A picture says a thousand words . . . so imagine how many words these pictures will save you from reading!
The left hand column features pictures of the Basket of Hope Conference Center being built in the Tana River District . . . most recent pictures at the top. This Conference Center will not only provide a meeting place for the ministries already in place, but it will also provide a meeting place for the community and government. A lot of progress has been made on the first permanent building since we left March 2nd!
The right hand column features pictures from the 5 mission trips Ken and I have taken to Kenya.
Enjoy much happy reading with your eyes!
Friday, May 13, 2011
Monday, March 14, 2011
Construction Update
Sharon sent these pictures to me today! It's so exciting to see the walls going up on the 30x30 foot enclosure of the pole barn (30x80 foot building). There will be 3 rooms . . . one room (15x15) will be the kitchen with a sink, one room (15x15) will be for storage, and the third room (15x30) will be used for sleeping. The open area of the building will be used to hold classes, hopefully as early as mid-April for a Pastor's seminar.
God is good!
God is good!
Friday, March 4, 2011
Baboon & A Flat Tire
Buddy, the Baboon Bandit
Remember Buddy, the Baboon Bandit of Nakuru Game Park? (See 2/18/10 post.) He found out we were in Tana River and paid a visit!
Late one afternoon as I returned to the banda alone, there Buddy was . . . looking into the banda ! I backed away quickly and shouted to anyone who might care, “Baboon! Baboon! There’s a baboon at the banda!” The Kenyan workers nearby stopped and looked at me like, “Yes. So?”
Ken, my knight in shining armor, was off site! But thankfully, Louis was nearby. As I walked toward him, I repeated, “Baboon! Baboon! There’s a baboon at the banda!” Louis dropped was he was doing and came to my rescue. But by the time we returned to the banda, the baboon had crawled over the brush perimeter and was sitting there watching us. He stayed there for a few minutes before moving to a clump of nearby trees, where he sat for a half hour or so and watched us before giving up and leaving the site.
Sorry, I didn't get his picture this time!
Flat Tire
We arrived after dark the day we hauled the lumber from Mombasa to the Tana River site. Sharon & Howard and Louis were in the van, which Pastor David Mwakesi was driving. Ken was following in Pastor David Mwakesi’ car. Both vehicles had just stopped at the police check near World Vision, where we were staying.
Finally, we were cleared to go through. As we followed the van through the check point, I said to Ken, “It sounds like we have a flat tire.” Ken continued following the van through the check point. As the soldier pulled the spiked bar back across the road, he yelled, “Stop! Stop!” I wondered why he was telling us to stop when I heard him yell, “You have a flat tire.”
By this time, the van was already turning at the corner. I called Sharon to let her know that we had a flat tire. She said they would unhook the trailer and be right back to help us. In the meantime, Ken had the spare tire out and was looking for the jack, which he could not find. So, we waited for the van to return.
Both the Kenyan policeman and the soldier introduced themselves to us and told us that it’s not good to be out on the road after dark, but that we were safe there with them. They told us that a lion had been spotted the night before in the village behind World Vision. We knew a lion had been in the area, as the guard at the Basket of Hope site had found a lion print at the site two weeks earlier.
While we waited, we enjoyed the cool breeze and the beautiful night sky. It’s amazing how many stars, including the Milky Way, can be seen when there are no city lights interfering with the view!!!
Remember Buddy, the Baboon Bandit of Nakuru Game Park? (See 2/18/10 post.) He found out we were in Tana River and paid a visit!
Late one afternoon as I returned to the banda alone, there Buddy was . . . looking into the banda ! I backed away quickly and shouted to anyone who might care, “Baboon! Baboon! There’s a baboon at the banda!” The Kenyan workers nearby stopped and looked at me like, “Yes. So?”
Ken, my knight in shining armor, was off site! But thankfully, Louis was nearby. As I walked toward him, I repeated, “Baboon! Baboon! There’s a baboon at the banda!” Louis dropped was he was doing and came to my rescue. But by the time we returned to the banda, the baboon had crawled over the brush perimeter and was sitting there watching us. He stayed there for a few minutes before moving to a clump of nearby trees, where he sat for a half hour or so and watched us before giving up and leaving the site.
Sorry, I didn't get his picture this time!
Flat Tire
We arrived after dark the day we hauled the lumber from Mombasa to the Tana River site. Sharon & Howard and Louis were in the van, which Pastor David Mwakesi was driving. Ken was following in Pastor David Mwakesi’ car. Both vehicles had just stopped at the police check near World Vision, where we were staying.
