The students and leaders are working on debriefing questions so I thought I would take this opportunity to update our blog. We arrived safely in Nairobi last night and will be leaving for the airport in a couple hours. Ann wrote the following post several days ago but we have not had a chance to post it until now. Hope you enjoy – and we look forward to see you all soon! Pastor Bill 
Jambo from the village of Kondenge!
Around here I am known as Mama Stephen. He seems to be fine with the association, and it is a name I wear proudly! Actually I would be proud to be called Mama Mark, Matt, Nathan, Ashley, Caitlin, Leah & Lily. You would all be proud of the work they have done here in Kenya. They have represented E-Free well. As you may have noticed from previous blog entries, the words 'schedule' and 'plan' are non-existent. The team has had to be flexible and willing to step up to whatever challenges are thrown their way. When we need volunteers, they step right up. They have built relationships, preached the Gospel, loved on children, lived in primitive conditions, eaten strange food, shared their testimonies in front of large groups of school children... They may be out of their comfort zone, but you would never know it. I am so proud of the way they have stayed true to our memory verse from Philippians 2:1-18, especially “Do everything without complaining or arguing so that you may become blameless and pure...” For those of you supporting us financially and /or prayerfully, please know that your gift is being blessed and multiplied!
My prayer leading up to the trip was 'Lord you are big enough for this'. For the past two weeks my prayer has become: Lord show me how big you are!” He has been so faithful! I had three opportunities to share my life with the village ladies and to share from God's word concerning God's love for them and Biblical principles of marriage. With Polygamy very common here, and many of the women not welcomed at their own dinner table, this was no easy task. But God showed me how big He is by the overwhelming response I've received from the whole community. The feedback is clearly disproportionate to my own 'performance'. Only God! They have made me feel so loved and accepted as a part of their community. They are proudly wearing the headscarves I presented to them. (Thanks Sabrina and Home Sweet Home!) The last time I spoke was at the African Inland Church at Ndori that was a three mile walk along the edge of the plateau to a small church on a bluff. Kelsey and I went together, along with Pastor Isaiah. While waiting for my translator to arrive, we enjoyed an amazing overlook with a waterfall close enough to hear. I even saw a monkey in the distance flying through the trees. This third session presented a new challenge in that the men were present. I warned them ahead of time about my topic, and praise God that the leadership recognized the need for the men to hear it.
There are a few things that will be forever etched in my mind from our time here... like the crowds of children crowding anyone with a camera,
washing dishes out in the yard with chickens battling for scraps, waking up to roosters – very early, the orchestra of goats, chickens, birds and cows that follow, the taste of Irish potatoes and cabbage and Mandazi, the view of Lake Victoria from the cliffs, Harmon's smile, the huge blue sky and the stars at night... and on and on and on!
There is so much I could share on this last day in the village, but to be honest, I really want to spend my last hours here with my host family as much as possible. Ashley and I have come to love them all very much. They have welcomed us as their own, and we have been blessed to share life with them. The time has slipped away too fast. Our new Kenyan friends began to grieve our departure after only a few days here. They keep saying “We will be so sad when The Visitors leave.'' We will be sad as well, but we are so anxious to be back with our families and to tell you all more of our trip.
(To Ruth, Nancy, and - above all – Mark...Thank you. Your prayers are powerful and effective!)
Jambo from the village of Kondenge!
Around here I am known as Mama Stephen. He seems to be fine with the association, and it is a name I wear proudly! Actually I would be proud to be called Mama Mark, Matt, Nathan, Ashley, Caitlin, Leah & Lily. You would all be proud of the work they have done here in Kenya. They have represented E-Free well. As you may have noticed from previous blog entries, the words 'schedule' and 'plan' are non-existent. The team has had to be flexible and willing to step up to whatever challenges are thrown their way. When we need volunteers, they step right up. They have built relationships, preached the Gospel, loved on children, lived in primitive conditions, eaten strange food, shared their testimonies in front of large groups of school children... They may be out of their comfort zone, but you would never know it. I am so proud of the way they have stayed true to our memory verse from Philippians 2:1-18, especially “Do everything without complaining or arguing so that you may become blameless and pure...” For those of you supporting us financially and /or prayerfully, please know that your gift is being blessed and multiplied!
My prayer leading up to the trip was 'Lord you are big enough for this'. For the past two weeks my prayer has become: Lord show me how big you are!” He has been so faithful! I had three opportunities to share my life with the village ladies and to share from God's word concerning God's love for them and Biblical principles of marriage. With Polygamy very common here, and many of the women not welcomed at their own dinner table, this was no easy task. But God showed me how big He is by the overwhelming response I've received from the whole community. The feedback is clearly disproportionate to my own 'performance'. Only God! They have made me feel so loved and accepted as a part of their community. They are proudly wearing the headscarves I presented to them. (Thanks Sabrina and Home Sweet Home!) The last time I spoke was at the African Inland Church at Ndori that was a three mile walk along the edge of the plateau to a small church on a bluff. Kelsey and I went together, along with Pastor Isaiah. While waiting for my translator to arrive, we enjoyed an amazing overlook with a waterfall close enough to hear. I even saw a monkey in the distance flying through the trees. This third session presented a new challenge in that the men were present. I warned them ahead of time about my topic, and praise God that the leadership recognized the need for the men to hear it.
There are a few things that will be forever etched in my mind from our time here... like the crowds of children crowding anyone with a camera,
washing dishes out in the yard with chickens battling for scraps, waking up to roosters – very early, the orchestra of goats, chickens, birds and cows that follow, the taste of Irish potatoes and cabbage and Mandazi, the view of Lake Victoria from the cliffs, Harmon's smile, the huge blue sky and the stars at night... and on and on and on!There is so much I could share on this last day in the village, but to be honest, I really want to spend my last hours here with my host family as much as possible. Ashley and I have come to love them all very much. They have welcomed us as their own, and we have been blessed to share life with them. The time has slipped away too fast. Our new Kenyan friends began to grieve our departure after only a few days here. They keep saying “We will be so sad when The Visitors leave.'' We will be sad as well, but we are so anxious to be back with our families and to tell you all more of our trip.
(To Ruth, Nancy, and - above all – Mark...Thank you. Your prayers are powerful and effective!)
Ann, I can't wait to talk with you and hear more! I'm thrilled your presentations were so well received. I knew they would be! In my Bible study this morning, I just read about Moses, Jeremiah and King Solomon. They all felt ill-equipped to do what God was asking them to do, yet they relied on God's promise that He would enable them to accomplish the task. What great examples from the Bible, and what an awesome testimony you likewise have!
ReplyDeleteI am looking forward to seeing all of you soon, and listening to more stories and seeing pictures. Thanks for taking time to share with us on your last day in the village. I loved reading everything! My heart continues to sing just thinking about it all!
Today I'm praying for safe travels and rest for all of you. Love you all!
Nina