Insanity

I cannot believe that this summer is almost over. In less than 3 weeks, I will be back in the United States getting ready to begin a new school year. This is just crazy.

Putting in the posts at Gede

The mission team will arrive in little less than a week and will hit the ground running. We have spent the last two weeks doing some preparations for their arrival. On Tuesday we washed sheets, swept, and mopped the Taylors' house so that it wouldn't be as bad when they got home from their 10-month furlough. We also put their trampoline back up. You should have seen Brother Scott and me standing in the front yard looking at all of those pieces trying to figure out where everything went. Wednesday, we went out to the Gede Primary School and Special School to put in the posts for the basketball goals. While we were there, we got to play a little with some of the kids. I just love these children! This made me really think about going to get my Masters in Special Education (I said think). It was fun to be able to love on these kids for a little bit. We then went and bought some wood to take to the church in Malindi to finish their building so that it will be completely finished before the graduation that they are having there in 2 weeks.

The Taylors arrived at the airport in one piece 

On Thursday we went and picked up the Taylors from the airport. They have been living in Kenya for over 10 years (on and off) and went back to the States for 10 months on furlough. They arrived safe and sound in Malindi. The Taylors have 5 kids, so it's safe to say that it hasn't been as quiet around here since their arrival (I love it!). They've spent the last week getting settled. As soon as the kids got here, they discovered all of their "old" stuff and were having a field day! Africa is really the only home they've ever known and they really love being back. On Friday night we all went out to Shukrani, which I call the "Buffalo Wild Wings of Africa" because the second floor has a big

Eating at Shukrani-notice the screen in the back

screen for watching "football" games (that's soccer for all you uneducated folks). Culture lesson #18762- Stray cats running around in a restaurant is no big deal. Shukrani was great! I love me some samosas and chips (that's french fries for all you 'Mericans).

4th of July cookout

On Saturday we had our "4th" of July cook out. Since the Taylors weren't going to be back until the 5th, we decided to just do the cook out on Saturday. I was very proud of myself because I made a homemade cheesecake (which was incredibly delicious)! I also made macaroni and cheese and helped with the baked beans. The men took care of the grilling hamburgers and hotdogs, and we had some fresh fruit cut into stars! We even made red and blue koolaid ice to put in the kids' Sprite. It was pretty cool.

4th of July drinks-red and blue ice!

My delicious homemade cheesecake

Patriotic fruit! 

Enjoying our cookout

Church in Malindi- Kenya and Karat

On Sunday we went to church in Malindi again, and I'm starting to remember names and faces. This was the first time I didn't have to say my name because they all remembered me! Yay! Everyone was super happy to see the Taylors again. For lunch, we came back to the house and had left overs from the cookout. We brought home a 6th child from church (Richard) who is good friends with the oldest Taylor child, Josiah. The kids had fun swimming and playing all afternoon. We had Bible study Sunday night and talked about prayer. It was a good reminder that God wants us to pray continually and to pray for the things in our hearts until we get an answer. He hears us. That is so amazing to know. The God of the universe hears me. Little, insignificant me. That's pretty powerful stuff. He cares to hear the desires of our hearts! How amazing is that?!

The kids enjoying the pool on Sunday afternoon

My nasty bruise on my hand

We kicked it into high gear on Monday. Guess what I got to do?! DIG! I'm not going to lie, I'm getting pretty good at this digging business. I should have a side job and just dig ditches for people. We wanted to put in a few new security lights, so that meant running electricity lines underground. With the help of the two youngest Taylor children, I dug a shallow trench in the front yard. Brother Scott and Brother James worked on the lights that had gone out around the house. Somewhere along the way I got a nasty bruise on my hand. It's still pretty gross and I still don't know how I got it. On Tuesday morning, I woke up bright and early because I thought it would be a good idea to workout with Kenya. See, she has this workout plan DVD called Insanity. I don't know if you've heard of this yet, but it's pretty insane. So, at 7 am Kenya and I were doing some serious cardio. After that I went back out to work on the electricity. We fed the lines through some pipes and wired everything together. After checking to make sure it all worked, I filled back in the holes and tried to make the yard look nice again. The compound is well-lit now. You're welcome, 516 Missions team.


