August has been a very busy month and also a cold month. We are still enjoying the hot water bottle in bed to at least keep our feet warm. We are not freezing but we have been cold. I bought a Presto pressure cooker from someone returning to US and have made many pots of bean soup; which is so good on a cold night. I love it...but Danny is not quite so happy...ha. Beans are not his favorite...in fact, he just doesn’t eat them...so we also do some grilling. But several folks have enjoyed beans and rice at our table. Bean soup is also a great food to share with the guards who are on our compound at night. They love it. PRAY as I seek to encourage each of them in their walk of faith. Bobson who works all day on Sundays is excited about some Bible study materials I have shared with him. I enjoy seeing him study throughout the day.
Danny enjoyed returning to Uganda to be the speaker for the graduation ceremony of the Uganda Baptist Seminary. He really loves being with the student pastors and to be a part of the commitment of their lives to service in the Kingdom. And he also loves getting to go back to Uganda anytime. PRAY for the seminary’s training of pastors.
Our new role as Member Care for SubSahara Africa officially started August 1 but we began dealing with various needs in July. We ask you to PRAY that we might have wisdom and be encouragers to some of the greatest folks in the world.
Two AIM (African Inland Mission) pilots, Frank Toews and Ryan Williams, lost their lives as their small aircraft plummeted to the ground in Nairobi. PRAY for their wives, Tiffany and Dawn, and their children. Also PRAY for the AIM mission family as they adjust to this loss of two of their own team. Tragedies like this affect many who are family to each other as they serve 8,000 miles from their USA famillies.
Pastor Moses is still in the hospital and his arm has not been set yet because of infection. He has a couple of breaks but continues to have a lot of bleeding and they can not set it until he has no infection. He has been in a lot of pain and can’t lift the arm at all. Julius, whose arm was amputated at his shoulder, returned to Nairobi and was at church for the first time today. His testimony blessed and challenged our hearts and a song burst forth twice from his heart and lips as he shared his story. The crash of the taxi van was such a traumatic, frightening and painful ordeal. Our prayer is that he does not get an infection. Please continue to PRAY for both of them. Medical care is not as we know it in the US. They continue to be hopeful of healing and have such a precious faith in the Lord and a great trust in God’s care. The church has bonded more strongly during this time. They have really grieved for these two men and have been faithful in attendance. PRAY for Pastor Moses as he faces a tremendous hospital debt. He gets no salary because the congregation has such a few shillings to give but he continues to pastor and preach with his whole heart and loves the Word of God.
We are US bound to Richmond September 16 to spend a few days with the babies (and their parents...ha) before traveling to Atlanta on 21st to be a part of a Global Impact Conference, Wednesday-Sunday, the 23- 27th, at Eastside Baptist Church, Stockbridge, GA. We will be about 20 miles from Danny’s mom so this will give us an opportunity to also see her. We look forward to sharing about our ministry in Kenya, Uganda and beyond. We return to Richmond on 28th until Oct. 13 to be with them and Jason is planning a visit also. Then back to Kenya. PRAY for our stateside time.
The 9th month of the Islamic Calendar (August 22-September 20, 2009), is a holy month for Muslims all over the world. They are more spiritually open and are expected to fast from all food and drink during daylight hours. It is also a time for inner reflection, devotion to God and self control. Ramadan is the 3rd of 5 pillars of Islam. The sad part is that even with all their spiritual rituals and fasting no one knows whether their good works will weigh more than their bad deeds when God determines their eternal destiny. PRAY for many Muslims to learn the true love of God and the way He forgives their sin if they will trust in the Way, the Truth and the Life, JESUS CHRIST.
Insufficient rainy seasons have developed a broad, harsh drought in Kenya. People and animals are dying for lack of water and crops are being seriously affected. Food prices are soaring and though we are affected it is really critical for the poor. And there are millions of poor people living in Kenya. Electricity is being rationed. We are without power every other day for 12 hours a day and the price of electricity continues to increase. Yes, we can live with this but it does become frustrating when work needs to be done and computer batteries are low and other issues of living are curtailed. Water shortage is seriously critical and we do ask you to PRAY for much needed rains.
