God's people working together (Linda)

We’ve been home for 3 days now. The adrenalin energy is wearing off and exhaustion is passing and I’m beginning to catch up with reality again.

I just took time to read back through the blogs and felt again a sense of total wonder at what God has done in this “Faith Adventure”. He has proven Himself so totally awesome over and over again! Not only to us team members, but also to many others watching – and praying.

Garth & Willie showing some kids from the Baby Home in Kitui what they look like on the little screen.

As I read through the comments it struck me what accounts for it being such a great success in so many ways. There were lots of people faithfully praying for God’s leading, provision, protection, fruit and much more. I saw a beautiful display of God’s family working together for His purposes. In fact, in addition to prayer, it occurred to me that there has been an enormous effort from many people during the entire course of this effort.

Our Team enjoying a round of UNO!

There have been people who – planned and phoned and wrote and stuffed envelopes and cooked and cleaned up and contributed money and items and sang songs and did promotional layouts and operated slide shows and traveled and encouraged and hosted and served and drove and serviced vehicles and gave talks and contacted people and took pictures and wrote blogs and prepared wardrobes and gave hugs and lots lots more.

Scott looking over and discussing the proposed site of the new GMO Building

Truly God’s people, working together, empowered by His Spirit, can accomplish great things. To God be the glory!!


Linda

All Home, All Safe

Your Kenya 2010 Team arrived home yesterday all safe and in good spirits.  We had an overnight layover in Amsterdam, so there was an opportunity to see a little of that part of the world.

Typical Dutch windmill - slightly different frm the ones in the Gorge!

Back in the USA!  :-)

Now the work begins to prepare for the presentation to the church and debrief before the memories get too old.  Look for some possible videos in the coming days.

Heading Home!

It’s hard to believe that our time in Kenya is at its end. While all of us are ready to return to our families, familiar beds, tap water we can drink and brush our teeth in, our favorite foods, and the environment we call home, but I can tell you there will be sadness as we part ways tomorrow!

Kenya is an amazing place with amazing people. You can’t help but be changed here and come away with a deep love of things Kenyan. We have all been blessed by our time here and hope that we have returned the blessing to our partners over here.

Our last debriefing with Sam and Lynn was a delight and provided lots of encouragement about the success of this trip. To put it bluntly, they said that this was the first time in their 25+ years in Kenya that a group of their supporters from The Dalles has come to Africa specifically to visit them, see what they are doing, and encourage them. It was clear how much they appreciated our visit. We were pleased to be Gateway’s representatives to bring that encouragement to them. God has bless all of us greatly.

As this will be our last post from the continent of Africa I want to thank all of you for your interest in our trip and the prayers and support you have provided. I have enjoyed sharing our stories with you and will put up some additional information when I return to my fast connection and realitively high powered system at home, but for now I must bid adieu as I am exhausted. I really need a vacation!

Passed out and loving it!

God Bless all of you,


Scott

A Wilberforce Moment (Gary)

William Wilberforce was used by God with a vision to reform nations through the abolition of slavery. God gave him a group of encouragers to join him in his vision. Amazing grace flowed through these visionaries to transform the world of their day.

We had the privilege while in Nairobi with Sam and Lynn Owen to meet with a group of Kenyans. God has given them a vision to do what they can to be the channels of God’s grace to bring reform in the nation of Kenya. Some expressed that Kenya is poised for a Wilberforce moment. The transformation could impact the continent and beyond for the Kingdom.

Sam addresses us as we talk about how this group has encouraged each other over the years.  This group of Kenyan leaders will undoubtly be at the forefront of positive change in Kenya in the coming years.

We were so blessed to have significant times of prayer with this committed band of encouragers. Join us in prayer for the peace, unity, and progress of Kenya in the coming weeks as Kenyans vote on a new constitution for their country.

The Ministry of Encouragement (Willie)

Let’s be blunt for a moment. For many of us, the purposes of this trip always seemed a little strange, or nebulous. We heard words like “relationship” and “ministry of encouragement” and just couldn’t get our heads around what was supposed to transpire. That certainly was the case for me. I knew I was called to this trip, and I was pretty open to being flexible and learning, but a huge part of God’s purposes were completely foreign ideas to me.

It has been paradigm-shattering to witness ministries here in Africa devoting themselves and significant resources to the “ministry of encouragement”. Grace Mission Outreach (GMO) regularly puts together small teams to visit their missionaries, to bring along fellowship meals, and to witness what is going on in the field. They pray with the missionaries and then return home.

