SIMPLE HOPE

2012-01-22T13:30:00.000-08:00

Hey friends!
Jessica here. I just wanted to take a second and mention how excited the Crosspoint team and I are about traveling to Nairobi, Kenya in April to join forces with our good friends at Jacaranda Creations. My sister, mom, and I have been so thankful for all the donations, prayer, and overall support we have received over the past few months and we are getting closer and closer to our end goal! Altogether, we need around 3,000 more dollars to make our trip happen! If you would take a second and consider supporting us financially or through prayer that would be a huge blessing to not only my family, but the Crosspoint team as well. If you are interested in making a financial donation please e-mail Johnrhon@comcast.net or Jesrenee12@yahoo.com or simply click the donate button on this blog!

Rewind and Fastfoward

2011-11-08T10:38:00.001-08:00

Fastforward and Rewind

Dear Family and Friends,

Hope this finds each of you well and feeling much gratitude filling your hearts this Thanksgiving season!

Through our trip toNairobi in June God has moved in greater ways than we could have imagined. First of all, our home church Crosspoint Community has partnered with Jacaranda Creations to start up a sewing branch in another slum area of Nairobi. As you may remember, the Jacaranda is a tree plentiful in Nairobi. Brenda and Garry Kean, the founders of this micro-entreprise have more than 70 women and men sewing at locations around Nairobi. These men and woman live in desparate situations but are filled joy and hope in the Lord. They connect to him, knowing he is their vine and they are his branches. Mostly this connectedness comes through the work of Jacaranda Creations. It is so exciting to see the involvment and support of my home church and friends!

The blessings have continued through the founding of our child sponsorship program, Jacaranda Kids. The Hewett family serves on the committee along with several others who went on the trip with us. Since August, 47 kids have been sponsored. This means they are in school, some for the first time ever. On top of this they also receive one meal a day! This is huge. God continues to grow this ministry in amazing ways and we are constantly humbled at how big God uses his children in America to be the answer to prayers of a 5 year old in Africa.

Our church has now decided to send two teams per year to support the work of the Keans in Nairobi, Kenya. The first trip will be as soon as April 2012. During this trip we will minister to the women and children in the slums. We are hopeful to bring all the sponsored kids together for a one day camp. This is not an easy or inexpensive day! They come from all areas of the city and since nearly 70% of Nairobi is made up of slums. Traffic is crazy and transportation expensive.

Immediately our girls declared they are going. Jessica only needing two classes to graduate high school as adjusted her schedule. Lauryn, a sophmore in college has spoken to her advisors for next semester and has been granted 3 semester credits to go on the trip. Myself, well of course, I want to go back. I miss and worry about some of those children. I gain so much from the woman who sew, teaching me pure and real joy. And when asked if I would go and help lead the team, I HAD to say, yes.

This is all happening so fast and I am so excited. It's the "fastword" in the title.

BUT,

the "rewind "is once again I have no idea how to pay for this trip. I must be crazy. I also dread writing and asking for support but the truth of the matter is your support is what we need. I think God enjoys keeping me humble this way. But on the other hand I am so excited God loves me (us) enough to keep me walking close to Him. Trusting in Him and not on my independent, self sufficient self.

John would love to return with us, but as some of you know he was laid off in August. By the grace of God he started a new job in October but leave time is not available in April. We will miss him!! But grateful for so much.

Brenda Kean, missionary Nairobi.

The cost of this trip is $2,600 each The money will be going toward flight, lodging, and assisting Jacaranda ministries.We have been saving money and participating in group fundraisers but we need your help. Any donation is much appreciated.

You can donate on-line by going to crosspoint.tv/give, (click: One time donation, Campus: Bellevue, Other: [A box will pop up] then type Hewett Family+ Nairobi then continue to the payment info.).

If you would prefer you can mail a donation to Crosspoint Community Church at 4301 Charlotte Ave, Nashville, TN 37209. Checks should be made payable to CPCC. Please be sure to put in the memo line (Hewett-Africa). All gifts are tax deductible.

Thank you so very much. May you be blessed!

Love,
Rhonda and the Girls (Lauryn and Jessica) 11.26.11

PS. Plus, I have a car trunk full of donated sewing supplies including a brand new sewing machine. Excited for the opportunity to deliver in person. Please pray we can get these things safely to the women in Nairobi.

Who Cares He Cares!

2011-08-03T11:56:00.000-07:00

I was driving into work this morning on I-40 and looked up to the sky at some clouds and I felt aware of God's presence. Have you ever done that? It amazes me how nature is the quickest trigger linking my emotions to our Creator.

It amazes me how small I am in the universe, yet how God reveals himself even to me.

My thoughts wondered to 6yo Beatrice with TB in Marurui,Nairobi,Kenya. How miraculous it was to have her been seen by a doctor that cared so much, he actually listened and become an advocate for her. This led to a diagnosis and treatment in a clinic, after months of my friend Brenda Kean, trying to solve the problem at another clinic: Beatrice, coughing, not feeling well often. She weighs 25# at 6 yo of age. It truly was a moment to feel aware of God's presence

God provided for Beatrice. It was all Him, there is just no other explanation. And you know what? She is one of millions of children suffering. But God saw her!

Do you ever feel like your problems are just not big enough for God? Or maybe God is too busy, or doesn't really care. Don't be decieved, remember Beatrice.

Oh, How he love us!

Loves us all!

Rhonda

thesoundtrackofmydreams: How He Loves Us

2011-07-08T12:04:00.000-07:00

thesoundtrackofmydreams: How He Loves Us

thesoundtrackofmydreams: A Visit to Maasai Land

2011-07-08T11:59:00.000-07:00

thesoundtrackofmydreams: A Visit to Maasai Land

Nairobi Hope Now 2011

2011-06-20T07:34:00.000-07:00

We named our trip Nairobi Hope Now. We felt like we could bring hope to those in need. What we learned is quite different. One team member, stated on our final night "it's like we came to save but they in turn saved us." This profound truth broke my heart further.

Yes, we walked in 4-5 slums, visited homes, witnessed poverty that you think you are prepared for from pictures you have seen but in reality there is no way you can feel it unless you are there.

Sitting in the homes of the women who sew with the Jacaranda Creations Ministry of Brenda and Garry Kean, (www.gbkean.com) you see the hope of Jesus in their smiles and you hear the hope in their hearts. They trust God to provide. The pray for provision and believe. They retell stories of God's faithfulness in their lives while we sit in their home of tin, cardboard and mud. They share their gratitude for school for their children because on those days a meal is provided on weekends they only have tea to give them. They believe our team was in part an answer to their prayers. An extremely humbling proclamation. One I am not sure anyone on this Crosspoint Team is prepared to receive.

You see we did all step out of our comfort zone, we met regularly, we fundraised, asked for support, prayed and watched God miraculously provide for us to go. BUT these ladies and men believe for their daily bread. Our miracle is small, our faith is small. They teach us to believe bigger, love larger and walk stronger.

In the worlds of sweet 12 yo Pennina from Marurui Slum, " When I get sick, I can not go to the doctor. I pray to Jesus and he heals me." With such confidence she states as she pointed to the sky, I had to look away briefly to contain my tears.

But truly are our tears for those living in such poverty or are our tears for the poverty of our own spirit? I wonder.

With a broken heart,
Rhonda

Jessica singing and dancing with Pennina!

Hands of the Healer

2011-06-19T07:21:00.000-07:00

Sweet Beatrice. I love this girl. I met her two years ago and she was very sick. She looks a lot better, but unfortunately has only gained 3 lbs in 2 years. She is 6 years old and weights 25 lbs. Her cough continues despite Brenda taking her to the clinic many times. My heart sank when I saw her again. But, Brenda was able to arrange a visit with a new doctor this time. I explained to him what has been happening the past 2 years with Beatrice and I do believe he was an angel in disguise. He treated her without payment and walked us to the hospital for x-rays and communicated with the chest clinic on Beatrice behalf. Shockingly, I went in with her for the chest x-ray and the "technician" took the picture with the previous patient, (another young girl) still redressing. No metal shield. I pulled Virginia and I behind a brick wall. Crazy! This is their government healthcare. Anyway, the doctor brought the x-ray to me and allowed me behind the counter to view the picture with him. TB! But amazingly I was thankful it wasn't HIV. Beatrice started her medicines. It will take 6 months which is a huge commitment for her Mom. Pray for them. This time I want to bring her home even more than my last visit. But we pray for complete healing, and Brenda spoke over her that she will become a doctor in her community and help change the world she lives in! Brenda sees all through the eyes of the Lord, not through their circumstances. She constantly teaches me this!

Beatrice visited some patients with us when we were done with the clinic. She put her sweet little hand on the head of Jane, the 12 yo dying in the hospital and prayed over her with me! May the hands of the Healer touch Beatrice and work through her!

With love,
Rhonda

Nairobi Days

2011-06-13T21:59:00.000-07:00

I haven't been able to write much with limited internet time, but I am not sure I have words to write adequately either.

This trip has been wonderful, emotional, inspiring, and tiring. It's great to be able to see the team members experience life in the slums of Kenya, meet the people and share the love of Christ with them.

However, often we have experienced the love of Christ from them. It is humbling.

Yesterday, we sat in slum homes listening to the testimony of single, HIV positive Moms. I really can't concentrate right now to truly express all the experiences here.

Just want to say a huge thank you to all our supporters, to Crosspoint Community Church and our families back home!

This team loves you!

Today we are having a Jacaranda Conference for all the Jacaranda Women from the many different branches. Plan to share testimonies with them, share the bible, teach some bow making, jump rope with them, teach some health issues, laugh with them and pray with them.

Tomorrow the team will get to visit an elephant and giraffe orphanage and then they leave for the airport around 5pm to head home.

John, the girls and I will stay behind for a few days! Sad to see the team head home, but they are missing their families and ready to figure out how to reconcile what they have seen and learned here with life at home. I am proud of them and very grateful. God is definitely in this trip.

I promise to write some stories when I get home. I want to tell you about Flora, Sandra, Sarah, Beatrice, Pennina....

Pennina, is 12 yo and told me, "My Mom hasn't told me when my birthday is..." Need I say more?

Rhonda

Sacred and Sad Moments

2011-06-08T13:54:00.000-07:00

Today was our 3rd Day in Nairobi. It's difficult to believe that we have only been here for 3 days! So much has happened. The team is awesome. It's exciting to see their smiles as they interact with the people/children and exciting to witness God using each of their gifts and talents!

Before I say more though I want to THANK ALL OF YOU for your prayers. We arrived safe and sound and other than a few upset stomachs and fatigue from 28 hours of travel the team was awesome.