Elizabeth “Betty” Stam who served as a missionary from 1906-1934 in China made a wonderful statement, “Nobody can force a single soul....to turn to Christ. All that [we]....can do, is to lift up Christ before the world, bring Him into dingy corners and dark places of the earth where He is unknown, introduce Him to strangers, talk about Him to everybody, and live so closely with and in Him that others may see that there really is such a Person as Jesus.....” May we all be sensitive to live that closely with Him that others may see and come to know Him is our prayer for you and for us.
A very special Happy 86th birthday to Danny’s mom, Margie, on September 20.
With our love and prayers for you, Danny and Claudia
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Monday, July 27, 2009
JULY - NEWSLETTER
July, 2009 - Nairobi, Kenya, Africa
Winter, or at least cooler weather, is in our part of the world and we continue to hear woes of the heat index in the US. I even bought a trusty hot water bottle, since we have no heat in our house and the windows do not close tightly...in fact some are an inch or two from closing. July/August are basically our winter months and it really can get cold.
It was a privilege to be a part of the baptism of 9 adults from Rungiri Baptist Church. On that Sunday, Danny preached a message about baptism and we look forward to celebrating communion with them the first Sunday in August. The pastor asked Danny to preach also that day and he will share all the promises communion represents in the life of the believer. Please PRAY for Pastor Moses and the church music leader, Julius, who were injured in a taxi van accident returning from the burial of a church member. Julius’s arm was crushed and had to be removed and he and Pastor Moses are in a small hospital several hours from Nairobi. The taxi hit and killed 2 young men on the road and lost control and turned over. Travel here is so dangerous.
We have been ministering to some of our missionaries these last weeks. One of our Uganda couples, Stephen and Kaye Carson, came to Nairobi for the birth of their son, Silas William. Several families have recently returned to the US for medical reasons, others are retiring and others have lost their parents. Challenging changes are always a part of our missionary families. Please PRAY for the many needs and challenges that face all of us living in another culture and dealing with issues of health, family, death, births, language learning, culture shock, safety in driving, aging parents in the US and missing children and grandchildren.
We had a great time at our sectional meeting and then an additional 4 day meeting for Sub Cluster leaders. Our job is changing and we are becoming Member Care associates for Sub Sahara Africa. This job is a pastoral role working with our personnel in other countries but Nairobi will be our base for the present time. Please PRAY for this new aspect of ministry and for wisdom and sensitivity as we relate to the many needs in the lives of our missionaries; which I mentioned above.
“Business As Mission” is a new small leather crafting business started by some of our co-workers, Ron/Nancy and Erin Copeland. It has employed 15 young Kenyan men who have demonstrated a gifting in evangelism and a commitment to start new Baptist churches in unreached areas of Nairobi and beyond. They work 4 days a week crafting small leather products; for which they are paid a modest income. They spend 2 days a week evangelizing and disciplining in their neighborhoods; for which they are not paid. They have already formed several Bible storying groups in neighborhoods where there is no church. PRAY for this new opportunity for the men to learn a productive skill with the goal to share Christ with their family, friends and neighbors. PRAY for options/partnerships/buyers to help sell and market the items. PRAY also for the Copelands as they give administrative guidance to this project.
We were able to go to the Masai Mara, in Kenya, for 2 nights, which is the northern part of the vast Serengeti plain in Tanzania, to see the beginning of the wildebeest/zebra/Thompson’s gazelle migration. We saw too many different animals to describe but we had such a wonderful time on 4 game drives and saw thousands of animals in this beginning stage. A big blessing for us was to share about Jesus with our guide, whom we will call “AD.” God opened the perfect time, place and door to talk to him on our way back to the airstrip from where we would depart. Thankfully, I had a small Gideon New Testament with me and was able to leave that with him and he was most willing to accept it. Praise God for GIDEONS INT’L, whose ministry is to give Bibles away. He promised he would begin reading the Gospel of John. He has NO real knowledge of Christ and is part of another religion but more by association than commitment. We shared how even Michael Jackson, who had so much fame and fortune, left it all and had to face God and that we all will do the same as we entwined the Gospel story in our conversation. He was receptive and took our contact numbers and we are praying that someone will come along the way to water the seed we planted. Please PRAY for his understanding and desire to know Christ as his Savior. PRAY also that we might have more opportunity to follow up with him.
