Thomasville Sweet Thomasville

We're back in good ol' North Carolina!  Home of Cheerwine and BBQ!! 

As most of you know we traveled home starting Tuesday for us and returned to American soil Wednesday night.  As we walked from customs, Chris bolted wide eyed to the taco bell while the first thing I saw a picture of was a pumpkin cooler from Karibu coffee.  It was a done deal.  We were back and we wanted to make it official by dining on whatever we wanted!  (Ridiculous? Yes, I know.)     

We are adjusting well to time differences and so blessed to have been met at the airport by family.  Already- we are missing our national brothers and sisters.  Please continue to pray for them as they continue their daily routines with the ministry.

Why did we come home after only 4.5 months?  

As self supported missionaries we raise our own support, which requires us to travel around to various churches to inform people about what God is doing through Only Servants Ministries in Kenya.  We look at it as a perk to being self supported.  No, we don't receive a salary through an organization- but we do get to lean on God for our support and allow our faith to grow each month when we receive our monthly support report.  And now knowing how bad the economy is getting, I can't wait to see what God is going to do.  It truly is a blessing!

What happens with the ministry while we are home?

Let us not forget to continue praying for the ministry that continues every day while we are home.  My best friend Joy-(whom most of you all have met via her blog).  Is holding down the fort for at least the next month and then our friend Shauna will step in.  I encourage you to keep up with Joy's blog so that you can follow what is happening while we are here.  Joy will be over-seeing the guest house and going to Kibera to do various ministries. 

Our National Team will be continuing the ministries with which they are responsible.  They too need your prayers each day.   Each of them have extraordinary passions for ministry and encourage us more than I feel we encourage them.  Let's continue to pray for the Street Evangelism, Discipleship of new believers, and the Bible College's in both slums.   We are so blessed to have Godly brothers and sisters to co-labor with for the Kingdom! 

[On a side note: we did get to visit the lady I had mentioned that has a ministry to muslim women.  There was so much going on around then, so I never got the opportunity to post about it.  We found out the ministry she has with the muslim women is just one of MANY!  Linette is a single missionary working with AIM in the Kibera.  They have a large (for kibera) building which contains a clinic (one of 2 REGISTERED clinics in ALL of Kibera), literacy school (cost:$1.50/month), and sewing program. They have recently started a sports ministry using soccer with youth boys- that essentially fell in their lap!  Some of these young men played a part in the clashes after the election in December/January.  It was so refreshing to see something like this ministry going on in Kibera.  They use the literacy program (again, the only one in Kibera) to reach and evangelize the muslim women through establishing a relationship with them through their routine lessons. WOO!  Does that not just want to make you yell out?]

At any rate, Joy will be visiting that ministry weekly to be a part of it.  Also- they have a women's bible study which is a gift of Joy's so I'm excited for her to be a part of that.  

On the home front:

My hero (aka- dad) is having surgery today at 10am on his foot.  Please pray for him.  This is the first of many surgeries to come as he continues to grow older.  They say with age, comes wisdom.  True, but they forgot it also comes with pain.  Dad has been hurting for a while so he's ready to take the risks that come with this surgery because he's tired of limiting his activity.  Though it sounds like a simple foot surgery, my pop has some other problems that the doctors have to consider when they do surgery.  It's a lot of preparation.  It means so much to me to have your prayers both in Kenya, and here as well. Thank you for letting me share this request with you.

I'm so thankful we got to spend yesterday together while he could move around a little.  We had so much fun- voting, cutting down trees, and learning to drive the backhoe (yes- he taught me how... another check on the "things to before I die" list) 

 

Back from Maralal

Howdy!  I've been at it all day trying to upload pictures on this crazy thing and it's been rather difficult- this internet.  I don't have time to write stories about our trip to Maralal- but maybe later.  I have so much to say!  For now, this picture update with have to suffice.  Why did we go to Maralal?  Well, really it was Chris that was invited to use his mad art skills to paint a training center.  Us girls just wanted to tag along... and "work" too.  Though we didn't do that much, we felt so appreciated for the little we did.  We met some incredible servants and heard some remarkable stories of obedience.    

