Finding Faith in the Battle

Pray for Freddy Odhiambo. Freddy is a first year student at the University of Nairobi studying Environmental Sciences. He just committed his life to Christ in February and is in a weekly bible study. He said now that he trusts in Jesus the bible is much more interesting. His roommates wonder why he is reading it before classes everyday. He answers them, "You should try it, then you will see."

Dennis Omondi: Dennis is a first year student at the U of N. Dennis is from the border town of Busia, known for the motorcycle taxi, which is now used all over East Africa and dubbed "Boda-boda." Dennis comes from a Catholic background and says that even though he believed that God existed he did not believe in salvation. In stead, he believed in being a well rounded person. He wanted to experience what he now describes as evil activities. Christianity seemed like a strict code of conduct. That all changed when Dennis was saved in February. He says being a follower of Christ is much more natural than following rules; if you know him, you are changed because of the relationship you have with him.   The really cool thing about Dennis is that he has signed up for our Mission Trip to the Digo People in April. What a testimony to many who are afraid to share the faith. Dennis knows almost nothing, five weeks ago he was practicing the things of the world. Today he is gr...

I came here on-line today, despite 2 sets of tears heard in the background and 1 11-yr old's voice sounding very much like a stern mother (wonder where she gets that from!) to quickly post the February prayer letter and daily prayer guide. Imagine my surprise when I saw my last post dated almost 2 months ago! In all honestly, I did have a January draft, but when I re-read it, it wasn't worth posting. So here we are, into February already, and my silence is shameful. However, I cling to the knowledge that it indicates a totally crazy, full, busy life rather than laziness! All the kids are doing well, back in school. Isaac in particular has really blossomed this year. He's talking about his friends, singing Kiswahili songs he learns in music class, and last week after a doctors' appointment, he asked me not to pick him up early any more because he misses too much! Anya is doing intramural basketball, serves on the Elementary school leadership team, and is preparing ...

Ok, so for those who are worried that I'm permanently damaging my children by not keeping sacred holiday traditions here in Africa...breath a sigh of relief. I made gingerbread cookies and we all decorated them. We have Christmas music playing (THANK YOU, Jen Rhoad--the CD you sent us years ago has the only holiday music we own!!!). And as of today, we have a very unique, African Christmas tree up and decorated. That's my favorite part of getting ready. Both Chad's and my parents gave us a special ornament every year, starting back in 1976 (stop doing the math right now!!!). There is so much history looking at all those special ornaments that have made it all around the world with us, from Africa, back to the States, and now out here again. Our house here has tile flooring, so I did loose my ornament from 1981 when Omara got ahold of it--but I suppose a little superglue on something 31 years old is fitting...some days I feel like I could use a little superglue...

  I am not trying to brag, but let's face it. We live in an awesome place! It would be a shame, really, to do anything less than revel in it. So we revel as often as we can, and we had a chance to share it with a friend who works in Nigeria. God truly blessed us on one of our best mornings ever in the game park. Enjoy!

While my brother and sister-in-law were here, we followed a brilliant co-workers' suggestion (THANKS, Annie!) and headed out the Crescent Island, in Lake Naivasha. It didn't originally have any animals on the island, until the filming of Out of Africa when they decided to cart the animals out to the island and then leave them there. Ok, so it's not the most natural of beginnings, but now it's gorgeous! And to hike around amidst the animals...amazing.

I had a very strange interaction with a Kenyan woman today while waiting for a doctors appointment with the 2 younger kids. It was in mall, and we were sparing the other patients by waiting (for an hours and a half) out in the hall. A woman in questionably-professional (read: skin-tight miniskirt and 5-inch heels) came out at "tea-break" and said Omara was so beautiful and clever. She asked if she could have Omara. Take her forever, she clarified. I laughed--what exactly do you say to that? She then moved on to how young I look to be mother of 2. When I told her of the other 2 kids at school, she was really shocked and asked my age, and then proceeded to say 35 wasn't possible. "But then," she reasoned, "it's because of the money." Excuse me?  "Because you're rich, that's why you look young." My first thought: I am NOT rich!!!! But then again, next to, I don't know, 80% of the country, I actually am rolling in the dough, a...