"A SMILE IS THE PRETTIEST THING YOU CAN WEAR"

As I write this, I am reflecting on my time in Honduras with so much gratitude.  First of all I am so very thankful that David, our son-in-law, asked me to be a part of his dental mission; I would never have known how amazing the people are of Honduras had he not.  I am so thankful that God allowed me to go; God affirmed my decision to go with the Foster's from the beginning.  There is nothing better than watching your children be so giving and caring to people of another country and using their talents to change the world; for this I will forever be grateful and feel so blessed. I am beyond thankful for those who supported me to be able to go; for the Trenary's and the Kahn's financial support and to all of the countless people who sent over 300 toothbrushes!  We received toothbrushes from as far away as Germany (the Stuprich's).  Lastly, there are not enough words to express the gratitude in my heart for the smiles on the children's faces after we polished their teeth!  My heart is steeped in gratitude!

Yes!  "A smile is the prettiest thing you can wear."  God allowed us to treat 200 children in 4 days with the amazing help of Allison Brown as our translator and "right arm".  We couldn't have done it without her.  For those who know me, you know that I don't speak Spanish, but there was one word that I needed to learn, and I needed to say it to every child, "BONITA" (beautiful)!  I only had a few minutes with each child and not knowing Spanish can be very frustrating.  After I finished polishing teeth, I decided that I would get really close to each child and grin really big so that they would grin back at me and when they did I would say, "BONITA!"  I so wanted them to know that they were beautiful and that they were treasured.

Our 4 days in the dental clinic went too quickly, but it is a time that I will never forget.  It is my prayer to return and continue to help David and Colynn give dental care to the children of Mission Lazarus.  Let the Spanish lessons begin!

"Una sonrisa es la cosa bonita que tu puedes usar!"  

I Was Lost, But Now I'm Found

As many of you know this past week we had an Agriculture Workshop at Ring Road Church of Christ that was provided by Healing Hands International.  Many people participated from all over Nyanza Province and even as far as Western Kenya.  During this workshop we had people coming and going inside the church, school and clinic compound for three days.  On the second day, I noticed this little boy, who was just a little toddler walking around and greeting people and eating lunch with all that were a part of the workshop.  At first, I thought he was one of the participant's children. He appeared to be well taken care of and had a little backpack on his back.  I was walking toward the gate in the afternoon and I saw this little boy again telling people "bye-bye" and waving at everyone as he was proceeding to go out the gate by himself.  I went immediately over and got him and brought him back in.  I began to ask around to see if anyone knew him.  I interrupted the workshop, went to the clinic and during the school assembly asked if anyone recognized this little boy.  No one knew him!  It was late afternoon by this time and I wasn't sure what to do. Other than saying, "bye-bye" he knew no other English, only Luo.  So I enlisted the help of my dear friend, Postina, who works in the kitchen at the school.  He told us his name was "Levi".  Postina decided she would take him home with her for the
night; give him a bath and feed him some dinner.  Meanwhile, I contacted the County Representative of Nyalenda, James Were, who also happens to work at Ring Road.  He called the Chief of Nyalenda and put it on the radio that a child was found at Ring Road.  By this time, this little boy was so tired!
Postina took him home after a little nap and took such good care of "Levi"!  Well, I could not quit thinking about this little boy.  We already had one student (that I talked about in my last blog), whose little sister was still missing; I could not stand the thought of another child missing!  When I got to the compound on Thursday morning, I couldn't wait to see how "Levi" was doing and to see if anyone knew anything more.  He was doing great and just as friendly as ever, helping out in the kitchen with all the ladies and Akuku.