Finally, we were cleared to go through. As we followed the van through the check point, I said to Ken, “It sounds like we have a flat tire.” Ken continued following the van through the check point. As the soldier pulled the spiked bar back across the road, he yelled, “Stop! Stop!” I wondered why he was telling us to stop when I heard him yell, “You have a flat tire.”
By this time, the van was already turning at the corner. I called Sharon to let her know that we had a flat tire. She said they would unhook the trailer and be right back to help us. In the meantime, Ken had the spare tire out and was looking for the jack, which he could not find. So, we waited for the van to return.
Both the Kenyan policeman and the soldier introduced themselves to us and told us that it’s not good to be out on the road after dark, but that we were safe there with them. They told us that a lion had been spotted the night before in the village behind World Vision. We knew a lion had been in the area, as the guard at the Basket of Hope site had found a lion print at the site two weeks earlier.
While we waited, we enjoyed the cool breeze and the beautiful night sky. It’s amazing how many stars, including the Milky Way, can be seen when there are no city lights interfering with the view!!!
Thursday, March 3, 2011
We're Home!
We left Nairobi at 11 p.m. on Wednesday night and landed in Omaha at 1:20 p.m. today . . . after 24 hours of traveling . . . 18+ hours in the air. Remember, Nairobi is 9 hours ahead of Lincoln time.
Our flights were on time but like non other flights we have ever been on. Three hours into our flight from Nairobi to Amsterdam, there was a medical emergency. The crew members and a doctor on board worked for over an hour to revive a man. Sadly, he did not live.
On our flight from Amsterdam to Detroit, there was another medical emergency. An elderly woman was having health issues before she even boarded the plane. The cabin members tried to get her to not get on the flight, but she did. Fortunately, her situation turned out better, even though it required a doctor to monitor her during the remainder of the flight.
Ken and I are very thankful to God for his hand of protection on our lives during this past month. We had a great trip . . . will write more about it when I can stay awake! :-)
Love,
Arlene
Our flights were on time but like non other flights we have ever been on. Three hours into our flight from Nairobi to Amsterdam, there was a medical emergency. The crew members and a doctor on board worked for over an hour to revive a man. Sadly, he did not live.
On our flight from Amsterdam to Detroit, there was another medical emergency. An elderly woman was having health issues before she even boarded the plane. The cabin members tried to get her to not get on the flight, but she did. Fortunately, her situation turned out better, even though it required a doctor to monitor her during the remainder of the flight.
Ken and I are very thankful to God for his hand of protection on our lives during this past month. We had a great trip . . . will write more about it when I can stay awake! :-)
Love,
Arlene
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Heading Home
Bags are packed and weighed . . . none over 50 lbs, which is a miracle in itself! In a few hours, we will head to the Nairobi airport to begin our journey back to America. Where have these past 4 weeks gone?
We have been in Nairobi since Saturday night, staying at Jon & Molly's at KKV. Nairobi is lush with green . . . and beautiful flowers . . . and cool temps! What a welcome relief from the 125-130 degree temps in Tana River!
There will be time to reflect on the past 4 weeks during the long flight home.
It's bittersweet leaving Kenya . . . leaving the wonderful people and friends in Tana River yet looking forward to seeing family and friends in America.
Thank you for your continued prayers as we travel home.
Love,
Arlene & Ken
We have been in Nairobi since Saturday night, staying at Jon & Molly's at KKV. Nairobi is lush with green . . . and beautiful flowers . . . and cool temps! What a welcome relief from the 125-130 degree temps in Tana River!
There will be time to reflect on the past 4 weeks during the long flight home.
It's bittersweet leaving Kenya . . . leaving the wonderful people and friends in Tana River yet looking forward to seeing family and friends in America.
Thank you for your continued prayers as we travel home.
Love,
Arlene & Ken
Friday, February 25, 2011
Hello, Everyone,
We arrived back in Tana River around 8:30 p.m. Tuesday night (22nd). It is normally about a 4-4 1/2 hour trip; but because of the load of lumber and the potholes, it was an 8 1/2 hour trip. I believe a turtle could have moved faster than we were driving on the last half of the trip. The top of the van was loaded with lumber, as was an 8 foot trailer so had to drive pole pole (slowy slowy).
