Surviving the Winter

I only picked this post title because I was thinking of all our friends and family, throughout the U.S., who are experiencing record breaking colds, snows, cold snaps, and arctic conditions back home and we are praying that the weather lightens up and you all are able to return to some semblance of normalcy.   Certainly the movies that have been made over the last 10-15 years, about Global Warming and Climate Change make one seriously consider if that is happening or not.  I have always been one that pooh poohed the idea but with the dramatic storms and conditions that have come to our ears in the last 5 years alone, I've had a softening of the heart with a realization that maybe I need to listen.  There may be some truths in all what we have heard. At this time we are very thankful to be avoiding it all in the African Summer.  Temperatures have been rising to 85 here where we live (I know I now have a lot of people saying choice words at us with that).

Well, I am not going to write on climate change.  Jullie is off to a women's retreat in Limuru and she asked that I update you on what is happening here.  Things are going well here.  It is only 3 weeks into the new year and Jullie and I have our hands full between the projects and all the activities that RVA keeps the children busy with.  Timothy celebrated his 13th birthday on Thursday.  I took him and a couple friends to Nairobi to swim at a water park. That was a lot of fun.  I took this short video for your listening pleasure.

We are finishing up getting our Kenyan Friends into their schools for the beginning of their school season (which starts in January vice September).  Beth is back to Naivasha Mixed Boarding Academy in Form 3 (Junior).  Patrick is back in his second year of Electronics School.  Esther graduated from her culinary school and now Jullie has enrolled her in private computer classes to be able to learn a few more skills while Esther is looking for a new job or new schooling.  Njoki realizes that the school that Agnes was going to (Kiambogo) really wasn't the best environment for a young woman so she changed her school to one that is in Naivasha (about 40 minutes from here) called Bishop Wambari AIC Girls Secondary School.  That is a mouthful.  Anyway we are getting her into this new school.  Unfortunately she has to repeat Form 2 (sophomore) since they won't let her transfer as a junior.  Yvonne is doing great in standard 3 (third grade).  She is blossoming so well from where she started.  We are very proud of her.  Thanks to all of you for all your support in getting/keeping these wonderful children in school.  When we think of all the bad that is happening in this country, here is a lot of good for the future of Kenya.  GOD Bless You for your support!  It is making a difference.

One final thing.  We ended up having the back window of our car broken (lousy tree branch).  Anyway, we needed to go into Nairobi to have the window replaced.  here is a quick video giving you yet another glimpse of driving in "town".  It is a good thing Jullie drove because I don't have the patience for it.  Also, now I know why they don't allow people in this country to have firearms.  

Please keep the people of the Central African Republic and South Sudan in your prayers.  There is still a lot of bloodshed and persecution going on in those countries. Ceasefires, like the one just signed in South Sudan help, but only if the people obey this ceasefire.  

John 16:33

 "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." 

Peace

Jim

By the way, I have updated the Kijabe Project Page.  Please see our updates there on some of the projects.

Sleep is Good!

Hello All,
Health, Buildings, Donuts, Bookings hotels for 82 people, making cakes, shopping for 80 lbs of chicken and 50 lbs of bacon (plus), flooring material, fire and security doors:  These are all things that were on my agenda this past week.   But I have had time to sleep a bit so that was good!

Upendo Village:  I mentioned last week that we had a good meeting except for an overrun on budget.  Well, the contractor has agreed to absorb some of the cost so they are back on target.  That was amazing.  It turns out that the consultants (engineers) designed the building to be taller than 2 stories (which is NOT what the client wanted) and that is what drove up the cost.   Amazing!  The stateside board is a bit upset, understandably so.  Stay tuned to see how that comes out!

Elbow:  My infected elbow is better.  The drugs have done their job and it seems to be much better.  The knot is still there growing near the pin so it may have to be removed - not sure.  Let us play "I Spy"  See the pin?
  

The Bethany Kids wing is going well but they went all the way up to the ring beam with some walls that were only supposed to be half walls!  Looks like the site foreman was unaware and they were working all week on these walls!  But, they caught it on Friday and started tearing down - Oh Vey!  But look - they are working on the top floor now.  It is really taking shape.

The 100 quilts projects is still moving along and quilts are starting to roll in.  We don't have any here yet, but some are coming and some have arrived to collection points in the states.  It will be so great to have these here and be able to decorate the wards with them!  We had a meeting this week to select colors for tile and paint also.  Mardi and I are coordinating that.  What fun!

The Senior Safari is coming up in June.  That is a time where the whole senior class goes to Mombassa for a week to sit on the beach.  We are 82 all together and we are starting to get quotes for hotels and buses.  It will be a blast when it finally gets here, but the coordination effort will be a chore.  

I went to get 80 + lbs of chicken this week like I always do for Senior store.  It is an open market where they sell all kinds of meat products.   Below is a man filleting fish.

It is always an adventure going to the market, but I try not to think about it when we are enjoying the chicken!

