common becomes Holy: Say What?

You’re familiar with the phrase, “Say what?” Well, there’s so much to say that

I haven’t written in 3 months and that feels a bit overwhelming – like pile of papers growing out of control and needing attention. Well, I’ve finally mentally organized the mounds of information so I can “say what” you might want to know! Grab a cuppa something yummy …

Summer in Kenya

Balmy evening air swept through the palm fronds. We sat at the water’s edge, watching a huge orange orb fall beyond the second largest lake in the world. We would leave Kenya again, our second home, and didn’t know when we’d be back. Reflecting on our summer of ministry felt like the colorful dusk – beautiful with a bit of melancholy.

Highlights

· Watching the mamas read scripture from Luo bibles with their new reading glasses.

· Evaluating programs with friends over chai and gingernut biscuits.

· Seeing a healthy chicken project that was seed funded through AtL.

· Listening to plans for a new clinic above the Resource Center,

· Helping the compound that hosts bio-sand filter construction get water successfully piped in.

· Knowing all our friends were safe and healthy.

· Good news certainly outnumbered trying times.

Tricky situations

An afternoon we took Henry to visit the children’s home where he lived for his first 5 years. Although warmly welcomed, we could sense the anxiety he later expressed. Helping him understand the untraditional beginnings of his life took some creative thinking, especially with his compromised hearing. Inspiration prevailed and Henry’s second visit went much better.

Sadly, the pending Kenyan presidential elections, empty shelves at the market and constant conversations about lacking ugali flour shrouded our interactions like descending darkness.

Actually, Kenya, in general seemed tense with political uncertainty. We departed on the heels of horrible news – the Independent Electoral Commission ICT manager was brutally tortured, then murdered. As our plane lifted off the tarmac we prayed for the sun to continue setting over a peaceful nation.

Upon returning to Pagosa, we found news that tension escalated into contested elections, an unprecedented Supreme Court decision, violence, deaths and another election, which didn’t resolve deep-seeded issues surrounding tribalism and corruption.

Unfortunately, Kisumu bears the label of rebellious opposition stronghold. We’ve never experienced that in any of our years living there. We witnessed people who want a voice in their government to lift the severe economic depression, and encourage free market expansion without bribery.

Now, words like profiling, ethnic cleansing, economic disparity are associated with the country that hosted us for 5 years, the place we still facilitate fruitful ministry, the area we have friends close as family.

Sadly, the political unrest curbed ministry at the Resource Center. Many were afraid to leave their homes. But lately, as the last hot election results cool down, the church is organizing new projects to serve the poor in their community. Our prayers continue – for truth, justice, forgiveness and peace to greet each day and last far beyond every sunset.

Stateside

Much to be done with Among the Least on this side! A Two Nation Adoption Fundraiser idea began brewing a couple years ago. The idea – offer perspective adoptive families opportunities to host a sale of items crafted in Kenya. This event would raise funds for their adoption expenses and raise awareness of the work of family preservation in Kenya. Our “test sale” in November helped a local family raise $1,500 to put toward their adoption expenses.

Working from Colorado to assist in Kenya means hours of computer time developing spreadsheets, writing curriculum, and interacting via WhatsApp with the Resource Center Board. We are also diligently working on updating our social media outreach, PR, and lending library. Thanks for all the encouragement!

Family

After acting as an immigration lawyer for the last year (wish I could have collected a pay check for that), documents and fees have been submitted. We continue waiting for a determination on Henry’s petition to immigrate to USA. Regardless that he is 100% our son, USA citizenship feels very far away, but sooner or later, it’s bound to happen. Praying it’s sooner!

The good news - we received medical insurance for Henry. Don’t even ask about the details of that story or you’ll need another 15 minutes to read this post. Suffice it to say, God preformed a miracle. Henry finished all the screening associated with becoming a cochlear implant candidate. He will receive his new “ear” in Denver on December 27^th. Then the work of helping him interpret all the new sounds begins in earnest!

Henry continues to acclimate well to his new western world and family.

Currently we are in Pagosa for the remainder of the school year.

Mark keeps busy helping me, the kids and doing various jobs. He experienced high blood pressure that took him to the emergency twice. A diagnosis of sleep apnea seems to be the biggest factor in the blood pressure issue so he was fitted for a handsome CPAP mask.

Our sophomore, Taleah ran cross-country, sings in the choir and enjoys her wilderness class. She had 6 wisdom teeth removed!

Tavin finishes his first semester of college, studying sports and recreation.

Amidst filling my days the usual things moms do, I have been fighting a constant UTI since summer in Kenya. The doctor prescribed long-term medicine. We trust God for healing.

Well, it looks like the end of “say what” for now. Enjoy a blessed Christmas and amazing New Year!