Saturday Projects

Our Saturdays are usually filled with projects that take more time than we have on a weekday. We used to have those types of projects EVERY Saturday but it has gotten much less often. We usually do spend it going to the grocery store and maybe going to a mission meeting. We rarely have a Saturday that isn't filled with something to keep us from resting.

This Saturday afternoon John spent his time putting up a new ceiling fan over our kitchen table. I have the best husband ever! Even though it was the last thing he wanted to do, he did it. "Love ya, Babe!"

There were a few reasons we did that. One was because the light hung down so low that he was always hitting his head on it if the table got moved over. That was the least of the reasons for changing it. He had been doing that for the last 12 years. The light that was up there used a bunch of tiny lights that were not always easy to replace and just not cost effective. And the dinning room is a large room that opens into the den and the living room. The air in those three rooms never seem to cool off. With this new fan it should help the rooms stay cooler in the hotter months.

One of our biggest challenges right now is saving money and paying down debt. We have done a great deal towards that in the last couple of years. But our war against debt and high cost of living isn't over yet. We still have a bit to go and we need to learn to live on even less than we already do. I will be posting about ways we are working on that and making sure I put the links and ideas on the page I have made for that. I hope you will help me with some ideas and links to add.

I am so excited about this new blog. It is my hope that I will be able to make it fun and a blog you will want to visit often.

Until next time...Blessings to you!

School Pictures 2011

This school year we took our school pictures in Colorado. We were there for a short visit with friends. We love it there and it was great to get away from the Texas heat for a bit. 

5th Grade Age 10

7th Grade Age 12

That is our progress report for today. Thanks for stopping by. 

Our School Year Has Begun 2011-2012

We have started our new school year. I made sure to take a few pictures of the kids while they were working. Most of the time I never think about it. I had my camera out so that it was on my mind to catch a few good ones.

The kids both have lap desks that they use. We have a large kitchen table but it is easier at times to just gather in the front room and spread out. We are very relaxed about it as long as they can do their work neatly.

We started out this year putting information in a datebook for each child to keep up with on their own. They have a weekly Bible verse (our church gives us a verse a week to memorize), a daily Bible reading (from our church as well) and a couple of chapters in the Bible from my planner. They will write down any other assignments in their datebooks to keep up with on their own. I really want to instill in them that they are responsible for things. They don't need to depend on someone else to help them remember.

They have been doing Math-U-See for the past 6 years so their teacher, Mr. Steve, is an "old friend". They see him at the book fair each year. We are continuing on with our Trail Guide to Learning series, Paths of Exploration and will go right into Paths of Settlement. I am using the Middle School Supplement for both kids even though only one is in middle school. Jenni has been able to do the hardest level of work just like her brother. If she shows she is struggling then I will level it back down to fit her needs.

For handwriting this year we are taking the weekly Bible verse that the church has for us to memorize and writing it in cursive each day. That will help them memorize the verse and help them with their cursive.

After lunch was a time to read. I went to check on them and maybe get a picture of them reading and I found her asleep with her new book in her hands. That is one reason I love homeschooling. We can get up early if we want and take an afternoon nap once the major subjects are taken care of. We will have assigned reading each day and at the end of the book the kids will do a book review and I will post it on here. I am very excited to see how their writing skills improve over the year, as well as the other skills we are working on.

We are also working on personal responsibilities, like keeping their rooms cleaned up, helping with the cooking and the cleaning. They already do those things but we are going to work on adding to their responsibilities in those areas.

As the weeks go on I will add music lessons, piano and guitar, to our daily schedule. We will do typing and drawing, too. But we are taking it slowly and getting the major subjects on track first. The kids will be doing fall and winter sports through our homeschool group and our church. They will also be learning how to horseback ride! We are so excited about that. The weather has to cool down first. We are hoping it will be soon.

Over the summer we did some major field trips. One of them was to Kenya, Africa for three weeks in June. We also went to Colorado for a week in July.

