Christmas and New Years in Kenya

It has been a great Christmas in Kenya. Certainly is different being half way around the world from "home." We celebrated Christmas with the gift of little Matthias around our little "Charlie Brown" Christmas tree--thanks to Knakumatt. Service was at 6am here at the Mission Station. I preached and was blessed to baptize 5 babies. Then we went to Ringa for service at 10am. There we had a small but faithful group that has been coming when the Girl's School is out of session. The service is in Luo and the evangelist that works with me translates my sermon. We had "coffee hour" with a Kenyan tradition for Christmas--chapati and chai.

This week is a time of rest before the New Year. Many will go to the church in Atemo and stay there all night singing hymns and with Bible study in the late evening. Early New Year's morning will be worship at 6am.

In the meantime we are enjoying the down time. The kids have a break from home school and I am busy preparing for my lessons that begin in mid-January.


We are so thankful for all who have been supporting us with their prayers and financial commitments. May God bless you!

A blessed Christmastide and New Year from the Rabes!

Rabe Baby

He has finally arrived--an Advent gift of God. Matthias David Rabe at 3:20 pm at 7.9 pounds. Mamma and baby are well and resting. We will head for home (Atemo) tomorrow. We give thanks to God for this wonderful gift, a healthy baby and a safe delivery. God has been gracious in carrying the baby and Stefanie through it all. Sunday will be a great day as Matthias is welcomed into God's Kingdom through the waters of Holy Baptism, adopted by God and regenerated and renewed by the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5).

Synod

It was a joyous event over three days. We gathered from our various congregations in the Parish to hear the word and teachings from the Bible. The topic was the Coming of Christ and many pastors taught those who had gathered. In total we had over 1000 on Sunday and around 800 Friday and Saturday. It was a joy to preach at the Divine Service on Sunday and for many this was the one time a year they were able to have the Sacrament.

Thanksgiving Day

Well they don't have turkeys so we had to settle for kuku. Noah wanted stuffing or as some call it dressing so we made our own from brown bread as they call it, oil and spices. In a couple of hours we will stuff our kuku (Chicken) and put it in our European size oven made in Italy. The appliances are small but Stef has made out well with making banana bread muffins (cakes they call them here). We just have to remember that everything cooks faster here since we are about between 6,000-7000 ft above sea level.

Earlier we we went for a walk of about 3 miles. Stef is a little warn out. I think she want the baby to come soon! She managed well and so did the kids. We walked around the village and around to a local congregation that is on the other side of a few fields. Women were doing their wash in the river and one little boy was taking his "Sunday" bath in his birthday suit. It is a warm day here as the rains are becoming less and less. It has only rained twice in the last week and a half. Summer is approaching and it will be quite warm and no rain until March. Indeed not as grueling as N. California!

All is well as we give thanks for God's great gift of life and salvation through Jesus' Christ. A free gift received by faith.

New Photos on Picasa

I uploaded a few photos on Picasa about life here in Kenya. One is the Ringa Girl's High School, the falls near the Atemo Bible College and Julianna's Birthday Pinata.

http://picasaweb.google.com/revrabe/ConcordiaMissionsInKenya02?authkey=Gv1sRgCO6H2rj_9pWWPA&feat=directlink

Chicken Tonight

A few weeks back someone gave us a chicken as thanks. Being the city boy that I am I did not know how to prepare the chicken. So, they showed me and helped me.

Everyone is well. Stef is counting the days until the baby comes. The children are enjoying school and looking forward to little brother. 

A Trip to a Rural Hospital

I never cease to be amazed when I go to a rural hospital to see the conditions. The thought kept going through my mind "don't get sick here" or "will I get sick here?" I went with a friend who needed to take someone to the hospital for a test and x-ray. Surprisingly it took less time than a hospital here to get the services done but the conditions are meager. The rural hospitals make many of our rural hospitals look like "John Hopkins."  I did meet two Japanese women who were working with the hospital. They were the equivalent to our "peace corps." Between us three we were the only mzungus there. Thankfully there are these hospitals and indeed it is a blessing that many of these hospitals can operate due to support from countries such as the US and Japan so that medical supplies are available. Only today the dispensary was out of meds so we had to go off property to a local pharmacy.

