Kenya Mission Trip

Appreciation

2008-08-16T05:50:00.006-05:00

I want to thank everyone who made this trip possible. Without your support, Michael and I, along with others of the team, would not have been able to go.

I did not post when I was in Kenya due to time and internet constraints. When I returned, I had to sort through thousands of images to pick a few that could tell the story well. Each post is from that day so the posting is in chronological order, meaning the last post is the first viewed. (Check the date.)

The trip was a lifetime experience that will make us want to go back if possible. All of the group had a wonderful time and no major sickness came over us. We could tell we were prayed for daily. Thanks to all who supported us with their prayers. It helped solidify that prayer is the MOST important thing we can do for each other. (Philippians 4:6-7)

2nd day at Mangu Village

2008-07-12T18:23:00.006-05:00

I was feeling better so I traveled to the Mangu village this morning. It took a while to get there and we saw some giraffe off the road a way. We also saw some Kenyan runners on the mountain. I don't know how they can tolerate the dust from the road and the thin mountain air.

As usual we were finishing the job by touching up paint and fitting small pieces of mabati in the cracks. The Masai people were to themselves. They kept their distance. I guess I kind of kept mine. I didn't come the first day to meet the people. David being a Masai and from this area was so proud of this place. I asked him to take us for a little tour around the area. Andrea, Michael and I got a chance to walk up a rocky cliff and look out around the entire valley where the village was. He showed us the remnants of the old church. There were plenty of cactus plants, acacia trees and a few other trees that weren't very tall. It reminded me of the terrain of Austin and San Antonio, TX. David told us that when men were hunting they would camp under the protection of an acacia tree. They would also hang any killed game from the limbs on the inside to keep predators away at night. Michael had to crawl in and test one out.

There were also weaver birds in the acacia trees. They build their nests out of dead grass and very fine twigs. The nest hangs from a branch, is fully covered and has an entrance opening on the bottom. Very interesting to watch them build if you had the time.

The Masai ladies cooked under an acacia tree while the rest of us and some Masai men worked painting and cleaning up the loose ends. We had some chi and ate lunch. I didn't eat but only had water. The dog was hanging around the dinner area but kept his distance. He didn't seem too affectionate but didn't act aggressive at all and allowed us to pet him. Scott noticed that he didn't quite know what to think about being petted. We fed him some small scraps which he graciously accepted. The Masai ladies then got together and danced for us. They dressed in brightly colored clothes and sang and danced to the rhythm.

We said our goodbyes and headed for home. We saw so many animals on the way back. Dik Dik, some birds, gazelles and giraffe. We road up the mountainside and when we reached the top we stopped to get some photos.

Tonight was the last night of missionary work. We were going on Safari for the next few days. We had to pack all our luggage and have it ready to take with us. We left most of our work and church clothes behind for whoever wanted to keep them. We were all excited and ready to go.

Mangu Village

2008-07-11T11:35:00.007-05:00

I was feeling a little worse today than yesterday so I stayed back one more day. The team was going to part of the rift valley to a place called Mangu. It was the home town of David, a massai warrior whom, I am told, helped guard our hostel at night most of the time. It was the mabati day so the team was putting up the walls and painting the windows and doors of a dining hall that was being built for the village.

I washed my socks and slept most of the day. When I wasn't resting I was sorting photos and talking with Michael. Michael stayed back too that day. It rained for the first and only time of our stay. It was a welcome sound and refreshing. For lunch I tried something a little different and ended up not eating it. It was cow intestine. I served it up not knowing what it was until I smelled it, then Michael told me. I lost my appetite.

Childrens Orphanage

2008-07-10T03:44:00.006-05:00

The drive through Nairobi took its toll on me and I was worn out. My throat was sore and my body was weak. I thought it best to take a break. Tom Marlin felt the same way so he stayed back as well. The rest of the crew visited a local orphanage. I had Michael take photos so I could see for myself what I missed. This day was cherished for my quiet time and rest. Things were going by so fast, I had little time to absorb what I was going through. To clear my mind I prayed that morning and had a quiet time before I went back to sleep. It was the only thing I could do to regroup. When I awoke I took some time to organize photos and send email to Beth. I could only chat with her online in the mornings and evenings. Since we were 8hrs different in time.

