Back into the swing...

We're back into the swing of things... mostly. The night we got back we stayed up unpacking and chatting with friends for a while. We finally went to bed around 1:30am and slept until 12noon the next day! (With the exception of getting up to feed the animals and doing a few things around the house; I pretty much slept that late) We were bushed! We went to see the boys as soon as we got dressed and fed. They were SO excited to see us; the feeling was certainly mutual. We had good "family time" and learned that one of our boys (David) had gone back to the street after his mother had paid for him to go to boarding school. Furious that she had wasted her money for him to run off, she decided to take him to the police and let them deal with him...(aka: beat him). As of now, David has just been released from jail and is scared to death. He is staying with his mother and father. Little James has yet another ear infection- I can see it draining and I smell it. It's awful. We just returned from buying some antibiotics to take care of that. Anyone know a good audiologist in Nairobi? We need to know why these are reoccurring, draining, and why this effects his hearing. I'm emailing a pediatrician familiar with the area to see if he has suggestions. The other boys are doing very well. They are ALL so excited about spending the weekend with us.

We figured since we slept so well through the first night then the 2nd would be a breeze. Well, Chris, Ezra and I were all up last night from 1:30-4am. We prayed for our friend Gaylin, watched Ezra do some Kung-fu in my belly, watched part of "Where the Red Fern Grows" then prayed some more . I think tonight will be the night- we'll be over our jet-lag.

Today we went to the doctor and then grocery shopping for the boys. I'm still measuring 4 weeks ahead of where I am so the doctor ordered another ultrasound for me. I could have gone for the scan today, but there're just no time! We're on high demand right now and probably will be for the next little while and we have some minor car problems that need to be taken care of. It also doesn't help that they close for 2 hours at lunch every day. We'll get over to that side of town one day! I'm anxious to see why I'm measuring so large and about what Tiny T is measuring.

We really appreciate your traveling prayers. We both talked about how we felt them. We had a GREAT trip back. Honestly, I was nervous about flying being so pregnant, but there were NO ISSUES! Dottie told me that she had a group of women getting together to pray for Ezra and I. JUST SO HUMBLING. We truly are SO grateful!

It's almost time!

It's almost time for us to head back to Kenya! 8 days as a matter of fact! I think we're both pretty pumped about getting back to see our boys, the team and getting ready for the 3rd member of Team Thompson to arrive! The Lord has shown us so many ways that we need to improve in our communication and in other areas of ministry. I'm all excited about being a MUCH better helper to Chris and I know that it won't truly show until I act on it back in Kenya. I'm learning and understanding more about the administrative side of things- so I can help out more while I'm home with baby Ezra. I'm just so sorry I've done such a poor job at communicating on the blog, email, and snail mail with all of you. I now realize just how important it is to keep this blog updated and our supporters "in the know". I think I figured not many people read this blog, so why update much? The fact of the matter is- it doesn't matter if just 1 supporter reads this blog; you STILL deserve an update!

Here is what we know:

Thomas calls every few days and he and Chris speak kiswalhili for the first few minutes! I'm so proud of my man! He says everything is going well- ie. chicken farm, boys, and school, and the house. NO major crisis! Yay! The only thing we haven't been able to do is talk to the boys. It's killing us to be honest. If we weren't getting back so late at night on the 11th, I think we would drive straight to Kawangware to see them all. They'll be in the bed anyway. They better be!

And the babe shall be called "Ezra Lewis Thompson"

Ezra meaning "HELPER" and Lewis Means "WARRIOR"

We have already been praying that our little boy grows up to be a helping warrior in the great commission. God has been so good to us in giving us this little guy.

Baby Ezra: Is HUGE! I look like I could give birth ANY DAY now... and yet I have 10 weeks left! (And I'm feeling it) Whew! I'm so ready! Although we have a team coming the beginning of March to the guest house. So I'd like him to come early... just not too early. We get back on Monday, the 11th and we have a doctors appointment on Wednesday and she will probably order our next ultrasound.