Ken and I were in Pastor David Mwakesi's car; he was driving the van. We arrived at the last police check before our turn to World Vision around 8:30 p.m. After sitting for what seemed like an eternity while they checked both vehicles out, they pulled the spiked bar out of the way for us to pass through. As we followed the van and trailer through, I said to Ken . . . "It sounds like we have a flat tire." As we passed through, they pulled the spiked bar back into place. The soldier began to yell . . ."Stop! Stop!" He then told us we had a flat tire. By this time, the van and trailer had already turned the corner. Immediately, I called Sharon. She said they were just pulling into World Vision and wanted to unhook the trailer and then would be back to help us.
So, we stood outside the car with a Kenyan policeman and an army soldier in the pitch black of night. We all introduced ourselves. When the subject of governments and politics came up, I said . . . "I just love the night sky in Africa. We cannot see this many stars where we live!" Nice segway to changing the subject, don't you think. We told them about the project and the ministry and feeding programs taking place in Tana River until David and Sam and another man came back to change our tire.
The policeman and soldier both confirmed lion activity in the area. Ken and I have been to Tana River 5 times and have not seen or heard of lions being in the area or hyenas or zebras. Don't know why I thought they wouldn't be here! :-)
Work continues at the site of the Basket of Hope Conference Center. I'll try and get pictures posted yet tonight.
We arrived back in Mombasa today around 10:30 a.m. The van needed to have the timing belt replaced. The mechanic started on it this afternoon and at 6 p.m., they were putting the van back together. It's to be ready around 10 a.m. tomorrow. Then it's on to Nairobi tomorrow, where we will stay at Kings Kids Village with Jon & Molly.
The long rains will begin the end of March, or before, cooling down the Tana River area. The rains will continue through April/May, refilling the Tana River.
This month has gone quickly; we leave for America Wednesday night. It's always bitter sweet . . . leaving the wonderful people here in Tana River yet looking forward to being home with family and friends.
Thank you for your continued prayer support.
Love,
Arlene & Ken
We arrived back in Tana River around 8:30 p.m. Tuesday night (22nd). It is normally about a 4-4 1/2 hour trip; but because of the load of lumber and the potholes, it was an 8 1/2 hour trip. I believe a turtle could have moved faster than we were driving on the last half of the trip. The top of the van was loaded with lumber, as was an 8 foot trailer so had to drive pole pole (slowy slowy).
Ken and I were in Pastor David Mwakesi's car; he was driving the van. We arrived at the last police check before our turn to World Vision around 8:30 p.m. After sitting for what seemed like an eternity while they checked both vehicles out, they pulled the spiked bar out of the way for us to pass through. As we followed the van and trailer through, I said to Ken . . . "It sounds like we have a flat tire." As we passed through, they pulled the spiked bar back into place. The soldier began to yell . . ."Stop! Stop!" He then told us we had a flat tire. By this time, the van and trailer had already turned the corner. Immediately, I called Sharon. She said they were just pulling into World Vision and wanted to unhook the trailer and then would be back to help us.
So, we stood outside the car with a Kenyan policeman and an army soldier in the pitch black of night. We all introduced ourselves. When the subject of governments and politics came up, I said . . . "I just love the night sky in Africa. We cannot see this many stars where we live!" Nice segway to changing the subject, don't you think. We told them about the project and the ministry and feeding programs taking place in Tana River until David and Sam and another man came back to change our tire.
The policeman and soldier both confirmed lion activity in the area. Ken and I have been to Tana River 5 times and have not seen or heard of lions being in the area or hyenas or zebras. Don't know why I thought they wouldn't be here! :-)
Work continues at the site of the Basket of Hope Conference Center. I'll try and get pictures posted yet tonight.
We arrived back in Mombasa today around 10:30 a.m. The van needed to have the timing belt replaced. The mechanic started on it this afternoon and at 6 p.m., they were putting the van back together. It's to be ready around 10 a.m. tomorrow. Then it's on to Nairobi tomorrow, where we will stay at Kings Kids Village with Jon & Molly.
The long rains will begin the end of March, or before, cooling down the Tana River area. The rains will continue through April/May, refilling the Tana River.
This month has gone quickly; we leave for America Wednesday night. It's always bitter sweet . . . leaving the wonderful people here in Tana River yet looking forward to being home with family and friends.
Thank you for your continued prayer support.
Love,
Arlene & Ken
Sunday, February 20, 2011
HOT, HOTTER, HOTTEST
Greetings from Tana River, the land of HOT, HOTTER, HOTTEST temperatures!
Thursday last week, the temperature reached 130 degrees Fahrenheit by 10:30 a.m.!!! Each day’s high temp has been around 127 degrees . . . with humidity to match! Even the Kenyans are saying it is hot! Now that’s hot!
