"Oh The Places You'll Go"

“It’s really quite rare, for you over there, to stop and to glare over the sights I’ve stared.

The view is so nice, I’ve seen them twice or thrice, but enjoy them like Penguins to ice.

Kakamega, Kisumu, two places you must view,

Kapsoboit, Kericho, book your trip now. Oh you must go!

Fish from Victoria, tea from the hills, these are just a couple of thrills,

Oh anticipate the date, AND wait; the rates are quite great!

Not to mention the people who are as kind as Saint Themopilis,

(I made that name up to rhyme with metropolis)!

So sit right back, enjoy the show, buckle your belts, away we go, you’re about to hear of places all-neat, of the storied stories of our God-focused glorious glories.

Oh the places we go…”

Ok, so Dr. Seuss I’m not, but I couldn’t resist trying to set the stage for the whirlwind tour of Kenya we’ve taken within the past few weeks.

Kakamega / Busia

It all started one dark and ominous night….

… no it didn’t. It was a cold morning when we departed for Kakamega. Glenn Clark, Justin McLean (hereafter known as “dynamite”), Noah, and I left for the 7+ hour drive to the far western side of Kenya. Our trip to Kakamega was two-fold. One part of our trip was in order to conduct a small pastor’s conference devoted to leadership. Glenn had spent the past several months preparing to bring teachings on “leadership” to the African continent. Along the way we asked Dynamite if he’d like to add to the conference’s teachings on the topic. Dynamite prepared specific character profiles on men, from scripture, who exhibited leadership in their lives and service for God. The conference was quaint, yet the 50 pastors and church leaders who attended were eager for the experience. If there was any doubt as to their absorption of the material and the grasp of the need for Godly leadership to be evident in their lives and ministry, their questions at the end of each session did away with all such sentiments. They were open and honest. To the man, and lady, it appeared that these 2 servant’s generous devotion to training leaders to lead did not fall on deaf ears. I was so encouraged as was Pastor Indiazi, who helped prepare the conference.

Pastors worshipping during the conference in Kakamega.

Glenn Clark teaching on Leadership - Day 2

Justin McLean aka "Dynamite" helping with the conference.

At the same time, the other part of the trip was to plant and install a third Ebenezer Farms Project (see past articles on this branch of ministry). Noah, who drives the planting and preparation part of the Ebenezer Farms, went to oversee the construction of the chicken house in Busia. This is the home area for Pastor Indiazi. The hope is that through this project, he will be able to offset costs associated with running the various ministries he oversees. Ebenezer Farms is a partnership where outside investors give toward the construction, training, preparation, and initial start-up of an eventually autonomous business for nationals. For this specific project plant, a few individuals gave together toward the amount needed for Indiazi’s chicken business. It was quite exciting to see the work begin, knowing what potentially laid ahead for he and his family.

Measuring the layout first for the chicken house in Busia.

Chicken farming, preaching, teaching, masonry,... is there anything Noah can't do???

Pastor Indiazi's brother-in-law will oversee the chicken project in Busia.

I drove back and forth a couple of times between these two, seemingly juxtaposed, projects. I can’t express how awesome it is to know that both purposes honor God, grow the body, encourage believers alike, and provide “fishing-techniques” instead of simply giving fish out. At the end of both “Amens” there is excitement because someone demonstrated faith in these fellow servants enough to make an investment.

(We will provide an update on this chicken farm project once the remaining details are finished; i.e.; training and stocking of chicken house.)

Kericho – “Youth Weekend”

Pure Ways Youth Ministry is the newest facet of ministry that we’ve connected with. It began in the heart of Meshack Chitiavi, one of our Kenyan Team members. Meshack has a heart for the youth. He regularly visits youth as he is invited to churches, schools, clubs, and other venues where today’s young Christians meet. His passion is evident to all who hear his teaching. We began investigating the possibility of him working toward such a ministry as we all went to a small area within Central Province. It didn’t take long to recognize that, not only was this a needed ministry, but that there was no one who would do a better job than Meshack. (you can read more about Pure Ways by clicking on it’s name and viewing the website that will chronicle his team’s experiences)

So, less than a week after we had been in Kakamega, Dynamite and I returned the same direction to work with Meshack. It is an honor to serve alongside such people as Meshack. He inspires people. Through his friendship, he has brought another amazingly talented Kenyan to expand the depth and quality of his youth ministry team. A Godly servant named Phares (pronounced “Ferris”… as in Bueller), brings such incredible melodic tunes to experience that it looks like Pure Ways Youth Ministry could easily be recognized as a musical troupe!

