A Kenyan Wedding! 14th February 2009

Dear Bloggers,
We (Paula & I) have just attended our 1st Kenyan wedding! The reception was very interesting! When we arrived just before the bride and groom (who had come to our home and compound to have photographs taken) we discovered nearly all the food had been eaten, the speeches which were to be given by many members of both families were in local mother tongue, and I ended up in the kitchen drying up all the dishes and cups.
It sounds like a moan - it isn't - it was an experience!
The Wedding...a success...
Having been generously invited to the wedding at Christ Church for a 10.30 start, the bride and groom arrived at 12.40pm! It was a huge affair! The 3 flower girls followed by the 5 bridesmaids entered first, swaying to some pop music, which lasted forever! They were followed by 2 pageboys, best man and 5 groomsmen who also swayed at twice the speed!! The bride had to dance (sway) with her parents up to the front which must have taken 10 minutes! earlier she had had to be physically removed from her aunties who had tried to hold her hostage at her parent's home!
It was apparent that the bride's family was ginormous in number and we were asked to vacate our seats 4 rows from the front and were reallocated seats on the opposite side of the church (the groom's side).

The service went vey well. Worship followed by Eric Swenson leading the ceremony, which included the vows, communion for the couple, and the pronouncement they were man and wife...and allowed their 1st ever kiss as a married couple!!!

The procession out of the church took a shorter time!

The bridesmaids and groomsmen were immaculately dressed and well matched in burgundy/gold dresses and charcoal grey suits with matching burgundy/gold ties.

Kisumu is hot and sticky for weddings to take place I've decided especially when you have to wait hours for things to happen! But hey ho this is Africa and we are their guests and they love to keep us guessing what's next!!

Love to one and all!!!

Kisumu in Summer

Hello bloggers,

It's been 9 weeks since I did a blog and this will be a short one - based in an Italian Coffee place with a free 'hot spot' internet access - for the price of an expensive Milk Shake (£2) but the air conditioning and leather soft seats are great.

We have decided to stay in Kisumu for Christmas, having hoped to go to the coast but we are skint to put it simply.

Kisumu in December is HOT! Life is more realxed now that schools have closed and many are in holiday mode til the beginning of Jan 09.

Paula and I are in good order, covering for Chris Wheat whilst he sun's it down under in Perth with friends from Gosport.

They say that here in Kisumu Christmas is no big deal, except for there being no work done on Christmas day - a bank holiday. We have been invited by American friends to a Christmas eve party where we have to bring 'soup' and 2 'white elephants' in old stockings. Can't wait to open my white elephant. I am looking forward to everyone coming up with a unique response to their 'white elephant'. "Oh my what a wonderful trunk", "Wow what solid legs", "Gosh, these ears are quite something", and so on - all with that American twang/drool. We will need to practice before going! OK I'm only joking. It should be a great event. Our 1st Christmas without our beautiful family being with us or we being with them. Nostalgic!

Christmas - now just think for a moment - Jesus is in heaven one moment and then the next He is incarnated inside a virgin teenager in some backwater place very few had ever heard about. Wow! As i am writing a couple we have met up with out here are going through labour (well she is - so the text says). I wonder what labour pangs did Mary have to go through - no room in the inn and no room for any miscarriages.

Anyway that's enough ranting from me-oops us! We must now go as the waiter has given us the bill...not the normal way things happen here - we have outstayed our free internet service,

Have a look on the new web address www.tkwl.org.uk

Have a great Christmas.

Peter & Paula

INTIMACY

BLOG 9

Dear Surfing Bloggers!

“INTIMACY”

Now there's a word. This is going to be a more personal BLOG. Hope you are awake. May it bless you deeply.

I went to bed listening to BBC World Service. USA are in big trouble. Wall Street has just had its worst day ever! The worldly kingdom is looking on in fear! What will happen next?

The following morning (today) I awoke to a brilliant blue sky, sun bursting through mature Jacaranda, Flamboyant and Royal Palm trees. Smaller Banana Palms lightly sway in sensitive response to an unseen fresh morning breeze; it's as if Someone has gently touched their tips, their response is to wave with tickling delight.