There is so much to share but the internet has not been very cooperative, so while I have this "gift" of internet time I really want to share about today!

Kiambu hospital is a public hospital we visited today. It was just a few of us because we were concerned about not being allowed in.

We walked through the pediatric ward into rooms with babies 3-4 to a bed. I really am speechless. These babies have pneumonia, severe malnutrition, yellow fever, meningitis, HIV. Their Mom's are clinging to any hope they can find. We prayed over every baby individually and Beth Luca sang in each room. Beautiful!

We think we have health care problems. We met a 12yo, Jane, with meningitis and HIV..she has been in this hospital for 5 months, only receiving some food and water, because her Mom has no money for medicines so the hospital will not treat. Basically, she is dying. We prayed for a miracle, we shared the gospel, she tried to open her eyes and move one of her arms but watching her struggle we prayed for her rest! Her face relaxed and she started snoring.

These were truly sacred and sad moments. There are no pictures because it simply was not appropriate at any moment.

Crosspoint Yahoo's! Your socks touch the lives of many children/babies today!

"Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed..in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet.... Death has been swallowed up in victory....Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you." 2 Corinthians 15

Leaving on a Jet Plane

2011-06-02T13:54:00.000-07:00

So we are down to less than 24 hours...

...packing, repacking, packing, repacking, bank errands, last minute items, team is checking in online, receiving texts and calls,working my last day(full of meetings and turning over my workload) woo hoo, it is exciting and overwhelming.

Here is our tenative Schedule:
Leave Friday June 3rd 11:50am Delta Airlines, Nashville to Atlanta to Amsterdam. Change to KLM after 6 hour lay over and arrive in Nairobi Saturday June 4th 8pm!

Sunday: New Song Nairobi Church Service: John and Rhonda speaking; Beth leading worship. Sunday afternoon computer lab with Dave Lewis
Monday: Marurui Slum and Jacaranda Head Office
Tuesday: Alberts school and Tassia Slum
Wednesday: Kaimbu Hospital
Thursday: Massai Land
Friday: Massai Market/ Sight Seeing/ Justin and Elijah Davis arrive
Saturday: Marurui Outreach(sports and fun)Health Clinic
Sunday: New Song Nairobi Justin speaking/Beth and Joby leading worship/ Afternoon Computer lab with Dave Lewis
Monday: Kibera Slum
Tuesday: Jacaranda Conference
Wednesday: Team Departs
John and Rhonda stay to June 18th(Saturday)
Lauryn and Jessica stay to July 8th.

Wow, it will go fast. All this planning and now is the time!

The only thing I can think of to say is to repeat our team verse:

Romans 12:10-13
"Be Devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need."

Thanks again to everyone for their support and prayers. Stay tuned for more updates! Keep the prayers coming.

love,
Rhonda

PS. Here is my new and first great nephew, born this week! I love you Baby Landon. Welcome to the world. Congratulations, Sarah and Ryan!

Friday is Coming!

2011-05-31T08:40:00.000-07:00

It’s been an incredible journey the past 10 months. Last August no one knew how they would afford this trip, how they would leave family behind, how they would get off work. I personally didn’t know how to lead a team like this! I didn’t feel equipped, not popular enough, not young enough, etc, etc….

But God has proved to be in this journey. My faith with each mission trip I have taken has grown to new levels and my heart is changed. I now hope the changes never stop. The best part of this is trusting HIM. I love the part in the book, Sun Setting Prayer when he talks about stepping into the water, applying wisdom and then swimming like you never have before. And never, never turning back, because ultimately, HE is the wave jumper, not me.

The great thing too for me is that my focus is so much more on what God has given me in life(my family) and what he has given me to do, (my service) and no longer on my outward appearance, my status economically or socially. It’s is freeing and liberating! I am not perfect at this but my awareness is on my Creator not my popularity-or lack of.

This was not what I was looking for, but God is always about more than we expect! I love Jesus more today than I did 10 months ago! I am more aware of the depth of His love than I was 10 months ago!

For the team I have witnessed teens working and saving their money to donate and pay for expenses, I have seen businesses be blessed, doors of miracles open and miraculous provision of funds! It's Awesome. I have worried about the faith of the individuals on the team and that I would somehow lead them wrong and ruin their faith for their lifetime. I know a bit dramatic but it was real. Back in Feb. I had to lay that down and remember again God is the wave jumper not me. He certainly has jumped many of our waves and I trust HE will continue.

It's hard to express how excited I am for this team. We have really bonded over these months. I thanked them for their team spirit!! We decided early on that we were one for all and all for one! Which meant that each other was more important. As far as our fundraisers the money was divided equally no matter the participation level of individuals. Sometimes events conflicted with work schedules. When someone raised more than their amounts I gave them the option of using that money for their other expenses or giving back to the team. Everyone gave back to the team! This spirit of team work made our fundraising work! This spirit of team work will go with us on this trip. We will forgive fast, seek forgiveness quickly, treat each other as more important than ourselves and when one is tired, or overwhelmed we will not let them fall. There are no other finger prints in the world like Elijah Davis, or Amy Thomas, or Alyssa Jiosa, we each bring our gifts and talents but we are greater as a sum of or parts than standing alone!

Early on I had several folks ask me what we would be building and when I would reply that we are not doing any construction they looked puzzled and asked me “ what are we doing then?” There has also been concern from caring folks about the socks I had asked for , what kind, what size, how many, types….

The point is not the construction, not the socks, but the love that comes with that. The touch alone! People are hungry for touch and when they receive that sacrifice of touch which they understand comes with great generosity of time and abilities they see Christ. That was my experience. All, it took was a touch and they wanted Jesus!

So, my answer has been wrong. We are going to build the church! Friday can’t come fast enough.

A huge thank you to all of you that have prayed, shared encouraging words, supported fundraisers and given generously. This trip is yours as well. It would not be happening otherwise. THANK YOU!

love,
Rhonda

14 Days!!

2011-05-19T12:20:00.000-07:00

Yep, 2 Weeks until the "Africa Team" / "Nairobi Hope Now" team leaves for Nairobi, Kenya.

Thank you to so many of you that have contributed through prayers, encouraging words, donations, and financial sacrifice! YOU are part of this team. I hope and pray you feel it.

Once again, we will be working alongside Garry and Brenda Kean, their church, their sewing ministry(Jacaranda Creations) and their outreach in the slums.

Our to do list is very long and possibly unrealistic. Garry and Brenda are in the process are coordinating the final daily schedule but here is the general activities:

Speaking and leading worship at New Song Nairobi
Speaking/Ministering to the Jacaranda Sewing ladies in their different communities
Neighborhood door-to-door visitation
Loving on and playing with the some kids including sports camp
Computer training
Visiting in homes located in the slums
Volunteering with a mobile medical clinic.
Visiting childrens ward in a local charity hospital.

We have been meeting as a team since last fall, becoming closer to each other, growing in our faith as we have watched the Lord provide and now we feel anxious to just get there. The needs of the people in Nairobi are great but the main desire of this team is to simply hug some people, love them and show them the love of their Creator. Show them hope. We can not fix all their needs, but to live a life in those slums without hope is irreconcilible with my heart. They need, we all need HOPE now. Sometimes the best way to experience HOPE is to serve hope.

We are excited that for a team of 14 individuals most of the funds have been raised. However, we still need around 2,000.00 to make the trip secure for 3 team members. If you feel led to give you can do so online at www.crosspoint.tv Just be sure and specify that the donation is for "Africa Missions Trip" Or you can send me a message and we can work something else out. Thank you!

Remember we leave in 14 days,June 3rd. Keep us in your prayers!

In Him,
Rhonda

"Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need." Ro. 12

The Whole Hearted

2011-04-25T19:15:00.000-07:00

Transitioning to a new role as a nurse I attended a health coach training. There I was exposed to a speaker by the name of Brene Brown, she spoke on connnectedness and vulnerabilty. Brene is a social worker turned reseacher setting herself on a journey to "cure" lack of connectedness.

Guess what she learned? "VULNERABILITY: The Core of Relationship"

Here is the deal, people who had more of sense of connectedness did not necessarily have less struggles. Instead she named this group of people "The Whole Hearted". Because these individuals had a strong sense of "worthiness".

There are 4 strong characteristics of The Whole Hearted defining the worthiness they feel.

1. Courage: "Cour" latin word meaning who you are with your whole heart

2. Compassion: Treat yourself kind. If you can't treat yourself kind, how can you be truly kind to others?

3. Authenticity: Those who let themselves be seen loves greater

4. Vulnerability: What makes you more vulnerable makes you beautiful. Believe you are worthy of honesty. Because honestly the less you talk about it the more you have it. We can not selectively numb emotions. If we numb pain, etc we also numb joy, peace, love. To date adult Americans are the most in debt, obese, addicted and medicated in our history.

The Whole Hearted fundamentally believe in vulnerability. This allows them to be the first to say, I love You or I am sorry and to love our children purely unconditionally with now expectations of return.

Important to remember Brene states, "You are imperfect, you are wired for struggle but worthy of love and belonging."

So awesome to hear this from scientific research, because I think I have read this elsewhere as well. How about you?

Are you ready to connect? Do you believe you are worthy? Jesus made it so that I am and you are; every tribe and every nation!

Laura and Lauryn. Oahu 2011.

Gratitude

2011-04-03T18:15:00.000-07:00

Lauryn and Jessica are well! Woo hoo!

Lauryn's final testing for lupus was negative. She has had no further strange symptoms of an autoimmune dysfunction.

Jessica developed viral hepatitis from mono, but that has resolved! She still has some moments of fatigue, but she is feeling great. In her words, " The fog has lifted. This fog I felt for a month finally gone."

THANK YOU for your prayers!!!! I know there was power in them and am humbled and grateful for healing.

We have also raised 9,000.00 of the 12, 000.00 needed for our trip to Africa. This means our plane fare is covered for sure and we just need the rest so that we can all have a safe place to lodge, transportation on the ground there, food, etc... Again: Woo Hoo!

THANK YOU to all of you that have given us so much support! We are humbled greatly and grateful extremely.

"Cease striving (let go, relax) and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10.

Believing!!!

2011-03-16T17:38:00.000-07:00

I thought I would write in here tonight to simply ask for your prayer. Its seems my sweet girls have strange unusual illnesses associated with us and trips to Africa. Last time is was bacterial pneumonia and H1N1 virus. This time the Raynaud's phenomena with the threat of associated lupus and now Mono with viral hepatitis. I honestly, have said, if this is because of my attempts to go to Kenya, forget it. But just maybe that is the whole purpose straight from the evil one himself. So, NO. He can't win. He has no stronghold over me or my family. The scripture says he flees at the mere mention of Jesus. Jesus, Jesus, Jesus! Take that!

