No matter how old we get, it still brings us pain when our kids are hurt. We go so far as to ask God to give us the hurt instead. I went to the hospital yesterday afternoon to see the daughter, recovering from back surgery. I hate having to think about all the pain she has endured in the past few years, and I would gladly take all of it to spare her. Maybe she will come home today, with about 6 weeks of recovery, for the pain to go away and for renewal of her strength. The doctor thinks the little steel disc is sitting exactly right, and he is hopeful that completely recovery of the spinal column is possible. As I looked at the x-ray the doctor brought in and listened to him talk to the daughter, I felt joy. Joy that my child would be okay.
It makes me conscious of all the kids in the world who are not okay today. The kids sleeping on the streets right now in Eastleigh, Nairobi, since it is nighttime there. The kids in Iraq on any street, the kids near that marketplace in Mogadishu, the kids in any school where bullying and fear reign - let's together ask God for his powerful beam of light to rest on those kids for their good.
There is a God in heaven, there is a God who owns the earth and all in it, there is a God who secures the future. So joy will not die, will not be defeated, will not dim in the presence of pain. Count on it!
charles
Friday, December 14, 2007
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Back in the USA
Darlene and I go back and forth from Kenya to USA. The contrasts are great, the details astounding, and the joy remains constant. We leave the street kids in good hands -- the Kenyan Team is astounding. The kids at Kamulu had a "Family Day" today, with any family members they have visiting for the day. It's a great time and very meaningful to the kids. Even though their family experience may have been terrible, family is still very important to them.
Now we are in California. I am at gymnastics with Morgan, the youngest granddaughter. Wow, this is fun! Watching her fulfills a little part of my heart that is special. Our daughter is in the hospital after back surgery. Darlene has gone to see her today after taking the twins to school. Her husband is getting much-needed sleep. So we are useful even here!
Being USEFUL is just what we want. It's a big part of what brings meaning to our lives. We want our usefulness to bring joy to people and also hold meaning for something eternal as well.
Have to go now -- the granddaughter is ready to move on -- happy holidays -- charles
Now we are in California. I am at gymnastics with Morgan, the youngest granddaughter. Wow, this is fun! Watching her fulfills a little part of my heart that is special. Our daughter is in the hospital after back surgery. Darlene has gone to see her today after taking the twins to school. Her husband is getting much-needed sleep. So we are useful even here!
Being USEFUL is just what we want. It's a big part of what brings meaning to our lives. We want our usefulness to bring joy to people and also hold meaning for something eternal as well.
Have to go now -- the granddaughter is ready to move on -- happy holidays -- charles
Monday, December 3, 2007
BurnOut
Dealing with Burnout
Now and then people are concerned about Darlene and me – about my health, about all the travel we do, and especially about the possibility of burnout. We see and know about a lot of terrible things that happen to children on the streets. Sometimes a young person with whom we have worked disappoints, does something wrong, and leaves the ministry. Sometimes kids we love return to the streets, choosing sniffing glue in the alleyways over a safe and warm life at Made in the Streets. Maybe a student stays with us all the way to 18 years old, gets an ID card, but doesn’t care to look for a job, and ends up on the same streets where they were when we met him.
So far we continue with desire to see this ministry through, to get all the Team fully trained and dedicated to long-term ministry, to get all the infrastructure, policy and program needed to ensure an ongoing effort to help kids get off the streets and into a productive and spiritual life.
But we are alert to the possibility that our Kenyan team members could burn out also. We have recently had a series of events on the streets that could burn out a person out. I thought you might be interested in how we deal with possible burnout.
Two weeks ago the 6-year-old daughter of one of the young women who come to our Monday program for street mothers (ages range from 18 to 34) was raped by someone known to the mother. It was a traumatic event, and our Team in Eastleigh (Ann, Anthony and Kennedy) dealt with the aftermath – getting the man in jail, talking with the mother and child. Then Nicholas, who dropped out of our program in Eastleigh in 2000, killed Patrick, who had been in our program with Kennedy and Anthony in 2003, over a card game. The next day, after the police had come around but did not act, the other guys at the base killed Nicholas. Again it was Kennedy and Anthony who met with the others at the base, with Patrick’s brother, and who took responsibility for the evening meetings where they raise money for Patrick’s burial in Western Kenya. So our Team has been up all night at the fund-raisers and working during the daytime. Then a woman named Njeri (age 34) who lives at Jamaica Base was beaten up by a former boyfriend from another base. The mother of one of our girls, Mary Muthoni, who alse lives at the base, came to ask our Team to help with first aid. When Anthony arrived there, he found Njeri in bad condition, so he got her to the hospital, after getting the young man into jail. When Anthony saw all the blood on her and was told by the doctor that she had internal bleeding, needed surgery, and might not survive, he felt a spasm in his body. He has some chest problems which may be asthma also, and the spasms made that worse.
When Anthony came to Sunday morning Bible class that I am teaching on 2 Peter this term (the Eastleigh Team comes to Kamulu for Saturday night and Sunday morning), I saw him spasm in class. It appeared to me that he has 3 spasms – his left arm, the left side of his body and his whole upper body. It is just a momentary jerk. He also feels great responsibility; a local policeman told him he was responsible if anything bad happened at the nighttime fund-raisers. At any rate, we decided it was time to take “burnout action.”
My first action was to talk briefly with Anthony. I asked him to describe what he was feeling in his body. Then I instructed him to take care of himself as well as all the other people. When he told me that they were raising about 500 shillings each night in the fund-raisers, I told him to ask them NOT to meet Sunday night, and in turn I would give them 1,000 shillings. That allows Anthony to get a full night’s sleep. Then Francis Mbuvi instructed Anthony to come back to Kamulu on Monday and spend two nights with us, giving Mbuvi time to debrief Anthony and listen to him talk about his feelings and the bad stuff he has seen lately. Kennedy will handle the fund-raisers Monday and Tuesday. Then Kennedy will come out for two nights and spend time with Mbuvi. I also asked Anthony about the t-shirt that he was wearing under his outer shirt; I told him I could tell that it has a big red “S” on it. He looked at me quizzically until I told him about Superman, then he laughed and admitted her felt responsible for everything.
