Two day Vacation

As I mentioned in my last post, I have been doing a lot of business travel recently with mostly disappointing results. Therefore, I decided I needed to get away for a couple of days to relax before I head to western Kenya on the 18th. It just so happens that a friend of mine is in Mombasa right now, so, on Thursday, I took a bus to visit her. In addition to the comfort of relaxing with a friend, the 80 something degree weather made a nice change to the "high of 60" weather here in Kijabe.

Mombasa is on the coast of Kenya along the Indian ocean. Although the city itself is built on an island, most of the surrounding coastal region is referred to as Mombasa. You may have heard in the news about turmoil in Mombasa. This unrest is not targeted at foreigners specifically, but at the Kenyan Government.

Have you ever heard of Texas pride? Well, that is the closest description I know to the attitudes of Mombasa natives. Like Texas, Mombasa has threatened on multiple occasions to separate from the rest of Kenya and the Mombasa culture is entirely different than everywhere else in Kenya. The people move slower, talk slower, socialize more, and in general take friendliness to a whole new level.

Yes, Mombasa has its problems like any other major city in the world. Almost all, if not all, major cities have areas to avoid at certain times, situations and things to watch out for, and safe & unsafe methods of transport.travel. As long as you know what to look out for and what to avoid, you are fine. My friend grew up in Mombasa and knows all about the city and surrounding area.

I was so excited!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I spent the first day of my vacation relaxing within earshot of the palm trees and the ocean and just reading. It was great to do nothing!! I cooked dinner that night and got lots of compliments from my friend and her friends. What an esteem builder!

Sukuma Wiki, a common Kenyan Dish made
with Kale/Spinach, tomatoes,  and garlic or onions.
Usually served over a starch or as a side dish.

Saturday, we moved to Mombasa itself and I went to a bakery, helped my hosts' son build a "tent" (made of towels, chairs, and a broom), and WENT SWIMMING!! I loved being in the water and working out in it, but I also realized just how out of shape I am. One lap and I was winded! Eventually, I built my endurance up a bit and got a great workout! By the end my legs were jelly, but I truly enjoyed my time in the water. One of the things I miss most about North Carolina is swimming. Growing up, I got to swim every summer as well as visit the ocean. In Texas, I got to play a bit in a pool once, but that was all. Kijabe is TOO cold to swim. I don't think the temperature ever rises much above 75 Fahrenheit here. Therefore, this trip to Mombasa was almost like paradise! The ocean, the heat, the pool, the company, etc.

I got back to CURE this morning and am leaving tomorrow for western Kenya until late Thursday night, but last week seems like months ago. I am emotionally, mentally, and physically refreshed. (Ok, so right now I am a little sleep deprived and ate something my body didn't like yesterday, but these are minor things compared to how I felt before.)

Me and the Mombasa Sunset

Prayer Items:

• I am headed to Kitale and Eldorat for a mobile clinic tomorrow. Please pray for travel mercies and for those we will minister to both physically and spiritually.
• My Alien Registration card is not ready yet. It is supposed to take 5 weeks to process, but it has already taken taken that long. This card serves as my legal ID in Kenya and until I get it, I have to carry my passport with me everywhere I go.
• I am discouraged about the LIMBS progress here in Kenya. Other than project sponsored patients, there have been no new patients fit with the LIMBS Knee this year. Pray for guidance!
• I am getting over a cold! Pray for healing!

PRAISE THE LORD!

• First, God allowed me to get involved with several missionaries (both long and short term) in Kijabe.
• MY COMPUTER IS FIXED!!!!!!!!!! Now I just need to find safe transport for it from the USA to Kenya!
• God provided the opportunity for me to travel to Mombasa to relax with a friend. AND, and added bonus, I had the best seat in the bus on the way there!

My view (in Nairobi) headed to Mombasa.

• I got to the bus station an hour and a half early and therefore, was able to enjoy a cup of tea and read my Bible for AN ENTIRE HOUR before the 8.5 hour bus ride! =) 
• God brought me safely from Mombasa back to Kijabe!
  

Trust

Why is trusting SO hard?

How many times has God come through for me and yet I still struggle to trust Him entirely?

It is so much easier sometimes to try and take control yourself, especially when God is not working in your timing.

Being in Kenya has shown me a lot about trust and where it should or shouldn't be placed. There is a saying that goes, "once injured, twice shy." That describes me pretty well in terms of trusting. Unfortunately, I also struggle with generalizing and therefore, if someone breaks my trust, anyone I met at around the same time or in the same situation suffers from that breach of confidence.

