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| "God is so present
here... I could stay here forever:" THE RAIN CAME!! Yes, in the last month we have had rain 5 times. This is the "short rains" season, which means that it rains for a short time in the late afternoon. An interesting thing I've noticed... even though it had rained literally once in June-Sept, when the first heavy rain came everybody I saw was equipped with their umbrella... how did they know? It was a clear sunny day and the dark clouds rolled in within minutes... people here expect God's faithfulness. Last week it rained really hard one afternoon. I sat next to the window and relished in the sound of the pitter patter of rain, a sound that reminds me so much of home... many of you know that I LOVE rain and am known to dance in it. Despite the recent rain, the drought is still plaguing Kenya. These few rains are a good start, but not enough to counter the heavy agricultural losses and electricity and water shortages. To many, this may be shocking, but we have had no running water for 2 weeks in our flat. As the above picture shows, when water comes in, my housemates and I assume our positions' and fill all of our containers and pray that there will be enough water to fill the storage tank in the attic. I've become accustomed to sponge bathing (using 1 gallon of water) occasionally and washing my hair on Wednesdays and Sundays. Honestly though, I can't say I'm that thrilled with the situation... I admit that I am longing for that first shower that I get to take in 27 days. Mom, make sure you turn on the hot water heater before you pick me up at Sea-Tac... oh yeah, in America you don't have to "turn on" the hot water heater (I forgot even how to turn it on, we haven't used the water heater here in months). Your prayers have also covered me in good health. Other than a short lived cold I had last weekend, I have been healthy all month. This is a feat considering I work in an environment that is less than hygienic (little opportunity to wash hands... my anti-bacterial lotion has become a "must have"), with children that battle staff infections (boils), ring worm, chronic chest pain and many more health problems that result from bacteria and air pollution. Our nurse, has not been able to work with our kids since she is Japanese and the Kenyan government will not approve her work permit renewal. Please pray that Immigration would allow her back into the country because my kids severely need her attention. I have a HUGE praise though, related to the health of my kids. Since Homeless Children International - Kenya provides for 165 kids, a lot of basic items are needed, from soap to toothbrushes to nail clippers to laundry detergent... you name it, we need it. I got an email earlier this week from Kathy Foster, an amazing woman that I taught Sunday School with at UPC. She said that the student teacher in her daughters' 4th grade class was coming to Kenya on Saturday... and that the class wanted to donate some things to help my kids in Kenya. Can I tell you that I felt the hugest amount of encouragement and undeserved blessing yesterday when I went to pick up a 55 pound bag filled with 75 toothbrushes, 125 bars of soap, 40 tubes of toothpaste, 35 nail clippers, 100+ matchbox cars, beads... the list goes on. God answered my prayers and the prayers of his children!! We desperately needed these things... one of my kids, Kimani, was begging me for a toothbrush this week... and today I gave him one. Many kids were scratching bug bites, thus creating wounds that were infected with dirt--creating PAINFUL pus-filled boils... now we have nail clippers...no more scratching! It's the little things that make a huge difference. God always provides and His generosity never ceases to amaze me. As I distributed the toothbrushes and soap today, the site of the kids brushing their little teeth almost brought me to tears... they LOVED their toothbrushes and called them "poa" (cool). It was beyond words. The word that best describes the trip I took to our girls shelter in Loitokitok (LTK) in late September is "worship." Cassie, Mike (my friends from Seattle) and I piled in the back of the HCI-Kenya pickup and headed south on a dirt road that leads to a little piece of heaven located at the foot of Mt. Kilimanjaro. Riding for 4 hours on a dirt road, lying on wooden crates in the open air, in a country that hadn't seen rain for months, meant a 5-inch layer of dust on one's body and hair so twisted in knots that a brush would rip out handfuls. The fact that we spent 3 days in our filthy state (they have NO WATER) didn't stop us from having an incredible time with the girls. One thing about these kids is that they really don't care how you look... if you're dirty or if you're squeaky clean, it makes no difference. What matters is that you want to spend time with THEM. The girls work so hard. Every morning they get up at 5am to cook breakfast and prepare for the day. As the sun rises at 6:30, they are wide awake and ready for morning devotion. Saturday morning is different. Wake-up is still at 5, but instead of getting ready for school, they get ready to go to the local river to bathe and wash clothes...and they do it cheerfully and with excitement. The government hasn't allowed water into our property in LTK for at least 2 months. We are praying for a bore hole to be dug, allowing us ample water The difficulties of life don't get these children down, instead they appear to increase their love of the Lord. Every night all 50 girls gather in a 10' x 15' room and sing their hearts out. Never in my life have I heard a sound that resembled so much of what I imagine worship in heaven will be like... people worshipping in God's presence, knowing who He is and what He did