Prayer Services

Yesterday we had our last prayer services for the primary schools. We visited two schools one only a few kilometers from Atemo and the other about 10 km away. It is so amazing to see these students and the conditions that are so different than the states. Classrooms usually have anywhere from 30 to 50 students in a room the size the average living room in the U.S. Usually there are three students to a desk which is wide enough for two students and are simple wooden benches. Yet they work hard and do their best even though the conditions are not the best.

It was humbling to go to these public schools which are sponsored by the ELCK and pray for these students as they take their exams. The discussions with the Kenyans about how the U.S. public schools and these here in regard to being able to pray for the students often makes them wonder about the future of the U.S.

The Day of Preparation

Saturday. We are ahead of most of you who will read this blog. It is Saturday night and tomorrow will be the Lord's Day. It is a joy to serve here in Kenya as a teacher and as chaplain to 350 girls at Ringa High School. The senior class has one more week of testing to determine whether they will go onto University or vocational training. Tomorrow is the day of Worship to receive His gifts in the Divine Service in Word and Sacrament. Tomorrow we will commemorate All Saints Day remembering those faithful who have gone before us in the faith. There are many that come to my mind of those who I had served for the last 9 1/2 years in Oroville, California and are now with the Lord. But tomorrow we celebrate the foretaste of the feast to come. What a joyous day to give us strength from the assaults of the the flesh, the world and the evil one. But our Lord is greater...greater than our sin and the one who roars like a lion. Our Lord has is the Victor and in Him we rest in true peace.

Thank God for those who support us in Mission

We thank God for those who are supporting us in mission. It is humbling to receive your continued financial support, prayers and words of encouragement. We have only been here a month and a half and it truly has been a blessing to serve God's people in western Kenya. I have begun to teach at the Bible college and serve as chaplain at the Girl's high school. Indeed so much has happened in the last few months and now we begin to settle down to work and serve in this our new vocation. Truly it has been a joy and blessing to us to serve.

We continue to keep you in our daily prayers as you serve in your vocation where God has placed you whether it be in Washington, Minnesota or California. Again we thank God for you and continue to thank God for your partnership in the Gospel.

Reformation Week

We celebrated the festival of the Reformation at Ringa Girls with a new Altar, Pulpit and Altar Cloths. The hall now looks more like a church. Ev. Fredrick who has been assigned to work with me translated the sermon into Luo. We will soon begin to have a Luo and an English service. The congregants mostly speak Luo and prefer it to English so we will soon begin a service for them prior to the English service for the Girls.

Atemo was a blessing this week as we continued our study of the Small and Large Catechism of Luther. Working through the Creed and the Lord's Prayer brought many practical and theological questions.  I also think they are getting used to my "accent." We are all well and healthy. Stefanie had a good check-up at the doctor in Kisumu and we are thankful for continued health for the baby and the children.

Newsletter

The month has already gone by and the festival of the Reformation is upon us. What a joy to hear the Good News that salvation is a free gift of God! 

I have sent out the newsletter to those who I have their email. If you would like to have a copy emailed to you please send me a note indicating you would like me to send it to you. You may do so at markarabe@yahoo.com.

A blessed Reformation!

Prayer Service at Atemo Secondary

Yesterday we had a prayer service of encouragement for the Secondary Students at Atemo School. It is a school supported by the ELCK. I was asked to preach and have words of encouragement for the students (form 4 or Seniors in High School) who will take their KCSP exam. It is like the SAT in the states. It lasts three weeks and they do one portion at a time.  The service was like a baccalaureate service for the students but also a time of encouragement for them as they take their exams. For those in the states it might be hard to sit through, on hard metal chairs for 3.5 hours--my sermon I think was the shortest part. Last Sunday we were at Ringa for a similar event. All in all it was a blessing to encourage the students as they spend the next three weeks taking a test that will determine their future, University, Vocational school or ???

Picasa Photostream

We have added to our blog by adding the Picasa photostream. Some have asked us to add more photos but since the internet is extremely slow out here in the bush we will add more photos when we head into Kisumu about once a week. So we will add more photos on our Picasa account.

