The Great Vitamin Caper

This is a funny story describing typical third world Africa bureaucracy.

Last week, Jan's Sunday School class at Heritage Hills sent us several packages loaded with goodies. Two of these packages contained vitamins.

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When our courier went to the post office, they would not release the package because it contained pills, heaven forbid. They sent him back with a card asking the strength of the pills and how they were to be taken. We sent back a message that they were daily vitamins. They then sent back word that a doctor would have to see the pills and release them. After waiting a few more days, we decided to go to the post office with our courier and see if we could help negotiate a release of the hostage pills. So, this morning we rode downtown to the post office and with the help of Sammy we tried again. Now they were saying the doctor had seen the pills and was requesting a letter from our doctor with a prescription stating what the pills were and how they were to be taken (Are you kidding, they’re daily vitamins!). We again stated that they were only vitamins and there was no prescription for them. She said sorry, it was out of her hands and we would have to go see the doctor to get it cleared up!

After pleading some more, the clerk finally took us to her supervisor. Jan brought a bottle from the house that contained exactly the same vitamins. She showed it to the supervisor and tried to explain that they were just vitamins. She agreed to send us to the custom's supervisor and let her decide. Once in the customs office, we opened one of the packages and showed her that the pills in the baggies matched the pills in the bottle. She said, “Oh they’re supplements”. We finally found the magic word. She wrote out a letter for each package and sent us back to the original supervisor. Now a value had to be assigned to each item in the packages. So, they sent us to another lady who emptied out both packages, wrote everything down, and assigned the value. Now it was quite obvious she was just pulling the values out of the air because she never used any reference material. Who cares, we’re finally making progress. We then took the slip she gave us to the custom's cashier in the post office. She then gave us yet another slip which must be taken to the bank to pay the customs fee. Kenya has to limit the number of people who handle money because it has a habit of not making it into the till. We walked several blocks through downtown traffic to the bank. Sammy stood in line and paid the fee and then we walked back to the post office with the receipt. We thought we would be done then but, noooooo, that would be way too simple. We had to stop at the custom's cashier again. We then went to the station to pick up the actual packages. Then we had to stop at another station to pay another fee. Who knows what that was for. Three stations later we were headed out. But wait, we had to stop at the exit so the guard could verify that our many slips matched the packages. Quick, run, we have our SUPPLEMENTS! We ended up visiting with 10 different people before we got out the door. It was a true adventure and really made us appreciate all Sammy does for us at the post office on a regular basis. The whole procedure, counting getting to and from downtown, took us almost three hours.

Jeff just keeps muttering something about how broken the system is and how this is just one example of why this country will stay a third world country for a long time to come.

Mombasa - Missionary Delivery

As you saw in our previous post, we were able to go to the coast and enjoy a couple of days of rest and relaxation. We have shown you some pictures of the rough places we have stayed, so here is a shot of the nicest place we have stayed, the Milele Beach Hotel in Mombasa. It is actually the Presbyterian Guest House and they give missionaries a discounted rate.

There were two pools. This is the one right outside our room. Since we are so close to the equator, the water was on the warm side but still refreshing from the brutal heat.

Jeff did his customary thing of rising early to get pictures of the sun rising on the Indian ocean.

One of our friends in Nairobi had told us about Akamba Handicraft village. As a matter of fact, he had brought us back a couple of wooden carved elephants the last time he was in there. Akamba is a carving village located in Mombasa, so we went there to check it out. The village was started years ago by a missionary who was doing evangelistic contacts through business adventures. They now have an agreement that allows missionaries to shop in their wholesale warehouse. We were overwhelmed by all the carvings and the great workmanship that we saw.

Jeff searched and searched among the carvings and got himself a few more elephants to add to his herd already started at home. We also purchased a carved giraffe with a little baby with her. Jeff particularly like this one because it's head is tilted up like it is eating. He wants to place it next to a plant.

After we made our purchases in the warehouse, we went out back to watch some of the carvers at work.

We also watched as the packers would wrap up these huge carvings that were going to be shipped, literally, all over the world.

Since we do not have air-conditioning in our home, we enjoyed just resting in our air-conditioned room during the heat of the afternoons. Most of our meals were provided with the room so we enjoyed the Kenyan foods without even having to leave the hotel. We did get out and take a couple of walks on the beach. There were no sea shells to be found, but there were several outcropping of rocks. So you know us, we had to collect rocks instead.