Our next step was to give him opportunity to do something truly good. On Monday he plans to get Njeri from the hospital, take her to the police station to write a statement, then see her back to Jamaica Base. So I gave him 1,000 shillings and asked him to find her a room down in Mathare Valley that he can rent for about 700 shillings a month, then to buy her and her two children food with the rest. He will pay two months’ rent and encourage her and her 16-year-old to earn money in the next two months and be able to pay the rent after that. Whether that happens or she returns to Jamaica Base, we will have done something good for Anthony. Tomorrow when we go to Eastleigh for the Monday program, we will take two mattresses and two blankets for the family’s bedding.
I also alerted Larry Conway to the situation so that he can find some quiet time soon to sit with Anthony and be a listener.
I’ll let you know later what happens to the spasms.
Now and then people are concerned about Darlene and me – about my health, about all the travel we do, and especially about the possibility of burnout. We see and know about a lot of terrible things that happen to children on the streets. Sometimes a young person with whom we have worked disappoints, does something wrong, and leaves the ministry. Sometimes kids we love return to the streets, choosing sniffing glue in the alleyways over a safe and warm life at Made in the Streets. Maybe a student stays with us all the way to 18 years old, gets an ID card, but doesn’t care to look for a job, and ends up on the same streets where they were when we met him.
So far we continue with desire to see this ministry through, to get all the Team fully trained and dedicated to long-term ministry, to get all the infrastructure, policy and program needed to ensure an ongoing effort to help kids get off the streets and into a productive and spiritual life.
But we are alert to the possibility that our Kenyan team members could burn out also. We have recently had a series of events on the streets that could burn out a person out. I thought you might be interested in how we deal with possible burnout.
Two weeks ago the 6-year-old daughter of one of the young women who come to our Monday program for street mothers (ages range from 18 to 34) was raped by someone known to the mother. It was a traumatic event, and our Team in Eastleigh (Ann, Anthony and Kennedy) dealt with the aftermath – getting the man in jail, talking with the mother and child. Then Nicholas, who dropped out of our program in Eastleigh in 2000, killed Patrick, who had been in our program with Kennedy and Anthony in 2003, over a card game. The next day, after the police had come around but did not act, the other guys at the base killed Nicholas. Again it was Kennedy and Anthony who met with the others at the base, with Patrick’s brother, and who took responsibility for the evening meetings where they raise money for Patrick’s burial in Western Kenya. So our Team has been up all night at the fund-raisers and working during the daytime. Then a woman named Njeri (age 34) who lives at Jamaica Base was beaten up by a former boyfriend from another base. The mother of one of our girls, Mary Muthoni, who alse lives at the base, came to ask our Team to help with first aid. When Anthony arrived there, he found Njeri in bad condition, so he got her to the hospital, after getting the young man into jail. When Anthony saw all the blood on her and was told by the doctor that she had internal bleeding, needed surgery, and might not survive, he felt a spasm in his body. He has some chest problems which may be asthma also, and the spasms made that worse.
When Anthony came to Sunday morning Bible class that I am teaching on 2 Peter this term (the Eastleigh Team comes to Kamulu for Saturday night and Sunday morning), I saw him spasm in class. It appeared to me that he has 3 spasms – his left arm, the left side of his body and his whole upper body. It is just a momentary jerk. He also feels great responsibility; a local policeman told him he was responsible if anything bad happened at the nighttime fund-raisers. At any rate, we decided it was time to take “burnout action.”
My first action was to talk briefly with Anthony. I asked him to describe what he was feeling in his body. Then I instructed him to take care of himself as well as all the other people. When he told me that they were raising about 500 shillings each night in the fund-raisers, I told him to ask them NOT to meet Sunday night, and in turn I would give them 1,000 shillings. That allows Anthony to get a full night’s sleep. Then Francis Mbuvi instructed Anthony to come back to Kamulu on Monday and spend two nights with us, giving Mbuvi time to debrief Anthony and listen to him talk about his feelings and the bad stuff he has seen lately. Kennedy will handle the fund-raisers Monday and Tuesday. Then Kennedy will come out for two nights and spend time with Mbuvi. I also asked Anthony about the t-shirt that he was wearing under his outer shirt; I told him I could tell that it has a big red “S” on it. He looked at me quizzically until I told him about Superman, then he laughed and admitted her felt responsible for everything.
Our next step was to give him opportunity to do something truly good. On Monday he plans to get Njeri from the hospital, take her to the police station to write a statement, then see her back to Jamaica Base. So I gave him 1,000 shillings and asked him to find her a room down in Mathare Valley that he can rent for about 700 shillings a month, then to buy her and her two children food with the rest. He will pay two months’ rent and encourage her and her 16-year-old to earn money in the next two months and be able to pay the rent after that. Whether that happens or she returns to Jamaica Base, we will have done something good for Anthony. Tomorrow when we go to Eastleigh for the Monday program, we will take two mattresses and two blankets for the family’s bedding.
I also alerted Larry Conway to the situation so that he can find some quiet time soon to sit with Anthony and be a listener.
I’ll let you know later what happens to the spasms.
Friday, November 30, 2007
On Health
Took a walk after working all day at almost dark. Hard to keep the sugar level down and control the diabetes. Without the daily walk I lose the battle, even with pills and controlled consumption. As we walked we talked about the street kids in our program, especially the new ones. We walked a roundabout way to the boys’ center. There was a large group out on our soccer field playing at almost dark. And then we could hear two basketballs bouncing on the court. The boys were having a great way to end the day. Down at the girls’ center the girls were either studying or doing their hair.