But with that being said, I covet your prayers at this time. We all need to be healthy and able to fully focus on the task before us.

"Keep your eyes focused on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, our healer and redeemer."

These words came to me in an email from my sweet friend Brenda. She was communicating details of our lodging, food, water, visas, transportation,etc...for our upcoming trip. It's is so exciting and overwhelming!

Our deadline is approaching March 31st and I just finished looking at the funds raised for each team member, plugging the amounts into the excel spreadsheets.

It seems every turn I make I am having to let go and focus on Him. It's a really good place to be. I am sitting at John's desk and he has this verse framed:

"For you are my rock and my fortress, for your name's sake you will lead me and guide me." Ps.31:3

It's a beautiful verse to rest in.

Please continue to keep us in your prayers for provision and protection.

I am starting to like this blogging thing!

With Hope,
Rhonda

Just another picture of Brenda in Africa with Grandma CuCu and Margaret.

Giving Up

2011-03-11T19:13:00.000-08:00

Almost two years ago I had the opportunity to go visit my friend Brenda in Nairobi. What I experienced in Kenya was big movements of God. I heard stories from woman in desperate situations full of hope because of their faith. I also witnessed a woman my age with 5 kids, 2 of them critically ill and malnourished turn her heart over to Jesus. She was a "brew maker" with a bad reputation in the slum. Another woman my age dying in pain from untreated metastatic breast cancer relinquished what she called "a bitter heart" and "bent her knee" to accept Jesus.

Now, I am leading a team of people back to Kenya this June. I am amazed, excited that God is allowing me to go back. Even greater, taking others with me.

Life has been full lately with lots of distractions and worries, from sick children with possible autoimmune disorders and mono; to children traveling far distances for the first time alone; to children being away from home and under Tsunami warnings...yep Tsunami. Then there is the usual car issues, eye doctors, menopausal issues(yes, I said it), aging parent issues and then there is my job. That is a long story. So through all of this for the past 6 weeks I would rather take the easy road and go to the beach and forget Kenya.

Who said I was called to go anyway? Who am I to lead others? What might happen to their hearts, their relationship with God if I mess up in this process. What if we has a family do not raise the money needed, what if others do not receive? Worry, anxiety and confusion. None of it from God.

My devotion today led me to Daniel chapter 4

"(I)raised my eyes toward heaven and my reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High and praised and honored Him who lives forever....He does according to His will in the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of earth; and no one can ward off His hand or say to Him, "What have you done?"

Turning my own eyes to heaven I am reminded God is sovereign. Nothing happens without his foreknowledge. He holds the path ahead. Like the ladies I met in Kenya, I am called to walk on. I needed to give up my heart (like the ladies in Kenya) in order to walk on.

Giving up for me today started with praising Him. I started praising Him when I heard the waters near Diamond Head had receded so much a barrier wreath that had never before been exposed was at that moment. That is how my heart felt exposed. Very vulnerable with the truth of my insecure, fearful, tired and prideful heart was revealed. I felt like a child and began singing, Praise him, Praise Him All Ye Little Children God is Good, God is Good.

Thankfully a severe tsunami did not hit the island of Oahu(where Lauryn and our good friends are) but thankfully a tsunami hit my heart.

Today, I am at peace and rest. How about you? Is there anything God has placed before you causing you fear? What must you give up to walk on? Could it be your heart? Go ahead, let HIM have it! You will find peace and contentment.

With all my heart,
Rhonda

Jacaranda Sewing Ministry

2011-02-26T15:21:00.000-08:00

This summer our team will meet many of the women who sew with Jacaranda. This is an amazing ministry started by our friends Brenda and Garry Kean. These women live in and around the slums of Nairobi and have desperate needs. Most are single Moms. Many are HIV positive. Sewing and bible study continues to lead them away from the familiar beer making and prostitution that can consume their lives.

Jacaranda trees are prevalent in Nairobi,Kenya. They have deep purple flowers that bloom before the rain falls. The Jacaranda tree represents the hope that the rains will indeed come. Rain needed by a dry and parched land. We hope to represent that rain sharing God's love and hope with people in need.

Thought I would share some pictures of these beautiful women.

This is Sarah, the Production Manager. Sarah is the "one woman" that Brenda started this ministry with. We now have 67 plus women in 13 different locations around Nairobi. Sarah is training trainers, and is a beautiful woman with the most precious humble spirit. Jacaranada is hoping this year to help her begin to "homeschool" in order to get her high school education. She has only been able to complete grade 8. Right now they are in the process of not only making beautiful bags, but they are training our ladies to make school uniforms and backpacks to help with the incredible need for the thousands of children in the slums who are refused an education because they cannot afford uniforms.

This is Mercy ... making "Mercy Baskets". Mercy is a young girl who is not married yet, and does not have children. Jacaranda ministry is giving her an alternative to getting pregnant and selling her body in order to make money for her family and for food. Most girls have not hope of getting a job, so they end up ruining their lives because they do not have hope. God's love, and mercy are so great, and we know His plans for her are far above what she could hope or imagine!

This is the walk on the way to one of the branches ... life is hard for the people and the children

This is Monica ... she makes beautiful aprons (Monica Aprons) and she has recently become a Jacaranda Branch Leader. She has been sewing with Jacaranda for three years now, and she has been able to feed her children and pay for her rent. Her husband is an alcoholic who does not have a job and who has made her life very difficult. We are praying for him and for a miracle to happen in their marriage. Monica is the one that we trust to check on others in the slum who are sick and in need. She helps take people to the hospital, we deliver work to her and she distributes it among the ladies at her branch. Please pray for Monica as she takes on her new responsibilities. Brenda believes she has great potential, and that she will rise above her circumstances and that her two children will have a better life. She is now being paid not only for her piece work, but for her leadership at the branch, and also a commission on all the bags, aprons, mercy baskets, etc. that are made at her location.

Nairobi Hope Now 2011

2011-02-23T16:58:00.000-08:00

Romans 12:"Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people in need."

That is the verse for our team heading to Nairobi, Kenya June 3rd 2011. Be careful what you pray for because I would have never imagined I would be leading a team on a missions trip to Africa. It's true. This was not in my plans. I have prayed for years for the ministry of my sweet friends Brenda and Garry Kean. I have prayed their ministry would grow in ways that would amaze them. In those prayers I never saw myself as part of their ministry. So watch out! You never know where God will grab you!

I learned three things from my trip in 2009

1. It is not only ok, but it is essential for my heart to break for the what breaks the heart of God.
2. Always be obedient to the small, soft promptings in my heart. Like giving my socks to the lady at hospice. That act sweetened a bitter heart.
3. God is bigger than my imagination.

Please journey with us through this blog and with your prayers!

Backpacks for Kids/from Jacaranda Creations

2011-02-20T12:46:00.001-08:00

I am sending this information out to a few of you who may feel led to help with a specific need for uniforms and backpacks for a group of children in the slums of Kayole.

One of our church members, Albert, has established a school in the midst of utter poverty and chaos. He has 135 students and they are actually learning the Word as well as regular school lessons despite very difficult circumstances. A government regulation here in Kenya is that every student must wear a school uniform in order to attend school, and they must have school supplies. Many children are turned away because they cannot afford a uniform, it is so sad!

Our women of Jacaranda Creations are making school backpacks which we put school supplies into, as well as we are sewing school uniforms for children. We need help right now to purchase the material necessary to make these uniforms. We also like to pay each woman who makes the uniform, so it is a win/win situation. A child gets a uniform and backpack with supplies, and a woman living in the slums also gets paid to make the uniform and backpack!

For a donation of $20.00 you can provide a uniform ($10) and backpack with supplies ($10) for one child and put food on the table of a family living in the slums! So far we have received enough funds to make 30 uniforms, and we are hoping to provide a total of 135 uniforms as well as backpacks.

If you'd like to be a part of the solution please send your tax deductible gift to Kean & Company, P.O. Box 345, Franklin, TN 37065

CANADA
Kean & Company 1303 Kamato Road
Mississauga, ON L4W 2M2

Our website has a paypal option as well, please email if you have any quesitons. www.gbkean.com

Blessings!
Brenda Kean
Jacaranda Creations

Garry & Brenda Kean
Missionaries to Nairobi, Kenya

Brenda Kean
Cell: 0772 777999
Web: www.gbkean.com
jacarandacreations@gmail.com

2009-11-08T20:23:00.000-08:00

Robin Pippin gets to visit Marurui

2009-11-02T17:02:00.001-08:00

Today I went to see grandma ... and I brought her some meat ... she grabbed it and hugged it and hid it under her pillow ... I couldn't get it back from her to give it to Shikoh to cook ... hopefully they managed later.

Grandma was soaked through to the skin ... she was laying in her bed with soaking wet clothes ... and nothing dry to put on. We're going to take her some clothes hopefully tomorrow. We get the chest xray's back tomorrow too - so I'm believing she'll be accepted into the old age home and we can get her out of there. She was very happy, and Mary said she's been laughing ever since her car ride to the hospital. She hasn't ever been in a car so it made her very happy! She was smiling a lot ... although not in this picture! It was pouring rain most of the day today - so it was a slippery day in the slums.

Baby Kevin was soaked to the skin too, but fortunately I had brought dry clean clothes and we got them on him right away. Here is is standing ... the first time I've seen him stand by himself! Beatrice is very sick and has a terrible cough! Robin loved meeting the family, and of course they all loved her too. She also shared with the women at Jacaranda ... it was a great day. We talked to Theresa who is being evicted from her home ... and Robin was able to pray over her.

Love ya!
B

The Scales of Hurting and Hoping

2009-10-09T13:00:00.000-07:00

There is a song playing frequently now by Lifehouse called, "Broken". Each time I hear it I find myself turning it up and in tears. The words are something like this, " I'm falling apart. I'm barely breathing. With a broken heart that's still beating." It is more specifically about someone who looses a loved one in a car crash. But it resonates with how I have often felt in these past few months since my trip to Nairobi. My experiences have left my heart inside out and I am having to work hard at how to handle my tears, my distraction, the pain that little feels crushing on my chest.

Selfishly, I have wondered:
*when will the tears stop?
*if only tears equalled fat cells I would have lost weight by now
*Why me? Why am I feeling this so deeply?
*Aren't I compassionate enough? I am a cancer nurse for heavens sake.
*I really don't want this pain. Don't have time for it.

But with the same angst I so desperately don't want to forget what I saw. I want to be eternally changed. I want to always have an acute awareness that my life is HIS story and my steps must be chosen carefully with kingdom minded purpose.