Last night, in a semi-conscious state, I lay in bed. My right eye began to hurt as an intense 'light' beamed upon it and I heard a familiar gentle voice – one that I now delight to hear – saying, 'Peter, this is My light. This is My presence in part. If I were to take you now into its fullness you would not be able to to withstand its intensity. You would be blinded. I am pure white light. Powerful light.' I fell into a deep sleep.
Some hours later I awoke to read my/our 'Daily Devotional' passage and thought for the day. The subject was 'Intimacy'. Wow, I love intimacy for so many different reasons; its secure, deeply personal, reassuring, bringing hope, joy and a purpose. Above all I love intimacy because it is love in its deepest sense and meaning. It costs, but there is nothing as valuable as intimacy with my creator, my lover!
The passage we read together came from one of my O.T. Favourites, Song of Songs/Solomon (one we were forbidden to publicly read at boarding school – the staff couldn't cope with it – too real for their liking!). In chapter 3, verses 1 to 4 things get intimate! As I dwelt on the passage I 'knew' that I am the beloved and my lover, Jesus, found me as I have wandered.
As I continued to meditate upon these words, they change me inside; from 'logos' to 'reality'. Tears well up inside me and flow freely down my cheeks as once more I allow God to love me. Again I hear His beautiful clear voice confidently say how much He delights in me and in Paula; in our relationship with Him and with each other. I want to talk, but calmly give in to His presence. It's His presence I long to remain in, give time to. It's far more important than anything else or anyone else.

We are not on a practice run here on earth for that which is to come. The Truth is that eternity has already begun and we need to exercise daily in the practice of 'intimacy'. To lay aside all other things; distractions and worries the enemy wants us to legitimately consider as more important.
Help me Lord to remain 'intimate' with You 24/7. Thank you for helping me repay the carpenter.

Kenya is a beautiful country, with outstanding scenery, sights and sounds! The people continue to fill our hearts as we develop deeper relationships. The friendship with a Kenyan (precious as it is) is generally 'shallow' with us westerners. Friendships with other 'missionaries' tend to be more real. Our two cultures (Kenyan & European/American) are very different. Our ways of doing things are different. The Kenyan meaning of time is 'abstract'! Our outlook on what is and what isn't important are very different. Our weather systems are decidedly and wonderfully different.

The Kenyans we associate with; at school, church, home group, and in our compound are gentle, calm and friendly. We are growing to love them. As we have begun to build deeper friendships with a few, so they have begun to 'open up'. However this is mainly brought about as we ask appropriate leading questions. There is one exception...David (a synonym). When he knows we are relaxed about time, he has told me (Peter) some amazing true stories. He is genuinely concerned about others, protecting them, yet asking for advice and support. He is an upright man, young and intelligent, with a teachable spirit. We recently received a text from him saying '...God has called you here for such a time as this to be involved in peoples lives, to help make a difference.' What a word of encouragement.

Sometimes I (Peter) want to be effective to the masses and help change their poverty into riches. However, it seems most likely that He has called me/us to the 'ones' and 'twos'. I am reminded of a saying as I write this: - “You may think that you are only one person in the world. However, you may be the world to one person.”
Jesus put it even better, 'In as much as you did it unto one of the least of these my brethren, you did it as unto me.'

I hate 'religiosity'! It stinks!!
I love the 'reality' of 'love'.
I hate 'performance' ('They have their reward already!')
I love 'serving'.
I hate 'judging' others. (Don't you?)
I love being 'merciful'.
Lord help me/us to be 'loving', 'serving', and full of 'mercy'. Not to use people, culture or climate as a feeble excuse to avoid what I/we were created for – to be 'INTIMATE' with you and one another.

Our 'honeymoon' period in Kenya has long gone. We have now been granted 2 year work permits. Let's get my/our hands dirty and keep my/hearts pure. It's so awesome when you know you are where He has planted you and positioned you for His service.

Hope you all stayed awake, got inspired and want to get more intimate.

Peter & Paula Phillips ( serving To Kenya With Love – www.tkwl.org )

BLOG 8 4th SEPTEMBER 2008

BLOG 8 - 4TH September 2008 (The last BLOG should have been Blog 7, not 8!!)

Dear Surfing Bloggers, again!

What a great 4 weeks we've just spent in the UK!
Friendships are absolutely crucial and deeper family relationships; precious.

We returned to Kenya with Sarah and GJ her hubbie mid-August. We had decided to stay overnight at a Christian Guesthouse (Mennonite Centre £12 full board!) We crashed out for the night following a less eventful Emirates return flight. (See Blog 7!)

The following morning we arose early and following breakfast, we were driven on a 45 minute drive by a prearranged minibus taxi to a nearby safari walkabout, where for the costly sum of $10 (£6.00) we walked through 3 terrains (swampy, dry savannah and forest) where different types of animal were to be found; crocodile, ostrich, deer, lion, leopard and monkey. A tree top walk gave us a broader impression of the scenes below and beyond. The Impala Park at Kisumu would really benefit from following Nairobi's example – for the same entrance fee!