From the photos I saw, the orphanage trip was another success. The children were mostly products of aids parents. Both parents were gone because of the disease, so the child had nowhere to go. Our group was introduced to the children and they played together dancing and singing. We also gave out more caps and candy. As always that seemed to make them very happy.

Dedication Day Mangu Church Classrooms

2008-07-09T21:30:00.042-05:00

We drove through Nairobi every day on our way to Mangu. The exhaust fumes were more than I could stand. I had to pull my shirt over my mouth and nose. My throat was starting to get sore. When we arrived, I drank chi and it helped some. There wasn't much left to do so we touched up the painting and put up the dedication plaque and chalk boards. This gave me a chance to talk with the students and take more photos. They could speak some English and understand most of what I said. The bikes the students rode were very colorful. I learned that some lived about 25k away from school and a bike is a cherished item.

Scott took this time to teach the children some geography. They were very interested in the Atlas and the information he was willing to share. He didn't skip a beat in his English and they seemed to understand everything he was saying. I was intrigued by the crowd he drew. I also learned some things while I listened.

The crowd of children started gathering for the closing dedication. The teachers had them sit according to their age and classes. Most wore cool weather clothing from the morning, however, it was getting hot. It didn't seem to bother them. The youngest lined up first which meant that they had to stay in the sun the longest. They were very cute. I noticed their little feet that many did not have shoes.

Keith Kenne, Tom Marlin, and myself sat at a table prepared for the leadership. Everyone else from our group sat behind us. We watched as the whole school formed before us. The leadership of the school introduced themselves and we were presented with entertainment from each class. Keith introduced our whole group one by one to the school and gave a scripture reading.

The dedication ceremony took place and the plaque was revealed. Trees were planted and we gave out caps to the children made by one of our church members. They were so happy and had a lot of fun when our group passed out candy and the hats. We were on a schedule so after that we had to pile into the van and head back to our hostel.

Mangu Church School Classrooms

2008-07-08T05:58:00.038-05:00

We squeezed in the van again. The ride this morning was rather bumpy and long. We drove through a town called Dagoretti on the way to Mangu every morning. The mass amount of people near the road conducting business was interesting to me. There were butcher shops, people selling everything from shoes to mango. There were people with punda (donkeys) pulling carts which could be loaded with water jugs or bundles of sticks. There were people waiting to catch taxi vans to commute to where ever they work. It was just like a city back home, just on a much lower economic scale. When we finally arrived at the church we were greeted by one of the teachers and some of the children from the school. Naturally after we unpacked and settled in we enjoyed some chi and pineapple, talked and prayed with the people in charge and then started to work.

The young men brought the mabati and placed it where we would

need it. They were interested in the "zoom zoom" or cordless impact wrenches we were using. So I showed one of the boys how to do it. He was excited and instantly I could see they really wanted to be part of the building process, so they took turns using the zoom zoom. One young man didn't have enough weight to sufficiently push against the tool. He stood there spinning the screw for what seemed like minutes. I started laughing and the whole group of boys started laughing with me. I then told him to push harder and laughed some more after which I helped him. The screw went in and he had a proud look of accomplishment and relief on his face. The ladies started painting and the girls were more than willing to observe and help. At this point I realized that we had way too much help. I could take photos all day and not even be missed; so I did. This was by far my favorite project. I learned so much.

My heart really went out to the children. It was here that the cultural and economic differences became real to me. I was rid of all my fear and started reaching out to the people. The relationships even though they were short lived, were Christian. We had that similarity. The children were well behaved and friendly. They were very happy. Their emotions and reactions were exactly like any other kid from the U S. They touched my skin and really look amazed at the color or lack of pigment. One of the teachers told me that some had never touched a white man before and wanted to see for themselves.

I could see our team starting to have fun with them and I wanted in on the experience. It was inevitable because the kids would swarm around us the instant we approached them. When I saw Josh, Tom, Scott, Andrea, Joe Bob, Carol, Kathy, Keith and

Michael taking photos and playing with the school children, I could see God's joy being shared. I am sure the rest of the team witnessed the same. We were learning from each other and didn't even know it at the time.

Elephant Orphanage

2008-07-07T05:29:00.002-05:00

July 7th Monday

After breakfast, we packed up and enjoyed wherever Tony drove us. We exchanged our money to shillings in a nearby town and then we stopped at an elephant orphanage. A group of people found and cared for abandoned baby elephants. These elephants had no mothers due to poachers killing them and leaving the baby to fend for itself or die. There were approximately seven infants when we were there and they were very cute.