Praises: People have blessed and blessed us since we have been home. People are so excited alongside of us for our little miracle boy! Several families have blessed us financially and I have been able to work a nursing job while home. We now have nearly enough to pay for his birth in Kenya (barring no complications)! We are so humbled by the generosity and genuine outpouring from others concerning our family. We've received many hand-me-downs, 2nd hand car seats and other items saving us TONS of money! We are blessed beyond words!

I'm so excited about getting everything ready for his arrival when we get back. His daddy is also rather thrilled about making him a crib.

Prayer Requests:

Zipporah- it has been a rather long recovery for her, but she is doing well. Please pray for her emotionally as they deal with her miscarriage and try again to get pregnant.

Noah and Indiazi will be traveling soon to Uganda to teach hungry pastors for 2 weeks!

Normally I don't request prayer for our travels, (but since I'm almost a Mommy I can ask) and will be 31 weeks along when we travel, I'd love if you lifted Ezra up as we fly back to Kenya on April 10th. Pray against blood clots and pre-term labor please.

A Blessed Family

Being back in the US is both a blessing and a challenge. Lindy and I both agree on this. The challenge first of all:

It's hard on our hearts to be away from 9 boys we love like our own sons. We're not there to see them working hard in their studies. We're not there when there are issues with them getting along, being tempted by their former lives, or having questions about life. We're not there to have them come run out to us and give us huge hugs and expect us to immediately go play soccer.

It's also hard on our hearts to be away from our other friends. Our ministry partners are some of the most dear people to us. We miss hearing Thomas whistle while working in the yard. We miss listening to Deo teach the boys. We miss hearing instruction rise from the Bible College building. We miss seeing them grow in their service. We also miss our friends. We miss spending time at the Keytels. We miss the laughter from Mark & Su. We miss the sarcasm from Johnny Lawrence and the softness of his sweet wife Jen. We miss KVC, the Chanceys, homegroup, Peter & Peace, the roads.... uh... no, we don't miss that!

But there are so many wonderful things about being here. It's not the convenience of buying things we miss. It's not the fast food places. It's not even the well-lit roads or orderly traffic. We enjoy family. We enjoy being around those families and friends who have built into us a love for something more than ourselves. Man, it gets me choked up just thinking about specific people! Guys, we have saints who lend us their vehicles without blinking an eye! We have family who welcome us into their homes and share their meals with us! We have others who serve us! We have some who even drive from Michigan JUST BECAUSE THEY LOVE US AND WANT TO BE WITH US!!! Seriously??? Wow,... What have we ever done to earn the love from a group of people who shower us with goodness?

It's in these times that my heart renews itself. It is so easy to become jaded and bitter toward the world. Try living in a place where they shoot people in the streets, abandon children in sewage drains, and would kill you just for the shoes on your feet! Try living there knowing that you might as well put a target on your chest each day as you leave the house because the enemy has such a influence on a great majority of people in this place.

So, yes, I am renewed by being here. My wife has been loved on so intensely that I'd have spent any amount of money to get her here for such a blessing! Friends; family; The Thompsons are so grateful to you all! Whether we've been able to see you face to face this trip or not, we love you. Your prayers, your love, your support, your interest in us has blessed us like few experiences on this earth can provide. So we say, "thank you" yet again!

We are a blessed family, indeed. Knowing that in two places we are loved and missed, brings us an overwhelming sense of joy. May we show you our gratitude and not merely tell it to you. We serve because we have been served! And as Michael Bowers once stated one Sunday, "Guilt won't compel you to do anything, but gratitude will!" (my paraphrase)

This is the picture of an extremely blessed family!

NOTE: In the next post, we will share with you some new and exciting things upcoming within the ministry and how, even more specifically, you can continue to be involved with us!

Videos From Camping

Ok, so here are 3 videos from our camping trip. They're short, but quite hilarious. Since we went, the boys all ask, "When can we go back?" I feel pretty sure that we'll be doing that again. Anyone interested in joining us???