A further 20 minute drive brought us to open savannah where we could stand with baby orphaned elephants behind a thin rope! Wow this was an awesome experience. For one hour (11am-12noon) every day the public have the privilege of patting, stroking and feeding these beautiful creatures. The carers aim is to see them strong enough to be released (in pairs) into a nearby safari park. So far their work has been very successful. We were delighted to donate Ksh300 (£2.50) to a worthy cause, and retain a memory for life!

The taxi then took us on a 15 minute drive to a giraffe sanctuary, owned by Lord Rothschild. After paying the Ksh700 (£5.50) entry fee, we were amazed at how close we could get to the giraffes. We could not only stroke, but cuddle and even get a healthy, slurpy/sticky kiss from them. To keep their attention we were constantly given food pellets to feed the Rothschild Giraffe by the guides. They are the 3rd type of giraffe to be found in Africa. In the 70's they almost became extinct. They are now breeding successfully at this site. Their 'white socks' markings up to their knees gives them a distinct look. A knowledgeable guide explained many details regarding giraffes. We were impressed.

We had a lunch on the lawn of a famous local lady, Karen Blixen and then we were speedily driven to the airport for our flight back to Kisumu.

What an amazing day, which was wonderfully rounded off by Blake & Esther (Agape directors) taking us all out for an evening meal at The Green Garden Restaurant in town. The icing on the cake.

Sarah got bitten quite badly by mosquitoes after she had applied her anti-mosquito spray all over her.! Deet 50% clearly attracted them to my daughter!! You pay masses of dosh thinking that you are going to be safe, and what do you know?
This reminds me of so many 'signs' out here in Kisumu. They make amazing claims. For example, there is a soap (which we buy!) called Dettol antibacterial soap. It makes bold claims that it is 10 times safer than any other soap. (You pay almost 10x for sure! - Oh I'm exaggerating – maybe only 2x more expensive). How do they work such figures out and with what other soap? Exaggeration, or to be more precise, lies and downright lies are plastered all over the place out here. Maybe in the UK it is more subtle. The sad fact is most Africans believe the lie to be the truth, and it is not even subtle advertising!

I will fast forward at this point, otherwise I will fall asleep!!

Sarah and GJ spent 2 weeks with us enjoying The Rondo Centre, in the Kakemega Forest, for 3 nights, designing and helping to paint a 'underwater mural' at the new school site, went on an amazing early morning boat/canoe trip on Lake Victoria with hippos and monitor lizards and beautiful birds. They concluded their holiday at Kiboko Point,our favourite lakeside restaurant, before safely boarding the twin propeller FLY540 to Nairobi. What a wonderful time we spent with them making memories and having great fun. Oh I nearly forgot...on the final night together, we played our first game of Canasta for maybe 20 years! (I had downloaded the rules from the internet before leaving UK – very useful.)

I cannot sleep for some unknown reason and it is now past midnight, The local dogs are really going for it!! They rule the nights out here. Zoe leaves Kisumu tomorrow (today!) to live in Tanzania, helping establish an orphanage with an American family. Let's hope it works out for her.

I have just read a true story book of hope for orphans of the poor based in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. It looks at the pro's and con's of orphanages verses keeping orphans in their community, being looked after by distant relatives and members of the community. The benefits of the latter far outweigh the former. I recommend this book to you. 'The Urban Halo;, by Craig Greenfield. Publishers are 'Authentic'. ISBN 13 978-1-85078-727-3

We have agreed to let Hannah Stockley, an occupational therapist, stay with us for 3 months, from 21st September. I used to teach her at The King's School, Southampton! She will be working full time with the New Life Homes for abandoned aids babies – just around the corner from us here in Milimani.

We begin school on Monday 8th September. Most schools have now returned. It so happened that the government in their wisdom decided on the last day of last term to change the start dates for this new term – bringing the date back one week to the 1st September. We decided to keep to their original wise plan! Most teachers have needed a 4 week break – a lot of ours have been using the holiday doing extra teacher training!!
Soon we hope to start building permanent classrooms for our developing 'Primary' schooling, and also have a permanent toilet block built .
The well diggers have now returned and today they actually emptied the 'dirty' water and now have the joy of finding 'clean' water 20 further feet down. All the digging is done by hand. Every 3-6 feet they make a circular concrete wall to hopefully protect the walls of the well and also prevent 'dirty' water entering the well. We will pump the water out for drinking.
The grounds are maturing well, saplings planted 6 months ago are now 4-5 feet high, general maintenance being given by the 'ascaris' (guards) and casual labourers I employ.

Today there were minor skirmishes in town, following the foolish decision of the Council to demolish, without warning, stall holders along one side of a street. The stall holders had set everything up, loaning money to buy their produce, only for the police and Council to come unannounced to smash it all up. They say they are illegally positioned. There is a fragile and tense stand-off at the moment. People are still very raw from the violence of January. Careful planning and discussion with all the stall holders could have averted this trouble – sadly this is Africa (TIA). My home continent. May the God of peace rule and reign here!