Next stop was the Kazuri bead factory. It was very interesting and a fun thing to see. The ladies were fascinated and the guys... well, we found what we wanted and made our purchases. I needed help. I didn't quite know what to purchase so it took me all the time allowed. Our next stop was to a giraffe sanctuary. It was a place to raise the Rothschild giraffe. There was a raised resting area for tourists to see the giraffe up close and personal. Whitney was the first victim to be kissed by a giraffe. Tom M. was the second. Michael gave it a try and I ... well, I took photos. I don't remember much after that .... I think we stopped at Nokumat (a Kenyan sort of Walmart) and the Nairobi java house for lunch.

Dedication Service Kimathi Church

2008-07-06T00:52:00.008-05:00

The Kimathi church was finished so we had a dedication ceremony this Sunday. When we arrived that morning the children gave us flowers and we exchanged greetings and expressed thanks. They all dressed well. The men mostly in suits and ties and the women in nice dresses. We walked into the new church and the feeling of accomplishment and joy came over me. I looked at the others and I could see that everyone felt the same way. The church was packed with visitors and locals alike.

Kenyans, like anyone else, love a celebration and have their traditions to follow during this time. They had women and children come up and sing and dance. They even invited us to join them. We danced with them and it was so fun. The joy of the Lord was truly in this place. It gave me great pride to represent our church by being there. Kathy being the group leader accepted a certificate of appreciation. Stu also received a photo of Mt. Kenya from one of the parish ministers in appreciation of his ministry. Each member of our team received a gift of appreciation that was presented by different members of the Kimathi church. We gave some gifts as well, one of which was a really cool photo album of our church that Keith put together . It was a great idea.

We all went outside and watched the unveiling of the plaque while certain things were read and said. I didn't understand most of it but I knew it was all part of the ceremony. We marched back into the church singing, "When the Saints Go Marching In".

It reminded me of New Orleans. We used to sing that song, when I was a child, while cheering for the Saints football team . I had to laugh inside: even though the meaning was different, it still brought back memories.) Andrea gave the reading and the preaching began. A lot of the surrounding parish ministers were there and sat in the front of the sanctuary. When the preacher began speaking it was in English so we somewhat understood what he was saying. The emotions were powerful and there were tears of joy in his eyes. I wish I could remember some of the scripture he referenced and spoke about but I can't. Then he spoke in Swahili and the people responded with "amen" and other affirmations to his preaching, showing the same emotion. It was nice to hear the sermon in both languages.

When the service was over, the tradition is to plant a tree at the time of dedication. So Kathy and Stu planted a tree and watered it. We washed our hands and went to the old church to eat. We ate and talked for a little while but had to cut it short to get back to Kikuyu on time. We said our goodbyes and drove off. They were very thankful for all we had done but really they had given us more by sharing their time of joy.

A Day to Enjoy

2008-07-05T00:50:00.007-05:00

Saturday July 5th

We finally had a chance to sleep in a little since we arrived in Kenya. However, the sky was clear that morning and the clouds were not rolling in as usual. This only meant one thing. Just as I came to that realization. I heard some people outside knocking at my door and said that we could see Mt. Kenya. I had been waiting for this moment since we arrived in Nyeri. I threw my clothes on and woke Michael. I didn't know how much time I had before the clouds may roll in but I am glad I brought my camera down. It wasn't very clear but the sun was peaking through the clouds and you could see the mt. peek through the haze. Kirsten was taking photos as well and some others were up sitting on the porch looking at the sunrise. It was beautiful. Mt. Kenya, I am told, is the second highest mountain in Africa next to Kilimanjaro. I was so excited to get a good photo that I totally lost any fear of obstacles that would get in my way. There was an entrance gate to someones property close by that had and electric fence warning posted on it. I carefully examined the gate and didn't see any wires connected to anything so I began to climb. Needless to say there was not a charge and I was able to get higher to view which was a spectacular sight from where I was. I was also able to get a nice shot of the retreat center. Carol, walked the parameter of the retreat center almost every morning for approx 45 min. Joe Bob and David joined her this morning.

It was a perfect beginning to another perfect day. We had breakfast made to order. Only this time I wanted to toss flip my eggs. Sam wasn't so sure that I could do it so he was standing by with another pan ready to catch anything if I missed. (I cook my own breakfast most every morning so it was a piece of cake.)