Here is our friend Patrick with Jim geeking away.  Patrick headed back up North this week to be with his people, the Masai.  They are nomadic people and he goes to help them learn about Christ.  He is trying to get a pay pal account set up so that he can do a crowd funding effort for a truck.  He really needs a vehicle.  The logistics of getting a pay pal account here are tremendous.  Not sure if and when it will happen but you can pray for that!

This is a picture of the southern cross - look closely (its like a kite)

LP kitty and Eeyore!

Hope you all have a great week.  After the back window on the Prado busted yesterday, mine has to get better!

In His Hands,

Jullie T.

Its about the Relationships not the "Doing"

Hello All,
Are we there yet?  This refers to the end of the term in March!  I guess not but it sure feels like it could be.

We have had the ups and downs with projects this week.
Bethany Kids:  Jim says that things are going well and the contractor has really stepped up and is getting things done.  We have a meeting this coming week to talk about the floors and colors.  It really feels like things are moving along.
Upendo Village:  We had a meeting today (which is why this blog is late) and it went surprisingly well.  We had a lot of trepidation going into it because there are some real issues that have to do with money, but the contractor spoke up and is going to deal with it.  We really like this guy.  He is the one contractor we have that is on time and is going on with the least amount of problems.  Sister Florence is really great to work with!  She is so informed and really ready to speak her mind (and she always has the ladies make the best lunch)!

RVA Arts Center:  This one hit a wall this week!  We had a big meeting on Tuesday and were ready to take some drastic steps when the contractor said that he would remove a lot of work and start over!  This is huge.  He is taking down the structural part of the first floor (beam reinforcement and forms, etc).  He will make the new forms with marine board which will be much straighter.  There were so many issues that in order to do it right we had to tear it down!  We just pray that the rebuilding will bring a better product.

Jenny and Rachel had to leave this past Wednesday. They flew to Uganda to spend some time with her brother.  It was so much fun to have them around and show them part of what our lives are like here.  We went up to Njoki's house on Sunday.  She is the lady we helped build a house for the first year we were here.  She graciously made us tea and told us her story.  She now has anywhere from 9 - 15 people in her house and never knows how she is going to feed them all, but it always seems to come together.

Jenny wrote us a nice note after leaving.  It was a great reminder about how it is all about the relationships.  Sometimes with all the "doing" we forget about the people we are doing it for!  And, they were so eager to jump in and meet people and do what ever that it really made it fun. I think they really got a good picture of the craziness that is a part of our lives here!  

I have had some issues medically this week.  Some of you may remember that when I was pregnant with Sallie (almost 10 years ago) that I broke my elbow and had a pin put in.  Well, it is acting up.  Looks like it is infected.  I am on intravenous antibiotics right now and we hope that will clear it up.  I have very little range of motion, but the best part is that I can not do dishes!  Please pray that the drugs will do their job and get rid of whatever is causing the infection.

"When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers—
the moon and the stars you set in place—
what are mere mortals that you should think about them,
human beings that you should care for them?
Yet you made them only a little lower than God
and crowned them with glory and honor.
You gave them charge of everything you made,
putting all things under their authority."
Psalm 8:3-6

Rachel used this verse this week when she posted this picture on FB:

Beautiful!

Here are a few other pictures.  Have a great week and be grateful!

In His Hands,
Jullie T.

PS - We really wanted to thank everyone at Evart Crossroads church for all the goodies.  The hot chocolate is especially a big hit!

New Year Craziness

Hello All,
Well, we have had a pretty crazy week around here!  The Rounds (Jenny and Rachel from Evart) came to visit.  They arrived without event last Sunday.  We have had them on the go ever since!  They have been to 2 orphanages, the hospital to do some face painting and visiting with the kids, a New Years eve party, hiking, a trip to Nakuru Park and a lunch to eat "Dinner" to celebrate Jim's Birthday!  
I don't have much time today as I get to escort about 20 kids back to RVA.  Today is arrival day and we are taking the bus into town to pick up a load of kids.  It will get great to see them all back but that means we are in full force starting on Monday!  
I will post a bunch of pictures here and you can see some of the craziness:

Jim took Sallie, Rachel, Yvonne and others for a tour of the BK Wing

Trevor and Rachel at a HS New Years Eve Party

Gifts Galore from Evart Church (Including chocolate and Skittles!)

Trevor visiting an orphanage in MaiMaihu

Jim visiting with "Dinner"

Sallie's new crazy socks!

"Dinner" and a Fanta

Trevor and Rachel heading to a New Years Eve Party

The cake ministry continues!

Jenny taking pictures

Black Rhino

Crested Eagle

The Crested Cranes

Rachel and a zebra

whoops

Sallie on the overlook

I have to get going, but we wish you all the best for this new year.  It will be bringing some more transitions for us, but we have been there before.  

2 Cor 5:21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us so that in him we may become the righteousness of God.

In His Hands,

Jullie T.