Friday, September 5, 2014

Update and Prayer Requests

Hujambo Rafikis!  August has been an interesting month of…


Saying good bye to the last of our summer visitors…
We completely enjoyed these friends and family that brought us yummy treats, sweet fellowship and much needed assistance.  It’s hard to say goodbye but we’re praying some will return in January, Lord willing.

 

 Pursuing adoption procedures full force since our three-year residency requirement 
is fulfilled… 
We’ve known little man, who was abandoned as a baby, since he was three; he turned five last May and has lived with us full time since Christmas.  We are FINALLY collecting the remainder of our documents and planning to travel to Nairobi as soon as possible.  There we’ll meet with the agency and apply for our “good conduct certificate” (which pretty much means we haven’t broken any laws while living in Kenya.) PLEASE continue to pray that this laborious process remain uncomplicated and timely.  Family permanency in the life of a little one is priceless.

 

Finding a decent “local international” school for all three kids to attend and not loose our sanity in the process...
Certainly the most trying conundrum we’ve experienced while living here.  Kids’ education is important.  Since ours were adopted from USA child welfare, we have to yearly prove they are enrolled in school.  Finding a school that meets our needs, our standards (for academics and safety), and wouldn’t financially bankrupt us… well, it’s been… nicely put – DIFFICULT! Trying to meet teachers and see classrooms in two schools took over a week. Suffice to say, the kids started school! YEAH JESUS!  They seem happy and here’s the bonus - they can come home for lunch daily and we aren’t bankrupt! 



Continuing ministry with the widowed/single mamas…
After the school hunting fiasco, we can somewhat relate to what our mamas deal with when searching for a school their children can attend.

We survived the following process:
We paid application fees to the bank which meant standing in line for an hour; then back to the school to stand in line for another hour so we could speak with the headmaster; when we finally received the acceptance note, we had to pay tuition which meant another trip back to the bank and another hour in line; we returned to the school yet again and stood in line to present the bank slip to the headmaster; then we stood in line to collect the course books.

After all that, we headed back into town to, guess what? Yep. Stand in line to order uniforms where a polite argument ensued with the sales person because we didn’t want the uniforms to fit the kids exactly.  We wanted them a little large so we wouldn't have to do this ordering uniform thing again during the school year because the kids will grow out of the “fine-fitting” uniforms. We won the polite argument. We gathered our uniform shirts, shorts, skits, blazers, socks, shoes and paid our bill.  We’ll need to return in a day or five to pick up some of the “larger” items because they were not in stock. We’ll probably have to stand in line. We finally drove home to sort books and iron all the uniforms. 
Ugh. But it’s a grateful Ugh.  Thanks to all who prayed us through.

Although finding a school was cumbersome, time-consuming and made us slightly “testy,” it was relatively easy compared to what the widowed/single mamas endure to find a school. Overall, the various school administrators treated us quite courteously. We were highly welcomed to attend any school we chose. But our mamas and their children are not so readily welcomed.  Here’s Anne’s story…


The sun peeks over the sad slum called Abunga casting shadows through the cracked door.  Anne wakes early and sets cold ugali on the stool for the children to eat after they return from collecting jerry cans of water.  Anne starts out, walking to the matatu stage to find a ride into town. She’ll use precious shillings on public transport to take her to schools where she’ll strive to present her oldest son as a good candidate for admission. He’s bright, scored well on his 8th year finals. 

Each administrator throws her the same lame response of uncertainty. The last one looks down his long prejudiced nose, starring at her torn cloth shoe.  She tries to hide her foot behind the other and shows him her son’s grades. The man doesn’t make a commitment; he offers a vague, “Maybe. Come back tomorrow.”  But Anne knows she can’t.  She has a small business to run and hungry children to feed, a cooking fire to tend, water to gather, clothes to hand wash and hang.  As she leaves the school office, the third one that day, she looks up to see rain clouds have gathered; large drops start to fall. She thinks of her laundry on the fence next to her tin house that leaks. Anne feels heaven crying her own sadness.  
“Maybe.” She consoles herself. “Maybe tomorrow. Yes Lord. Let my tomorrow come.”

PRAISE JESUS. Anne’s son was admitted to a good school but the fees set her back. She’s in debt.  We made contact with a relief ministry that provides food packages and 800ksh stipend ($9.75).  We’re praying Anne can relocate in a better house and continue her prepared foods business.

Mama Josephine carries the 25 kilo package home on her head.
 If you are impressed to help any of our mamas with overwhelming school fees, please make a donation on the sidebar and include a note: "for the mamas." Please pray for them to find good schools and earn enough money to cover the ever-rising expenses of education.

Breaking news prayer request – As I write this, our dear friend and co-laborer in Christ, George has been hospitalized. George is a huge part of the ministry here, especially with the Kajulu village mamas and evangelistic water project. He suddenly began experiencing severe seizures. He was unconscious in the hospital while doctors threatened to strike.  Currently he’s stabilized and undergoing testing.  Please pray for healing.


Ephesians 4:16 “He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.”  We truly appreciate your willingness to help us do this special work so we all grow together in His love.

Asante sana for your encouragement, prayers and support.
hugs from the haugers Ooo0o