That's our progress report for today. Thanks for stopping by.

A Look Back

The day started at 5:45 each morning. We would gather at the breakfast table at 6:15 for food and the reading of a chapter out of the book of Acts. As we drove down the bumpy road from the house to the church one of the team members would voice our prayers for the day. As we passed those walking along the road or the houses with children standing outside we would wave and receive shouts of “Jambo” which means hello to tourists. Everywhere we went children would shout that and wave while huge smiles crossed their faces.

We reached the church before 8 a.m. and began to check people into the conferences.” Bwana Asifiwe” (Praise Be The Lord) was said in greeting by each person to shake our hands, to which we would answer, “Amen”. They were very patient with us as we learned what they were saying and what we were to respond. There were a few other phrases they would say. Sometimes we got them mixed up, but like I said, they were patient and took the time to tell us again what it meant and what our reply should be.

The conference attendees met together in the church for a worship time and short devotional. The music time was just a small taste of what Sunday morning worship can be like. When they worship it is with their whole being. They pour themselves into praising the Lord. Their prayers are the same way. They lift their voices to the Lord with great love and power behind it.

During the first week we had several different conferences going on at the same time. In the morning we had the discipleship training and some special topics conferences. There was a great turn out for both, all eager to learn more so they could teach others. The discipleship training was three weeks long. There was so much to cover but it was done in such a way that they were able to go in-depth and still finish it by the end of the three weeks. The discipleship participants were divided up into two groups, Never Thirst and Living Water. During the morning hours one group would be at the drill site working on the water well drilling. In the afternoon, after lunch, the second team would be out there while the first was in the discipleship training. The water well drilling was three weeks, too. We were served “tea” in the morning and then lunch around 12:30, sometimes later. What a great time of fellowship and new tastes. I know my kids loved the fresh fruit that was served daily. They found out I loved pineapple and provided it when they could. The last day there seemed to be an abundance of it. During meal times there was always plenty of food. They worked so hard to provide a wonderful meal for us each afternoon. And they took great pleasure in serving us that meal. It was important to them to feed us well and take care of us.

Our afternoon conferences besides the discipleship included a Sunday school teacher’s conference and a children’s VBS type conference that was lead by the children in our families. Seven “missionary” children led anywhere from 65 to 100 children each of the six days that we did the children’s conference. It was great to see how each one of the kids took their roll seriously and did their best for the children of Kilifi. They had Bible story time, craft time, sports time, and ended with snack time. The children always seemed engaged in what they were supposed to be doing as the story was told or questions were being asked. They had an interpreter for the younger children who hadn't learned English in school yet. When sports time came they just had a great time playing what we call soccer (they call it football).

We also had a conference leader go to a different school each day to give a special topic discussion. The schools and students welcomed the leader and took part in the discussions. Our Sunday school teachers training class had about 40 men and women who were very willing to get involved in the discussion and give input on each subject we talked about. You could tell they wanted to improve how they were teaching to reach the children. The students were so eager to learn in all of the conferences.

One thing that was very obvious when we were at the drilling site was the excitement on everyone’s faces. They knew how important this process was and they worked so hard each day. They didn't care how dirty they got or how hot the sun became. They greeted us with smiles as we got to the site. The kids took turns pulling on the rope and the boys even took turns at drilling. Even though we hit many hard spots and issues that we had to overcome, everyone still kept a great attitude. John and Joe worked every day of those three weeks instructing and helping to find solutions to each new challenge that came their way. I know it was very difficult for them to leave Kilifi with that well unfinished. But the people we were working with still kept the same spirit of willingness to keep going to see it completed. We were so blessed to be a part of this group.

