Some of you must have been praying for me - I have found a great Bible study that was formulated in South Africa especially for the population I will be targeting in the Baraka women's group! It is called a "contextual" Bible study, and incorporates the African culture into the material, and also a plan of action to apply the study. It even has some lessons on dealing with being HIV positive. I could not have asked for a better study! Thank you for your prayers!
Right now, my roommate Jane is teaching a small group of children to play the guitar. They are having a music class in the living room, and it is so sweet. Jane is wonderful with the children, and they love music and learning the guitar. Before they came in, I was listening to Sam Robson in his Youtube performance of "How Great Thou Art". They recognized the song, and we all sang along. What an incredible moment!! It almost brought me to tears, which is something that happens quite frequently here amidst the children! I have to be careful not to let them see me cry, however, since they don't understand why I'm tearful, and they think something is wrong. I try to explain that it's just that my heart is touched by them - I think they just think I'm one strange old Muzungu! Oh well, they will get used to me, and learn to just ignore me!
All the malaria patients are back to good health, and we have graduated to the next malady - scabies. One little girl, Grace, contracted scabies from either her school mates, or relatives when she was home visiting recently. I am praying that, by some miracle, it doesn't spread throughout the girl's dorm, and that I don't get blessed with a case of scabies. Time will tell. There are worse things ...
I have heard alerts that it is unsafe to drive in downtown Nairobi because of some demonstrations that are going on that could turn violent at any moment. While I am glad that I don't have to drive downtown, my heart aches for the Kenyans who long for peace in their land.
Two other Muzungus and myself went grocery shopping at a mall close to our compound this afternoon. Because of the recent terrorist activity in the mall in Nairobi, our bags are checked before we enter the mall, and our car was inspected - I guess the guard thought we looked dangerous or something! There was a male and a female guard checking the bags at the entrance, and there was a line for the female guard, so I went to the male guard's side, and let him check my bag. I found out later from my Kenyan friend who accompanied us that I committed a faux pas - only the female guards are supposed to check a female's bag.
As far as I know, this is my first cultural blunder - I'm sure it will not be my last!
We have had beautiful, warm, sunny days with no rain since last Saturday. It's hard to believe that this is January, and most of my friends and relatives are enduring harsh winter weather. I am sending some warm sunshine your way!
I also send my love and deepest gratitude for your prayers, love, and friendship. Please leave me a comment and let me know if you're enjoying my blog. Thanks!
Nancy
One of My Favorite Photos
Saturday, January 25, 2014
Friday, January 24, 2014
Friday, January 24th - Women's Bible Study Day - Lessons Learned
So, today was the first Bible study I had with the women of the Baraka outreach. Baraka means "blessing" in Swahili, and women from the surrounding areas, including the slums, come to the Baraka group to learn a skill, such as sewing, in order to have a livelihood and hope for themselves and their children. Many of the women are HIV positive.
I was very excited to be able to be involved in this ministry, and diligently prepared a lesson in which I planned to teach them the inductive Bible study technique. My goal was, and is, to help these ladies learn how to study the Bible, and really know how to find what God wants to say to each one of them personally through His Word, His love letter to them.
Well, I am not sure that anything I had to say got through to them. I think that I pretty much missed the boat on conveying what I wanted to convey. I thought that they spoke English better than what I realized, and am not sure that any of them really understand what the Bible is all about, as well.
I learned some important lessons today! One is that I need to have an interpreter explain things as I go along if I expect the women to grasp the points of the study. A second thing I learned is that I have to spend some time getting to know the women first, and find out what THEY want in our time together. Another thing I learned is that I may have to take the lesson apart and break it down into useable pieces, and just present one piece at a time, instead of all in one session. Many of the women have a very minimal educational level, and I can't expect them to learn or process the lesson the same way better educated women would. In short, I need to teach in their language, and in a way that they can understand. Seems pretty obvious, doesn't it? Well, I totally missed it!
I am sure that God will show me more that I need to learn as I think about this, and ask Him to show me how to make this Bible study work in a way that will be relatable and meaningful for the women He has
given me to serve and love. Boy, am I glad He is a patient and merciful Father!
Please pray with me that I will be able to see through the eyes of these beautiful women, and that our hearts will connect, in spite of me!
Gratefully - Nancy
I was very excited to be able to be involved in this ministry, and diligently prepared a lesson in which I planned to teach them the inductive Bible study technique. My goal was, and is, to help these ladies learn how to study the Bible, and really know how to find what God wants to say to each one of them personally through His Word, His love letter to them.
Well, I am not sure that anything I had to say got through to them. I think that I pretty much missed the boat on conveying what I wanted to convey. I thought that they spoke English better than what I realized, and am not sure that any of them really understand what the Bible is all about, as well.