Kericho is a beautiful place. It’s always green. It’s the tea capital of Kenya. It rains in Kericho like it rains in places like Wales, Seattle, or the Amazon Rain Forest. Yet the climate is as pleasant as it’s people. I love Kericho. I love the eagerness that the young people have to hear from God’s Word. I love their un-ashamed worship. I love the incredible hospitality that they offer us each time we go.

Each of us shared in the teaching responsibilities over the 3-day weekend. Each of us had 2 sessions, though a couple of them were more “preaching” times than “teaching” times. Dynamite was just that. He was great. He taught on “God’s Calling and Man’s Excuses”. Using the story of Moses, he brought a timely teaching on being obedient to God when He calls each of us. Meshack taught on such topics as “Authority” and “Guarding Your Heart”. One thing I have always marveled at Meshack is his unafraid attitude to teach on tough topics, calling for purity among the youth. I taught on “Treasure: Valuing God’s Word Above All Else.” It’s always fun to teach on something you are already passionate about.

81; That’s now many young people made a first-time profession of faith during our time at the A.C.G. Church. The fervor in the eyes of these young people who stepped forward will never leave my memory.

Fatigue is one word to use to describe how we felt at the end of the trip, but utter-emptiness probably is closer! If we did have anything left, it was used up in getting us “unstuck” at one point on our journey home. Ahhhh, nothing says success like returning home in your Sunday clothes, tie and all, covered in mud! Thanks Kenyan road experts!

A.G.C. Church outside Kericho.

Meshack bringin' the heat.

"Phares of them all"... actually that's supposed to be Jesus. But Phares did an awesome job!

Dynamite just towered over his translator!

Form 4 (12th graders) girls from Kipsitet Girls School.

Some dorky guy we picked up on the way.

The beautiful faces of Kenyan youth worshipping their Savior!

Lukenya – Church Retreat

As we were off in one direction, Lindy represented Team Thompson at our church retreat in Lukenya. This was an almost perfect experience for her except for the fact that about half of the people in attendance came back filled with something other than the Holy Ghost. Oh the joys of stomach troubles!

All in all, it was a great time to bond with other believers, grow under Godly teaching, and connect even more with the local Body of Christ with which we are privileged to worship each week.

Thanks for reading this long story. Now, go and read your favorite Dr. Seuss book, since you’re all subliminally thinking in odd rhyme patterns anyway.

Some days aren't so glorious...

"The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live." John 14:17-19

Yesterday was one tough day for Chris and I both. I will just be honest and tell you that our not all of our Saint boys are exactly Saints yet. That may surprise some of you. Hopefully not.

(Side Note: The next snail mail newsletter will go into detail about my favorite program we have with them. It is about some Mama’s in the US who love each of them as their own, interceding for them daily.)

Yesterday was difficult for us because we had to suspend one young man in the program who has been lying to us for over a year. He claimed that his mother was dead and his Father beat him, so he ran away and became a street boy. His mother showed up at the school one day wanting her son to come back home. It is a HUGE disrespect, especially here, to say that your mother is dead when she is alive. I explained to the young man that God designed family and we must follow God’s word completely. Plus, he even lied about his name. For the past year we have called him the name, first and second name, that he told us was his name. Now his mother revealed that his real name isn't even close. Our desire is to reunite the boys with their families IF it is safe to do so. The other boys in the group were also VERY disappointed that this boy who had been their brother for a year had lied to them as well and claimed his mother was dead. The other boys in the group have at least one parent that has died. A few of them being their mothers; they would give anything to have their mothers. So we are all frustrated at him to say the least. We told him he must go back home. He is in no danger living at home. He is suspended from the program for at least a month. Our team will visit, counsel and evaluate the family every 4-5 days.