Its not just another work day where I can flip that switch in my brain and dump the stress, sadness, grief I may have encountered into a safe, closed place. Those days I know I have stepped into some one's pain, offered what I could but ultimately it is their place not mine.

Fortunately some influential friends in my life have sought to help guide me and these 2 comments keep returning:

1. It is OK to allow my heart to be broken for what breaks the heart of God.
2. It is OK to let go; recognizing and allowing God to remain in control, in charge and in love with His people. Only He can save.

So, here it is that balance of life.

HURTING AND HOPING

In my job has a cancer nurse and hospice nurse, I have stood by and witnessed a lot of shock, a lot of pain, a lot of good-byes. A LOT OF HURTING

BUT

I have also seen the immense power of hope. We hope for healing,"More time Jesus, please", we hope for release of pain, we hope for forgiveness, we hope for the presence of loved ones, sometimes the presence of anyone who cares. We hope that our legacy will live on with fruitful positive outcomes. We hope our loved ones can let us go with peace and courage. A LOT OF HOPE

It's often a tightrope walk balancing two scales one with hurt and one with hope. Without hurt we risk denying reality, resulting in more pain made by lack of attention, uninformed decisions, misplaced grief. Without hope we miss Jesus. Author and giver of reconciliation, compassion and justice.

Yes, allowing my heart to hurt in the reality of pain but remaining in the hope of our Healer is at last an excellent place to be.

He has not allowed me to magically loose weight but he holds my heart together allowing me full knowledge of His mercy and full knowledge that He calls me to obedience.

Are you walking in hurting and hoping today? If so, be encouraged. It is a safe place to be. You may feel like sinking sand but the foundation is firm. Just hold on.

I am wondering if we just hurt or just hope alone do we miss the power of Christ in our lives? In the lives of others?

Lifehouse song, Broken goes on to say, "..in the pain there is healing. in your name I find meaning. So I am holding onto you..." So true.

10 Days Home

2009-08-05T13:30:00.000-07:00

Today is my 10th day home. I have never counted the days I am home after a trip before. Why am I doing that? Maybe it's because I keep thinking tomorrow will be enough days home that I will feel "normal" again. So far, in the realm of "normal" tomorrow hasn't come.

Having friends in Kenya for several years now I felt as though my heart was there with them. But after spending 14 days there a bigger piece of my heart was definitely left behind.

The word reconcile keeps coming up in my head and in my conversation. How do I reconcile what I have just experienced with my everyday life here? "Here" in what now seems somewhat foreign yet at the sametime is my home. "Here" where if I am honest I just want to pick up what I normally do day to day and not really think about those precious faces of woman sewing with Jacaranda Ministry or of Janetta, "my" hospice lady or "my" sweet slum family, (Virgina, Shiko, Mary, Penny, Beatrice, Esther, and Baby Kevin) I have decided today I don't know what reconcile even means in this context. I am just trying to fix the ache in my heart.

I do know; however, that I will truly never be the same. My heart is broken and grieves. But today I finally say that is Ok. It is ok. The loss of what should have been in this world, the loss of God's perfect plan has been foiled and it is worth being broken hearted over. I am sure that my grief is known even greater by our Creator. I am thankful that I don't have to carry this alone. I am thankful that He is God and I am not.

Part of me would like some quick cement to fill the brokeness I feel but I know that I must be healed by delicate stitches that take time and concentration. That way whatever God has for me that can help reach as far as the slums of Kenya can be brought forth.

A huge thankyou to so many of you that have emailed me or called or left messages of prayers, thanks and encouragement! I appreciate you all! I appreciate your willingness to journey with me. I appreciate your prayers. Certainly without them I would have flown back on day 2 - too worried about Lauryn. I ask for your continued prayers as I go through this season of "stitching with time and concentration."

I want you to know more than ever that God loves you! He created you and has a plan for you life, revealed if only you choose to seek him. He called the Brew Maker in the slum right before my eyes. He delivered her from her addiction and fear. In that very small, very dark place God was there! He is here too!

Last Day in Nairobl

2009-07-24T22:00:00.000-07:00

This is our last day here in Nairobi. Actually we head for the airport at 6pm tonight. I am ready to be home. I miss my family, friends, my own home, my dogs, you know the usual. BUT yesterday I said good-bye to some of the Jacaranda sewing ladies and realized how special it has been to meet these ladies, walk were they work, hear their stories and just hug them. They are beautiful and their lives have blessed me. They are excited about the work they are doing and I pray many blessings upon their hands!

Brenda and I also went back to Marurui Slum. I needed to see family one more time and Brenda was missing them as well.

My breath was taken away when we entered their home. It was clean, brighter, they had hung pretty materials over the cardboard walls, and over their furniture. Mom looked bright and in her right mind. She hugged us and smelled of soap and powder. Baby Kevin was sleeping peacefully on the bed. There really are no words to express the changes Christ has made in their hearts affecting their behaviour. There was no smell of urine or brew. They have hope. The Mom said she is full of joy. Plus, without the brew her mind is clear and you can tell she is caring for her home and her kids.

The oldest daugther, Chico came in while we were there too. She was dressed so beautifully in a skirt and matching top. Altho, later when we walked out of their home I could see the dress was torn and dirty. But the point is she was trying. She had been at the school building having a sewing class with the Jacaranda women. This was the first time we could tell she truly had a change in her life. She wasn't shaking from the brew.

In fact Chico noticed the baby was awake. Brenda and I had noticed but he were happy to see him open his eyes but lay their contentedly looking around. He looks miraculous! He is eating more. He sat up on the table for us. We took pictures and showed him, he smiled and reached for the camera. Mom sang a song about Jesus and I clapped with him. I hope I never forget those moments. Moments of joy, peace, hope and healing filling a dark place.

We read 23rd Psalm. They are so hungry to know everything that Bible says. Have I lost that hunger?

Mom still sleeping with the bible under her pillow. Sweet. Please pray for protection over them. No more abuse, no more rape entering their home!

Mom shared with Brenda this time how much she loved her, because the first time they met Brenda showed her kindness and didn't turn away even though she was drunk. I was reminded what John always says, "Jesus, with skin on". That has been Brenda to this family! This is a friendship that is God ordained.

We then told them I was leaving tomorrow. Mom said she would pray for my journey, to say Hi and thank you to my family and to not forget them. I am at a lost for words at this moment.

Except to say I will never forget. I will communicate with them via Brenda. I am so blessed to have family in the Marurui Slum in Nairobi, Kenya.

Their journey is not going to be easy. I pray they can be strong. I pray for work and new place to live. I pray they continue to treasure the bonds they have with each other and to grow in relationship with their heavenly father. I know that He ordained this time and that His mercies are new every morning. He does not hide from us, nor will he hide from Grandma, MomMary(Virginia), Chico, Esther, Mary and baby, Penny, Beatrice or Baby Kevin.

Saying good-bye, putting Beatrice and Esther down was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do. But I leave them with He who is greater and in the hearts and caring service of Brenda and the women at New Song Nairobi.

John, Lauryn, Mom, Dad, Dana, Shawn, Bill, Lura, Linda, Bob we are coming HOME!

July 23rd, 2009... Kenyatta Hospice

2009-07-23T10:51:00.000-07:00

Today is the one year anniversary of the death of a sweet lady and friend Melissa Schuler. I am blessed to have had the privilege to honor her on this day by visiting a hospice houses in Nairobi.

How incredibly ironic? Teddy, I am thinking of you today! You are an amazing friend and Melissa loved you greatly! I will always remember being with you at Melissa's side. I pray your day has been filled with peace and amazing memories.

The hospice was so not what I was expecting or prepared for. My heart is so sad tonight. I don't want to write too much and make everyone reading this sad too. But I have had several requests to hear about this experience that I feel the need to share a bit now. I am sure in weeks to come I will be able to process and share better.

This hospice is affiliated with the Kenyatta Hospital. It opened in the early 1990's. Sounds great...here we are 2009, but no. Before I complain too much let me just say I don't mean it personally I believe they are doing the best they can with the resources and knowledge that they have. BUT it is difficult for me because this is an area I know we can treat people and make a difference. Tonight I am trying to believe they are doing that, but they still need so much!

I didn't get to talk to the staff as much as I had hoped nor did I get to see many patients. So that is disappointing but what I did get to be involved with is a surreal experience.

Upon arriving I learned that this facility is open 11am to 2pm weekdays. People can come during that time to have their symptoms addressed, see the doctor and/or the 2 nurses that work there. They can stay the whole time in the community room if they want. Upon doing that they can receive hot tea and bread and a full lunch.

We were initially directed to the community room where I was introduced to a lady with breast cancer. With Marion's help interpreting I learned she lived in Kibera slum. Had walked to the hospital yesterday with assistance from her son. He is 30, married with 2 small children, also living in the slum. Her other son lives..."up country". No, nope, no,no way he can make it here.

She noticed a lump last July but in December it "exploded". She was barefoot and cold.

The hospital only gave her a few medicines including ibuprofen for pain, would not admit her, but allowed her to lay on the floor. In the morning feeling still too weak to make the trip home they directed her and her son to the hospice house. They had until two to rest.

It just goes on and on.... I rubbed her back, learned she hadn't urinated in one month. could that be? Her pain is in her back, but felt good when I rubbed it. We encouraged some tea which she took. She then cried in pain and showed me her stomach. I could palpate her liver. I asked her son, since I couldn't get the nurses attention what medicine she had and pulled out the packets (2 weeks worth of meds only) to show me. I understood 2, sleep medicine and a steriod. At this time I found a nurse to explain to me the other... B complex, and ibuprofen. 3 tablets a day. Jill are you reading this? I told the nurse she was hurting more than this and needed morphine, the nurse disagreed. I got the medicines together and reviewed them with her son. At that point I learned she hadn't had anything today. It was 12 noon. WHAT?? I got them out and Marion got her some water. Then she felt tired and wanted to lay down. We helped on the sofa and covered her and I looked at her bare cold feet that still had to walk to her home in the slum. I asked permission from her to give her my socks. She agreed and said they felt comfortable once I got them on her. I hope they held up for her walk home. A little while later she started crying out, screaming in pain. The hospice nurse full of compassion came in and yelled at her to stop screaming, she was "embarrassing them". But I told her to scream if she needed to. They listened, she was escorted back to an exam room and given some morphine. Our last visit with her she was resting, awake and smiling. Expressing thanks. I am trying to remember her face at that moment rather than all the rest. BUT really how hard was that to make her feel good, if even for only a short time.

There is so much more to this day, like the awesome conversation I had with her son and leading him to the Lord, another visit to Kibera, but way too much to write and if you are reading you probably need a break like me.

