I have good news, bad news and way more good news. We'll start with the bad news. This little girl is Cynthia (right; and Mercy, left). She's very bright. I walked into her classroom of about 50 students (3rd grade level) where there was no teacher. Cynthia was standing at the front of her class with her back turned to her peers holding a rod in her hand and pointing to the numbers on the number chart. She would say a number in English and the whole class would repeat. I was amazed at how she had control. The other kids didn't even know we had walked in the back of the classroom. She's about 9 years old but sometimes acts like she's 30.Cynthia's mom was 29 years old and was going back to school in a place near Mombasa. She had an "enlarged heart" and had been struggling with it for some time. On Sunday her mom passed away. Nancy has decided to accompany her to to the funeral. They'll be back on Friday. Remember Cynthia this week.
Now for the good news. Where to start! This is a picture I took while walking toward AMCC the other day. They got all the power lines up and have said that we should have electricity by the first of next week!
John's Birthday was on the 10th! So I bought the guy a suit. He deserves it and he looks pretty "smart" if i do say so myself. Kenyans use this word "smart" for "really good" or "slick" or "hot". 
Speaking of "smart", did you know that John has his bachelor's degree in Biblical Studies? Here's a guy who is educated, could be makin some money in a church somewhere, but has decided to raise orphans and at-risk kids for the last 2 years without getting paid. Not a bad chap.
This man, is Peter Kenneth. They call him "The Muzungu", which means "white man" but he's not really white. His dad was a German though so he's lighter skinned. Anyway, Mr. Kenneth has announced recently that he'll be running for president in 2012. So he's kind of a big deal. Also, he gave Mark and I his personal cell number in case we ever get harrassed. John and I went to speak with him about renewing my visa and getting some food and land at AMCC. We talked with him for all of...maybe 4 minutes. 
He directed us to the D.C., and when he wasn't there we met the D.O. who is also a friend of AMCC. Long story short; we got 5 bags of maize comin our way before the weekend! I know it doesn't sound like a big deal to get a bunch of corn but it is. We only have enough food till about Friday so to get this news was amazing! This is the D.O. who's sending the food our way.
The avacodo business hasn't started yet. We're waiting on "The Asian" to set his market buying price. It would be a very poor decision to start before that because one could end up losing a lot of money. So in the meantime, John and I went to inquire of coffee farmers. In the states, a kilo of the same coffee is going for about 1200 Kenyan shillings, while one kilo is being bought from farmers at 25 Kenyan shillings. The farmers produce a lot of coffee but get very very low wages; not to mention the laborers. We have been talking with a U.S. company, Pura Eveda who deals more directly with farmers in hopes to relieve the stresses of poverty. All they need is a sample to let us know whether it will work or not. The farmers we spoke with seem very excited but can't get us a sample until around August. So we'll wait and hope "The Asian" makes up his mind soon. Alas, God is good because He has provided us with food for this month!
The other really good news is that we have recieved FIVE packages from my family and one from Molly and Sarah, a few girls who were in the house church and are dear to my heart! Thank you guys sooo much! I couldn't even get it all back in one trip. I loaded my huge pack and there was just too much. Mark had to go back the next day and get the rest. I wish I could express how excited the kids were. 
They yelled and screamed and sang and prayed for an hour or so because of the stuff you all sent. They each filled their hands and gave thanks to God for what they were holding, be it a toothbrush, nerf ball, or trail mix. We laid hands on everything and gave glory to God for you guys that sent it as well as all our supporters. The kids were truly histerical. I hope the Lord allows me to get that excited again about something! Thank you, thank you thank you.
The last bit of good news is that a few reps from BIDCO Oil Company are coming to "talk about something" on Sunday. We're not sure what but we're praying that it is about putting AMCC on their food plan! With both the governments support and BIDCO with food, WOW that will be such a load off! such a blessing! Please be praying about that too!
Love you all and miss you guys tons!
Now for the good news. Where to start! This is a picture I took while walking toward AMCC the other day. They got all the power lines up and have said that we should have electricity by the first of next week!
John's Birthday was on the 10th! So I bought the guy a suit. He deserves it and he looks pretty "smart" if i do say so myself. Kenyans use this word "smart" for "really good" or "slick" or "hot". 
Speaking of "smart", did you know that John has his bachelor's degree in Biblical Studies? Here's a guy who is educated, could be makin some money in a church somewhere, but has decided to raise orphans and at-risk kids for the last 2 years without getting paid. Not a bad chap.
This man, is Peter Kenneth. They call him "The Muzungu", which means "white man" but he's not really white. His dad was a German though so he's lighter skinned. Anyway, Mr. Kenneth has announced recently that he'll be running for president in 2012. So he's kind of a big deal. Also, he gave Mark and I his personal cell number in case we ever get harrassed. John and I went to speak with him about renewing my visa and getting some food and land at AMCC. We talked with him for all of...maybe 4 minutes. 
He directed us to the D.C., and when he wasn't there we met the D.O. who is also a friend of AMCC. Long story short; we got 5 bags of maize comin our way before the weekend! I know it doesn't sound like a big deal to get a bunch of corn but it is. We only have enough food till about Friday so to get this news was amazing! This is the D.O. who's sending the food our way.
The avacodo business hasn't started yet. We're waiting on "The Asian" to set his market buying price. It would be a very poor decision to start before that because one could end up losing a lot of money. So in the meantime, John and I went to inquire of coffee farmers. In the states, a kilo of the same coffee is going for about 1200 Kenyan shillings, while one kilo is being bought from farmers at 25 Kenyan shillings. The farmers produce a lot of coffee but get very very low wages; not to mention the laborers. We have been talking with a U.S. company, Pura Eveda who deals more directly with farmers in hopes to relieve the stresses of poverty. All they need is a sample to let us know whether it will work or not. The farmers we spoke with seem very excited but can't get us a sample until around August. So we'll wait and hope "The Asian" makes up his mind soon. Alas, God is good because He has provided us with food for this month!
The other really good news is that we have recieved FIVE packages from my family and one from Molly and Sarah, a few girls who were in the house church and are dear to my heart! Thank you guys sooo much! I couldn't even get it all back in one trip. I loaded my huge pack and there was just too much. Mark had to go back the next day and get the rest. I wish I could express how excited the kids were. 
They yelled and screamed and sang and prayed for an hour or so because of the stuff you all sent. They each filled their hands and gave thanks to God for what they were holding, be it a toothbrush, nerf ball, or trail mix. We laid hands on everything and gave glory to God for you guys that sent it as well as all our supporters. The kids were truly histerical. I hope the Lord allows me to get that excited again about something! Thank you, thank you thank you.The last bit of good news is that a few reps from BIDCO Oil Company are coming to "talk about something" on Sunday. We're not sure what but we're praying that it is about putting AMCC on their food plan! With both the governments support and BIDCO with food, WOW that will be such a load off! such a blessing! Please be praying about that too!
Love you all and miss you guys tons!
You have such an AWESOME blog! Thank you!
ReplyDeletefor keeping us posted.