The End of the First Week

Well today was the end of the first week of teaching at Atemo Bible College. The class is great we are studying the Small Catechism and today we focused our sights on Law and Gospel. I chose selections from the Apology and the Formula of Concord.  It was a lively discussion especially when we discussed the freedom we have in the Gospel. Amazing it is how much we want to always want to go back to following the Law.

Pay Pal

Thanks to our home congregation, Redeemer Lutheran Church in Chico, California we now have a paypal account for those who want to send us financial support in this form. We are on Redeemer's website at: www.redeemerchico.org

Our Home

We have a beautiful little home in Atemo. The grounds are lush and plenty of places for the kids to play--and lots of kids from the village to play with. Gabby says it is better than our old home because of all the kids.

Wash Day

The girls helped mom on wash day. They thought it was great but we will see how long that lasts.

Atemo Bible College

Today was my first "official" day of teaching at Atemo Bible College (ABC). It was great as we examined the Commandments and connected them with the New Testament Scriptures. Yesterday I went to meet with the Principal and meet the students. The principal then had me introduce myself and then give a little introduction for the next hour and a half.

Overall it has been great as we study the small catechism together and God's Word. There are 29 in the class. They are studying to be evangelists in the ELCK and will be at Atemo for the next 2 years. Many are married and have come to Atemo to study and reside at the school. I will be teaching twice a week at the school and my schedule at Matongo and Ringa Girls School will come soon.

Home

We now are settled in Atemo. Gabriella says it is better than our home in Oroville. (I think it is the yard and the bunkbed). We are in a beautiful compound with a number of other houses and a wide open grass area. Photo will follow. The internet is a little more difficult out here and makes uploading challenge

We have a vehicle!

We thank God that we now have a vehicle. Noah, Gabby and Julianna sang in chorus "we have a car, we have a car" for about 10 minutes when I drove it to the guest house. Tomorrow--Wednesday-- we head west to Atemo. Now we will begin to settle in Atemo and get things in order for our house. I will begin teaching next week. Please keep our travels in your prayers as we head west.

First day of School--Last Week

Last week the Kids started school--at the Nairobi Rabe House of Wisdom. I thought you might enjoy a photo of the kids for their first day of school. We will probably be in Nairobi for another week while housing and a vehicle are sorted out. Things work pole pole here.

Springs of Life

What an experience doing the liturgy in Swahili. Pastor Meeker served another congregation and left me to preach and administer the sacraments at Springs of Life. I had help though. The kids once again were able to go to Sunday School with the children of Springs of Life. Noah "wowed" them with reciting the Old Testament books of the bible. They clapped and I think he was actually embarrassed. Thursday we head west to Kisumu. Today we hope to have a vehicle secured. In all this we have learned that things go much more slowly and the joy of waiting on the Lord.

In Nairobi

We made it!  When we first tried to fly out on the 14th we were turned away since we only had a one-way ticket. The 15th we tried it again. So here we are!  We are staying in the Lutheran Guest House--a place I have stayed at before with the groups I have led on short term trips before. We will be here until the 2nd when we head west to Atemo about an hour and a half from Kisumu.

This last Sunday I preached at Springs of Life in Kibera. Bishop Obare presided over the Liturgy. We were received with a warm welcome. I will again preach at Springs of Life on Sunday and Pastor Meeker will preach at a mission congregation started by Springs of Life. We then will be heading west on Saturday.

Stef and the Kids started school yesterday, the 21st and are now in a bit of a routine.

We thank God for His hand of protection.

A Great Day

What a great day. It started with attending the Divine Service at Redeemer Lutheran Church--LCMS in Gresham, Oregon. Sermon was an awesome Law/Gospel sermon preaching Christ and Him Crucified. The afternoon was wonderful to visit with friends and family for a barbecue for one last visit with them before we depart on Tuesday. Now I can stay up late and work on finishing my one last paper before we depart for Kenya.

Bags, Bags and More Bags!

We mainly spent the day yesterday rearranging bags so that they all would fit what we want to fit in them. Fortunately all the things we want to take will actually go in the bags we can take. Stef is a trooper spending the day doing the hard work of rearranging while I spent the day working on my paper. Four days to departure...hard to believe.

