Too Late for One, Just in Time for Another

Today I got back from my fourth trip to visit the Pokot people down in the valley. As you may know we have been going there doing medical clinics and gospel work. I know many of you were praying so I thank you for that. The trip was a great success in many ways. For one, we made it there safe and sound with no major car problems. (Last time we were stuck multiple times and it took 3 times as long to get home.) When we arrived we were warmly welcomed again by the community. They are really getting excited about our visits and about the possibility of a permanent medical facility being built there in the future. They had organized themselves and formed a committee to oversee the project. They even donated 10 acres of land for us to use to build the clinic. We would love to see this happen because there is only so much we can do on our 2 day trips that have been occurring about every 6-8 weeks. For some, we found out this time, it is too late. During the clinic I heard the devastating news that a 3 year old boy being brought by his mother died while on the way. They think that he had malaria which is easily treated with the right medication. Many people delay seeking care because there are no health facilities nearby. The news broke our hearts, but we were glad that we had brought a pastor along who could go to comfort the mother. Please pray for the family of the child and for this desparate need in the community.
Men discussing at the proposed site for the new clinic

For other patients we found that our arrival was just in time. There was a boy that had been having behavioral problems and had even burned down his grandmother's house/hut. The parents didn't know what else to do. They had taken him to a witchdoctor and to a medical clinic. He was given large doses of anti-psychotic medication. I warned them that with that big of a dose he could start to experience side effects, which are mostly strange uncontrollable movements like extending his neck and such. Well, not 2 hours after we had talked about it, the side effects started happening. Fortunately, we had brought medicines that would help him. I also talked to him about the likelihood that his problem was also a spiritual one. I explained to him about how his anger and acting out was sin and shared the gospel with him. He seemed to understand and expressed a desire to receive Christ. We knelt together and prayed. 2 other older men in the community also prayed to receive Christ during our time there and we are praying that there will be more that decide to follow Christ.

Another really exciting thing about our trip was the dedication ceremony for the new Pokot Bibles that I was able to bring to them this time. 2 visits ago it was the weekend of my Grandfather Smith's funeral and I could not be there, but I told them about how Grandfather had been a Bible translator and how someone had translated their Bible for them as well. There was only 1 Bible in their whole village and none with Old and New Testament. So this time we brought them 40 new Bibles and we handed them out in church and had a dedication ceremony. It was so wonderful. People gave testimonies about how much it meant for them to have a Bible in their own language. I challenged them to read and meditate on God's word as it says in Joshua 1:8.

We feel so privileged to be working among these people and we are excited to see what God is going to continue to do. They are truly becoming dear to us and they seem to like us too. This time they decided to give me a gift so they gave me a live goat! We brought it home in the back of my car. It was pretty quiet for the most part and clean, thankfully. Please continue to pray with us for the work being done among the Pokot. When we get more information about the details of the clinic we would like to build I will let people know, but be praying about how the Lord may lead you to get involved. Thanks.

Visiting a Pokot Home

Can you find the hidden goat in this picture?

Vanessa and the boys didn't get to go with me on this trip, but I had to get some pictures of them too so here are a couple from last Thursday after I got back from a community home visit where we went and followed up on a patient that had been admitted to the hospital. The father decided to give me this rooster. It has been waking us up pretty early so we think we are going to eat it soon:) Love you all.

The Rundown

We arrived safely back to Kapsowar late August. Within a week our computer crashed. Bummer. Last time we took our computer for repair in Eldoret (the nearest town to us) they attempted to fix the DVD drive by super gluing it in. So we waited until the next time we were going to Nairobi to get our trusted friend, Jeremy, to check it out. Unfortunately, we had to bite the bullet and buy a new computer. Fortunately, he saved all our photos, videos and personal files. And he walked us thru the journey of purchasing our first Mac. Thanks Jeremy, you're the best! So that took about 6 weeks. So here is the rundown of everything that's happened since our last post.

Another Pokot Trip
The biggest and most successful trip yet! There were 2 family docs and one OBGYN (Christina), plus a lot of nurses, a wife who played the role of pharmacist and many translators. The boys and I didn't make this trip. We wanted there to be plenty of room for much needed workers. Kyle also brought gifts for the elders/Chief/men. These consisted of tick bath for their cattle and something else I can't remember. In the past we have mainly seen women and their children. The men would often hide - never to be found. This strategy worked and they were able to meet with them and talk more about how they can work to improve the health of their community. The ride home took them around 11 hours with many car troubles and eventually the abandonment of the 1979 Land Rover on the side of the mountain. Many prayers were said that day. I think they maxed out our vehicle with like 14 passengers. Praise the Lord for the continued work that is going on in this tribe.
The New House
Is all decorated and organized. We love it! Thanks Amanda for all your help and gifts to make it so beautiful!