What we always pray is that God will lead us to the street kids whom he is calling to himself. The five new kids are a great example of how that works out. All of them have said that what they like about Made in the Streets is that they get to know God. One said he didn’t have opportunity to learn anything about God out on the streets, and now he can. They were thrilled when I presented each of them with a Bible, and two of them were eager to carry the Bible to the dorm to read it at night. In only our third day in having sessions with them, and without our urging it, two of them, Mercy and George, have asked about being baptized and say they are ready. So Francis Mbuvi or another Team member will study with them soon.
They are believers. And God has called them to Made in the Streets, where they will have daily chapel, Sunday worship, weekday Bible classes, a Friday evening cell group, and opportunity to read the Bible in the dorm.
Now this is good health! When we see kids getting a new life, reaching out to the Lord, it makes our hearts a lot stronger. It makes me feel better in every way. And it helps them to grow in confidence and in poise. A relationship with God is able to make everything else easier, such as English and Math and Computers and Geography and Health and Skills training – all of the things they study.
What we always pray is that God will lead us to the street kids whom he is calling to himself. The five new kids are a great example of how that works out. All of them have said that what they like about Made in the Streets is that they get to know God. One said he didn’t have opportunity to learn anything about God out on the streets, and now he can. They were thrilled when I presented each of them with a Bible, and two of them were eager to carry the Bible to the dorm to read it at night. In only our third day in having sessions with them, and without our urging it, two of them, Mercy and George, have asked about being baptized and say they are ready. So Francis Mbuvi or another Team member will study with them soon.
They are believers. And God has called them to Made in the Streets, where they will have daily chapel, Sunday worship, weekday Bible classes, a Friday evening cell group, and opportunity to read the Bible in the dorm.
Now this is good health! When we see kids getting a new life, reaching out to the Lord, it makes our hearts a lot stronger. It makes me feel better in every way. And it helps them to grow in confidence and in poise. A relationship with God is able to make everything else easier, such as English and Math and Computers and Geography and Health and Skills training – all of the things they study.
Friday, November 9, 2007
At the Kenyan Coast
Magnificent is the only word to describe snorkeling at a coral reef. Because of a kind gift to our Team, they were able to take a trip to the Kenya coast, and we went along with them. We took them in two groups, so someone could stay and work with the kids. We spent 2 nights at the Turtle Bay Beach Club, one of those all-inclusive places where you can eat all day if you like! And juices and sodas are always available, and the meals are all buffet, so the Team loved it. They could swim in the pool, play table tennis and volleyball, then go to the beach and play in the ocean.
Very relaxing for Darlene and me. We had time to talk to one another and enjoy one another's company. Of course, we almost spend 24 hours a day together, but there is something about reclining on a mat looking at the Indian Ocean near the one you love that is special!
The Team felt really special. Only 3 of them had ever been in an airplane. Now they are back at work, 24 hours a day with our 45 kids, as usual.
We have used Skype today, talking to people in the USA. If anyone wants to Skype us, we are usually at the Java House with our headphones on our Saturday morning at 7 am. That would be 8 pm Friday in California and 10 pm in the Central time zone.
be happy,
charles
Very relaxing for Darlene and me. We had time to talk to one another and enjoy one another's company. Of course, we almost spend 24 hours a day together, but there is something about reclining on a mat looking at the Indian Ocean near the one you love that is special!
The Team felt really special. Only 3 of them had ever been in an airplane. Now they are back at work, 24 hours a day with our 45 kids, as usual.
We have used Skype today, talking to people in the USA. If anyone wants to Skype us, we are usually at the Java House with our headphones on our Saturday morning at 7 am. That would be 8 pm Friday in California and 10 pm in the Central time zone.
be happy,
charles
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Source of the Nile
After 16 years in Kenya, we finally travel to Uganda, which has been a hot spot for American church of Christ missionaries in recent years, with teams in Mbarara, Kampala, Jinja and Mbale and a family in Fort Portal. We spent a week in Mbale, where the local mission team and church have a training school for church leaders, a congregation and dreams for a University. I taught a course called the Ephesian Connection -- all the Scripture and events in the New Testament surrounding the city of Ephesus. 20 students from their advanced program attended, and we had a good week.
And once again in our short lives God has given us richly of his wonder. After flying to Kampala, we took a public bus (large van) to Mbale, 6 hours on the road. Then we had good fellowship and good treatment by the Mbale church. It turned out that one of the cars belonging to a Kampala missionary was in Mbale, and we had the privilege of driving it back to Kampala. That meant we could stop off in Jinja. There the church has developed The Source Cafe, so we had lunch and bought some of the coffee they produce. We were planning to spend the night at a hotel. But while we were drinking coffee, Kim Langford showed up at the Cafe and invited us to her house. It was great being with Kim and her two boys, one of whom is just the age of one of our granddaughters.
Our sense of wonder was filled to the brim by the natural setting in Jinja. This is where the explorer Speke in 1860 found the source of the Nile River. All my life I have read and fantasized about the Nile -- mostly about Egypt of course. But here we could take a boat ride up the river a little ways to where it begins in Lake Victoria -- we could stand at the Zero Mile marker (it's 4000 miles to the Mediterranean). A great experience.
After spending the night, we drove up a dirt road to Bugajali Falls, which is one of the #5 level rapids in the area (this will soon be destroyed by the new hydroelectric dam they will build). We climbed down the rocks and sat a few feet from the river just below the rapids -- incredible! I can't describe the joy of that moment. So we sat and talked about all the places in the Bible where water is mentioned, and we especially thought about the voice that John heard in his Revelation vision that was "the sound of many waters."