On a funny note....our small plane bringing us back from the Mara was taking off on a rocky runway bed when it was discovered that a tire burst upon landing. We then deplaned for the repair to be made. We were very happy to see a replacement tire....BUT...they had no jack. An old school bus had brought some school children on a field trip and was there so our ‘tire changer” went to the bus in search of a “jack.” Fortunately they had one. After raising the jack to its limit, hands dug busily trying to scrap away dirt to make room for the tire to be placed on the rim. It was finally accomplished and we just stood in amazement and fought back the question.... Why was there no “jack” on the plane for circumstances like this? We have learned that asking WHY is an effort in futility. It is better to stand amazed at the way they do make things happen. It just may not be on a quick timetable or with all our perks but they are very ingenious folks.
Our sweet Isaac celebrated a very special and happy 2nd birthday, July 25. He was in the Alabama with his other grandparents, 2 great grandmothers, aunts and uncles and cousins. He also stopped by to see Danny’s mom so he is blessed with lots of love. Lealla is now 7 months and trying to walk...too quickly.
We are coming to Richmond Sept. 16 and will be at a Global Focus Celebration at Eastside Baptist Church, Stockbridge, GA, Sept. 23-27. We will be in Richmond until Oct. 14 loving on our babies as much as possible. PRAY for our time at the conference that others may desire to respond to God’s call to missions.
Thank you for your perpetual love and encouragement. It means so much to have you partner with us in the ministry God has called us to in Kenya.
We Love You, Danny and Claudia
Winter, or at least cooler weather, is in our part of the world and we continue to hear woes of the heat index in the US. I even bought a trusty hot water bottle, since we have no heat in our house and the windows do not close tightly...in fact some are an inch or two from closing. July/August are basically our winter months and it really can get cold.
It was a privilege to be a part of the baptism of 9 adults from Rungiri Baptist Church. On that Sunday, Danny preached a message about baptism and we look forward to celebrating communion with them the first Sunday in August. The pastor asked Danny to preach also that day and he will share all the promises communion represents in the life of the believer. Please PRAY for Pastor Moses and the church music leader, Julius, who were injured in a taxi van accident returning from the burial of a church member. Julius’s arm was crushed and had to be removed and he and Pastor Moses are in a small hospital several hours from Nairobi. The taxi hit and killed 2 young men on the road and lost control and turned over. Travel here is so dangerous.
We have been ministering to some of our missionaries these last weeks. One of our Uganda couples, Stephen and Kaye Carson, came to Nairobi for the birth of their son, Silas William. Several families have recently returned to the US for medical reasons, others are retiring and others have lost their parents. Challenging changes are always a part of our missionary families. Please PRAY for the many needs and challenges that face all of us living in another culture and dealing with issues of health, family, death, births, language learning, culture shock, safety in driving, aging parents in the US and missing children and grandchildren.
We had a great time at our sectional meeting and then an additional 4 day meeting for Sub Cluster leaders. Our job is changing and we are becoming Member Care associates for Sub Sahara Africa. This job is a pastoral role working with our personnel in other countries but Nairobi will be our base for the present time. Please PRAY for this new aspect of ministry and for wisdom and sensitivity as we relate to the many needs in the lives of our missionaries; which I mentioned above.
“Business As Mission” is a new small leather crafting business started by some of our co-workers, Ron/Nancy and Erin Copeland. It has employed 15 young Kenyan men who have demonstrated a gifting in evangelism and a commitment to start new Baptist churches in unreached areas of Nairobi and beyond. They work 4 days a week crafting small leather products; for which they are paid a modest income. They spend 2 days a week evangelizing and disciplining in their neighborhoods; for which they are not paid. They have already formed several Bible storying groups in neighborhoods where there is no church. PRAY for this new opportunity for the men to learn a productive skill with the goal to share Christ with their family, friends and neighbors. PRAY for options/partnerships/buyers to help sell and market the items. PRAY also for the Copelands as they give administrative guidance to this project.