After that, it was on to Kamatongu hill and the Aberdare country club. A beautiful area that was turned into a wildlife sanctuary. We hiked down the hill and into the valley where we saw giraffe, zebra, gazelle and other animals. It was our first view of wildlife up close with nothing between us and them except for our guide. We walked about an hr and a half on pathways through the sanctuary. We ended back at the country club hot, tired and hungry for lunch. We weren't disappointed. I had passion juice for the first time and it was delicious. We helped ourselves to a buffet meal that hit the spot. We sat outdoors on the patio area because the weather was perfect. We pampered ourselves with the view and relaxation. The birds were plentiful and beautiful.

That night we had another great meal cooked by Sam. Pork chops and a nice rice dish. We practiced some singing and prepared for Sunday worship at the Kimathi Church dedication.

2nd Day Kimathi Church

2008-07-04T00:48:00.039-05:00

It was cold this morning, so most of us wore jackets or sweaters. Breakfast was again wonderful. Sam had prepared eggs, sausages, waffles, pineapple, chai and coffee. After breakfast we headed out to Kimathi church.

Today I learned some Swahili and was ready to repeat as much as I could. It was a productive work day, however, it was hard for me to coordinate building the church, taking photos, communicating and developing relationships with the Kikuyu not to mention my church friends. Talk about a sensory overload. Luckily we had plenty of help. Don’t get me wrong, I was very busy most of the time and I did manage to cut some mabati using only a mallet and machete. It's not easy as you can see by my cut. Tom Marlin did a better job.

Sometimes Michael and I worked together until someone needed a tape measure, sheet metal shears, other tools or a helping hand.

Just as I was getting used to the work, it was chai time. Like most American southern folk, the Kenyan, Kikuyu were very friendly and hospitable, so we fit right in. As a matter of fact, almost all the Kenyans we met were that way. It is plain to see that African culture is carried over to America. Observing the similarities of North America's deep south culture to the Kenyan people was interesting. I would witness that even more when we participated in church service.

We washed our hands before every meal by having the ladies pour warmed water over our hands. This day we worked and talked and ate lunch, drank chi and worked a little more and played Frizbee with the children. The kids were a refreshing treat for the soul. They just seemed to recharge our energy. The church was complete, and Stu along with David put up the church sign, the cross, the banner. We danced and sang and prayed. There was so much that was done in one day. We would return for the dedication and church service Sunday

We packed up in the Toyota mini-van (I think it was 12) and headed for the retreat center. We were all tired but excited about a day to ourselves. That night Sam cooked some steaks with rice and a sauce that was tasty. Needless to say, we all had a good nights rest.

First Day of Work Kimathi Church

2008-07-03T00:44:00.015-05:00

We woke to exotic birds chirping and when I opened my window it was a beautiful site. The hostel grounds were well kept and there were many bushes with flowers. It was even cooler than last night. It is winter in Kikuyu. Temperatures were in the upper 40's in the mornings. We were still keyed up from the trip but somewhat rested. We enjoyed breakfast and packed our bags. We all squeezed into the two vehicles again and traveled the bumpy roads for two hrs. We checked into the retreat center and headed out to the Kimathi church.

We arrived on the job site with a warm welcome of singing and praising God. These were the elderly church members. They were happy to see us but we couldn’t quite tell what they were saying because we were not rehearsed in their language. We accepted their songs of greeting and began our work. We had mabati (corrugated tin) to put on the church and lots of painting. We worked well together and we started to get used to the Kikuyu people.

When we took a break, we drank chi, fresh milk brought to a hot temperature. With an added tea bag the milk had a nice tea flavor. We worked a little more and had dinner. We had goat meat with rice and vegetables. Many other items were available that I didn’t eat. When we were ready to leave, we sang and danced to thank God for all he had done.

We drove to the retreat center where we would stay for a few days. It was very nice and each room had two beds and a bathroom. I took a shower, had a quiet time and went to bed early.

The Long Flights

2008-06-30T00:41:00.023-05:00

(June 29th) During the Sunday service the mission team was called to the front of church and all of the elders prayed for a safe journey. It was to be the beginning of a long mission trip that was prayed over from start to finish.