Mount Longonot is a dormant volcano. The inside of the crater is about 2 miles across. It felt like something out of Jurrasic Park. (I think I heard the music playing in the background)

Nicholas Mutonga may not make it in the PPPBRSA (Professional Ping Pong Ball Rump Shakers Association) but he would make a great break dancer! This is the game where they have to be the first to shake all the ping pong balls out of the tissue box attached to their backs. It was quite funny to watch them attempt this ridiculous feat!

Dan and Patrick go heads up.

Hope you enjoyed watching a glimpse of the fun we had. Wish you could be there! In fact, the boys kept asking, "When are we going back?" Anyone want to join us???

"O' A Camping We Will Go"

I have discovered that, when it comes to camping, boys in Kenya are no different than boys in America. Both are loud. Both will eat anything and everything in sight. Both have way too much energy and put it to use in ... well... less than intelligent ways (such as running around trying to smack each other in the face with glow sticks in the dark whilst declaring, "I'm Obi Wan Kenobi, you're Count Duku. Now let me cut your hands off!" hmm..., wonder where they got the Star Wars reference?) And both certainly don't have to be taught how to have fun.

Mount Longonot - standing on the rim and looking inside

So we went camping at Mount Longonot. This is a dormant volcano just outside of Nairobi. It's breath-takingly beautiful and it was the perfect spot for a 2-day camping trip with the Saint Boys. Dottie and Lindy were so awesome with helping prep meals for the experience and several other friends volunteered their tents. We went with 3 but ended up using only one. It was large enough to park a jet inside! (which helped when bodily emissions started coming from the boys end of the tent!)

Rusty, Frank, and I provided the "adult supervision" for the trip. What this means is that we were responsible for teaching them dumb jokes, ridiculous songs, and authorized to occasionally yell, "LION!!!!" when we were climbing up the mountain. Yeah, it was awesome. I love camping. Nothing is quite as nice as having your body covered in dirt, sweat, and the smell of smoke while trying to sleep on a cobblestone ground in -234º and trying to explain to boys who have lived outside in the streets why it's so much fun to travel to the middle of nowhere to sleep outside in the cold and eat food without any utensils (because we left those behind). What's not to love about that?

Like I said, boys do some "less than intelligent" things.

Well, Julius loved it! Dan kept asking if we could do it again next week. Chinji didn't want to go back to Nairobi and James... well... James likes everything. However, Patrick Thuku found one thing he did not like: being on top of the mountain! Yeah, he's afraid of heights! He just sat down on the edge of the rim of this crater whilst holding a small root. He refused to let go!

They practically ran up the mountain, all the way around the rim, and then back down the mountain! Did I ever have that much energy?

That's Chinji, Julius, and Johnny waiting for us near the top... waiting impatiently I might add.

During the evening, we had an awesome Bible Study on creation. We sat under a canopy of radiant stars that screamed God's sovereignty. Rusty asked them what are you thankful for? Their answers were honest and heart-warming. "I'm thankful for my brothers here and that God has not forgotten me," answered Julius. Wow... that says it all. Indeed, God has not forgotten these boys. He is refining them and using such sharpening stones as Mount Longonot, the Saint Boys Project, Frank Shealy, and Rusty Knight to do it. I look back at these boys and am so proud of where they've come. I watch and listen to them demonstrate that they are being transformed into saints.

Soon, they too will look back and see what I see. And it will be then that they REALLY start growing even more!

Our boys! (from left to right): Johnny, Brian, Patrick (low), Julius, Chinji, Nicholas, Dan, and James.

Stay tuned for a few videos from our trip. Trust me, you don't want to miss these! They are hilarious!!!

A taste of NC...

