Mission Safari: The Next Chapter(s)

Camping in Nairobi

Well we are camping in Nairobi right now. Not exactly "camping" in tents, mind you. But with little more than a few kitchen tools, mattresses on the floor, and the clothes in our suitcases, we are "camping" out in our new rental house in Karen.

It really does seem like camping too. We have no "safe" source of water, so we are using 5 liter jugs of bottled water. We are using a propane tank to provide fuel for the counter top stove. As mentioned we have mattresses on the floor. We even have flying bugs, mosquitos, crickets, and spiders in the house. We are constantly fighting dirt and grime - inside and outside the house. We even have inside and outside shoes or slippers now. We all have a bit more sun than usual (that is from living on the equator!). We even have our "roughing it" injuries - Sarah has a cellulitis on her elbow from scratching a bug bite, Sam has several bug bites and a sore abrasion on his knee, Marti shocked herself today, and I stubbed my toe on the step.

Our meals have been very basic and from scratch, but it takes a long time to prepare because of having only two pots and pans. We wash dishes after each meal as we only have 8 plates and bowls and utensils. To get to our "campsite" you have to ride a dirt/gravel/large stony drive about 1/2 km (1/4 mile). We are borrowing a Land Rover right now. The rough roads caused a flat tire today.

The upside of camping out is not having to share a bathroom. We also have a beautiful yard. We have been able to have "tea time" with a beautiful new teapot and matching creamer and sugar bowl that Marti bought at Harrod's in London. We also can afford "fresh cut" flowers to put on the table. I brought home 18 long stem yellow roses with a pretty fragrance for...$2.50 today. And of course the weather is unbeatable. Clear skies, low humidity, warm days, and cool nights.

So.we are camping in Kenya in "our Kenya home" as Sam calls it. It makes transition a bit harder, but will make the arrival of our belongings (if they arrive, and if we can clear them.) a bit more special.

Odds and Ends and AIDS

Below is an article my co-worker, Michael Johnson, wrote about AIDS:

Odds and Ends and AIDS Sure makes you feel good doesn't it? Imagine that we as a nation have made such great strides to help the poor Africans afford HIV/AIDS medicines by drastically reducing the price to a point cheaper than they can be bought in America. At the equivalent of $6 per month, a patient can receive all of the necessary medicines they need, plus the doctor's visit, plus the laboratory diagnoses to keep them healthy. 'What a bargain', you might say! Well it is true it is a rock bottom price when you compare what it costs in America. But it is only a bargain in Africa if one does away with food and the other odds and ends. Odds and ends like, water, shelter, health care, clothing and other inconsequential things. Yes, you have odds, and ends, and AIDS. What a set of choices! The cost of $6 per month represents 20% of the income for the average Kenyan family, existing on less than $1 per day or $30 per month. If one family of six has one member of the family with HIV/AIDS, that translates to 20% of the income going to just the drugs to try to keep that one member alive. If there is inadequate food within the family, even the one receiving treatment has a hard time surviving the side effects of the drug and the other members will of course be malnourished as well. It is quite a bargain if you do away without food and the other odds and ends. Yes, it comes back to odds, and ends, and AIDS. Let us keep our lives in the perspective of the rest of the world. We can do more. We must do more to make a real difference in Christ's name. What are the odds and ends we are willing to do without to help others know His love? What bargains are we willing to forego at the local malls to make a real difference in the life chances of people halfway around the world? God is watching what bargains we choose. Choose wisely. Choose to give and give generously!

Learning to Wait

One of the lessons of the past week is learning to wait. You must learn this fast in Kenya or you will die of a hypertensive stroke getting all frustrated waiting. Some of it is cultural. Some of it is inefficiency. Some of it is protocol. But all of it takes time.

This will be a test for me over time. I like to get things done. I like to complete my "TO DO" list. Waiting for no apparent good reason is difficult to understand by Type A's like me.

But I have already learned some "coping" skills recommended by other missionaries. First, I have been told to make my "To Do" list AT the end of the day - that way I will always be happy to have completed 100% of my tasks. Also, I have been told to realize that God brought me to Kenya to learn patience and that I don't get to go home until I do! Finally, I need to learn that if everything ran smoothly, and if there was no corruption, or if there was no poverty, or illness, or AIDS, that I probably wouldn't need to be here in the first place.

Also why is it when you are struggling with something, that God turns you right back to scripture? This morning I read this from James 1:2 "count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing." But sometimes I don't really want to be perfect, especially if I have to be patient to become perfect..

I guess I need to learn a lot about waiting...

Buying a Car in Kenya

I have to admit that I was overwhelmed at the prospect of buying a car in Kenya. The roads and traffic are crazy. The dealers and sellers of goods in every sector here are shrewd, aggressive, and always telling you what you want to hear. And in a city of over 3 million people, I had no idea where to start to look. I had visions of going to car lot to car lot being picked on, lied to, and bamboozled. I knew for sure I was going to end up with a lemon.

But something odd happened. It starts with a joke. "What do you get when you match up an African, an Indian, an Arab, and an American?" Answer: "Four happy guys and the easiest car buying experience ever!"

I talked to the manager here at the guest house. He is a Kenyan who has helped other missionaries buy cars. He asked me what I was intereseted in. I told him. He made a phone call to a dealer who is Indian. The dealer brought the car to the guest house. I drove it around for a test drive. I looked it over. I called my Arab friend (who was recommended to me by other missionaries; he is also a Christian) to come and look at the car with me. He did. We stood in the driveway of the guest house and negotiated the price. We shook hands on the deal and made arrangements to do the paperwork next week. It was awesome.

Now I only hope that it drives as easy as it was to buy it!!!