Our trip to Kenya began at 1:15 p.m. on Friday, February 4th in Omaha with arrival in Mombasa at midnight on Saturday, February 5th. Kenya is 9 hours ahead of Nebraska, but it was still a loooooong trip!!! In Detroit, we met up with the 3-member team from Jackson, Michigan. From Detroit, the 5 of us flew to Amsterdam then to Nairobi then to Mombasa!
Sunday (6th) was spent in Mombasa, where we attended church at 9 a.m. Monday morning was spent running errands . . . left in the afternoon for Tana River, about a 5-hour van drive. Basket of Hope purchased a 9 passenger, air conditioned van in January.
On the property, an outhouse was built – thank you, Louis! – and a banda (the first building on the property) was built around a big tree. Not only does the banda house our kitchen, but it provides MUCH relief from the sun and heat!
Between February 8-16 . . .
Kenyan men dug the footings for the pole shed, 30 feet x 80 feet. The men were paid by each 10 foot long, 4 foot deep, 2 foot wide section they dug. All the footings were completed in 2 days and concrete poured on Thursday and Friday!
Digging of the pit latrine began. The finished hole will be 25-30 feet deep and 6 feet across. The hole was about 15 feet deep when we left Tana River on the 16th but heard today it is at 20 feet.
The team from Michigan dug red soil at an off-site location. The red soil was moved by truck to the church in Itsowe, where they sifted the red soil, black soil, and sand in preparation for block making.
Women from a near-by village cleared the remaining small brush. A couple of days later, the Michigan team raked the area and burned the debris.
Ken and Louis worked on a variety of projects, along with the Kenyan laborers.
Arlene cooked breakfast for the team 4 mornings – French toast, pancakes, scrambled eggs – and washed dishes! She watched and “learned” how to cook some of the Kenyan foods!
Sunday the 13th, the team divided up and spoke at 4 area churches. It’s wonderful to worship with the body of Christ in another part of the world.
On Wednesday, the 16th, the team left Tana River for Mombasa and drove in rain nearly the entire way. This was the first rain in the area for 2 or 3 months.
We are 5 now . . . Ken & Arlene, Howard & Sharon, and Louis. We will return to Tana River tomorrow, Monday, February 21st for 5 or 6 days. The Michigan team flew out of Mombasa on Friday evening (18th) for their journey back to America.
We’ve heard that Nebraska has been enjoying warm temps, melting the snow! When we return on March 3rd, the crocus could be up and blooming declaring it will soon be Spring!
Hope you enjoy the pictures. Will post again soon. Would love to hear from you.
Thank you for your prayer support during our time in Kenya!
P.S. Will post pics later this evening.
Thursday last week, the temperature reached 130 degrees Fahrenheit by 10:30 a.m.!!! Each day’s high temp has been around 127 degrees . . . with humidity to match! Even the Kenyans are saying it is hot! Now that’s hot!
Our trip to Kenya began at 1:15 p.m. on Friday, February 4th in Omaha with arrival in Mombasa at midnight on Saturday, February 5th. Kenya is 9 hours ahead of Nebraska, but it was still a loooooong trip!!! In Detroit, we met up with the 3-member team from Jackson, Michigan. From Detroit, the 5 of us flew to Amsterdam then to Nairobi then to Mombasa!
Sunday (6th) was spent in Mombasa, where we attended church at 9 a.m. Monday morning was spent running errands . . . left in the afternoon for Tana River, about a 5-hour van drive. Basket of Hope purchased a 9 passenger, air conditioned van in January.
On the property, an outhouse was built – thank you, Louis! – and a banda (the first building on the property) was built around a big tree. Not only does the banda house our kitchen, but it provides MUCH relief from the sun and heat!
Between February 8-16 . . .
Kenyan men dug the footings for the pole shed, 30 feet x 80 feet. The men were paid by each 10 foot long, 4 foot deep, 2 foot wide section they dug. All the footings were completed in 2 days and concrete poured on Thursday and Friday!
Digging of the pit latrine began. The finished hole will be 25-30 feet deep and 6 feet across. The hole was about 15 feet deep when we left Tana River on the 16th but heard today it is at 20 feet.
The team from Michigan dug red soil at an off-site location. The red soil was moved by truck to the church in Itsowe, where they sifted the red soil, black soil, and sand in preparation for block making.
Women from a near-by village cleared the remaining small brush. A couple of days later, the Michigan team raked the area and burned the debris.
Ken and Louis worked on a variety of projects, along with the Kenyan laborers.
Arlene cooked breakfast for the team 4 mornings – French toast, pancakes, scrambled eggs – and washed dishes! She watched and “learned” how to cook some of the Kenyan foods!