Yesterday morning before we met with the mother and son, we arrived to find quiet boys with heads hanging. We look around and quickly realize there are 3 missing. The littlest one is very sick with Pneumonia. The other 2 have been struggling for quite some time. They struggle with their addictions to sniffing glue. I truly believe that they want to quit, but trying to live without it is a whole new life style and concept to them. We decided to sit as a family and discuss what it is we were not doing right. So Deo, Mama, Lillian (their oldest), Issa, Justin, Chris, me, and the other boys sat in a tight circle. Chris asked what the boys thought we could do better and what they thought wasn’t working for them. We talked about their addictions and how we could help them. There were some good suggestions on what to do next with these 2. CT conveyed the importance of why we ALL need to be extremely committed to pray for them. They boys said at lunchtime they really wanted to go find the 2 who had wandered off. When Chris asked why they wanted to find them and why we should pray for them- the next littlest fellow raised his hand saying “Because they are our brothers.” Choking back the tears and swallowing hard we nodded, hearts swelling up with pride. After talking for some time Chris explained that he and I have really wanted children for some time. He admitted getting very discouraged that he still didn’t have kids at 34 years old. And then God helped him realized that he was a Father and has each of them! He told them that he will never leave them and that he would protect them and provide for them. It was very apparent that the boys believed and understood that what Chris was saying was true. They had tears in their eyes and struggled to keep them from falling. Chris told him he would fight one particular battle on behalf of the other 2 boys that were back on the street yesterday. That is a battle with the main woman supplying the glue. She has been taken to the police, but unfortunately they just accept bribes from her allowing her to continue destroying the lives of countless boys. Thankfully we have friends in high places that the Lord is using in awesome ways. Chris assured them he would fight that battle because our boys are very scared of her. She has a lot of power in that area. I have concerns about the boys going to look for the others.

We ended with lots and lots of prayer and tears from just about everyone. We all agreed to go as a group to look for the 2 missing boys. CT had a meeting, so Justin, Thomas, Issa and I went with the boys.

We got in the car and us Wazungu sat in the back (Justin and I) in case we got into some sketchy areas. I can be a bit freakish at times I guess since I can't change the color of my skin no matter how hard I pray. Thomas drove. I asked the boys in the car to show me some places I had heard them talk about before. Like where they used to sleep, where they picked rotten fruit from when they didn’t have money, and where they used to pick cans for money. They showed me all of those… and more. I almost wished I hadn’t asked, but I felt like I needed a visual. I wanted some way to identify or visualize these places in my mind when they talked about them. I also wanted to understand as much as possible about where they had been and come from. When I was shown where they slept I could NOT believe it. It was practically in the sewage. When I questioned about sleeping in the sewage one said, “We put papers down.” As though that made it sanitary enough to sleep. As hard as it was to see and hear these things, I am glad I did because now I know where our boys have come from and where they don’t have to sleep anymore and that they don’t have to ear rotten foods any more.

Finally, we found one of the lost boys. I was so excited when I saw him, just to know he was okay. There, standing next to him, was a boy I recognized. He has such a beautiful smile. He left the program back in June to return to life on the streets. The glue won him over, but it was good to see him… and that smile. The door opened and in came out lost boy- reeking of glue and quite high. I put my hand on him and asked if he was okay. He nodded his head. I wanted to burst into tears. Even now, as I recount this, it is hard for me to adequately describe the feeling of picking up a hungry, addicted, high son up off slum streets.

We’d found this boy, once again. We drove onto a main road in the slum in desperate search of the other one. We were told he was swimming in Nairobi River. This river is full of filth, sewage, and trash. I’ve been told it’s black. But to a little street boy, it sounded like fun. We parked and stayed put while Issa and 2 of the others went to find him. Soon after we parked I see that same smiling boy come walking up. He had walked far it seemed. Maybe he knew shortcuts. I’m still not sure how he found us. He came up to Thomas’ window to ask us a question. He wanted to know why did we keep coming back to find these same 2 boys, but we never came after him. I explained that we have rules in the program and he continued breaking them, by bringing his glue to the class and never would get serious about wanting to stop. I told him he is welcome to come back if he REALLY wants help and REALLY doesn’t want to be a street boy. It was up to him to decide what kind of life he wanted. Now we just pray that the enemy doesn’t win him again. I remembered he had a really bad tooth that was infected and needed to be pulled. I asked how it was and he showed me saying it was still painful. I told him if he would come back I would take him to get it fixed.

Issa and the older boys came back empty handed. They couldn’t find our other lost one. I asked again, this morning. They still can’t find him.

I guess the whole “I’m happy you’re okay” feeling passed on the way back to Hope Center b/c I felt myself getting really angry with my addicted boy in the backseat. I told him how much I didn’t want him to be in the street. It felt like all my words of how I was feeling were so jumbled up. So I finally just said (probably forcefully) “Are you tired of us coming to find you? Do you want us to stop coming after you and give up on you?” He looked up, looked me straight in the eyes and said “no.”

