We have had a week of ups and downs! Jim had "the worst day since we have been in Kenya" this week but we have also had other things happen that were positive. Let me tell you about "the worst day":
BKCC wing: There was a big meeting this week where there was actually a bit of heated talk going on! The contractor is so upset that he is over the top with concerns.
Upendo Village: Jim went to the monthly meeting alone this time as I had to stay here to take care of a few things. This meeting also got a bit heated and Jim was accused of "never saying anything nice!" This brought him down a bit, but what that tells me is he is doing his job! We are here to help our clients get what they are paying for. We point out the issues and are not "paid" to be cheerleaders for the contractor or consultants (architect, engineers, etc). And, the very next day, the paper work that finally came in showed that the project is 1.5M Ksh ($17,000) over budget! The contingency was 1M Ksh and now the board has to wrestle with what to do. This information should have been told to the client at least 2 months ago, which is how long we have been asking them for it. Oh the challenges never end!
Solar Panel Wows: The Bethany Kids apartment complex where we first lived, has had issues with one of the apartments' solar panels for over a year. It has not been working and it has been a struggle to get the hospital to move on getting it fixed. The family that lives there has been more than patient in living with no hot water from the solar. They finally got around to replacing it. Jim got a call at the end of the day saying it was done and could he come and look. He came back just laughing because they did the work but on the wrong unit! It was so unbelievable but believable! They did go back the next day and took the unit that they removed (that was working) and put it in place of the broken one. We have not gotten results from the family yet to see if it is working or not - but we pray that it is!
These 3 things added up to "the worst day." Jim is also trying to finish up 2 classes that will finish his masters degree in Information Technology. He just completed the last paper for one of those classes and has 2 papers left. He will officially be done on Dec 24th and we will celebrate! We are heading out of town this week to a cottage in Naivasha were we have stayed before. It is beautiful and quiet and we are looking forward to a needed rest - especially Jim - please pray that he will come back refreshed. I spoke to a friend who lives out that way and she said her dogs treed a leopard right outside of this house just 2 weeks ago! It would be really cool to see the leopard from inside the house!
Good news on the BKCC project: The contractor and Jim had a really good talk yesterday and they have come to an agreement. This is based on the fact that the contractor has performed some amazing work and made a lot of progress in a few weeks. They are looking at a new program that will be amiable to all parties. Thank God for this and please pray that it will continue! It is a bright little spot in all the turmoil.
Our Lala Salama quilt project is going great. We have over 75 quilts promised! Here are a few pictures:
Lorna's the "Tree of Life"
One from the group in Australia called "One Green Quilt for Kenya"
Thanks Rose, Diane and Lorraine
This is the season of Advent. We count down the days to the celebration of Christ's first coming with advent. Adventus comes from the Latin meaning "coming." It is a time to remember and prepare for Him. We (especially in the west) can get caught up in the gift giving aspect of Christmas. We are constantly reminded that if we don't buy that little plastic toy for Johnny, he will be scared for the rest of his life!
2 Cor 8:7
But just as you excel in everything — in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us — see that you also excel in this grace of giving.
NIV
God wants us to give. But he wants us to understand giving brings more blessing to the giver than the one who received the gift! 2 Cor 8:8-9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.
NIV
Your joy will be stolen away if you are giving out of "arm twisting." When the giver is reluctant, the joy is robbed. Money will flow to the things of your heart gladly. You want to spend your money in those areas. Its the other things (car repairs, utility bills, etc) that are no fun to give your money to. But, when we grasp how much God loves us, we will want to give to those things that are dear to His heart with gladness. Don't let the pressures of the season ruin your joy. The size of the gift does not determine the amount of love it was given in! Here we are at our first advent night with the neighbors.
The kids made snowmint snowmen and Trevor played a wonderful Jazzy version of God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen. We had a great time together as we wait for the coming day of celebration. Please remember this time and have joy in your heart at how much He loves you!
In His Hands,
Jullie T.
PS - We will be gone for a bit so I will probably not post next week. Look for pictures of our time in Maisha the following week (and hopefully pictures of the Leopard, with all of our body parts still in tact)!
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