Thankfully the workout for Wednesday morning was an easy one because my body was hurting. It was the cardio recovery workout, and it was mostly stretching (God was looking out for me). After that, I worked a little in the guest houses, painted the front stoop on one of the guest houses, painted the ladders for the loft beds, and, with the help of the Taylors' middle child, Lydia, I moved all of the extra dirt and rock from the back patio to the potholes in the road outside of the gate. In the process of figuring out where to put the dirt, Safari told me to put it behind the houses, but when I went to go put it there, he told me to put it in the road. He took out the first load and showed me where a good spot would be, then Lydia and I took another 3 loads out to the road. Brother James also gave me a book to read called The Indigenous Church, and we're going to go through it over the next week, discussing the work that they are doing here on the coast of Kenya.

On Thursday we went back out to the schools in Gede to introduce Brother James to the headmasters and to deliver a few gifts to the kids at the Special School. Missy and I both beat ourselves up because we didn't bring a camera to capture the precious moments when the kids opened the box full of toys. As I watched these children get so excited, I couldn't keep the tears in. It breaks my heart that there are children all over the world that will never have a brand new toy or new clothes. I'm glad that we can change that for at least a few children. If you are interested at all in getting involved with helping the children on the coast of Kenya, visit Eastkenyamissions.com or The Jeremiah Project page on Facebook. Brother Scott also got a chance to talk to Brother Alfonse about the graduation and ordination services we'll be having soon. After we left the school, we went by Brother Daniel's house to talk with him, too, about the graduation and ordination. While we were there, Missy and I got to help Daniel's wife de-stem some greens. Little did we know, we were actually helping to prepare our own meal, because they invited us to stay for lunch. I really love this part of ministry. Living life with people. I love learning about the culture and getting to truly be a part of it. We ate ugali and our greens (don't remember what she called them, but they looked like spinach) and drank some tea before heading back to the house for ladies' Bible study. As usual, we had a great time learning a little more about the book of Esther. It's tough being a woman who can balance passion with patience. :) Lord, I will wait on you.

We woke up early on Friday morning and drove down to Mombasa. I don't know how much you have heard on the news about Kenya, but there has been some violence in the bigger cities. A rebel group in Somalia is still at war with Kenya. There are warnings all throughout the country about traveling and such. There have been a few attacks in Mombasa, but we were not worried as we drove down to buy some needed items for the mission team's arrival. Our God is our shepherd and kept us safe in our travels to and from Mombasa. I'm sure the people in Nakumatt thought we were crazy as we asked for boxed cases of juices and crisps (or chips as we like to call them in America). We even bought a new lawn mower (thanks to donations of kind church members in the States) to replace the stolen one. Once we got home, they worked on securing the room where the lawn mower is kept.

On Saturday morning I finished painting the ladders in the guest house and then we all went to a sports day at a local day care. The man who owns the hardware store where we buy all of our stuff invited all of us to come out. We didn't know what to expect, but the kids thought it was going to be a fun day of games. When we got there, we realized it was their first annual Field Day. The wife of the hardware store owner runs the Kiddie Stars Day Care. They invited people from the community to come out and see their facilities and watch the kids in their field day games. It was really a lot of fun. They even had a guest speaker come and make a speech at the end of all of the the events. She was a representative for an international education committee and her speech was fantastic. Most of the parents and the owners of the day care are Muslim, so please pray with me that this is an open door for Brother James and Brother Scott to witness to these wonderful people. They were so appreciative that we had come to their event. After we left the school and ate lunch, we all went down to the beach for a little while. A man came running down to us and asked me if those were my kids playing in the water. He wanted to warn me that there were sharks all in the water and that we shouldn't be out there. The Taylors have lived here for quite some time and have never heard anything about sharks. In fact, there is a reef not too far out and acts like a barrier that sharks don't really cross. I chuckled a little and thanked him for the information. We enjoyed our time jumping over waves, building sand castles, and enjoying each other's company until it started raining. We all packed up all our stuff and jumped back in the land rover to head home.