In Nairobi, we’ve heard person after person point to how encouraged they have been by God in their visions, the encouragement coming through the vessels of Sam and Lynn Owen. Sam has confessed to having a hard time concisely summarizing to people what he and Lynn “do” in the mission field. In my mind, the best description of a huge part of what they do would again be the “ministry of encouragement”.

A fantastic group of Sam and Lynn's friends that blessed us and talkked about how they have encouraged each other and how Sam and Lynn have been such encouragement to them.  It was just one more amazing night of our Kenyan mission!

For Westerners like me, there has been an attitude that for our missions endeavors to be legitimate, there must be something concrete or tangible attached – like mouths fed or churches built or at least some recognizable institution of people affected.

But that focus on tangible results is ridiculous in the spiritual realm. For the first time, I’m recognizing the express purpose of Biblical missionaries like Timothy or Epaphroditus, whose job was sometimes just to encourage those on the front lines. Jesus had very little concrete or tangible workings to show for His three years of ministry. I mean, talk about wasted resources – every atom of the universe at His command, and when He was finished, there was still disease, hunger, injustice, and conflict around the world...

Joe Mucheru, Regional Lead, Sub-Saharan Africa (THE guy in charge of Google in Africa) talks about the encoragement he and his wife receive from Sam and Lynn and visa versa.  This is the level of people that is touched by this ministry.  Small world - after Scott arrived earlier in the day with a Google hat and noted the connection to Google in The Dalles, Sam called up Joe and he and his wife joined our gathering.  We were all bless this evening.

Sometimes God’s call is going to be counter to our Western attitudes. He may call us to spend $30,000 “just” to visit, pray for, and witness the ministry of a handful of faithful workers. He may call us to continue supporting annually the work of people whose ministry is largely relational. He may call you or me to center a family vacation around encouraging a minister closing in on burnout.

I’ve been humbled to learn this completely new outlook, corrected about how God chooses to use HIS resources. Personally, I even feel like this ministry of encouragement might be a big part of my future life. Please be in prayer for Gateway, the Church in The Dalles, and the greater Church in the West, that we might discern ways in which God’s Spirit is calling us to change the way we do missions. I look forward to dialoging with you all in a few short days!


Willie

Flat Tyre Connection... (Sydney)

(an older post that I forgot to post)

While stopped in a random town after our flat and then the flat of the spare, we waited patiently in the van for new tires. A small boy came walking by on his way home from school and decided to stick around. The boy only spoke Swahili (so I was out of the conversation) but Linda was able to say a couple of things to him.

Since I was starving (my stomach is now twice its regular size from overfeeding) I was snacking on bread and bananas and giving him some as well. I thought of the small toy I had in my purse and thought what a great opportunity! It was called an Evangicube. It was given to me while I was at a church camp at Camp Morrow in sixth grade. I remember begging my counselor to let me have one.

Syd's little friend along the road

It was a cube that had different pictures as you folded it around telling the gospel. The counselor caved in and let me have it as long as I promised to use it or give it to someone. I did. I finally was able to use it. The boys face lit up as I gave him the cube as he exclaimed thank you!  Perhaps it will plant a seed in that young boy.

Giraffes, Zebras, and Lions... (Sydney)

Are just some of the things you will see printed on a small brown bag at Light & Power Centre. Kenya has a large percentage of their population living in slums and areas of overcrowded living. For some young men their future may look bleak. An organization called Light & Power provides a time of transition and a bright light after they finish their secondary school (High School). They teach them skills, the word of God, and employ them at the same time.

This light in one of the many slums in Nairobi

The boys apply for a place at the centre or can be chosen by one of the wonderful leaders of the program Tim, Peter, or Gabriel. They come to the centre five days a week at 7:30 and have a time of devotion. After that they start their work. Gift bag making. It is quite a lengthy process, but the boys estimate they make 500 complete bags in one day. They cut, screen print, and fold all the bags by hand.

Final steps in the bag making process

As the boys told us, a high school education in Kenya gets you little recognition in the job market. You will have very very few job oppurtunities. They are already set back because there is a 60% unemployment rate in Kenya.  Most boys who live in the slums do not have enough funds to attend a college or university. By working at the centre they are able to learn skills and have an income so they can achieve higher education or different careers. The boys have big hopes like accounting and opening up mechanic shops and this two year transition program is helping there dreams become more achieveable. God has truely blessed this ministry. Keep them in your prayers. Especially that they will be able to find markets for their bags so they can expand their program.

The screen printing process puts a design on the bags

This is the management team that we met with and prayed with for the young men and the work they are doing.