We were able to go to the Masai Mara, in Kenya, for 2 nights, which is the northern part of the vast Serengeti plain in Tanzania, to see the beginning of the wildebeest/zebra/Thompson’s gazelle migration. We saw too many different animals to describe but we had such a wonderful time on 4 game drives and saw thousands of animals in this beginning stage. A big blessing for us was to share about Jesus with our guide, whom we will call “AD.” God opened the perfect time, place and door to talk to him on our way back to the airstrip from where we would depart. Thankfully, I had a small Gideon New Testament with me and was able to leave that with him and he was most willing to accept it. Praise God for GIDEONS INT’L, whose ministry is to give Bibles away. He promised he would begin reading the Gospel of John. He has NO real knowledge of Christ and is part of another religion but more by association than commitment. We shared how even Michael Jackson, who had so much fame and fortune, left it all and had to face God and that we all will do the same as we entwined the Gospel story in our conversation. He was receptive and took our contact numbers and we are praying that someone will come along the way to water the seed we planted. Please PRAY for his understanding and desire to know Christ as his Savior. PRAY also that we might have more opportunity to follow up with him.
On a funny note....our small plane bringing us back from the Mara was taking off on a rocky runway bed when it was discovered that a tire burst upon landing. We then deplaned for the repair to be made. We were very happy to see a replacement tire....BUT...they had no jack. An old school bus had brought some school children on a field trip and was there so our ‘tire changer” went to the bus in search of a “jack.” Fortunately they had one. After raising the jack to its limit, hands dug busily trying to scrap away dirt to make room for the tire to be placed on the rim. It was finally accomplished and we just stood in amazement and fought back the question.... Why was there no “jack” on the plane for circumstances like this? We have learned that asking WHY is an effort in futility. It is better to stand amazed at the way they do make things happen. It just may not be on a quick timetable or with all our perks but they are very ingenious folks.
Our sweet Isaac celebrated a very special and happy 2nd birthday, July 25. He was in the Alabama with his other grandparents, 2 great grandmothers, aunts and uncles and cousins. He also stopped by to see Danny’s mom so he is blessed with lots of love. Lealla is now 7 months and trying to walk...too quickly.
We are coming to Richmond Sept. 16 and will be at a Global Focus Celebration at Eastside Baptist Church, Stockbridge, GA, Sept. 23-27. We will be in Richmond until Oct. 14 loving on our babies as much as possible. PRAY for our time at the conference that others may desire to respond to God’s call to missions.
Thank you for your perpetual love and encouragement. It means so much to have you partner with us in the ministry God has called us to in Kenya.
We Love You, Danny and Claudia
Friday, June 12, 2009
Newsletter Update
May/June, 2009 - Nairobi, Kenya, Africa
The past few weeks are almost a blur as we recount the things which have transpired but one thing for sure is that God has been faithful to us and has been so near and dear to our spirits.
Danny’s only sibling, a brother, Charles-65 years old, died the night of April 14th. We busily completed some important tasks Danny had to do on the 15th and worked arrangements for him to leave that night for Dulles airport so Timothy could pick him and bring him on to Richmond. Janet, Isaac and Lealla came with Timothy to airport and surprised Danny. He and Timothy drove the next day to Myrtle Beach to be with his mom and Charles’ wife and daughters. After the funeral he stayed in MB until Tuesday and then drove mom to Atlanta. He spent several days with her and flew back to Richmond for 4 days before returning to Nairobi. So in the midst of sorrow he was able to spend some quality time with the family and of course was so glad to have those last days with the grand babies. Jason came from NYC and sang at the funeral so he was able to be with him also. We miss Charles but we had seen him suffer for many years and his last three weeks had been very difficult; he even spent several days in ICU on a ventilator and had multiple medical issues that his body was just too tired to fight against. Thank you for your prayers for Danny and the family during this time of sorrow.
After Danny left for the states that Wednesday night, I flew on Sunday to J’burg, South Africa for knee surgery on Tuesday. I had good care and assistance from our medical coordinators there and did well through it all. I remained there 10 days after surgery and arrived home one night after Danny’s return. I have been in therapy and now after 6 weeks of healing I feel I am seeing results from the surgery. The pain I had previously been experiencing is almost gone and the incision pain is at a minimal now. Thank you for your prayers for me during this time. I am so grateful for the relief I am experiencing.