This morning we went out to church in Magangani. We had a wonderful time out in the village. I always wish I knew more Swahili when I have to introduce myself at every service. Thankfully, the pastor usually translates what I say for the congregation. There were a lot of people there this morning and Brother Scott and Missy taught Sunday School, Scott teaching the adults and Missy teaching the kids. The youngest Taylor child, Samuel, made Sunday School interesting as he decided to stick his offering money in his mouth and accidentally swallow it. I don't think he'll ever do that again. I got to meet Alfonse's wife and daughter and I even got to hold Juma and Mercy's new baby girl. Juma is a pastor in Bokole, but his wife and daughter were in Magangani this morning. I can't believe that when we go back to Magangani next week, the group from America will be with us.

We had a good Bible study tonight with the Bourlands, Taylors, and our friend Christine. Today is my mom and sister-in-law's birthdays and Wednesday is my brother's. I called and talked to them after Bible study for a little bit. That is one of the toughest things about being overseas. You miss family gatherings like today. I'm quite different than most people though. Usually the more time people spend away from home, the more they get homesick. I'm the opposite. The longer I am away, the more relationships I develop with other people, making it equally as hard to stay and leave. I do miss my family and I am happy that I get to see them in 3 weeks, but at the same time, I am learning so much and feeling like I'm a part of something great being here in Kenya.

Continue to pray for all of us as we spend this last week preparing for the 516Missions team to get here on Saturday. They will be here for 9 days and then I will be boarding the plane with them to go back to the States. Pray that God shows me what He wants me to do and that I will listen to His call.

In Christ,
Ashley

A WHOLE MONTH?

I cannot believe that June has come and gone. This is the first time in my life that I have spent an entire month in a foreign country. CRAZY! And I still have one more to go! I am very grateful that God has given me this opportunity to spend a summer in Kenya. I am learning a lot and seeing foreign missions in a whole different light. I'm not going to lie, the first couple of weeks I thought God was sending me here to deter me from foreign missions. Not because I was having a bad time, I just really missed all of the comforts of home and all of the normal summer activities that I get to do. For a long time, I've thrown around the idea of moving off to a foreign country jokingly, and during those first couple of weeks I thought maybe God was trying to show me that I should stop threatening to jump on an airplane. BUT, just like my typical ADHD self, I didn't dwell in that mindset for long. I don't know exactly what God wants me to do, but I do know that I will follow wherever He leads. Even if it's right here:

Apartments in Mombasa, Kenya

Another area of struggle: if I have to see one more wedding announcement or baby announcement I may just have to disable my Facebook account. Ok, I'm being dramatic, because I actually really love seeing all of these people's beautiful pictures. Therefore, I am now taking husband applications: must love Jesus, must love kids, must be willing to lead me or follow me around the world, whichever comes first. Just kidding. I have, however, been more aware of the fact that I am a single lady this summer. I'm not sure if it's because I turned 25, because I've got more downtime than I have ever had in my entire life, or because I'm thinking seriously about life decisions. Probably a combination of all of it. I don't say this to gain your pity (or your ideas for people I should be set up with), just an item of prayer. I'm being transparent with you because you care enough about me to read this blog. Paul explains this subject in depth in 1 Corinthians 7, and I agree with him. Simply pray with me that God guides me in my life decisions and that, no matter the outcome, His will is done and in His time.

I'm going to be honest, all of my days and the things we're doing are running together. Last week we went around and checked for the things we need to repair before the group gets here. We also put the concrete stones back on the back patio, temporarily. We're waiting for the ground to settle and then we'll cement them back together. On Wednesday, we had a very enjoyable evening at Jim and Laura's house. They are Americans working for the Caris Foundation (http://www.carisfoundation.org/) and just finished with a 2-week medical clinic. We had a Mexican potluck. They also invited another American couple who are working with some churches in this area. They lived in Kenya back in the 80s and 90s and recently moved back here after living in Texas for a while. They all shared their "living in a foreign country" stories and I enjoyed soaking it all in.

