UGANDA

So many things happened on our trip to Uganda that it is hard to know what to write about and what to leave out.  It was a great time!

Kampala Earthquake

Wednesday:  Kampala, the capital of Uganda, was our first destination; it took six hours to get there, where we would spend the night in Ephraim and Jova Tumusiime’s home.  We had just gone to bed and were reading when we felt the bed begin to gently shake – for quite a few seconds.  “John, what is that”?  “I don’t know”.  “John, it’s an earthquake”!  “No, it has lasted too long to be an earthquake”.  So, it stopped.  Then, a few seconds later the bed and whole house began to shake violently and the big metal gates to the compound were clanging together loudly.  There was no doubt it was an earthquake.  Marty was looking for a way out of the house, but the quake stopped abruptly.  John still wasn't sure it was an earthquake, but Marty has experienced earthquakes before and was convinced it was one (although she had never been in one so severe).  She was prepared to escape if it happened again (but realized she didn't know how to get out)!  Next morning we were told that there was a 5.5 magnitude earthquake on the Richter Scale at the epicenter, which was many miles away.  (Marty promptly located all the home's exits as well as the location of the keys.)

It has since occurred to us that God often works in the Natural first and then the Spiritual/Supernatural.  We believe that earthquake was a demonstration in the Natural of what God had planned for in the Supernatural in the remote area of His Kingdom in Africa to which He was sending us.

Kakaari

Early-Morning View from our Hotel Window 06:27 7-8-13
(the time on the photo is US time)

Thursday:  We drove another 6 hours on paved roads, which were occasionally rough, in Ephraim’s 2001 well used, but able for the job, van to a small market town in a fairly remote area.  But there was a hotel there into which Ephraim and we were booked. 

Friday - Sun:  We were headed for our destination, Kakaari, a very remote area, down in the Great Rift Valley, near the border  of The Congo. Absolutely beautiful, verdant country with spectacular views of the valley, volcanic crater lakes, tea plantations and bananas!  The trip to and from Kakaari took another 1-½ hours each way (total 3 hours a day for 3 days).  The actual village itself was about 15 miles off the paved road and on very, very rough, narrow dirt roads.  Motion sickness first thing in the morning became a problem for Marty, but it cleared up in about a half hour once there.

Rice, peanut gravy, ugalie, boiled bananas
& potatoes.

That area of Uganda is the banana capital of the universe!  Needless to say, bananas are staples there – green cooking bananas (aka plantains in the West); yellow bananas; red bananas (sweet and tangy); boiled bananas; mashed bananas (matoke); fried bananas; banana beer (saw it [smelled it] being brewed in the village).  Groundnuts (small red-skinned peanuts) are also a staple there.  One treat was a peanut sauce/gravy served with each meal.  During the dictatorship of Idi Amin, the Ugandans were able to stay alive and relatively healthy by eating bananas and groundnuts, which provided sufficient nutrients.

Boiled Bananas - Fried Cabbage

All day Friday and Saturday was dedicated to teaching and ministering, in a mud church with a corrugated tin roof, to about 30 regional pastors and other leaders from various villages in Western Uganda.  How some of them got there remains a mystery (the area was so remote).  Some made real sacrifices to be there.  The theme of the conference was “Building for Growth”.  We also led impromptu workshops on Saturday on Discipleship through Cell/Home groups; the Gift of Prophecy - Prophetic Intercession - Five-fold Prophets.

Impromptu Workshop (Notice the Bananas All Around)

Interior of Church

Sunday was just a great and wondrous (and long) day.  The little church was packed and John delivered a powerful faith-building message!  The faith level was really high.  Marty had, had a dream on Thursday night that had her really puzzled - it just didn't make sense. She prayed and sought the interpretation. Then in the wee hours of Sunday morning she got the interpretation.  It was - that there were folks in the church that were mixing witchcraft with Christianity and were deceived and also very confused as a result; there needed to be repentance - rejection of the witchcraft and total commitment to the Lord.  The two leaders of the group, Ephraim and Mark, agreed that was an accurate interpretation and we had a time of congregational repentance.  Then there was a short teaching on the infilling of the Holy Spirit.  There were many children there.  When teaching about the Gifts of the Spirit and being “Baptized in the Holy Spirit” Marty pointed out that with children the Holy Spirit isn’t a “baby Holy Spirit”; He fills children and they operate in the Gifts of the Spirit in the same way as adults.  When the church was given the opportunity to come forward to receive the Infilling (Baptism) of the Spirit the pastor got all of the children in the congregation and brought them to the front of the adults that had already come.  When we prayed, the presence of God was very powerful and the people responded with much joy and enthusiasm.  But to see how the children responded to His presence was just an amazing and beautiful thing.  We tried to get photos of them, but it wasn’t possible.