A couple of weeks ago we had the option to move to a house that is just one level. We could move immediately so we opted for that. I was not able to pull down and pack up and climb stairs and etc. but we were able to secure help of a great lady who did a good job working with me and we are set up for the most part. It is so good not to have the stairs anymore. We are sharing office space in one of the bedrooms and this set up works so much better. Praise the Lord with us for opening up this opportunity. It has an established yard with lots of trees, plants and birds so we are also enjoying it.
Today...I heard Danny yell with a bit of panic/shock as he called my name so I ran to see what the problem was and he was going toward the kitchen saying, “A monkey just came into the living room!!” Yes, it was true.. we have monkeys in the yard...but we did not want them to be a guest in our home. The monkey had come through the kitchen door and grabbed a banana and orange off the cabinet and we suppose he was coming into the dining room to eat them...ha. But Danny’s yell scared him as he had scared Danny with his entrance. We had been warned to keep our doors closed because this could happen...and so we have learned a lesson. He is a large monkey...I had seen him on some buildings here but I did not want to see him in our house. Anyway, he ran to the gate, sat on it and peeled his orange and ate it. Now I am looking around every corner. Well, I should say looking around every window because a smaller one came today and I really thought he was going to be able to squeeze through the burglar bars. In Africa you do not close windows because you need a breeze; so we might end up having a guest monkey come in during the night. PRAY that doesn’t happen or we both might be scared out of our wits.
Danny has been very busy with preparations for our big sectional meeting beginning June 8-14. Fellow workers from 7 countries will be coming together for a time of training, understanding of new organizational changes, encouragement, fellowship and times of worship and some relaxation. There have been many challenges in all of the logistical parts of this but we are looking forward to this time of being with many that we haven’t gotten to know and to see others we haven’t seen in a long time. He also just returned from a trip to take some volunteers to visit the seminary in Uganda. He always delights to return and see how the work is continuing there. We plan to return there for a few days in June for a strategy meeting. Our heart is still so tender for them. There are many personnel changes taking place in Kampala and our Ugandan leaders need to be very focused in continuing with the principles of leadership they have been taught in starting new house churches and training new believers. Having trained leaders is ever a challenge. PRAY for trained leaders to multiply both in Uganda and Kenya.
Because of the economic crisis the International Mission Board is having to reduce the number of missionaries appointed in the coming months. This is sad to hear because the number of applicants has been increasing and the laborers are so needed on the field. Please continue to PRAY about how you might still be a part of sacrificial missions’ giving. We know times are very challenging and we must PRAY that our churches will be able to remain committed to supporting the cause of sharing Christ around the world. So many still have NEVER heard of Jesus and His love for them.
I haven’t been as involved these past weeks in a lot of ministry due to the pain, surgery and recuperation of my knee. But I look forward to once again being active in reaching out to others in Nairobi. Continue to PRAY for Rungiri Baptist Church. We are blessed by the sound preaching of Pastor Moses and we enjoy being a part of that Kenyan fellowship.
And now for a sweet Happy, Happy 32nd birthday to Timothy on June 17.
Please hear our heart of love and thanksgiving for each of you and we love hearing from so many of you. You are a real blessing to our hearts and spirits.
WE LOVE YOU,
Danny and Claudia
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Monkey in the House
Danny began to holler loudly, "Ooooh, Oooh, Claudia come here quick!!!" I could hear some panic/shock and thought, "Oh, no, is there a snake in the house!!"....since we had been chasing a skink in the house all morning and still haven't gotten him out. Thankfully, it was not a snake but a very big monkey had come into the kitchen and was helping himself to the bananas and oranges. He is really huge...more the size of a baboon...and we had seen him outside and had been warned to keep our doors closed but we suppose we did not make it shut tightly and he just came in for a visit and some "goodies." It was really a bit frightening...even for Danny...especially the element of surprise to see him come into the living room with his fruit and Danny was not aware he was in the house. So Danny got a bigger scare than I did because he came in on him but he was chasing him out by the time his panic call came to me. We are being very much more cautious to make sure the doors click shut...but we are not so sure that he did not open the back door and come in...so we might have to resort to even more locking. Anyway, he fled to our gate and perched on it and ate his orange!!