Case 1:
Setting: My house
Situation: The contents of my first aid kit and some money are missing
Characters: Two young kenyan ladies from different families

Neither of them admits to taking the money or the first aid supplies. So, in an effort to be fair, neither are allowed any more into my house without close supervision.

That should be the end, right? But no, since my trust in them is broken, my trust in their entire family and their friends is threatened. I have become overly suspicious of anyone entering my home. I struggle to trust even those I know are trustworthy and have an excellent reputation in Kijabe. WHY?

What is trust? Can you trust someone only partially? OR Does it mean that you have full and entire confidence in that person?

Case 2:
Setting: My life
Characters: God and me
Situation: My problems, struggles, and seemingly impossible obstacles

God saw fit to bring me into a personal relationship with Him very early in my life. As I grew older, he taught me more about what it means to be a Christian and how to follow Him. Only by His Grace and help did I make it through my adolescent years. He called me to serve him in missions and then provided me with ways to follow His Calling. God has worked out situations at the last minute, but in His Timing. He supernaturally orchestrated my arrival and ability to work and live in Kenya.

So, if He has come through and worked out SO MANY things in my life thus far, WHY OH WHY do I struggle to trust Him when my computer breaks?

Here's the story:
When my parents came out to Kenya last summer, they brought me over a new laptop because my old one no longer worked. It was supposed to be the toughest computer out there. Within the first few months the back USB port stopped working. Then, a second USB port stopped working with my modem. Now, within the last month, my final USB port started having problems. I have one month left on my warranty, so I called the technical support number.

Another missionary friend had also spoken to the tech support from this company and had warned me of the connection difficulties I might have.

However, when I called and was transferred to the right person, the whole call took less than 15 minutes! And that was even with being put on hold a couple of times!

1 point for God!

In the past, when I have called technical services for my computers, the person is Indian, Asian, or Hispanic, and while I have no problem/issue with any of these people as human beings or people, sometimes understanding them is difficult because of phone connection quality and accent. Imagine my surprise and delight when the man on the other end had a deep southern accent! What I blessing! I could understand every word he said. (Though we had to repeat ourselves a couple of times because of the internet connection.)

2 points for GOD!

This all happened on Wednesday night. All day Wednesday, I had been trying to back up my computer so I wouldn't lose any information when I sent it back to the computer company. Three time the back up had crashed. After talking with Technical support, I started the backing up the computer a fourth time and began worrying that I would never get a full back-up. Why was I worried? Hadn't God already come through for me twice just that day?

I found out that there were three ladies leaving on Thursday and one of these said she was willing to take the computer. Now, if only I could get the computer to backup itself.

Tic-toc, tic-toc. It's past 10 pm and I am still waiting for the back up to finish. It's at 64%. I use the time to talk to my family and a couple friends over the internet. Tic-toc, tic-toc. It is 11:15pm. I am falling asleep, but the back up successfully completed. Praise the LORD!

3 points for GOD!

I left the computer with the guard at CURE because I had to meet the 5am bus from Kijabe to Nairobi on Thursday and didn't know if I would be back in time to get the computer to the lady who volunteered to carry it.

Well, Thursday morning came too fast. I caught the bus (which was early), we hit minimal traffic, and it dropped me off much closer to my connecting station then I expected. The connecting bus filled quickly and I arrived at my destination an hour earlier than expected. Wonderful! Things were moving smoothly!

4 points God!

Now, by this point you should see that God has been providing for me in SO many ways over the last 15 hours and I should be trusting him to get me through the next 15, right?

Well, the Bible says, "The testing of your faith produces perseverance."

Enter testing. The lady who was going to carry my computer started having second thoughts. Once I finished what I needed to do in Nairobi, I hurried back to Kijabe. Half and hour before I arrived, I got a call from the lady saying that she couldn't take it. Now, what was I going to do? No one else from Lower Station Kijabe (where I live and work) was going to the States until mid June and that was too late.

But why was I worrying?
Hadn't God worked things out so far?
Where was my trust?
I know in my heart, but my head isn't following!

