Dear friends and readers, I am writing to wish you all a very lovely, meaningful Christmas with those around you. I will be in Northern Kenya with the other missionaries and co-workers for celebrating the Lord's birth. These days the weather is reaching 100.1 in my bedroom. No we don't have air-conditioning in the houses, but the Lord has provided constant wind which helps a great deal! No there will be no white stuff or harsh wind chill factors to consider before going outside today. Instead I have to consider which dress will be cooler and wear my hat and sunglasses at all times!! Thankfully we have a swimming pool which helps to make life a bit more manageable. Family recently told me that in Minnesota it was - 40 which made me like this weather all the more!!!!! For more information and interest in Kenya go to the blog address below from onward. Thanks for keeping in touch.
ALSO THIS WILL BE THE LAST BLOG on this blog site. Those interested in knowing more about living here at Kalacha, please go to the address given below.
gsmethers.aimsites.org
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Again it has been awhile since I posted a few paragraphs. I have been at Kalacha now since August 9th and for the most part the work has started well. It takes awhile to get back into the routine, culture, adjusting to the heat and living in the north. I am grateful to the Lord to tell you that the vehicle so many people gave towards is at Kalacha. Earlier in October we started doing our weekly mobile clinics. Due the people not wanting their pictures taken at this time, I can't show any pictures this time. Ever since watching how the Lord brought in the funds for the vehicle in such a short time, I believe that He will be starting something new with it.
Blessings thus far:
1)The Lord has allowed Ponisa, nurse friend, to return to Kalacha for an definite period of time to help in patient care at the clinic.
2)The Lord has started form a team to go out on the weekly clinic trips- the Clinic staff(3 of us), the Kenyan Pastor and a church member.
3)We have received in two small villages for medical and immunization clinics. Both villages have at present about 15 kids needing the various childhood vaccines. One village in particular we saw a very sick lady who need extra medical care. She was responsive to the medical care given. Two weeks later we went to her home again to follow up. She requested that we bring her to Kalacha for more medical care.
4)Pastor John has been able to preach in both places and ladies seemed to listen. Pray that those who attend will think about what they hear in their own language about the Lord and His love for them.
Thanks for your continued prayer support. I especially have appreciated those of you who have committed to praying for me daily. THANK MEANS SO MUCH TO ME!!!!
On a totally different note, We had a wonderful conference of about 50 people working northern Kenya at the end of October. October 20-25 was a AIM missionary mini-conference to brainstorm on how we can better reach the nomadic peoples around us. It was very good and challenging. We had times of prayer for each other and it was refreshing and uplifting to see fellow missionaries with the same goal- to reach more nomadic peoples!!
During that time volunteers found out that I was looking for a kitten. Their landlord had a set of kitten ready to leave the mother. So I brought a female, dusty brown colored about 6 weeks old back to Kalacha with me. She is so cute and great for company, as well as bug catcher, mouse snatcher, and hopefully when larger scorpion and snake alarm and killer. I have thought of some names but am taking a pole to see who responds.
Possible names: Cinnamon, Kurungu(place I got her), Duplicate(looks exactly the one I had last term) or what???? Let me know what you think.
Saturday, September 20, 2008
More than a month as passed since my last entry so here we go.... Aug 9th I returned with others back to Kalacha via mission plane. The flights were smooth and it was wonderful to everyone. There was a warm welcome by church members, and town people at the airstrip. About a week and half later I went to Marsabit, largest town in the district, for shopping, getting the vehicle, and veggies, and greeting medical officials in the district hospital and get a new supply of vaccines for Kalacha Clinic.Staying overnight with missionary friends was very helpful in many ways. I was able to visit with Kenyan friends whom I have not seen in a long time, get a good nights rest for the long trip and drive back to Kalacha, and yet not hold up the other missionaries who wanted to return to Kalacha the same day. Now the vehicle is back at Kalacha, and are already in use.
August was consumed mainly in getting settled in the house and clinic again. Ware was there continuing to do help those she could. The house hold supplies, my clothes, books and food items needed to be unpacked and put into their proper place. The solar battery and system I left was in working order. The kerosene fridge started up well, and for that two major expensive items to be working well after not being use for a while was wonderful.
