How We Live In "the Missing"

"Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art.... It has no survival value; rather it is one of those things which give value to survival.”
― C. S. Lewis, The Four Loves

It can be hard living on the mission field in a culture so foreign from our own that we constantly question: “Where do I fit? How does this work? What should be done?” Some days it’s particularly tough. That’s when "the missing” happens. We long for those close to us - whose prayers, support and encouragement carries us.  Seeing friends and family on skype becomes a soothing salve we apply generously to cover "the missing" wounds.

 

We came to Kenya because of a divine call; one we heard as young believers.  We studied missions in Bible school, got involved in cross-cultural ministries and prayed as God nurtured our vision over many years.  Funny, when we set out to follow that call we expected good things, and rightly so because God is good.  He has destiny with future and hope.  We left our comfort zone starry-eyed and determined.  Sure, we calculated the cost this adventure extracts – missed celebrations, loss of familiar fellowships, especially the lively conversations with kindred souls over comfort foods – but, when it came to actually “paying” that cost, emotions can mess with  vision. Pun intended.

So, what to do when "the missing” becomes so tangible it pierces our soft spots?

1.  Have FUN.  Yep.  Do something meaningfully silly with people and ENJOY them.

2.  Be REAL with those God sent us to serve.  Healthy relationships form out of honest ministry.

3.  Always PRAY.  Let the Lord, who heals hearts, mend the brokenness and build new bonds.

We lived this advice all the way to Kajulu, a desperately poor village where widowed mamas, both young and old, care for orphans.  Who would have guessed that regularly gathering with 12 Luo women under the shade of a mango tree would ease "the tender missing?”  Warm evening sun finds us sharing our stories, our discoveries, our food and our laughter. (Note: Being silly = ammunition against overwhelming poverty.)

God gave us friends in Kajulu; ones where comfortable chatter bypasses language differences; ones that ask probing questions because the answers expose priceless value;  ones with interest in exploring the Lord’s plans for the future - together; ones that create a sincere, “Karibu sana” - you are welcome here anytime my friend.

For those we are longingly "missing," we send you sweet shalom. For our new friends here in this far away land, abundant thanks for embracing us.  Life is simply joyless survival without all of YOU. 
 

 

Warm chatter over sweet roselle tea.

Mama Mary's humor keeps us giggling.

Mama Carol's sweet smile is contagious.

Mama Janet oversees our group with gladness.

Rice is set in the fire-less cooker to steam and in 30 minutes we 

share the soft treat.  This method of cooking saves time and fuel.

Carolyne shares an activity that focuses the conversation on Jesus.

Mamas' pick colored papers with characteristics of Heavenly Father

and share testimonies of how He blesses them.

 

Mama Rose tells of painful experiences trying to steal their destinies, 

but God's grace intervenes.

Luo Bibles are few and highly valued. To have God's

Work in their heart language speaks volumes.

With what little she has, Mama Janet cares for these orphaned girls.

So blessed with "rafikis" of like passions.

What's next?  Continual relationship based discipleship and development so 

widowed mamas are equipped to care for orphans - a pure act of worship.

James 1:27.

Asante sana for your prayers, support and encouragement.

hugs from the haugers Ooo0o

Come to Kajulu

Along green foothills of rocky prominences surrounding Kisumu town lies Kajulu Kadero – a rural village of about 2,000 Luo; they spread across small sugar cane fields, mud huts and few concrete structures. 

The main road rides like a washed out creek slightly smoothed by picis (motorbikes) carrying passengers along its dusty banks. We bump along, watching Kenya’s daily toil.  An old mama’s head, burdened heavy with fresh avocados selling at 5 bob each (6 cents). 

Cautious children stare; their shy smiles coaxed. 

During the heat of the day stoic men, aged before their time, gather under the ancient Jacaranda’s shade to rest from the endless grind of surviving.  It seems the youth are gone – searching for pleasure in wrong places and finding a contagious death.  Widowed grandmas inherit small children and a cycle of destitution continues.

Clean water is scarce and fuel to purify dirty water is costly.  Witchcraft and spiritualism are both feared and appeased to garnish some fake blessing. But inside all this heartache we see hope - Jesus longing to reveal His love, His healing, His restoration in relationships of opportunity that creates a vibrant Kajulu that shines God’s glory.