We are healthy! Here endeth this 8th epistle!

Peter & Paula Phillips ( serving To Kenya With Love – www.tkwl.org )

Labels: Summer Holiday 2008 draft

BLOG 8 - 21st JULY 2008

Dear surfing bloggers!

Welcome to the new, updated Blog. Thanks for your patient wait – 8 weeks since the last Blog! I've just read through my previous one and realised just how significant diary/blog writing can be. It also reveals my weak English comprehension!

I am sat in a 'rocker' looking through a large bay window out to the hills surrounding Kendal. Yes, Kendal, Cumbria. The sharpness of colour is outstanding on the blue sky and clouds, to the green verdant hills. It is 5.30am. It has been light for over an hour! It won't be light in Kisumu, Kenya until 6.45am – nearly every day of the year, because we are on the Equator. I'm currently wearing my sister-in-law's fleecy white 'hoody' to keep me warm.

I'm contently resting before the rest of the family arise from their slumbers. One day I would love to live up here. It's outstandingly beautiful. What an amazing heavenly Father we have. When we consider the work of His hands! To try to think that what we all naturally see came into being through a spoken 'word' by the most amazing friend and lover. Unbelievable, yet true! Yes it does take a step of faith to believe. Take this step if you do not yet believe. Take the risk, rather than regret not having done so when you get to the end of your life. Too many people get to the end of their life regretting. No regrets with Him as your personal friend and saviour – ever. One day we all will have to give an account of our lives before Him. Read John's gospel in the Bible, especially chapter 3 to help you hear personally from Him.

The past 8 weeks have been eventful! We have come through a very challenging time. Regardless, we have persevered and overcome. Some things happen to us that we do not want to happen, or understand why? However, in facing the challenges we realise that the challenges are opportunities to really trust God and know who our true friends are. Many of you have upheld us in prayer. Thank you. We are now able to look back – as we believed we would – feeling stronger and more resilient, assured of our 'call' to serve those in greater need.

Paula has suffered from malaria, bronchitis and 'a typical' pneumonia! And having to cope with my cooking for a change! I won't go into all the details, suffice it to say we entered into uncharted and foreign territory 'health-wise'. We have rarely had a day off work in our lives – so for Paula to be home -bound for 4-5 weeks has been especially difficult for her. She did not waste the time whilst recuperating; reading many books, praying, diary writing, and being thoughtful. She did not find the time easy, struggling to rest. Some days she felt well enough to bake, sew, and other household chores. However, within minutes her body would tell her, rest, and she learnt to be obedient. The consequences of not obeying meant a prolonged bed rest. Tunnels are meant to be passed through, even the darkest ones. There is always light at the end of the tunnel, even if there is a bend preventing the light from initially being seen, and she is now safely through.

Throughout these past 8 weeks I have tried to continue serving To Kenya With Love with integrity and passion. The sponsored (and non-sponsored) children at Simon Newberry school are developing well. We had a child nearly die from cholera, but miraculously he is now completely healed. A school trip for Class 1 was spent at a nearby animal park; 'Impala Park'. For all, this was their first experience of real wild animals; lion, leopard, baboons, hyena, ostrich, dick-dick, impala, vervet monkeys (loose) being the main attractions. It was the latter that left quite an impact on the 29, 7 & 8 year olds. Whilst sat on the grass besides Lake Victoria having our picnic, a pack of 'ververts' surrounded us and one cheeky male shot through our group stealing a banana which, at a distance, he began to masterfully peel and devour! The children were absolutely delighted – tempted to entice the rest of the pack to do the same! The day was an outstanding success. Much was learnt and enjoyed by all.

Our tenants/guests have as of today all moved out. Zoe Stares moved out during Paula's illness to house-sit nearby for an English couple home on leave. It looks likely she will be moving permanently to Tanzania, working with an American family, helping start an orphanage. Graham Bond, from Australia, came and went within 10 days – he was a breath of fresh air and so caring – we missed him when he left to be with his girlfriend in Rome! Then we were informed yesterday that Chris Wheat has found a home to rent not far from us in Milimani, Kisumu. He came to stay with us for just a few days, he said: 4 months later ... He's great and our time together, both when we first arrived and since has been invaluable in understanding his ways and developing clear lines of communication about the charity we serve.

Our planned 3 week return to England changed into a 4 week one just a week ago when we decided to come home early. We both needed more time to rest and decided to return. Family in Kendal kindly offered us accommodation, superseded by other family members generously making it possible for us to hire a car and stay for a few days in a hotel in Grasmere, Cumbria. We gladly accepted their gift and today we will be recouping in my favourite place in England. This is Wordsworth country, (an ode to the daffodils).