Jude turned 3
He woke up and said, "I need my game shirt." I searched and brought out every shirt that had a team or football on it. "No, No, Mama! My game shirt!" I finally dug this out of the bottom of the closet and finally -TOUCHDOWN- we had succeeded! He was ready for his "game day"! We had a big party out back with the neighborhood kids complete with "games", popcorn and cake. Then we had another party with all the missionaries here, plus my friend Agnus and her kids. We all showered him with love and attention. This boy sure steals my heart most days! Happy Birthday buddy!
Off to Mombasa
The Samaritan's Purse Post Residents in Kenya had a retreat in Mombasa. We enjoyed spending time with them. We studied the life of Abraham and Sarah as they journeyed where the Lord called them leaving "home" and becoming foreigners. It was a sweet time of fellowship with the Lord and much needed fun. The coast is breathtakingly beautiful! Hudson loved "conquering the waves" and we all loved the glass bottom boat. Being able to peak into sea life was so fascinating. Kyle and the boys also got to take a ride in one of the local's dugout canoe sailboats. It was a great time. Thanks to all that organized the retreat.
Climbing the Mountain
Upon our return Kyle, Gerhard (a visiting doc), Rhiner (his cousin) and Hosea (our Kenyan friend) decided it was high time they hiked the mountain nearby us named Kipkinur. Who would have known what an adventure it would turn out to be. Along the way they helped an old "Gogo", aka a Grandma, chop some firewood, stopped to take pictures and last but not least swing like monkeys from vines. The vine snapped and our dear friend Gerhard fell and broke his femur. Hosea ran to a place he could get reception for his phone to call for help. In the meantime, they ran into some military who were escorting prisoners. Praise the Lord these military helped them build a stretcher out of bamboo, vines and leaves. They also unhandcuffed the prisoners so they could clear the brush for a nice path. They carried him down the mountain. Gerhard went to Kijabe for surgery and is now back with us. Praise the Lord he is recovering well!
The Adventure of Kindergarten
Yes I know, October is a bit late to be starting the school year. But by Kenyan standards I am way ahead. They start a new school year in January. All that to say, we are soaring through and Hudson is loving learning. And though it takes quite a bit of time, I am enjoying this journey as well. We do everything from language arts, science, history, handwriting and Bible. I added a little more Bible since he doesn't get Sunday School here and Art class too. He loves Science and Explode the Code and of course anything Art. It's quite fun and we have the best school room (thanks again Amanda)!
Next post will be shorter, I promise. I won't blame you if you only scroll through the pictures just to see our bright and smiley faces!

We love and miss you all! Thanks for praying for us and being a part of our journey!

Traveling

We traveled to Oklahoma this month. We came for a sad reason. Vanessa's grandma was leaving this earth. We didn't make it in time to say "goodbye". But before we left Kenya Hudson prayed, "Jesus, if we don't make it back to tell Grandma Betty goodbye, will you please tell her for us." So I'm sure He did. We have had a sweet time with family and friends. It has been a whirlwind of events and emotions. But we are thankful the Lord allowed us all to travel together as a family. Unfortunately I don't think we have taken 1 picture. Here is what I shared at my grandma's service.

Traveling
Ever since I can remember my grandma was always traveling. Her first lesson to me was traveling thru books. I remember being there in the summers and she giving me incentives to read. This was when I learned the adventures books can take you on. I think she was always in the middle of a book. When we were young she often took us girls on summer vacations. They were places she and my grandpa had time shares at like Bella Vista. Or places we had family living that we had never met before. She packed the car with books and colors and pencils and a cooler full of fruit and Vienna sausages. Those were some great trips to spend with my sisters as well as with my sweet grandparents. I’m sure it would have been much more relaxing to have just been the 2 of them, but they chose to let us have some adventures during our summer vacations from school. I’m sure this planted some of the seeds in me that wanted to see the world.

Grandma was a great story teller. Most people at the end of their lives tend to tell the same stories over and over, but not grandma. She always had a new story to tell. i remember being amazed as she would tell me of an adventure from grandpa’s army days or some sweet story from her college years. And she always had a story to tell of her travels around the world. I could never recount to you the many countries she visited, but I know that each one she remembered and held a special place in her heart. She was there to experience the culture and she did that to the fullest. I do have to admit there is one story she told over and over again. “It was a hot Oklahoma, July day. I was baking bread for Ed. This was the day your mom was born. She was breach…I had never held a baby before.” That story she relived every July. The day my mom was born. It was funny to hear every year.

She influenced many lives as she taught elementary school. I’m sure she was a fantastic teacher who invested whole heartedly in the teaching of her students. Just this week when we were going thru her things and looking for old photos we found that she had saved ALL of her own report cards. I’m sure she took her students on many valuable adventures as she taught them lessons that would last a lifetime. She truly valued education and doing your very best. The short time my children knew her they loved her. She would smile as she watched them expel more energy then she had ever seen. She would sing silly children’s songs to them and she always desired them to sing to her. I’m sure she thought to herself, “you have a life time ahead of you. What adventures will you take?”