I arrived back in Kijabe, picked up my computer and prayed.
Then, it hit me, "What about RVA?"
I quickly called and found out that someone was leaving that very day for the US and might be willing to carry it for me. I tried calling the places the guy might be, but to no avail.So, since I needed to go up to RVA anyway, I picked up my computer and bags and headed up to the school (RVA). I met my Missionary friend, the one who recently sent his computer to the States for repair, and he helped me track down the departing missionary, Lamar. Lamar was very willing to carry the computer and it also gave him an excuse to purchase one of the snazzy RVA computer bags for his computer in the States! (He preferred this option over taking my bag and then having to send it to my parents.) He left last night and my computer is safely on its way to the US. This is an even better situation than the one that fell through before!!!!!

Now, why was I SO WORRIED? Why can I trust God with the big things like salvation from eternal punishment, yet I struggle to trust Him in the little things like getting a computer over the ocean in time for it to be repaired?

GOD ALWAYS PROVIDES! Why do I worry?

I think I need some supernatural help in trusting those who deserve it!

God Bless!

What a Friend we have in Jesus!

What can I say? Updating is hard sometimes! So much happens asnd yet when I sit down to write an update, I get writer's block.

The last few weeks have been tough. I am getting frustrated really easily, tasks are not progressing like they should, I keep forgetting things, or becoming overwhelmed by them. I am not exactly sure what is going on. At one point, I thought it was exhaustion. Then, I thought it must be hormones. Maybe, it's the second stage of culture shock. I don't know now! Your prayers are definitely appreciated!

It's not all difficult though! I have had some great times too! I got to return to the Nairobi Safari walk with some friends and this time I paid the resident rate! Some of the animals were easier to see this time and I got to see the cheetah really up close. Also, I travelled to Matuu (about 4 hours away) to visit a man, Peter, wearing the LIMBS knee and meet his family. He has the cutest 2 year old little boy and the sweetest wife. In order to reach his house from the matatu stage I had to take my first piki piki (motorbike)  ride. I spent the night with them since I could not get back to Kijabe before dark. I really enjoyed spending time with them!

I am learning my way around Nairobi so I can travel there alone from Kijabe when I need groceries or need to run an errand. I only travel during daylight hours for two safety reasons. First, it is unsafe for a single woman to travel alone at night. Second, the roads are not well lit and the road down the hill to Kijabe from the main road is treacherous even in the daytime.

The rainy season has finally come, bringing with it colder weather. I am soooooooooo thankful for the down comforter I received at Christmas. I have no heat in my house and minimal insulation. You can call me a wimp but I like to stay warm at night. Therefore, I sleep under a sheet, 2 wool blankets, a spread/bedcover, and my down comforter. The boots I received at Christmas have also come into regular use in this weather. It rains almost everyday and therefore, there is a lot of water and mud on the ground. The rubber toes and soles that rise over an inch up the side of the boots prevent my feet from getting wet and muddy. Due to the amount of rain, there is a lot of moisture in the air. As a result, my laundry and washed shoes don't dry and even some of my dry clothes have become damp!

While the rain is VERY MUCH needed, the massive deforestation around Kijabe has caused flooding in the valley below. A matatu  (public transportation vehicle) was swept away by flooding, killing at least 6 people. Also, one of my co-workers (Francis) lost a sister-in-law last weekend when she was swept away by the water. PLEASE PRAY for this family as they also lost a brother in law to illness last weekend as well. The burials are happening the end of this week.

I am not the only one who has been struggling this last week. The AIC-Cure Children's Hospital (Abbreviated Cure) staff have had a hard week as well. Two Saturdays ago, one of the staff members at Cure lost 6 family members (2 sisters and their children, and a niece and her child) in a tragic vehicle collision where the matatu they were ridning in was hit by an oncoming 18-wheeler truck. Out of the 18 people riding in the matatu, only 3 survived. The Cure staff are like family, so they also mourned for this man's loss. To make things even worse, the administration decided to lay-off a bunch of staff members on Friday, including one from the department where I am stationed. He will be sorely missed! He was also the main person who made the locally produced LIMBS knee. His loss really cripples the LIMBS International program here in Kenya. Plus, he was easy to get along with, took correction well, and didn't mind my constant curious questions. The staff had been told a little over a week ago that the hospital was losing money. Upon hearing this, I began re-evaluating what the Orthopedic Department (where I am stationed)was charging patients for appliances. I found out that the department was making a large loss on every orthotic appliance they made. Since teh department has become like family to me, I offered to update the price list to reflect the increases in material cost and labor. Anyone who knows me knows I enjoy solving puzzles and working with numbers. Some of the appliances have gone up in price as much as 700%, others only a little. The important thing is that the hospital is not losing money on account of the orthopedic department! I presented the new list to the powers that be and after a few minor adjustments, it was approved. The new list officially went into effect yesterday (May 1st), though May 1st is a national holiday and the department was closed so the prices come into effect today.