At the end of our work day, we would stop by the store to pick up groceries or other needs, like bug spray. (The mosquitoes were our ONLY complaint. From now on, we have to have windows with screens or solid closure.) When we arrived back at the house the kids would rush to get in a quick swim before dinner. As we sat around the large wooden table, we would go over each area of our conference to see how everyone felt things went. It was always very positive. We also talked about anything new in the works for the next couple of days. Many nights we had a guest or two at our table. What a joy to get to spend time getting to know some of the area pastors and their wives. One night one of the pastors brought not only his wife but his infant daughter. The girls had a great time playing with her. Also, at the end of the evening you would see John and Joe with their heads together going over the drilling for the day and working out what needed to be done the following one. We would all head up to bed before nine o’clock since we got up so early in the mornings.

Sundays were a very special time. We attended the English service and the Swahili service. We would get there before nine and wouldn't leave until after one, sometimes even later than that. The service is very lively and fun. You could just feel the love in the room for each other and for the Lord. The songs were a bit longer than our traditional songs are, instead of 3 minutes the songs last around 6. But they just enjoy singing and praising the Lord. When we got back home that was one thing we noticed, how quiet our church service is. We love our American praise and worship times but we also enjoyed our Kenyan praise and worship. The children would come in and stand in front and sing and do hand motions for a few songs. The girls would get up there without hesitation and join in. It was great seeing them participate with the kids they had made friends with during the week.

One of the Saturday’s we were there was a full day that was dedicated to the ordination of Joe and Tammie Friberg. It was taken very seriously by the Kenyan people. Everyone dressed up like you would for a wedding. They even killed a cow to feed us with in the celebration that followed. John had the privilege of announcing them to the people that attended. There were several hundred that came.

At the end of the three week period, we held a graduation service. Participants in the Church Planting/Water Well Drilling conference received a certificate and a study Bible, and a CD with Bible study software, Theological study materials, Sunday School lessons, and a wide variety of resources for their churches.

The three weeks we were there was so much more than just teaching. The discipleship conference, the water well drilling, the special topics conferences and children’s conference, and the ordination service were wonderful. But we did something even more amazing in those three weeks. We spent three weeks building relationships with the people of Kilifi, Kenya. We got so close to many in that short period of time. It was very hard to leave when the time came. Even the children made new friends with other children and the adults. It was so easy to become close to them because you could see the love in their eyes. I know for my family that we left our hearts back there and hope to return very soon. If the Lord opens that door we will walk through it with happy hearts. If you ever want to go on a Kingdom mission, this is a great place to go. And Equip Disciples is a great team to be a part of. My family has been blessed to be a part of E.D. and we hope to be partners in the Gospel with them for a very long time. 

~Terri

More Kenya Thoughts

July 4, 2011

I have been home for over 24 hours now. I have slept much of that time. I’m not really trying too hard to stay up. I just want to sleep when I want to sleep. I know, that sounds so stubborn. I can be that way. One reason I just want to sleep is because of all the work I am going to have to do to get the house in order after emptying the suitcases and getting school stuff ready. I think I am avoiding it and sleeping is a good excuse.

I am having mixed feelings about being home. Is it normal to feel culture shock coming home after only three weeks? And is it normal for someone who didn't get it while there? It was good to get home. It feels more “natural” doing things here because I have lived here for the past 45, almost 46 years. But even in the middle of doing things I normally do, I felt out of place somehow. We drove home from the movies and the streets were so clean and paved. There wasn't a person walking anywhere. There were no cows or goats walking alongside the road or in fields, there were no fields. There were only buildings and apartments and houses. I began to feel guilty because of how nice things are here. I don’t think the people in Kilifi want things to be the way they are, they just are. The poverty levels are staggering. I found out that they live off less than a dollar a day. How can people live off that little? There has been a shortage of rain for the past 4 weeks and I thought that because it rained for ten to twenty minutes each day that it was good. I found out that it wasn't enough. They need fresh water so badly. They need to be able to grow food to feed their families.