for His children. It is so compelling to see 8-year-old girls surrendering their entire beings: with their hands lifted high to the Lord, eyes closed in praise, heads bowed in humility, feet dancing in freedom... these kids KNOW how to worship. I know Cassie and Mike were touched by these princesses... Cassie had the opportunity to meet her sponsor daughter and Mike has a vision of recording these kids on a CD and selling it to profit HCI-Kenya... a great idea. Because the trip to LTK is so long and arduous, I only get to visit every two months or so... being in the presence of these girls is a real treat. Spending time with Cassie and Mike for a month was part of God's answer to the encouragement I needed. I was able to talk to them about how God's been refining me: breaking the bad-me down and building me back up in His image. Both of them helped me see how much God has used Kenya to humble me, create more dependence on Him and reveal His power and worthiness. The words of a popular worship song, "I stand, I stand in awe of you, to God of whom all praise is due, I stand in awe of You," describe my feelings and convictions as a person of Jesus. This song runs through my head often. The last month has been one of the hardest and most confusing in my life. I have come to face to face with many frustrating situations in which I feel helpless and incapacitated. There have been many days when I was left wondering why God has me here, why it seems I'm not doing anything to help these children, why I don't understand so many things about Kenya, why I'm not motivated, why I am so sinful and selfish, why the problems in the world seem endless, and so many more questions that seemed answerless. My prayer to spend more quiet time with the Lord has been answered by my boyfriend Mark, who is holding me accountable to email him my response to a passage of scripture each day as he does the same. The time I spent in the Word the last few weeks has been confirming of God's enduring love and faithfulness. Psalm 116:1-2, 5-7, describes the what I've learned from God the last month. "I love the Lord, for He heard my voice; He heard my cry for mercy. Because He turned his ear to me, I will call on Him as long as I live... The Lord is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion. The Lord protects the simple-hearted; when I was in great need, He saved me. Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the Lord has been good to you." Not only has God shown me His goodness through scripture, but through my continuing relationships with the street boys at Adam's Arcade (a small shopping center near the slum I work in). I have been taking Swahili courses with my Swedish roommate, Susanne, which has allowed me to speak more with the boys at Adam's. My contact with them consists of stopping and talking to them everyday and giving them bread and milk every once in awhile. Something key that illustrates just how much relationships mean to these children, is that they no longer beg from me. The "one shilling madam, one shilling madam" has practically ceased. I have become their "rafiki" or friend. If there is a new kid on the "block" the older kids tell them not to beg from me. I long to be able to talk to them more fluently about their lives, their hopes and fears. I want to share Christ with them, but I'm also learning how much actions can speak to them. These boys are used to people ignoring them, not people who want to know their name and are willing to shake their dirty hands...they are beautiful boys... the youngest, Skoko, seems about 5. I pray that my relationship with them would continue throughout the year and that HCI-Kenya would be able to help them more substantially in '01 when we're able to accept more kids (we're currently maxed out). Wow, my stories could continue and continue... stories of God's love and faithfulness
to His people. For those of you who would like to hear more about my experiences here...
I'll be home in 27 days and would love to spend time with you. Believe it or not, one of
the things about Seattle I miss most, besides the people, is Starbucks... which means we
could go and have some COFFEE!! Please don't hesitate to email me while I'm home, please
use: I will be home from November 18th - January 5th and will be staying primarily with my mom. I am also speaking in several elementary school classrooms and in Sunday School at UPC and hopefully to my church on Whidbey. If there is a group you would like me to speak to, please don't hesitate to ask. Honestly, one of the most encouraging parts of the last 5 months has been the support that I've received from people in Seattle. From people who are praying for me, supporting me financially, sponsoring children, donating items, writing the children and me emails/letters, to UPC that is doing a stewardship project on HCI-Kenya, and a particular Sunday school class that is supporting me as a missionary with specific prayers every week. Not only have I been encouraged, but the staff of Homeless and the children have fallen in love with the people of Seattle as well. Those of you who are sponsors and who have written your child... Thank you... the blessings of your efforts are eternal. Lastly, Please pray for the following things as I continue praying for you:
I love you all and I hope that this month you are blessed. Mark just sent me several digital photos of the UW campus and the fall leaves (they're my favorite thing)... Seattle is a BEAUTIFUL place... don't forget what a blessing you have wherever you live. Please write me with news or thoughts about your life... I'm waiting. Love, Sarah Jamieson |
For
God's mercy on Kenya. That the economy would improve, that corruption would cease, that
people would repent and feel the love of the Lord.