I do hope and pray I will never have an air flight as 'horrific' (Chris Wheat's words, not mine) as the one we have just experienced on our return home! We were a couple of hours into the middle leg of our 28 hour journey, travelling from Nairobi to Dubai, when I fell ill with food poisoning! It was 2am in the morning, 3 hours away from our destination. I was violently sick, filling 3 sick bags. Unfortunately I didn't get it all into the 4^th bag! And I had no change of trousers for 20 hours!! I was out of it, nauseous, dizzy, weak and alone. Paula had taken a sleeping tablet and was totally oblivious to her husband's state of health! These tablets had been kindly given to her by a friend in Kisumu, concerned about her state of recovery from 3 very serious illnesses, needing proper rest on the 3 flights home. Needless to say she was eventually aroused from her slumber when we were due to land and informed about the state of her husband!

The cabin crew were brilliant. Well done Emirates! They had phoned through to the Dubai airport authorities and a mass of medical staff dealt efficiently with me and 2 other poorly patients on arrival. I was wheeled off the plane and with Paula by my side and given priority treatment, passing through customs unchecked, and driven in a large 'buggy' along the amazingly long terminal building with flashing lights and blaring horn we arrived at a superb purpose built mini-hospital. Within minutes I had been thoroughly checked and found myself lying on a pristinely clean bed with an i.v. drip attached to my left hand. I slept for an hour, whereupon I had regained proper consciousness and was smartly discharged. We were both tempted to request we stay longer – Paula having also slept on the same bed curled up by my feet! Resisting temptation, we emerged into the hubbub of mass humanity. Dubai airport terminal really is giant-size. Over a mile long, and yes you've guessed it – our next leg of the journey to Gatwick was to leave from Gate 36, a mile away! We decided to find some reclining seats in a 'quiet area'. I'd like to know if there has been any comparison study made to the noise in a 'loud area'! Needless to say we were so desperate for sleep, we treated the noisy 'quiet area' as background material for us to cat-nap! This we did for our 10 hour wait!

On the next leg (our final one) of the journey home, once again I was sick – retching with very little in your stomach is unpleasant to say the least – especially when you know nearby passengers can clearly hear you! Thankfully we were sat next to a toilet block and when needed it was always free!

To be truthful, I really knew God's amazing support and help in the whole experience. I am now completely healed. I wouldn't want to ever repeat it. And Paula? Yes, she was great through it all. She is recovering well, almost back to complete normality.

As I sit here in my brother-in-law and sister-in-law's home, with their 'miracle' son playing around my feet, I am truly grateful to God for His amazing love and provision. The beautiful clouds in the sky are rolling over the Cumbrian hills, reminding me that life constantly moves onward, inspiring us to always look upward. There is never a day or experience in life repeated, because every new day has been created for us by an 'irresistible' God who wants the best for us, and every experience we face draws us ever closer to His lovingkindness.

We shall return to Kisumu mid-August, with Sarah & Geoff (for their 2 week holiday).

