The Last Few Days...

I am happy to report that we are seeing progress on our 'super highway'...that is what we are calling it since it is so smooth - look at previous blogs to see 'before' pictures.

We were very disappointed, however, to find this deep ditch blocking our entrance to the 'village' where we buy our morning mandazi's...they are so good - kind of like a popover, but denser.



Here are a couple of pictures from our team building activities from Tuesday the 1st of May. See Denise and William? (William is in the yellow shirt behind Denise) - they are to the right of the photo. I think they are dancing...??

This is my team - I am amazed at how quickly I felt included, even though they knew each other previously. I had met two of the people on my team - they are members of the Mission and Outreach Committee at the Nairobi Pentacostal Church...we have attended a few of their meetings.

It was a great day of learning about trust, team work and creatively thinking 'outside of the box'...

This morning I woke up to the sound of the kitchen faucet running - although I thought it was the rain! Our water pump was not working last night, so we went to bed believing that we would have no running water in the morning...I guess the pump was healed during the night, because the downstairs was flooded this morning! The faucet had been left open and when the pump came back to life the water filled up the sink, overflowed onto the kitchen floor and into the dining room and living room...

Here is Maggie, sweeping, with daughter Brianah mopping with a towel. I did not think to take a picture until we had most of the water out - but you get the idea.


Maggie took this shot of me helping sweep up the water - I am in the living room, where we removed the furniture and the rug.



The other night we came home to NO ELECTRICITY! Claris and Brianah are very diligent students - studying by candlelight! I know it looks light in this picture, but that is my flash...see the candle?

Big News!

Our road is being repaired! The only sad part is that we have very much enjoyed splashing through the mud now that the rain has come...so - now we will have to wait for more pot holes and rain for splashing. Although there are still plenty of other places to find mud...

The first photo shows the work has already started...see the truck up ahead? In the second photo I captured a bicyclist as well as people walking. This is a small sampling of what we see each morning when we leave. I will take 'progress pictures' to keep you updated.

Remember yesterday we took Lydia home from the hospital? Today we filled her prescription for her meds and took them to her. First we stopped at the Msamaria Mwema project and I got to meet some more of Denise's friends. Sorry, I did not have my camera with me.

Then we walked to Lydia's place. Keep in mind this is a slum...her home is about 10' x 10' and contains a bed, couch, chair and table. In the corner she keeps all of her dishes and cooking utensils. I was amazed and how clean and neat it all was and how welcomed I felt - but then, Lydia is a gracious and lovely person...I was even more amazed as people filed in to visit with us and with Lydia - at one point I counted 14 people! And we were all comfortable. Even though much of the conversation was in another language, I still had a delightful time.

And - we will be returning Monday morning...that will be a time of fellowship, breaking bread and, I am sure, more good conversation.

Below is a photo of us entering the slum. I keep wanting to post pictures that depict what I am experiencing, but I am quickly coming to realize that is not possible. So the best I can do is paint you some word pictures. Oh - every time we enter a town all the children shout "how are you? how are you?" and sometimes they shout "how are you? fine!"

The Best Laid Plans...

The "plot" (plan) for the day today was pretty full. First drop William at the roundabout so that he could go into town, then off to Kenyatta hospital to pick up Lydia and take her home, then buy groceries at the Nakumatt and attend a missions and outreach meeting at a local church.

However - the day unfolded quite differently. Actually it started out pretty much according to plan. Getting Lydia out of Kenyatta went way smoother than expected and took less than two hours. Mind you, no nurses or even a wheelchair - we just grabbed all of her stuff and she walked between two of us down to the car. She sat in front with me so that I could support her - and Denise took a picture!

Lydia lives in Kiambiu, the slum where Denise has been working. She received quite a homecoming, with several of the ladies coming in to clean up, do her dishes and make her bed.

Now is where the plot broke down. We spent quite some time outside of Lydia's home talking to several members of the project, Msamaria Mwema...there are many changes happening and the members had lots of questions. After saying goodbye to Lydia we went to visit the Chief. During the course of conversation he mentioned that he has a 'problem'...apparently one of the young men in the community had died and the chief had called the police to arrange a transport to the city mortuary, but had not heard back. So - of course, since we have a vehicle we volunteered to make the trip.

I must say this was a first for me! Of course it was rush hour so it took about 45 minutes to drive through town. Three men accompanied the body and we left them at the mortuary.

By now it was too late the get to our meeting on time, plus we were desparate for groceries - among other things we needed water and cat food. We filled up two carts and the nice thing is that here they still take your groceries to the car for you.