So now grandma has traveled to the most exotic destination she could ever imagine. A place of beauty incomparable to all the wonders this world has to offer. She is meeting the Creator of the Universe. No travel agent could book a journey like this one for her. She most certainly is telling her stories. And catching Grandpa up on everything he missed these past 15 years. I cannot imagine her in a more spectacular place then where she is now. I love you and will look forward to telling you all my stories of the adventures the Lord has led me on.

We'll be back in Kenya at the end of this week. Continue to pray for us as we follow the Lord on this journey!

Highlights

I know, I know 6 weeks in between blog entries is unacceptable! So we will give you a rundown of just the highlights and hope for a quicker entry next time.

Isaac turned 1 on May 31^st!

It seems like just yesterday he was surprising us all and coming a month early. He still brings such joy to all he meets. He lights up any room he enters. We celebrated by going to Nairobi. We ate at the Simba saloon where they serve wild game. Then we took Isaac and the boys to meet the giraffes at the giraffe center. It was so fun! He also just started walking last night! It’s not just 1 or 2 steps, but like 10 or 15!

Moved

We moved to another house on the missionary compound. It has been a great move for us. The house is the biggest house we’ve ever lived in. We even have 2 bathrooms. The view is incredible from our backyard and we even have a swing set now! We’ve been painting and my friend Amanda has been helping me with some décor. So pictures will come when it is complete I promise. For now here is a preview of the view from our backyard. I know you all are on expedia.com right now booking your flights for a visit toKenya!

Pets

We have 2 tortoises now. The first is named Toby and the 2^nd is Goliath. A man from the valley came all the way up here in hopes of selling some turtles he captured in order to buy food for his family. We happily accepted these low maintenance pets.

NO MORE PACI!

Jude gave up his paci and is doing just fine without it. Grandparents have been praying for this one for a while J!

Preaching

Kyle has been preaching a lot lately. He was able to preach on father’s day and encourage the father’s in Kenya to look to our Heavenly Father to guide them as they lead their families. He did an incredible job! He has been invited several other times to preach as well. We are so thankful the Lord is allowing us to invest spiritually to our community here. We are continually being stretched to serve beyond our own abilities.

Ladies Bible Study

I have been desiring to start a Bible study for my Kenyan friends since we arrived. The Lord opened the door just within this last month and we had an incredible turn out and the women seem to be hungry for the Word and to fellowship with one another! Christina has helped me get it going and I’m so thankful for her friendship. We also started a study for just the missionary women on the compound. It is encouraging. It also helps me feel a little less lonely at times when we get together and study the Word with each other.

Duininck Girls

We welcomed our first visitors from America! Emily and Hanna arrived on July 2! They both have naturally fit in and have been such servants here in Kapsowar. Emily is working hard in the hospital teaching the nurses some excellent nursing skills. Hanna has also spent some time at the hospital, but a lot of time here with me and the boys. She has an incredible energy and gift for teaching. Hudson loves it when she teaches him school! We stay up late talking, playing games or watching movies! I’m really enjoying having some girls around!

Pokot land here we come again!

Kyle spearheaded another trip to the valley to minister to the Pokot people. We had a team of 18 go this time. Including Christina, the OBGYN, 3 nurses, vaccinations, surgical specialist surveying needs for cleft palate repair (we have a grant that allows us to do the surgery here for free), pharmacy and local missionaries and pastors! We stayed the night this time. We had a full day of clinic and Kyle was able to encourage the elders of the Pokot church with the Word by fireside the night following the clinic. He did an amazing job. We have located some more Bibles in their language to distribute to them the next time we come. The translation was just completed last September. We definitely feel the Lord moving there and in our hearts to continue to serve this underserved community.

Homegoing of Grandpa Smith

We received word just before we left for our outreach trip that Kyle’s Grandpa Smith passed on into Glory! It was so very hard for us to be away from family during this time. Kyle’s grandpa was an amazing servant of Christ. He had a passion for the underserved and unreached peoples of the world. He translated the New Testament into the Chinantec language (a remote tribe in Mexico). He and Grandma have inspired us to obey the Lord’s calling in our lives to go to the Nations and preach Christ! We thought we would best honor his name by continuing our trip to the Pokot people and serve them and teach them from the Word of God. We promised the next time we came we would bring Bibles in dedication to Paul Smith, our beloved Grandpa who is now singing praises to our Lord with people from the Chinantec tribe! Our prayer is that Pokot believers will join Him in Glory as well as their lives are touched by God’s Word.

We miss you all so very much! Thanks for not forgetting about us! We remember you in our prayers and are so thankful for your friendship and partnership!