The highlight though was before the morphine during her our time in the community room, she asked if we would help her accept Jesus. We did nothing but rub her back and start talking to her. I learned that she was once married and had a vegetable stand. But her husband was killed in a traffic accident when her two boys were little. The church helped her for awhile, but they ran out of money and eventually had to move into the slum. She used to sell coal in the slum and enjoyed that. But since getting sick she can not do that even. She is lonely and wishes for us to visit her in her home. She is behind in her rent in the slum and her neighbors are bothering her to leave. She has been screaming at night in pain and they don't want to hear it. Then out of the blue she said I want Jesus. Brenda led her in prayer. It was beautiful. She said she had refused to bow her knees or lift her hands, but she was tired of the suffering and had suffered enough.

We all need, no matter what color of our skin, what nation we live in, what social status we find ourselves in, a back rub, a listening ear and maybe a warm pair of socks.

Safari

2009-07-23T10:26:00.000-07:00

If you ever have the chance to go on Safari you should. Don't talk yourself out of it because of money or time. If you know you are going to a place like Africa start saving you pennies now.

Monday we left for two days in the Masai Mara. That is where the Masai Tribe lives...or at least a lot of them. The are the really tall, dark African's that wear a lot of earrings and jewelry. They also wrap themselves in beautifully colored cloths, mostly reds. Red scares the lions.

Yep... the Mara...were you can ride in a van or jeep, stand up with you head out of the roof looking for wild animals. The scenery is beautiful. For me, it was an awesome feeling being so close to nature. Even though it is extremely bumpy, (my left arm is bruised from bumping against the jeep) I found is exciting and relaxing. A chance to take in creation in its natural setting and a chance to not think about much of anything. Except were those lions going to succeed at killing those water buffalo? It was cool to watch the lions at work. Tell you about it at home!

We also saw a leopard in a tree. Sat and watched for a long time. Apparently is it more rare to actually see a leopard. He was stealth and strong. We saw giraffe, elephants (several babies...so cute), zebra's, gizelle's, tobi's, wildebeasts, warthogs and more. Another rare find was to actually get to see some lion cubs. Our driver pulled us close for us to see. Jessica and Kaitlyn squealed in delight which caught momma lion's attention and see growled right at them...which made them scream, which made Momma roar and driver correct the girls to be silent. We have had a good time laughing, but really the best advice on Safari is to be very, very quiet.

We have some great pictures. I look forward to sharing them. Altho I learned do not buy batteries in Africa...they all die in 2 minutes. We missed some great pictures too!

Just remember, Africa means Safari! Also, safari meant hot baths!!! We all enjoyed that. Esp. since being home (Kean's house) we again have little water and no hot shower water. Pray for rain in Kenya!

I hope one day to come back with some of you for a missions trip to serve and love on these sweet people and to go on Safari again!

What day is it?

2009-07-19T10:46:00.000-07:00

I am starting to lose track of the days, but yes it is Sunday...Day 8 since we left. It has been difficult to write with the internet going in and out. Plus yesterday we just relaxed and I had my first hot shower.

Water is a growing problem with no rain during this rainy season. I haven't even explained all about that. But it is affecting the Kean's home as well. People are hoarding and selling it to folks in the slum, who can't afford it. It just seems to go along with everything else with a corrupt government and lack of caring for its people.

I do want to explain better the events of last Friday in the Marurui Slum. I was supposed to go out and meet Lillian with the Masaai, but the word of Mom Mary's salvation and sick babies quickly spread by the women who also attend New Song Nairobi church here, decided they wanted to go clean her home in the slum.

So with Brenda's help financially buying cleaning supplies, bug killer and basket to wash and organize clothes the stage was set. This was the church serving the community. A new concept to some of these woman and a beautiful building on the events of the previous two days.

I can not begin to explain clearly enough how dirty this home is/was. We have pictures and when I get back to the States or if the computer/internet stays working long enough I promise to post them.

The home is made of sticks and cardboard was filthy, dark, muddy smelling of brew and urine. The ladies went in with scarves on their heads, bringing some food as well and set out to work with Mom Mary's overwhelming acceptance. The 19 yo Mary, wants to move and she showed us a plot they have but have no way of getting anything to build anything. That is what really needs to happen though...

What they learned while cleaning was that the brew was still there. Mom lifted a dirty throw rug covering a hole dug in the ground. In that hole was a large container with the brew. They had socks or cloth in it that was supposed to do something for it...but ....really....IT's True. Disgusting to say the least. Who drinks that stuff? Oh, thats right they do. Poor baby Kevin, if that is all Mom drinks what is he getting?

Brew business in the slum is illegal. I found that so funny. Who enforces that? But anyway, if you brew you are looked down on and not respected. Altho, people buy it on a daily basis that live in the slum. I guess no matter where we live or what we do we are always trying to make ourselves feel better by looking down on others.

I really want to find the words to express how major it is that Mom came to Christ. Mom and her family are not at all respected in the slum... they are losers, the lepers so to speak, yet Jesus called her...saved her!

On Friday the word was getting spread and "neighbors" were coming to see and inquiring. The school open the doors to make rice and beans for the children. Truly amazing. Brenda can explain more about that. These are the children of the lady who makes brew and is dirtier and smells and probably acts out in drunkenness. And this is the lady who's Mom can't walk and they carry her out to the dirt path and sit her there as she yells and spits day in and day out. She is crazy in the head. She probably is given the brew too. People do put chewing tobacco in her mouth to keep her quiet. Others kick her. Brenda loves on her!

Just Know it is difficult for me to even put this all in writing because it is taking me to this emotional place, so bear with me.

I want to introduce you more to Sarah. She is a lady that is attending Garry and Brenda's church and has a sad story too. She is now sewing with the sewing ministry Brenda started. She is petite, quiet with a beautiful smile. She went with us to the hospital the other day to help interpret. She was cleaning on Friday. Brenda said she was standing on the bed with a broom knocking all the cardboard out of the ceiling/roof because it was rotten, they needed light,etc...

By the way, in all this cleaning I hear bugs were flying. Well, Sarah was on the bed when they learned the brew was in the home and that Mom had not touched it like she promised BUT she gave the business to her older daughter, Chico. She is 23 with a daughter, Esther that is 4 the same age as Mom's daughter Beatrice. We figure same dad most likely...you get the picture?? Yuk. Anyway, they all began talking to mom and Chico and the simple truth is that brew is their money..the only thing they know. During the discussion they learned that brew makes them around 300 shillings...the amount they had in that container under the dirty rug, in the hole. Somewhere around 5 american dollars. Quiet Sarah stopped what she was doing and said, "if you throw that away, I will give you they money that is worth." Know that is all the money Sarah probably had. Can I give that sacrificially? Can you?

Upon those words Chico ran outside crying and asking to accept Jesus. Who wouldn't with that kind of love shown to 3 generations that had been nothing more than the scum of the slum!

I am wondering do I love to this degree? Do I have the kind of faith that allows the fullness of the power of Christ to be displayed? I am so blessed to have been present for the miracles of this week. I am thankful for Beatrice running into my arms...a stranger such as I to her. I am inspired to love more, to walk in faith more and more aware of how desperate we all are. I am thankful for my home church, Crosspoint Community that seeks to serve the community. They way they choose to come together as the body of Christ is not in vain. And it is the same principle another continent from the same God.

Last night I was preparing to share at church this morning and I found myself led to this passage. I think is speaks volumes to the beginning of a mighty community of service here at New Song Nairobi. It is a great reminder to all of us believers.

Hebrews 6: 10- 12 " God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, in order to make your HOPE sure. We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised."

Blessings my friends,

Rhonda

PS. John and Lauryn I am missing you both. What were we thinking? You should be here too!

A good day

2009-07-17T13:22:00.001-07:00

It was a good day! Learned Mom Mary gave her brew business to her daughter. HA...but no more...Sarah a Jacaranda sewing lady offered her the money they would make for it if she through it away. Daughter ran out crying and asking to accept Jesus! She did. The Brew was thrown away. The light is crowding out the darkness. Jacaranda sewing ladies cleaned Mom Mary and family's home today. The community of Christ serving one another in the slums.

Nairobi Life Day 5

2009-07-16T11:25:00.000-07:00

We were at the Marurui Slum by 8:15 this morning to pick up MomMary (kinda making up her name by the way. It's complicated. She lives with her Mom, "Grandma", her 23 year old daughter, her 4 year old granddaughter, her pregnant 19 year old, ,another daughter ...age ???, Breatrice and baby Kevin) . We were there to take Kevin for his immunizations. They were not ready to go when we got there, but they were trying and Mary (the 19 yo) was ready and going along. Her english is better. She is beautiful and 8 months pregnant.

The good news is both children looked better. Beatrice was cleaner and no fever that I could tell. Still horrible cough and look of fatigue. Kevin was much brighter and more awake. Brenda and I both felt encouraged. Mom was actually trying to feed him something like oatmeal from a cup. He was struggling with it, there was no spoon involved. They had given all the medicines correctly best we could tell. It was horribly dark in there. It is so difficult for them.

Mom Mary didn't smell like brew and it was obvious she tried her very best to look as good as they could. She even put her best sandals on.

We had good conversation with Mary in the car. She is precious and yet so needing to find a better life. She had another baby that died at 3 months of age.

At the hospital, immunization clinic it was obvious other Mom's were looking at Mary, Mom Mary with judgement and a sense of wanting to get away. It was very sad, because they knew it and it was particularly difficult for Mary. I found myself considering how many times I have reacted that way to the poor in the States. The Nun was even terse with Mary and MomMary.

I understand their frustration, but they had not walked into this family's home and situation. There is a lot to dwell on there and a lot to consider;too much for my brain at that moment. But I am reminded to care for the poor and be gentle in spirit.

Brenda bought them some water and juice while we waited. She also brought a bag of cut up carrots from home. Mary became sweaty and lightheaded at one point. She is 8 months pregnant and had not eaten yet today. Who knows when she last ate. It was fun to see Beatrice work on that juice box and all of them eat those carrots including baby. He was actually funny. He worked hard sucking on that until it fell apart. It was good to see him have the strength to do that.

The heart wrenching part was walking up to the scale with MomMary and baby to get weighed in front of us a Mom placed a healthy 6-7 month old boy, who just sat there well and sturdy. I notice his weight was more than double the weight of Kevin's. Next Mom Mary placed naked baby Kevin on the scale. In those moments I saw bones of a baby over a year old that could not sit up for the scale and his arms and legs flopped over the side of the scale as he cried. I was paralyzed and do not think that image will soon be forgotten. I knew he was tiny but they keep him so bundled up he looked bigger. He only got one shot today, because he is not well enough to get them all. They have to bring him back next week. They will be on their own this time, using public transportation, so I ask your prayers for their compliance.