These boys…

….oh these boys

Birthday Boy!

Happy Birthday to Chris!!

I have been more thankful for you this year than I ever have.

I Thank God that you...

are given visions and act on them

lead this ministry with such passion for God's people

love our boys, show them mercy, and strive to train them in the way they should go

are my best friend

hold and comfort me

have wiped countless tears

protect and defend me

make me feel safe

show me what real service looks like

date me

pray for me

eat EVERYTHING I cook (even the weird "good for you" stuff)

make me smile and laugh... a lot

rub my arm till I fall asleep every single night.

Boy did God give me one extraordinary man!

Happy Birthday my adored, cherished husband!

i love you.

Events of the week: (if you care)...

Friday/Saturday/Sunday- The boys spent the weekend with us. Need I say more. I think it was THE MOST hysterical weekend yet. I don't even know where to start.

Monday- Brooke and I hosted the women of my bible study here at the house. We baked/cooked all day. It was delicious and fun! I think everyone favorite thing was not the cinnamon rolls, cheese sticks, scones, cinnamon crisps, or the corn cakes. It was... the carrot sticks and homemade dip! Seriously yum.

Tuesday-

~Slaughtered chickens.

~Chris as started taking one of our boys every week to get "Dude/Dad time". Just one on one. This week he took Johnny- they really had a good time. Johnny lost his Father in a bad accident a few years back and he just adores Chris. I think it was a very special time for him that he had been looking forward to.

~Justin arrived and it was Christmas for the Thompsons apparently. Some friends might have remembered our b-days and over did it sent us a few of our favorite things. If we ration them correctly, we might just have enough peanut M&M's to last us till Christmas (but I'm pretty sure I've blown it already). We shall eat them wearing rain coats whilst burning our new candle and reading about healing foods and cotten-eyed Joe.

Wednesday-

~What didn't we do. CT had to shop and do some running around for their trip Thursday.

~Slaughtered chickens

~Delivered Chickens

~Game of soccer with the boys

~Home to cook for 15! CT and I are now hosting a home group from our church every Wednesday night.

Thursday-

~CT, Glenn, Noah, and Indiazi traveled to Kakamega to do a leadership conference for pastors and build the 3rd EBENEZER CHICKEN FARM! (Can you tell i'm excited?)

~BP and I took food to the boys and did a little craft time. Jaba tha hut (our dog) rode with us to say hello. They like LOVE Jaba. Then we went to visit my ZIPPY!! Poor Zipporah has been out a week and a half with Chicken Pox, Typhoid, and an Ameba! Yikes. She looked really good today. She's been dying to come back to work. I told her to finish her medicines and maybe she can come back to work Monday. She's still pretty tired and I'm sure she will be with Typhoid.

So, there you have it. All this weeks events. See why I haven't blogged?

It gets crazier next week i feel like:

Sunday- CT's back with the gang in NBO.

Monday- Brooke and Glenn leave. CT and I have to go downtown to obtain some legal documents for our residency.

Tuesday- deliver food. New guest arrive. Oh- and it's CT's Bday!! Bday hugs, now go finish your work.

Wednesday- Home group and administration day (AKA: play catch up on the books and office work. Should take ALL day.)

Thursday- CT packs his bags for another weekend away for PUREWAYS youth event up country. I'm on my own again.

Sunday- CT return. I drive get a cab to Arusha, Tanzania for medical outreach until October 25th.

Busy is good:

"If a man is lazy, the rafters sag; if his hands are idle the house leaks." Ecc 10:18.

We certainly don't want saggy rafters or a leaky house.

The Best of Pals...

About 3 weeks ago I checked our mail... something we do MAYBE once a week because we just don't get mail. We get the monthly power bill and let me tell you, that always gets us excited to want to check it daily! (Not) To my surprise that day it was full of mail! I thought "When was the last time we checked this thing?" But then I looked closer. It was all our our closest pals from back home sending us tender encouragement, love, and scripture.

We major-ly failed the "count it all joy" of James 1:2 when we found out our Rwanda adoption came to a screeching halt. Neither of us had attitudes of Chris Jesus, and I'm so embarrassed to admit that, but it's very true.

Today, I went to check the mail. AGAIN, there was another box full of letters from our buds. I think Jessica has sent me one per week. I am brought to utter tears because we have such precious friends that love us so much that they hurt with us. I'm speechless. My heart just smiles at how thankful we are to have such great friends and family!