Milton--Beautiful Savior

Well we arrived much too close for my comfort. It was almost like Christmas Eve at Calvary in Oroville--10 minutes before service. We got lost but we arrived 10 minutes before service. The pastor was kind as I was anxious about arriving so close to the service time.

What a joy to worship in the Divine Service with God's people at Beautiful Savior in Milton. We were humbled by the reception of God's people, Pastor and Vicar. It was humbling to preach the Word of God and to receive God's gifts in the Divine Service. During the Bible Study hour we were able to present where God has called us to serve in Kenya for the years ahead. We are thankful for God's travel mercies from Portland and back. I have not kept track of all the miles we have gone in the last month but I know it has been close to 3,000 miles. Thank you Lord for the provision of safety.

This last week I will finish my last class for my PhD and we will pack and prepare for departing on the 14th. Time has moved so fast. Please pray for our sanity the next week. But in all things we are thankful for God's hand of provision and care for us during these last few weeks.

Oregon Rain

Only in Oregon could there be rain and cold weather in the 50's on the last day of August and first day of September. They say it is why it is so green in Oregon--but all I see are brown lawns.

It truly is a blessing to stay in the house I grew up in before we depart for Kenya. The kids have some stability and we can pack and repack our suitcases to make sure we are within weight. (2 each at 50 pounds max). 

Less then two weeks--time is moving fast.

Holy Cross--Albany, Oregon

What a joy to be with God's people at Holy Cross Lutheran in Albany, Oregon. It was a blessing to worship in the Divine Service and receive God's gifts and an honor to preach God's Word. Pastor Ley and his congregation received us well. We thank God for their support.

While in Albany we were also blessed to see some friends from Oroville enjoying a meal together at a local eating establishment.

Home away from home

We have now 'landed' in Portland for the last weeks before we depart for Kenya. Still much to do. Stef plans on pre-packing and weighing bags so that we can maximize books for home schooling in our baggage. I, on the other hand, have one class left to complete for my PhD--then the dissertation.

Sunday (29th) we will be in Albany to visit a congregation and the following Sunday (first Sunday in Sept.) we will be in Milton, Washington to visit another. We are certainly glad to have a little stability by staying in Portland these last few weeks before we go. We are all craving a little routine!

Keno Oregon

What a great weekend!  It has been a joy to spend time with our friend Darrell an old classmate from St. Louis Seminary. We were welcomed by Saving Grace Lutheran Church and it was great to be with our brothers and sisters in Christ. Today I preached for the first time in a month and shared about our Kenya adventure in Bible class. Tomorrow we head toward home and will be in the Portland area for the next 3 weeks. Pray for our safe travels. We cannot wait to stop spending so much time in our van!

St. Matthew's Sonora

We thank God for a great visit with God's people in Sonora. What a wonderful and encouraging time in Sornora with God's people. They treated us to a great potluck, fellowship and encouragement. We look forward to seeing them all again.

Great Visits

What a blessing it has been to visit family this last weekend and visit with Good Shepherd in Inglewood, California. God's people at Inglewood were wonderful hosts and we heard God's Word preached by pastor Hindenberg. Good Shepherd even had a mini reception for my birthday. Thanks Good Shepherd!

You say its your Birthday...

For many years it seemed like I was always able to be somewhere or do something different on my birthday. Today we are doing just that. We will be spending my birthday with God's people at Good Shepherd in Inglewood, California. And with my cousins, uncle and aunt in Cypress, California.

Monday begins our busy week of visiting family and traveling to 5 places in 7 days completing our journey in Oregon.

Homeless and Wandering

Our home is sold, escrow closed and out of the house by 10:30 am.  Now we are homeless as we now visit our brothers and sisters in Christ at Redeemer. We have been received into membership at Redeemer and they are now our home congregation. What a blessing to have their prayers, encouragement and support. Now we will stay with Grandpa for a five days until we head south to visit Good Shepherd in Inglewood and family too. We will miss Oroville, the congregation I served for 9 years, friends and fellow brothers in circuit 12.

