Seth & Hannah » At this moment…

On The Road Again…

Hannah — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 03:10:25 +0000

Our little traveler

Off on another adventure. This time we go West!

After two years in the Arctic North we are loading our bus and heading West to a land of much rain and seafood. : )

My oldest brother Tim, his lovely wife Ginger and their three girls, who live in Vancouver, WA are following the Master’s call to stint in Central Asia. Seth and I are taking over their house stateside for them.

It has been said “all are called, some are called to stay and some to go, what have you been called to?”

In this next season of life Seth and I believe that we have been called to stay in order that Tim & Ginger can go. It is our wish to do everything that we can to send them at their most supported and most effective.

All for Jesus!! We are thrilled to see the work that He will do and hope to be a part.

Here we are…some of us.

Hannah — Mon, 12 May 2008 21:53:52 +0000

A rash of wild hair has swept our household…here’s just a few of the latest and greatest styles.
No Mom, I have not dyed my hair blue or any other color. I think Seth would go into deep mourning if I did.
Isaiah’s hair on the other hand has gone from blue to green and is now a violent shade of purple.

Love you all and thanks for keeping us all in your prayers. We remember you all too and hope this finds you blessed and in His will.
And hey congrats to one and all on the baby boom!!!! I can’t wait to gush over all the sweet little bundles.
Hannah
(and all the ‘kovsky super-heros big and small)

Here We Are…All Of Us!

Hannah — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 15:37:16 +0000

Sorry, guys…I pulled a Dad and am emailing you ten million pictures in one email. I take full responsibility if it should cause your computer to crash.
Love you all lots and miss you more than we can say…

Hannah and The Wild Things
P.S. Hope you enjoy them at least. : )

Hannah’s Hair-raising Adventure

Hannah — Fri, 23 Feb 2007 11:29:14 +0000

Yes, for those of you who have been inquiring, I did cut my hair. About three weeks before we left for Nairobi I donated approximately 18 inches to Locks of Love; an organization that makes wigs for kids with cancer. I do miss my long hair at times but am loving the ease, the lack of weight and heat, and the small amount of water (: ) needed for washing that my short hair has been.

I’ve never had short hair in my life and was somewhat surprised to find that minus all the weight I have curly hair! I guess now we know where Keziah got it. I’ve shocked quite a few people and (I think) offended a few but Seth loves my new look and I am definitly enjoying the advantages of it. I can actually let Keziah play with it now and not have to spend an hour untangling it afterwards. : )

So, wonder no longer. I am a changed woman. In the hair department anyway…and in my appreciation of water but that’s a different topic.

The Many Lives of a Pail of Water…

Hannah — Fri, 23 Feb 2007 11:02:44 +0000

How many uses can you get out of a pail of water? Here’s what I found:

1. Use bucket of water to wet and rinse your hair.

2. Take that same bucket of water to soap your clothes saving out a small portion to wash your child or let her wash the walls/clothes/toys/entertain herself.

3. When finished washing clothes, use the water to mop the floor.

4. Last, but definitly not least, use that same bucket of water to flush the toilet.

And that, my dear friends, is a good look at “normal” water usage for many people on this earth. Having been born and raised in Washington State, water shortages are a new (not so wonderful) experience for me and I am learning fast how to make the most of little water.

So, tonight as you brush your teeth, thank the Lord for all the safe, clean, running water you have used today. Its not something to take for granted. : )

Cool, Pure, Water…

Hannah — Thu, 15 Feb 2007 11:08:04 +0000

Please pray that we get water soon. No don’t worry we are not wasting away in a parched dessert. What I mean is that the water meter has not arrived in our beautiful new flat. Thus we are “jerry canning it” (ie. borrowing water by the jerry can full from our gracious neighbors).

All the paperwork has been done, money paid, ect. And this is where the corrupt government/bereaucracy fits in the picture. Unless you have a lot of weight in the government (money, family, friend of the water meter people) you can end up waiting up to a month for them to simply come out to your flat and hand over the meter.

We’ve had many people tell us to just wait till night, fit in a piece of pipe, fill the tanks, and then take out the pipe. “They’ll never know, hey I can do it for you!”… Which is very tempting at 9:00 at night when a hot, full, bubbly bath sounds wondrous….forget bath just to flush the toilet every time its used would seem like such richness. But we want to live honestly and example Christ in every area. So we’re waiting… : ) God has given us grace to handle this situation but please pray that water comes soon! We don’t want to outwear our welcome at the neighbors and it just would make life a lot easier to have ready water.

Its amazing how much of life requires water…and its amazing how for granted you take it until its not there anymore. I think I am becoming a master water conserver. I wonder how that would look on my resume’. Or on my tombstone: Here lies Hannah Jankovsky; she sure could conserve water. : )

Ok, that was a little morbid but you’ve got to laugh at somethings or you’ll just end up getting very depressed. : )

Thankyou for all your prayers. You’ll never know how much it means to us that we are being held up in prayer; even in the (seemingly) trivial things. And what a Great God we serve to know that He cares about the little things in life.