One of the places I saw daily was a milk cow plantation. We were staying on that plantation because some very wealthy people had built fancy homes overlooking the ocean there and rented them out. The “houses” that the people staying and working on the plantation didn't look like a house to me. It was cement walls that connected 7 or 8 rooms in a row. It didn't look like there could be more than one room for each but there may have been some rooms sectioned off with sheets or something. Our guess is that they were maybe 12’. There was another concrete box for each “house” that had one opening towards their home. That was the kitchen. It was about 5’ x 8’ or smaller. I am not sure all the homes had the “kitchen’s” because on the ones that faced the road those families would gather in the front yard and cook on a pile of wood. That is how they did it in the concrete area but this was on the ground. Their laundry is laid on the ground to dry at some of the homes. There are a few that have clothes lines but not all. The place we stayed in had a lady that did our laundry. She would wash them in a tub with a scrub brush and lay them on the ground to dry. We gave her a clothesline when we got there but she never used it. We would find out clothes laying in a long row during the day. They would iron them before they put them in our room. It left them feeling very odd. And kind of not clean or dry even though they were.

As you look at the picture above, I can tell you it is a far cry from the places I just described. I don't know why I didn't take a picture of those homes in the three weeks I was there. We drove by them at least twice a day, every day for three weeks. Maybe it was because I didn't want to seem like they were on display for visitors that thought them odd. As we passed by them we would wave and yell "Jambo" in response to their calls of the same. I am sorry I didn't take those pictures. I wouldn't WANT to stay in homes like that but I did feel a bit guilty for staying in a place like I did. It didn't seem like it "fit" with a mission trip. We were there to work with the people who needed it but we were living in a huge house with people who washed our clothes, made our beds, and prepared our meals. I'm not saying I wasn't grateful for those things. It just didn't feel right when each day I saw those who had so much less.

I do know that once on the field full time we will have a more modest home. One that will meet all of our needs but will not set us too much above those we have come to serve. And I am totally alright with that. I have a friend whose dad, a long term cross cultural worker, designed a house in another part of the world that helped keep the mosquitoes out and I am going to find a way to "borrow" that floor plan for our home. I was excited to hear about its existence.

Until next time...blessings to you.

The Countdown Begins

I can't believe that it is less than two weeks and we will be on our way to East Africa. WOW! We are leaving on the 10th instead of the 9th. And we will be home sooner than we thought, 3 days sooner. I guess that means John will not be gone from work quite as long as he expected. That could really help with our monthly bills.

John is at the drill site working on the local well he has been practicing with. We have been blessed with some great helpers. Thanks so much for coming out and getting dirty to help with this ministry. The kids went with him so I am at home with a little time to myself. There is much I need and want to do while I have the time. You might think it would be all about me but it isn't. I need to clean and organize many rooms. Plus do mountains of laundry so we can start packing for camp and our trip.

As I sit here thinking about how quickly time is passing and all that must be done before we leave I have made a couple of lists to share. One is a list of things that have fallen into place in the past couple of weeks. The other is the list of things that need your prayers from this point on.

God has really done so much in the past couple of weeks, I am just in awe. In the next two weeks many things need to happen to finish up our preparations.

• Our passports have gotten here.
• We have gotten our shots through our doctor and been covered by insurance.
• We have a donor match for up to $5,000 given towards our trip expenses.  
• We have had people give items for our garage sale to help raise money. UPDATE on that: We raised almost $400 with the garage sale and taking some of what we didn't sell to resale shops. Thanks so much!
• A HUGE praise is that John has been given a leave of absence from work. He will have a job when he returns.
• Plane Tickets are ordered.

Below are some areas that still need your prayers.