My computer is broken again and this time things was no quick fix. It was working last Wednesday when I left work, but by the time I reached home, it wouldn't even turn on. Now, I have been told that it will take at least until next week for the IT department to find out what is wrong with it. Being without a computer is tough, partly because so much of my work is on the computer and internet and partly because the internet (and therefore the computer) is my main connection to family and friends! PLEASE PRAY the computer will start working again soon!!!!!!!!!!

Also, PLEASE PRAY for my house helper/friend's family. Their father (and sole wage earner for the family) had a bad accident on Saturday and had to be rushed to the hospital in Nairobi for assessment. He is now in the ICU at Kijabe Hospital (right next to Cure). He went to surgery yesterday, but remains in critical condition. When he is working, the father earns a meager salary as a gate guard for one of the high schools in Kijabe. When he is not working, there is no income! The family already has a huge debt (over $200) to pay for his treatment already and it doesn't look like he will be getting out of the hospital soon.

I am still working on writing my support letter for the coming year. As I mentioned in a previous update, I have been offered an extension for another year if I can raise the funds. However, just like I mentioned with the updates, as soon as I sit down to write and work on the letter, I get writer's block and can't think of how to start or what to put in it. PLEASE PRAY that I will be able to compose the letter soon and that I would receive adaquate financial support to stay here in Kenya.

Also, if you wouldn't mind, I would love to hear or get an email from you! Even if it is just to say that you are thinking of me or praying for me! These notes mean a lot to me! Case in point: The RVA student came up to me two weeks ago and gave me a small folded up piece of paper. After I unfolded it and began to read, tears came to my eyes. As you already know, I am part of the praise team during the english church service on Sundays. I had been getting discouraged about whether I should really continue to be part of it since their are so many other ladies in it already. Well, this young lady wrote me a note to encourage me to keep it up and telling me how much she liked my voice. She included several verses that i really needed to hear at that time. We had never met before, but she felt called to write me a very sweet, long, two-sided note to encourage me. I cried.

Praises

• I have friends and family that care about me. (even sometimes strangers!)
• I am healthy
• I just found out my parents are coming to visit me next month! PTL!!!!!
• Praise God for RAIN!

Prayer Requests:

• Pray for Francis' Family as they bury 2 loved ones.
• Pray for more rain, but also safety for those in areas of flooding
• Pray for the CURE Staff and the hospital as they try to stop losing money
• Pray that my computer would come back to life.
• Pray for my friend's family and especially the father.
• Pray for my assessment. Things are not going according to schedule.
• Pray for my attitude and emotions
• Please pray for wisdom about staying a second year. Pray that I will be able to raise the support for a second year. Also, my US insurance runs out this year so I also have to consider how to handle this. 

           I would love to stay. My work here is so fulfilling and I can see Christ working.

• Please pray for relationships. 
• Please pray for the coming elections in Kenya. This will be the first presidential election since 2007 when there was so much post-election violence. Pray for peace!
• I have been getting lonely. Please pray for friends, emails from supporters, etc!

Thank you for your prayers and support!!

Prayer and Praise

My work here in Kenya would not be possible without your prayers and support. The following are praises for things God has done and requests for things He is still working on. 

Praises

·       My computer is mostly working again.  (just the speakers don't work) The IT person at CURE wiped it and installed Windows 7 on it.

·        I’m settling into Kijabe.

·        Getting to know people

·        God is good!

·       I survived the hectic last week

·    I got an Internet modem on Monday!

·    I got a 4 hour Swahili lesson from Victor and Peter.

Requests

·      My Computer –That my computer speakers start working again. That I get all the necessary programs put back on it.

·        Adjustment to life and the culture in Kenya

·        Productivity – I want to make the most of my time here in Kenya

·        Understanding – I am struggling to understand those around me through their accents and I've made a few mistakes

·        Culture shock – There are four stages I have to work through, the first two being the honeymoon stage and the hostility stage.

·        My Health – I haven't been feeling well the last few days. I think I have a cold and as a result my ears hurt.

·        My mental faculties – That I will remember what I need to buy, where to buy it, and when.

·        A good nights rest so I will get over my illness quickly. 

·        Spiritual growth

·        That I will make good friends quickly! 

·    That I will catch on and learn Swahili quickly.

Thank you so much for your prayers!