Fascinating Sunday with Friends

Truly a fascinating day! One of the great things about missionary life is that we get lots of visitors - and ones who love us. Worship at the Kamulu Church was true harmony! Several of our street kids were involved in leading worship. Francis Mbuvi had really studied about the UNITY of the body of Christ and wanted so much to communicate well what it means to have the DNA of Christ in us. He wanted us to get it, he wanted to share something good and precious. And one of our students, Francis Cugia, led the Lord's Supper and the collection, and he also spoke about unity - of the whole Christian movement in the world - and he reminded us of the need to give, to share. He meddled in our lives; he said, "even you students, you get some money and you go to the store and buy an avocado, and as soon as you get back to the boys' or girls' compound you say, "Don't ask." And don't we come to church, he said, after we have earned money during the week, and we say to God, "Don't ask."

Then we had 10 for lunch. Since we were almost out of food, Darlene made a great stew and homemade biscuits and we had some chips and salsa. And everybody wanted iced tea!

The retired dentist is an old friend who has helped us a lot at Made in the Streets. With him were three business and medical people working in a clinic on the Kenyan coast. One woman visitor has spent years in South Africa. Another one said, "Oh, if only our anesthesiologist could have been here; he would love the singing. They came over to be with us for a day and a night. And a young couple who live in the Sudan now and are learning Arabic and planning to help people there with agriculture - and the love of God - showed up to be with the church also. And one of our MITS Board members who is a teacher is here with her daughter. We had happy conversations, though some of it was about "the worst food I have ever eaten anywhere."

It is so great to have friends. Get one today.

Moving Gets You More Friends

Those who know Darlene and me know how much we love California.  The San Francisco Bay Area was home for 21 years.  We love the rugged Pacific beach and the stunningly beautiful Sierra Mountains.  We love many people there who live in our hearts.  The Redwood Church holds wonderful memories for us.  

And we have truly enjoyed having our "base" in Southern California for the years we have worked in street ministry in Nairobi.  Returning for time with family in between visits to churches to make reports is a delight, as we watch grandchildren grow and spend time with an aged mother, who herself did great ministry in Nairobi for 6 years.  And the growing relationship with Conejo Church has enriched our lives, as we have developed many dear friends.  

Now our lives promise to be divided further, as we will have 3 homes.  We will continue to be in Nairobi half our time, but we will be divided between the Greater Dallas-Fort Worth area and California.  Because of street ministry, we have found great friends among Christians in Irving, Denton, Colleyville, North Richland Hills, Hamilton and Garland, not to mention Dallas itself.  Such varied churches as South MacArthur, Prestoncrest, Legacy, Hamilton and Singing Oaks are dear to us.  

Every move we have made has resulted in finding dear friends with whom to enjoy life and ministry.  We are certain that will continue.  In Christ there is never a need to look back, only forward, and sideways to those we walk beside.  For Christ is always the "yes" to what we seek to become.