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Time in Nairobi
The month of July has passed rather fast. Not that it is behind me I can look back in the events and thank the Lord for His guidance and provision. The main reason for staying longer in Nairobi was to begin studying the Boran language. Along with that it was possible to get legal documents submitted for living and working in Kenya for the next couple of years. Besides that it has been possible to reconnect with other AIM and missionary friends, cousins working in Kenya, and prepare for the return to Kalacha. Thanks for you interest and prayers for the time here.
What are the upcoming plans? The flight to Kalacha is set for August 8th in the morning for a two and half hour flight from Nairobi to Kalacha. Most likely the following Monday I will start to work at the clinic and begin the process of unpacking my household item. I know that Ware is still there, and have heard that Barako is also there. I will be glad to start working with them again.
What about the vehicle purchase?The Lord has given clear guidance to purchase a Land Rover Defender, station wagon 1996, from missionaries returning to the States. The prices is good and they did not need the money immediately. The fact that this missionary was the sole owner and cared for it so well impressed me. They have been so gracious to me as we have talked about the specifics of transfer of ownership. This last we were able to care for details related to insurance and ownership in Kenya together in a smooth fashion. THE Exciting thing was that the missionary needed to use it one more time for a his own trip in northern Kenya Aug.2-12th. He was willing to leave the vehicle in northern Kenya in a central town where another missionary couple work. So it means that we can save some on ware and tear on the vehicle and diesel prices. At some point later in August or early September I will be able to make arrangements for traveling up to Marsabit(where it will be left) in order to get the vehicle along with the many supplies for living in Kalacha again. THE LORD IS GOOD IN WORKING THIS OUT.
How has the language learning gone? The Lord has also given us a good 4 weeks of language learning. Boru and I started meeting on July 7th for two hours daily for 4 days per week. He has been helpful in explaining to me grammatical questions that I had. He has been patient in my many questions and having to repeat many details to me frequently !! It has shown me how much I need to learn and realize that I need to really concentrate on further language learning! Please don't stop praying for me.
What are the upcoming plans? The flight to Kalacha is set for August 8th in the morning for a two and half hour flight from Nairobi to Kalacha. Most likely the following Monday I will start to work at the clinic and begin the process of unpacking my household item. I know that Ware is still there, and have heard that Barako is also there. I will be glad to start working with them again.
What about the vehicle purchase?The Lord has given clear guidance to purchase a Land Rover Defender, station wagon 1996, from missionaries returning to the States. The prices is good and they did not need the money immediately. The fact that this missionary was the sole owner and cared for it so well impressed me. They have been so gracious to me as we have talked about the specifics of transfer of ownership. This last we were able to care for details related to insurance and ownership in Kenya together in a smooth fashion. THE Exciting thing was that the missionary needed to use it one more time for a his own trip in northern Kenya Aug.2-12th. He was willing to leave the vehicle in northern Kenya in a central town where another missionary couple work. So it means that we can save some on ware and tear on the vehicle and diesel prices. At some point later in August or early September I will be able to make arrangements for traveling up to Marsabit(where it will be left) in order to get the vehicle along with the many supplies for living in Kalacha again. THE LORD IS GOOD IN WORKING THIS OUT.
How has the language learning gone? The Lord has also given us a good 4 weeks of language learning. Boru and I started meeting on July 7th for two hours daily for 4 days per week. He has been helpful in explaining to me grammatical questions that I had. He has been patient in my many questions and having to repeat many details to me frequently !! It has shown me how much I need to learn and realize that I need to really concentrate on further language learning! Please don't stop praying for me.
Friday, June 27, 2008
Praise the Lord for answered prayer!
Just wanted to let everyone know that the Lord answered prayer regarding the trip back to Kenya. It was uneventful, smooth, comfortable and all my luggage arrived on the same plane that I did. I was very relieved to see it in Nairobi. Now I am staying in the mission's guest house in Nairobi for all of July at this point. That is a great place to meet people in all sort of Christian ministries in Kenya and Africa. So thanks to all of you for praying during these recent days of travel. I appreciate your continued prayers regarding decisions connected to language study and steps towards purchasing the vehicle. More details in the email updates that I send out. Now to get over the jet lag, establish a routine, and get Boran language lessons started during the up coming week.