Connections and Influence

I visited the Kenyan Parliament the other day, the equivalent of our Congress in Washington DC. I just walked right in. I was also privileged to visit the Speakers office, the highest political official below the President, Vice President and the Prime Minster. The number four person in Kenya, again, just walked right in. How did that happen?

Kenya's Capital Building

Obviously I was not by myself…I was with 'Pastor Sam' as they called him in the Speaker's office. Sam Owen is connected! They know him and obviously revere him and this was apparent as I drafted along behind him. It was an amazing experience and one that he lives daily.

Kenya's Parliament (Internet photo)

There is far too much to tell about the ministry of this man, but I saw the years and years of work and the networking success that having provided this access. It’s not that they just ‘let him in’, but I saw that he is a welcome person and one they look forward to receiving.

Sam’s mission is to work to connect with top government and business leaders to encourage them in their walk with Jesus. He does this with the idea that if people at the top are living for Christ, it’s quite possible that those below them will see this and will be attracted to consider this path as well. It’s a long term strategy (very long), but the impact that it can have is immense and it is working – we witnessed it (more on that in another post)!

There is much more to say about our time with Sam and Lynn and Nairobi, but we have been privileged to see them at work and some of the results that they have brought about. We look forward to hearing more about their continued ministry in Kenya.

Team Owen...

We finally arrived back in Nariobi for the last section of the mission.  We are being hosted by Sam and Lynn Owen.  It's fair to say that we did not fully understand their mission and work prior to actually being here and experiencing it first hand.  Now we would all agree that they have a very unique and powerful impact for Christ in this place.  There is much to say about what we have seen and learned, but that will be for another day.

Here are our wonderful hosts:

The wise wife...

Mr. Network!

More to come.

Willie has twins...

Twin parasites that is! Willie has been under the weather since our return from Kitui. He and Garth checked out the medical system over here (not what you want to have to do) and both got tested for bugs. While Garth was mostly clean, Willie had two living in his system.

The parasites are more than likely from Kitui where he drank some water that was purified, but still had some bugs that did not do well with his system. Willie has been a trooper during this time and it has not been easy.

He has some medication that will remove the critters from his body and his spirits increased immensely upon know that it was not malaria, but some relative simple parasites. Pray for a quick recovery for young Willie. He is a great member of our team!

Keeping an eye on the wilds of Kenya

The Legend of Casady…

Gary on the 'Rock' overlooking Kitui District

Before we get too far away from Kitui we wanted everyone to know what we learned of the Casady’s during our time there. I think it’s fair to say that we were all amazed at the reception that we received wherever we went. It was like Gary and Linda were rock stars of sorts in that area!

Team Casady!

It was clear as we spent a week in the area what impact the Casady’s had during their eight years here. Probable 80% of the pastors we met along our journey were at one point trained by Gary or Linda or both. They are definitely loved in this area and have done great works for the Kingdom which has provided lasting results.

"Casady' leading the way

When we met new people they refer to Gary as ‘Casady’. We heard many stories from these people about how they helped the area at a time when it was really needed and the great results from this effort was everywhere as we traveled.

We at Gateway should be extremely proud of their work over here in Kenya. They have definitely provided ‘passport’ for us as we spent our time in the region. We now know that the legend is true!

Transitions…Status Update

We have completed our time in Kitui as well as a rest prior to heading back to the hustle and bustle of Nairobi. The plan to have this rest period between the two main sections of the trip has been fortuitous for many reasons. Not only have we been able to rest (much needed), debrief about our week in the bush, recover from some minor sickness, but we have been able to enjoy some of the wilds of Africa.

Breakfast prepared by our wonderful Ladies!

We spent a couple days in a house at Tsavo West, the house of the former warden of the park (also the main character in the movie The Ghost and the Darkness). Dan toured us around today and we saw a little wildlife and enjoyed being visited at our waterhole by a number of species.

Some lions wondering the wilderness - don't leave the vehicle!

Impalas at our watering hole

We crossed paths with many of these

Everyone line up now...

Internet connection and power issues are behind us so if we have time we’ll be able to post more here. We appreciate everyone that is following our trip and remembering us in their prayers. They have continued to encourage and lift our spirits. God has blessed us in ways we would have never expected. Thank you!

A beautiful land...with dust!

Enjoying some peace and rest - Linda & Sydney

Food, food, food!! (Sydney)

The saying “There are starving children in Africa” was not at all the case for us. Some of us went into the trip thinking eh maybe I’ll lose a couple pounds. I think I gained ten. While in Nairobi we were able to eat whenever we pleased and rarely ate dinner. That was not the case in Kitui.

Typical Gala of Food for Visits - Never a Lack of Food!