That afternoon I finished packing with Michael and we prayed for our health, safety and that we wouldn't forget important things. We met back at the church to pack the rest of our stuff in the van and drove to Jackson to spend the night at Kathy's parents house. It was a quick 2.5 hr drive as we were all excited. Josh, Beth, Julia and I stayed the night at the Shaw's. The Shaw's were very hospitable and made our overnight stay a pleasant one. The next morning we enjoyed a great southern breakfast even though it was a bit early...we had to be at the airport around 6:30 am.

(June 30th) We arrived at the airport and it took a lot of time to check in our 22 bags. We took a group photo gave our last goodbyes to family and boarded our first flight to Detroit. Michael and I sat together and talked a little about our anxieties. We prayed them away and tried to get some rest. It was a 2.5 hr flight. Next stop was Amsterdam but we had quite a bit of layover in Detroit so I went sight seeing. The plane boarded early (or at least I thought), and it was a good thing I had my cell phone on because I soon received a phone call from Kathy telling me the rest of the gang were boarding. I took a few more photos and caught the in-terminal train to the boarding gate. Needless to say I was impressed with the airport.

I was even more impressed with the plane and so was Michael. We had never flown on a large plane and this was our first trip overseas. Michael was so happy to have a TV screen in front of him and to have a choice of movies, video games, etc...

We soon settled in and the flight began. It was 7+ hrs of leaving the sun behind. The time change started taking it's toll about halfway into the flight. It was very hard to sit still for that length of time. Toward the end of the flight Carol, who was sitting on the opposite side of the plane, noticed a very nice glow from the morning light with a crescent moon. She asked me if I wanted to take a photo. When I finally got to where she was seated I thought to myself that it would be impossible. I am thankful that she came and got me because I was able to get a nice shot.

We arrived in Amsterdam very early. We lost a lot of hrs during that flight. We were all tired. We settled down at a place to eat and when we were finished we toured the airport and saw a Van Gogh exhibit. I had never seen any of his paintings up close and this was a wonderful opportunity right in the airport.

I think we were all too tired to really appreciate the show but we were there. We then split up and returned to our boarding area about an hr early. There were no waiting area seats available so we made the best of it on the floor. The first of many card games was played.

Our next flight was to Nairobi. We would lose even more time on that flight. We boarded for Nairobi and to my surprise it was a similar size aircraft. It was nice but we still had the longest leg of our journey ahead of us. By this time we were all beyond exhaustion. Sleep was the main objective and I know that Michael caught up on his. When we arrived at Nairobi airport I tried to wake him up but he was knocked out. He didn't wake up through a good 5 min of slapping on the cheeks, opening eyelids and talking to him. Finally he awoke not knowing that many people had tried to wake him. I couldn't help myself .... I had to take his photo.

After getting our bags, we passed through customs and obtained our visas. We finally walked on Kenyan soil outside the airport and were greeted by Stu, Linda and our driver Big T (Tony). Our welcome to Kenya was at dusk so our drive to the hostel was in the dark. I was sitting in the front seat with Drew and Tony. We were all packed like sardines in a Toyota minivan. The drive was a great introduction to Kenya. (Driving on the left side of the road, very fast on bumpy roads) I was not wearing my seatbelt when we were pulled over at a checkpoint by armed guards. They like to harass people who don't wear their seatbelt. I didn't now this and I guess Tony was able to talk to the guard and he waved us on.

We got to the Kikuyu Orthopedic Hospital well into the night. We were to pack our bags for 3 days and meet in the morning to go to Kimathi, ready for work. I just wanted a bed for the night.

Kathy's talk with Linda

2008-05-22T09:18:00.001-05:00

Hi Gang,
How's everybody? I talked to Linda Ross today and told her that we
wanted to stay busy while we were in Kenya and that we would do
another building project if they had one funded. She said she'd let
Stu know that we were ready to work and didn't want to be idle. The
situation in Kenya is much improved, and things are back to normal
except in a couple of small pockets where some unrest still exists.
We will be sure to not go anywhere near there. She said they feel like
things will be ok until the next election 5 years from now when it
might all happen again. She is very excited about our coming and is
very glad we rescheduled the trip.

If you have the money, I need to collect for the plane tickets by this
weekend. The ticket cost is $1,650 each. The check should be made
out to First Presbyterian Church and marked for "Kenya mission trip".

Don't forget, you HAVE to have your vaccines no later than May 30!!
Tom T., Michael and Carol, I am working on getting yours. Call or
email me if you have questions. Anytime is fine. My cell is
662/312-4766.

