383 families receive Miracle Maize

Well, it has been a week since our last blog. We had difficulty getting access to a modem that would work for our computer here. Our favorite sayings are "It's Kenya" and "It is what it is." I will just try and hit some highlights.

As of this afternoon, we have distributed seed to 383 families. That is approximately 3,830 people who will benefit. Praise God who definitely receives all the glory. One of the boys from the boy's home is now attending Purpose Driven Academy. He was so surprised to see us. He ran up to us and hugged us and began to cry. It was so great to see him again. We took all the boy's to our traditional Pinewood dinner on Friday. Their appetites continue to grow as they are certainly growing boys. Their English has improved quite a bit. They are all growing up so fast.

We went to Kipsongo to Ben and Christine's school. It is a high school started after the election battles earlier this year. The kids were all displaced and Ben and Christine were asked by the Red Cross to start the school. On faith, they did so. The students speak English! I was in my element. I LOVED encouraging those kids and could have spent all day hanging out and listening to their stories. I am absolutely going to do that next time.

We had a parent teacher conference with Lucy's teachers. In one month, her exam scores have gone up 18%. She is adjusting well and her head teacher said she is working very hard and expects continued improvement. She was very behind when she arrived. She is now in Class 6 (6th grade). Her friends at school are so loving and kind to one another. Her head teacher also said Lucy is quite an athlete. She loves football. If nothing else, we can be her agents and she can support us in our old age.

Pastor Mike arrived safely. He was a bit fatigued yet ready for the adventure. We visited the IDP camp on Mt. Elgon. It took about 2 1/2 hours to get there but well worth it. There are 480 people at this camp. 2,250 people still displaced. Some have nothing to return to because their homes were burned and others can't return because the land disputes effect where their particular homestead is. They are still waiting on the government to decide things. We met with the chief and gave some maize. Although we brought quite a bit, it still was not enough. The team was able to go visit with various people, hear their stories and pray with them. Mike met with one woman. The SLDF told her to lie on the floor and not move. He was going to kill her. She said, "If you are going to kill me, let me pray first." The man said, "You are a Christian?" She replied "Yes" and he said, "Get out of here" and she fled. There were many women who's husbands were killed and homes burned. They are now left caring for their children at the IDP camp. It was a sad, yet amazing experience. it would cost $312.00 to build a 2 bedroom home. They have no funds however to do so. Please pray with us that God would provide a way. We also would like to see what we can do about seed and training as they are starving and have no seed to plant their shambas.

Saturday there were quite a number of people who came down from the mountain for the land dedication of the Fruited Plains headquarters. It was quite the event. It was amazing to see the people we have visited so many times come down to greet us. The member of Parliament for the Tranzoia region came. He seems like a very nice man. We did not get an opportunity to really visit with him. I hope we do in the future.

We have Lucy again this weekend. Even though we are busy, I love having her around. In between the utter chaos and madness of ministry, we have shared some precious moments. Today we FINALLY got to go to Cheptonon. It is hard to get there and the rain has kept us a way in the past and it is a place where everyone from the church fled during the clashes. Most are now back. The warm welcome was unbelievable. There are now so many widows yet they all have a heart to minister to others and help others know the love of Christ. WOW!! Even pastor Mike got a little chocked up by the joy of these people. They danced and sang and rocked! I danced with the women and even tried to do the Saboat high pitch chant they do. They laughed and chanted back. It was awesome!!! They showered us with gifts and we had lunch in the pastors home. The significance of that is, his home was destroyed in the clashes. They took his iron sheets and everything inside. They just moved back a few weeks ago. Praise God!!

Unfortunately, our home is a sick ward. Michelle, Stefani and my dad all have had sore throats and colds. They stayed home today to get some rest. The only adventures on the mountain so far is one day we got stuck in a ditch. It was Pastor Mike's first day on the mountain. The back left tire was in the ditch and the front right tire was off the ground. It all worked out as usual. Today, our lorry got stuck and it took several men pushing on it and the our van got a flat tire as we were heading down the mountain. It actually gave me an opportunity to speak to some very sweet girls who actually spoke English! I enjoyed the unplanned opportunity.

Sorry for the long blog. Hopefully I will get in one more before we head for home. As usual, we are on the go from the moment we wake up until our heads hit the pillow. Love you all.

Mt. Elgon, Lucy and defiant chickens

Yesterday was a great day. We were able to sit on the front porch, drink coffee and enjoy the serenity of beautiful Kenya. We did our traditional walking of the farm with Richard. We so enjoy our special bonding time with him. My dad is doing very well. He walked the farm with us and is even gettting a bit more use to the roads of Mt. Elgon. He did not have to rip his finger nails out of the seat in front of him today. He is becoming a local Kenyan. We picked Lucy up after school yesterday and have her until Sunday. She had her first sleep over with her friend Kristen that lives right next door. Kristen is a sweety and enjoyed sleeping in the new house. She calls me "Auntie"

Today we, (Mike, my dad, Butaki, Michelle, Stefani, Lucy, and myself) went up to Chemoge church on Mt. Elgon for the Sunday service. Butaki informed us 45 minutes before we left that one of us would be the "Preacher" for the day and wanted to know who had a message prepared. As usual, Mike volunteered me. He is such a giver. I am getting use to last minute "opportunities" like this so I now travel to Kenya with various messages I have given in the past that I can pull out and ask for God's divine intervention.

After the service we distributed the miracle maize and bean seed to the congregation. They fed us lunch and presented us with a huge stalk of plantains and 4 live chickens which voiced their discontent with the bumpy ride home. As their last act of defiance they left their own "fertilization" all over the van.

My dad, Mike and I then took Lucy to town to get some school supplies. She came up next to my dad, put her arm around his waist, head on his shoulder and walked through the store with him. She loves her grandpa and he loves her. It is great to see this new relationship bloosom. I must say though, he is more protective then we are as parents. But then again, growing up, he was always quite protective.

It just rained for a few hours which is good. God is preparing the Shambas for planting. Tomorrow we will go distribute more seed at Pastor Martins church on Mt. Elgon. I am still waiting for the wild adventure. My dad keeps shaking his head and says he can do without the adventure. I must say, it is pretty cool to see him get up in front of the people and greet them. He is having such a great time and we believe this has been very good for him.

Will keep you all posted. I am going to go rescue lucy from her homework for awhile and see if she wants to play.

Love you all and thank you for your prayers.