend this special occasion.

Many of the faithful old-timers that served in the branch at Kayole were also in attendance. It was a great reunion seeing everyone and brought back so many good memories for me.

Bishop and Margaret's daughter, Esther, and Pastor Syanda's secretary, Linet

There was quite a time of celebration when they arrived in a caravan of cars!

There were joyous hugs all around when Bishop and Margaret arrived! 

I greatly admire Bishop and Margaret. They are incredible people and make a great team in the service of God's Kingdom. They've done so much for me and I truly count it a privilege to call them my dear friends.

Along with many others, I thoroughly enjoyed watching these four lift up praise and worship to God. They were an integral part of the  worship team when I first came to Kenya in 2001. Together, they were quite gifted ushering the congregation into the Lord's presence in praise and worship. I have so many great memories of the 'good old days' at GLHC kwa Chief's Camp.

Pastor Syanda, the host for the day's event

Camping with Africa's [dangerous] wildlife

I belong to a great homegroup from my church! In late January, we had a weekend camping trip at Lake Naivasha. We had an absolutely splendid time! This group shot was taken just as we started our hike at Hell's Gate Gorge. [In addition to those in the photo, there was also one more adult and three children.]

Our campsite

We camped right on the lake and enjoyed the beautiful fog rising from the lake both mornings.

However, the close proximity to the lake also brought hippos to our campsite! On the first evening, one of them got quite uncomfortably close to a few of us that were up late enjoying the campfire. The caretaker of the campsite did a good job of subtly encouraging the beast to move to a different area.

Later on, while trying to sleep, one of them grazed on grass right next to the tent we four single ladies shared! Munch, munch, munch... all through the night! Just before dawn, I heard it plunge into the water with a mighty splash! ***

Information about hippopotamus -

• The hippopotamus is one of the most aggressive creatures in the world and is the most dangerous toward humans. They kill more humans than lions, elephants, or buffalo. 
• Hippos weigh between one-and-a-half and three tons! They leave the water at dusk and travel inland, sometimes up to six miles, to graze on short grasses, their main source of food. They spend four to five hours grazing and can consume 150 pounds of grass each night.

In addition to the hippos, there were also a few quite active and noisy hyena near us. Their barking, yowling, growling, yelping, and laughing was not only annoying... it was a bit scary as well.

A herd of zebra, although peaceful and harmless, also disturbed my sleep. They have a funny squeaky-sounding bark. At one point, they left the area in a noisy stampede.

I thoroughly enjoyed tending the fires throughout the weekend. It was a challenge, though, as the caretaker provided us with wood that was either green or was a pulpy reed. Finally, we managed to buy a bundle of decent firewood from the nearby market. In the photo, I'm cooking sausages for breakfast. **

On Sunday morning, we had a lovely informal time of worship. A few pesky Vervet monkeys disturbed us, though! They first perched high in the acacia trees to scope out any potential loot. Then... down they swooped, snatching some of our bananas and leftover chapati! You can see a chapati in the hand of this one in the tree.

Our picnic site was a great spot to view Lake Naivasha.

Hiking at Hell's Gate Gorge was great fun. Here, the kids had climbed up high on some rocks.

Myself with Anna and Mandy, trekking through the gorge  It's known for flash floods, another danger-factor in our weekend. *

One can always see a nice variety of wildlife at Hell's Gate National Park.
In the foreground are Cape Buffalo, another dangerous animal. *

Waterbuck *

Another gang of pesky Vervet monkeys got into Mandy's car and blatantly stole some of our bananas!
And how do I put it nicely? Uh... one of them left behind a smelly mess of poo in the car!

Up on top of the gorge and done with our hike

Such getaways like this are so refreshing and healthy for me! And it's especially fun to enjoy them with great friends! It fits some of the criteria in my recent blog post on how to manage Missionary Stress:

• Escape - I need daily, weekly, monthly, and annual respites. God made the Sabbath for people, so I must be sure to keep it. Reading, music, hikes, worship, and vacations are necessary.
• Activity - Since stress prepares one for fight or flight - and as a missionary I can probably do neither - I must have some physical activity to use that energy. Sports, an exercise plan, and active games with family or friends can reduce stress.

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    * photos taken by Jabby 

  ** photo taken by Anna 

*** photo of hippo from the internet

Meeting the desire of Jesus: offering mercy when we encounter the poor and needy - - Part One

Jigger-infested hands and feet of a young man called Jomba

Reading the first four books of the New Testament is so fascinating to me. The accounts of Jesus reveal that he was quite an amazing man. I’m continually intrigued by him and his behavior as he moved around the countryside.

I marvel at how often Jesus reached out to touch people, even the outcast and untouchable lepers.

He took time for people, no matter what was going on around him.

Jesus saw the villagers for who they truly are. He felt mercy and had compassion on them. But he didn’t stop with just sympathy. He took the next step and acted on those emotions by healing the needy.

Sometimes he intentionally went out of his way to encounter folks that were otherwise despised and rejected by society.