We would be remiss if we didn't mention the singing and dancing in that church.  The only instruments were two primitive drums that had skins across both ends; they were played with a stick and the hands. Truly, no other instruments were needed!  There was even a choir. Wow!  What harmony!    

They Were Having a Great Time

Babies Dancing

The Choir

)

The Offering

MANY BLESSINGS,

JOHN & MARTY

TAKING BACK WHAT THE ENEMY STOLE!!!

FOUND ON FACEBOOK

Seemed appropriate to our situation!

MEDICAL FUND

Thanks to your generosity, Violet was able to have several orphans treated for ringworm – there seems to be an epidemic of it.  Some of the boys had various wounds on their bodies that needed treating and one little girl needed medication for a bad cough.  Truly, most of these children, if not all, would not have received treatment without this fund that you have made possible. Thank you again.

PRAYER CHAPEL

From Entrance to the High Place

When we bought the land for   The Widows’ Farm, about four years ago, Marty got a dream.  In one corner of the property is a small grove of bondo trees (bondo means dove) interspersed with saplings of some sort.  Her dream was to make it into an outdoor prayer chapel. Well, this year we were able to begin to make the vision a reality.  We hired a young man named Peter to help Charles on the farm and his first job has been to make a pathway to the chapel.  The way there from the front gate is (was) knee high in weeds and crooked and full of hills and valleys.  Peter has dug, filled in holes, flattened hills, split rocks to fill in ditches and making a beautiful pathway.  He has covered it with murram (a hardpacking red soil indigenous to East Africa) it will become like a road. It is just amazing. Charles removed this year’s deposit of debris and chopped out stumps with his panga (machete) to make the ground smooth, and Marty raked for 3 days to get the small stuff out. The first day, when she got tired she sat down for a bit, leaning against a bondo tree. It was so quiet and peaceful and just full of the Presence of God! It's going to be wonderful when it's done!   

The Path - Before

The Path - After

John and Marty went in and began to decide how to lay it out.  The place has some natural pathways and also some lovely little nooks that are perfect for people to sit or stand in, and also plenty of walking-around room for those who like to be mobile while praying.  We laid rocks out to separate areas and make pathways. The place has three natural levels, with a “high place” in the middle that is perfect for a couple of benches and a focal area – the benches are made and ready to put in place.  Marty "coincidently" came across the story of Jacob and the ladder (Genesis 28:18-19).  He took the rock he was using as a pillow and set it up on the spot and names it Bethel (the house of God).  John, Peter, Charles and Marty went and found a BIG rock and put it in the middle of the focal point on the high place.  The prayer chapel is now names Dala Nyasaye (House of God in the Luo language).

Altar on High Place

One day when several folks were working on it we came across a flat piece of metal, almost like a tool or sorts.  That prodded the memory of Charles who told us that years ago that grove had been a place of devil worship and sacrifices.  We never knew that.  Woohooo!  How's that for taking back enemy territory?  

We will surprise the intercessors (a small group of women - 99% widows) by bringing them out and having them place the stone as an altar in a small ceremony.  Then they or anyone can come, whenever they wish, to spend quiet, peaceful time in a place dedicated to that purpose.  They will be so surprised and pleased.

Below are benches we had made - it's just about finished!

 

When we brought in the big stone, just as we set it up in its place a dove landed in the trees above and began to coo.  What a blessing!

It looks like a park inside.  When young Peter was digging holes for the benches he stopped and said "It's so quiet here".  It truly is quiet and peaceful - the presence of God is almost palpable. We believe He is pleased with it.