I learned some important lessons today! One is that I need to have an interpreter explain things as I go along if I expect the women to grasp the points of the study. A second thing I learned is that I have to spend some time getting to know the women first, and find out what THEY want in our time together. Another thing I learned is that I may have to take the lesson apart and break it down into useable pieces, and just present one piece at a time, instead of all in one session. Many of the women have a very minimal educational level, and I can't expect them to learn or process the lesson the same way better educated women would. In short, I need to teach in their language, and in a way that they can understand. Seems pretty obvious, doesn't it? Well, I totally missed it!
I am sure that God will show me more that I need to learn as I think about this, and ask Him to show me how to make this Bible study work in a way that will be relatable and meaningful for the women He has
given me to serve and love. Boy, am I glad He is a patient and merciful Father!
Please pray with me that I will be able to see through the eyes of these beautiful women, and that our hearts will connect, in spite of me!
Gratefully - Nancy
Tuesday, January 21, 2014
Tuesday, January 21st
Two more children have been diagnosed with malaria since yesterday. We were able to get some rapid malaria test kits and test the children yesterday and today. All three who have come down with malaria were home "up country", as they say, visiting for the holidays. Two have been very sick, and the third seems to have a fairly mild case - still not a fun thing to have even in a mild dose!
Needless to say, I have been quite busy obtaining the test kits, testing the children, going to the pharmacy for the meds, and caring for the children who are sick. I am reminded how blessed we are to have reliable and available medical care in the US when I search for the same level of care here in Kenya. God bless these dear people - and God bless theses three little ones, especially the three who are sick with malaria right now.
I am struggling with jet lag - waking up at 3:30 or 4:00, unable to get back to sleep until just before my alarm clock goes off! This too shall pass, though, and I am so grateful to be here.
I send my love and virtual hugs to everyone -
Nancy
Two more children have been diagnosed with malaria since yesterday. We were able to get some rapid malaria test kits and test the children yesterday and today. All three who have come down with malaria were home "up country", as they say, visiting for the holidays. Two have been very sick, and the third seems to have a fairly mild case - still not a fun thing to have even in a mild dose!
Needless to say, I have been quite busy obtaining the test kits, testing the children, going to the pharmacy for the meds, and caring for the children who are sick. I am reminded how blessed we are to have reliable and available medical care in the US when I search for the same level of care here in Kenya. God bless these dear people - and God bless theses three little ones, especially the three who are sick with malaria right now.
I am struggling with jet lag - waking up at 3:30 or 4:00, unable to get back to sleep until just before my alarm clock goes off! This too shall pass, though, and I am so grateful to be here.
I send my love and virtual hugs to everyone -
Nancy
Sunday, January 19, 2014
January 19th - Africa - My New Home!
I arrived in Kenya Friday night, the 17th, and have been getting accustomed to the warm weather and different time zone since then. I have been very welcomed by my new family, and feel very loved already! There are so many new faces and names to learn, but my new friends are very gracious and patient with me, thankfully!
I have already had one patient to care for - a sweet girl named Hawa, who had a very high fever, severe headache, vomiting and diarrhea for three days. She recently went to visit some of her relatives in Mombasa, which has more incidence of malaria, and sure enough, that's what she has. We took her to a clinic last night, and the lab tests showed that she has a severe case of malaria, urinary tract infection, and worm infection - poor little thing! We were able to get her labs, medical treatment, and medications all in the same clinic - talk about one-stop shopping! And, it's open 24/7! I have a feeling this is just one of many times I will be blessed to visit this clinic! I feel very blessed that this clinic is close-by, and has a full range of services. God is so good.
This morning we worshiped at a church near our children's home, and I was impressed again with the unity we have through the Holy Spirit as we worship our Lord Jesus, irrespective of our language, customs, or geographical location. The church is frequented by many expats, however, and the service was very much like one I would experience in the States. I missed the fervor of my African brothers and sisters in the worship time! I will have the chance to explore other churches in the area, and will see if I can find one a little less westernized, and alternate between the two in the months to come.
This week I will familiarize myself with our clinic, and see about establishing an infirmary where I can care for the children when they are sick, and where they can recover from their illnesses without lots of energetic and curious children peeking in on them.
As I begin my ministry here, one thought has been reinforced through my devotional readings in the last few days - that the greatest competition to fellowship with Jesus is Christian service. We can get so busy doing things for God that we neglect our fellowship with and worship of Him. Please pray that I will keep my relationship with Jesus as my main focus - that what He calls me to do will be under His loving guidance, and that my motives would not be based on my own agenda, but on what He wants me to do and has purposed for me. Thank you!
I have heard that the weather in the Midwest and New England is getting very cold again, so I am sending you many warm blessings, love and prayers.