We are grateful for all our experiences, in family, in the church, in nature. They are all filled to the brim with joy. And we will not soon forget the sound of many waters.
"let the living water flow over us"
And once again in our short lives God has given us richly of his wonder. After flying to Kampala, we took a public bus (large van) to Mbale, 6 hours on the road. Then we had good fellowship and good treatment by the Mbale church. It turned out that one of the cars belonging to a Kampala missionary was in Mbale, and we had the privilege of driving it back to Kampala. That meant we could stop off in Jinja. There the church has developed The Source Cafe, so we had lunch and bought some of the coffee they produce. We were planning to spend the night at a hotel. But while we were drinking coffee, Kim Langford showed up at the Cafe and invited us to her house. It was great being with Kim and her two boys, one of whom is just the age of one of our granddaughters.
Our sense of wonder was filled to the brim by the natural setting in Jinja. This is where the explorer Speke in 1860 found the source of the Nile River. All my life I have read and fantasized about the Nile -- mostly about Egypt of course. But here we could take a boat ride up the river a little ways to where it begins in Lake Victoria -- we could stand at the Zero Mile marker (it's 4000 miles to the Mediterranean). A great experience.
After spending the night, we drove up a dirt road to Bugajali Falls, which is one of the #5 level rapids in the area (this will soon be destroyed by the new hydroelectric dam they will build). We climbed down the rocks and sat a few feet from the river just below the rapids -- incredible! I can't describe the joy of that moment. So we sat and talked about all the places in the Bible where water is mentioned, and we especially thought about the voice that John heard in his Revelation vision that was "the sound of many waters."
We are grateful for all our experiences, in family, in the church, in nature. They are all filled to the brim with joy. And we will not soon forget the sound of many waters.
"let the living water flow over us"
Friday, October 19, 2007
It's the Economy!
Amazing how much a missionary's life can be determined by the economy. The usual missionary doesn't choose this life in order to make extra money, or even to live at the level most Americans live at. But we are deeply affected by it.
One reason is that we live on exchange rates. Back in 1993 many missionaries left Kenya because the rate of the dollar against the Kenyan shilling changed so much so rapidly. We are facing a similar time now. The US $ has dropped 8.5 shillings to the dollar in the past year. That is 11.64%. Our personal buying power has lost that much in a year, and the Made in the Streets has lost the same buying power.
In addition to that, the Kenyan economy has seen a surge in growth, which leads to a rise in the inflation level. Couple that with the rise in the price of oil worldwide, and prices go up rapidly. It isn't only the price of gasoline and diesel, which have increased a little more than $1 per gallon in the past year. It's that flour has gone from $1 for 4.4 pounds (2 kilogram) to $1.70. And milk has increased twice in the past two weeks, once 5 cents a quart and the next 7 cents a quart. And bread -- our kids eat a lot of bread -- went up 5 cents a loaf last week. In the news today was a note that sugar will increase in price soon.
Besides all that, Kenya has joined the world conservation movement and has begun a campaign against plastic bags - this is one of the worst parts of the litter problem in our cities - and the government has slapped a 120% import duty on plastic goods. That also will make prices go up.
In today's paper are articles about salaries in Kenya. Now we are also faced with the fact that our Kenyan Team members are in the lowest level of salaries in the country, since economic growth has led to a rise in salaries generally.
So...we have to pay attention to the economy. And we need people to pray for us that we will be wise in using the Lord's money, the funds that Christians have so generously given us. Please ask God to give us wisdom. Even the economy points to our need for God's care. It's good to have many things in our lives that point us to the need to trust God with our lives and futures.
May the Lord guide your daily life... charles
One reason is that we live on exchange rates. Back in 1993 many missionaries left Kenya because the rate of the dollar against the Kenyan shilling changed so much so rapidly. We are facing a similar time now. The US $ has dropped 8.5 shillings to the dollar in the past year. That is 11.64%. Our personal buying power has lost that much in a year, and the Made in the Streets has lost the same buying power.
In addition to that, the Kenyan economy has seen a surge in growth, which leads to a rise in the inflation level. Couple that with the rise in the price of oil worldwide, and prices go up rapidly. It isn't only the price of gasoline and diesel, which have increased a little more than $1 per gallon in the past year. It's that flour has gone from $1 for 4.4 pounds (2 kilogram) to $1.70. And milk has increased twice in the past two weeks, once 5 cents a quart and the next 7 cents a quart. And bread -- our kids eat a lot of bread -- went up 5 cents a loaf last week. In the news today was a note that sugar will increase in price soon.
Besides all that, Kenya has joined the world conservation movement and has begun a campaign against plastic bags - this is one of the worst parts of the litter problem in our cities - and the government has slapped a 120% import duty on plastic goods. That also will make prices go up.
In today's paper are articles about salaries in Kenya. Now we are also faced with the fact that our Kenyan Team members are in the lowest level of salaries in the country, since economic growth has led to a rise in salaries generally.
So...we have to pay attention to the economy. And we need people to pray for us that we will be wise in using the Lord's money, the funds that Christians have so generously given us. Please ask God to give us wisdom. Even the economy points to our need for God's care. It's good to have many things in our lives that point us to the need to trust God with our lives and futures.
May the Lord guide your daily life... charles
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
A Matter of Timing
It is great that Darlene and I got back to Made in the Streets now. There were some problems that we need to help the team with, such as attitude problems among some of our older kids who are studying for the end of primary school exam, and on the part of some kids who have gotten more gifts from USA friends of Made in the Streets than other kids have, and setting up a new schedule for the kids. Darlene and I are still some use here, even though we don't do administrative work anymore. The team is very capable in most areas, but in planning the future of the ministry, and in dealing with personal attitude issues -- we are useful.