About 15 minutes after this picture Shauna's head was between her legs the rest of the way.  In fact, she missed the water falls.  Poor thing!

Ken, Susan, Robert, Joseph Black, and Victor.

These Samburu men wanted me to take their photo with their cows.  (Cows are a sign of prosperity).  Apparently this is what you must do to get the cows to stop walking.  Interesting I know.... I mean- whatever works!?

I'm just thankful I wasn't the one who had to make the cow stop walking.  ;)

Yea- this is the biggest bull I have EVER seen.  So naturally I dared Joy to run  up behind it and smack it... she did.   

Chris- hard at work...

Victor came to help.  CT is really great, huh?  

(If you click the picture, it will enlarge and you can see what he did a little better)

The sign reads "Nkatini E Nkai"- "God's story" (In Samburu)

Shauna and Joy pose with a matriarch Samburu woman named Paulina.

(The Blacks House is the background)  

These Samburu boys kept peaking over the fence at us because they heard us talking.  
I just think they are SO beautiful!
The 2 Kenyans in the picture are Moses and Jane.  They are missionaries to the Samburu.  They have remarkable testimonies of how God brought them to where they are.   

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Learning bible stories

Worshiping Samburu style.  This is their new church.  About a 45 minute walk from the Black's home.  

What an honor it was to be among these new believers!

 Playing Mancala in the Black's driveway.  

If you look really hard you can see a double rainbow. What a beautiful end to our journey...

Quick and random update...

Just wanted you all to know that you won't be hearing from us for a few days because we are traveling to Maralal which is out in the bush.  No electricity, no internet- no problem.  Joy and Shawna will be accompanying us.  Chris has a project to do and us girls are just along for the fun.  My prayers used to be that we would live in a mud hut out in the bush.  This guesthouse isn't exactly what I had in mind, but maybe the Lord knows me better than I do!  I do enjoy my washing machine.  At any rate, I'm sure us girls will find something interesting to do out there.  I just didn't want to leave you all hanging wondering "why no updates?"  

I actually had a really great post in my head last week after an interesting day walking around Kibera, but I never did get a chance to write it out.  That happens to me a lot.  

 

Just an interesting and random visual for you.  This is what our feet look like on a typical day after we get home from kibera.  EWE!  

I know we joke about not taking showers here, but we do take showers after Kibera.  I know you all are so happy to hear that.

Next tid bit: Joy and I went to participate in the slaughtering of a chicken Saturday in kibera whilst Chris was being a Nehemiah-building a wall in Kawangware.  Joy actually pumped herself up and thought she had herself talked into killing the chicken herself.  Long story short- she chickened out... but I sure have a HILARIOUS video of her... semi-attempt ( i guess that's what you would call it).  She claims that "next time" she's really going to do it.  We'll see.    

On a more serious note: (when we aren't slaughtering defenseless chickens)...

Joy and I did get the chance to go pray with a young girl with some spiritual struggles today.  It was an amazing opportunity.  In our efforts to get a small prayer ministry started in St. Mary's Mission Hospital- we met a young lady just a few years younger than us.  Her parents are Christians, and she is a fairly new Christian- though her faith in Christ is secret to all her muslim sisters and brothers.  It was such a privilege to meet this young girl and hear her story.  I truly believe the Lord is going to do a great work in her and bring her out of this.

That's all for now folks. Maybe you can expect another update on Sunday with pictures from the bush...  I know how you all are about some pictures.  

 

Shout Out...

Today is my precious Husbands' Birthday, so please allow me to toot his horn a bit.  After all, he is REALLY wonderful.  

I wanted to share just a hand full of things I LOVE about my Chris:

• He's my protector, provider, prophet and preist (for those voddie fans out there)- he has been even more of a protector since we arrived here.  He's so great at making sure I'm okay, checking on me, or calling me when I'm out of his sight.  He would do anything to assure I'm taking care of and provided for before him.  As my prophet- well, any of you who know Chris at all- know he's an amazing  teacher of the word.  He's so in tune with the Lords will.
  
• He puts Gods first. 
  