You had three sometimes four meals with tea and snacks in between them. The main foods in Kenya are pigeon peas (similar to lima beans and grown on trees), chicken or goat meat in a soupy thing with potatoes, with greens sometimes cabbage or pumpkin leaves, and grain either rice or maize. Occasionally you would get flat bread called Chapati.

Tradational Food for the Kitui Region - Marie Contemplates the New Faire

While not common to us and didn't always settle with our stomach, the food was consistent and healthy and I myself enjoy it. Out of a wonderful sense of hospitality, our hosts in Kitui always wanted us to be well fed...much like a mother tends to push food on her offspring. In the same way it can be a bit painful when you think you can’t eat another bite and realize you still have to eat dinner.

The standard breakfast setup at Scott & Sydney's host home

We truly appreciate the care we were given during our stay in Kitui and recognize the sacrifices made to provide nourishment for us. Instead of welcoming us back as smaller, lighter people, I'm afraid we will have some exercise to do when returning home.

Blessings, Syd

The Church in Africa... (Willie)

For many of us, when we hear about Africa, especially about the Church in Africa, we’ve had romanticized views of things: Small, simple buildings filled with loud, sincere believers singing in seven-part harmony as lions and elephants join together outside in making a joyful noise for their Creator. It’s pretty neat to see how some of that is actually rooted in truth (not the animals, though…). But one thing I’ve come to understand very quickly here is that, contrary to my beliefs coming in, the Church in Africa has not attained perfection. As it turns out, even in Africa the Church is made up of human beings, with human imperfections, and the enemy of our souls is up to the same shenanigans in Kenya that he’s up to in The Dalles.

One of the churches attended by some of the Gateway Team

That might sound like a downer, but the reality is that I’ve found myself bonding very strongly with some of the missionaries and other brethren because of the shared challenges that we face. And as I’ve seen problems in the Church here, it’s given me new perspective and insight into what’s going on at home. Far from being a bitter disappointment, coming to know the African Church has been inspiring and invigorating.

Post church fellowshipping...outside in Africa!

There are some quirky moments. While our cores are the same, our expressions of faith sometimes differ by quite a bit. This last Sunday, different Africa Inland Churches (AIC) had come together. For the offering, each congregation had their own offering basket, one church coming forward at a time to give their offerings. Garth, Marie, and I were appointed our own basket and several times were directed forward to drop our offerings in as everyone else watched. Once they announced the amount Garth had dropped in. At this same service, the pastor serving as emcee suddenly announced that there was another visiting choir, all the way from the U.S., called “William’s Band.” I actually had to ask Dan the Man if he was talking about us. While Dan ran out to the van to fetch the guitar, Marie and I stalled by introducing ourselves and then sang “In the Light” for the group. At home, this would seem like a performance and I would strongly resist doing it. But Linda has explained to us that this is a big way to identify with our brethren, and to express our love in Jesus.

Jackson & Grace the hosts of Scott & Sydney

So sometimes there are awkward moments. The cultural differences can often begin to wear on me and others. But ultimately it has been extremely refreshing to see just how much God has answered Jesus’ prayer for His followers in John 17 – because of His Holy Spirit, we really are one in Him. It’s a unity that goes beyond what we could consciously commit ourselves too; it’s a oneness that just IS because of Him. He’s a Great God, eh?

Asante sana for your prayers, and see you in a week or so!

Willie

Beyond Kitui...rest and back to Chaos! (Marie)

As I am sitting in the van trying to think back over what we did the last three days, Dan the man, (our driver) Scott and Garth (also known as dad) are thirty seconds in to changing our first flat tire. I don’t see a Les Schwab around this hilly, orange dirt landscape but we are in good hands. There are no worries whatsoever and we are using this time as a small break on our five hour drive to Tsavo. Our team is so fun and easy going so I imagine it will take much more then a flat tire to ruffle our tale feathers. We departed from Kitui at seven thirty this morning after saying good bye to our host families. We were all fortunate to have stayed with such wonderful and hospitable families and we all shared bitter sweet farewells but are looking forward to the second half of our adventure. It has been an amazing time thus far.

Syd & Marie on 'The Rock'!

The past few days have been a bit slower than usual but God has been good as always and we have learned many great things through some amazing missionaries that are supported by GMO. On Friday we sat in the GMO office (that in reality would probably only hold four people comfortably) with six missionaries who each gave us updates about their work in the mission field in all parts of Kenya. It was very encouraging to hear about the way God is working through these men and their families and bringing many different people from every sort of background into His kingdom. Hearing their updates and stories helped give our group an idea of what GMO is all about and how we can be praying for them in their individual ministries. The missionaries themselves really enjoyed their time together and it was evident how thankful and encouraged they were to share their passions with us.