We were only about an hour late to the meeting, which was quite exciting since they are planning several events and mission outreach trips - one of which will take place at the Kiambiu slum in a couple of weeks.

By the time we got home it was almost 9 and we sat down to dinner at 9:40...it is now almost 11 and I am so ready for bed!

A Day in the Office

This is our temporary office these days...it also doubles as Denise's bedroom! To the left is William on his computer, then Denise is at the desk on her computer...you can see my computer in the foreground waiting for me to update my blog - which I am doing now.

Today it is raining, as it has been all night. So, we have decided to stay in today and work on various projects. Denise is working on an outline for a revised constitution for the Msamaria Mwema project. She has a meeting tomorrow morning so we will help her today to prepare for it.

Then while she is in the meeting tomorrow morning, William and I will take a few hours to run errands downtown (which is town centre here)...we will check his PO Box and pick up a certificate for his sister, who just completed a course in HIV/Aids counseling.

Friday the plan is to do some home visits in the Kiambiu slum where Denise has been active for several months. I am looking forward to meeting many of the people she has told me about. Please pray for us that our visits will be a blessing to the people as well as to us.

I have sent emails to many Hour of Power viewers here in Kenya to begin scheduling time and place for visits. We plan to travel 'up country' in a couple of weeks to attend a church opening and anticipate visiting some of the people I have been in contact with along the way - I will update as I know more.

By the way, I just realized I have not reported in about my jet lag - which is, thankfully, a thing of the past. I am thoroughly on Kenya time these days. Although I have to admit that my 'normal' schedule is quite different. In the states, bedtime was 9pm and I started my days between 4:30 and 5am. Now I am rarely in bed before midnite and rise somewhere betwen 5am and 9am...depending on the plan (or 'plot') for the day and what time I (finally) got into bed the night before (or should I say the morning?)

Thank you so much for your prayers - they are working!

May the Lord continue to bless you as you work in His Kingdom.

Going to town...

Can you see our road? It is made of dirt, and has lots of water in the holes since it has been raining lately. I took these pictures through the windshield so you can also see the hood of the car...

This next picture shows what I see as we travel through the 'village' on our way to town...I think of this as our neighborhood because there are many little shops as well as apartments where people live...it is usually teeming with people going to and from work and school, as well as children running, playing and laughing.

What is missing in this picture are all the people on foot... typically we are also dodging people as we try to squeeze into the traffic. To the right you can see a matatu - basically a mini van filled with people, these are small busses that take people to and from every where. The drivers are aggressive, and talented at maneuvering in and out of the traffic...so - to be a successful driver in Nairobi one must also gain those skills and believe me, Denise has!

Pictures...

I know you want to see photos - and I want to put them up for you, but so far I have not been successful with my computer...please be patient with me as I find a solution to the challenge.

The Hospital Visits

This is a story about the Providence of God.

On Saturday we visited a friend, Lydia, in the hospital. Please know that this was not like any visit I have ever experienced. The conditions are anything but pleasant - with no pillow cases on the vinyl pillows, holes in the blankets, no amenities and very little attention from the nurses. The room contains 6 beds. I was struggling at best. Then it happened, one of the patients (a burn victim) fell out of bed - it sounded like a door slamming! Denise rushed over to help, and calmed the girl until the nurses came. They put her mattress on the floor and moved the bed across the room...within a few minutes I began to feel dizzy.

I sat on an empty bed next to my friend, William. I heard him call to Denise and heard her say I looked pale, then I passed out! Nurse Denise wet her scarf for my forehead and elevated my feet until I could sit up.

Imagine my feeling when I realized we were to return the next day! The three of us (Denise, William and I) came up with a game plan - I would be sure to eat just before going in and most important - we would cover me in prayer. That is exactly
what we did. God is so faithful. He did not just protect me from fainting, He blessed me beyond imagination. I cannot describe all the details, but I will say that He used me to minister to Lydia and to help Denise take care of her.

We went back again today - Monday. I was pretty nervous, but God is faithful! Again, I was blessed...again we ministered to Lydia - and we go back again tomorrow.

I will go not with confidence in me and what I can do, but with confidence in the Lord and what He has done and can do.

An ordinary day...

There is no such thing! However, since many of you have been asking exactly what I am doing here, I thought I would share what life for me is like these days.