Maersk Alabama

Today we had a real treat! We had to make a trip to the coast to escort a new missionary family to their assignment near Mombasa. We decided since we were at the coast, we would stay a couple of days and get some rest. Jeff got it in his head that we should try to find the sea port to see if, by any chance, we could get a glimpse of the US ship Maersk Alabama that was hijacked by Somalian pirates last week. We wandered around town for a while, into some pretty scary areas, looking for the port. Then we came up on a secured area with guards and police. Jeff was determined to be found trying, so we drove up to the gate. The Kenya Port Authority Police stopped us and Jeff asked him if the US ship Alabama was docked there and if it was could he take a picture. The police asked for our ID. We were pretty sure he was talking about some journalist ID but Jeff handed him his Kenyan resident ID. We parked and went into an office where they gave us permission to walk to the docks! As we walked, Jeff stopped and asked another officer where the Alabama was and would she escort us to the ship. She agreed and walked us about half way there where she turned us over to another officer, who quickly became our friend, Mike. Mike walked us all the way to the ship and let us take all the pictures we wanted.

While Jeff was taking pictures, we saw a film crew there and he asked them if they were doing a news story on the Alabama. They said yes. When he asked who for, they said for NBC and the story would air on the Today show today at 2:00pm. They asked Jeff if he was also doing a story and they were surprised that we had been allowed to come in and take the pictures since he was not. I guess God knew how determined Jeff was and just paved the whole way for us.

As we were headed back out, we were stopped by an officer that was not happy that we did not have an official pass. Fortunately Mike was still with us and he shared that we were missionaries with the Baptist Church and the officer’s attitude changed. Then Jeff began to witness to him, and he asked us many questions about Jesus coming back to earth again. It turned out he was already a believer but apparently had some questions. We left him all smiles. Then Mike walked us all the way to our car talking to us the whole time. It turns out he has worked as a Port Authority Police in that port for 22 years! Before we left him, Jeff asked him if he had prayed to receive Jesus Christ and he assured us that he had, but he also had questions. What started out to be one of Jeff’s crazy ideas, God used to bless us and two Kenyan Police Officers.

Check it out!

Ladies Bible Study Retreat

Every Thursday night, Jan meets for Bible study with a group of ladies who all live on the Baptist Mission Compound. Most of them are Kenyan ladies who work on the compound, three are missionaries. We have been studying the MasterLife program together. We have Bibles that are in both English and Swahili so that everyone can understand what is being said. One Thursday night a month, the group will work on crafts. The crafts are sold to help support missions and supplies for the group.

The proceeds from the last sell were used to fund a Bible Study retreat for the ladies in Nakuru. On Friday afternoon eleven ladies and two gentlemen escorts loaded into a van and headed out. Three hours later we arrived at an IMB owned home that is being rented to a former IMB missionary, who was presently in the states. As you can see, the house was a large house and when we entered, we felt like we had just stepped into a page of a "House Beautiful" magazine. It was beautifully decorated and finely furnished.

Friday night Jan led a prayer session for the ladies. We are always humbled by their sweet prayers for others.

There are two domestic workers who live at the house and they prepared all of our meals for us African style. They also provided chai and homemade cookies twice a day. Each meal was served a nicely decorated table and we felt like royalty all weekend.

Saturday we had an open forum where the national ladies could ask the missionaries any questions they might have about children, families, school or health issues. Then in the afternoon, Laura Lee, an IMB missionary who speaks fluent Swahili lead a Bible study for them in Swahili which was a real treat for everyone.

We also had some time to relax on the peaceful grounds that were covered in beautiful plants and flowers.

We told the ladies to come in very casual comfortable clothes to relax in, but instead they all dressed up and wore beautiful outfits the entire weekend. Here is a picture of Jan with Rose in her traditional Kenyan outfit.

While the ladies were having their sessions, the men took off and visited the interesting country side. They stopped at the Menengai crater and were awed by God's creation. http://www.webkenya.com/eng/safari/nakuru.php#see11

They also stopped so Jeff could have his picture taken standing on the equator!

After our session on Saturday, everyone was given a beautiful Kikoy wrap. Here is a picture of all of the lovely ladies in their new wraps which can also be worn as a shawl.

After breakfast on Sunday morning, we again loaded up the van and headed back to Nairobi, refreshed and revived. God was so gracious to not only allow us safe journeys but also a great time of sharing His Word and each other's company.

