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Few tourists are around these days
at this curio shop near our home. |
Thanks for praying for us since our return to Kenya! Sleeping at nights is no longer such “
an iffy proposition at our house”, though we are still returning
“our house to being our home rather than a ‘guest house’". Life is definitely getting back to normal and we have even spent several nights happily viewing a Twenty/20
cricket tournament! No, this isn’t a game with 20+ insects, but an international sport which was totally perplexing for years, which we’ve learned to enjoy in place of baseball!
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Cardamom seed pods on the left. I often
'pop' a few to add to my hot tea. |
After one such night, we laughed while enjoying a new type of coffee at breakfast and realized how our preferences/ likes/ etc., have changed since coming to Kenya in 1978. The coffee we enjoyed that morning is Zanzibar Spiced Coffee and the spice part comes from the addition of cardamom, a type of ginger, which is native to India and now grown in Tanzania. When we first arrived in Kenya, this new-to-us spice appeared in breads, coastal foods, even in ice cream and we did NOT like eating it! But our taste buds have ‘developed’ and I now regularly use cardamom seeds while cooking.
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New ways of shopping are also learned
and enjoyed in Africa! |
If you have questioned my spelling of CARDAMOM – this was the spelling used on the tin! Which leads us to another adjustment faced by missionaries even in their native language – different spellings of words used in other parts of the world, which includes different grammar rules and even definitions of words! Yep, more than one missionary has embarrassingly used a word or phrase that is totally acceptable in his/her home country, which is very unacceptable in their new home!
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Walking and public transport is the norm for many
Kenyans! We are very thankful for our car provided
by gifts to the Cooperative Program and Lottie
Moon Christmas Offering which allow's Jack to
travel to KBTC each day in a speedier fashion. |
I’m not just rambling today, but sharing this to offer another ‘general’ prayer item for career and volunteer missionaries. Pray for easy adjustments to food, language, time, etc., for those who have obeyed God’s call to GO as “
workers into his harvest field" (Matthew 9:38). Why? Because our understanding and at times appreciation of the likes and dislikes of those we minister among is a part of breaking down barriers and truly communicating with those in need of our Father’s love and salvation.
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We are also thankful for the home
provided for us with water taps
and storage tanks! |
During my morning devotions, I am reading through the Psalms and God has truly used His words to "
correct, rebuke and encourage" me (2 Timothy 4:2). As I’ve read the first 25 chapters of the Psalms, I’ve been challenged to truly make the desires of my heart to be His desires; to fully trust and obey our Father, and to always be in a mode of praise and expectation of an answer to my prayers (Psalm 20, 21). I have read these Psalms many times, but as we’ve resettled into our lives in Kenya at a very unsettled time, I needed to be reminded that I am able to do what God has called me to do without fear or worry, because He is with me, He is my strength, fortress, deliverer, rock, refuge, shield, salvation and stronghold (Psalm 18).
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Favorite photo of the past week - At our church
everyone takes turns doing nursery duty
during worship, even our university students! |
The greatest rebuke has come as I’ve read the verses about praising Him, telling of his wonders, proclaiming
“among the nations what he has done” (Psalm 9). As we face challenges, discouragements, and disappointments, I needed to be reminded that seeking to share His love and salvation with all nations and peoples is not just a possibility or dream; it is what our God is calling His workers to do! Psalm 22:27-31 is not simply a goal or objective, it is our Father’s plan! He wants “
All the ends of the earth (to) remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations (to) bow down before him… All… will feast and worship; all… will kneel before him.” HE CAN AND WILL DO these things!
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Meals are provided again for all
KBTC students - Jack gave high marks
to yesterday's lentil stew! |
Join us in praying that we will keep our focus always on God and what He has called us to do. Thank God for the 18 students who have paid their fees and are attending this session of classes at the Kenya Baptist Theological College and for those who will arrive in coming days. This is truly a praise as these men and women also share a desire and want to be equipped to praise Him, tell of his wonders and proclaim
“among the nations what he has done.” Praise God also with us for how our prayers for our church, now called Eastgate Baptist, settles into our new home which is also home to thousands of people in need of our Saviour’s love and salvation. BERT
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National anthems are the newest prayer tool offered at
http://missionstoolbox.blogspot.com/.
Remember to view the daily
Nudges to Action for Sub-Saharan African Peoples –
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sub-Saharan-African-Peoples/100173880060607. (For this link and the one for KBTC, simply scroll past the SIGN UP/ LOG IN bit if you are not a Facebook member.)
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Love this photo taken last Sunday while parents
and older kids were in special Bible Study classes!
I've never seen this bunch so serious or quiet! |
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