02.23.07
Posted in Seth's Two Cents at 5:18 am by Hannah
2-15-07
Today has been one of those way too frustrating days. Today we had hopes to have security doors installed. So we were grounded to our house waiting for the workmen to come. Rahab came and worked through the morning while we waited for them to arrive.
It was a crazy thing to sit in anticipation of a call or the arrival of a work crew to put in the doors. Tomorrow I am supposed to be in the office and so I was hopeful for everything to be in place so Hannah would feel safe and I would have no worries of her at home with the kids.
So here I am this evening writing this saying that I wasted a day and I know this is a western feeling but it still is a real feeling that has to be worked through. In the end the workmen came, dropped off the doors and the tools, and left. I tried to get them to stay and do at least 1 door but no dice. Hannah and I have had a few movies to watch and this will be a great distraction from the day. In Africa nothing happens fast except crime. Note to self.
12-16-07
The day of mass craziness as it was heralded quickly changed into the day of patient(?) waiting. Little to anyone’s knowledge there was a 12 hour scheduled power outage. No power for the workmen to use their power tools to get the doors installed. Oh, the relentlessness of life.
I was supposed to watch the workmen finish the doors by 3 so we could go pick-up the furniture that was supposed to be finished a week ago. The furniture will not be done till “tomorrow”. So here I am at the end of the day with security doors finally (because of a generator that arrived at 4) but with a whole boat load of tools in my spare room. Hannah had quite a day as we are getting low on groceries and I was stationed watching 3 workmen talk and so couldn’t leave.
We had a long evening without water or power. Hannah and I are beat, down cast, and to top it all our friend said “well this day has been depressing�. Making us feel like complete failures. God is good, but I’m done with this day.
12-17-07
Well the tools got picked-up at the crack of dawn so I was up to arrange 4 strange men in my house but I was glad to see the small equipment gone and the doors basically completed minus paint.
It is also very nice that up to know there has been no bill (yet) which I am dreading but, good news about that! I’ll pay the bill now but deduct it out of the rent later because the land-lord was pleased with the gates and decided she wants us to leave them here for her. I wasn’t going to take them when we left (don’t quite fit the carry on regulations) so it was a fair trade in my mind.
Groceries were the focus of the day and Hannah’s world brightened as we walked through the store picking out the needed items from the store. The afternoon was spent together as a family between naps and some down time for Hannah and I, we were glad to have a break from this week. It is Saturday and we’re very glad that the next week although not completely figured out should bring a refreshing wave of rest for us. Dan is supposed to get back on Wednesday so until then it is all about going and figuring out the necessary issues at FTT and recovering before the chaos begins.
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02.15.07
Posted in Seth's Two Cents at 4:32 am by Hannah
Today was a major purchase day. We spent the morning taking us money and turning it into Kenyan Shillings. We went to AIM (Africa Inland Mission) where Dan and Nancy have a bank account kind of, it is more like a fund but anyway. We had to get 250,000 shillings for a car. It is like 3600 US dollars. I was glad to find a quality car the prices for cars is outrageous here and we were blessed to find one at such a good price. So after the money exchange happened we went after car insurance it was fairly cheap. When we arrived the office building where to insurance office was out of electricity which is pretty normal here. I purchased insurance and then began the process of making our way to the spot chosen to meet and finish the deal. After I finishing the deal I drove on my own for the first time from a local shopping center to home. Later in the afternoon after much congratulations from my wife and Nancy ( they were pleased with the car) I sped away to being an afternoon of driving by myself. First I met with an agent and we went to look at houses. One was very acceptable but the price is above our budget, and the other was not safe so I let them both pass in hopes for the right flat to find us soon. I then proceeded to travel to the “fundi� or mechanic’s to have some safety belts installed in the Beatle. At the mechanics I have a good long conversation with a seek who owns the shop. We spoke in depth about life and truth. He seems to be seeking truth and is not afraid of looking outside his own religion. I know if he honestly continues that the Lord will reveal Himself to him and I hope I am around for that day. After waiting for Dan and Nancy to pick me up for 3 hours we braved the traffic and got home. Hannah had been home alone with all the kids minus Ellie the 3 year old. She was glad to see us and I as glad to see her also. There seems to be hardly the time to spend with my family and I hope tomorrow will be a lighter scheduled day.
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02.10.07
Posted in Seth's Two Cents at 6:16 am by Hannah
Today we arrived in Nairobi, I have never done anything as difficult in my life. I get air sickness and he combination of air sickness and Keziah and Jared made the trip very difficult for me. I am thankful of God’s provision of strength and grace for this experience. It was total around 20 hours for travel and the most difficult part of it all was the toting of carry on luggage along with the infants.
At one point I found myself struggling with the thought of returning and not wanting to go home for this reason alone. Hannah and I have felt like we flounder for place to place at times as God has led us to and from Bethany. Our desire is a call from God for ministry and up to this point we have no long term plans.
The day’s schedule although grueling did have it’s benefits for me personally. I have been able to introspect a little more about personal life and the importance for me of a life consumed by God. I have had a hard time in life during the times of an absence in full time ministry. I am very likely to become lazy and forget about personal spirituality and find myself content on the couch.
Upon arrival at the airport I was reminded of Tegucigalpa, Honduras. The airport very simple and I was still confused about what to do and where to go. We finally found the line for visa’s when a Kenyan woman walks up to us and exclaims “you have children follow me� . Yikes, I hope this is good was the only thought in my mind as we followed her to the front of the line. After a few seconds of quickly spoken Swahili we were getting all out passports stamped and $200. Dollars later we were through and fighting to find our luggage. It was better than good it was the very reminder of God’s complete control that I needed. I was lifted from the negativity of the past 20 hours and suddenly felt that I would love Kenya and it’s seeming love for my family.
As we were leaving we spotted Dan and after a few sentences of dialog at customs we are racing toward Dan, Nancy and children. Amidst the sea of Kenyan faces I found a face I knew, Ezekiel Jako was there and I was glad to see him even though we had never spoken. We quickly found ourselves packed into two cars and speeding off into the night. Upon arrival at the Germo residence we found quick comfort and food. It had truly been a bitter-sweet experience that ended as any good fairy tale happily in safety and comfort.
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