First, let me say, that I feel like I am not accomplishing much, but as I shared in my previous post, I know that God is at work preparing me and preparing the way for His plan to unfold. That being said, let me say that so many things are the same here - we do dishes, we do laundry, we go to town and run errands, we bathe and eat meals.

However, the way in which we do these things is most definitely different than what I am used to! Going to town is a bit like being in a demolition derby - we must dodge people on foot, on bicycles and in buses as well as other trucks and cars. But, that's not all - the roads are very bad so everyone is also dodging the pot holes...nobody signals, hardly notice the lines (if there are any) and nudge their way in when the slightest opening occurs...i doubt I will ever get the courage to sit behind the wheel!

Doing laundry is anything but automatic, although we do have a washing machine. We must run the water into it, set the wash cycle, then manually set the spin cycle to empty the tank, fill the machine back up then set the rinse cycle. When all of that is done we then hang the clothes on the line (which I enjoy)...but yesterday it rained so - the last load is still hanging around that house!

Bathing is interesting here - we do have running water, but have not yet managed to get the hot water working. We have three options - basin bathing with hot water heated in an electric carafe, cold shower or bathe from the faucet in the shower - so far I have made choice number 3 and I actually don't mind!

Doing dishes is also interesting - since we need hot water we heat the water and pour into a basin to wash the dishes, then stack onto a dish rack - no dishwasher here! In fact I plan to do the dishes in the sink this morning - it will be my first attempt!

Every day is different, and always contains something new for me to learn.

I am grateful we serve a patient God - as I continue in prayer, waiting for each step of the plan to unfold - I know that His timing is perfect and that all of this is preparing me for Kingdom use.

Let me also say that I am living with a wonderful group of people. Maggie is my roommate - she is a beautiful Kenyan woman (inside and out), she has three daughters - Venessa, Claris and Brianah, and then there is William - a young man with a passion for student ministries. And of course Denise - she has been a most gracious hostess! We live as a family - sharing chores and sharing our lives. I have felt welcomed into this household from day one - for which I am most grateful.

Please pray for us as we continue to adjust to each other...and especially as we continue to listen for the leading of the Lord for our lives individually and also for what we are to do together.

Next week Denise will and I will go to the Kiambiu slums to make home visits and also hospital visits. Then in May we will travel to a church opening (I will be sure to take pictures!) and after that I will begin to set up times to visit with Kenyan Hour of Power viewers I have been in contact with.

I am praying for God's continued blessings to you all.

Waiting on the Lord

I keep thinking 'what will I post?' I want you all to know what I am up to - but it seems pretty uneventful to me.

Last night we had dinner with the Dickersons (Don and Laura) - they are a missionary couple who have been in Kenya for a year and a half. I was sharing with Laura my frustration in 'reporting' news to you all. She helped me to see that often the most important thing we can do is pray. Wow!

That is, after all, what I came here to do - at least initially. I continue to "Explore the Call" by being in prayer daily for His guidance. He is truly faithful, as He is showing me day by day, in small glimmers, what I am to do. The 'to do' list is not activity (at least for now) - but 'receiving'...receiving His daily blessings, receiving the love and friendship of the people here, receiving His strength and guidance.

Many of you agreed to pray according to the urging of the Holy Spirit whenever I come to mind. I know you are doing that because I sense his presence continually. Please do continue, and never stop!

In Him I am...Joanna

'Captions' for the pictures

I am using Denise's Mac to upload photos onto my blog...I know Macs are the best...but - well, I can't actually see the pictures in edit mode so this is the text for the photos on the next entry.

The first two pictures are after 25+ hours of travel for me! One is of Maggie and me and the second photo is of William, Denise and me (Maggie took that one!)

The next three photos are a sample of the beauty we enjoyed at the National Park on Thursday and Friday. Sorry no more pictures - yet!

Today I experienced my first Kenyan church service - I loved it! Even though I could not understand all of the words, the praise was awesome. During the sermon and announcements, etc. we had a translator so I was able to follow that. Then I met several new friends and look forward to meeting many more over the next several weeks.

Tomorrow we run errands, again! and then have dinner with a missionary couple that are friends of Denise. My plan is to begin contacting Crystal Cathedral Ministry contacts and missionaries here during the month of May - I am confident this pesky jet lag will be history by then!

Thank you so much for your continued prayers...specifically for me pray that I begin to sleep at night.

Pictures from my first few days...

I made it!

First let me apologize this took so long! I had an internet connection my first day here just long enough to answer a few emails from family. Now i have a strong signal so will post this - but without pictures since I am not on my own computer - which is where my pictures are - so that will be the next post!

