My Friends,

We have been in Kenya for two months...can you believe it?...I can't.  When we traveled to Kenya in the past we always had an "agenda" and only so much time to accomplish it...this seemed to make time fly by.  Now, time seems to pass slower since we know we are here to stay as long as the Lord calls us.  We have been re-acclimating ourselves to both family, friends and the environment.  We still have not completed our 25x25 foot home, but we hope to soon.  Once this is accomplished I believe we will feel so much better.  We have been literally climbing over suit cases to do anything and still have not unpacked quite a few of them since there is no room to even move things around.  In God's timing it will occur.  While we are missing our kids, family and friends in the US, we are also feeling so blessed to be back on the ground with our Kenyan kids and family.

Karibu sana Kenya...you are most welcome to come to Kenya.  In our new home we have a room for visitors...very highly prized in Kenya.  We had our first friends stop by for a week visit...Kelli and Theresa from Saginaw and Alpena, Michigan.  They were part of a coalition from Delta College which was visiting their sister colleges in Nakuru where Kelli's exchange students were stationed.  Once that was over, they came to Tala to spend a week with us...what a great time we had!  We have another visitor coming in July and there are a few trips being planned for next year...you could be part of the experience.  We currently have room for two people right on our compound and we are going to be working on making a "bunk-house" from a structure that is on the compound.  Be assured you would be in for an experience of a life time.  Let me know if you are interested and would like to plan a visit.  Again, Karibu sana!

Honesty is the best policy so...the good, bad and ugly...I will start with the ugly.  There is fighting in the African Inland Church (AIC) here in Tala.  The elders of the church have requested, and obtained permission, to break off from the current affiliation due to corruption in the local leaders.  While they have received permission, they are being fought by the local bishop since He is the big money loser in the situation.  Pray God will continue to give the elders courage and wisdom as this struggle continues...a true life example of a church being persecuted by a false shepherd.  The bad...there is a lot of violence breaking out due to the vote coming up on the new constitution for Kenya and simply because of the increase in the number of "thugs" (the name for criminals in Kenya) which I attribute to some degree to the intense poverty in the country and the lack of hope for a change in the near future.  A local school (6km away) was vandalized and the watchman killed three days ago.  There have been bombings at rallies relative to the constitution and the attitude of fear is all around.  Tammy and I go about our daily business (even after hearing of some people inquiring into where the "wazungu" - white people - live and do they have a watchman) and continue to look to the Lord for our protection, but many here are simply afraid.  Pray the fear of the Lord is the fear that takes hold of the people of Tala and Kenya in general...that is the beginning of wisdom.  For the good...we are making more friends literally daily and thanking God He has brought us back to serve on a permanent basis.  We thank Him for our literal daily bread and shelter He is providing and we look forward to continuing to work here as He calls until we meet Him in the eternal...thank you God.

We continue to need your assistance and thank you for what you are doing.  We can only continue to work here by the grace of God when His people respond to the needs.  We have been given so many friends who are praying for us daily and that is so comforting.  We also need to continue to have financial supporters to do what the Lord calls us to.  The building and bus are still needs.  The food assistance from Feed My Starving Children has been granted and we need to raise support to ship it.  Food, shelter, clothing and medical assistance continue to be needed daily...I could go on, but I am sure you understand.  I simply ask that you pray about your support and follow the lead of the One who provides all the resources to have completed what He wants done, our Lord Jesus.

Continue to look at the website blog to see what is happening on the ground.  We have just recently purchased a resin table (our first piece of furniture) which allowed us to set up our computers (instead of me holding it in one hand and searching for the Internet connection) which hopefully will allow us to keep in better communication with everyone.  I know Tammy is attempting to be very diligent and get postings almost daily on the blog and facebook (look for us both and "friend" us on facebook if you are on it).  We want to keep you informed of what is happening and answer any questions you may have...the website is a great place to go to keep informed and to donate as you are led.

Mungu akubariki (God bless you).  Make sure you take time daily to commune with the God of the universe, our Lord and Savior Jesus, through the Holy Spirit who leads us.  He will prepare us for eternity by bringing us closer to Him each day if we simply allow Him to do so.

Until next time, I continue to serve the children of Kenya with you only by His grace,

Chuck

Missionary to Kenya