But now we are homeless and it seems like we are wandering. Yet when we really think of it as Christians this is not our home, life is but a breath and time is short so we are sent and so we go and tell others the Good News about Christ and what He has done for us--for you and for me. As the old hymn goes, "heaven is our home" pointing us outside of this sin filled world to Christ, His victory and the promise of the New Heavens and New Earth. We are merely on a journey in the Ark of the Church awaiting That Day, living our our vocation and pointing others to Christ.

Ouch!

Preparations continue for our adventure in Kenya. Today we all had the joy of receiving our immunizations. I never thought a 4 year old could be so strong...nor a 6 year old for that matter!  We all enjoyed a little "shot in the arm" but not from a friend.

Thank God for the vocation of those who practice medicine so that we can have such immunizations so that we can be protected from diseases.

Bye Bye Jetta

No more blue. She has been a good car these last 9 years. Certainly would not make it on the roads of Africa very well. Would not be worth the price to ship...Oh, well. Now comes the final week of packing, yard sale and more packing. Maybe Toyota makes a 4X4 in blue...hmmmm.

Ringa Girls School

I have been asked about the Ringa Girls school which has been in the process of moving from its old building to the new one. Well, here is the new building! Part of the new school building is still in the process of being finished but is being used as much as possible. The center section is administrative, the section on the left are classrooms.

Countdown the days

It has been rather hectic. I dared to look in the space above the garage today. How much dust can accumulate in nine years? And the box I took down was packed from before Seminary! Is that something I have not used in 14 years?! Yard Sale! Pray for Stef as she is stressed and with child! The 100 plus heat does not help.

The days are too overwhelming to think. At least today I did not wake up and stress about something. God is gracious!

Bye bye Katie

No, we are not saying goodbye to Luther's wife. Our dog had to find a new home and off she went to her new home today. We all cried--but Noah the most. He loves animals and has a big heart. She went to a good home, will have a fellow dog to play with and will get to be an inside dog! That, was Katie's dream--oh, to be a dog that goes in the house instead of like Kilroy looking through the window into the house. A sad day to say goodbye but at least she found a good home instead of the SPCA and waiting for a new owner only minutes from...

House Prep

Busy preparing the house. Had to replace posts on the patio. I tried to replace the door on the side yard but it was not the right size--will have to have one made--imagine Home Depot doesn't have it.

Only a few weeks left before the house closes. Packing, yard sale, packing, much to do. I feel like the rabbit in Alice in Wonderland!

Senior Class from MLTC

The Chapel at the MLTC

Entrance to the MLTC.

MLTC will be changing its name to Neema (grace) Lutheran University of Kenya. MLTC will be combining with the teachers college (MLTTC) in response to the changing needs in Kenya.

Overwhelmed

I never thought that there would be so much to try to "get in order" before we go--but there is. While the house went in a week--thank God--it was just one more thing in a long list of "gotta get done before we go" items.

A friend helped in packing today. We are packing incrementally. So when the boxes exceed the space for the car in the garage I guess we will know we are done packing or have too much stuff.

Tomorrow off to the bay area to meet the principal and his wife (the principal of the MLTC where I will be teaching). Hopefully the traffic will be light and the conversation encouraging. Then when we come back I can work on the house, replacing doors, wood under the sinks and posts for the patio!

Preparations, preparations, preparations

We continue to prepare for our great adventure in Kenya. Our house is in escrow--must be out August 7th. Hope to visit my uncle and aunt in So. California before we live temporarily in Portland. It will ibe an adventure living with family and "homeless" for the month and a half before we depart for Kenya and travel to So. California, visit with Stefanie's dad for a time and then off to Portland.

In the meantime we still wait for one more passport, need to get shots, apply for visas.

I think we are so busy preparing that we don't have time to stop and think.

Preparing for Mission

It is amazing how much is to be done and how everything is falling into place by God's grace. I have been called to serve as an instructor at the Matongo Lutheran Theological College in Kenya. The college trains pastors and deaconesses to serve God's people in the Evangelical Lutheran Church Kenya. We will be leaving in mid-September 2010 which only leaves us a few months yet God is always at work. A good friend reminded me that "God works while we are sleeping" and that is so true!

We needed to sell our house and by God's grace it will soon be in escrow. Out we must be by August 7th. Now comes the FUN of packing and moving what we don't sell into storage with family.

In all of this I am continually reminded--God is Good!