Kajulu is where we’ll bring the next DIGGS training. 12 widowed mamas have been identified and welcomed us to join them in serving their community. Our Kenyan team of 5 will start training next Saturday, introducing Jesus Christ and a biblical plan for development.  Thanks to a special donation, we’ve been able to bring piped water to this village and a Christian family has started to make bricks and built a fishpond.   

The team will teach sanitation and construct biosand water filters with evangelism outreach.  We’ll also facilitate regular discipleship and skills training – sewing, weaving, and kitchen gardening. We’ll use things considered trash to fabricate irrigation systems, useful vessels and intricate jewelry – each skill taught with the lessons from scripture about living fruitful, beautiful lives of surrender to Jesus. The goal is to participate with the Lord and see Him design His destiny of freedom in the lives of those oppressed.

  

Although we trust God that where He leads He provides, but many have asked how they can help so here it is…

Our most pressing need is for Luo Bibles which we can purchase at Kisumu Bible Society for $5.00 each.

 
 We also need financial donations for materials, supplies and transportation.

·    If you’d like to help with a donation please use our paypal account on tiltingbalance.blogspot.com or send a check to AmongtheLeast with a sticky note for Kajulu Project, Kenya.  PO Box 3543 Pagosa Springs, CO 81147

Our prayer requests are for salvation, healthy discipleship, unity, wisdom, discernment and generous humility to usher in all the Lord desires.

Asante sana for all your prayers, support and encouragement.

hugs from the haugers Ooo0o

The Amazing Race

We’ve been wanting to write for a while now but it seems as though there’s just not enough time in the day to both run this amazing race and fill everyone in on the progress.  The race we run in Kenya is marked by unexpected twists and turns, unpredictable delays and surprising miracles.  Come on and take a run around the track with us…

Race hurdles:

The land situation with the church dares our faith daily but not without reward.  Ever since the destructive persecution started, we’ve constantly encouraged each other to refuse anger, bitterness or selfish requests and PRAYED for what we believed is God’s heart – mercy salvation and redemption.  During last Sunday service one of the young men who participated in the damaging violence appeared. He wanted to confess.  He explained he felt tormented since he cut down the church structure with a machete. He begged forgiveness.  Believers cried, hugged the young man and prayed for him.  As for the building he chopped, amazingly, children still meet for Sunday school among its razor sharp edges and no one has been cut.  To top off the praise reports - the church doubled in attendance! Is it any closer to owning the land?  Only God knows, but that’s ok because He knows best!

The ministry of the widowed/single mamas continues to grow despite relational issues between the women that tests Lisa’s patience (we all know patience is NOT a fruit of the Spirit that Lisa indulges!) She reminds herself that we are all growing in grace and focuses on a group’s strength – service to the community in Jesus name.  Here some of the mamas shine, and we enjoy nurturing their giftings to gleaming beauty.  Loisa’s love for children and effective interaction makes her a favorite at Joyland School for the disabled.  She challenges the other mamas to join her in visiting the forgotten children.  Carolyne’s ability to teach engages attention and collaboration.  Plans are underway to take DIGGS training into a rural community where poverty hangs heavy over widows and their children, threatening to steal their destinies. Both Loisa and Carolyne also volunteer at a small playgroup for physically challenged children that we started on our compound.

The metal mold for the evangelistic pure water project came in under the expected price!  Surprised! Grateful!  Now, let the real work of sifting sand, shaking gravel, mixing and pouring concrete begin.  Will all that effort be worth it?  Ask mamas of babies who drink dirty water from the polluted lake or murky streams. Boiling water takes precious fuel but providing a biosand filter gives them access to potable, affordable water – something for which we just turn a tap. With this gift of drinkable water we share the eternal gift of Living Water, ministering to both spiritual and physical needs.

  

We spent years preparing for this African call, foreseeing it could become a marathon.  Experiences with culture now expose hidden detours that could attempt to take us off track. We are learning to pace ourselves since an energetic special needs four year old entered our lives. And on those days when we feel like we can’t run another step, we see Jesus.  He not only set the course, but He’s running it with us.  That makes for an amazing race. Hebrews 12:1-2.

