Dan Matano

What you are about to read has been written from the heart and not an attempt at literary impressiveness.

Dan Matano was the first street boy that we ever connected with over 3 years ago. He was our

"trial". Graig Austin, Rich Key, and I met him along with 3 other boys in Kawangware. After a lot of discussions and prayer, we decided to help these four boys out of the life they had become bound unto. (Many of you will remember this story) After 3 months, three of these boys decided that, though we could take them from the street, the street couldn't be taken out of them. They returned to the streets. This was a tough blow to Graig and I. We really wanted to see a better life for these guys. But they weren't "young boys". These were 19-20 year old street-hardened men.

But one young man stayed. He didn't want that life any more. He did want to leave it. For Dan's safety he moved into the extra house we had on our property. Graig and I tried a new approach. We involved Dan in as much of our lives and the lives of our families as possible. He ate with us, fellowshiped with us, went grocery shopping with us, and participated in life with us. Direct and intense discipleship was our game plan. We got Dan connected to a small mechanic school that began training him for a career in automotive repair that he desired. Dan eventually moved into his own small apartment under the watch of Thomas. He began attending church with Thomas. He got involved in the youth ministry at Thomas' church. He was making much better decisions. On his 20th birthday, we took him out to eat, made a cake, and bought him a present. Graig bought him his first phone. We were excited for what was taking place in Dan's life.

But Dan's life soon took another turn. Dan began to become secretive with his time. He wasn't coming home at the proper time. Jorem, his teacher at the garage, called me several times to report that Dan was either late or not showing up at all. Other people in the neighborhood told us that they saw Dan out with strange people and even taking up some of his prior bad habits like smoking. Over the next few months we had meeting after meeting with Dan in hopes of helping him realize the poor decisions he was making and that they must change. Sadly, his decisions became worse instead of better. Within a matter of months, Dan chose to leave the best shot he had a better future, and return to his familiar street past. I was grieved over this. Graig was grieved over this. But we couldn't make decisions for Dan. He had to take ownership of his own future.

This was just about a year ago. ...

Three days ago I was greeted in Kawangware by a few street boys I've known for a while.

"Chris, have you heard the news of Dan?"

"No. Tell me."

Dan was shot by the police and killed when he tried to steal someone's phone the other day."

I had no response. I returned to my vehicle and left. I didn't have much of a reaction. Maybe it was because of the other guests accompanying me on this particular day. Maybe I was struggling to imagine the young man who lived in my home and received my love ending up like so many street thugs I've heard about or seen. Surely not Dan. Surely not the young man that had tasted the freedom from that life.

Dan Matano. I'm still not sure how I should feel or respond. The inevitable questions are in my mind right now. "Did we fail Dan?" "Did we do enough?" I don't have answers to these questions. I'm still not sure how to respond other than this; I believe that God is bigger, better, and stronger than all the sin in this world. I fail Him, Dan fails him, but He never fails us. I am going to sit with our boys in Kawangware, Dan (young Dan, not the same one), Nicholas, James, Chinji, Brian, Thuku, and Julius, to tell them that I may end up failing them. I'm going to tell them not to put their faith in me. I'm going to tell them to put all their faith in a real Father who will never ever fail them, and who will never let them out of His sight; no matter the decisions or paths they choose.

I can only take the boys out of the street. But Jesus can take the street out of the boys. And that gives me great comfort.

~Chris

The Beauty of it All...

Today Chris, Deo, Thomas, and Chingi took a cab to Machakos to look at a school for Chingi. It'll be an all day event. We'll know soon if Chris discerns it's the right school for him and if they will accept Chingi. For now, Chingi has been helping teach the little ones at the school. He gets paid kiti kidogo (a little something) for his work. Ez and I got to go see them all last week because Ezra finally got over his jet lag and has been taking proper naps and sleeping better at night. We will go back again this week or next with some cupcakes for them.