Blessings,
Kathy

More Encouraging News

2008-03-05T10:34:00.000-06:00

While looking to post more information on this blog I thought I would write Stu and he sent me this reply.
---------
Dear Tom:

The situation here is continuing to get better. The two political factions are getting together and forming a coalition government. All violence has ceased. The big problem left is the relocation of the 350,000 displacement people who are now in camps around the country. ...

As things are continuing there will be NO problem with your group coming this summer. We met yesterday to put together your work schedule.

As far as getting good information about Kenya... one good source is the national newspaper ...the (Daily) Nation. ...

Good luck.

Let me know if I can help further.

Blessings,

Stu

Stu and Linda Ross back in Kenya

2008-03-03T09:17:00.001-06:00

Dear Friends and Family:

We arrived here Friday morning. All appears very calm here. On Thursday President Kibaki and Raila Odinga signed a deal to end the disputed leadership problem that has been in dispute since December 27. A document has been signed and a timetable has been agreed to move forward. There is a lot to be done and this deal could fall apart but everyone is very hopeful this deal will work.

There are still small pockets of fighting but the government is now controlling these problems. These conflicts are still in the Rift Valley in the Molo District. The government is also going after the perpetrators of this violence. Most of them are politicians.

So, we are very confident that things are on the mend here. The government still has some huge problems to resolve besides the leadership problem. There are 500,000 people that have been displaced that need to be relocated.

I am sure that there will be some bumps is the road but we are not concerned now about the safety of groups coming to Kenya. We will keep you abreast of any new developments.

Blessings,

Stu and
Linda

Flight Schedule

2008-02-27T14:58:00.000-06:00

Hi Everyone,
Our new tickets have been booked. Our return date has changed from the 15th to the 16th to save $150 per ticket. The departure date remains the same.

June 30 Jackson/Detroit NW 2979 9:15a-12.31p
Detroit/Amsterdam NW 40 4:04p-5:55a
July 1 Amsterdam/Nairobi KL 565 10:15a-7:10p

July 15 Nairobi/Amsterdam KL 566 10:15p-5:30a
July 16 Amsterdam/Detroit NW 39 8:00a-10:35a
Detroit/Jackson NW 2980 3:10p-4:35p

Tickets are currently $2,208. Like I said before, I think the church
has raised enough money to offset the cost of the increase in the plane
tickets. We have until mid-May to purchase the tickets.

Hope you have a good rest of the week.

Blessings,
Kathy

Dates changed to June 30 to July 15

2008-02-19T17:24:00.000-06:00

Hi Everyone,

We are working on getting tickets for June 30-July 15 so please book
those dates on your calendar.

I've pasted below an article from the BBC that describes the present
situation. It sounds like things are much calmer. I have no doubt
it's God's hand moving in response the the millions of prayers of the
Kenyan Christians and others across the world including you.

We need to continue praying as Condoleeza Rice is there now, and the
political leaders are looking for a way to share power. Please let me know if you have any questions about the trip. I don't know yet when our full payment is due, but will let you know asap. If the tickets are higher since summer is peak season, I think we've
raised enough money to cover the difference. I'll keep everyone
posted.

Peace,

Kathy

--------------------

Story from BBC NEWS:

Published: 2008/02/12 09:21:13 GMT

© BBC MMVIII
---------------------

Who are Stu and Linda Ross?

2008-02-19T17:20:00.004-06:00

Stu and Linda Ross

Eastern Africa (focus on Kenya, Sudan, and Ethiopia)

Stu and Linda Ross are The Outreach Foundation’s eastern Africa consultants, based in Kikuyu, Kenya. They are responsible for a wide variety of building projects, including schools, churches and orphanages, as well as managing projects that provide clean, safe drinking water.

A typical pastor in the Presbyterian Church of East Africa (PCEA) serves about six congregations. The church is growing rapidly, and there is a critical shortage of ministers and church buildings in east Africa. Stu and Linda work in close cooperation with the PCEA on all of the construction projects they manage in Kenya. They also arrange for volunteer church groups to come and work on projects that they have helped fund. This gives US churches an opportunity to not only help financially, but also work side-by-side with their Kenyan partners. The Ross' spend about six months in Kenya and six months in the US each year. While in the US, they travel to speak with a number of Presbyterian Church(USA) congregations about their work.