Asante sana for your prayers, support and encouragement.

hugs from the haugers Ooo0o

Divine Colloquy

Prayers explode in my mind like popcorn in hot oil. Our constant conversations with Jesus sometimes make us wonder if locals might think we’re a bit daft. We rarely say, “Let’s pray.” We just do it. 

Mornings begin with purifying both water and our hearts before the Lord. Our little guy is up early to meet the ministry leader who helps us manage the compound. We pray together.  Taleah rises later and devotions follow a breakfast of peanut butter toast with milky tea.

The day is in full swing with mamas and children, orphans and caregivers, pastors and board members.  All of us looking to God = believing His faithfulness, receiving His grace, sharing His mercy.

Please join us in our conversations with the Lord…

1. The adoption of our four year old to be timely and without undue complications.  He’s a true orphan (no birth family) and we would LOVE to live with him as our son.

2. The mamas we work with will continue growing in the knowledge of God and wisdom He gives.  They are helping to start a “learning play group” for some physically challenged orphaned kiddos at our compound.

3. The church we work with will trust the Lord without compromise in the struggle to procure land.  They sacrificially gave what little they had to buy a piece of property. A very powerfully corrupt man is now challenging ownership, using thugs to destroy the tin building and threaten people.  After the land issue is settled, we can move forward with the shipping container plan.

4. The water filter mold and materials will be delivered safely. Mark and George are excited to continue the evangelistic pure water project.

5. Physically challenged Musl*m refugee children from Sudan and Somalia who school at Joyland will hear the truth about Jesus and live the destiny God created for them.

6. Our family:

Tavin - positive friendships, understanding of schoolwork, continue to press into Jesus and be helpful to his aunt and uncle.

Us - the Lord will ever be our protector and provider and we serve Him here.  May we continue strong and healthy, overflowing with the good news to pour it out on a thirsty land.

As the sun sets across the lake, bringing an end to the day’s activities, the popping prayers turn to hushed whispers of thanks.  We’re grateful for all God has done and will do.  We are grateful you joined the divine colloquy.

Asante sana for your prayers, support and encouragement.

hugs from the haugers Ooo0o

Open Doors = ...

Open doors = opportunity.  

Opportunity = a set of circumstances that make it possible to do something. 

Opportunity for us = the mission:

• to serve the least among us.
• to walk alongside those fathering the fatherless and share the widows' burdens. 
• to treat others as Jesus' image bearer, and teach the supremacy of Christ in all things.  
• to equip believers to care for orphans and widows in their country and help them prevent generational patterns of oppression, prostitution and slavery. 

 Opportunity for this little boy = to live:

•  meet Jesus and learn about God's unconditional love.
•  attend school. 
•  regularly eat nutritious food. 
•  daily drink clean water.
•  avoid the orphanage and stay with his mom.

Yes, asante sana for your kindness.

It has opened many doors of opportunity!

hugs from the haugers Ooo0o 
Field Directors, Among the Least
PO Box 3543 Pagosa Springs, CO 81147

Church Today

What to wear to church in Kenya 

when the property is flooded?

  Sunday best, of course.  

Just roll up the pants.

What to do as a pastor when hooligans and 

thugs show up at church with machetes and rip 

                     down fences, destroy buildings and threaten the people?

                                         Worship the Lord, of course.

                                     And know He who calls is faithful.

How was church today for you?

Eternal Gifts

Your gifts helped us bring the good news of Living Water and potable water to a village and widowed mamas.

 

Your gifts helped us teach healthy transition and attachment 

practices and to orphan caregivers, reminding them that 

Heavenly Father adopted them when they were abandoned in sin.

Your gifts helped us minister to single and widowed mamas who are neglected and victimized in this developing society.  These mamas learn who they are in Christ and who Christ is in them. 

Your gifts helped us feed and care for forgotten children, showing them God's love.

Your gifts help us carry the gospel of God's kingdom to the poor in Jesus name.

Remembering each prayer, encouragement and support that's helped us be God's messengers of grace here in Kenya... 

We offer our simple gift of thanks.

May the Lord bless you for your kindness.

hugs from the haugers Ooo0o