Speaking of compliance Mary (the 19 year old) reported that she was told her Mom accepted Christ and she was very happy. She said she enjoyed her Mom last evening because she didn't drink the brew. " I don't like her when she drinks that stuff". Praise God. Mary is testing the waters of this Jesus thing. She is hurting and I am sure wondering if all this is true. Although, she is going to church. She likes to sing and wants to record music. Maybe one day I will buy her worship CD.

There was a lot of good conversation about forgiveness and accountability. Lots of teaching words about how to feed Kevin, how to give medication, how to take care of Mom and herself and her baby to be born. They have to fight and dream, rejoice in the Lord and work hard to find ways to make it better for them. The ladies of the Jacaranda sewing ministries are now seeking ways to serve them. For example there are plans to go clean their house and better organize their clothes and get them set up for washing and laundry. I thought they are my home church, Crosspoint Community Church, Nashville, TN. Because that is exactly what they would do. They just did so in their neighborhood last Saturday. We all need a helping hand at different times in our lives. The kinda help that cares for us in such a way our hope is renewed and our faith grows deeper.

There is so much more I have seen and experienced it is overwhelming to write about them all, but here are some highlights:

1. Went to what I am calling the village slum this afternoon. It is much smaller and has some open spaces. It felt great. That is so funny to say. We were attacked by gloriously dirty children. The were funny but not shy! They loved Caeli and she being their height was lost in a sea of dark children. She needed rescuing. Lillian took yarn and was fervently making them bracelets. That was a crowd stealer for sure.

There I saw a medical clinic....it was sweet.... we need to come back with a medical team, some day. Thats is all I will say for now.

Amazingly, I met in this slum a family from Nashville, TN. Have you heard of Ellie's run for Africa? Well they were here, traveling with African Leadership. I met the director and turns out I know the other director in Nashville. I worked with him in taking care of a refugee who was a 19 year old cancer pt. Sadly, he told me he was at his funeral last week. I didn't know he had died. But I knew he was receiving hospice care at home. I know it is sad to share but it felt like a divine connection.

Ok...I really can't go on...and I am sure you are tired of reading by now.... I do need prayer for my strength. I don't know how Brenda does this???? She is certainly called.

But just know this: in Kenya the police are on foot, so if you are speeding just go faster they can't catch you. BUT they might jump in your car and tell you to catch a person they just saw speeding. Bottom line better to speed. Mom you would fit in real well here! love ya

Maruri Slum Day 4

2009-07-15T11:30:00.000-07:00

Today was the first day I woke up feeling rested and it was a good thing!

We went to Maruri slum. Brenda needed to meet with the sewing ladies there and weekly visits with an elderly lady named, "Grandma".

First however, I got to meet Pastor Frances who is a dentist but left dentistry years ago to pastor a church. Now he his being asked to rebuild what once was a medical clinic. Altho his congregation and colleagues are turning their cheeks and not helping him he is not complaining and moving forward with his own money. He is very excited and provided me a tour of the building. It will mainly be for maternity, sick visits and denistry. You will have to see my pictures. Let me just say you don't want to have a baby there or teeth work done. But for these people it will one day be a safe haven, a place to be cared for and a place for treatment. They do have a "doctor" some hours of the day now. They were very thankful for all the medicines I took them. At present if you have your baby there you can stay 8am to 2pm and then come back 5pm to 11pm. In between it is back to your slum bed. I feel a really deep pull to that clinic. It is the type of place I am comfortable at and can quickly identify so much need. At one point later in the day I found myself pacing the hall, trying to come to terms, praying and gaining control over a flood of emotions. Keep reading.

Anyway, once again meeting 2 ladies from the sewing ministry, Sarah and Monica was an absolute joy and encouragement. The possibilities and effects of this sewing ministry has already been amazing but the potential is so much greater. These woman are excited and believing and willing to work hard. Unfortunately at the moment they are out of funds and out of material. So pray for that for them! And if you would like to contribute anything I can make that happen. Just let me know. But for now, just pray for these woman and read on.

Next we found Grandma. She was in her usual state of filth. She doesn't walk anymore, lived her whole life in the slum. She spits by accident, drools, I think curses..but speaks in another language I can't remember at the moment. But anyway, Brenda introduced me and she held out her hand to shake mine. That is the proper greeting here I think, because they all do that. But I have to admit I looked at that hand and was difficult but I shook it. My friend, Brenda has fallen in love with the cranky, crazy old lady and so wishes her mind to be clear and for her to know the Lord. A couple of weeks ago Brenda had someone carry Grandma behind her "house" and Brenda bathed her. I am a nurse, I have done a lot of things, but.... really??? I mean really. You have no idea the dirt...not to mention poop.

Her daughter and grandchildren live in the slum, too. Of course. Brenda found MomMary(Grandma's daughter) and she was so excited to meet me, see Brenda, she invited us to her home. Here we go again....but honestly this home was worse. Dark literally, dirty literally(altho straightened, they try hard to keep things nice). But they don't even have water lately...their clothes are not getting washed.

More importantly was the spiritual darkness, it was present. The oppression was palpable, my heart even started racing. MomMary while polite and inviting is not a believer. She makes brew daily to make maybe 2 american dollars a day. She is drunk most of the time. Her feet are sore. The sight broke my heart. Mom Mary has a husband but he is gone a lot... sometimes for years. He last saw her 2 years ago, leaving her carrying her 5th baby. Kevin is his name and he is now just over a year old. At first I did not know this. I don't know where the baby was when we were in her home.

But we entered and all sat down. She thanked us for coming. Sarah and Monica came too. Their homes even though in the slums are much better. Monica translated for us. KaKuru...I think that is the language Mom Mary speaks. Anyway, Brenda asked if her older daughter was reading the bible to her ( a bible Brenda had given her). She answered yes and showed us the bible and asked us to read to her. I opened the bible and began reading Ps. 139.

The word of the Lord being spoken to her was powerful, she began to weep uncontrollably. We continued through the passage has she nodded in agreement and expressed thanks. And me crying too at this point. You know me. Afterwards, Brenda spoke with her and she accepted Christ as her saviour. She raised her hands in praise. We talked about walking with the Lord and how she can now have hope and now has eternal life and how she must stop making and drinking brew. She agreed. Pray this woman can find other ways to earn money. She doesn't have the strength to sew. Some of the other woman in the slum who are believers are talking about helping her in one of the vegetable stands to sell vegetables. We laid hands on her praying for protection and provision and peace and hope. In the darkness of that home there is now light. "...even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like day, for darkness is as light to you. " Ps. 139:12.

It would have been enough for one day; however, earlier while we were walking a little beautiful, dirty girl ran up to me and when I reached down for her I my heart sank because she was burning up with fever. I could tell by my touch on her back and then I reached for her forehead. After praying with Mom Mary we were walking to the school to meet with Pastor there. The little girl was back and I told Brenda she was burning up with fever...altho running with the kids still. Her cough was bad, her nose was bad, etc.... I just kept watching her. A lot of them cough, but I knew this little girl was feeling horrible, but was just used to it. Brenda mentioned it to pastor and he encouraged us to take her to the medical clinic.

It turns out her name is Beatrice, she is 4 years old 5 months. Brenda spread the word to get her mom...who turned out to be Mom Mary. Mom Mary came nursing a baby. I had no idea she had a baby and this was one of her daughters. We put them in Brenda's car and drove them to the medical clinic...just another area of the slum. Kaitlyn and Jessica held on to the bakc of the car. Don't worry John and grandparents they are fine. There we learned the baby was sick too....actually no surprise at this point. And Brenda had told me she has been worried about the baby because he nurses and nurses and she knows there is no way he is getting any milk. Mom Mary is malnurished and drunk a lot...remember.

At the clinic we were told they need to go urgently to hospital. ...esp baby....Kevin. What do you do in the slums??? No ambulance, no car, no money.... We opened a can of worms...that is when I began pacing the clinic hall...I had to step out of the exam room. The depth of their illnesses became evident and the depth of their need great. We can't fix everything, we can't fix everyone...We were faced with a series of quick decisions for our children we had with us...that had not eaten...who needed emotional rest from the situation, etc....

In the end...we found swimming and friend option for our girls, kept baby Brayden with us and took Sarah,(to interpret) Mom Mary, Beatrice and Kevin to the hospital in Brenda's car. Praying for favor and provision on the way. Well, we found favor. We were checking in an a young women came out of nowhere. Thinking back I still don't know why she walked up to us. She is a medical student here for the summer from Ireland, told us she is working in maternity. We were not in the maternity section. We explained to her what was happening and she moved mountains to miraculously have us seen almost immediately. There was some rumbling in the hall by others waiting but the doctor seemed unaffected. He was kind and patient. He was able to speak enough for Mom Mary to understand...we think.

Beatrice is 4 and 5months.. They put her on the scale. She weighs 22 pounds. I took a picture for evidence. Also, when he went to exam her she screamed no, no, no (in her language). She at 4 years of age is another victim of the violence to women/girls/children/babies in the slums. It was Brenda's turn to hold her, while I stepped away to cry, gain composure and think about how I can get this girl a bath and home with me...home to America that is. So besides being abused, malnurished she now has pneumonia.

Kevin, the baby was also examined. Determined to have pneumonia, doesn't have all his immunization and is malnurished. He is a little over a year old and weighs 11 pounds. He barely keeps his eyes open and if he is awake he only stops crying when he is nursing. He is starving to death. The doctor explained their levels of malnurishment to me and his is the worse...protein, carbohydrates, minerals and vitamins...all missing. They did not want to hospitalize him because his malnutrition is so severe IV's could kill him. Something I am familiar with with cancer patients back home. But back home we know how to slowly care for that and have staff and training to monitor blood work, protecting ones heart and kidneys from refeeding syndrome. Did I say I cried yet??? Are you crying? I am so sorry but this is so real. He is pitiful. He may not live.

From the exam room we were sent to pharmacy....where Brenda and I were a really good team. I was good at understanding all the medication we bought at the Maruri clinic and the ones the doc was now ordering and speaking to the needs and prioritizing. Since they wouldn't give us everything I managed to talk them into giving each child of dose of the vitamin A right there. The pharmacist did it. Brenda was good at standing firm in our request for financial help and representing missions here in Africa. We didn't get everything. We were out of money. This was unexpected. And guess what we have to go back tomorrow pick up baby take him for immunizations and pay to receive the rest of the medications. I just pray he lives through the night. But I know that whatever happens he is in the Lord's hands and that MomMary will have comfort.