Kids at 'The Rock'

The time here has been great and as your eyes and ears I can say that the driving is crazy, you can’t walk into a village market and come out empty handed, I feel like taking a sanitizing shower every time I go in a public restroom, there are goats and cows every where and you are most definitely expected to eat all of the food on your plate . . . even if it’s your fourth one. The people here love visitors and we have been celebrities almost every where we have been in Kitui. People stare in amazement as we drive by, groups of children yell “how are you?!” excitedly in unison, and dozens of kids young and old gather at the fences of their school yards just to get a peek at the mzungus (white people in Kiswahili). Please continue to keep us all in your prayers. Your support for this trip has been such a blessing and we are all looking forward to coming home and sharing our experiences with you. God has been good and we have all been protected and in good health so far so thank you for your prayers. Since I have started writing this the spare tire also went flat but thankfully we were able to make it to a nearby village, Gary and Dan went to go find a tire. The other three men are skeet shooting using poisonous balls of fruit as pigeons into a field on side of the road. We will let you know what becomes of us.

God Bless,


Marie

Our Youth Rock!

The amazing days just keep coming.  God is paving us a way every day as we travel.  Our surreal experience of the day was finding ourselves as the 'Visitors' to an African secondary school in the late afternoon participating in the schools Christian Union Meeting (worship).  The entire school was assembled at the front steps of the school and using their entrance as a stage.

Our arrival at the school

Us 'old' people were merely arriving to gather our youths that had been spending time at the school.  One of the host teachers, David, insisted that we all go to the front and participate in the service.  We were rather enjoying watching our youth from afar, but that was not to be.  David explaied that the students were 'hurting their necks' turning around to watch us.

A beautiful setting in the hills of Kitui

We continued to watch their program which was filled with touching song and exhortation.  Each of us introduced ourselves to the assembly talking a little about why were were there and thanking them for their hospitality.  They laughed often at the way we talked and the stories we told.

Garth works the crowd...

After introductions Marie was asked to read some scripture and talk to the studends for a few minutes.  She did a wonderful job and shared Jeremiah 29:11 and talked about she applied it in her life.  Then it was time for the our 'Youth Group' to bring a little American worship to the crowd.  Willie was a pro and Marie and Syd were backing the show.  They were awesome!  We were so proud.

What a setting to be worshipping our Lord.

Scott was asked to close the time in prayer on a moments notice, but God carried him through.  It was another magical time and such beautiful youth to spend some time with.  It's great that even in the public schools God is not only acknowledged, but is the center of the school and what the youth look towards; a little different that our American system.

Sister Marie and Syd working with Willie

We bring gifts for all of the schools we visit

Great times are had at every visit we have in the schools.  We are so blessed by them

Could Today Be Better Than Yesterday?

It's hard to believe that we could find more job and be blessed anymore than our days yesterday with the visits to the schools, the single woman and her girls, the children singing, etc.  But it is possible.  Thus far, Kenya and it's people bless us more with each day we are here

Today our first stop was the African Inland Church (AIC) Kitui Baby Home. The home takes in children usually under the age of 5 including newborns and cares for them. Every single child has been abandoned or their mothers have died, except for one who had a handicapped mother. Most of the children come to the home when they are very little and usually stay till they are 5.

Beautiful Kitui Orphans

The ladies who run the facility try to contact the relatives of the children to have them take care of the child. However, most of the relatives are resistant and do not want the child. Often this is due to issues of poverty and the lack of resources to take in more children.

Impossible to resist a look like this

The children then go on to another home for children of higher age if no one will take them. These children are beautiful and fun of joy and love. You can see in their faces just how happy they are to have someone hold them. Many of the children were brought in as small babies that were left on the street.

Willie and a new friend

Sharon found a group of triplet boys who were all together in the home. The ladies are having a hard time supporting the children because their main contributor is now giving less. Please pray for this organization as God is truly in the hearts of the ladies running it.

Three brothers.

We’ve all heard of orphanages in one contest or another, but to actually be at one, holding infants as young and a few weeks, or perhaps tossing the young children into the air giving the few seconds of attention they may receive in the day, the week, or perhaps the month, is amazing. Words cannot express the heartache that one feels for these youngsters, but also the pure joy and pleasure of being able to do something so simple and have returned to you a smile that embodies God’s pure love is worth everything. It was a special visit that I doubt that any of us will ever forget!

New Friends Abound

Presenting the Baby Home with a gift from the women of Gateway

Saying goodbye was difficult...they have touched our hearts