A Fine Model - Beatrice Chitiavi

When we posted the recent article about Noah Chagwi, one of our National Team members, I realized that I wanted you to know as much as you can about all of the amazing people that serve alongside of us.  These are the men and women who are on the front-line teaching, cleaning, preaching, serving, and performing a host of other tasks.  I never want them to feel that their work goes unnoticed by us or you either.  Because of this, I will be highlighting each one, periodically, over the next few months.  Maybe through these candid moments you will come to know and love our Kenyan family members as we do.  They make all of this possible.

Beatrice Chitiavi (National Team Secretary / Bible College Secretary)

I am always telling Beatrice that she makes me look good.  Her detail bookkeeping and reporting is far better than anything I can produce.  It makes sense because she has served as a secretary at the East Africa Bible College for years before coming to serve with us.  She understands the value and importance of good records.  

Beatrice is the oldest child of Pastor Geoffrey Indiazi (Kibera Team Leader / Pastor / Berith Bible College Director).  She is married to Meshack Chitiavi (Berith Bible College Instructor / E&D Team Member / Pastor) who serves alongside his father-in-law.  Beatrice is rarely met without a smile.  Every week that we come to Kibera she is so excited to see us.  I think she loves Lindy so much that she is really just excited to see her each week.  It's understandable.  Lindy has that way with people.  

Beatrice does one of the most over-looked jobs within our team, yet it is one of the hardest and most valuable.  As the pastors and I get to go into the streets each week, share Jesus, see lives changed, teach classes, and direct projects, Beatrice spends most of her time in an office, behind a computer, grading disciple book after disciple book, recording expenditures, and reporting on the ministry.  She will work through meals, when she is tired, while her child is sick, at a moments notice, and most nights she's up until the wee hours.  I've dropped things on her during the same day that I need something and she's returned with the task completed in under 24 hours.  She gladly accepts new tasks and more work loads so that ministry can take place.  When we have conferences or teaching seminars, she graciously attends to the details and paperwork so that those meetings can happen.  Sometimes this means she misses out on being involved in those events.  But she never complains.  She never acts as though it is a burden.  She finds the joy in doing the tasks that few would ever volunteer to do.  While the speaker receives the applause for their part, she is in the back counting names or writing up documentations without anyone ever giving her as much as a 'Thank you'.  But Beatrice won't mind at all.  She teaches me so much through her character and attitude.  THAT is service.  THAT is humility.  

It seems to me the majority of the people I meet in Kenya either are pastors or want to be pastors.  They all see the notoriety and accolades that come with such positions.  I wish more Kenyans would want to be servants like Beatrice.  Those are the people that impress me!  And those are the people that WILL change Kenya because they've already decided that it's not about them!

Her name is Beatrice Chitiavi; and I can't ever pay her enough for what she really deserves.  Please pray for Beatrice, her family, her vital role in this ministry, and my attitude to be more like hers.

Lindy trying to give Beatrice a hairstyle.

Lindy made a cake for Meshack's birthday.  Please notice Beatrice's open-mouth excited expression in the background.

Persecuted, But Not Abandoned; Struck Down, But Not Destroyed

Kuel & Karbino at Livingstone Guest House

We had the privilege of having 2 lost boys come to our house last Sunday for lunch.  They had chili for the first time.  Afterwards they shared their stories of how they came to Nairobi and how they came to know Christ.  The group of college students from Ohio State sat focused on them the entire time.  I found myself amazed at how they could recount stories of pain as if they were reading you the grocery list.  Their stories were as powerful as anything I'd ever been privileged to listen to before.  

Karbino is a young Dinka from Southern Sudan.  He came to Kenya in the late 1990's.  He saw violence take the life of his mother and then later his father.  He hasn't seen any other family member since having to flee into the U.N. Refuge Camp.  He speaks  impeccable English and has a very high I.Q..  Karbino loves Jesus.  He shared the story of how Jesus came and comforted him during his abandonment.  Karbino has found hope.  A friend from the U.S. came to him and is currently helping him finish college.  Karbino is president of his class.  He loves politics and is passionate about going back into Sudan to help his people.  Karbino will succeed because his faith is in something unseen.  