It just so happened that we had a lead on "Levi" from one of the participants at the workshop.  He thought he had seen him with a girl that frequently comes to Ring Road to get food.  He said that when he went home that afternoon, he would check and see if that girl knew him.  The workshop ended and people left, but we still had little "Levi".  The man did not return to tell us if his lead was correct.  Postina said that she would wait at the school to see if he did come back.  I went home later that afternoon and called Postina to see if anything had happened.  She told me that the man had not come back and that she still had "Levi".  It was getting late, but I just couldn't stand the thought of not finding something out for one more day!  I kept thinking if that were my child and he were lost somewhere, I would be so desperate and frantic!  I went back to the school and Postina and I and another lady from the kitchen rented a tuk-tuk and we went to the area, deep in Nyalenda to find out if the person this man thought might know "Levi" actually did.  A storm was coming, but we were not deterred!  We got to the house of this woman and she had no clue who this little boy was!  While we were there many little children began to surround us, they always like it when wazungu's (white people) come to visit.  They heard us talking about this lost little boy and they said that a woman had been at their school looking for a little boy earlier that day, a school called, Kasagam.  It was beginning to get dark, so we said that the next day we would go to this school and see if anyone knew him.  I have got to tell you, I felt a bit defeated.  But, you must realize that Nyalenda has a population of 500,000 people!  I got home and told Greg the story and as I was telling him the story, my phone rang.  It was Postina and she said the mother was at her house picking "Levi" up!  We were all praising God that this child that was lost, was now found!  The Mama got on the phone and thanked me and I asked her if I could meet her the next day at the school.  We arranged a time and hung up.  I slept much better that night and couldn't wait to meet the Mama and see how she found her son.

 When we met she told me how she and her husband had been up all night crying, praying and looking for their only son.  They went to all the schools that were in their area to look for him.  After Postina and I visited that woman who didn't know "Levi" and the children heard us talking they went back and told the teachers that we had come and had this child.  The teacher called the Mama (who had been there earlier looking for "Levi") and said that he was at Ring Road Orphanage.  The guard at Ring Road took her to Postina's and "Levi" and his Mama were reunited!  She was so incredibly happy and she called her husband and he was overjoyed!  I truly believe that God was watching over this precious little one for those two days that he was lost.  I also believe that God orchestrated all of the events that led up to him be found.  We have no idea how "Levi" got from his nursery school in Nyalenda (which was very far away), to Ring Road.  That is a mystery to us all!  But, God put him in a place where He knew that he would be cared for and loved.
Well, for the rest of the story...this little fellow's real name is Denzel Favor and he is 2 years and 4 months old.  He has a personality that could light up all of Nyalenda and he loves Postina!  On Friday I had the pleasure of meeting Verah, Denzel's Mama and on Sunday, I got to meet Benard, Denzel's Daddy.  We had a little celebration, thanked God and got to know one another.  We exchanged emails and plan to stay in touch.  One day I hope that Denzel Favor's parents can tell him about how God saved him and that their were many people who loved him and wanted him to be found!

Denzel reunited with his Mama!

"Teaching-The Profession That Creates All Others"

Johnstone

Afline

I would like to share with you an experience that happened to me this past week.  It involves the teachers that you see here, Johnstone Giggs and Afline Obiero.

I had the privilege to go on two home visits with these teachers. It is not often that you hear about "home visits" by teachers, but these teachers love their students and have their best interests at heart.  Myself along with Johnstone, Afline, Chris Nicholson, the Chaplain of Ringroad Day School and Orphanage, George Obonyo and a couple of the students that were involved all piled into Chris's car and began the trek to two separate homes in Nyalenda.  The first home was the home of two of the students, Frank and Lennox.  Both boys have been sporadically coming to school and one of them had not been in two weeks.  When we got to the home, we found that they lived in a very small mud hut with an elderly grandmother, who had very little eyesight.  There was no food in the home and it was very much in disarray.  The boys have no parents, but are back and forth between this home and the home of an aunt.  I am sure the grandmother was needing them in the home to help her each day and they got out of the habit of going to school.  Johnstone talked with this grandmother and found out the situation and we went to buy some food for she and the children.  Lennox was very shy and reserved about not coming to school and his brother, Frank was not in the home.  So we left and went to the aunt's home to find Frank.  When we got to the aunt's home, Frank was there.  Johnstone asked why he was not in school and he said that he had been bullied by the other children because he didn't have the right shoes.  Johnstone was very firm with him and said the he needed to come to the teachers if he has a problem and both Chris and Johnstone explained to the aunt the importance of being in school. Her own children were at school that day.  These two boys are truly orphaned, in the sense that they have no parents to encourage and love them on a daily basis.  Johnstone and Afline not only have to be teachers, but sometimes they have to be "parents" for these children.

