Extreme Watoto Makeover,,,

This is the blog that I had done that got lost in cyber space.  It's not as well put together as the first one.

You all will not believe what my other kids look like. I measured Paul and Brian. Paul (4) is now, overall, bigger than Brian (6). Paul is just plain chunky now. I LOVE IT! I'm so happy about the way they're growing! Here are some before and after pictures of my kids:  

They are small put if you click on them- it will enlarge.

Brian before.  

Brian now! Huge difference.  He can even jump now.  Before we left for the states, he couldn't jump.  I think his belly was too big and his legs too small.  Doesn't he look great?  

Paul- before #1
Paul before #2
Paul now! Those cheeks are irresistible.

     (What?  You'd kiss em too if you saw them)  

       Both Boys- much healthier. ( I know it looks like I am holding them against their will -esp. Brian. I wanted a pic of them together- but they kept flashing peace signs and putting their hands in front of their faces)

Charles and Sylvia- they look browner in color but it's not the huge difference like in the younger boys.  

Hey, we were just the hands- you all provided all the care for them.  Thank you from the bottom of our hearts and theirs.

The whole, happy, Jesus loving, family!

Let's Play "Name that Country"!

Welcome contestants to another rousing game of "Name that Country"!  As always, the premise of the game is simple:  We give you a quick fact about an unnamed country and you have to guess which country it is.  Each week we give you two possible answers for the questions of the night.  And if you are the big winner tonight, you'll receive a lifetime supply of Uncle Pappy's Delicious Brown Gravy!  Mmmmm!  

On to tonight's game...

Our two country choices for tonight are:  The United States of America and Kenya

Question # 1:

"Which country has a skyrocketing unemployment epidemic?"

Question # 2:

"Which country is seeing it's education system on the brink of failure?"

Question # 3:

"Which country calls itself a "Christian Country?"

Question # 4:

"Which country has companies that appear to be technologically advanced with superior products at unbelievable prices, but really has the worst customer service you could possibly imagine?"

Question # 5: 

"Which country is gripped with a failing economy, shrinking dollar, and rising costs of living?"

Question # 6:

"Which country needs people to pray for it's leaders at a pivotal time in this world so they will lead as God directs them?"

The surprise answer to all the questions above: BOTH

Hopefully our Kenyan brothers as well as our American friends will see that the struggles each face are not theirs alone.  The collective countries of this world are facing troubles like never before.  Almost no country is spared some level of strain.  Each may vary in severity, but make no mistake, this world needs to SEE the love of Jesus.  And you and I are his face, hands, feet, and heart.  

Time to stop playing games and start being missionaries wherever we are right now.  

an eager mind...

About 2 weeks ago:

Shauna, Rich and I walked to a veggie stand in Kibera the other day to grocery shop when Shuana spotted my little Isaac Rabin! I hadn't seen him since September. I was so glad to see him- I walked right over to him and hugged his sweet neck. He had a big smile on his face. He looked unkept, dirty, and had a snotty nose. Now, Isaac is not a talker. Partly because he's shy, partly because he has a speech impediment. He understands very little english and I don't know very much Kiswalhili. I told him how much I've missed him and that we love him. We grabbed hands and began to walk toward the veggie stand. Finally, I asked him the question in which I felt sure he'd understand. "Are you hungry?" He nodded and continued starring at the ground and shuffling his feet as we walked. I told him we'd feed him. He ate 2 bannanas and had an orange drink. Then I took him back to pastors house. I wasn't sure how he'd feel about that since he'd run away so many times during school. But of course everyone lovingly embraced him. We all made it very clear to him that even if he didn't want to come to school, he could ALWAYS come there if he was hungry. 

Last week:

Isaac came back to the house on Thursday.  He knows that we are ALWAYS in Kibera every Thursday.  He had Chai with us.  He smiled every time I caught his eye.  I love to see him smile...

Monday: 

Chris, Frank, and Rich went out evangelizing one last time while Frank and Dottie were in town.  Dottie and I helped cook, serve Chai to the kids, ate grilled corn, and played games with the kids at Berith school- Wow... we had SO MUCH FUN!  Missionaries really just have fun all the time.  It's just a big playground over here!!  :)  Isaac found Chris and Pastor out and about.  He came back to the house with them for lunch.  

We had fun taking pictures with Isaac.  He thought this picture was HILARIOUS...  

(I think Chris just wanted to show off how hot it was evangelizing.)

