EXACTLY WHERE THE GOD WANTS YOU TO BE

        Hi Everyone,

It's been some time since I have written to so I wanted to give everyone an update. Life is fine in Buruburu! I am enjoying it here - the weather is pleasent, the people are generally great and most of all- it is a real blessing knowing you are exactly where God wants you to be.

There are some challenges. Especially with water and electricity. But I have it relatively good compared to some. The problems are getting better every day. I am finding that I feel right at home here in spite of the conditions which in America would be considered a slum. Sometimes I hear automatic gunfire at night and the next morning read of a shoot-outs with police.  I haven't felt threatened at all. I feel secure in my home with my dog, Raf.

I am missing American football a little, although since my team is losing pretty badly it is just as well I am not watching. I don't miss other TV though and I find that the only time I am close to being bored is when the electricity is out and I can't use my computer. I do have the internet in my home now so I can keep in touch with everyone on facebook, etc. I tried to download a movie the other day and the program came up and started to download it. The only problem was it had a little notice about how long it would take and it said it would take 23 years! I guess that gives you some idea of my internet connection speed.

The classes are going great and the people are understanding the grace principles of God. Yesterday I had a message on my phone from an unassuming young man who comes to the Buruburu class and he is quiet so you almost forget he is there.

His message was: "Hi teacher. I thank the Lord for the Bible classes. They have really changed my life. I believe God brought you to Africa for people like me. Francis."  Thank God for the men like Francis here who are learning of the grace of God and are being transformed by the Holy Spirit and the Word of God.

I especially enjoy the teen class because these teenagers are so eager to hear and learn and they have less of the false teaching that is so prevalent here in Africa. Last week I bought them a soccer ball as that is the only recreation they have in Kayole slum. Pray for the people in my classes and for these teenagers. Pray especially for Joshephat in Kayole and Dennis in Buruburu - the two leaders who help me so much.

I continue to ask for your prayers.

Stan

WATER - TAKEN FOR GRANTED

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLeFZfi3T7I

 

October 2, 2009  Muchemi Wachira, Casper Waithaka and Kenneth Ogosia

Nairobi has tightened water rationing following declining dam levels. At Ndakaini Dam, which is the main source for Nairobi, water levels have been going down by five centimetres a day. “This has forced us to revise our water rationing programme,” said Mr Mbaruku Vyakweli, the Nairobi Water Company (NWC) communications manager. Water rationing in the city started early last month. This was after water levels at the dam drastically declined owing to poor rains in the Aberdare region.

Sasumwa Dam, the other source that also relies on rivers originating from the same area, has been undergoing construction. It is expected to be complete by October this year. With the revised rationing programme, Mr Vyakweli said city residents will suffer more. NWC will, however, try to do everything possible to alleviate the problem, he added.

 From boreholes

This year, many Nairobi residents have been relying on water from boreholes (wells). And it is usually delivered to them by owners of browsers and cart pullers, who sell the commodity at an exorbitant price. Owing to the acute shortage of the commodity, some water-borne diseases have been reported in Embakasi and Ongata Rongai estates.

Residents of Doonholm and Greenfields estates in Nairobi’s Eastlands area are among those most affected by the water shortage. They have been getting water only on Sundays. This has raised fears of a cholera outbreak. “And the water is not enough since it only comes for a few hours. So we are forced to buy water for the whole week,” said Catherine, who lives in the area.

Another Doonholm resident, Ms Peres Nelima, said: “We wake up as early as 4am to look for water from vendors and distant kiosks while the water company continues to charge us.” Residents usually scramble for the commodity whenever they find it. “What is happening is that the transmission supply for the two estates, which is in Gigiri, has been interfered with and so there is very low water pressure,” said Mr Vyakweli, adding that they were working to restore the supply line.

An official of the water firm who declined to be named as he is not authorised to speak to the press said some unscrupulous people had diverted water lines for illegal use. “Hands of powerful people came back to haunt us, especially before the mayoral elections. Rich people sponsoring the candidates took advantage and destroyed our rationing programme by diverting water to their kiosks,” he said