BLOG 6

BLOG 6 – It is 6 weeks since the previous Blog. (correction – this is now over a week later than when first begun – today is Saturday 24th May) I guess that with each Blog, the time between each one will be equivalent in weeks to the BLOG number! Next time will possibly be 7 weeks, just before we return to the UK for a 3 week break with family and friends.
Today, 14-05-2008, I was informed that a guard who works in my compound was murdered – near his home, close to the Simon Newberry School site in Manyatta B where we are serving and visiting each day!
His name was Charles – 'tall' Charles (6'6''), a born again believer, with whom I had begun to make close friends. I am in shock! I was only chatting with him at 5pm last night. We had prayed briefly together, often exchanged similar interests in gardening and people. He had visited our school site and had introduced us to Alios, a 50 year old man and close Christian brother. He recommended Alios to us as a carpenter whom we hired to make 5 cupboards for the school. I've just phoned Alios to check if he knew what had happened. I had no idea that it was Alios who found him at 6am this morning lying dead in a field near both their homes – as he was taking his older children to school. Charles was unrecognisable; his beautiful face was mutilated and covered in blood. In one of his hands was cloth torn from one of his many attackers, commonly worn by Masai. His other hand was raised seeking to try and defend his head from the brutal stabbings.
I loved Charles.
The guards at the compound here are deeply shocked and upset.
Tonight will not be easy for them – or Charles' wife Helen and his 3 children.
God I really do not understand what has happened, nor why.
There is a book lying on the balcony coffee table in front of me – correction; it is 'mossi' time – 7pm and I have now entered into the safety of the apartment. The book is entitled 'Where there is no Doctor'! On page 358 there is a page entitled 'Accepting Death' .
To summarise, Kenyans accept death as part of life so much more closely than us westerners. They are not so afraid of death and talk of death very openly. They give excellent suggestions on how to help cope with those dying and bring dignity and love to them. I love their openness.
Today 24th May, Charles has been buried – 3 hours drive away at his ancestral home. We did not attend, but very much held the family and friends in our thoughts and prayers. I spent some time in the garden tending to tomatoes I had asked Charles to sow the seeds some 6 weeks ago. They are just about to flower. A telling reminder of the fruit of his labours.
We have a wonderful friend from Fareham staying with us at the moment; Susan Graham. We have had great fun with her – taking time off work for a week! Til next Thursday. On Monday we are travelling up to the Rondo Retreat Centre for 24 hours – in the Kakemega Forest. Very colonial, very nice, very relaxing and beautiful, pricey but well worth it.
Chris is still with us and hopes to find an impossible home! Very quiet, 4-5 en suite bedrooms, a servant quarter, in own grounds....for next to nothing in rent! Paula's cooking is irresistible and well worth staying here for as long as possible!! Zoe (from Stubbington) has found a place to live and we hope that this will happen by the end of next week. She came to briefly stay with us following a tough 9 months at Kakemega working with a Christian charity called R.U.S.H.
Many more experiences have happened over the past month, including the start of Swahili lessons! I am really struggling with this and need Divine intervention!!
Paula is great – a wonderful wife and doing really well with special ed'nal needs at the school.The rain is pelting down outside – it is 9.15pm. Paula and Susan are playing Jenga!!
Love to you all. Peter & Paula xx

Blog 5 – New Home, New life, New Challenge!

Tuesday 25th March 2008

Hamjambo? (How are you?)

Does anyone really read blogs? All the way through?
Why?
Is it that we are nosey or genuinely interested in that person's experience?
What is it about us mortals that we want to open up the diary of someone we may never have met or ever will meet?
And if we do meet that person, what might be the details in the diary that have had any impact on our life.
Deep stuff first:-
When I physically die (Peter), there are a three things I would like to leave with you knowing that my life was not in vain...
That I have 'run the race with Jesus and won'.
That I was unafraid to take risks – not regretting or worrying.
That I have left an eternal destiny with God for those left behind
New Home:- God's provision!
We are ensconced in a beautifully furnished 4/5 bedroom first floor apartment, belonging to Agape Ministries. The kitchen is better equipped than our home in Fareham!
Outside, facing south, sitting on papyrus made seats with cushions, we look down from the long back verandah onto a mature 1/8 acre garden, where 6 playful puppies and their 2 year old black Labrador cross Alsation mother gambol across the lawn.
The front veranda overlooks a small yard, for parking vehicles. Surrounding the entire compound is a high bougainvillea perimeter fence. A guard is stationed near the large grey metal double gate that gives the only access onto a tarmacadam road.
A street seller arrives and sets up her stall at the nearby road junction. Many are making their way to work, walking, or taking 'boda-bodas' or tuk-tuks. Matatus are not so common here, but the blaring horn announces one is nearby. Large cars; Toyota Hilux are more common.
Milimani is a highly sought after area in Kisumu. Safe and well cared for, with little need to look over your shoulder. Water pumped from the nearby Lake and electricity rarely go down. There are no street lights here as is the case in all the surrounding districts – few are found in the town 1 ½ km away.
No shanty dwellings here!
New Life: God's revelation
Deep stuff again...
Why are we here? I mean, why are we here on planet earth? Wherever? What is this life all about?
We all ask this question at times I'm sure.
Then we try to answer it by filling in the BIG yawning gap with 'stuff'!
Work, religion, leisure pursuits, hopes, dreams, relationships...
Today we read in our daily Bible reading a remarkable line spoken by Jesus, the Son of God, 2000 years ago...
”This is eternal life, that they may know You, (Father) the only true God, and Jesus whom you have sent.”
It still blows my mind away trying to even begin to consider the incredible plan Jesus made with His heavenly Father just for us.
Think for a moment if you will...
...the awesome creator of the cosmos, who has created millions
upon billions
upon trillions
upon zillions
upon septillions...
...of stars; and He who knows each one by name, is actually in love with me.
Jesus proved it. That's what Easter is all about.
Try to let that sink in if you can.
I mean doesn't that begin to blow your mind away if you try to even start to meditate on it.
And there's more...what more? Yes...
...He says I know all your thoughts. I want to set you free. Oh wow! Do I really want Him to know 'all' my thoughts? What about...? Do I want to be free?
I am distracted by the uniquely coloured yellow butterfly passing by; the noisy weaver birds, and the soaring black kites overhead. The incredible pattern and variety of nearby palm trees and jacaranda and bougainvillea and banana and mango and guava; the ants of all sizes unceasingly working.
The list is endless...
All creation points to the creator and none have an excuse - in believing.
There is no randomness, only order and purpose and immense beauty.
And we are His pinnacle, His workmanship, His passion – our lover!
Mind-blowing or what!?
Let Him be!
Let go to...
The Truth.
Be!
New Challenge – What next?
Hey are you still reading this Blog? I'm impressed. No really. To keep going requires a certain amount of time and interest and love.
Yes, love. The Bible says, 'Love endures all things!'
We come to a close this week on the redecoration programme of the administration building at the new school site.
Oh by the way, since the last Blog 4, the sewerage problem has mainly been sorted out by KIWASCO (Kisumu Water & Sewerage Company). The site is dry!
The 90+ children will be moving en mass after their Easter holiday, the beginning of May.
There is a 'well' half finished that must be completed soon.
TKWL have purchased a plot (100 sq. metres) of land adjacent to the new site which will be used to build a permanent Nursery School – once the permanent Primary two storey building has been completed for 240 children, aged between 7 and 13 years.
Our new challenge now is how can we be most effective in supporting Chris Wheat the UK coordinator and headmaster of the Primary School; our line manager. Great guy.
Pastoral care and the training/equipping of staff seem to be the most needy to which we will try to respond. We will move forward with wisdom, prioritising the needs.
Even with each other as company, life can be challenging. Just why are we here?
Wherever you are in the world, as a Christian, we can connect in with the family of God. This has been our experience, and you know that you are not alone. Friendships are slowly growing, with locals and 'missionaries' nearby. Our guards are reliable!
Where we are staying is a brilliant base from which we can become more effective in the work we believe He is opening doors for us to go through.
By getting to 'know His voice' each day we can with confidence proceed in life's journey.
Manyatta, where we are serving, is not somewhere you would choose to visit, let alone want to work. However, when you know God's calling and leading, then it doesn't really matter where on earth you serve Him. The children are unbelievably friendly!
It's a pleasure to live and work among such poor, precious God-fearing people.
Pete & Paula xx