I'm loving being a stay-at-home mom and working on the guest house. It's a bit more overwhelming now since Ezra is a bit more active and Zipporah is in Culinary school and not able to help me as much, but I'm still enjoying it. We had a group come last week and basically stay for about 5 hours before they flew out to South Sudan. They will be back tomorrow morning, so I'm excited to hear what they have been up to up there.

The plan was to go to the grocery store to buy food for this team in between Ezra's 2 naps, only I got everything and everyone packed into the car and.... the car wouldn't start. Not really a huge surprise to us though. This is a weekly event we deal with. Actually just on Friday some friends asked to borrow our car so they could pick up their parents at the airport (Our car would fit their whole family). So we went to their house, visited then swapped cars. Later that night we got a call that our car wouldn't start. Come to think of it, maybe it's more often tahtn every week. Ha! See, and you thought I was exaggerating. Today though, I do believe the problem is the battery. I would have called a cab to come get Ezra and I, but by the time it got here, it would be time for another nap. (For Ezra, not me.) Oh well. Hope to go at some point today or else the team will be eating bread and water.

-The washing machine "fundi" (worker) will come this week, hopefully tomorrow, to tell us the prognosis of the washer.

-I dropped Chris' phone yesterday and shattered the screen. Yea- I bet you all wish you had a wife as awesome as me.

-I also ran over a thorn with the stroller and killed the tire.

BUT....The good news is- Mr. Carolina Gnome is doing much better. Doctors do not expect a full recovery though. The tip of his hat cannot be found.

On a more serious note, I'm trying to enjoy every moment left here in Kenya. I often find myself getting all nostalgic though- saying to myself things like "Oh I'm going to miss this weather, and that Old Masaai Mze's swagger as he walks down the road." Or "I'm going to miss the way people greet one another here." I'm really trying NOT to do that, but I can't seem to help myself. I just need to make sure I don't take a single thing or a single day for granted here in Kenya. It is so beautiful here and the people have become so dear to us. It's my goal to take Ezra walking every single day, to look at the beauty of our surroundings here. Even if the stroller is out of commission, I just strap him on and we take Wallace along with us. We go out gazing at the Ngong Hills, meeting and visiting with neighborhood children, and praying. Yesterday we thanked the Lord for bringing us here and asked him to see us through to wherever He sends us from here. To me, it's scary yet exciting all at the same time. I can remember feeling this EXACT same way before arriving here in Kenya. Our Great God has taken such wonderful care of us here. I'm sure that will be the case for the next place and the next after that.

This n' That...

I wish I could say it has been an uneventful first week back here in Kenya. It couldn't be further from the truth.... or could it?

We were welcomed back to our home here with

-a broken washing machine (one of my worst nightmares with a baby in cloth diapers and running a guesthouse)

-a broken solar hot water tank (which we've been told will take a month to fix)

-"special" internet issues (who knew rats enjoy the taste of internet cords?!)

-broken crib

-3 broken lamps

-damaged dry erase board

-4 broken window latches

-damaged fuel filter in our vehicle (which made for some rough riding)

-and worst of all a very broken and pitiful Carolina yard gnome :( (sorry gk)

It's a good thing our joy comes from the Lord, huh? So glad it doesn't come from washing machines, hot water, and mere "things" in our home.

All of these things truly are minor and silly in the scheme of things.

For now, this is how I will wash dirty diapers since I have a skin allergy on my hands to soaps.

Now for all the great things going on:

-Mark and Su had their baby! Happy and Healthy, cute little Zachari was a leap year baby.

-Zippy is loving culinary school! It's kind of lonely around the house without her though:(

-Frank and Dottie enjoyed their trip and left Monday night.

-I, for one, am LOVING all these delicious fruits and veggies over here. And they are so cheap too. Ezra has enjoyed some more exotic foods as well.

-We are also enjoying this amazing, warm weather.

-Ezra is finally sleeping at night (not through the night, but I don't even care!) He had a rough go of the jet lag, but seems to be getting on a schedule now.

It is such a delight seeing Ezra being so great and happy with all these seemingly "new" people all over again. Little Helen was so happy to see and hold him on Sunday.