Kuel is very tall young Dinka from Southern Sudan.  His English is not very good.  He is always smiling, revealing the evidence that shows he's Dinka.  He is soft-spoken and straight-forward. He came to Kenya after a raid on his village took the life of his mother.  The only person he knew was his older brother who now lives in Nairobi with him.  He has never finished school.  He wants to preach God's word.  

We've had the privilege of watching these young men worship at a predominantly non-Kenyan church.  The entire service is in English, yet these young men cry out to God as they sing words they barely understand.  They come to this church because they get treated differently in other churches.  Kenyans aren't keen on them.  Yes, discrimination is very common here among other nationalities and tribes.  It's difficult for them to find an inexpensive place to live and buy groceries.  So they come to Karen Vineyard where they receive love and acceptance.  

Please pray for Karbino & Kuel.  Pray for other "Lost Boys" from Sudan who have endured more than you and I ever will.  Pray for the Nation of Sudan.   

Kuel (left) telling his story

Karbino talking about his hopes for Sudan.

Noble Character...

As few of you may have read on our adoption blog or from emails we have been broken recently by a shocking AIM plane crash in Kibera killing pilot Frank Toews on impact. We have waited on sharing the news through the blog for several reasons, but now it would be much appreciated if you took the time to read more, not about the tragedy of an accident but about the amazing God we serve.  If you don't yet know of this I encourage you to read this older post on the Roberts' blog.  Ryan Williams was the other person involved in this incident.  His burns left him open to infection and the Lord called him home this past Friday.

Though we'd not met Frank our hearts were torn for his wife widowed at 35 and his 4 children.  Chris had just hung out with Ryan at the hanger 3 days before the accident when he took Ryan Murdock to see more of AIM.  As Nathan Roberts gave Murdock a tour, Ryan and Chris chatted about adoption and Ryan gave him a few tips as they are completing the adoption of their little Chloe.  Though I have only communicated with Dawn (Ryan's wife) a few times over the internet- I have grieved for her.  I simply cannot wrap my mind around what she is going through right now- grieving the loss of her best friend, father to her children, and spiritual leader to her family.  She has been a very busy lady with 4 children so she doesn't get to update her blog often.  But this morning as I was updating our adoption blog I noticed she had updated theirs.  I wanted to share this with you all.  I want you to read her blog and see how God's supreme control is exhibited in her life more than anything I have ever seen.  I hope that one day I will be somewhere close to where she is spiritually.  What an amazing woman with unfathomable strength.  I pray I will one day be the wife of noble character she has exemplified!     

Ryan & Dawn Williams with family

Frank Toews and family

He Never Stops Amazing Me

This scenario is too good to be made up.  There is no way that I (yes even I) could make up something as awesome as the literary picture that I want to paint for you.  What I was privileged to be a part of today is nothing short of beautiful.  As I stepped back to view the scene before me, I couldn't help but marvel at how cool God still proves himself to be!

I have a friend in Kenya.  Actually, that's not doing him justice:  I have a very good friend in Kenya who does more for me than I could ever do for him.  He has helped this ministry and my family in more ways than I can recount to you.  He has transported us places, taken us out for meals, prayed for us during difficult circumstances, supported our national brothers, given us gifts, brought us guests, and been as close to us as any of our family members back home.  His wisdom and insight are more valuable to me than any amount of money.  He knows everyone and serves them all with humility and zeal.  He loves the Lord.  He loves him so much that we rarely travel anywhere in his vehicle without first pausing to pray before starting it.  And he is a former Muslim.  Yes, my friend is originally from Iran.  He came to know Christ and was ostracized from his family for doing so.  Yet he remains loyal to the One who saved his soul.  And I am his friend too.