Home of Lennox and Frank

The next visit was with a young boy named, Vitalis.  This story will break your heart.  Vitalis came to Chris last week and told him that he was not at school one day because his Mama was so upset.  His little 4 year old sister was missing.  At that time she had been missing for three days.  I will start by saying that children here are a lot more independent and walk all over their neighborhood in Nyalenda without a Mama with them.  We got to the home of Vitalis and talked with the grandmother and uncle about Mary, the little girl who is missing.  They said that she was last seen sitting with another little girl when a woman approached them with bananas.  She offered the bananas to Mary and took her away in a tuk-tuk (a little vehicle that is used here). They have alerted the chief of their area and the police of Kisumu.  We prayed with this family and offered to make copies of a picture of Mary, if they could get one from their rural home in Kakamega.  .  We all hoped that we were an encouragement to this precious family.  And just seeing that the teachers of Vitalis cared enough to come, I am sure made a big difference to this family.  Ring Road Day School is a light to this community!

Please join us in praying for Vitalis' family

So, this is for you, Johnstone and Afline.  

YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE
--(Author Unknown)

There are many who go the "second mile" And greet each day's tasks with a smile; Who spend their lives serving others And look upon all men as brothers. 

Who work for all children everywhere, When there's a need - they are there. Their time and talents freely dedicate Serving in places small and great. 

These are the ones we honor today And to you we wish to say - This world is now a better place Because it looked upon your face. Anonymous 

We Were Made to be Courageous

As many of you know for the last couple of years I decided that I wouldn't make New Year's resolutions, but I would pick a word that I would try to live by for that year.  This year I picked the word "COURAGE".  I wanted to have more courage in all that I do; not being foolish, but trying to cast aside fears that would keep me from growing in the Lord.  There is a song by Casting Crowns, that I love and want to share with you.

Courageous

We were made to be courageous

We were made to lead the way

We could be the generation

That finally breaks the chains

We were made to be courageous

We were made to be courageous

We were warriors on the front lines

Standing, unafraid

But now we're watchers on the sidelines

While our families slip away

Where are you, men of courage?

You were made for so much more

Let the pounding of our hearts cry

We will serve the Lord

We were made to be courageous

And we're taking back the fight

We were made to be courageous

And it starts with us tonight

The only way we'll ever stand

Is on our knees with lifted hands

Make us courageous

Lord, make us courageous

This is our resolution

Our answer to the call

We will love our wives and children

We refuse to let them fall

We will reignite the passion

That we buried deep inside

May the watchers become warriors

Let the men of God arise

We were made to be courageous

And we're taking back the fight

We were made to be courageous

And it starts with us tonight

The only way we'll ever stand

Is on our knees with lifted hands

Make us courageous

Lord, make us courageous

Seek justice

Love mercy

Walk humbly with your God

In the war of the mind

I will make my stand

In the battle of the heart

And the battle of the hand

In the war of the mind

I will make my stand

In the battle of the heart

And the battle of the hand

We were made to be courageous

And we're taking back the fight

We were made to be courageous

And it starts with us tonight

The only way we'll ever stand

Is on our knees with lifted hands

Make us courageous

Lord, make us courageous

We were made to be courageous

Lord, make us courageous

For some reason, as I prepared to come to Kenya this time, I was struggling with all kinds of fear; fear of leaving our children and grandchildren; fear of not knowing how we would be received by our Kenyan friends; fear of being able to be what God wants me to be for these people.  I kept thinking of how God wants me to be courageous in the "war of the mind" and the "battle of my heart".  I asked one of our elders to please pray that God would show me the way that He wants me to be used for Him, that He would use my spiritual gifts and talents for the Kenyan people.  The day before Greg and I left a dear friend of mine prayed a scripture over me from the book of Isaiah.

"I will go before you and will level the mountains;

I will break down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron.

I will give you hidden treasures,

riches stored in secret places,

so that you may know that I am the Lord, the God

of Israel, who summons you by name."

