February/March, 2009 - Nairobi, Kenya
Well, we have been in Nairobi in our house during February and think we will be here for awhile. We had 3 great weeks of strategy training during January at Brackenhurst, our conference center about 25 miles outside Nairobi, and four couples from Uganda attended this training and it was wonderful to be with them. We are getting a few pieces of furniture bought and pictures of our family (lots of grand babies) on the walls and to our surprise, we found a very good mattress. So we are feeling more at home and enjoying getting into the work here. We live on the compound grounds of our guesthouse, Hampton House, and that has afforded us the privilege to see many of our missionaries coming in and out from several countries for various reasons. I have given away lots of pound cake, brownies, cookies and fruit salad and had many in our home to eat. I am grateful that I have found my way around a large section of Nairobi and can help transport them to various places such as doctor, hospital, shopping and etc.
Danny continues to assist our Cluster Strategy Leader, Tim Tidenberg, as they pray, plot and seek how to implement strategy to reach into 13 countries in the Equatorial Cluster. PRAY for them and other leaders who are now being chosen to direct the work in the countries of Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, DRC-Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tanzania, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Cameroon, Part of Chad, Central African Republic, Burundi, Gabon and Southern Sudan We had to look on the map to even know where some of these are located. This is a very large region and we are in need of many more personnel to win people to Christ. In some of these countries, we have NO MISSIONARY PRESENCE. Please PRAY as strategy and plans are mapped out to be able to move into new areas and strengthen the work that is already established in other areas. PRAY for the International Mission Board also as it presently goes through monumental organizational changes to better shore up the mission endeavor around the world. Don’t forget there are over 5500 missionaries serving around the world. The task is huge but our God is calling and leading and is larger than this task.
Danny just returned from a week of Leadership Development with 17 missionary men and they concluded by rafting the Nile River in Uganda for a bonding experience. He had vowed it was so frightening the first time he did it that he would never do it again. BUT...you know he is competitive and could not sit on side lines while the others did it. And it turned out to be a much better experience due to the instruction of the guide and also the fun of being with a group he knew. He enjoyed the training and the rafting.
We continue to worship with a small Kenyan congregation about 10 miles out of the city, Rungiri Baptist Church. But at this point with Danny’s schedule we have not really been able to go out there except on Sundays. They are very desirous to learn more about the Bible, which challenges us, and we want to do some Discipleship Training with them. PRAY as we continue to seek time in our schedule to help them in this area. Also, PRAY for over 10.6 million Kenyans who are starving due to drought. PRAY for feeding projects being developed and for those who direct these huge efforts. PRAY against corrupt government and suppliers of grain in this process and PRAY FOR RAIN.
Last month we asked you to pray for the team from Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Alexandria, AL, returning for the 4th year to Kampala to work among the house churches in the slums. God blessed that work and new opportunities opened up in schools, orphanages, 3 prisons and slums; and new house churches were born. Over 600 received Christ. They worked alongside Manna Ministry who provides 50 pounds of rice, beans, posho and cooking oil to 100 very needy families. This bag of food will feed a family of 4 for a month. This is done for 6 months in the same area before moving to another needy area.
Below are excerpts shared by Douglas Aliro from a lady who was NOT a recipient of the food bag but lives in the slums in Biina Zone; which is situated in the heart of a very large Muslim community. Her thoughts about food being given to some of the most needy are humbling......
“Even that drunkard!!” she said, “that poor neglected lady is receiving food. That lady was really suffering. If you people can give a person who is so needy in her life, regardless of her background...my, my....She is a drunkard not by her choice but conditioned to do so by her suffering! You people have made me see and understand the heart of God! This for me is like mercy undeserved.... Hey, I did not received food but I received a Bible! At least I can get a little food from my humble business but a Bible in my own language is too expensive for me....These people who brought the food and Bibles have a very different heart. They have loved on us even if some of us are not worthy of any love to receive. Imagine a drunkard in need received her share of food by born agains.”
Go to the blog: http://imfcblog.us and read of the work there. We have always had house churches develop in the new areas where the food distribution program was started. PRAY for the house churches of Kampala and also for Manna Ministry as they continue to seek to feed very, very needy people and share Christ.
Our grand babies are growing and we are missing them and cherish each picture. Pray for our families and the bonding of our love though distance separates us. PRAY also for Danny’s mom, Margie, as she receives a pacemaker March 17.
Our love and prayers remain with you all who are so faithful to love, support and encourage us. We would not want to be here without God’s power and love and the wonderful under girding that you are in prayers and spirit. Please know of our perpetual love for you.
Danny and Claudia
This is Claudia and Helen doing language. Helen is trying to teach Claudia Swahili. Now, everybody says it's the easy language in the world. That's everybody who has never learned Swahili.