Please see below to get a small taste of how excited we were:

(insert snort and "hehaw")

my personal fav due to CT's face

Lil' photographers...

Something is being built...

You'll soon find out..

The boys spent their "free time" during their school day just watching and "helping" Glenn and Chris build.

They were fascinated to say the least because they got to participate.

Since I wasn't doing much in the way of helping I handed over our "big camera" (yes, we actually call it by that name.) Someone blessed us it and we often allow guests or friends to use it. This time, it was they boys turn! It has a lot of fancy buttons on it that I don't even know what they do. I tried to show them basic things like how to hold and support it. How to take a picture and how to focus on something. These are some of the picture they took. I was rather impressed!

David is being so tender here to James :)

"Okay, now focus on Thuku."
Nice try.

I'm changing my name to Thuku I suppose.

Though Thuku didn't mean to- this is a cool shot.

This one of dan... is my FAVORITE!

a Sally close up! this lady cracks me up!! miss her already..

free falling?
"how much tall are you?"
i think james looks like the grench here.

I don't know about you, but I think they did a pretty good job! I think there is much potential!

Please continue to pray for these boys... they are so special to us, but they face so many difficulties.

Fertile soil...

I just have to blog about this right now, while it's fresh and I'm still on a high from it.

2 weeks ago some dear friends came to spend 2, 3, and 4 weeks with us. We have been everywhere and done everything with them it feels like. They are Sally and Glenn Clark who are part of our OSM Accountability Board members. It's so much like having my parents here. They are about the same ages as them and they just love on us and spoil us like parents do. With them they brought a 22 yr old from their church who is now on her 2nd trip here.

Today we drove to Kasarani which is about an hour and 15 minute drive. This is where our partner Vitalis lives and pastors a church. I cannot truly express in words what a blessing this man is to our ministry. He has the most beautiful zeal for the Lord and the lost. As soon as we got there his wife served us Chai and mandazi's (think- unglazed doughnut). Then we went to share at a school of 500 children. Brooke, Sally and I did a little song and dance for them which they all enjoyed. Then Glenn and Chris shared. Of course the kids were so excited and so precious. After that we went off in different directions to do evangelism. CT and Glenn went with 2 elders from Vitalis' church. Brooke and I went with Vitalis and Christine who is a member of the church. We walked on a path that Rich had evangelized before. I was shocked that Vitalis knew who was "new" on that street and which ones he and Rich had already talked to. We spoke with and shared our testimonies to several different groups. With Vitalis accompanying us, it was okay to talk with other men. Some were already believers, some were not and "needed more time to think". Some prayed to receive Christ as their personal savior. 3 as a matter or fact! Mildred, Paul, and Bernard. While we were walking, a woman about 55-60 came up to me and asked what we were doing. I told her that we were so excited about what Jesus has done in our lives that we can't keep it to ourselves so we are telling others. She completely opened up to us. Weeping she admitted she was an alcoholic and has been to so many rehabs. Her Father used to pay for her to go to rehab, but is not alive any longer. I knew she had a problem with alcohol because I could smell it on her. But Christine spoke up and boldly declared "But there is one rehab you haven't tried. That is Jesus." She did not pray to receive Christ because I believe she needed to be a bit more cognizant of her decision, but when I prayed over her I FELT the Holy Spirit with us. I felt like I had more FAITH at that moment that she COULD BE healed. She really was a precious lady and I was so grateful that she felt comfortable to share with us and that I was able to grow my faith. We spoke with her about follow up.

There was another young girl whom I shared my testimony with and we found that we had a few things in common. I shared how I overcame my circumstances and struggles with the help of Christ and she opened up and shared about how she, too, was struggling with alcoholism. She seemed to be living a fairly normal life hiding it from the world. She prayed to receive Christ and we talked more about follow up, accountability, and discipleship.

Bernard, the other young man who accepted Christ also was struggling with an addiction. I think there was a bit of a theme today. I praise the Lord that he blessed us with this kingdom adventure today.

Chris and Glenn didn't have ground that was quite as fertile. They went to a very difficult area and had a harder time with the people. But we rejoice in the seeds planted today and for the one who understood and came to Christ.

Today was just such a blessing. We were so blessed to see Vitalis and his family along with his elders who were so biblically sound! That is always so encouraging to us.

Thank you Lord for the sacrifices our Kenyan partners make on a daily basis and Thank you for their zeal for you.