Today was also a matter of timing. We are making plans to spend a few days in Uganda with the churches in the Mbale area teaching a Biblical course at their training center to the advanced students. There are so many issues involved -- border crossings on both sides, car insurance and permission to take the car, visas, etc -- as well as info on how they handle their courses. We drove into town and stopped at the Java House to do our email and internet work, and there was Shaun Tyler and Ian Shelburne, the brothers who invited us to Uganda! So I got all my information.
How are we to think about such events? I needed the information and was feeling a little insecure about the trip. It was great to hear it all face-to-face and be able to think of all the questions I needed answered. God is "providence" -- and more -- God is "a very present help in time of need." Christ is "master" -- in command over our hearts and spirits and minds and bodies right now. God is truly the God of history -- and history is being written in each of our lives now.
It's a matter of timing, and timing is a matter of God!
In His time,
charles
Today was also a matter of timing. We are making plans to spend a few days in Uganda with the churches in the Mbale area teaching a Biblical course at their training center to the advanced students. There are so many issues involved -- border crossings on both sides, car insurance and permission to take the car, visas, etc -- as well as info on how they handle their courses. We drove into town and stopped at the Java House to do our email and internet work, and there was Shaun Tyler and Ian Shelburne, the brothers who invited us to Uganda! So I got all my information.
How are we to think about such events? I needed the information and was feeling a little insecure about the trip. It was great to hear it all face-to-face and be able to think of all the questions I needed answered. God is "providence" -- and more -- God is "a very present help in time of need." Christ is "master" -- in command over our hearts and spirits and minds and bodies right now. God is truly the God of history -- and history is being written in each of our lives now.
It's a matter of timing, and timing is a matter of God!
In His time,
charles
Friday, October 5, 2007
Coulstons Back in Nairobi
We met Francis and Maureen (with baby Jonathan) in the London airport and traveled on to Nairobi with them. They had been in Midland, Texas, working on World Bible School project. It was good to catch up on some news and to see them. We didn't talk much on the airplane because I slept almost all the way. And after getting here I slept for about 18 hours!!
Yesterday Darlene and I walked to the boys' property and looked at the orchard -- 546 trees plus about 100 passion fruit vines are planted and growing. The water system is working. The baby calf looks good, and there are several baby goats.
It was especially good to see all the students and staff. Everyone seems happy. The bad news is that one boy ran away a week before we came. He was a troubled youth who had a hard time learning -- more about him later. I feel sad at his loss; the team hasn't been able to find him yet.
Molly and Zach, our two interns, have done good work while we were away. They have given oral reports on the work and overall Made in the Streets seems very healthy. Since we are a Team of 21 (plus interns) and have 46 teenagers and hundreds we work with on the streets, there are always minor problems that arise -- such as a student stealing keys and debris getting in one of the water tanks and a student being sick and at the hospital -- but the ministry is healthy and the kids seem alive with enthusiasm.
John Wambu and I went to the 20 acres and planned a fence around the school compound (this is the skills training area where we have built one building and drilled the water well); we also delivered woodworking supplies that Bob Workley donated for that project -- Robin and Nzioka were very happy. John and I also drew up plans for renovation of the Eastleigh property for the coming street mothers' program. We also planned some improvement in the girls' kitchen.
It's great being alive, working in ministry, serving the poorest of the poor, doing what we know Jesus wants done. We are grateful to those who give money to make our work possible.
have a grateful day,
charles
Yesterday Darlene and I walked to the boys' property and looked at the orchard -- 546 trees plus about 100 passion fruit vines are planted and growing. The water system is working. The baby calf looks good, and there are several baby goats.
It was especially good to see all the students and staff. Everyone seems happy. The bad news is that one boy ran away a week before we came. He was a troubled youth who had a hard time learning -- more about him later. I feel sad at his loss; the team hasn't been able to find him yet.
Molly and Zach, our two interns, have done good work while we were away. They have given oral reports on the work and overall Made in the Streets seems very healthy. Since we are a Team of 21 (plus interns) and have 46 teenagers and hundreds we work with on the streets, there are always minor problems that arise -- such as a student stealing keys and debris getting in one of the water tanks and a student being sick and at the hospital -- but the ministry is healthy and the kids seem alive with enthusiasm.
John Wambu and I went to the 20 acres and planned a fence around the school compound (this is the skills training area where we have built one building and drilled the water well); we also delivered woodworking supplies that Bob Workley donated for that project -- Robin and Nzioka were very happy. John and I also drew up plans for renovation of the Eastleigh property for the coming street mothers' program. We also planned some improvement in the girls' kitchen.
It's great being alive, working in ministry, serving the poorest of the poor, doing what we know Jesus wants done. We are grateful to those who give money to make our work possible.
have a grateful day,
charles
Monday, October 1, 2007
The Old and the Young
It's Monday, and that means we fly to Nairobi today. We are trying to take care of ourselves, so we woke up early and walked the two miles to the coffee shop. The son-by-marriage got the granddaughters ready and brought them by the coffee shop before taking them to pre-school. And the daughter stopped by briefly to say hello on the way to work.
It seems the old and the young grow alike. The twins are five now, and they are feeling more the fact of our departures. They came in and sat down close to me, and neither really wanted to eat (even though it was a cinnamon crunch bagle!). They just wanted to get close and tell me how they would miss me and even cry a little.
And me...? I started feeling like crying a week ago. One day I felt strange, and I later realized that I was depressed. Since I never feel depression, I didn't know what it is. It makes me empathize with people who suffer from depression, whether clinical or occasional. It's like you are falling in a hole, and you feel disconnected from the world around you. And everything seems worse than it could possibly be. And you feel lonely even though you don't need to. It takes conscious effort to get free from depression, making a decision to be close to others and to do something useful. Otherwise you get stuck in it.