Isaish 45:2-3

God has been with me every step of the way.  He has "leveled the mountains" and "broken down the gates".  After we arrived Chris and Sarah (our missionaries here in Kisumu) had a plan for how I could be used most effectively.  One of my main objectives was to be here for Sarah in any way that I could; God has worked it out where I will be working with Sarah on a project that will take some time and will help with the work here. He has combined my love for Sarah and my love for photography!  

But, as I close, I would like to share a few photos of true COURAGE!  Yesterday we visited the cancer ward at Russia Hospital.  All of these children are suffering with Burkitt's Lymphoma.  This my dear friend is courage; day in and day out being in this hospital and going through the rigors of treatment, not knowing what your outcome will be.                                                                            

We Love Because He First Loved Us

In 2001 I was blessed, along with Greg to lead a group of teens on a mission trip to Almaty, Kazakhstan.  At the time I didn't even know where Kazakhstan was.  I knew it was part of the former Soviet Union and that it was predominantly Muslim, but that is all.  When I left Almaty that year, I never dreamed that it would become such a part of me and so dear to my heart.  God could see the "big picture", when I could only see what was before me and that was a summer mission trip with our teens.  I never imagined that I would be back in Almaty four more times and grow to love the people in the Light of Jesus Church as my own family!  Almaty is a city of almost 2 million people, nestled below the Tian Shan mountain range.  As you can see it is absolutely beautiful and you never grow tired of gazing at those mountains.  But, the beauty of those mountains is not what attracts me to Almaty; it is the people!  Once again, this spring, God allowed us to be with the church in Almaty and spend time with the people. We met with the leaders to help them discover their dreams, their goals and where they think God is leading them in the next few years.

What a joy to see how this church has grown and continues to reach out to others and tell them the "good news" of Jesus.  Not only did we meet with the leaders, we spent a lot of time with the young people in The Lighthouse (an orphanage for young people ages 16-22) that is sponsored by the church and led by Sasha and Zhenya Metso. They currently have 5 orphans, all of which are in Bible studies and are furthering their education.  These young people, for the most part grew up in orphanages, but at the age of 16 they are put out and have to make their own way.  The Lighthouse is filling that gap between being a child and becoming an adult.  God is truly blessing that work and many souls have been saved through the work of The Lighthouse.

Current Lighthouse Kids

Lighthouse Kids who Have Graduated

Greg and I were overwhelmed by the love and devotion of this church.  In 1 John 3:18 it says, "Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth."  This is what we saw in Almaty! How delightful to be in the presence of this kind of love!  The Shakurov's and the Metso's are constantly modeling this kind of love.  They tirelessly reach out to their members and to those they meet daily. What an encouragement they were to us!  Greg and I had the opportunity to speak at their ladies' and men's class, have three different staff meetings, eat several meals in different homes, and even play a little sports with the young people.  We were only on the ground in Almaty for 8 days, but we felt like it was much longer, because we were able to do so much.  While we were there, Misha and Oxanna's daughter was baptized, so we got to share that joy with them.

The Shakurov's

The Metso's 

Sakien 

God brought North Atlanta Church of Christ and the Light of Jesus Church in Almaty together. Never did we dream that our paths would continue for over 14 years.  We are family.  We love each other deeply.  If it is the Lord's will, we will continue to partner together and see what God has in store.  Who knows what the "big picture" might bring in the next 14 years!  

                                                                                   

Witnessing Something So Special, It is Hard to Hold Back the Tears

Today was one of those days that I got to witness a young man of about 19 years of age bring such words of encouragement to a young boy of thirteen.  George Asimba met Johnkeen Glyn for the first time today. George is a member of Ring Road Church of Christ and is an inspiration to all who know him.  He wanted to meet Johnkeen so that he could share his life story after becoming paralyzed right before going to high school. As you might remember from one of my earlier posts, Johnkeen was paralyzed the second week that Greg and I arrived in Kisumu.  We took him to Kijabe Hospital and they said that his spinal cord would never work again.  You can imagine the devastation of his parents!  They are still trying to come to terms with this and are searching for ways to help Johnkeen, as any parent would do. George offered to go talk to Johnkeen and his parents so that he could encourage him to be all that he can be and that life does go on after being paralyzed.