On this particular day, we had made arrangements to travel downtown to some meetings we needed to have for the ministry.  This was the first time that I would have the fortune of spending an entire day with my friend.  (Usually our conversations and meetings conclude before you can place an order at a drive-in)  We met at one of his other friend's businesses near the center of town.  This is an older man that he has been witnessing to for several years.  The man is quite successful, yet apart from his family.  This man is soft-spoken but very direct in his speech.  Those who work for him, serve him with a great deal of respect and honor.  This is something that he expects from them all I would presume.  This man is very intelligent, yet very much disassociated from Christ.  He knows all the traditions from his heritage, but wants no part of it.  He chooses to be "autonomous" from religion of any kind despite his nation's long-standing devotion to God.   It's interesting because most Israelis are committed to all their culture holds dear; especially with reverence to God.  If you just missed that last comment let me put it another way:  this man is an Israelite.

I hope you are starting to see where I am going with this.

So there I sat; a 33 year old American believer taking coffee in the office of a wealthy atheistic Israeli while his best friend, a converted Muslim from Iran, is sharing Christ for the 5,280th time.  I listened as both of these older gentlemen would pound each other with cutting ideological quips and then turn to me and say something along the lines of, "but this man is a good man and I love him."  Wow!  

Never in a million years could I have imagined that I would witness a son of Esau sharing the good news of Christ with a child of Jacob.  Yet, right in front of me this made-for-tv movie was playing out.  My friend has spent the last 16 years showing his Israeli friend that Jesus is in the business of changing lives.  He lives each day in hopes that his life will demonstrate to him the power of that truth.  And I think it will!  

These stories only exist in Christian novels, right?  Seriously you guys, this is too amazing to be fabricated.  God is in the business of getting our attention and changing our lives.  He has used combustible shrubs to reach a scared murderer, man-eating whales (or great fish for you PC people out there) to gain the attention of runaway ambassadors, retina-burning light to stop would-be assassins, and a former Muslim to reach a stubborn Jew.   I don't know when this will happen, but I am now more committed than ever to pray for my friend's efforts.  And I want you to pray for him too.  He needs our prayers and support as he lives out his faith in front of his friend.  I am giving him my prayers and admiration.  I hope you will do the same.

God is in the business of changing lives.  And I was privileged to see the evidence of one unimaginable life sharing with his "hated" brother.  He is mighty to save indeed!

A Fine Model

Several months ago I wrote our newsletter about the character of one of our ministry partners, Thomas Onsomu.  It was encouraging to see someone like Thomas who passionately served others and this ministry.  

Now I want to use this opportunity to tell you more about another ministry team partner.  Mr. Noah Chagwi does one of the most thankless jobs imaginable.  His role gives us little interaction together each day.  We see him for a few hours at night and nothing else.  That's because Noah is our night guard.  He faithfully comes every evening at 6pm.  He manages the gate, watches the compound, and secures things throughout the night.  

Noah never complains.  He has come sick, tired, injured, and with many other things on his mind. Noah's family lives back up country and he sees them only twice a year.  He is here working to send money to help his children finish school.  Noah has never asked me for money.  This is an important thing you need to understand.  There are so many many needs that our Kenyan friends and family have to face on a regular basis.  They often need to seek assistance for medical bills, school fees, and travel expenses.  These are basic needs that so many lack the resources for yet Noah has never asked me for any of these.  I have no doubt that there are needs like these in his life, but he continually finds a way forward through his faithfulness to God.  I have been so surprised by him in this area that I've asked him, "are there any needs you have?  Is there anything I can do for you?"  Noah never complains.

Noah is wise.  I have watched Thomas, who is 12 years Noah's junior, spend hours consulting Noah for advice.  He sees the wisdom in this man and recognizes what scripture says about seeking Godly counsel.  I also have gone to Noah when I have cultural questions, personal frustrations, and everything in between.  He always listens.  He is patient.  He thinks before he speaks.  In following up on some of the students at the Bible College, I inquired about Noah to Pastor Indiazi (the director).  He said that Noah was probably the brightest and best student in the whole college.  I asked why.  He replied, "I think he discerns better than most Kenyans."