All my love - Nancy
I have already had one patient to care for - a sweet girl named Hawa, who had a very high fever, severe headache, vomiting and diarrhea for three days. She recently went to visit some of her relatives in Mombasa, which has more incidence of malaria, and sure enough, that's what she has. We took her to a clinic last night, and the lab tests showed that she has a severe case of malaria, urinary tract infection, and worm infection - poor little thing! We were able to get her labs, medical treatment, and medications all in the same clinic - talk about one-stop shopping! And, it's open 24/7! I have a feeling this is just one of many times I will be blessed to visit this clinic! I feel very blessed that this clinic is close-by, and has a full range of services. God is so good.
This morning we worshiped at a church near our children's home, and I was impressed again with the unity we have through the Holy Spirit as we worship our Lord Jesus, irrespective of our language, customs, or geographical location. The church is frequented by many expats, however, and the service was very much like one I would experience in the States. I missed the fervor of my African brothers and sisters in the worship time! I will have the chance to explore other churches in the area, and will see if I can find one a little less westernized, and alternate between the two in the months to come.
This week I will familiarize myself with our clinic, and see about establishing an infirmary where I can care for the children when they are sick, and where they can recover from their illnesses without lots of energetic and curious children peeking in on them.
As I begin my ministry here, one thought has been reinforced through my devotional readings in the last few days - that the greatest competition to fellowship with Jesus is Christian service. We can get so busy doing things for God that we neglect our fellowship with and worship of Him. Please pray that I will keep my relationship with Jesus as my main focus - that what He calls me to do will be under His loving guidance, and that my motives would not be based on my own agenda, but on what He wants me to do and has purposed for me. Thank you!
I have heard that the weather in the Midwest and New England is getting very cold again, so I am sending you many warm blessings, love and prayers.
All my love - Nancy
Thursday, January 9, 2014
One Week From Today ...
January 9th - One Week From Today ...
In one very short week, I will be on a plane headed for Africa - the fulfillment of years of praying, dreaming, and planning. It hardly seems possible!
But reality is slowly taking hold as I pack my belongings and say goodbye to my friends and family. This has been more difficult than I anticipated. I have wanted this day to come for so long, and in all of my dreams of this day, I have had nothing but joy and anticipation dominate my thoughts. But, as the actual day approaches, I have experienced much sadness in the last week as I said goodbye to my job and friends at work, as I pack my things and leave the security of my home, as I give my dear kitties away to new homes, and as I say goodbye to my beloved friends and family.
As so often happens, though, God spoke to me through His Word in my devotions this morning. He gave me these verses:
"I am with you and for you. When you decide on a course of action that is in line with My will,
nothing in heaven or on earth can stop you. You may encounter many obstacles as you move
toward your goal, but don't be discouraged - never give up! With My help, you can overcome
any obstacle. Do not expect an easy path as you journey hand in hand with Me, but do remember
that I, your very -present Helper, am omnipotent." Romans 8:31, Psalm 46:1-3.
I am reminded of a quote I heard once - I cannot remember the source - that goes something like this:
"I will not offer to Jesus what it costs me nothing to give."
I have to remember that there is a cost to pay in serving Jesus. In light of His sacrifice for me, anything I can offer seems so trivial. But, in His mercy, He reminded me today that He is with me and for me, and will help me overcome any obstacle - even the obstacle of myself and my fleshly struggles! We serve a good, faithful, and merciful God!
Thank you for praying for me, and for caring about me. I love you all -
Nancy
In one very short week, I will be on a plane headed for Africa - the fulfillment of years of praying, dreaming, and planning. It hardly seems possible!
But reality is slowly taking hold as I pack my belongings and say goodbye to my friends and family. This has been more difficult than I anticipated. I have wanted this day to come for so long, and in all of my dreams of this day, I have had nothing but joy and anticipation dominate my thoughts. But, as the actual day approaches, I have experienced much sadness in the last week as I said goodbye to my job and friends at work, as I pack my things and leave the security of my home, as I give my dear kitties away to new homes, and as I say goodbye to my beloved friends and family.
As so often happens, though, God spoke to me through His Word in my devotions this morning. He gave me these verses:
"I am with you and for you. When you decide on a course of action that is in line with My will,
nothing in heaven or on earth can stop you. You may encounter many obstacles as you move
toward your goal, but don't be discouraged - never give up! With My help, you can overcome
any obstacle. Do not expect an easy path as you journey hand in hand with Me, but do remember
that I, your very -present Helper, am omnipotent." Romans 8:31, Psalm 46:1-3.
I am reminded of a quote I heard once - I cannot remember the source - that goes something like this:
"I will not offer to Jesus what it costs me nothing to give."
I have to remember that there is a cost to pay in serving Jesus. In light of His sacrifice for me, anything I can offer seems so trivial. But, in His mercy, He reminded me today that He is with me and for me, and will help me overcome any obstacle - even the obstacle of myself and my fleshly struggles! We serve a good, faithful, and merciful God!
Thank you for praying for me, and for caring about me. I love you all -
Nancy
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