As you can see in this picture, he's nearly as big as her!

So that is the latest and greatest. I know- it's not all THAT exciting, but an update nonetheless!

2011 ReMix

We leave for Kenya in 4 days. (Depart - February 21st @ 6:00pm / Arrive - February 22nd @ 9:40pm) So many things to do once we return. So many important goals that must be accomplished this year. Before we go, we want to share this video with you. We've been saving it for a while, but now is a good time to share it with you all.

Please take the time to pray for this ministry, our partners, and the countless opportunity God has given us, as a family, to serve Him in Kenya. Pray for the projects that you've helped fund through the "Christmas Blessing" project. Pray that we help our partners obediently through this empowerments. Pray for Frank & Dottie Shealy who have been there serving since early January! What a remarkable team we have. Pray for Glenn & Sally Clark, our dear friends in Virginia. Pray for all our boys in Kenya. Pray for our families here in NC (and all over the US) who will miss us, especially one little boy in particular!

You are loved deeply.

~Chris, Lindy, & Ezra

More than "good"...

It's been so long since I (Lindy) have posted a blog- I nearly forgot how to sign in! I'm not sure about anyone else, but I just loved Chris' last post. So many great memories!

Since we've been back in the U.S. I've been blessed to work a few days a week when we aren't traveling. I really long for my little boy those days, but he's getting good Daddy time in. It's difficult going from working as a stay-at-home mom to working away from home. It really tugs at your heartstrings.

A couple weeks ago, we were invited to Frank and Dottie's home in Wilksboro just few days before Frank, Dottie, Glenn and the Chennoworths left for Kenya. They invited a very special group of people over. Friends filled their living room who had been praying for Ezra for a long time. It was quite humbling. People showed up to meet our famous Ezra. They wanted to lay their eyes and hands on God's faithful answer to so many of their prayers. They lavished us with their presence, smiles, stories, and gifts. I wish I was not such a simple person with such simple words sometimes... because I am desperate to appropriately articulate just how that made this Mama's heart feel.

Right now, we are in sunny...er... cold/wet, Shelby NC. Chris was asked to speak at Gardner-Webb University for their "Celebration Week". As Chris began preparing for this week several weeks back, a good friend of his encouraged him to spend plenty of time praying in preparation. God used that friend of ours in an incredible way. Not just for this week, but in our personal and family prayer life as well.

Chris will speak a total of 5 times throughout the week. I will do my best not to use Chris' name because it is/was truly the Holy Spirit's working. Last night was the first night of Celebration Week. As the Lord dealt with Chris' heart on the issue of prayer he was led to spend the first night on prayer. Prompting students to pray for themselves, peers, the university and even around the world. Students were on their faces before our Savior! It was such an incredible sight that brought me to tears SO many times throughout the evening. I stood in the very back in case my exhausted Ezra awoke from his slumber while strapped to me. It was SUCH A BLESSING to watch these students praise with outstretched arms in worship and prayer before their King! With tears surging down my flushed cheeks I watched a handsome young man, lacking his sight and hearing, admire and praise his Jesus like nothing I'd ever seen.

I eagerly anticipate tonight's outpouring of the Holy Spirit yet again...

Oh how "good" doesn't come close to describing Him.

Please pray for the rest of this week, the students here, and what God WILL accomplish! We all must remain faithful to our part He has asked of us. We'll try and put a few pictures up after this that capture our time here.

~Team Thompson

The Year That Was...

It was the best of times, it was the ... well,... best of times!

In the newsletter for January we highlighted a few pictures that really captured the pulse of this past year. We'd like to take a little more time to look in and show you all the ways that God sent servants, brought smiles, grew disciples, polished ministers, and changed lives.

(in no specific order)

Frank & Dottie Shealy give themselves to Kenya every year! They helped paint the lockers for the Saint Boys. Pray for them because they are in Kenya right now, serving... again!