Today I feel okay. I could talk to the girls about how feeling sad is great, because it means we really do love one another. And about how if we don't go away, then we can't come back (that worked for our daughter when her granpa used it, but somehow I don't think the twins buy it.)
There is an excitement building in us about being back in Nairobi. There is plenty of work, and we get to see the street kids again, and those who have come off the streets and are at the Farm, and the Team, and the Conways and others. Our list of loved ones is almost unending.
Have an un-depressed day!
charles
It seems the old and the young grow alike. The twins are five now, and they are feeling more the fact of our departures. They came in and sat down close to me, and neither really wanted to eat (even though it was a cinnamon crunch bagle!). They just wanted to get close and tell me how they would miss me and even cry a little.
And me...? I started feeling like crying a week ago. One day I felt strange, and I later realized that I was depressed. Since I never feel depression, I didn't know what it is. It makes me empathize with people who suffer from depression, whether clinical or occasional. It's like you are falling in a hole, and you feel disconnected from the world around you. And everything seems worse than it could possibly be. And you feel lonely even though you don't need to. It takes conscious effort to get free from depression, making a decision to be close to others and to do something useful. Otherwise you get stuck in it.
Today I feel okay. I could talk to the girls about how feeling sad is great, because it means we really do love one another. And about how if we don't go away, then we can't come back (that worked for our daughter when her granpa used it, but somehow I don't think the twins buy it.)
There is an excitement building in us about being back in Nairobi. There is plenty of work, and we get to see the street kids again, and those who have come off the streets and are at the Farm, and the Team, and the Conways and others. Our list of loved ones is almost unending.
Have an un-depressed day!
charles
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Tomorrow the Coulstons go back to Nairobi for another rotation of 3 months. This is turning out very well. The Kenyan Team administers and operates the ministry. And we still advise them in planning, provide growth opportunities for them and keep them focused on the task.
Today in church in Thousand Oaks we sang "Peace, Perfect Peace," a song we remember from childhood in the church. It has fresh meaning for us now, as we say goodbye to family and as we work with children in desperate conditions.
"The blood of Jesus whispers peace" -- life is not peaceful for children who are beaten harshly by angry, alcoholic, poor and frustrated parents/uncles/grandparents/older brothers...life is not peaceful for children trying to sleep tonight in an alleyway, in danger from authorities, from other street kids, from those who wander the night and prey on kids. And it was not peaceful for Jesus when he shed his blood. And yet...it does whisper peace.
"To do the will of Jesus - this is rest." We know the truth of this. Even when doing his will means going into garbage, into risk, into troubled hearts. Even when there isn't a day off. Even when the work is 24/7. Knowing that it is what He wants done -- that makes it rest!
"With loved ones far away..we are safe, and they." When we first went to Kenya, we wouldn't come back for 2 years or more, and many missionaries have stayed away for 5 years or 10 in the past. Soldiers do this too. With modern travel, we are never more than 2 days away now. The rub is what "safe" means -- none of us is in charge of future events, nor do we know what may happen to us or our loved ones. The world has its own dangers and diseases. And yet...we are safe, and they. For He holds our hearts, our souls, our minds - all - in his Hands and his Heart.
"Our future all unknown." We do know some of the future. We know that all the future belongs to Jesus -- the was and the is and the will be. And so..
"It is enough." Right now, in the midst of our commitments and desires and belongings -- Jesus "calls us to heaven's perfect peace."
We'll be busy October to December. We'll help John Wambu get the Eastleigh property ready for the street mothers' program. We'll help Jackton Omondi get the sewing factory off the ground. We'll help Ben Mwami and Benard Nyambura get the orchard completed. We'll help the Team plan the parameters of the street mothers' program and set policies. Charles will teach the adult Sunday school class, and he will teach a course called "The Ephesian Connection" in Mbale, Uganda, to the church leaders' training school. Darlene will work on the sewing patterns with Jackton and continue to encourage Valerie and Philip in the teaching program. She will also read Francine Rivers' book series on Bible women to the girls in their dorm.
Be blessed...thanks for reading...
Today in church in Thousand Oaks we sang "Peace, Perfect Peace," a song we remember from childhood in the church. It has fresh meaning for us now, as we say goodbye to family and as we work with children in desperate conditions.
"The blood of Jesus whispers peace" -- life is not peaceful for children who are beaten harshly by angry, alcoholic, poor and frustrated parents/uncles/grandparents/older brothers...life is not peaceful for children trying to sleep tonight in an alleyway, in danger from authorities, from other street kids, from those who wander the night and prey on kids. And it was not peaceful for Jesus when he shed his blood. And yet...it does whisper peace.
"To do the will of Jesus - this is rest." We know the truth of this. Even when doing his will means going into garbage, into risk, into troubled hearts. Even when there isn't a day off. Even when the work is 24/7. Knowing that it is what He wants done -- that makes it rest!
"With loved ones far away..we are safe, and they." When we first went to Kenya, we wouldn't come back for 2 years or more, and many missionaries have stayed away for 5 years or 10 in the past. Soldiers do this too. With modern travel, we are never more than 2 days away now. The rub is what "safe" means -- none of us is in charge of future events, nor do we know what may happen to us or our loved ones. The world has its own dangers and diseases. And yet...we are safe, and they. For He holds our hearts, our souls, our minds - all - in his Hands and his Heart.
"Our future all unknown." We do know some of the future. We know that all the future belongs to Jesus -- the was and the is and the will be. And so..
"It is enough." Right now, in the midst of our commitments and desires and belongings -- Jesus "calls us to heaven's perfect peace."