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Trip to Uganda Baptist Seminary
Tim Tidenberg, the Cluster Strategy Leader for all Equatorial Africa, asked me to represent him and accompany three men from the United States to Uganda. What a great joy to return to the beginning place of our missionary service and renew ties with my Ugandan friends. How blessed I am! These are great men and women who have a vision for planting churches as they share their personal testimony and lead people to Jesus. I am always challenged by their commitment and devotion to our Father and the work of His kingdom.
When I visited the Uganda Baptist Seminary back in March and now again in May, I saw young men sleeping on the floor in classrooms because the dormitory is full. That's how committed they are to getting a theological education. They need another dormitory! Pray with me that this will be approved and pray for our students at the seminary. Today, we have an open door for preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ... tomorrow???? Now is the time to train these willing men and women.
When I visited the Uganda Baptist Seminary back in March and now again in May, I saw young men sleeping on the floor in classrooms because the dormitory is full. That's how committed they are to getting a theological education. They need another dormitory! Pray with me that this will be approved and pray for our students at the seminary. Today, we have an open door for preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ... tomorrow???? Now is the time to train these willing men and women.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Joys from Afar...
Grandchildren are a wonderful gift from the Father and bring such great joy. Isaac has learned how to undress himself and Lealla is trying her hardest to crawl, but she stopped long enough to smile at the camera.
Sadness in Africa
It was not the first time ... nor will it be the last...
Blood curdling screams were heard as I was putting on my makeup and I sent my friend, Ruth, running because I thought some child was hurt on our compound., and I could not quickly run because of just having had knee surgery. I followed her soon and she was standing on our veranda and said, "Oh, maama, it is an African man beating his wife," which sounded like in our very own yard but across our wall in some apartments. That haunting cry of pain has not left my ears.
I passed a lady with a load of sticks for building her fires piled so high and wide on her head that I just rode by in disbelief. All I could see was a thin body and legs much thinner than most of the sticks showing beneath her dress. I said, "Oh, God, how can I help her carry this burden?" I was in an area I was not sure about and didn't know where she lived; but what could I do? I pulled over and compared my trunk and the size of the load and there was NO WAY it could fit it. I am just recovering from knee surgery and it was late in day and there was a need to be home before dark due to other problems here and I drove away with such sadness in my heart with her burden; and at that time I felt very helpless. As I shared with Danny, he said, "Well, did you give her any shillings?" And to my heart came a terrible pain...."No, I was so caught up with her burden and that I didn't know how to help her with it nearing dark, and I forgot to give her what I had." And then the pain really came. Pray that Danny and I can be sensitive where we can make the burdens of others a bit easier.
There is sadness all over the world ... even where you live...
Blood curdling screams were heard as I was putting on my makeup and I sent my friend, Ruth, running because I thought some child was hurt on our compound., and I could not quickly run because of just having had knee surgery. I followed her soon and she was standing on our veranda and said, "Oh, maama, it is an African man beating his wife," which sounded like in our very own yard but across our wall in some apartments. That haunting cry of pain has not left my ears.
I passed a lady with a load of sticks for building her fires piled so high and wide on her head that I just rode by in disbelief. All I could see was a thin body and legs much thinner than most of the sticks showing beneath her dress. I said, "Oh, God, how can I help her carry this burden?" I was in an area I was not sure about and didn't know where she lived; but what could I do? I pulled over and compared my trunk and the size of the load and there was NO WAY it could fit it. I am just recovering from knee surgery and it was late in day and there was a need to be home before dark due to other problems here and I drove away with such sadness in my heart with her burden; and at that time I felt very helpless. As I shared with Danny, he said, "Well, did you give her any shillings?" And to my heart came a terrible pain...."No, I was so caught up with her burden and that I didn't know how to help her with it nearing dark, and I forgot to give her what I had." And then the pain really came. Pray that Danny and I can be sensitive where we can make the burdens of others a bit easier.
There is sadness all over the world ... even where you live...
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