WHAT IS JET LAG? Jet lag is what happens to a person due to the travel over a number of time zones in a short period of time. As one looks over the world map they can see that from the USA to Europe there are at least 5-6 different time zones that the airplane travels through in a 7.5 hour trip. Coming towards Europe is the larger part of the change of which 5 hours difference is experienced. Then another 8 hour trip from Europe to Kenya another two hour time zones are passed through to make a total of about 7-8(depending on the year)time zones. The results are a feeling of "fuzzy mind" and body. It takes at least 5-7 days to feel back into the routine again -sleeping the night through completely, not feeling sleepy during the daylight, and not feeling as if one is in a "fog". It is normal and just takes time to get back into routine again.
WHAT IS BORAN? This is the language that the people where I live and work speak. You might think that I do know it since I have worked there since 1999. Well, there are some reasons for taking lessons now. I know Swahili and so can use that when communicating with some people where I work. Thus I don't use what Boran that I might know very often. My responsibilities have hindered allowing concentrated time on the language. Up until now I have not found someone there at the immediate area who knows enough about their own language to explain it to me. Many of the traditional people don't know another language so it seems prudent to take the time before returning to the area to work on it. I have made contact with someone who is willing to do that for me. So the plan is to be in Nairobi area for all of July at this point to put time into doing just that, language(cultural included)learning. More details in the next email update.
WHAT IS JET LAG? Jet lag is what happens to a person due to the travel over a number of time zones in a short period of time. As one looks over the world map they can see that from the USA to Europe there are at least 5-6 different time zones that the airplane travels through in a 7.5 hour trip. Coming towards Europe is the larger part of the change of which 5 hours difference is experienced. Then another 8 hour trip from Europe to Kenya another two hour time zones are passed through to make a total of about 7-8(depending on the year)time zones. The results are a feeling of "fuzzy mind" and body. It takes at least 5-7 days to feel back into the routine again -sleeping the night through completely, not feeling sleepy during the daylight, and not feeling as if one is in a "fog". It is normal and just takes time to get back into routine again.
WHAT IS BORAN? This is the language that the people where I live and work speak. You might think that I do know it since I have worked there since 1999. Well, there are some reasons for taking lessons now. I know Swahili and so can use that when communicating with some people where I work. Thus I don't use what Boran that I might know very often. My responsibilities have hindered allowing concentrated time on the language. Up until now I have not found someone there at the immediate area who knows enough about their own language to explain it to me. Many of the traditional people don't know another language so it seems prudent to take the time before returning to the area to work on it. I have made contact with someone who is willing to do that for me. So the plan is to be in Nairobi area for all of July at this point to put time into doing just that, language(cultural included)learning. More details in the next email update.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Saturday, June 7, 2008
WOW! June 20th is getting closer!
June 20 is fast drawing to closer. I can't believe that I have been in the States for an entire year. Being here for that time was very beneficial for me- time to see friends and family numerous times, visiting churches not in a rushed manner for most of the time, and yet having time to rejuvenate spiritually, physically and emotionally! Praise the Lord! I am so glad I have the two extra weeks to pack and sort belongings and make necessary preparations for returning to Kenya. Originally, I was leaving on June 5th from Pennsylvania, but instead I have two weeks here.
You might be asking how is the Vehicle Project coming along? It has been faith stretching experience watching how the Lord has opened door to speak to supporters and churches about this adventure. People have been asking good questions, and have been challenged to help so that a vehicle can be purchased in Kenya. May 08 there was $5000.00 at AIM HQ from the previous vehicle I had in Kenya. But the end of May 21, it was $7200.00 at AIM HQ. By the beginning of June, it was nearly $10,000.00 , and as of June 6, yesterday, we have nearly $14,000 promised or in hand at AIM HQ. THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO HAS HAD A PART IN IT. MUNGU ANAWEZA- GOD IS ABLE.
