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

Kitui and a Connection...Finally.

Greetings from Kitui and we are sorry for the lack of post in the past days.  Connectivity and power are much more difficult in this area of Africa as you can imagine.

We have little time as our days are packed with travel and visits on behalf of the GMO (the ministry here).  Words can hardly convey what we have all experienced here.  While the land is so very different and beautiful in so many ways, the people here are truly people of God.  Our hosts are giving so much to us it is really unvelievable.  In many cases they have so little, but like the small homeless child in Nairobi, they give all to us.  Their love is astounding!  We only hope we can bless them as they have all blessed us.

Here are some pictures that should speak works on our behalf...

Our transport for our time in Kenya...on our way to Kitui with all luggage.

Kitui upon arrival...a beautiful and busy town...

Our greeting by the GMO when we arrived.  Beautiful people.

Leader Gary looking over the Kitui area.

The land of Kitui

Children supported by the GMO at one of the schools.

Beautiful children at the school...

A single landy with two beautiful girls supported by GMO

These children sang a most beautiful song for us.  We were truly bless by them!

Sunday, A Day of Rest...

Not much time, need to get some rest for the trip east tomorrow, but we wanted to let you know what a uplifting experience we had at a local church in Nairobi today.  It was a vibrant and exciting time of worship and a strong message that challenged the congregation.  We were struck by how even though we are a half a world away from Gateway, in a different culture, on a different continent, with a very different people, we are clearly worshiping the same God and are more alike in regards to spiritual things than probably anything else.

Sydney & Marie with their host family (Dan & Beth) ready to head to church

It was a blessing and lifted us all up.  Their church has several sister churches around Kenya, other countries in Africa and some in Europe.  Their goal is to reach out to the world to bring understanding of the Gospel to the world's people.  It was exciting and surprising to see their vision to reach out to the world.

As we said with the first post, this one could be our last as we leave here tomorrow for Kitui and there is no guarantee we will have a connection in the bush.  If not, look for some updates when we return in 9 days.  We'll need your continued prayers as we head to some fairly remote parts of Africa and are looking forward to some significant times of blessings to and from us; this is why we are here!  God Bless.

Bush...Here we Come!

Sorry for the limited posts in the last couple days.  It is so challenging to get things done over here and we find ourselves spending the better part of a day work on a couple of what would seem to be small tasks.  You just can't get things done fast here and we are starting to accept the different pace of life over here.

We are heading out to the bush (Kitui) tomorrow and will not be back to the big city for 9 days.  The appreciation of our somewhat sparse accommodations here at the Guest House will be appreciated and missed as we enjoy a once in lifetime experience of home stays with families from Kitui.

We had a magical time yesterday when we left the ‘compound’ which we are generally encouraged to stay in unless we have Dan with us or go in a group.  It was the first time we venture out very far.  We reached out and connected with the homeless boys and really felt good about that brief encounter and about the possibilities in the future.

Some of the boys wearing political hats that were just dropped in the road

The smallest of these boys did a most touching thing.  He kept showing up all along the route that we walked, but was just doing their thing with his buddy, we just happened to be going the same direction. We saw him begging for coins from cars in the street (keep in mind this is like a 6 year old child). They came over to the sidewalk when we were looking at some scaffolding that a building had on it (all of this including the shoring for concrete buildings is just sticks!). We talking with them and having fun while Gary was teasing him and asking him for money.

The boy who gave everything...

The little boy who had a small handful of coins that he had got while begging (probably everything he had in the world) just poured his handful of coins into Gary’s hand and gave them all to him. He did not expect them back and freely gave everything he had. Gary eventually gave them back, but the boy was not concerned at all. What really struck us was that someone who had NOTHING but the clothes on his back and a few coins in his hand, could so freely give it all away to a stranger who obviously didn’t need it. We were touched beyond words at that moment. It will never be forgotten by us.

Sydney and Marie were off for a home stay with Dan and his wife Beth.  They will need to post their experiences of that which we heard were great.