Helen showed up again and found us two small syringes. I showed Mom Mary how to use them to get milk into him tonight. Brenda had left Monica with money she said she could get milk in the slum and would help with that tonight. Bless her. She has her own children in the slum.

Brenda still upset that the baby might die and should be hospitalized but I had peace that this was the best we could do. A hospital stay was not going to fix this baby, and sending Breatrice back to the slum without her mom would be horrible. This way they had medicines for the night including vitamins and they were together in at least what was familiar to them. I really think in that moment my years of working with cancer patients and end of life, helped me let go. This is their journey, God is with them, we answered the call to the best of our ability. We were exhausted. Brayden (who is 2) was toughing it out, but filthy. Our girls needed us and we needed to answer that call, too. And after all, now there is light where there was darkness. Mom Mary was saved today. We will see her walking streets of gold one day and her feet will not make my heart sad.

A final note to this long story is just the thought today as I learned these 2 precious children have pneumonia....my daughter is home with pneumonia.... yet, I am grateful!

Keep getting well my sweet girl. I miss you. We are so blessed.

HOWEVER

Kibera Slum Day 3.

2009-07-15T10:49:00.000-07:00

I don't really know how to put the past two days into words, but I am going to try. First of all, let me just say Lauryn is getting better. No hospital for her. Praises to God. Thank you to my family and friends. I love you and am grateful in new and deeper ways!

Yesterday, Jessica and I got to visit the ladies of Jacaranda sewing ministry in the Kibera slum. This slum is possibly the largest in the world. The guess is somewhere around 3 million people in relatively small area. Brenda has meet the sweetest ladies and connected them with a building just outside the slum where they go sew. They were very excited to see Brenda and to meet us. These woman were smiling and laughing, happily sewing and planning what next to learn to make and dreaming of open markets to sell their goods locally.

These woman are all HIV positive. Some feeling fine, some not. But they were excited to take us into the slums and into their homes. Walking through that slum is truly unbelievable. Brenda was disappointed not to get me to the worst part because we ran out of time. But I was relieved. I lasted several hours and then felt like I might puke.

What was beautiful in that horrible, horrible place was joy. Joy these woman have found in the Lord. At Jacaranda you wouldn't know they live in such terrible conditions and they actually have to pay to live there. It is difficult to find the words to describe. Their homes are a room...a room that they try to make a living space, a kitchen and bedroom. They could have any number of children in them...3, 4... Mostly the women are widowed or abandoned. The abuse in that setting of women is grotesque.

We visited 3 women's homes and each shared their stories. Stories of job loss, stories of growing up in the slum, stories of abuse, hunger, death of sisters, death of babies, death of 11 year old children. It is too much for me to write and feel like I have even explained well.

I will say that for these women who love the Lord they are full of joy and hope. Their eyes sparkle and they smile bright. They tell stories of His provision, yet they have lost so much and they do not know where their food is coming from the next day. I, however, at one point stopped on the railroad tracks, turned around 360 degrees and felt trapped, felt despair, felt no hope, no way out. I felt lost and confused walking with them I don't know how they know where they are going. I almost panicked until I looked again at these women. They have peace in a wicked land.

Praying for them was an opportunity I will not forget. Hearing Jessica pray in one of the women's home was worth every difficult step to get here.

Can you hold on to Jesus when you feel all is lost? We sure need to, because in the eyes of many in Kibera there was a such a blank look and in others just plain crazy look.

But hold on... you have to hear about Kevin and Beatrice I met today in the Maruri slum.

Nairobi Life

2009-07-13T23:08:00.000-07:00

I am laughing at myself and the title I gave this blog. Who knew my ability to place my trust in the Lord would be so tested. This is day 2 in Nairobi. My thoughts have been consumed with my daughter, Lauryn back home. What we thought was "just" the flu has turned out to be a pretty bad pneumonia, almost complete left lower lobe. I have prayed most of the night and pray now that she wakes up this morning feeling much better, no fever, less pain. And when she gets to the doctor today her blood work is improved and they feel she does not have to be admitted to the hospital. A tough test for me to not be there caring for her and feeling some control. But thats just it.... my hope can only truly be in the Lord. A tough test for Lauryn to be more sick than she has ever been and her Mom in Africa. Crazy! But I admit she has a pretty good dad!

So, life here in Nairobi....well, as I write this I am overhearing my friend Brenda talk with and try to encourage their friend and house help, Josephine. She has 4 boys and is a single Mom. Right now she has run out of money to afford to keep her boys in school. Therefore, they are really sad about that. To make matters worse Nairobi is having a terrible drought. The depend on the rainy season for survival. So, Josephine's boys are home without water, too. Thats a little dose of perspective. Josephine knows all about placing her hope in the Lord moment by moment not only be the events of life.

Yesterday, we tried to relax and see some sights. Brenda showed us some very pretty places here and nice shopping areas. There is a huge gap here between the rich and the poor. Unfortunately, the government does very little to help their people. On the plane ride here I overheard some folks talking behind me saying in reference to the government, "they use poverty as a weapon here". Unfortunately that poverty has led to huge crime rate. Its survival...not drug use...the need for food.

I meet Grace on the plane, she is native to Nairobi. She just spent a year at the University of Maryland and loved it. It was neat to have that in common as John graduated from Maryland.

So conversation was easy. She ended up sharing with me that her mom died of cancer 3 years ago and the tears just came running. We had some sweet moments of reflection and shared email addresses.

Yesterday, Brenda and I ran into two friends of hers that live here from North Carolina and Ohio. They do a lot of work with health clinics north of here. Their day was rather traumatic and they were trying to relax and unwind from it. They had met an 8 year old boy at a clinic not long ago. It was obvious he was very sick with a heart condition and needed medical attention. After some hard work they managed to get him and his mom here to Nairobi. However, after a 10 hour journey upon arriving to the church first the little boy asked the pastor for prayer and shortly afterward passed away. This was not what they were expecting. They were excited to get the boy here and to the hospital. Again, God had other plans. This sweet boy had been sick most of his life. His heart so damaged it was enlarged to the point of causing his chest to protrude. What amazing, courageous women! They then had to take the body to the hospital, then the police station, then the morgue. Can you imagine???? UGH... Thank you America for funeral home services..even though you charge way too much...still Thank= you!! They let me pray with them right there at the mall. I just couldn't not pray with them. Have I ever stopped in an American mall to have prayer with anyone? Have you?

Well, today we are off to the Kibera Slums. This is an area of 1 million people. It was the focus in the movie, Constant Gardner. Anyway, I had been preparing myself to walk in the mud and drizzle while here during rainy season, but no....its drought....I am about to see worse I think.

I am told the death rate is rising. Some tribes have been selling their cows...their prize possessions for only a few dollars, but they are so desperate.

I am not sure what the words would be to encourage in these situations.... I will let you know...what I learn though....

with a grateful heart,

Rhonda

We're Here

2009-07-13T01:15:00.000-07:00

Jessica and I are here, Nairobi, Kenya! Although here inside the Kean home I feel like I am just up the street on Mill Brook Circle in Stonemeade. That's the thing with good friends, no matter how long it has been since you have seen each other it always feels like just yesterday.

The plane rides went well, no delays, no problems getting through customs. Jessica and I passed the H1N1 screening. ;). She is feeling good. Her cough is aggravated today... the air in the plane is dry and drier here too. But no big deal. Making her drink a lot today.

Last night I thought it was just fatigue not allowing me to find things and think clearly, but today we have learned our luggage was stolen from. Nothing we can't live without, but a clear reminder of the fallen world in which we live. And we are sad that some things we were excited to give the girls here are gone.

I haven't seen much outside the comfort of this home yet, but I will say driving at night in Nairobi is highly exciting!!! I did well with no audible screaming. The worst part is people crossing the streets randomly. It is so dark here at night and well...the people are dark too, you hardly see them. Brenda, says you just hope they have darted the traffic so much they are good at calculating how well they can or can not make it, and if you hit one you don't stop. Yikes.

This morning we had some rest and settling in. This afternoon we are going to ...well I can't remember... some sight seeing and something fun for the little girls. Jessica and I need the downtime! The weather is beautiful. There is no air conditioning in their home, but it is not needed. It feels great.

Praying for my sweet Lauryn. Lauryn I pray you wake up fever free! I haven't given up on the possibility you can still go to the D.R. Know that the Lord will give you and Dad wisdom in that. I am not as worried as I was, thanks for your prayers for me!

I met Gertrude. The manager for Jacaranda Creations. She is praying for you too. I told her God was good and she replied, "all the time". She is excited we are here and looking forward to showing us all their sewing. Maybe she can teach me to sew??

2009-07-10T14:45:00.000-07:00

Less than 24 hours Jessica and I are on a plane heading to the much dreamed about Nairobi.

Thankyou, Thankyou, Thank you for all your support, prayers and encouragement. This trip would not be possible without YOU!!

This week has been incredibly challenging with health issues and concerns but we are experiencing healing and truly believing that we are "supposed" to go. Amongst the many prayers and encouragements I have heard this week, one comment a friend made in regards to Jessica's 102 plus temperatures is, "what an inconvenience". I read that and thought truly that is all this is, "an inconvenience" at most and at least an attempt to tharwt our trip. But greater is He that is in us, than he that is in the world. Now, Lauryn is sick and to be honest I am fighting fatigue and a sore throat but it is all just an inconvenience. Still God is greater. Lauryn and I had some great prayer this afternoon and she is sitting up actually tolerating some toast and her fever seems to be coming down. Excitement is gaining the lead.

Our journey started with a pesty friend and pesty daughter...who knew in my heart that I would love the opportunity to go and wouldn't let me give up! Not to mention two pesty friends...Kaitlyn Kean and Jessica Hewett.

So, here we are after miraculous provisions and many, many inconveniences ready to go.

The video is just a glimpse of the our friends, the Keans and some of the sights we will see. Enjoy! The last picture is of my friend, Brenda. She has wanted me to go to Kenya for nearly 10 years. I remember being so excited when we learned Brenda and her family were going to move there fulltime because their hearts had already been in Kenya for so long. But I also remember standing on the street corner by my house crying as we said, "good-bye". Well, it wasnt' exactly good-bye...it was just a new road.

So the agenda is to recover on Monday and check our health, which we know will be great. We arrive 7:20pm Sunday, Nairobi time. They are 8 hours ahead. It will be about 10pm before we get to the Kean's home. Tuesday we visit the Kibera slum, Wednesday spend time at the Maruri Slum with the health clinic there and check on Jacaranda Creations(sewing ministry), Thursday I will go out with the hospice nurse! It sounds wonderful to me!

