Appleseed Travel Journal

— The News

There are many things I've come to love about East Africa: the people, the countryside, the differing tribal customs. One of the many traditions here is that I believe EVERY man in Kenya feels a strong compulsion to read the Daily Nation or The Star, the national newspapers, first thing in the morning. Even if he cannot afford a current issue, the man will still be sitting along the roadside, under a tree, or in a car or perhaps leaned up against a building reading his morning paper.

At home I rarely have interest or desire to read our 12 page Adobe Press or even the SLO Tribune. I'm not sure why, but here in Kenya the paper is fascinating, not only giving great insights into local culture, but also enlightening and humoring me. For example, check out this article:

"If You React to Issues, Try Responding." The author Wale Akinyemi's bi-line is: "When demands come, many people do not recognize them as opportunities because they come dressed as problems."

Matter-of-factly he states, "You can actually tell responders from reactors by just listening to people talk about difficult issues. The reactors always speak of the problems. When they gather with their friends, all they do is to discuss different angles of the problem. They leave the meeting with no solutions, but more sides to the problem. Such are the people who blame the system, the government, and everyone else but themselves when things go wrong. On the other hand, when responders talk, they discuss solutions. They fill their minds with solutions. Even when the problems escalate, they are as excited as a rookie fire man who has been waiting for his first real fire so that he can put to practice what he has prepared for. Responders eventually become leaders."

Now, seriously, can it be put any plainer?

I am perfectly clear that the Kenyan men I know are reading the Nation to keep abreast of politics and economy, but for me, I find great delight in many of the articles I get to read here with the African perspective, so very much like our own. Lucky for me, Sunday's coming where there is an entire section devoted just to women with new styles, new creams and lotions and potions, and the always new suggestions on how to keep your man happy and content.

The Nation

— The Uncertainty of Life

I snapped pictures while we were, quite literally, barreling down the narrow roadway at 60-70 mph at times. There is a constant stream of trucks, motorcycles, bicycles, animals, and even young children on the road which the speeding cars are weaving in and out of.

In fact, sadly, pedestrians killed on roadways are one of the most common causes of death in Africa!

It occurred to me, while snapping these photos, that they live with and accept a great deal more uncertainty in life than we do.

At home we carefully regulate safety laws, we buy insurance against calamity, we expect the government to step in for emergency medical or job loss. If an accident should occur, we at least expect that an emergency team would be on the scene promptly. I'm just saying that we expect a much higher level of security and certainty than most people in Africa would dare imagine.

On the other hand, I do see one key benefit that so many people have here, perhaps, as a result of the daily uncertainties: they often live with one foot firmly planted in the hope of eternity. Since this world is so fragile and uncertain, they seem able to accept this and even find motivation from it to serve God wholeheartedly as they look forward to the time when, finally, life and love and happiness will be truly certain. Perhaps it's the uncertainties of life that make them more certain about those things that truly are certain.

As a westerner, it would be difficult for me to trade the safety nets provided by my own culture for the sense of unpredictability and even danger that so many in Africa seem to live with. On the other hand, their certainty in the things that really matter, and the peace that many of them have as a result, is certainly enviable.

Meanwhile, I'm thankful for a competent driver!

highway

highway

highway

— Leaving Uganda

As of Wednesday (when I wrote this) we are still in Uganda, trainings going well … check out the "conference center" we were in yesterday!

We are leaving for Kitale tomorrow morning, as it seems our work is done in Uganda for now. It's been really good. Roger is spending today with key leaders of Henri's, taking them to the next level in the simple church planting efforts. All of them are involved in intense discipleship and seeing the gospel spread in this nation. They are very, very inspiring and passionate young men trying to deal with economic hardships for their families, but always focused on giving out the Good News of Hope.

One such man is named Joseph … see attached photo … he is raising pigs to support his family, as well as some small farming on his plot … and even drives a boda boda (motorcycle) giving people rides to and from town for a small fare. His passion and love for God is moving and his desire to help his community live in freedom and peace is quite humbling.

Inside of house set up for a house church gathering:
Inside of house set up for a house church gathering

Home sweet home where this particular house church gathers:
Home sweet home where this particular house church gathers

The church that meets at Steven’s house (a farmer):
The church that meets at Steven’s house (a farmer)

Joseph and family:
Joseph and family

Conference center:
Conference center

Written on the side of a house:
Written on the side of a house

— Mbale

We arrived in Uganda without mishap and a rather boring drive over from Kenya compared to last year's! Although we did have two hours at the border, which is typical and even a short time, I'm told. There was one tiny glitch—not with any of us (Roger, myself, Dawson or Omondi)—but alas, with our car! It seems a car needs to have papers, too, in order to pass through. With officials questioning each of us about the legitimacy of this vehicle and dreading what gyrations would need to happen to get us to our final destination, God intervened. Because Dawson knew someone who knew someone, everyone seemed appeased and willing to let us pass. However it happened, we were all thanking God and glad to get to Mbale … in the midst of a tremendous thunderstorm drenching us and our belongings.