We are really enjoying the team from Wilksboro here with us now. They are real "go-getters". They have not only spent entire days pouring themselves out to Kenyans, but then they come home and wash dishes for me. Precious, precious people. Do you know Frank and Dottie Shealy? Well, if you don't, you should. They are part of our accountability board for OSM and their hearts for the lost are just absolutely amazing. They are the ones who got this group of amazing men and women to come stay with us and share God's love with the Kenyan people.

Here you go: Meet Frank and Dottie Shealy

Now that you are on a first name basis, allow me to tell you about the rest of their team.

Lon and Kay Chenoworth are the pastor and pastors wife of Bastist Home Church in Wilksboro.

Also among them there is a long time, precious supporter of OSM Cathy Lockhart who is about to complete her 5th trip to Kenya.

Mark and Teresa Church we just met for the first time and let me tell you- they have a spectacular testimony!

And last but not least, we have a couple that is 73 and 75- Norma Jean and John. I just love that they weren't afraid to leave the comforts of home to come over here and be hot, sweaty, tired, and ride on these bumpy roads. So if you are a little older, but have struggled with the desire to serve in overseas missions- Norma Jean and John should give you the push you need to get over here! :)

Right now the team is on their way back from spending nearly a week up country in Kakamega doing more conferences. I look forward to sitting down with them this evening and hearing their stories.

The women's conference last week.

Just a little something extra for you:

Yesterday the boys were so cute! Chris and I arrived right at lunchtime and they were all eating. Mama insisted that we share a plate… and I never turn down food. After I ate, I leaned back on the stairs I was sitting on in hopes that our tiny Thompson would start moving about. Sure enough, it happened. The boys were hysterical! It was like it REALLY hit them that I'm not just getting fat, but there is a baby brother or sister in there!

They were asking so many questions!

Julius: "Does it hurt?" Me: "No. No pain"

James: "Can it breath?" Me: "Well, it breaths water while it's inside me."

James again: "What does it eat? How do you feed it?" Me: "The baby eats what I eat. There is a cord that goes from here (showing him his belly button) to me, so if I eat ugali, then the baby eats it also. " James then breaks out into hysterical laughter showing Dan his belly button. I think he was obsessed with his button the rest of the day.

Dan: "Is the baby playing football (soccer) in there?" Me: "Yes, I think it is."

I got such a kick out of them. I look forward to the next conversation like this we have with them!

Familiar faces...

Do you remember these faces?

Do you remember the first time you saw them? And what about their story?

I sure do.

I'll never forget it as long as I live.

I thought it was PAST time for you to see how these kiddos have been growing. They are really thriving in their school at Berith. In fact, it's time for Sylvia to go to a new school. She has outgrown and outlearned that school. I love watching her mother all the other children. I realize I'm partial, but I just think she is one gorgeous little girl.

Please pray for Brian (far left) as he is now 9 years old and the size of a 4 year old. Though he is learning and developmentally doing well, his body was so effected by being so malnourished. Paul, his 2 year younger brother, has outgrown him. Both are small for their ages but especially Brian. I'm concerned about this effecting him later and him being ostracized for not only being Ugandan but his size as well. Please pray for healing for him- that his normal growth pattern would be restored. He will always have a special place in my heart!

A few weeks back I showed them my big belly and asked them why I had gained weight. Sylvia said "A Baby?" and another little girl named Stacey said "It's true!!"

This week when we went to Kibera, most realized I'm much bigger than I used to be... all except Paul who is so used to me grabbing him up in my arms. I bent down and he jumped into my arms giving me kisses and we both nearly fell over. The teacher reprimanded him in swahili saying that he's too big and I'm too big for him to do that. It made me sad to look at his little face when she told him that. He looked sort of disappointed. I thought "Is my Paul really getting to big for me?"

Singing songs at the school in Kibera

Sandra teaching the kids a new song

This school was really struggling with whether or not they would continue because they did not have enough kids to keep it open, but God provided them with 31 students! They are all very young as it is more of a nursery school. It seems to be thriving now!

This is Dottie, holding baby Dottie who was named after her!