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.