Kisumu school photos

Blog 4 – Settling down to life in Kisumu, Kenya

Sunday 24th February 2008

Greetings to everyone from Peter & Paula!

We are well, enjoying the beautiful Kenyan people and climate.
We are slowly learning the geography of the city and the best ways of getting around.

We particularly want to focus on the theme of 'Kindness' in this 'blog'...

For our first two and a half weeks here we were travelling around on 'boda-bodas' (bicycles) and 'tuk-tuks' (3-wheelers), then we began using a car! This silver grey, 4x4, 21 year old Nissan Sunny became ours through the amazing generosity of our home church in Fareham, Hampshire, UK. We let them know of our need and they amazingly had a love offering for us.
It has been completely paid for by their kind generosity!
Such kindness is the substance of the Kingdom of God! We have an amazing and generous heavenly Father who sees our needs and as we reach out to Him he graciously responds.
5 days a week we travel the 6km from calm middle-class Milimani across to the poor and shanty suburb of Manyatta. We pass evidence of the notorious 'post election' rioting and demonstrations; burnt out and smashed buildings, cars, lorries and damaged road surfaces caused by burning tyres.
There is some semblance of normality returning to the community; roadside sellers pedal their wares of charcoal, wood, furniture, and materials of all shapes and sizes. Precarious 'boda-bodas' loaded with provisions keep closely to the edge of the tarmacadam road, narrowly being missed by the mad 'matatu' (mini-bus) drivers, whose vans are stuffed full of cheap paying locals hoping to get to their destination safely! The colourful 'matatus' have wonderful names emblazoned on their front and back windscreens; 'GLORY', 'CHOPPER', 'FAITH', 'AGAPE', 'HOPE', and 'BEG FOR MERCY'!
In Manyatta we have been developing good relationships with the local community. At the new primary school site we have completed the redecoration of the 2 largest office rooms to be used for the administration centre of the new school.
Each day has been a joy to work alongside two hard-working young men, Sam and Jacob. They have been gracious and friendly and very kind to us. Sam has been supported by To Kenya With Love (TKWL) for 15 years from nursery school and is hoping to study at a local University; finances permitting. He will make a great teacher one day.
5 minutes walk away from the new site is the rented accommodation for the Nursery part of the school. On arrival, we are kindly welcomed and if it is lunch-time we are shown to a small empty staff room where we have our hands washed and a tasty meal – usually rice or spaghetti with beans, or pieces of meat - served on immaculately clean glass plates.
Such kindness! This meal is served by one of the most joyful women we have ever come across; Vivienne. A tall elegant lady whose small mud-walled hut we had visited 4 years ago at Dunga, a small fishing village on lake Victoria; 10 km from the school. A single mother of several children who loves to serve with sincere joy and a broad smile. She cooks for all the children in Nursery and Primary 1(90 children, and all the staff) over a charcoal stove.
It is at this site we have begun to support the Primary 1 class teacher, George, with Pastoral/RE lessons on a Wednesday afternoon. On Friday mornings it is our privilege to join the staff at their early weekly prayer time. Then we love to pop in to every class (4 of them) and greet every child. Paula found some monkey puppets and somewhat frightened a young child when she appeared with them on her hands!
There has been an ongoing sewerage leakage from a mains sewer on the new site which is still unresolved. A local firm are struggling to fix it; we wonder if they have given up trying! None the less it has to be resolved before the 90 children and staff can move to the site as soon as possible.
All for now. Until next time when we hope to have news of a home we can rent and an update on the school development. Thanks to so many for kindly emailing and texting us.