Noah is a Godly man.  Noah is one of the main elders of his small P.G.A. Church.  While his pastor was away, off and on, for 2 years finishing school, Noah was filling in the duties of the head pastor.  He would preach.  He would administrate.  He would visit the sick and the widows (which are many in his church).  All week, he was wrapped up in the duties of pastorial care.  Now this is important for you to understand.  Noah arrives at work at 6 pm.  He works until 6 am.  He goes home to sleep for 3-4 hours.  He gets up and begins to go around visiting his church members, taking food to those in need, praying for sick persons who would know his role and show up at his doorstep, and share Christ with his neighbors.  Noah never asked me for anything along the way.  That is sacrifice.  That is seeing a bigger need than a few hours of sleep.  Noah has reluctantly shared with me how he has given much of the rest of his paycheck to a mama with sick kids or a family in desperate need.  Noah gives often.

As a result of Noah's lifestyle for the kingdom, God has used him to multiply the church.  We spent some time together several months back and I went through what this ministry does on a weekly basis.  I explained the evangelism and discipleship ministry.  Noah was very interested in the materials we used.  So I gave him some to begin using as he goes out.  I told him that after the summer months when things weren't so busy, I would be honored to go with him as he shared to his community.  But Noah wasn't looking for a "Mzungu" (white man) to hold his hand, give him money, and do things for him.  Noah just needed the tools to work in the garden. 

I want you to know that in the last 5 months, Noah has led over 50 people to Christ, conducts a New Believer's Class at his church on Sunday afternoons, and has single-handedly DOUBLED his church!  They don't even have enough room for the people that are now attending.  They are desperately seeking another location.  They know it will cost money and there will be huge needs.  But Noah probably won't tell me those things unless I ask.  Because Noah has seen something that I hope every partner has the opportunity to see...

... Kenya needs Kenyans reaching them.  And they are far more capable and effective than they realize.  Just look at my friend, Noah Chagwi.  He is a fine model of faithfully trusting the Lord to guide.  Noah is only a servant... and nothing more.  (and he will tell you the exact same thing)

Noah, his wife Lucy, and their youngest son Baldwin

A dance for pants..

I knew as soon as I got consistent with blogging I would then become inconsistent shortly afterwards.  So, sorry for the absence.

It's been another crazy week.  The Austin's moved back in and we are getting them settled.  This is their last move before going home after Abby is adopted.  Although we continue to pray for their adoption to wrap up, we selfishly want them to stay with us for an indefinite time.

For now I want to thank those of you who participated in 48 hours of Hope.  It means so much to us that several of you were burdened by what God is doing here and chose to be a part of this ministry.  For the Lord to burden Michael's heart to prompt this means so much to us. We only wish all of our National Partners could see the generosity of your giving!  We even gained a couple monthly supporters which is super key in keeping this going!

I briefly wanted to mention this past Tuesday.  I had a blast giving back the "clean" clothes to the street boys.  Remember the little pair of shorts from the last blog I mended?  When I handed his clothes back to him- he immediately held them up to himself and began dancing around with a massive smile.  THAT made me happy.  Another boy smelled them and said with a huge smile: "Ohhh- they smell SO good!"  That's right.  Those clothes I thought still had a stench to them- he thought was a wonderful  smell.  Humbling.  Now, when I think my clothes are dirty- I know I can wear them a few more times.  I challenge you all to think twice next time you want to just toss a pair of jeans in the hamper because they met your "wearing quota" of 2.

  

On a completely different subject, I want to ask you all to join in with us as tomorrow as is National Prayer Day for Sudan.  I received an email from SP informing us of this special day of prayer.  Join Sudanese Believers in Prayer for their nation.  Christian leaders from more than 1,000 churches in north and south Sudan are urging believers worldwide to join them for their National Day of Prayer on August 1.

Sudan is moving into a critical time of transition. National elections are scheduled for January, 2010, followed by a historic referendum for the independence of Southern Sudan in 2011. Believers in Sudan have been fasting and praying for their nation during the week leading up to the National Day of Prayer on Saturday. 