Our Bible study on Thursday was a pretty powerful one. In this session it focused on Esther's choice to go in to the King's court unannounced. The fear of death prevents people from living. Think about that. How often do you miss out on opportunities because you're scared? Listen, God is not going to lead you somewhere and then leave you there. He's got you. If you are following after the things of the Lord, He's right there. The phrase "Fear not" is a commandment given more times in the Bible than any other command. Why do you think that is? God didn't design us to be scared of everything. He also doesn't want you to live your life foolishly. God gives us the wisdom to make decisions without fear. The enemy is constantly coming at us with the things that we fear most. So what? I've got my God who is faithful and who will lead me through the valley with victory. In the session, she challenged us to think about if our worst fear actually came true. She wanted us to really think about it. Think about the next day and the next and the next. What if? Ultimately, God's in control and will take care of you. Trust Him.

Turtle Bay Resort in Watamu

On Friday we went out to the Gede Primary School to find a spot to put the basketball goals. The kids were actually on holiday, so we had to wait for a while in order to talk to the headmaster because he had several meetings that day. After negotiating a bit, we decided on an excellent spot to put our goals. The headmaster assumed that we would be putting in a concrete slab as well, so he wanted us to put it out of the way (which was right by the road and very small). After we clarified that we would just be putting up the goal posts and needed a large flat surface, he agreed to us putting it between the school and the soccer field. We will go back next week to put the posts and cement in the ground so that it will be ready to go when the group arrives. Since we were already out and about, we went to lunch in Watamu at the Turtle Bay Resort. It was so good. The restaurant is open (well everything is open around here) to this little pond. I enjoyed some delicious cheesy garlic bread and pasta. A worker came out and started throwing bread into the water. As the fish came to the surface, a crane was nearby to catch a fish. We watched as a crane ate a fish that was much too big for its throat.

Eating lunch in Watamu

On Sunday we went to the church here in Malindi. I wish more people in America forgot about the time when they were at church. Even though I can't understand most of what's going on, I know that these people care more about hearing the Word of God than getting to lunch on time. Church services are our time to come together as the body of Christ and fellowship with each other. Why do we think that church services are for sitting and we have to create other events in the church to come and fellowship? Get to church a little earlier next week and catch up with some of your church family. Stop making excuses for yourself. So many people want to GO to church instead of BE the church. Why don't you just GO BE the church? :) Unite with a church body and become a working part of that church body. At least be a big toe or an elbow. Find your place in ministry and serve others. You won't regret it.

For lunch we went to the Sunday buffet at the Driftwood and boy was it delicious! That afternoon we Skyped into the services at Pauline Baptist Church in Monticello, Arkansas, the sending church of the missionaries here. It was the Taylors' last service in the States, so we joined them for a moment in the service. They will be here on Thursday!

Our view from the Chinese restaurant at lunch in Mombasa

Today we went into Mombasa to go to the supermarket and get some things we can't get here in Malindi. While we were there, we visited Fort Jesus, built by the Portuguese in 1593.  I don't know if you know this, but I love museums and historical sites. I don't know why. When I was younger I hated learning history, but now I love getting to learn so much about what got our world to where it is today. We then walked through Old Town, which was awesome. It's the neighborhood right next to the Fort. It's extremely old as well and full of history.

Fort Jesus

The outside of the Fort

A map of historical sites in Kenya

From one of the windows in the Fort

Looking out on Mombasa

The Portuguese wall paintings. 

Inside the Fort

Where the church and captain's quarter used to be

Walking through Old Town

Walking through Old Town

Walking through Old Town

Beautiful doors are all through this area

We are excited to have the Taylors back with us on Thursday and we'll spend the next two days getting everything ready in their house. We plan on having a "4th" of July party on Saturday. No matter where I end up in the world, America will always be my home and I am very appreciative of all of those people who have fought to protect our country.

Continue to pray for Mama Cedrick's mother. She was released from the hospital and is still recovering at home. Also, pray that we can get the funds to provide the Gede Special School with some basic supplies that they need. If you would like to donate to this project, please email me at ajohnsto@my.centenary.edu. Thank you for reading and praying. Love you all!

In Christ,
Ashley