Along with that someone an AIM prayer meeting put me in contact with a Christian donor organization in Philadelphia. They asked for a formal application to be filled out by myself and AIM which we have now sent to them asking for assistance in the purchase of the vehicle. Lord willing, their board will be meeting at the end of July to decide if and how much they can help.
Please pray that the Lord would show them how much they can send towards the purchase of the vehicle.
So what is the next step? Since the funds have passed the amount that AIM has required to return to Kenya, AIM has purchased tickets for me to leave Pa. on June 20 from Harrisburg. I fly down to Florida in order to spend some days in with AIM retiree's near Clermont, before leaving for Kenya on June 25th from Orlando. The KLM flight has a stopover of a few hours in Amsterdam , Lord willing to arrive in the evening in Nairobi, Kenya on June 26th.
How long will you be in Nairobi? The exact time in Nairobi is unsure at this point. I will be in Nairobi for at least July on account of wanted to learn more Boran. BORAN is the local language spoken at Kalacha. It has been possible to contact a Christian Boran man who is willing to take time in his schedule to help me learn. He has helped other missionaries who were thrilled with his explanations and assistance in learning Boran.
What can we pray for? 1)for decisions related to the vehicle purchase-which type of vehicle, when is the right time to purchase it, from whom, how much is a fare price, what needs to be added to the vehicle to make it easier to use in northern Kenya. 2)That the language helper, Boru Galgallo. and I will be able to comes up with a lesson schedule that is agreeable to both of us. (He teaches at a Bible school and has Church responsibilities) That we would find a good place for meeting for the lessons. That I'd have wisdom in knowing exactly how much he should be paid. 3)For me as I re-adjust back into living in Africa where matters are cared for at a slower pace, where life is not always so prodictable as in the States, and where relationships are more important than tasks!
You might be asking how is the Vehicle Project coming along? It has been faith stretching experience watching how the Lord has opened door to speak to supporters and churches about this adventure. People have been asking good questions, and have been challenged to help so that a vehicle can be purchased in Kenya. May 08 there was $5000.00 at AIM HQ from the previous vehicle I had in Kenya. But the end of May 21, it was $7200.00 at AIM HQ. By the beginning of June, it was nearly $10,000.00 , and as of June 6, yesterday, we have nearly $14,000 promised or in hand at AIM HQ. THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO HAS HAD A PART IN IT. MUNGU ANAWEZA- GOD IS ABLE.
Along with that someone an AIM prayer meeting put me in contact with a Christian donor organization in Philadelphia. They asked for a formal application to be filled out by myself and AIM which we have now sent to them asking for assistance in the purchase of the vehicle. Lord willing, their board will be meeting at the end of July to decide if and how much they can help.
Please pray that the Lord would show them how much they can send towards the purchase of the vehicle.
So what is the next step? Since the funds have passed the amount that AIM has required to return to Kenya, AIM has purchased tickets for me to leave Pa. on June 20 from Harrisburg. I fly down to Florida in order to spend some days in with AIM retiree's near Clermont, before leaving for Kenya on June 25th from Orlando. The KLM flight has a stopover of a few hours in Amsterdam , Lord willing to arrive in the evening in Nairobi, Kenya on June 26th.
How long will you be in Nairobi? The exact time in Nairobi is unsure at this point. I will be in Nairobi for at least July on account of wanted to learn more Boran. BORAN is the local language spoken at Kalacha. It has been possible to contact a Christian Boran man who is willing to take time in his schedule to help me learn. He has helped other missionaries who were thrilled with his explanations and assistance in learning Boran.
What can we pray for? 1)for decisions related to the vehicle purchase-which type of vehicle, when is the right time to purchase it, from whom, how much is a fare price, what needs to be added to the vehicle to make it easier to use in northern Kenya. 2)That the language helper, Boru Galgallo. and I will be able to comes up with a lesson schedule that is agreeable to both of us. (He teaches at a Bible school and has Church responsibilities) That we would find a good place for meeting for the lessons. That I'd have wisdom in knowing exactly how much he should be paid. 3)For me as I re-adjust back into living in Africa where matters are cared for at a slower pace, where life is not always so prodictable as in the States, and where relationships are more important than tasks!
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