Today, miraculously I was able to leave work early. John and I were also able to just sit for an hour and talk. He reminded me that the scripture tells us to go and do. Jesus tells us to "go and do". I so appreciate the love and support of John. He has not waivered all week despite our illnesses that we are to go and that we will be ok! I know really he is just happy to clear the house of all the estrogen! But please do keep him in your prayers as well and if you think of it you could give him and Lauryn a call.

So, keep your prayers coming. Lauryn has 3 days to recover before she leaves with Crosspoint to the Dominican. I am praying this is a healing, life changing time for her. They leave July 17th and will be back July 21st. We return on the 26th.

Crosspoint Serving Saturday Volunteers ...YEAH for you! You will be in my prayers this Saturday and Sunday....go give that blood!!!

May all the glory be to God and may we remember the fullness of His grace and love for all!

In peace and wellness,

Rhonda

5 Days till Nairobi

2009-07-06T19:46:00.000-07:00

It has been an emotional ride these past 5 weeks. I have visited with family members of a special young women that passed away last November from Melanoma, spent healing time with one of my brothers, my oldest daughter turned 18, old friends from Maryland visited for a couple for days after 10 years of not seeing one another. Each of these events have been emotional from crying to laughing, from hurt to gratitude, from loss of the past to excitement for what lays ahead. Mostly for me much humility.

Really there is so much story in each of these events I feel rich in the reality of Christ. He is the common theme in all these relationships. Reflecting in these moments I realize that His timing is perfect. I am strengthened by each of these relationships and ready as I can be for Nairobi.

I will never forget joining hands in my living room with my family and Valerie's family as Rita (Val's Mom) prayed for us. Valerie was 25 when she died last November. Yet, in their grief hope is still alive and their heart still full of love for others.

Tonight I finished packing our 3rd suitcase. We are taking a lot of stuff bedsides our personal things...haven't gotten to that yet.

I came across a book, "Hope in the Dark" Anything with the word hope catches my attention. It is a picture and story book about a person's trip to Africa. It contains the most beautiful pictures. As I flipped through I found this:

" If you want to know the pulse and strength of Africa, spend a day with the women of a village. In the midst of deep suffering, domestic abuse, societal and poverty constraints, the women are the stability of Africa. They will carry the buckets upon their heads, touch the wounds of the sick, accept the burdens of helping the village survive - and all the while, they will be singing praises to God. "

Technical Help

2009-07-01T19:00:00.001-07:00

Ok, How do you correct spelling esp in a title after you have saved the blog?

I blame it my elementary education...those formative years I was in Australia.

Seriously, is there anyway to fix this??? Anyone out there?

Hi my name is Rhonda and I am a listacholic

2009-07-01T18:29:00.000-07:00

The last few days I am fighting this on again off again anxiety. I blame it on the fact I have been busy forming lists and scratching things off my list. Which I love to do...its just the lists have been very long.

Last night when I was looking for my reading glasses( to work on my list) it was like the Lord entered my thoughts and said, " you need to correct your vision." I have been so focused my checklists of things to do and not taking time to be in the word. So I got my Bible,( and glasses..of course) sat and read. Very comforting to me.

But this morning I had this anxiety that was growing quickly and I felt shaky. I honestly had this feeling of oppression. I started to pray and the scripture about God not giving us a spirit of fear...came to mind. The anxiety left. I decided to put my Bible in my purse and take it to work with me.

Well, later at work, I was sitting beside this man's hospital bed, holding his hand allowing him to cry for awhileI(he is 50 needs hospice and has 4 children at home ages 12-24) when Lauryn paged me. My family never pages me. I knew it was emergent, because that is the rule if I don't answer my cell and it is urgent page me. But I decided not to respond. I couldn't walk out on this man and his wife. I knew John had to be available or grandparents, "please Lord."

When I got to a phone I learned Lauryn got to work at the dance studio but on the way warning lights came on the dashboard of her car. She parked, turned the car off relieved, but worried she wouldn't get back home. She tried to start the car and it wouldn't. I didn't respond, she called John, he was able to handle the situation with her. But when I hung up the fact that I was nervous this morning and not knowing why, and then something happened deeply troubled me. I was totally consumed by fear this time. I knew I needed prayer, started crying at my desk... I tried to call friends no one answered. I cried to God and then I tried an old friend that I just saw in church on Sunday.

We were once prayer partners. Altho, she never answers her phone. Still I love you MP. Guess what? She answered. I poured out my guts and her first words in that calm southern accent was, "Rhonda, God did not give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love and sound and strong mind." The same verse God brought to my mind this morning. I feel like the bondage is broken. I am relaxed and calm at least for now! I know all the things that have happened are material things. I know this trip is God ordained. Part of what I read last night is "...no one can say "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit." There is no evil that can hold any power over us.

John meet me for lunch and we just talked about all the good things in our lives and kinda claimed that from here on out for the trip to Nairobi and Lauryn's trip to the D.R. it is all going to be good. I realized that after nearly 21 years of being together it is harder to be separated. At least for me. I know it is only 2 weeks but still John is such a safety net for me.

My office is quiet, I have space to myself this afternoon(another miracle) and was able to get that Bible out to read awhile. My vision is corrected at least for now.

I am grateful for my Saviour and grateful for His work through friends and prayer warriors in my life!

Also, why is it so much harder to see men cry? Do you feel that way? I need prayer for not only peace, but for my heart. You see God sent me this verse today to remind me we need all 3...power, love and strong mind. With one of these missing we are out of balance and possibly out of His peace which passes all understanding.

with all my heart,
Rhonda

PS. In my daytimer I already have a list

written for the week I am back from Nairobi. Help me to remember to keep

Jesus on the top of those lists and then

my list will be complete!

airlines and chili

2009-06-28T16:18:00.000-07:00

People/friends think I am so nice. At least they let me think that.

Today I called KLM/NWA to ask about the weight limit for our luggage and the cost of bringing an extra bag....seems we need to do that.... Well after the 6th "yes" and 6th time of stating and then I admit yelling the confirmation number into the phone receiving a calm, nice but not real voice saying each time, "sorry, my mistake let try again" I was unrecognizable even to myself. I realized I was screaming at a recording but couldn't help myself.

Once I was finally put through to an agent (oh this was my second call because the first time we got disconnected) I noticed my seat assignments were gone, then I got this strange silence on the other end. I asked what was up and they said calmly, "there is a problem with you flight from Atlanta to Nairobi" How could that be I said. I booked these flights in April. No response just a connection to 'international". There I repeated my story and was again greeted with, "oh, wait, there is a problem." I admitted to them this time that they were scaring me. But was reassurred. I actually was on hold at this point for 30 mintues...with some teasers to keep my hanging on. Believe me I would do anything not to have to give my confirmation number to that automated system.

Anyway, in the end I learned that my flight was not approved by the government. Which government I asked and why book flights before approval. I didn't get an answer to either...just new flight plans.... later in the day, different stops, and later arrival Kenya. But hey...we are still going. We can breathe once again...on to making Chili for Jessica and 17 others going to Cornerstone camping on Tuesday.

Chili was a success until I went to fill the freezer bags. That is trickier than it sounds. But I was down to the last bag and placing gently on top of the others in the freezer and boom the zip did not stay zip locked. Chili Everywhere. Apologized to my children for my language and don't worry I think I only lost 2 servings.

Well, John just walked in the back door with burgers from the grill...sounds good right about now.

Anyone else dealing with airlines let me just say I feel your pain.

Thanks for your continued prayers!

13 days and counting...

2009-06-28T11:53:00.000-07:00

13 days and Jessica and I board a plane for Africa. Nairobi to be exact. At this point the struggles and miracles have left no doubt that this is a privelege in our lives.

Today Pete Wilson at Crosspoint.tv finished up a series on Questions. Wow, there are so many and honestly not a lot of answers. Which is why I especially love attending Crosspoint. Strange you might say, but honestly I find freedom in that.

I find that the things I struggle with and don't have answers to lead me to what is most important to focus on. It boils down to learning how to HOPE and that hope itself is not a scientific fact but a leap of faith. I find no better person to place my faith in than that of Jesus.

Although placing my faith in him doesn't mean that my life has become simple, easy or even safe. What placing my faith in him has allowed is for me to experience a deep level of comfort and peace amongst pain, especially amongst my requests for physical healings that didn't occur.

The ultimately healing is simply to give our hearts over to Jesus. The journey then begins to choose to learn to continuely place our trust (hope)in that Saviour. Not a practice I claim to have perfected or expect myself ever to perfect. I would love your prayers as I will pray for you to grow deep roots of everlasting hope.

I have been searching for just one scripture or passage to hold onto has we take this journey to visit dear friends and work alongside them yet it escapes me. But today we sang a song that reminded me of the fact that the same power that raised Jesus is the same power in us. Yep, I have to swallow hard when I think on that. How about you? It's exciting...hard to sit still for that one.

Hey Brenda....13 DAYS !!! WOOHOO. Marianne. P says she loves you too! I have a hug saved for you from her!

2009-06-24T19:06:00.000-07:00

Ok, here I go... off to the blogging world.... Why does this feel scary to me? I am only in my mid 40's and afterall isn't 40's the new 30's? I truly am excited to start this adventure if only as therapy for myself. Somedays there is so much tension between my heart and my brain I find it hard to think straight. Can you relate?

Anyway, here I am if anyone would like to share in my journey and thoughts please do. I love company.

Yesterday and today I worked with a patient who reminded me so much of my friend Melissa that died last July from lung cancer. Today was especially difficult. This patient's physical pain has been great and she keeps rubbing and pointing to the same location that I remember Melissa complained about. I do not provide bedside nursing, but I round with the doctors on patients who are admitted to the oncology service and help manage their care through their hospital stay and on into home needs. While I was in the room I actually had my first flash back of Melissa. I had to swallow hard and was anxious to leave the room. I remembered clearly being with Melissa, her family and some of her closest friends the night she died in her home. I looked at her and felt so tired in my spirit of watching her laying towards her side with her hand on her back for comfort. I crawled up next to her in that big bed and started talking to her(she was not responsive) at the sametime I rubbed her arm and told her to relax offering her reassurances. After I few minutes she allowed me to move her arm and lay it by her side. At the sametime we noticed Melissa's face looked full and bright again, gone was that drawn grey look. Her close friend, Teddy took her other hand and told Melissa if she was seeing Jesus to go ahead and run to His arms. Melissa did and her suffering was over. It was what the medical profession would call a "good death". I have grieved the earthly loss of Melissa, but rejoiced in her heavenly healing and celebrated the Hope of Glory but in today I was reminded of the pain in the process and that Hope is certainly not so simple.