• He loves to date me... still- after 8 years! And he's a total Romantic.  (Though it's a bit hard over here) 
• He's always the first to say he's sorry.  (Even when I'm in the wrong)
  
• He's so giving... which compliments me well since that is probably what I'm least good at. 
  
• He is SO great with kids.  I really love to watch him with Paul and Brian- they now want to be held by "uncle Chris".  They absolutely love him.  He taught them how to say "see you later" instead of "bye", so now they say it all the time.  Even when it's no appropriate.
  
• He never lets me get walked on.  He always takes up for me... and anyone else he loves for that matter.
• He's a great teacher.  He has taught me so much about the bible.  I rarely ask him a question he doesn't know or hasn't thought about or studied.  Not to mention he's a  walking dictionary.    
  
• He's knows more random information than anyone I've ever met.  His brain just soaks up everything he's ever learned.
  
• He makes me laugh!  All the time.  He is hilarious.  Just writing this make me think of funny things he says or does to make me laugh.  Half of them none of you have ever seen. He just does them in front of me.   He's wonderful at doing impersonations of just about anybody.
  
• He can quote just about any movie on command.He's driven, tough, and has incredible discernment.  
  
•  I love his close relationship with his family.  
  
• He always has a new idea.  He is so driven and full of better ways to do things, new projects, how to serve more effectively, and new ministry opportunities.
• I love his heart for missions!  Not just in Kenya, but around the world. 

If you have anything else to add to the list, please feel free to do so in the comments! 

dying to know?

Are you dying to know what we did Wednesday of this week? If you are- click here.

a chance to live...

Sunday we had the opportunity to take a new convert with us from Kawangware Slums to Kibera's Berith Life Church. 

There is a reason why we picked up our new friend to go from one slum to a church in another slum.  Our friend's name is Muhammad and about 8 weeks ago he decided to deny himself and the Islamic faith he has known his whole life to take up his cross and follow Christ.  Muhammad received Christ one day on the streets of Kawangware through Chris' persistent street ministry in the slums.  Chris said honestly, he cannot remember him.  But a few weeks later Muhammad saw Chris in the streets and came to him.  He professed his new life in Christ and the decision he had made weeks back after hearing one of the presentations.  He expressed to Chris the challenges of trying to sneak around because he feared what would happen if others found out about his conversion.  

His brother came to him one day and inquired about him "acting differently".  You see September is the month of Ramadon (actually it has something to do with the crescent moon- but for all intense purposes it's about the month of September)  where Muslims fast sun up to sun down.  His brother asked him why he hadn't been coming to the temple to pray or participating in any of their rituals.  He simply told him "You have your faith and now I must have my own."  I believe his brother was puzzled by that.  

Fast Forward to Sunday: We met muhammad at a gas station to pick him up.  He had this infectious smile when he came to get in the car.  What an honor it was to meet someone who has given up so much to follow Christ.  As he became more comfortable in the car and answered our "get to know you questions" he reached into his doubled plastic bag to pull something out.  He pulled out a old bible someone let him borrow.  My heart was in my throat.  Chris assured him we would get him a bible.  As soon as we got to Kibera Chris gave him his bible so he would no longer have to borrow.  He was so tickled to have his very own bible.

As worship started we began the usual Kiswalhili worship songs.  But they meant much more than they ever have before.  We only know a few words here and there so I normally just do my best to pronounce what I can.  It's more difficult to close your eyes and truly sing words from your heart when you don't know what you are singing.  This time I just stood back and watched... I stood behind Muhammad, just surveying a transformed life in Christ-- truly worship.  He new the meaning of the words being sung and it was so evident.  I could see every facial expression and every move of his hands.  He didn't know the songs by heart... in fact it was probably the first time he had ever heard them.  I guarantee those words penetrated his heart more than anyone there.  

On the way back to the gas station, Muhammad expressed his concerns about telling his family- wife, parents, and siblings.  He felt as though people knew what was going on through other muslims in the area who knew him.  You could tell that he was both nervous and scared.  He leaves today to travel to tell his family of his new life.   

None of us will ever know the sacrifice of converted Muslims.  I encourage you right now to please take a moment to pray for our brothers and sisters who have converted from Islam to Chrstianity.  Pray for them to be "bold and courageous".  Pray for strength and endurance.  Pray for God's hand of protection over Muhammad as he travels and as he reveals his news to his family.  Let's bathe him in our prayers so the enemy will continue loosing ground!   

"... Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."  Joshua 1:9

"In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted..." 2 Tim 3:12

another question answered

Alright Chasity.  You opened a can of worms, girl.  You get the award for best questions asked!  Your reward: I'll send you a ciber oreo cookie for an ear.  (You're welcome)

First off, I will start everyone with her questions.  Answers follow:

How hard is it to sit and watch all that is around you and realize how well America has it?

Very hard at times.  But we cannot dwell on what America has that third world countries do not.  We all have one thing in common.  We all need the same loving Savior.  

I can remember coming back from my first mission trip when I was 19 and walking into our brand new wal-mart.  I'm not sure how my mom put up with my attitude.  I was literally draging my feet and grumbling about America.  Hopefully I've come a long way from that girl.  (I guess we'll see when we come home next month!)  

I used to sit around feeling guilty for being born in America.  But what does guilt do?  I've learned a couple things: 

1. Be grateful, not guilty.  Guilt won't lead you to move.  

2.  What it means to embrace my ethnic and cultural identity as part of who God has created me to be.  There are positive aspects about my culture that I need to claim.

Some people tell me I shouldn't minister outside the country because people in America are just as poor as those in Africa. Do you agree?

Simply put: NO WAY!

There are needy people in America and there are MANY that need ministering to, but America is NOT as poor as Africa.  In America, even the homeless have somewhere they can go to get a meal or a bed for the night.  Here in Africa where can they go if they haven't had a meal in days?  Have you ever seen a child walking around in America that looks like this?  

I sure haven't.  Know why?  Because you can walk into ANY ER in the US and no matter what your problem is- you can be treated.  Whether you have money or not.  You can even make up a problem to be seen as a patient and get a meal to eat!  Not to mention we have the luxury of clean water.  Access to medical help and clean water alone nullify the word "poor" and "America" being in the same sentence.

A friend of mine took 6 weeks off work to go to Darfur last year to provide medical relief to the oppressed people of Sudan.  (I owe it to Ashley for my broken heart for the Sudanese.  As she was the first to teach me of the heinous acts of an ancient civil war going on still)  I can remember Ashley telling me what one co-worker said to her about her going to Darfur. As I recall she expressed how she didn't feel it was right for Ash to go to other parts of the world when there were people right here in the Appalacian Mountains who needed help.  Guys, this person is a christian!!  I can't think of a more unbiblical statement.  "Righting wrongs and serving those in need is at the VERY HEART of Christ's ministry and, in fact, the heart of God.  There is an outrageous misconception- that the idea that ministry to the poor is for the select few and not central to the call of every Christian.  Not everyone is called to move into the inner city or give up the security of a corporate job, but EVERY Christian should get his/her hands dirty in the struggle in some form or fashion." (Jeff Killibrew- Desire street ministries, N.O)  

If you are a follower of Christ who have yet to actively get involved in a local ministry which you have DIRECT contact with those in need; if you have never "smelled" and "tasted" real poverty, then you are missing a huge part of the experience of being a follower of Christ.  Until you have come close enough to those who are truly suffering to hug them, speak words of encouragement to them, to touch them, you have not experiences all of what God offers His followers.  

God wants you to start ministering in the very town you call home.  But your involvement doesn't stop there.  It is a blessing to step foot on foreign soil- to see, touch, smell, and taste what God is doing around the world.  I want to encourage you all to go on a short term mission trip at some point.  It will surely bless your socks off.  

I have a high school teacher who is unable to "go" to foreign soil, but she might as well be here.  Her heart is here- no doubt.  She has been such a huge source of encouragement to us.  To the point of giving what she doesn't have.   

Keira told me about a line she had read in a John Piper book and I gotta tell you, I LOVE IT!  He said you can do either of 3 things. 

1. You go 

2. You send 

3. You're disobedient  

Simple as that.  It's part of the great commission and no one is omitted from that. 

A lot of words to answer that question, but what can I say- missions is my heart and soul and I can say the same it true for Chris.