Stu has a degree in chemical engineering and retired from a 28-year career with Novartis Pharmaceutical. Linda, who holds a master's degree in education, retired after 29 years of teaching in Texas.

Stu and Linda are both elders at St. Andrew Presbyterian Church in San Antonio, Texas. They went to Kenya in 1997 after their retirement, where Stu worked as a project manager for the construction of Kikuyu Orthopedic Rehab Center. After the work at the hospital was finished, they began assisting with construction of churches and schools through The Outreach Foundation.

Change in Dates

2008-02-05T16:27:00.001-06:00

Hi Everyone,
Northwest Airlines has made an exception to their policy and said that
we can change the dates of our travel without losing our deposit. The
cost of the tickets may go up a little since we'd be traveling during
peak season, but we can cross that bridge when we get to it. I've
talked to Joe Bob, Andrea and Kirsten about possible dates, but would
like to hear from the rest of you about going either July 24-Aug 6 or
Aug 28-Sept 11 (give or take a day or 2). Of course, we will still
have to wait to see what the level of safety is before we purchase
tickets. One good thing about postponing our trip is that we would be
on safari during migration. Let me know what you think....and keep
praying!
Blessings,
Kathy

Trip Postponed

2008-02-01T14:19:00.000-06:00

Hello All,
I'm afraid that it's becoming more clear that our trip to Kenya will
have to be postponed. I received an email from Stu today about some
mobs that were seen in the town where we stay. It seems the violence
is continuing. I don't know whether it's escalating, but it's
definitely no better. I am exploring options with our travel agent.
Optimally, I would like Northwest to change our tickets to sometime in
the late summer or early fall and wait until closer to time to pay for
them. This would buy some time to see if the situation will change.
It is not NW's policy to allow these kinds of changes, so please pray
that God will touch the heart of whomever the decision maker is and
allow us to do that. I'm really sad that we're not going in March, but
hopeful that with prayer, God's peace will return. Please continue to
pray for the Kenyans. Most of the people we know who work for Stu are
Kikuyu, and as such may be targets of violence.
In Christ,
Kathy

Email from Kathy

2008-01-25T13:05:00.000-06:00

Hi Everyone,
I just wanted to touch base with you and ask that we all be united in
prayer.

First, pray about what is obviously a spiritual battle going on in
Kenya. I think Satan hates the rapid growth of Christianity and is
stirring up anger and tribal hatred to try to prevent it's spread.
Pray that God's forces would be victorious. Spiritual battles are won
by prayer and prayer alone. Get everyone you know to pray, too.

Secondly, pray for the Kenyan people -- that they would be safe and
able to get ample food and water during this time.

Third, please pray that God would give us a very clear sign whether we
are to go or not. We have to purchase our plane tickets by the first
week in Feb. We'll need to decide then if we as a group (and you as
individuals) will be going. I am checking into our options for
purchasing tickets now and potentially changing the trip dates to
Aug/Sept if things still don't look good in March.

Our Lord is sovereign, and He is good. I have no doubt His will will
not be thwarted.

God bless you,
Kathy

Letter from Kikuyu to Stu

2008-01-18T17:29:00.000-06:00

Stu sent this excerpt from and email he received from a theology
student at a university in Karen -- a community very close to where we
will be staying.

We have just finished the second day of three days of mass protests called by the ODM party to protest the elections. The clashes have been tagged as “tribal”. Kalinjins, Luos, and Maasai have been attacking Kikuyu and Kiisi or vice versa, but the underlying causes of this tragedy are economic. The gap between the rich and poor in Kenya is now the 4th largest in the world, and is growing rapidly. Thousands of unemployed youth have been growing more desperate and frustrated. The ODM candidate, Railla, raised very high expectations that he would create huge numbers of jobs if elected, and frustration exploded into violence when Kibaki was declared the winner. The Kikuyu have been relatively industrious and successful, and have owned many of the farms and businesses throughout the country. This has brought envy and resentment among the poor, and the “election” of a Kikuyu president was the trigger that allowed years of built up desperation to erupt in violence against those who were viewed as the “haves”. The demonstrations have been mainly in ODM strongholds like Kisumu, Eldoret, and the slums of Nairobi. They look horrendous on CNN, but are getting smaller and more localized each day. It is almost as if there are two Kenyas, with the more affluent neighborhoods of Nairobi
and much of the rest of the country experiencing relatively peace, and the slums and ODM controlled areas experiencing continuing senseless violence.