Yesterday we spent with some of Henri's church planting leaders doing training. He has gathered them from around Uganda to be with us. I'm including a photo of Henri and several of the 20+ folks here. We'll be spending the rest of the week here in Uganda doing trainings in a couple of different regions with our base being here in Mbale. It's quite beautiful, the people warm and forever welcoming. We have a VERY large family all over the world … can you even imagine what heaven will be like???? The best is getting to worship with these folks … the Spirit joins us together so strongly even if we cannot sing one single Ugandan word. It's pretty awesome.

— What Some of the Women in Kakamega are Saying

"Before I was alone, now I am built up. I socialize with people. When I am disturbed, my brothers and sisters will help me." – Beatrice

"We get together and read the Bible. We pray and sing together. Before I had no courage to be able to pray. I would wait for others to pray for me. Now I am praying for myself, my family and with others." - Carolyn

"I am with a group of other widows. We encourage each other. We share with each other. We counsel with each other and pray so we can be strong. Before I had no money, no friends. I would ask, 'How can I help my life? How can I learn to survive?' My life was filled with worry. Now I know life is not so difficult as I used to think. We stand together with Jesus in the house church and help each other. We learn how to do small businesses to profit ourselves and feed our children." - Janet Wekesa

"We come together and read the Word of God. We allow the Holy Spirit to counsel us through each other with good advice. I can take a loan and I am strong to pay the debt. I sell beans, green leaves and tomatoes and onions." – Beatrice

"I used to stay at home, but members came to my house and told me that I do not have to stay just like that with my five children with nothing to eat. They helped me. I got a loan and learned to do business well. I sell firewood. I used to have a lot of worries, but now together we are helping each other and encouraging each other. I want to rise up even higher so my children will continue to eat, go to school and have a good shelter. Many of our girls drop out of school because of poverty and pregnancy. I want to help them know a different way." – Ezina

"I used to want to just sit alone because I had no hope. Now because of the house church, I am so happy. We pray together, we are able to eat together. We read the Bible together. I feel strong. I am now moving up and I am turning away from evil things. I am not paying the witch doctor any more for things to happen." – Alice

"My daughter-in-law died and my son. I am now with the five children. I had so many problems. I have learned now the power of prayer in the house church. I am a widow and in the house church we join together to pray about these many issues. I have learned farming and now am selling bananas, avocados, onions and these things. I am hoping to expand." – Rose (56 years)

"I am a widow. When I came into the house church I was very distressed and sick. I had many worries and high blood pressure. We were passing through many problems. I have now my daughter's four children and am housing three children from relatives. Now I sit with others. Now I believe that Jesus is able and He can do impossible things. I took the Word of God firm. When I heard that I must forgive those who have hurt me, I took it. When I was able to forgive the ones who have hurt me, it helped me so much. When I'm in trouble I repent, then I feel forgiveness and a lift from being down. I can pray and God answers." – Gladys

"I was in severe darkness, but now I have seen a shining star. Since coming into the house church I have seen a lot of changes in my life. I used to stay alone. I had no friends. I came slowly and was not believing, but it has become a good thing. When I came, I heard the first day and I heard about the love of Jesus Christ. Now I am happy. I am strong. I feel cared about, loved, even when I am far from this place. Because when we come together I am hearing the Word of God. I do not have a Bible, but I take the Word with me and it gives me life. I used to not be stable. It has built me and I am not a victim. The Word of God has given me self respect. When I hear the Word of God, I thank God. I am very proud of God and who He is. I thank him. The house church also helped me so much. I have taken a loan and now am selling cabbage, chickens, and avocadoes. Business is good. The knowledge I have now helps me to expand. I am encouraged to work hard." – Margaret

"I am a widow with five kids. When I say there is change, there is change. My husband died of malaria in his brain. When I was burying my husband, I received news that my mama had also died. It was a very difficult time. My mother-in-law, she has taken me and my kids into her home. We are now like Naomi and Ruth. I have learned in the house church and from the other widows to trust Proverbs and the Word of God to be strong. We share our problems and now we are standing strong. We get to know God very well." - Edith

Some of the women in Kakamega:

Margaret and Beatrice:

Beatrice:

Gladys:

Rose:

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