Lindy with Sylvia, Brian, and Paul. Just look at how far these children have come since we were able to meet them! (see this older picture and remind yourself of their story)

Pastor Lon Chinowith (Baptist Home BC) came and taught at Berith Bible College and preached to Berith Church back in January.

Do you remember when we took the Saint Boys camping and hiking at Mount Longonot? Mr. Russell Knight came and spent time loving on the boys. (He and Sara had their first child a few weeks before Ezra came!)

Dad came back with a team from Salem Baptist Church. Noah and my father get along so well! Very similar!

The boys trying to wash Wallace. This was a funny sight to see.

Kiangoi Rahman Onsomu (Thomas) graduated in September from Berith Bible College. When I asked him, "So are you going to look for a church to pastor?" He laughed and said, "I'm too scared to do that. I'll just stick to chickens." But he now has more understanding of God's Word to lead his family and serve at his church.

Mr. Ezra Lewis Thompson joined our family this year! Wallace took him under his wing... literally.

Max and Pat Rollins (Lindy's parents) came and spent 3 weeks with us (actually they really came to see Ezra, but we did manage to show them much of Kenya! They fell in love with the Saint Boys. I mean, 'how could you not love them?')

Thanks to Miss Grace Kriegel, 3 of our boys made it a good private school. She worked them hard, but they loved her so much. And she loved... er... LOVES them.

Wallace waited patiently for Ezra's arrival. He even helped decorate his room.

We began our incubation and hatching this year. After some setbacks (lost 400 chicks and government regulations getting tighter) we have Thomas and Noah ready to make this a big success!

Mr. Cameron spent extra time with us and particularly the Saint Boys. They loved him!

Graig Austin came with a U of Mich team who spent one particular day helping disabled children enjoy horseback riding! They were so good with those kids. (except a certain person is terrified of large animals. No names need be mentioned. g.a.)

A series of fuel shortages made driving interesting during April/May.

Salem Baptist Church shared with Jamoca School one day. They sang songs, played games, gave testimonies, and loved on so many children.

Sorority girls from Ole Miss came with NDI and spent all their energy giving to these children. What an encouragement they were!

Due to the drought and famine in Northern Kenya, we were able to help bless countless others with nearly 4 tons of food!

Our dear friends Jonathan and Sandra Keytel returned back to South Africa. I've never met two more giving and encouraging people in my life. My family's life will never be the same because of the love displayed by these 2 saints... these 2 friends.

And the Saint Boys enjoyed an early Christmas just before we left for the US. Ezra got to give his gift to them too!

What a year 2011 was

The Finish

Our deepest thanks and appreciation to all who shared in the Christmas Blessing Project this year! Many of you answered this invitation through your gifts, support, prayers, and advocation. We will be excited to return to Kenya and report to our Kenyan friends all that God has done through your gifts! (And if you'd still like to give, then you are welcome to do so).

Let me give a report on how you responded and what was raised:

1. Educating a Saint - We have now accounted for enough scholarships to cover all 8 boys through this year! Wow! What an extraordinary feat! Eight young men will be able to enroll, attend, and be provided with a solid educational experience. There are years to follow for these boys, but we are confident that their education will be provided.

2. Cooking School - Both candidates for cooking school are all but covered! That's right; the funds have been secured to send them both with the exception of a few dollars remaining for one. (and you can still contribute to this need!)

3. Bible Scholar - 4 students at Berith Bible College now have the rest of their Bible Training covered. I am quite eager to return and give the good news to those individuals!

4. Chicken Farm - Several chickens were purchased to help one particular farm grow. These chickens will be the catalyst for their future success in chicken farming.

5. Entrepreneur - We have received a donation toward this opportunity, but there is still a need for more. I'm encouraged because the funds will help provide a business to support a believer's family as well as establish a G0d-centered business in the market place. (continue praying and considering ways to help in this opportunity).

Thanks again for all you have shared with during this project. We are, indeed, honored to serve alongside you.

~Chris, Lindy, Ezra, and ALL of Only Servants Ministries!

*** Next week we will publish several key things as we enter 2012! Don't miss that report!!! ***