Today:

When we arrived at pastor Indiazi's house we gave out the clothes that BHBC team had left to Beatrice, Tafrosa, and Mama Sylvia.  Boy were they excited!  About an hour after our arrival I saw two feet under the gate... then they went away.  I wondered if it was Isaac so I went out to the gate and opened it.  Standing on the other side of the ditch was Isaac smiling that sweet smile.  I had recieved a paper with 2 names of books that Sylvia needed for class so I asked Isaac to walk with us.  When we got to the bookstore I bought Sylvia's books.  During my transaction i couldn't help but notice Isaac pointing at the colored pencils and crayons.  I thought... maybe if I bought him his own book, he would work with me one on one.  Right at that moment Beatrice walked up behind us.  I got her to ask Isaac if he would be work on his book if I bought him one. He nodded with a grin.  As soon as I gave the man the shillings Isaac took the book from the man and flipped through it.  He wanted to carry it and hang on to it.  I worked through the book with him back at the house.  I can really tell a big difference in him when it's just he and I.  He's still shy in his responses to me when I ask him questions... but I know it's because he is afraid he cannot correctly say "green".  I think his biggest need as far as school goes- is encouragement.  He needs to be told at the end of every page "VERY GOOD!" 

Want to know the most heartbreaking thing that I have yet to mention but that has happened EVERY day we've been with Isaac?  Every time we go to leave- this 10 year old boy begins to sob.  Rip my heart out!  It absolutely breaks my heart.  He walks slowly behind the car crying...

Even though I told him in Swahili I would see him later.  When I let my mind ask "why does he cry when we leave?"  I think about the fact that somehow... we might remind him of his mom and dad.  I wonder how long he cries.  I wonder if maybe he stops after we are no longer in his sight.  I wonder if he's lonely when he gets home and his grandmother is still out at her veggie stand.  One of the toughest things about living here is not being able to just TAKE home a poor, orphaned child.  That may sound cliche, but if you could only see him, touch him, and love him you'd feel the same way.  

Today's Praises!

*Unbeknownst to Chris, I prayed for a muslim convert this morning during my (quick) prayer time after breakfast.  On the way home from Kibera- Chris was telling me that it was a great day on the streets.  He said "We spoke with 2 muslims and one of them listened to every word I was saying.  He really was focused and interested.  I made sure he understood and he made a decision today!"  Then I told him my prayer this morning.  He said "REALLY?"  God makes me smile.

*Isaac wants to learn!

*A very needed and clarifying meeting occurred with Chris, Meshak, and Muhammad.  They feel very positive about the results.

*Chris and I start Kiswalhili lessons Monday!! (9 hours a week)

WE HAVE INTERNET!!!

After the 2.5 hours at the internet place (in addition to the 5 hours we spent a few weeks ago) we finally have internet on OUR computers!  However, I'm still not quite over last night's deal with it. So- if you'll excuse us one more night we are going to work on adoption stuff.  Love you all and thanks for praying our internet into working!  :)

Africa Wins Again...

I sat down last night with Shauna's computer. I had decided that i was going to stay up late no matter how long it took me to update you. I felt like you guys deserved a really great update... you've been waiting a week now. At midnight after adding a ton of pictures, text the whole 9 yards- I pushed "publish post". Know what happened? It ALL went away... into cyberland somewhere. Any who- I'm REALLY frustrated to say the least- so last night I made a vow that I am DONE updating the blog until we get OUR internet fixed- so that I can use MY computer. I'll just blog offline on my computer then post them all when we get internet. We paid for it about 3 weeks ago and they were supposed to have the part for our Mac 3 days after that... but you know what they say we say: AWA!

The Plumbing Latest...

Let me preface this story with another one.  While the BHBC team (they just left Monday night ) was here do evangelism- we ran out of water... several times.  We kept having to tell the landlord to please pump more water into our tank.  We still weren't getting any water.  Come to find out- the pump (yes, it's electrical) was broken. So we told our plumber to see if he and Thomas could fix it.  They fixed it!  Landlord went to pump.... nothing.  So the next day- still no water.  Apparently the pump had lost it's prime.  The Culprit- No water in the well!!!  By this point our poor team hadn't had showers before they left for their safari and were on their way back. Just to let you know- it hasn't rained here  since the beginning of November!!!  Kenya needs rain terribly!  The team got back and they were feeling extra dirty and dusty- but what did we have to tell them.  NO SHOWERS!  They were all so great about it.  We really appreciated their flexibility and kindness through it all.  That night they got in a big truck came and filled up our tank and the well. YAY!!  WATER!!

