Aug. 9………… Leaving Kenya

Ministry Partners,

It was hard to realize when I awoke this morning that I will be leaving Kenya and in 6 days I will be leaving Africa altogether. The time has been brief but the fact finding we intended to do here in Kenya has been just that, finding out what needs to be done for future church and prison ministry here if God brings me back next year. I will miss Heart Lodge as it has been a nice place to stay and I would stay here again. But I will not miss the cold weather here; I had to smile yesterday as Pastor Joseph was wearing a full length heavy wool coat, a surprising turn of events for Aug. in Kenya.

Today at breakfast we had a very/informative talk with Foursquare Missionary Humberto Paz about ministry in Kenya and “Auntie” Clara joined us for a discussion concerning fundraising. I was asked a couple of time this year before I came, “What is the hardest part of what you do?” and my answer was always the same, fundraising! 

                  The view from my window at Heart Lodge when I started writing this post.

Pastor Joseph called about 9:30 and said he was sending a man to take us to the airport at 11:30 but I was already packed. When you live out of your suitcase you are pretty much ready to go at the drop of a hat.

Our driver arrived at 11:30 and we were off to the airport but we went through two of Nairobi’s slums on the way and got caught in some traffic so we were happy we had left early for our 3:45 flight. When we arrived at 1:30 at the outskirts of the airport we had to exit the car and walk through a security screening building as the car was checked and then drove through to pick us up on the other side.

After checking in we were told that our flight had been delayed until 4 so we went for a bite of lunch.

At 4 o’clock we did take off and arrived in Entebbe at 5:10 to be picked up by Aaron and Geoffrey just in time for the 5 o’clock traffic which is not that much worse than regular traffic. It is not that far but we did not arrive at our hotel home until 8:45 followed by a quick dinner and bed.

I am thankful we will have a later start tomorrow with breakfast at 9 and then to town to run some errands.

That none would be lost,

Arlene

Aug. 8 ……….. Yes, it’s cold here!

Ministry Partners,

For the second time during this trip I slept from 10:30 until 7 am without waking. Just goes to prove that a safe place, a good mattress and warm blankets (yes, its cold here), warm water to bathe, a good meal and exhaustion will do for a person.

I did not need my granola this morning as a wonderful breakfast of French toast, bacon, 3 – kinds of cereal, fried potatoes, scrambled eggs, orange or papaya juice and a lg. tray of all kinds of fresh fruit, toast and hot beverages was served. Hummmm, how much weight am I going to gain this trip? With such good food I am glad we are paying for room and board (lunch is extra if you want it) in one package.

“Auntie” as she refers to herself is related to the founder of this place and says she comes here for some time every year as a volunteer. She is a total joy with a personality to match. She has been so helpful to us that Alfred told her today that just meeting her would want to make a person come and stay here. She laughed and said no one had ever told her that. I showed her about 5 of the new scarves that had been donated and she picked the animal print one which she couldn’t wait to put on.

It was a slow morning for us as Pastor Joseph who was to bring someone to meet me at 11:30 called and rescheduled until 12:30 so Alfred and I worked on our financial book-work and I was able to work on getting the blog post up to date. This is the first place I think I have ever stayed in Africa that has consistent, good Wi-Fi available, what a treat.

Alfred and I decided to walk around the corner to a “mall” with a bank to exchange dollars for shillings and see what was available in the grocery market. I passed up a jewelry and accessory vendor outside but ended up buying some Kenyan tea and coffee. The shy stock boy was so nice and informed me of the brands that were the best quality.  

We met with the man in the Finance Office to pay our bill here and he was so very nice giving us a special rate for our second night here that I had Alfred go to my room and bring the bag of ties so he could choose a nice one for himself. And since Joseph and his guest were arriving at 12:30 we ordered lunch for all four of us to be served at 1:30. But when he arrived he had brought two guests and the daughter of one guest so Alfred hurriedly went to the kitchen to advise them of the change.

It ended up the men were actually brothers from a large family, one, Pastor George, was a former military man who is now a prison chaplain and the other, Rev. Charles, who said that they had 4 more siblings who were pastors at other churches. By the end of our time together I was invited to speak at all five churches in 2017 if God brings me back next year.