Unfortunately, everyone is suffering. The small markets and kiosks in
the slums have been destroyed. Businesses in downtown Nairobi are
forced to close when police move in to block demonstrations. Even
people who have money can’t find food or fuel to buy in the poorer
neighborhoods. Prices of basic commodities have risen rapidly in the
slums and conflict areas. The Shilling has fallen about 10% against
the dollar over the last few days, so the buying power of people’s
money has also shrunk. Temporary day work that most of the slum
dwellers relied on to earn enough to survive has dried up, and incomes
have disappeared. The attackers are sometimes in worse shape than the
neighbors who were driven out. The displaced person camp in Jamhuri
Park near the Kibera slum has a population of around 6000 during the
day, when the goodies are being distributed by churches and aid
organizations, but it drops to 1200 when those who have not really
lost their slum dwellings go home for the night. Our church, Nairobi
Chapel, adjoins the camp and many of our members are assisting with
food and clothing collection , sorting and distribution.

The merchants displaced in Western Kenya include almost all of the
distributors of seeds, fertilizer and other agricultural inputs.
Planting should be done next month before the long rains come at the
end of February. The displaced merchants are afraid to go back and try
to make peace with their neighbors until the politicians at the top
have made peace with each other. Even if the farmers go back to their
farms, it is highly likely that there will be a significant shortfall
in acreage planted with a corresponding disastrous drop in the
harvest. Western Kenya is the bread basket of East Africa, and the
threat of famine in the region is very real.

People are becoming more and more aware that this dispute is not about
preserving democracy or people’s rights. It is a brutal power struggle
to satisfy massive egos and acquire access to the public till. The
leaders of this country have dug in their heals and are refusing to
even talk with each other. Neither side shows any sign of being
willing to sacrifice personal power and gain for the good of the
country. More and more Kenyans are becoming impatient with the lack of any attempt to resolve the deadlock. There was a demonstration in
Dagoretti today that did not support either candidate, but simply
demanded peace and dialogue. We will see more of this in the future
because most Kenyans want to end the violence and get back to work.

News From Stu

2008-01-16T17:38:00.000-06:00

Dear Kathy:

I received an email from
Peter Kiarie this morning and things seem to be getting back to
normal. He is confident that West Point team will be able to go.

The two projects will be
Gatundu (where you will building the church) and Mukuyuini High
School. Both sites are close to Kikuyu and both are being prepared for
your team.

I have attached the lists we
talked about the other day.

Thanks for all your support.

Blessings,

Stu

Meeting after the Holidays

2008-01-11T16:52:00.000-06:00

This photo is of myself, Stu Ross,our mission team leader, and my son Michael. We will meet Stu in Kenya at the Nairobi airport .

Support Letter

2008-01-06T13:05:00.000-06:00

Dear Friends,

You are receiving this letter because I want to inform you of some exciting news. I am not sure where to start, however, as you can see by the letterhead, you know it has something to do with a mission to Kenya.

Through the years, our church has sponsored short term missions to Kenya, Africa. A few of our church members and other volunteers go to Kenya to build churches and much needed school classrooms. Even though I would admire and support their acts of faith and service, it never crossed my mind that I might go. As usual God works in mysterious ways, and Michael, my 14 yr old son, was touched by the church’s efforts. He asked Beth and I if he could go on the next trip in 2008. Amazed by his conviction and unable to deny his calling, we cautiously agreed to let him go if he and I could raise support and go together.

Please pray for the success of this mission. Many Kenyan churches meet under the shade of a small tree and they are in need of a building to further their ministry. Christian schools are needed as well. Education is one of Kenya’s highest priorities. They know that it is the only hope their children ever have of escaping poverty. This mission is a way to show them the love of Christ.

Yes, this letter is also a plea for money to support this mission. Our church has already set aside $13,500 to build a church and some classrooms for the 2008 trip. The people volunteering for service need to raise their own support for airfare, lodging, meals etc... Please consider sponsoring Michael and I in our quest to Kenya. Below is an example of how much is needed for a successful journey. We are seeking to raise $2,700 each. Please send your donation to First Presbyterian EPC, 234 East St., West Point, MS 39773 in care of Tom and Michael Thompson, Kenya mission. Thank You!

Sincerely,

Tom and Michael Thompson