We Are Not Alone

We are not alone. That message came loud and clear as I read over 20 emails of encouragement regarding our transition. We had sent an email to some of our supporters and friends describing a potential snag in bureaucratic paperwork here. Many started their emails with, "you already know this.." And we did. We knew all the answers, but they just didn't seem "enough". Until..

Until we read from God's Word to us Psalm 121:

"I will lift up my eyes to the hills, from whence does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth. He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, He who keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is your keeper; The Lord is your shade at your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord shall preserve you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul. The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in from this time forth, and even forevermore."

Can I not trust in the God who made the heaven and earth to work out the details of paperwork? Am I so simple (like the disciples!) and dull that I forget the numerous, and I mean numerous ways in which God has answered prayer, guided our steps, and made provision for everything that we need, even to abundance? Am I that concerned with the flesh that I forget the spiritual dimensions of this battle?

God forgive me for my short memory. God thank you for the way you use the body of Christ to encourage and sustain us when we feel discouraged and lonely. Thank you for reminding us that we are not alone.

Not Always Easy

Even as the day started out awesome, some of the realities of living in Africa hit us. We were tired. We were lonely. We were without a home (although we do have shelter in a guest house). We were missing friends and family. We were asking "Why did we do this?". We were already tired of the traffic in Nairobi, particularly the pot-holes, smoke, and dust.

But somehow, we know that these feelings and emotions will improve as we rest in God's provision and see Him work in our lives and the lives of the Kenyans. In the meantime, pray for us. It is not always easy - even on days when you get to take in the spectacular views of a game park in Africa.

While You Were Sleeping

While you were sleeping, we were on our way to the Nairobi Game Park on a clear sunny day. The temperature was a bit cool, but this must have been more inviting for the wildlife that we observed on the beautiful African savannah. Although it is smaller than must game parks here in Kenya, one of the more unique aspects of the Nairobi game park is the backdrop of the city skyline to the north of the park. Here, with the local times noted are the array of wildlife that we were blessed to see today.

0735 - A herd of Zebra grazing and drinking from a watering hole with a single Blue Heron looking on.

0740 - Maasai Giraffe eating from an Acacia Tree.

0745 - 3 Cape Buffalo

0750 - Ostrich, male and female. Thompson Gazelle and Hartebeast.

0800 - Eland.

0820 - More ostrich and Guinnea Fowl.

0825 - Iguana

0830 - more giraffe

0850 - Rock Hyrax

0915 - Rhino, a pair.

0925 - Vervet monkeys, vultures, bush babies, long tail comarant, purple granadier, speckled mousebird.

0950 - Crocodile, very HUGE.

0955 - Snake Eagle

1005 - Water Bucks

1025 - Grant Gazelle

1045 - A Lioness stalking a gazelle.

The kids loved it all, as did the grown ups!

More About Settling in Kenya

What do the following have in common? A post office box, a cell phone purchase with account, cleaning supplies including a mop and dustpan, and an internet account? They are what we deemed "essential" to accomplish on our first business day in Kenya. We have quickly learned that it is difficult to do anything without an address and a phone number. Thankfully we were able to accomplish this all in one day. Not bad for Kenya.

We were able to rent a car from the guest house we are staying at for only 40 cents per kilometer. We travelled only 34 kilometers today for a grand total of $12. Not everything is that inexpensive but we were glad to have had a chance to get some essentials done today. I must congratulate myself on my driving. I was able to get around without fear, especially since it was my first time driving on the left hand side of road while driving in the "passenger" seat (right hand steering wheel). And Marti only said "Tim!!" twice, so you know it was a good day driving.

Tomorrow we plan to go to the Nairobi Game Park. We leave at 6:45am for a 3 hour tour (hopefully not the Gilligan's Island type of "3 hour tour")!

At Long Last...

At long last we are in Kenya. As we touched down on Kenyan soil Friday night, it was not unlike the feelings I have had crossing the line of a marathon. You are tired, hungry, sweaty, a bit sore, but oh, what a feeling of similtaneous exhiliration and relief. And this time, instead of finishing the race by myself, I finished it with the whole family.

Saturday, we woke up tired of course, but had an enjoyable time. After breakfast, we went to the Nakumatt to get a few necessaries. The Nakumatt is much like a WalMart. I venture to say that we will be there again, soon.

After that we went out to our new house. On the way there, Sam saw people standing along the roadside, cooking ears of corn over an open fire, and he said, "Oh, look, they are camping!" It was hilarious. Then, as we passed a few goats, again on the roadside of this busy road, he said, "Oh, I have never seen a real goat before!" All priceless, but indicative of the many "new" things that we are all seeing and experiencing.

When we arrived at the rental house, it was as if we were indeed home. I will write at greater length some other time about the house, but let's just say that Marti made a great choice, and God abundantly provided the means. We are grateful. The biggest surprise was the "discovery" of a guest wing (one room with full bath) that Marti did not see before. This of course was a blessing two-fold. It gives our prospective guests (there better be many!) a bit more privacy, and it gives me a "real" study, with a tremendous view of the yard. The yard is awesome with already planted grass, and landscaping, including 8 banana trees (2 with fruit already), 3 orange trees, and a passion fruit tree. We are delighted.

We are trying to take it easy. There is so much to process. It is weird for this to be home now, but not having an address, phone number, etc. We are trying to talk a lot as a family about what we are experiencing and how we see God working out the details for our new life. Please pray for us. We are so dependent on prayer.

This morning I was reading Hebrews 11:1 - "faith is to be sure of the things we hope for, to be certain of the things we cannot see." How true this is, especially as we begin our adventure here in Kenya. God has given us the faith to be sure and certain of those things that we were not able to "see" on the other side of the ocean. We have already been assured of His work in our lives. We have no reason to doubt that He will not be faithful in the days to come.