PRAY FOR RAIN IN KENYA - PRAY FOR RAIN IN KENYA - PLEASE, PRAY FOR RAIN IN KENYA

Easter Sunday,  after a long flight back from Zimbabwe on Sat., Cliff and I visited our Maasia friends to deliver sacks of beans and rice. Our hearts went out to them. We wished we could have help all the Maasai but of course that would have been impossible so we pray the Lord will care for them until the rains arrive.

The drought in east Africa's is so severe that the government has declared a state of emergency. Thousands of people face hunger and starvation after a poor harvest, crop failure, a lack of rain and the rising cost of food.

The economy is still recovering from post-election violence last year and facing fallout from the global slowdown on export markets. Kenyans have been horrified by multi-million dollar government graft scandals in the maize and fuel sectors in the middle of the food shortage, and at a time when the administration is appealing for international food aid. So goes Africa. 


Last month as Cliff and I waited in the bush plane in the dry barren Samburu area,  we gave thanks-thanks for the mercy God shows to those who heard and believed the gospel. Their simple faith is a beautiful thing to see.




We also gave thanks for Joseph, a bright young Samburu man who connects the Word of God through culture and language as no Western missionary can.

Hebrews 4:16
Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in ur time of need.

STAN'S EVERYDAY LIFE IN NAIROBI

8/15/09

Just a quick note before I am off to Kayole to teach. Sorry I haven't been writing much lately but this electricity thing is really throwing me for a loop. It has really put a wrench in my schedule. Since all my studies are on the computer, I can only work on the days it’s on. I have to hassle to get as much printing, etc. done as I can on Tuesdays and sometimes Thursdays. Since all my entertainment is also on the computer - movies, games, etc. – it’s quite an adjustment. Well, so far I am surviving but it’s a real pain.

What makes it worse is that most of the problem is caused not by a lack of rain, as the government would have everyone believe, but by corruption. If the people in charge would only allocate things correctly instead of according to who bribes them, there wouldn't be a problem. I think I told you that there was an article in the paper that one half of Nairobi's water supply was being illegally diverted by those who are selling it. Oh well. I don't understand why the Kenyans put up with this sort of government like the Zimbabweans did except they have the guns and the power. Well enough of that. I am fine as the Lord always takes care of us. I have to go get some lunch before I head out. See you all later. Stan

8/18/09

Thanks for the email Cliff. I'm glad to hear you all had a good visit with Pat. I hope she is well. I am back at the cyber-cafe today as my internet is not working. (long story). I was feeling a little isolated this morning since my phone is also not working. Today is MY day for electricity so at least this morning I was able to make progress on my studies. But then, instead of staying home and enjoying the luxury of having electricity, I had to come to the shops and try to get my phone and internet working again. Dennis is out of town for the week so he can’t help me this time. But in spite of the minor hardships I am in good spirits as God continues to give me His sufficient grace. I had to buy a gas stove so that I could cook when I don't have electricity. I can also heat water to bathe and shave, etc. so it is really a necessity at this time.

Not much to report except we had a good weekend of classes and God is continuing to minister to these men. I continue to be blessed by being used in the process. I need to get going and get some things done so I will see you all later. Stan

SALVATION ARMY-ZIMBABWE

SALVATION ARMY-ZIMBABWE

Our friends and hosts in Zimbabwe, the Pennys, are members of the Salvation Army Church. The Salvation Army Church in Zimbabwe does much more than just ring the bell at Christmas. It struggles daily with life and death issues: finding grain for starving families to keep them alive for one more day or a bottle of aspirin to help alleviate pain caused by a third degree burn, or broken bone. Many Salvation Army pastors walk up to 16 miles to comfort their flock. They rely on their congregations for income and are as needy as those they help.

During the Easter holiday the members of the SA church gather together for a three day camp meetings of celebration, evangelism and fellowship. The organize into groups and visit villagers to share the good news of Jesus Christ and encourage them in the faith. We had the privilege of being a part of this which was a great blessing. We never stopped being amazed at the courageous spirit of the Zimbabwe people.

ZIMBABWE and GOOD FRIENDS

While we were in Africa during 2008-09 we felt it necessary to make a trip to Zimbabwe to see how friends are making it as the country struggles to reestablish itself after a complete social and economic meltdown. Things were somewhat better than our last visit in 2007. The noticeable difference-food on the shelves and bread no longer costs $2.00US, a Zimbabwean’s monthly salary. The local currency presently being used in Zimbabwe is the US dollar. While Mugabe continues to blame the West, his coalition partner Morgan Tsvangirai is on a drive to restore full ties with Western governments that are crucial for financial aid to fix the battered economy.

Our time was with our friends, the Pennys, was truly a blessing. It was the Easter holidays so many of their relatives from the rural areas, and children who were away at school, returned to the family home in Harare to be together. It was a full house with no running water and sporadic electricity, but the wonderful time together made up for any inconvenience.

The Pennys are members of the Salvation Army church which was having a huge gathering, a type of old time camp meeting. Members came from all over Zimbabwe and camped on the grounds of a rural school. It was a week-end of singing, teaching, and reaching out to the surrounding villagers. We also traveled to Chinhoyi, a farm town in one of the “hot zone” of farm invasions. After visiting and encouraging friends there, Cliff and I drove to Lake Kariba, a huge lake build by damming up the Zambezi River. It is very beautiful area and Zambia is just a short distance across the border. During better days in Zimbabwe, it was a wonderful tourist destinations. There were lots of animal and miles of water for sailing. Presently the area is struggling to make a comeback but the beauty of Lake Kariba is unsurpassed.

LAKE KARIBA