George shared with Johnkeen and his parents that he began to feel a weakness in his lower extremities and it gradually worsened until he was fully paralyzed from the waist down.  He was an active boy and had not had any problems beforehand.  He does not know what caused him to be paralyzed and had to come to terms with it.  George decided to attend Joyland School for the Handicapped in Kisumu.  He adapted very well and is now planning to go to college in Nairobi and major in Criminal Justice.  

As I sat and listened to George talk directly to Johnkeen and his parents, it was hard to hold back the tears.  George began by sharing John 9:1-3. "As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth.  His disciples asked him, Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?  Neither this man nor his parents sinned, said Jesus, but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life." Michael and Florence (Johnkeen's parents) listened intently and asked many questions.  You could clearly see that they were uplifted.  George challenged them to not give Johnkeen sympathy, but empathy, so that he would not be dependent and be secure in who he is.  Michael and Florence have been unable to find a school for Johnkeen, so he has been out of school since he became paralyzed; but George was so strong that their should not be discrimination against the handicapped that I believe Johnkeen's parents will be renewed in finding a good school for him.  George also quoted the scripture in 1 Corinthians 1:18-20 where Paul is talking about the wisdom of God is foolishness to the world. "For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.  For it is written:  'I will destroy the wisdom of the wise ; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.'  Where is the wise man?  Where is the scholar?  Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?"  He told Johnkeen man doesn't always understand why God allows things to happen.  What we consider wisdom is not what God considers wise!

I love this little boy so much.  As I leave Kisumu, I don't know if I will ever see him again, because of the many health issues that come along with this type of handicap.  But, as I listened to George admonish and encourage Johnkeen and his family, I know that God is in control of Johnkeen.   He is such a little guy with such a big heart!  I truly believe that "the work of God is being displayed in his life".  

Please keep Johnkeen and his precious family in your prayers.

The African Woman: "Strength and Dignity are Her Clothing"

Most of my time in Africa has been spent with the women and children of Kenya.  Here it is definitely not about the "outward adornment-the braiding of hair, the putting on of gold or the clothing that you wear."  You can not walk past a woman here without noticing the character of her face, the "hidden person of the heart." Many of the women that I have met have faced such losses and tragedies, but yet, there is still such strength and dignity in every curve of the faces of these women.  When I pass a woman on the street that I don't know, I always try to look at her in her eyes.  I want her to know that we feel the same things.  On the inside we are alike.  On the outside our skin color may be different and our cultures may be worlds apart, but we have the same heart.  We have a heart that loves our husbands and our children; we have a heart that cries over the atrocities of this world and the pain of losing a loved one.  I want her to know that as God's women, we are "fearfully and wonderfully made"; that He values us as His children.

In getting to know many ladies personally, and hearing their stories of life and love; it amazes me how much courage and fortitude that the Kenyan women possess.  I am in awe.  Many of my friends here rise way before sunrise to prepare food to sell at kiosks along the road and then head to other jobs that they work at until late in the evening.  When they prepare food for their family, it is not on a nice electric or gas range, it is on a "giko" (a coal burning grill).  There are no prepackaged meals or fast food for these ladies to prepare.  All of their laundry is done by hand in buckets and they have to go get the water from a pump.  Kenyan women are the perfect example of Proverbs 31:17: "She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks."

I have been blessed to be able to speak at several of the Ladie's Day Meetings that the women hold once a month to be uplifted spiritually.  This is a time for all of the women to get together and share scriptures, sing, fellowship and enjoy a meal together.  This is such an important ministry, because many of these women are in small rural village churches.  As I have been privileged to be a part of this ministry, it has allowed me to see how much these women love the Lord and want to serve Him.

 

When I leave Kenya, I can truly say that I have made wonderful friends here.  We may be very different in many ways, but I know that inside we are alike.  We share our hearts with each other and that is what matters.  If we were never to meet again, I have been forever changed by these beautiful, courageous women.  Rafiki zangu (my friends)!