Sunday the 13th, the team divided up and spoke at 4 area churches. It’s wonderful to worship with the body of Christ in another part of the world.
On Wednesday, the 16th, the team left Tana River for Mombasa and drove in rain nearly the entire way. This was the first rain in the area for 2 or 3 months.
We are 5 now . . . Ken & Arlene, Howard & Sharon, and Louis. We will return to Tana River tomorrow, Monday, February 21st for 5 or 6 days. The Michigan team flew out of Mombasa on Friday evening (18th) for their journey back to America.
We’ve heard that Nebraska has been enjoying warm temps, melting the snow! When we return on March 3rd, the crocus could be up and blooming declaring it will soon be Spring!
Hope you enjoy the pictures. Will post again soon. Would love to hear from you.
Thank you for your prayer support during our time in Kenya!
P.S. Will post pics later this evening.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Safe Arrival
Over the weekend, we arrived safely in Kenya! Saturday night we landed in Nairobi, and before the night was over, boarded another plane to fly directly to Mombassa,Kenya, where we spent the next two nights, along with a rather large cockroach.
Today, Monday 2/7, we arrived in Garsen, Kenya, and will be spending the next week and a half working at the Basket of Hope Conference Center in the Tana River area.
We will post updates and photo's as we have internet access, and we hope to skype with our church family on an upcoming Sunday morning. In the meantime, we make the occasional phone call to our kids and grandkids during our free time in the hot, starry summer evenings.
Thank you for your prayers as we continue on this trip! We pray all is well with you and yours! Stay warm!
Today, Monday 2/7, we arrived in Garsen, Kenya, and will be spending the next week and a half working at the Basket of Hope Conference Center in the Tana River area.
We will post updates and photo's as we have internet access, and we hope to skype with our church family on an upcoming Sunday morning. In the meantime, we make the occasional phone call to our kids and grandkids during our free time in the hot, starry summer evenings.
Thank you for your prayers as we continue on this trip! We pray all is well with you and yours! Stay warm!
Monday, January 17, 2011
Basket of Hope Conference Center
Basket of Hope was born to help people out of poverty through adequate, safe water supply; carpentry tools for young boys and treadle sewing machines for young girls to learn a skill; feeding programs; training teachers and women; building school buildings; and building a Conference Center.
On the paved, main road in Tana River, 15 acres of land has been donated to Basket of Hope, on which Basket of Hope Conference Center will be built. This site is centrally located and not flooded by the rains. The Conference Center will provide classrooms for teaching, lodging, bathrooms, and a kitchen. There are over 100 churches in this area, with more churches started each month. When the Conference Center is completed, we will also reach out into Somalia, which is close to the border of Kenya.
The Basket of Hope Conference Center will be an activity center that will provide healing, hope, and relief to all ages as they come for teaching, training, and encouragement.
THE PURPOSE . . .
To accommodate the existing and ongoing humanitarian outreach – 30 years of serving the community –promoting human welfare and social reform!
20 Nursery Schools with feeding programs
Teacher Training for Nursery School Teachers
Food Distribution Center for Famine Relief
Adult Education:
Carpentry for men / Sewing for ladies
Agricultural Training Center
Block Making Machine
Cement Mixing
Welding
Building Construction
Future Site of Medical Clinic & Nursery School
3 Bible Schools
Kenyan Mission Classes
Pastors, Women Leaders, & Youth Classes
On the paved, main road in Tana River, 15 acres of land has been donated to Basket of Hope, on which Basket of Hope Conference Center will be built. This site is centrally located and not flooded by the rains. The Conference Center will provide classrooms for teaching, lodging, bathrooms, and a kitchen. There are over 100 churches in this area, with more churches started each month. When the Conference Center is completed, we will also reach out into Somalia, which is close to the border of Kenya.
The Basket of Hope Conference Center will be an activity center that will provide healing, hope, and relief to all ages as they come for teaching, training, and encouragement.
THE PURPOSE . . .
To accommodate the existing and ongoing humanitarian outreach – 30 years of serving the community –promoting human welfare and social reform!
20 Nursery Schools with feeding programs
Teacher Training for Nursery School Teachers
Food Distribution Center for Famine Relief
Adult Education:
Carpentry for men / Sewing for ladies
Agricultural Training Center
Block Making Machine
Cement Mixing
Welding
Building Construction
Future Site of Medical Clinic & Nursery School
3 Bible Schools
Kenyan Mission Classes
Pastors, Women Leaders, & Youth Classes
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)