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.

An Amazing Ministry...(Willie)

Friday we had an unplanned meeting added to our agenda with an Asian brother who worked with Gary and Linda during their stay in Africa years ago. Shafkat’s outreach to the disabled just happened to be a three block walk from the Presbyterian Guest House.

Listening to Sharkat's testimony

When we arrived, they gave us a short tour of the modest facilities in which they worked. Shafkat explained the plight of the disabled in Kenya – Asians and Africans in Nairobi often share beliefs about Karma; those who are born disabled must have done something in their previous life, and to assist those with this condition is to invite the spirits to oppose them.

Sharon talks with some of the students

So it is highly unusual for Shafkat, his wife and the brethren they work with to drive two hours every morning and afternoon picking up and dropping off the people they minister to. They minister to 10-12 individuals, from age 8 all the way into middle age.

Gary asked Shafkat to share his testimony. To make a long story short, God had been chasing this person involved in another religion for years, one day answering his cry for God to reveal Himself. When God revealed Himself, this once self-righteous man was convicted and transformed.

Saying goodbye

I think Shafkat might be the mightiest man of God I’ve ever met. Crippled in a wheelchair, having spent a total of six years in hospital treatments, running a tiny outreach in a back street of Nairobi – this guy has Jesus all over him. He has a vision to move to more expansive facilities someday, to reach more of the outcasts in his community. I don’t know if that will happen. But I do know that this man has been faithful with a little, and someday, in this life or the next, God will be putting him in charge of a lot. What a humbling, encouraging, random experience for us!

Next...Traffic, Market's and Kids.

Wow, this is Africa?

I’m not sure any of us really knew what to expect when coming to Africa (Except Gary & Linda) but Nairobi was much busier and crowded that we expected. In some ways it was a little shocking, but fascinating all the same.

An Amazing Tree!

We headed out of Nairobi after getting moved into the guest house and freshening up. The landscape changed significantly as we headed up into the Rift Valley. While there were still some vehicles, traffic and people, it was rural in nature with big view across the valley. We were on our way to a farm when some of the missionaries that Gary and Linda worked with were living.

Willie in Tree!  :-)

We were al wondering where we were headed after turning off the highway and heading down a very rough and primitive road for 5 km. We reached a manned security gate that was the entrance into the area. Upon arriving at the bottom of the valley and along the water source, it went from parched to lush. It was an incredible setting and we’ll let the pictures speak for themselves.

Team Tree!

As beautiful as the setting were these new friends we met. The two couples we spent time with were great examples of Godly people that have done great things with their time in Africa. After a mere couple hours with these people we all left encouraged and looking forward to ministering to the people of this country. It was a great introduction to the country and what we will be undertaking in the coming weeks.

Willie trying to stay in the tree!

Next…First glimpse at great works in Nairobi.

Outbuildings on the farm

Gary & Linda with missionary friends

Kenya, Meet Gateway! Hitch #2 Shows Up.

As you probably already know, we finally made it to Nairobi. We started our journey at 1:30PM on July 13th and finally arrived at 5:30AM on July 15th. It was a long haul, but one that we will treasure and found enjoyable.

Our base of operations in Nairobi - Presbyterian Guest House

Now that we were on the ground, all we needed to do was to collect our baggage and see if we could find Dan, our guide and driver. The luggage system is a little less advanced that many of those in the US. Long story (a few hours worth), short, our luggage never arrived. By the time we left the airport we were missing 7 pieces. Hardest hit were Willie and Sharon who both had little more than the clothes on their back! They were both troopers and carried on.

With all of the delays, visit to Ghana, and the extra air miles, we were only 10 hours late. Dan (our guide) was actually there and unfortunately had to wait until we sorted out the baggage issue. We went to the guest house we were staying to freshen up, then hit the road for our planned itinerary. While we were all exhausted, we knew it was best to carry on and get to bed early to help with the time change.

Poor Marie finally gave in a caught a nap!

We headed out through the streets of Nairobi and saw a glimpse of what we would get to know in the coming weeks. It was a busy and traffic snarled city. We were on our way to connect with some couples from Gary and Linda’s missionary team from when they were here before. We had no idea what to expect; it was amazing.

Two lane road turns to three when cars move to the

sidewalks during rush hours!  Watch out pedestrians.

Next…An Oasis!

A Quick Trip to Ghana!

Our connection in Ghana was reasonable, but somewhat tight given the unknowns that awaited us. We were a little late leaving Amsterdam and likewise a little late arriving in Ghana. Accra is no small town, but the airport is a little more primitive than those we’d passed through thus far. Additionally none of our group had ever been there before. We exited the plane onto the runway, loaded onto a bus and drove about 100 yards to the terminal (why the bus??).


After entering the terminal the process was a little confusing as there was no was to get to the departure gates without going through customs, but we were not really entering the country, so what to do. God provided a lovely woman for us named Eunice. Eunice walked us past customs (as the agents were baffled as to why we didn’t need to check through them), snaked through halls, stairs, waiting areas, outside to the streets of the airport area, through an alley and bad into the ticketing area where we were hoping our piece of paper would be enough to get us boarding passes for the next flight.
Eunice took us to her boyfriend (I think?) and he checked our passports and sent us for boarding passes. It’s hard to know how much time we saved with this blessing God provided, but we didn’t have much spare time when we arrived at the gate to board for Kenya. In general the entire team has been relaxed through all the twists and turns we have had in the first days of the trip. We knew we would come across challenges and are all trusting our Lord to pave the way for us…and He does!

We are now on the next plane, back in coach (oh the days of First Class ;-) ) and on our way to Nairobi. We are again trusting God that he will work things out in terms of our connection with Dan (our driver and guide) as we have not been able to communicate with him once since we left. We left a message for Brian (Gary’s son) after we knew we might be delayed suggesting that he might contact Dan to let him know we could be delayed. Delayed indeed…coming on a totally different path on a different day.

Finally Arrived - Willie & Marie Can't Beleive it!

The Lord is still walking before us and preparing the way. We will follow.


Next…We Finally Arrive!