We'll be busy October to December. We'll help John Wambu get the Eastleigh property ready for the street mothers' program. We'll help Jackton Omondi get the sewing factory off the ground. We'll help Ben Mwami and Benard Nyambura get the orchard completed. We'll help the Team plan the parameters of the street mothers' program and set policies. Charles will teach the adult Sunday school class, and he will teach a course called "The Ephesian Connection" in Mbale, Uganda, to the church leaders' training school. Darlene will work on the sewing patterns with Jackton and continue to encourage Valerie and Philip in the teaching program. She will also read Francine Rivers' book series on Bible women to the girls in their dorm.
Be blessed...thanks for reading...
Thursday, September 27, 2007
coulstons AT THE LECTURES
For the first time since 1993, Darlene and I attended the Abilene Christian University lectureship. That time we met people who have become life-long friends. George and MaryJo Tolbert from Hamilton, Texas, were at the lectures to find someone who would meet up with friends of theirs from Japan (an exchange student who had lived with them) who were living in Nairobi!! I was director (or Principal) of Kenya Christian Industrial Training Institute at that time and a member of the Eastleigh Church. We made that contact and enjoyed the Japanese family very much, and they attended church with us regularly. Now the Hamilton church supports the street ministry.
We are all much older now, and our perspectives are different. And things have changed at ACU -- the library is a busy and happy place. Now there is a Starbucks on the main floor, with the network computers and lots of people having a good time. We sat there with our coffee and talked with Sam and Nancy Shewmaker (who are moving back to Africa) and Gaston and Jan Tarbet. We ran across Reg Cox and Tim Johnson (who knew an old friend of ours from ACU and the Bay Area, Mark Molloy). And we saw Jack Hicks -- he and I were in 2nd year Hebrew together, studying under Tony Ash in the M.Div. program back in '69. While we were talking with Jack, Chris Chesnutt, ACU student and last year's intern at Conejo Valley Church in Thousand Oaks, CA, showed up to talk to us. Jack noticed that I was taking my diabetes pills, along with something he recognized, vitatim b-12. Jack was telling me that he took his under the tongue, and Chris was looking at us with that funny look that the young give to strange older people. Jack said, "Chris, you'll be here some day." Darlene and Jack and I thought that was really funny. Ah, it's great to grow old.
The classes Darlene and I attended all had 12 to 15 people in them. But the "social justice" classes at 2 PM (not the best time for classes -- after lunch, nap time!) had between 70 and 80 people each day. These classes were all about practical ministries on behalf of children or oppressed peoples. Good indication of strong interest in the churches of Christ on alternative ministries that provide service to the desperate and poor.
may your service be given with unending joy, charles
We are all much older now, and our perspectives are different. And things have changed at ACU -- the library is a busy and happy place. Now there is a Starbucks on the main floor, with the network computers and lots of people having a good time. We sat there with our coffee and talked with Sam and Nancy Shewmaker (who are moving back to Africa) and Gaston and Jan Tarbet. We ran across Reg Cox and Tim Johnson (who knew an old friend of ours from ACU and the Bay Area, Mark Molloy). And we saw Jack Hicks -- he and I were in 2nd year Hebrew together, studying under Tony Ash in the M.Div. program back in '69. While we were talking with Jack, Chris Chesnutt, ACU student and last year's intern at Conejo Valley Church in Thousand Oaks, CA, showed up to talk to us. Jack noticed that I was taking my diabetes pills, along with something he recognized, vitatim b-12. Jack was telling me that he took his under the tongue, and Chris was looking at us with that funny look that the young give to strange older people. Jack said, "Chris, you'll be here some day." Darlene and Jack and I thought that was really funny. Ah, it's great to grow old.
The classes Darlene and I attended all had 12 to 15 people in them. But the "social justice" classes at 2 PM (not the best time for classes -- after lunch, nap time!) had between 70 and 80 people each day. These classes were all about practical ministries on behalf of children or oppressed peoples. Good indication of strong interest in the churches of Christ on alternative ministries that provide service to the desperate and poor.
may your service be given with unending joy, charles
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Have a LifExciting Day
Andy Wall began Sunday's sermon at Conejo Valley Church with a vignette of two characters walking along discussing the first thing they think of when they wake up in the morning. Pooh Bear thinks of "food" (which makes him a soulmate to street kids), but Piglet answers that he thinks of "what exciting things will happen today." So I thought -- let's see what exciting happens in MY day today. I've written down Sunday's events for you.
1. I woke up in the morning and the first sight to meet my eyes is someone who loves me.
2. I had breakfast with granddaughters.
3. I read a little of the newspapers and discovered that Oklahoma Univ. won the football game.
4. I saw Jerry Rushford, and he confirmed that Darlene and I are invited to lead a class at Pepperdine Lectures in 2008 - Ap 28 to May 2.
5. I saw Zane and Debbie Williams at church; they are from Otter Creek church, where we met them, and Zane had sent me a song of his called "Africa I Heard You Cry." Turns out he has in a youth group that our daughter and son-by-marriage worked with, and they had lunch with him just before he left to go to college years ago. And I got to hear him sing the Africa song.
6. I got an email from an Aggie for Christ who wants to come and do an internship at Made in the Streets for 6 months - and she comes highly recommended by people I trust.
7. Darlene and I met in the evening with a group of people very interested in a trip to Nairobi to serve street kids and our Team in 2008.
8. Krista (one of the granddaughters) wanted to ride to church in the car with me.
9. Alexis (another one) wanted me to play with her and stitch a board with yarn.
10. Morgan (the third one) wanted to wear my reading glasses and sit in my lap and hug me and say "I love you."
Let's not ever get used to have non-exciting days. I'm looking forward to tomorrow.
peace and joy, charles
1. I woke up in the morning and the first sight to meet my eyes is someone who loves me.
2. I had breakfast with granddaughters.
3. I read a little of the newspapers and discovered that Oklahoma Univ. won the football game.
4. I saw Jerry Rushford, and he confirmed that Darlene and I are invited to lead a class at Pepperdine Lectures in 2008 - Ap 28 to May 2.
