On my mind today

Wednesday – June 26 We left St Mary Magdalene’s Retreat center this morning and headed for Magnet school.   It was a short drive – maybe 45 minutes.   When we arrived, Bishop’s wife Susan had prepared as American style a breakfast as I’ve had since we left the states.   Pancakes, toasts, jam, boiled eggs, bananas, watermelon, mangoes and milk.   I ate like I hadn’t in weeks.   After breakfast, it was nearly time for Mike, Christian and Tuesday to leave for the airport.   But before they did, the children of Magnet gave us a brief demonstration.   First, the older grades – essentially 8-12 grades.   160 of them.   Then, after the older ones were dismissed, the younger ones.   120 of them.   Both presentations were heartfelt and blessed.   The children were eager and passionate about seeing and meeting us.   Bishop threw both Mike and Christian in head-first by calling on them impromptu to offer a g...

We're fresh back from Subukia and the lands north.  It was a long day of driving but well worth the trouble.  We left our hostel this morning about 8:30 headed for Gilgil and Subukia.  The first two pictures here are of the church in Gilgil.  Pastor Cosmos and me pictured.  They are leading a school there behind the blue wall.  The 160 children there greeted us like we were the Beatles.  Humbling doesn't begin to cover it.  I was overwhelmed at how much they were doing in this town that has so very little going for it.  The children are excited and eager to learn and I'm glad we can share - even just a little - with them in this exciting work.  Please join me in praying for Pastor Cosmos, his family and the work of Visions of Glory Church in Gilgil.  Next, we went to Subukia.  If I were my dad, I would say we were "out in the sticks."  Go to where th road ends, turn left and keep going!  That's what it felt like....

Hi everyone.  I hope you'll forgive this long, stream-of-consciousness post.  I've been on many, many mission trips.  This one is unlike any I've ever done.  I'm grieved we couldn't finish what we started in Ethiopia, but I'm trying to play the long game by making a good choice now so that we can return later.  If we ignore the counsel of those who told us to leave, would they trust us enough to return later?  There will be other opportunities to serve  SUNDAY – June 23 It’s Sunday morning and I’m up getting ready for church.   I can hear the Muslim call to prayer being sung somewhere in the distance.   I don’t know how long it is, but that was what woke me around 6:25 am and It’s 7:06 now.   And he’s still trucking.   It was a strange night.   I fell asleep quickly around 9 – esp since we didn’t have any internet – but about 1:45 AM, I was awakened to the sound of a man and a woman arguing.  ...