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"
Sunday, October 28, 2007
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
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