I had what i call a blissfully uneventful trip here - Praise God for that! I know that many of you have been praying faithfully for me to arrive here safely - and I know that is why the trip was so good. I even managed to sleep a little bit!

Jet lag is no fun and I am working to get my body on Kenya time...

My first day was 'ordinary'...we spent time at home doing laundry and preparing dinner for the evening. Then went downtown to run some errands - and I got to experience the famous Nairobi traffic! Denise is a great driver and it is quite an adventure dodging potholes, splashing through mud puddles and muscling other cars through the jams.

Thursday we left for a two day 'mini' vacation at a National Park a few hours away. As it turns out this was an amazing way to start my stay here. We just soaked in the majesty of God's creation...and will carry those mental images with us as we walk through lots more 'ordinry days' together. For me, it was a perfect place to begin the process of getting past this jet lag.

Today is Saturday and we are home. I hear company downstairs...I just met a new friend, Christine and her friend Alice - Kenya is certainly a friendly and welcoming place.

So - the next entry will have photos - I promise!

Until then...God Bless!

Easter Dinner with family

Our last night together...we spent it doing what we love most - eating and playing "Hand and Foot" - here we are eating, then we transformed the dinner table into a card table and played partners. Amanda and her Uncle Jim (AKA precious Jim), Joel and me, mom and friend Mary (Mary took this picture).

Of course, mom won - as usual! But winning is not the main thing - having fun, laughing and table talk - that's the main thing!

Easter Sunday Celebration!

What a day! Beverely and staff organized a great farewell party - our class' annual Easter potluck doubled as my going away party. Lots of food and fun and photos!

Our last game night!

Once a month a several of us visit our feline friend Peaches who shares an apartment with Barbara (holding her in the photo)... left to right is Peaches and Barbara, me, Judy and then Alice. We play our favorite card game "Hand and Foot"...I plan to teach the game to my new friends in Kenya, but I know it won't be the same as these past months of gathering with my Crystal Cathedral buddies!

This has been a week full of 'lasts'...my last mentoring session with good friend Brooke (sorry no picture!), my last Wednesday evening fellowship time on the 8th floor, my last early morning 'alone time' with my pastor Beverely, my last day working at the Crystal Cathedral (a place I have come to call 'home') and my last game night!

Many good-byes have been said and many more will be said tomorrow as people gather to bid me farewell. Actually I hate good-byes so in my mind I am really saying "see ya later" so the reality is not quite settling in - YET!

The Countdown Continues...(in earnest!)

Here I am in front of what we affectionately refer to as my "torture" board. It reminds me daily of the "Kingdom" adventure before me.




To the right is my countdown calendar - I plan to update it daily - we will see how diligent I am! Tomorrow is the big day!...

I have completed all of the obvious 'major' steps - airline ticket, shots, passport and support letters. Then some of the 'minor' but important steps - physical, hair appointment :), shopping and.... Now I am coming down to the wire and beginning to be anxious (well, continuing to be anxious!) I know there are a hundred more things to do, phone calls to make, people to see...I have my "things to do before I leave list"...but it just keeps growing!

Then I remember - God is in control! He will see me through...His word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path...He holds me in the palm of His hand and comforts me daily.

No Pictures - again!

I have good intentions, I really do! A good friend pointed out today that I do not have ANY April posts! I suppose I must remedy that...

I am now officially in 'overwhelm'...that dreaded day has come - a hundred last minute thoughts are creeping into my mind...and I cannot see when I will be able to squeeze them all into the precious few days I have left on this side of the GREAT ADVENTURE!

I don't think I am being overly dramatic when I say that in a few short days I will be at the end of life as I know it today! (Okay, maybe a little dramatic - but, hey - this is a complete departure from the way my life has been up until now!)

So - got the haircut tonight, go to the dentist on Saturday, spend Saturday afternoon with Amanda and her boyfriend Joel - hey, that'll be a great photo opportunity!

Then - Sunday, Easter Sunday - my farewell party! What a perfect last day for being with friends and family. If you live near my church, the Crystal Cathedral, you must come up to the 8th floor of the Tower of Hope between 8 and 11 Sunday morning to bid me farewell, meet some of my friends and family, see the 'torture board' in person, and eat some really good food.

Monday - packing will be a group effort, I am sure...with my mom and Amanda (the world travellers) and Jim (AKA 'precious Jim') the self-proclaimed excellent packer, I don't stand a chance - and I love it! Makes me feel very well taken care of...sigh!

More later :)