• Our trip is coming up soon. We have gotten the funds for most of the flight and room and board expenses. We NEED $2,000 more (at least) sent to Equip Disciples.
• We have some trip expenses that will not go through E.D. that we are trying to get funds for. We have to go get the Yellow Fever shot after all, that is a $400 expense. Our Malaria meds are about $400, too. We will need money for food and such in the airports and when we have long layovers. (This does not include any extras we might like to buy while we are in East Africa. We have not even thought about money for that.) We are selling other items in our home and trying to get the money that way. 
• Outside of trip expenses we have two cars that need repairs. John's car needs the ignition switch replaced and the car I bought for Sami and I to use needs some repairs so she will have a car while we are gone for three weeks. John is going to try to work on that car this weekend. We will have to find a time to put his car in the shop to change that out.
• Pray that we will be able to make it on half a months pay in July due to John's leave of absence in June.
• Pray for our daughter that she will not have any major issues with the house or car while we are gone. And that work would go smoothly for her. 
• Pray for our son in MO that he will continue to do well at both of his jobs.  He is sick right now so he needs healing prayers. We will not be able to talk to him for three weeks so that will be hard.
• Pray for a safe and fun time at children's camp next weekend. The kids and I are going while John stays here working on the well stuff for the trip.
• Pray for safe travel of all of E.D. team members.
• Pray for easy flight changes and least amount of hassles on the long trip
• Pray that God will put a hedge of protection around each of us because as we seek to do His will Satan will attack any way he can
• Pray that we will have a successful well, and/or wells while we are there
• Pray that the conference will go well and they will learn much to take back to their churches

I know that is a LOT to pray about for just one family but I know I have some faithful friends and family out there that are mighty prayer warriors and I can count on you to lift these things up! We love you all so much!

~Terri

Donation Match

What a glorious Sunday we have had. It has been a day of worship and praise starting with morning worship at 8 o'clock right down to the youth choir leading our worship time this evening. As we sang and worshiped throughout the day so many things jumped out at me from the songs. One of the first songs we sang talked about an awakening of the soul and letting God's will be done in me. The one that really reached out to me was when we sang "Our God is Greater". As I lifted my voice up to God and sang "and if our God is for us who could ever stop us and if our God is with us what could stand against us?" all of the worries of the world just disappeared from my mind. The concerns about who will send us, where we will go, where we will get the money to go and many other questions that have been a concern for us. We are living our lives for Him and only Him. We are doing our best to put aside the worldly desires and only focus on the desires He places in our hearts. And if we do that we can be assured HE will see those desires to completion in His timing and in His way. What a comfort to be able to rest in that truth.

We in no way want to come across as only caring about asking for money for our trip to East Africa. Your prayer support is so important to us. We need major prayer coverage for this trip and our ministry in general. Without your prayers we will be under even more spiritual warfare than we will be with it. So we thank you so much for all of those prayers. Please keep them coming!

We got some wonderful news today concerning our fundraising efforts. Our total amount that we need to raise is $13,000. So far we have raised about $2,300. So we need approximately $10,000 more. There is a donor that is willing to MATCH our donations from this point on up to $5,000. If we can raise $5,000 it will be matched and that will cover the entire amount we have left to raise. What a praise!!! So I would ask you to please pray about giving at this time. We have 19 days before we are supposed to get on a plane to Africa. The tickets are being purchased this week. Any amount you give from today on will be doubled by that donor match. You can give online or you can mail it in. It is quicker if you do it online but either way is ok. Remember all donations are tax deductable. the information is below. There is no amount to small. We appreciate ANY amount you are willing to give.

Our passports are scheduled to come in this week. We have gotten our shots and are planning on filling our malaria prescriptions a few days before we leave (insurance doesn't cover the total costs so it's a bit pricey for the better meds.). John is doing lots of test well drilling here locally to prepare himself for the drilling in East Africa. I know he is getting very excited but also has many concerns. Please keep that part of this mission in your prayers. We want the test wells to be a success. Only God knows what will happen from this trip concerning those test wells. We are excited to see what God shows us on our return to the states. He has been faithful to show us the next step as we finish up the step before.

Thanks again for your prayers and your financial support. We can't wait to share with you what God does on this trip.

~Terri