When Jesus came upon someone, he stopped and listened to them speak. He was not irritated with interruptions and was always aware of people’s deepest needs. He was willing to satisfy their requests.

In just a short section of the book of Matthew – chapters eight and nine – several such happenstance meetings stand out to me.

Learning from Jesus, as he encounters the poor and needy

A leper appeared and went to his knees before Jesus, praying, ‘Master, if you want to, you can heal my body.’ Jesus reached out and touched him, saying, ‘I want to. Be clean.” Then and there, all signs of leprosy were gone. (Matthew 8: 1-3)

The compassion Jesus felt for this man obliterated the custom of the day – that touching an unclean person would bring defilement.

A Roman captain came up to Jesus in a panic and said, ‘Master, my servant is sick. He can’t walk and he’s in terrible pain.’ Jesus said, ‘I will come and heal him.’ (Matthew 8: 5-7)

Jesus was willing – ‘I will come’. He wasn’t too busy or too preoccupied to help this man’s servant.

Jesus found Peter’s mother-in-law sick in bed, burning up with fever. He touched her hand and the fever was gone. (Matthew 8: 14, 15)

Yet another example of Jesus touching someone. The simple act of touching people can be such a powerful gesture.

Jesus and his disciples were met by two madmen, victims of demons, coming out of the cemetery. The men had terrorized the region for so long that no one considered it safe to walk down that stretch of road anymore. (Matthew 8:28)

Jesus intentionally walked on this ‘stretch of road’. He potentially put himself into harm’s way in order to encounter these two men – men who had been rejected by society.

A local official appeared, bowed politely, and said, ‘My daughter has just now died. If you come and touch her, she will live.’ Jesus got up and went with him…. He took the girl’s hand, and pulled her to her feet alive. (Matthew 9: 18, 19, 25)

Jesus ‘got up’ from what he was doing ‘and went with him’ to meet this need. It was his desire to offer mercy to someone who needed his touch.

A woman who had hemorrhaged for twelve years slipped in from behind and lightly touched Jesus’ robe. ‘If I can just put a finger on his robe, I’ll get well.’ Jesus turned and saw her and then reassured her. ‘Courage, daughter. You took a risk of faith, and now you’re well.’ The woman was well from then on. (Matthew 9: 20-22)

This woman interrupted Jesus, but he was sensitive to her touch and gave her the time she needed. He looked right at her and ‘saw her’; he was gentle and kind toward her.

Jesus touched the eyes of two blind men and said, ‘Become what you believe.’ It happened; they saw. (Matthew 9: 29-30)

Touching the blind men is yet another example of the transforming power of ‘touch’.

When Jesus looked out over the crowds, his heart broke. So confused and aimless they were, like sheep with no shepherd. (Matthew 9:36)

The heart of Jesus bled with compassion. Everyone he encountered moved his heart and he offered mercy to everyone.

Jesus also has a need, a need I can meet

Jesus, who is always concerned about the needs of others, also has a need of his own. His desire (or need) is to see his children respond and behave just like him – with mercy.

He strongly states this need to the ever-critical Pharisees when they accused him of a wrong.

“I desire mercy, not religion.” (Matthew 9:13)

He also added this instruction – that we should ‘go and learn what this means’. In other words, I should not just read it and forget it, taking it casually or glibly. He wants me to study this concept, to actually learn and figure out what he means by it.

A few chapters later, Jesus chastised the Pharisees because they again pointed fingers for a supposed offense – this time at the disciples. 

“If you had any idea what these words mean, ‘I desire mercy, not an inflexible ritual,’ you would not be nitpicking like this.” (Matthew 12:7)

The Pharisees had not yet learned what he meant. Am I ignorant like them as well?

Both of these times, Jesus quoted a verse from the Old Testament –

“For I desire steadfast love, and not sacrifice; the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.” Hosea 6:6
 “I’m after love that lasts, not more religion. I want you to know God, not go to more prayer meetings.” (Message)

Another related and powerful verse is Micah 6:8, where God Almighty states his requirements –  

“The Lord has shown you, O mortal man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly, to love mercy and kindness, and to walk humbly with your God.”
 “God has already made it plain how to live, what to do, what God is looking for. It’s quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor, be compassionate and loyal in your love. Don’t take yourself too seriously – take God seriously!” (Message)

The easy reaction when I encounter the poor and needy might be to click my tongue or shake my head. I might turn away or walk a different route so I can avoid such people. I may even express criticism. Perhaps I do these things, all the while convincing myself that I really haven’t done anything wrong. 

After all, I’m busy… I'm busy being a missionary. I have things to do. I have a schedule to keep. And who knows... it might rain. I can't stop now.

But Jesus has called me to choose the better way... the way of mercy. Let me be the exception to the rule and demonstrate the love of Jesus to those I meet in my day-to-day activities. Let me follow in his footsteps and abide by the maxim that he expressed.

Have I learned what Jesus said? Let me determine to satisfy this desire of Jesus, by offering mercy to those I meet along the way.

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Be sure to read the following post about Jomba and his bad case of Jiggers.