 Pastor George, Arlene & Rev. Charles

It was a meeting by God’s design for sure and they gave me such valuable information for moving forward with prison ministry here in the future. Then we had our delicious lunch of potatoes, fish, Samosas, green beans, buttered carrots and fruit pizza for dessert. 

Later in the afternoon a friend of Alfred’s came by to visit with him and meet me, then he had dinner with us.

It was a good day and a lot was accomplished. We head back to Uganda tomorrow.

That none would be lost,

Arlene

Aug. 7, 2016 ….. Good Morning Kenya !

Ministry Partners,

 

I awoke around 4:45 before the alarm went off at 5 so I was ready when the guys came for my bags. We loaded up and then they went to get some breakfast before we headed out. The airport was a short drive and we arrived in good time. After unloading, we said goodbye to Aaron and Geoffrey who are heading back to Kampala today.

When we arrived at the airport Foursquare Pastor Joseph Michieka sent a driver to pick us up and take us to his church. 

Arlene & Pastor Joseph

I was told I would probably only introduce us but in actuality I spoke for 1 hour and 10 min. and the woman who translated for me into Swahili was excellent and quite fast. It’s amazing when I finish sharing about what God has taught me about forgiveness and I challenge those who know God’s forgiveness to forgive others or themselves how the Holy Spirit works as among the crowd women stand to forgive those who raped them.

The pastor and church was ever so happy with the Swahili Bible sets we brought with us from Uganda. It’s a church filled with such sweet people. We were ushered back into the pastor’s office after the service and given a most delicious bowl full of beans and rice. I’m being honest, the way the beans were seasoned needs to be bottled, they were the best I have ever had. The proof ….. I had a bowl and ½ and the lady serving still wanted to give me more!

Pastor Joseph drove us to Heart Guest house for missionaries and other Christian workers where we met and discussed prison ministry for awhile but set another meeting here tomorrow at 11. This place reminds me of a retreat center with no T.V.’s or distractions and it is good size There is a group of 24 women here and my room is next to some of them and a group of 4 men from Albany, Oregon on the side where Alfred is. Pastor Joseph told me that Humberto Paz, a Foursquare gentleman I know, will be here tomorrow. 

Dinner tonight was buffet style and very delicious with the “softest” chicken I have had in Africa.

I have purposely stayed up today so that I will sleep very well tonight. It will be nice to spend a couple of nights in the same place. I guess I am really not the “live out of a suitcase” kind of girl! But my time in Africa is going far too quickly. 

Thank you partners for your continuing prayers.

That none would be lost,

Arlene

Aug. 6, 2016 ….. My first Kenyan prison

Ministry Partners,

It was an early morning as we must be all packed and loaded in the van before breakfast at 8 which we ordered for 7:30 and was ready at 8:30.

While we were having breakfast Pastor Aaron stated how he had translated for me and also heard me share when Alfred interpreted the message on forgiving. He said he kept having a prick in his heart over all the years we have worked together but last night he knew he had to forgive his father which he did. When I pray that everyone’s heart would be touched during our ministry time every day or evening I usually never get to hear exactly how the Holy Spirit is working in each life. I thanked Aaron for sharing something so personal with us. Praise the Lord.

We were ready and standing by the van waiting for Ben to arrive which he did at about 9 but he then told us that the Regional Commandant of Prisons named Rev. Moses Mbito, God’s blessing upon us to have him with us, talk about open doors!

Rev. Moses said on the phone to Ben that he is coming but it is now almost 10:30 and we are still waiting.  Finally he arrived and he had a tall man named, Rev. Edward Langeil with him. I really liked them both although Moses was rather formal and stiff, very much the boss. They had said the prison was close but I guess that is relative as it was a distance.

Rev. Edward, Rev. Moses and Arlene

 

When we arrived at Kapenguria Prison we first passed a church only to find out Anglican had built it. They said we could take photos so that was a blessing for sure. The prisoners were having lunch so we walked to the church we had passed as Moses told us all about its history.

Then it was time to head in to the prison and there they were in their street cloths and stripped black & white prison garb but they had the same hopeless and forgotten look about them. We followed the same format and watched so very many respond.