Early yesterday (Monday) Chris and I awoke to a tapping on our door.  I jumped out of bed and answered the door.  It was Shauna,  She said "I have a leak."  The look on my face must have said "Can't this wait?"  Shauna then said "No, like a really big one... coming out fast."  We ran down stairs to her room to find it flooding.  The hose on the sinks hot water had completely busted and was shooting water all over the place.  Chris Handy-man Thompson sprung into action and plugged the whole with his finger.  Then I had to take over so he could go find some stuff to fix it.  We had to drain the solar hot water tank completely to get it to stop shooting water.  I have never felt so bad about so much wasted water.  Here we are in the midst of a huge drought and we have what some would call "clean water" all over the floor that we are soaking up in towels and wringing out in the shower drain.  Fortunately, I think everyone got showers the evening before.  

On the upside- They may have been dirty because of our water problem, but they didn't let that slow down their witnessing.  The BHBC team had a total of about 400 people (over 2 weeks) that came to know Christ between Kawangware and Kibera!  That means 400 people have to opportunity to receive bibles after completing their discipleship lessons.  Let's pray for these people to follow through with their lessons!

(Again, still no internet- so I usually write up my blogs on the computer then go somewhere to post them.  When I update on here- I also try to update our adoption blog as well.) 

Daraja means bridge

What an incredible blessing today (Saturday) was.  I got the priviledge of going with BHBC to see where the Daraja children live.  It was very humbling to see these children within their context.  I thought about all of you as I got to see their rooms, meet their brothers and sisters, and listen to them sing.  My chest felt like it was going to burst as they put on a show for us right in the middle of their housing grounds.  It was even better!  Not only was it better because I wasn't bawling my eyes out, but we got to see and hear all the children that didn't "make the cut".  When we first got there

the children were told to take the hands of one person and show us around.  I was blessed enough to have 2 show me around.  They were absolutely beautiful and so stinkin' cute!  They wouldn't let go of my hands... and that was fine with me!  They were Caroline and Monica- 10 and 12.  I wanted so badly to bring them home with me...maybe when I grow up we can adopt older ones too!

So here are only a few pictures (b/c I'm at the coffee house I can't download the video or the rest of the pictures).  As soon as we get internet- I will try and post them.  Thanks for being so patient!

You may recognize a few of these girls

I thought this was so cute.  One of the boys had this picture taped to the head of his bed above his pillow.  Must be some of his friends he met in the states.  It sure would mean so much to them if some of you would like to write them and send them pictures.  I'll get the address for those of you interested.  

These were my little tour guides- C and M.  Precious!!

What's going on In the Choo...

Well, when we first got here we were faced with a bigger problem than we thought.  A simple leaky pipe, right? Wrong.  Turned out when someone from the BHBC team took a bath in the upstairs tub, it leaked all in the downstairs bathroom.  So- we called the plumber who walked to the house with 1 tool in hand.  So he had to chisel away the ceiling to check on things and found the leaky pipe.  He walked to the hardware store and back to get a new pipe and some glue.  Well- he fixed it, right?  Wrong.  The next time the same person got in the tub, it leaked again.  So here comes the plumber back to chisel away more of the ceiling.  He told us that the problem is the plumber that did the plumbing on the house didn't have enough pipe, so he just pieced a bunch of pieces together.  So there is a joint every... ohh.... 8 inches.  So here are some picture of our gapping hole.  It is fixed now, but I have a feeling this isn't the last leaky pipe we will have!  :) 

PS- still no internet.  

Internet

Hey guys-

back at the coffee shop downloading emails.  We just went to try and figure out what the deal is with our internet.  In a nutshell- we were had.  Safaricom made some money off of us.  So we are currently in the market for a new internet provider.  Be patient with our email responses.  We have to write them at home and then find a place with internet to send them.  

Thanks for your precious prayers and sweet comments on the last blog.  

You know how we love them!  

Baptist Home Baptist Church is tearing up the slum streets.  Yesterday they all went out in the streets of Kibera in different directions with interpreters  to evangelize.  107 people made decisions to follow Christ!!  Wahoo!  They are back at it today.  I had 100 things to do such as go grocery shopping, cook, make detergent, and unpack.  So I didn't get to go with them.  Chris said the kids were telling him how much they missed us and asked where i was!  Melt my heart!  I'm going to see them after lunch for a bit.  

For those of you who are new to the blog, missed "Our presence to you", or just didn't watch it to the end (shame on you)- Chris and I are expanding our family.  Excuse me- God is expanding our family through the adoption  of 2 kenyan babies.  Feel free to follow our new blog once we have internet.  Since the adoption is a "hurry up and wait" process- i will be posting info/stories unrelated to the ministry or adoption at times.  That way I'm not overstepped any bounds by posting things on here that are not ministry related.  OK- great.   

Thanks for your patience guys-