Mechanichally Kenyan…

Hannah — Mon, 12 Feb 2007 08:07:39 +0000

The second day was one of high adventure and sleep depravation. Dan and I had spoken about the possibility of me going with him to a teaching engagement at PAC (Pan African Christian College) together we went. It is funny how God does not allow we to walk away from my mechanic abilities, just the time when I expect to let other do these things God reminds me via breakdown of my seemingly invaluable gift of understanding cars and what makes them tick, squeak, pop, and other such adjectives. Sure enough the borrowed car of Surrender a seek mechanic friend of Dan’s died on the side of the road near a beautiful roadside nursery which I should add are everywhere and a welcomed sight by myself. We found ourselves close to our destination without much hope of help as I could see it. Finally the all to known phrase sounded across my ears “So, uhhh should you look under the hood?�?. I after looking under the hood became more appreciative of western vehicles and the maintenance even the poorest of shops. I become aware that I was sure the problem was electrical and after some thought I had figured out the issue and we were suddenly a team since the only way to operate the vehicle was to hold the ignition key at the perfect spot not with the starter engaged but not letting it rest in the on position.
Upon arrival late for chapel Dan had just made it in time to speak to the student body about missions and the church. I really enjoyed the lecture and found myself engrossed in the scripture used in acts about the callousness of the Jew’s and their refusal of God’s desire for the nations. After the lecture I enjoyed my first Kenyan meal which was wonderful and simple.
After a tour that included a trip to the mechanic for repair, FTT to pick up the mail and receive a tour and a slow drive home though not so bad traffic. I was overjoyed to see Hannah in one piece as the children have not been sleeping all so well and a safe and known environment.
A significant portion of the day was the early morning with Keziah. I found myself lost in the Word of God and in tears over the desire God had placed in my heart to be prepared for everyday spiritually. I had much needed this revival of heart and am very glad the LORD spoke to me about this today.

All in a days happenings…

Hannah — Mon, 12 Feb 2007 08:06:18 +0000

House hunting day was to be quite the day and it was. As the day began I thought that today would have it’s challenges and it surely did.
I woke up at 5 this morning my mind racing. So I got up and did my devotions. I ready 4 chapters of Mark this morning and it drove me into tears the beautiful things God revealed to me changed my heart. I had read through mark many times but this experience was a sweet reminder of the newness of life we experience in Christ daily. Around 9 others began to stir and I became very aware of my love for nature as I spend the majority of the morning talking with God and gazing out on the beauty of His creation. The Germo’s are very blessed to have the home they have it is incredible and has the mot wonderful view from the upstairs living room window that is 15 ft wide.
I don’t think I have mentioned about the baby banana’s here in Kenya. They are tiny like perfect size for a toddler to eat and they are so much sweeter than the big boy’s we have in the US. Kez often eats them and always finishes. I think the US were missing out on these parents would kill to have such a perfect snack pre-wrapped by God in just to right size for their children. Hey! God could make a killing huh. Just joking of course but I think there great.
Do you remember the car? Yes, that car the one that broke down on Dan and I the first day I was in Kenya. Well the revenge was not sweet more smoky and annoying. After we had viewed two apartments and got stuck behind a massive parade Hannah, Nancy and the girls parted ways with us to get lunch while Dan, Graham, and I traveled to a birthday party that Graham was attending and then on to a fund raising event for FTT. Sure enough we overheated and then sat beside the road for an hour waiting for it to cool down and for Graham’s friends father to come fetch him from the side of the road. Smoky, ah yes I forgot we were stranded on a busy highway on an incline and here that means ever diesel vehicle is belching extra exhaust as it struggles up the hill. So yes my eye’s burned and I think I have successfully trained myself to hold my breath up to 2 minutes.
At day’s end we were all exhausted “no pun intended�?, and sleep came early which is why this letter is ending.

Security Issues…

Hannah — Sat, 10 Feb 2007 12:31:51 +0000

Please pray for us in this new land. Security in Nairobi is a BIG DEAL. For those who live here it dictates much of how they live and why they do the things they do. Coming from small towns and and relatively secure country this mind-set has been a little disconcerting for Seth and I as we set up life.

From amoebas in the water (keep your mouth closed while showering), to the wildlife (no Keziah you may not play with the snake…yes we are going to kill the snake), mosquitos (malaria or harmless?), to locking your doors at all times to keep out the carjackers/thieves, we often are overwhelmed at the security issues here. We don’t want our experiece here to be one of fear and constant stress. However, we do want to keep a cautious mindset in making the right choices every day.

I don’t think I’ve ever even considered locking the cabinets in my house…for Kenyans it is simply a way of life.

Please pray that we will keep our eyes on Jesus, accept the grace to trust Him completely and that we will be an example of confidence for our kids.

Pray that when (and if) instances of danger come up that our first reaction will not be fear but reliance on the One Who brought us here in the first place and Whose care for us is greater even than our own.

Got to run…we are on our way to a birthday party. Pray that we are able to connect with the Kenyans and relate to them a complete, confident, trust in our Lord.

A Great Big Thankyou and Grand Round of Applause!

Hannah — Mon, 30 Oct 2006 19:54:49 +0000

We just wanted to say THANKYOU (cheering, whistling, stomping, and all manner of general applause) to all of you who have joined in with us through your prayers and your support!

We have been blessed over and over again as we have seen the Lord at work in our lives as a result of your prayer and generosity. We are at about 50% of our budget and excited as we see the faithfullness of the Lord in His church continuing.

I’d love to personally thank each of you by name but it would take much longer than Keziah and Jared will give me and I haven’t received permission…but to all of you who have been a part of ministering to us; please know that we have been so blessed by you. We know that supporting us is a sacrifice on your part (whether it be a sacrifice of time, money, effort or all of the above and then some) and we are honored that you would entrust us with the benefits of that sacrifice.

We pray that God will honor and bless you for the part you have played and look forward to any opportunity He would give us to thank you personally!

Know that you are in our prayers and hearts…we could not do this without you and we are so glad to have you along for this journey!