Lots of love

Peter & Paula xx

Blog 3 – Safely living in Kisumu, Western Kenya

Sorry for the wait!!
Love you all.
We arrived on Wednesday 30th January at Nairobi airport mid afternoon. Swiftly we passed through immigration, having previously had our passports stamped with one year multi entry visas. Our 2 large suitcases and one large haversack soon emerged on the conveyor belt. We were quickly escorted across the terminal to our internal flight for Kisumu.
On arrival in Kisumu we were met with Chris Wheat (who leads TKWL) and pastor Eric.
On our 4km trip to Milimani, Kisumu, we saw beautiful bougainvillea, flame trees, and evidence of the riots , with burnt out buildings, and remains of road blocks.
Chris' home is safe and secure even though it is close to the city's ring road – where much of the road blocks and burnt out cars were taking place.
Chris is a bachelor (42 years) and has lived here for 3 years. He has a love for the people especially the impoverished children – who cling to him at every opportunity!
Our work is primarily to serve Chris and the charity To Kenya With Love, an educational sponsorship programme for over 200 children. A plot of flat land has been purchased to build a permanent primary school for about 200 ch'n, and a nursery for about 70 children.
This past week having recovered from our 3 flights – taking nearly 24 hours! - we have been decorating a building on the site to house the administration block.
Kisumu has been peaceful for over a week now. Exotic birds are in abundance, flora is bright and lush, the Kenyans are friendly and welcoming.
Peter met one yesterday on a walkabout – looking for a permanent home to rent – who supports Chelsea. They are mad keen on the Premiership over here!!
As we move into the weekend proper, we are resting, visiting a small lakeside village – Dunga – to order some hand made furniture for our new home! In the meantime it is a privilege to be staying with Chris, who has gone out of his way to make us feel welcome.
Gosh it's 28 degrees C!
Goodbye and love to all
Pete & Paula

Praying for Peace & Reconciliation

What has happened since our last blog is nothing less than a humanitarian crisis in Kenya.

Following the news and BBC world web site has left us shocked and stirred up within to cry out to God for 'peace and reconciliation' between those bent on their own agenda for power.

Friends of ours in Kisumu are living in fear for their lives. Our key worker, is still unable to return home from Kampala where he spent the Christmas break. Another works as a doctor in the very hospital Orla Guerren (BBC correspondent) visited yesterday. Such graphic and disturbing scenes of inhumanity to man.
First hand reports have informed us that of the 200+ children and families we support and sponsor, some have completely vanished. They are of the Kikuyu tribe.

Why is there suffering? What brings mankind to this level of violence and hatred, a base human instinct; our lowest common denominator!?
Perhaps we need to accept we will never fully understand! But we need to know that God cares about those suffering and wants to use us to do something about it.
For some reason it appears that 99% of the time God appears to alleviate suffering by working through humans...you and me. Surely it would be a lot more effective to bypass us as we seem to make such a mess of everything.
God is capable of miraculously feeding all the world's hungry and yet for some reason he prefers to do it through humans. Even when he miraculously fed the 5,000 men, he gave the food to the disciples to distribute.
Now why did he do that?

In the midst of all these atrocities in Kenya, let us not lose sight of the ever present person of the suffering Christ, who daily walks the same lonely and abused road; often in the form of another human being.
Such unconditional love. Grace at work.
Now that's what is needed in this beautiful land! Reconciliation and peace.

Oh by the way, in case you were wondering, yes, we are still planning on go to live, serve and work amongst the poor in Kisumu at the end of the month. This seems as good a time as any to be going.
However, we will respect the UK government's recommendations, and those who have our welfare at heart. Wisdom will prevail.

Peter & Paula xx