Emali Discipleship Weekend

This past weekend we traveled into Maasailand to work with the Maasia people there. We went to Oltinka Baptist Church for a weekend of discipleship training for pastors and elders in the area.
We arrived on Friday afternoon and began by setting up the generator, projector and sheets for the Jesus Film to be shown at dark. The church is a small simple church with dirt floors and wooden benches. As you can see they have decorated it with their best efforts.
Right off the bat, we began to meet the hard working and beautiful women of the church. Here is Gail helping the ladies in the tin kitchen as they prepare our goat meal for Saturday.
This is the house where we stayed for the weekend. The house is located behind the church out in the bush. The house of course has no electricity except by a generator and batteries. Even though it was very hot all weekend, the house was situated where a nice breeze would blow through most of the day. The missionaries that were living here just recently had to return to the states for medical purposes. Please pray for Jim and Linda Sellers, as Linda will be undergoing two surgeries on her knee.
The Maasai people are herdsmen and follow their cattle and goats around as they graze. Unfortunately, lately there has been so little rain there is very little to no areas for grazing and the livestock are beginning to die. Please pray for rain for Kenya for there are many areas where even the people are dying from starvation.
Friday night we showed the Jesus Film and God drew two more ladies into His Kingdom. Praise the Lord.

Early Saturday morning the discipleship conference began. Pastor Mike set up in the church with the pastors, elders and leaders from several local churches. Many of the leader of the churches were women as the majority of the church members are women. Please pray for the Maasai men to come to know Christ. Pastor Henry interpreted as Pastor Mike led the discipleship conference teaching about church doctrines and ordinances of the church. Pray for these pastors and church leaders as they continue to learn about God's Word.
Jeff and Neal led the young men of the church, while Dee, Gail and Jan worked with the children. Fortunately, the children and young men could all speak and understand English.
The conference went all day with a break for lunch when we were served goat stew with rice, which was very tasty.
On Sunday we attended worship service with them. Since many of the pastors and leaders had traveled a long way to get there, most of them stayed overnight and worshiped with us as well.

It is not every day that you meet a baby donkey on your way to church services. Isn't he adorable?

Even in Maasailand there are hymns to be sung throughout the service. Notice the glasses? We brought with us dozens of pairs of reading glasses to give out to those who needed them. It really blessed us to see them already in use.
Besides the hymns there was a special number done by the youth choir (of two) and the ladies did several songs along with their traditional dance moves. It was a small taste of heaven to hear them sing in their native tongue.
Pastor Mike preached the sermon with Pastor Henry interpreting.

After the service, everyone was so grateful for us having come to spend the weekend with them. Several of the ladies took their traditional beaded jewelry off and placed in on our wrists and around our necks. Please begin to pray for the people of this lovely fellowship, that they will grow in their walk with the Lord.

The Maasai women are very beautiful and very colorful. We thought you might like to see a few of the faces that you will be praying for.

FOOD FOR THE HUNGRY

Unfortunately many areas of Kenya have been experiencing severe drought. People have been unable to grow their regular crops due to the lack of rain and therefore many are going hungry. The church we attend, Ridgeways Baptist Church, partnered with another local church, Parklands Baptist, to collect food items to carry folks living in the dry areas. Ridgeways is a church that was planted by IMB missionaries. This year as the church celebrated it’s 21st anniversary, instead of having the usual dinner on the grounds, we were encouraged to bring in bags of maize meal for the food distribution. A great mission minded idea. The church collected 2652 bags of flour! This flour will be used to make ugahli, a very common and filling staple food eaten here in Kenya. Parklands Baptist contributed beans and oil.

On Friday, two large trucks were loaded with about seven tons of food. Then early Saturday morning we headed to Makueni to distribute the items.

Our truck was driven by Christopher, one of the mechanics at the Baptist Mission compound.

Makeuni is about three hours southeast of Nairobi and there has been no significant rain there since 2006. The closer we got to the area, the dryer things got. We observed that most of the rivers and all of the creek beds were dry. The roads were very dusty and dry and where we were headed was at the top of a mountain. Our mission truck did fine but unfortunately the second truck go stuck in the thick dust several times trying to get up the mountain and the men had to push it out.

When we arrived at the first school, there were already ladies gathering there. As we waited for the second truck to make it up the mountain, we began to sing songs with the ladies and before we knew it we were surrounded by many of the school students who ended up singing songs for us.

Jeff was moved by how many of the children had worn and tattered shoes if they had shoes at all. But there were plenty of smiles none the less.

Once the rest of the group had arrived, we met with the chief and had an official greeting and time of prayer together.

The group formed an assembly line and quickly unloaded a portion of each of the trucks and soon the room was full of bags of food.
Most of the group stayed there to distribute the food, while we traveled further down the mountain to another school to finish unloading our truck.
While the guys were unloading the truck the crowd began to gather.
Then suddenly several of the local women began helping to unload the bales. The African women are very strong and this was no big feat for them.
By the time the truck was unloaded a large crowd was gathered and waiting patiently in the shade. By the end of the day, it was reported that 1000 families had received some much needed food.