Hornet's Nest

We love the way our Kenyan friends pray. There was a hornet's nest in the prayer chapel and we asked Charles to get rid of it. He told us that he said to God that those hornets could live somewhere else, and he told Him that it would be no problem for Him to remove them.  He reminded the Lord that the ladies who will be praying there are old and they can't run very fast to get away from the hornets.  A few days later the watchman, Joash, went to get rid of them.  THEY WERE GONE!!!

Blessings & Love,

John & Marty

ARRIVAL IN KENYA - THE ADVENTURE BEGINS!!

WE ARE HERE - TADAAAAHH!
We left England on the 1st of June, spent the night in Zurich (a less than 2-hour flight) then on to Nairobi (about 7 hours) where we stayed for two nights to do some business, then on to Kisumu (a half-hour flight) - arriving on the 4th.  All flights were on time and went very smoothly.

FROM OUR BALCONY JUST BEFORE SUNSET TONIGHT

THE ECO-SAN TOILET SAGA
Whilst in Nairobi we met with Clay Mashauri, an agriculturalist who has taken great interest in the Widows' Farm project.  We want to make a large patch for growing vegetables and irrigate it using a drip-feed system from the water tower.  He's the expert and he and John sat and made a lot of plans for that project.  He'll be coming out to Kisumu to do it for us.

We are trying our best to be good stewards of the land and resources.  One of the things we want to do is definitely not at the top of our exotic or adventurous list!  In different areas of the country one sees signs saying proudly "This is a Defecation-Free Village".  Pollution from human waste is a serious problem in the slums.  (Not so much in the villages. ) The nation is attempting to clean itself up and is setting sanitation goals.  Education plays a big part in that.  We want our farm to be an example of keeping the land and environment healthy, sanitary and productive.  So one of our goals is to build an eco-san toilet.  There are a few kinds - the stand-up pit-toilet model, and concrete, plastic and ceramic pedestal types.  We have opted for the pedestal type.  However, we are having an extremely difficult time locating a supplier.  We found one toilet that we liked, but it comes from China and we can only get it if we order 100.  Concrete doesn't seem practical in terms of cleaning the bowl.  That leaves plastic.  Still, we couldn't find any!  But Clay knew a place in Nairobi where they are produced.

So off we went to Nairobi city.  We avoid going into that city.  It is huge and crowded and not necessarily safe in some areas.  We do not know our way around.  But Clay does, and he drove us in his van.  We found the place on the outskirts of town - so far, so good because we didn't have to go into the city.  But, because Marty had seen pictures of ceramic ones, which would be ever so much easier to clean, we went looking at some ceramic manufacturers.  HAH!!  None of them had ever heard of such a thing!!  But one place directed us to go to River Road. (Marty thought it would also be on the outskirts. But no!! ) It turned out to be right in the middle of the city and had the worst traffic jams imaginable!  No exaggerating   It was hot, and Clay had his window down while we were stalled in a jam; calm as could be - traffic jams and heat not bothering him a bit.  He just wanted to serve us. He was using his mobile phone (brand new) and had it in his hand.  A young man jumped up from the sidewalk, reached into the van and grabbed the phone right out of Clay's hand.  The thief fell down, but because it all happened so fast, and Clay didn't actually realize what had happened, the guy was able to get up and run away through the crowd before Clay could think to get out of the van.  Now, here is a perfect example of Kenyan temperament.  Clay continued to drive along River Road so that we could look for the toilet shop.  He was initially upset, naturally, but recovered so quickly and never said a mean word about the thief or said anything about just ending the search.  He was as calm and cool as could be.  Amazing!  WE NEVER FOUND THE SHOP!

Further research and investigation continues.  The Assistant Chief in Kadawa has one that we are going to look at - it is made of concrete.

What Is and Eco-San Toilet?
What is an eco-san toilet, you ask?  The toilet housing looks like a typical outhouse but elevated.  In the back at ground level is a door.  The toilet itself is divided into two compartments; the one in the front funnels down to a small hole to which a hose is attached.  This section is for urine and the hose diverts it into a container that is removed periodically - through the back door.  It is then diluted with water and used to fertilize plants and flowers.  The back part of the toilet bowl as larger and that is where the waste and paper products go - down into a large container.  Ash is strewn over the waste to help decompose it and to eliminate the odor.  Periodically the large container is removed and emptied into a compost bin.  Believe it or not, it does compost and becomes useable for germ-free fertilizer.  (We ourselves do not plan to use it! - the fertilizer, that is.  It is just to hard to wrap ones head around that whole scenario.)  Yes - we will use the toilet.