PLEASE PRAY FOR:

• Omar Hassan Ahmad al-Bashir, President of Sudan

• Salva Kiir Mayardit, President of Southern Sudan

• A peaceful election in January

• The vote on independence for Southern Sudan in 2011

• Revival and prayer in local churches

• Lasting peace throughout Sudan

The people of Southern Sudan suffered through two decades of bloody civil war that claimed more than two million lives before the Comprehensive Peace Agreement was signed in 2005. A sustained peace is critical over the next two years as sensitive negotiations and historic elections frame the future of the nation. 

From Rags to Stitches...

We, as mzungu's, cannot begin to wrap our minds around the kind of life they live.  We can go, we can feed, we can talk to them, we can clothe them... but then we go home.  We go to our warm house, with a pantry FULL of food, and sleep in a bed with plenty of cover under a roof keeping us from the harsh elements.  

This past week as we went about our usual visit to Kawangware to feed the street boys we took a few extra items.  We'd been collecting clothing for the boys for a few months now and the RFBC team brought so many that we finally had enough for everyone.  We had maybe 10-12 pairs of shoes so not enough to give them all "viatu".  We called them back one by one to receive their new [to them] clothes.  We were able to give them at least 2 t-shirts, 2 pairs of pants/athletic shorts and most got socks.  Some of them immediately threw their arms around our necks saying "Tank you! Tank you so much!"  Like an American kid seeing new toys on Christmas morning--they couldn't wait to try on their new clothes.  They started throwing off their jackets and pants leaving them in the floor.  Teri and I just stood there starring at some of their clothes.  I picked up one little pair of shorts and looked at Teri.  

Her eyes began to fill with tears.  With the Holy Spirit's prompting I found myself collecting these filthy clothes most westerners might have found repulsive.  I made sure they understood that if they gave me their clothes I would wash them but they would have to do without them for 1 entire week.  Before I knew it, I was loading up 2 huge bags of clothes that made a vile odor in the car.  It was a familiar smell to me and yet

 one I was unacquainted with at the same time.  The familiar smell was one of the past.  What was it?  I know- it was the smell of my homeless patients that would come into the ER.  The unfamiliar smell, I couldn't quite put my finger on.  Maybe it was the combination of sewage, glue, sweat, oil, mud, and dirt on their clothes.  I gave all 4 loads some time to soak.  In fact I soaked then changed the water 4 times.  Then I washed them in the washer, each load twice, with an extra scoop of soap and bleach for colors.  The outcome: a stained/dirty washer and a humbled heart.  As I contemplated whether or not I should wash them for a third time with 2 extra scoops of soap, I concluded that no matter how much I soaked and washed their clothes in fragrance or dried with with many drier sheets- that smell would not go away.  Then it hit me.  That smell is the smell of the people Christ came to save.  These are the very ones that Jesus was caught eating with.  Is was fascinated with the thought that that might actually be a beautiful smell to him.  

"It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.  I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners." (mark 2:17)  

I wondered when the last time was they had their clothes washed.  Maybe this is a new ministry... simple, huh?  Washing clothes.  

I was listening to a song today by Hillsong that I hadn't really paid close attention to.  As a matter of fact you've all heard it in a 100 Christian

 songs.  The line says this "I'll give you everything I AM".  So I was thinking.  What am i?  I am a housewife, daughter, sister, missionary and nurse.  But what else am i?  What can i do?  I am a knitter and a tailor!  (Okay- so I'm not great at it but I can do it).  So if I'm going to give Him everything that i am- then how can I glorify HIM with those?  

Well, just maybe I can sew some street kids clothes!   

I knew as soon as I saw those little shorts I could repair them!  Today I sewed the pieces that were repairable like the little pair of shorts in the picture above.  Can I tell you that I have never received joy in sewing like I did today sewing those clothes.  I really enjoyed making my niece a smock out of a khanga, but let's face it- she has tons of other clothes.  I got the privilege of repairing clothing that is among very few possessions.  I got the privilege to pray of every article of clothing; that one day th

ey might notice that someone stitched up their clothing because they are wanted and loved ENOUGH.  They are loved by a Savior who wants to sit at their table and eat with them!