5. I saw Zane and Debbie Williams at church; they are from Otter Creek church, where we met them, and Zane had sent me a song of his called "Africa I Heard You Cry." Turns out he has in a youth group that our daughter and son-by-marriage worked with, and they had lunch with him just before he left to go to college years ago. And I got to hear him sing the Africa song.
6. I got an email from an Aggie for Christ who wants to come and do an internship at Made in the Streets for 6 months - and she comes highly recommended by people I trust.
7. Darlene and I met in the evening with a group of people very interested in a trip to Nairobi to serve street kids and our Team in 2008.
8. Krista (one of the granddaughters) wanted to ride to church in the car with me.
9. Alexis (another one) wanted me to play with her and stitch a board with yarn.
10. Morgan (the third one) wanted to wear my reading glasses and sit in my lap and hug me and say "I love you."
Let's not ever get used to have non-exciting days. I'm looking forward to tomorrow.
peace and joy, charles
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
Learning from Holidays
There is no way to know how a holiday weekend will turn out. I knew I would be speaking at Conejo Valley Church of Christ Sunday and that the group from the church who visited us in the summer at Made in the Streets-Nairobi would give a report. I also knew that our daughter would have a day off on Monday.
But Darlene and I had never before experienced a report to a home congregation by people who visited us. We had no idea how meaningful it would be, and emotional. We heard such good words about our Kenyan team and about the street kids in our program. The kids who came with them were charged up about it -- how great to see such interest in 8, 10 and 12 year olds. We heard how some of the street kids made it a point to wash mud off the visitors' shoes, and how interested the Kenyan Team is in learning and improving themselves. Makes me feel really good about the ministry.
And Monday Darlene and our daughter and son-by-marriage and I took a long walk together, then stopped at a coffee shop to drink coffee (iced! it's hot here in sunny So. Cal.). We had a great talk together about the future, and about the granddaughters, and the street ministry. It's the longest time the 4 of us have had to sit and talk since the girls were born!
Two values come out of a weekend like this -- stay close to the church. The church is a family where we can let joy and new life enter into us. And number 2 - stay close to the kids. Just talking to family a few minutes lifts up the heart of the one who is getting older.
Keep your values clear, charles
But Darlene and I had never before experienced a report to a home congregation by people who visited us. We had no idea how meaningful it would be, and emotional. We heard such good words about our Kenyan team and about the street kids in our program. The kids who came with them were charged up about it -- how great to see such interest in 8, 10 and 12 year olds. We heard how some of the street kids made it a point to wash mud off the visitors' shoes, and how interested the Kenyan Team is in learning and improving themselves. Makes me feel really good about the ministry.
And Monday Darlene and our daughter and son-by-marriage and I took a long walk together, then stopped at a coffee shop to drink coffee (iced! it's hot here in sunny So. Cal.). We had a great talk together about the future, and about the granddaughters, and the street ministry. It's the longest time the 4 of us have had to sit and talk since the girls were born!
Two values come out of a weekend like this -- stay close to the church. The church is a family where we can let joy and new life enter into us. And number 2 - stay close to the kids. Just talking to family a few minutes lifts up the heart of the one who is getting older.
Keep your values clear, charles
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Life is always full of good and bad news. Almost everything in my life has been full of joy lately -- family life, relationships in the church, the street ministry - it is hard to imagine how good it is. It's all far better than I deserve or could even ask for.
The bad news I got today -- and it really was not a surprise -- is that my health isn't what it ought to be. My diabetes panel and blood work revealed that I am not focused enough on my sugar control and other diet/exercise factors. So I have to find a way to lower my blood sugar on a regular basis, and besides that I am anemic.
Work is a way of life that keeps me happy, and that means stress levels remain high, which is one factor in sugar level. I have to learn new habits. It will mean about an hour less work each day given to exercise. And it will mean saying "no" to many meals that are offered to us as we travel around.
So...please pray for me -- that I will have the will to change. Most of my life I have called others to change, and I do know that real change is very difficult, and it seldom happens through will and decision.
Be blessed -- may all your changes be happy ones,
charles
The bad news I got today -- and it really was not a surprise -- is that my health isn't what it ought to be. My diabetes panel and blood work revealed that I am not focused enough on my sugar control and other diet/exercise factors. So I have to find a way to lower my blood sugar on a regular basis, and besides that I am anemic.
Work is a way of life that keeps me happy, and that means stress levels remain high, which is one factor in sugar level. I have to learn new habits. It will mean about an hour less work each day given to exercise. And it will mean saying "no" to many meals that are offered to us as we travel around.
So...please pray for me -- that I will have the will to change. Most of my life I have called others to change, and I do know that real change is very difficult, and it seldom happens through will and decision.
Be blessed -- may all your changes be happy ones,
charles
Thoughts 8/29/07
I am sitting in a coffee shop. I love finding these places that have free internet access. I can drink coffee and work at the same time. Given my age and upbringing, I always feel better when I am working. Today I feel truly blessed -- my granddaughters are waiting at a nearby "muffin place" for me to finish this and come. Friends and churches who care deeply about street kids are taking part with us in bringing new life to young people in desperate circumstances. I just finished an update of the Made in the Streets web site. This Sunday I have opportunity to preach at the Conejo Valley Church of Christ in Thousand Oaks, CA, and there will be an adult class presentation of the street ministry. On the 16th Darlene and I will be at Campbell, CA, where I will preach and Darlene meets with young people. We will do a class at the ACU lectures on Sept 19 and I will preach at Redwood City, CA, on the 23rd.
Last night was a full moon. Makes me think of the fulness of Christ and of life with Him.
May your life be full today.
peace and joy,
charles
Last night was a full moon. Makes me think of the fulness of Christ and of life with Him.
May your life be full today.
peace and joy,
charles
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