What About the Plastic Toilet Manufacturer?
Apparently these eco-san toilets are not the hottest item on the market, because, although there were a couple of them in the reception area, when they took us out into the storage yard it took a long time and several men to get to the part of the yard where the toilets were kept.  After looking at the different options we went back into the reception area to look at the display sample again.  At that point John wanted some pictures of the item in question and actually wanted Marty to sit on it for a photo!!!!  This in front of a whole group of staff.  After a squeal of outrage and a firm NO from her, the sales representative did so without the slightest qualm!

Doors to remove waste

 There you have the first installment for this part of our journey.

Thank you for your prayers on our behalf.  We had a couple of days of not feeling great; John a day of "just feeling yucky".  He had to go back to bed.  But your prayers brought him right out of it.

We'll keep you posted regularly.

Blessings & Much Love,

John & Marty

AMERICAN CONNECTIONS

LORNA'S LAMP

                                                     Background

Solar lantern
7.8" H x 3.5" Diam.

Every house in Kenya that has electricity always has a large supply of matches and candles on hand.  The electrical power grid in Kenya is mediocre at best.  In a good rain storm one can count on the power going off - rain gets into the power-generating equipment.  Also, it just goes off periodically just on a whim.  That is why everyone has a gas cooker (stove), because if one depended upon electricity to cook it could result in going hungry.

Last year our landlord gave us two small solar-powered lanterns.  A slick little thing that we put outside in the day time and bring in at night so that if the power goes off we will have light.  They give off a really good light and have two levels of power; high lasts 4 hours and low 8 hours.  We got to thinking that they would be handy to have on the farm, found them on special sale at a petrol (gas) station in town, and bought a few.  They were about $15 each.  Of course, in the village there is no electricity so if the people want light after sunset they use little paraffin (kerosene) lamps made from tin cans with a wick in them.  The poorest folks buy  fuel by the tablespoon or dipper full and use it sparingly.  We took Pauline, one of the medical team members, to visit Lorna in her home.  

Paraffin (Kerosene) Lamps made from tin cans

In conversation we found out that our dear Lorna was out of paraffin. That gave Pauline the brilliant thought that Lorna might like a solar lantern and asked us later if she could get one for her.  Pauline couldn't be there to give it to Lorna, but when we went with it our translator explained how to use it and told her that it was a gift from Pauline.  She was so delighted with it and learned instantly how to operate it (she was at least 86 at that point).

Fast-forward to January of this year

When John was in Kadawa in January he had occasion to visit with Lorna.  He asked her about her lantern and she told him that a neighbour wanted to know where she got it.  Lorna said she told the neighbour that "I have connections in America"!

Lorna

We will return to Kenya in June and we plan to purchase several lanterns to give to widows.  It will enhance their lives tremendously.

NEW CHURCH PLANT IN KISUMU

A year ago Restoration Community Church (RCC) became the parent of a new church plant in Kisumu.  A few people had been meeting for quite awhile in a home in Kisumu, and Pastor Hesbone of RCC determined it was time to establish a church there.  He sent Johnfred as the pastor to begin the work.  Since then the group has outgrown the home and the front yard of the home.  So now, thanks to the generous donation of a tent to RCC, that tent has become the new church until a structure can be procured.  The tent has been such a Godsend and has met many, many needs and purposes.  It is used for evangelistic meetings in many places, at medical and eye clinics, for funerals, and now as a church - among other uses.  The Kisumu church is set up in a field in a housing development on the edge of Kisumu.  Since then it has steadily grown and has just celebrated its first birthday. 

ELECTION OF A NEW PRESIDENT

It has been five years since the last presidential election in Kenya.  That one was followed by extreme violence due to irregularities in the voting process.  Initially the violence was political, then over land issues and finally tribal.  The people vowed never to have violence over the elections again.  On March 4, 2013 elections were held, but once again there were verifiable irregularities.  However, the Supreme Court of Kenya was called in to examine the evidence and make the ruling as to which candidate actually won.  That process was completed and the announcement made on Saturday, March 30, 2013.  The original winner was declared as the victor and the challenger accepted the court's decision.  All involved parties implored for peace and unity in the country and called the people to have confidence in the democratic process that Kenya is determined to attain.  We are praising God for the peaceful (for the most part) outcome of the presidential election.  The following is a quote from a Kenyan newspaper : "The supreme court decided that Kenyatta was validly elected and that the election was conducted in compliance with the constitution. The judges are expected to release a detailed judgment in two weeks."