They were thankful or the Bible sets, soap and the women for their donated scarves.    

As we were finishing one of the men prisoners came with a beaded bracelet that the wanted to give me as a “Thank You”. It’s beautiful and delicate made with tiny glass beads the color of the Kenyan flag and symbol. What a treasured gift from my first prison in Kenya.  

Before leaving the prison area we were invited back to the church for a meal and then we departed with 4 more people in the van that needed a ride.

I am thankful that the Lord held the rain back while we were at the prison but it rained for the next 6 hours that it took us to drive to a town to catch the plane in the morning for Nairobi. We had been told that the drive would only take 2 ½ hours but it was farther than expected and the road was more than horrible. Aaron and Alfred did a great job, in the dark and rain, of getting us finally there at 11pm through muddy, rutted, crevice filled, pothole, and pavement missing roads. 

As we drove into the night and through the darkness I was so very thankful that we did not have a flat tire of break down. I just couldn’t help it; with my bad back that long rough ride had every nerve in my sore body screaming by the time we got to a hotel for a few hours rest.

Alfred said we need to leave for the airport by 6 for our early flight to Nairobi at 7:30.

So it’s good night for today.

That none would be lost,

Arlene

Aug. 5, 2016 …… They came in a truck

Ministry Partners,

What a luxury to sleep in today as we did not need to be to breakfast until 9 and although it is cold here to have an extra so I was ever so comfy. Along with that we did not have to meet Pastor Ben, the Kenyan pastor we are working with, until 2pm.

After our drive into town Alfred had to get another Sim card for his phone as the Uganda one for the time we are in Kenya. I take so much for granted in the states as I can drive anywhere and my car is insured and my phone works anywhere. 

Pastor Ben arrived at our van, while the guys were taking care of the phone, and said because his electricity had been out his phone was not charged so he went into a nearby building where a friend of his worked to get it charged.

While Aaron and I were waiting I had the opportunity to give a few of the ladies walking down the street, with baskets of produce on their head, a scarf and tract. After about all the guys returned to the van and we were off to the church. You can’t imagine the large complex Pastor Ben has and oversees. He has a nice home, school, a large church building and a large hospital that is almost ready to open. He has three children and a darling wife.

 

When we arrived we were invited into his home and then waited as pastors arrived and sat in an outside porch to have something to eat as they had come quite a distance. Our team was not invited to meet them because as honored speaker/guests we were put into a “cast system” cultural setting. Those who know me know I so wanted to walk right out and greet each one but I kept my place in the living room with my team.

After a short time they disappeared and walked to the church. By the time our team was ushered into the church it was full of pastors and villagers and many of the had arrived standing in the back of a big open truck !!! The generator was running and beautiful worship music was being led by a group on the platform. Pastor Ben was leading the group with such a powerful voice. Later as I was speaking and Pastor Aaron was translating for me he was struggling a bit with the Swahili language they speak here so Pastor Ben took over.

Pastor Aaron is the most gifted man especially when it comes to the different languages. Goodness, Pastor Ben has the most powerful strong tone to his voice I had to concentrate on what I was saying and not just turn around and listen to him.

At the end of the service we presented those who accepted Christ as Savior with a Bible/Booklet set and I also presented both Pastor Ben with the gift of 2 ties and his wife with the gift of a handmade shopping bag and new scarf. The pastors present received a tie and the pastor’s wives with a donated scarf.

 

Pastor Ben & his wife & Arlene

 

After the service we returned to the pastor’s home for some African tea before setting off to our hotel.

Time is not an issue here as Alfred ordered dinner while we were still at the church and when we arrived at the hotel some 1 ½ hours later …….. dinner was still not quite ready but I must say the French Beans and other vegetables, Carrots and onions, ect.,are the best I have had in Africa. So, they are worth the wait. But it is not my favorite to be eating dinner at 10.

It was a powerful day and another one to give God praise.

Do not have a modem for Kenya so finding internet service/wifi is difficult. I am not able to post every day so I will try to make two posts a day.

Thank you for keeping us and our efforts before the Lord.

That none would be lost,

Arlene