Bless,

John & Marty

NEWS AT NYAKACH & ON THE WIDOWS' FARM

SCHOOL AT NYAKACH

More excitement at Nyakach!  We are often amazed at what God does in Kenya, and especially when He does things that are far beyond our thoughts or expectations.  Invariably, at the root of these pleasant surprises are one or two individuals who have an extraordinary, out-on-the-edge-of-the-impossible, tenacious, unfailing faith in what God will do!

David and Jennifer have started two schools in that remote area of Kenya where only goats (and monkeys) do not fear to tread. The first school is called Valleygate (named after a gate in the Jerusalem wall).

We have told you before that almost the only way out of a life of abject poverty in the villages is through education.  The adults know that, and many of the children understand that - even at a young age.

David and Jennifer returned to Nyakach in late 2008/early 2009. They were forced to leave where they were living due to the violence that followed the 2008 elections.  This first school was born out of the need to educate their own children and their lack of income to send them to school.  So what does one do??!!  Start your own school!  

They were given a house when it became vacant due to an elderly man's death. That in itself is a major ground-breaking event, as usually when a person dies their house remains unused; it stands vacant until it crumbles (this is based on superstition).  However, this custom is gradually being overcome by Christians.  One outside wall of the building needs reinforcement; they hope to be able to work on it soon.   Currently the school has four small rooms.  But they are desperate for more space, so have begun constructing a mud, stick and stone addition. They have received enough money to buy the tin sheets for the roof.

David with the teachers, Emmaculate, Judith, Irene & Pamela

Milka & David

The main school has 97 students, although new students turn up every week seeking education.  They have four teachers  Emmaculate, Judith, Irene, and Pamela.  Jennifer is the administrator.  They teach in English and Kiswahili and use some secondhand books that they were able to acquire.

Approximately 30% of the children go to the school at no cost, the remaining 70% pay a minimal fee.

Last term student in 28 schools in the area of Lower Nyakach took a common exam and Valleygate came out top.

Due to high demand, a second school has just been started  - Valleygate Junior - some distance away, in the valley. Milka is the teacher  there. 

WATER IRRIGATION ON WIDOWS' FARM 

Following Jeremy’s visit in December and John’s visit in January a contract has been drawn up to pump the water from the well and up to the tank on the water tower. 

Generator Housing (in temporary location)

The project involves  a pump for the well, a generator plus housing, laying pipes 60 metres from well to the tower, the necessary control equipment plus labour installation costs. Johnfred sent us a photo of the housing for the generator.  It's an impressive piece of construction.

Having water available at various points on the farm will enhance the production of fruit and vegetables in the dry season as well as saving on labour.  Getting water into the tower tankis the heart of the irrigation system.

The total cost of the project is estimated at  $3,600 or £2,300

If you would like to help with this vital project,  make donations - marked for farm irrigation - as follows,

In UK

Emmanuel Christian Centre, Netherstowe, Lichfield, Staffs  WS13 6TS

Tel 01543 254596

In USA

D C F Lebanon, PO Box 37, Lebanon, PA 17046-0037

Tel 717-228-1357             

SIGNS FOR THE GATES

We just commissioned some signs to put on the pillars of the gates to the farm.  We are so pleased to put them up for all to see and identify what the Lord is doing there. One gate post will have the one shown here and the other will say James 1:27.  We believe that there will be a supernatural release of God's anointing on that land when those signs are in place.  God's love and provision will be made known to all who pass by that farm as those signs declare His purpose & Glory!

We will be in Pennsylvania and Maryland from February 26 to March 14 visiting family and friends and going to the DOVE Missions Festival and the International Leaders Conference.  We look very much forward to seeing you there if you are going.  Please greet us if we don't greet you first!

Blessings, Grace, Peace, Joy and Much Love,

John & Marty