My nephew Chad Stembridge of Stembridge Mill Moving Pictures helped us with the logo for the site. We hope to do much more with ARM over the upcoming years, and are grateful to God for allowing us to find this ministry while on mission in Lynch, KY this past summer!

“The price of plastic bags is set to go up by 660 per cent by January next year due to the introduction of a new standard. The announcement comes after the Government moved to introduce a 120 per cent excise duty in this year’s budget to curb the use of the bags, which are harmful to the environment.”

Alfayo got very excited when I told him I had seen the article about plastic bags, and quickly whipped out a small notebook and turned to a page where he had briefly listed “his plan”

1. Recycle
2. Reduce
3. Reuse
   

He had a lot to say about the subject, and I could tell this was something he was quite passionate about. We spent about 30 minutes talking about Conservation in Kenya, and I then shifted gears a little… I asked him about his faith, and if he attended a church anywhere, and he told me h attended an AIC (African Inland Church) up the nearby hill.

He opened up more and told me that he had some questions about denominations, and Baptism. His church taught that he had to take a 6 week course before he could make a profession of faith and be baptized. I quickly shared with him the truth of the Gospel, and he really listened, not joking as much; but asking more questions. He wanted to wait and be baptized back at school at his local student union; but I told him that it was more important to make a decision that would affect his eternal life. He agreed, and we prayed right there in front of the CBC Church at Choimim. I invited him to come and visit the church with Pastor Aineahs. I encouraged him to make contact with his AIC pastor, and let him know that he had accepted Christ as his Savior, and that he needed to receive discipleship, and training. As he left that night, I was very encouraged by this young man; but realized that I may not see him again, for a while. I pray God is really growing in him, and has sent someone to teach him more of the truth.

This evening at our Commissioning service, Pastor Al let 2 of our team members share testimonies of their calling to this trip. It was wonderful to hear how God called these people, and just about everyone has a different story.

After this, we were taught about the 7 dimensions of the call, and how it applied to our lives as Christians. The text was from Isaiah 6:1-13. Without having time to go into too much detail, we learned that God’s Calling comes in the midst of Crisis, and comes in the context of worship, confession, and commitment. There is always a cost to that calling; but the cost of being called is NEVER costly for those who are CALLED!

Keep our team in prayer as we travel very early to Hartsfield, and go through the process of checking in, and then wait. Also pray that we will be very open to the people God will put in front of us throughout the journey there, and that we will be faithful witness even as we travel!

We’ll try to update again from the airport, at some point if possible.

We first heard about Build the Village during the application process for International Mission Board (IMB). We had also been in the process of planning for a Mission trip to Kenya in 2005 with our church, and originally was going to be working directly with IMB. There were a lot of problems, and eventually we were referred to Build the Village, who IMB described as their evangelistic outreach arm in Western Kenya.After hearing Damon Davenports story, and learning more about their solid plan of active discipleship long after the short term teams left, our Pastor, Al Wright, and everyone else were convinced this was solid, and scriptural. We suggested shooting some footage, and putting together something for them on that first trip; but were still a little uncertain, as communications to and from Kenya can be rather tricky. As we received word that we hadnt been called by IMB we shifted our focus back to the short term trip, and just continued stepping forward. Getting to know the staff of Build the Village was such a wonderful experience, and as we evangelized, and shot video every chance, we began to see the way God was, and still is effectively using Build the Village throughout east Africa, and beyond! Please take a look at the video produced, and visit Build the Villages website here.[kml_flashembed movie="http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?docid=1282371330104783017" width="400" height="326" wmode="transparent" /]

Ugali is a lot like grits in the deep south. Most people that are actually from the south eat it; but Ugali is generally served with all meals.

Here’s a recipe for making Ugali:

Maize (White Corn Flour) about 2 cups
Water
Salt (Optional)
One also needs a Mwiko (translation?)

A note on the flour: I have never found flour that approximates the type that we have in Kenya (Jogoo) and the closest substitution I have found is one I buy in the Mexican store that goes by the name “Mozerapa” Bring water in a pan to a boil (about 4 Cups)
Reduce heat to medium and put flour, gradually stirring until the consistency is stiff. Stir continously, and cover for about 5 minutes.
Stir again and form into a mound. The ugali will be done when it pulls from the sides of the pan easily and does not stick. The finished product should look like stiff grits
Cover the pot with a plate and invert the pan so that the Ugali “drops” on the plate.
Serve with meat stew.

We’ll try to pick up a mwiko for Tyler while there; and a few for us… the make an excellent “rod” of discipline!

Here’s one more recipe if interested:

Chapatis

• 1 Cup white flour
• 1 Cup wholewheat flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 Tablespoon oil
• water to make a dough
• 1 Tablespoon softened butter or ghee

Chapatis are normally used to accompany stews and vegetables. Sift flours and salt together in bowl. Add oil and enough cold water to make a stiff dough. Knead for 5-8 minutes until satiny and elastic. Cover with a damp cloth and let it stand 2-3 hours. Knead again and divide into balls, about 3-4 cm in diameter. Roll into flat pancakes with oil, butter or ghee. Place chapati in pan and cook until it begins to puff up. Press with a spatula to assist the puffing process. This ensures light and fluffy chapatis. Turn over and repeat the process. Remove from the pan and place in foil or cloth, spreading butter on top of each chapati. Serve immediately.

Chapatis are actually used as spoons by native Kenyans, so with it a whirl!

(finally… one more good recipe link)

As we start packing, and make final plans, please keep us all in prayer. We will get more details at out last meeting tonight, so keep posted!

Damon is in Kenya right now; but will come back on the 7th, we look forward to talking to him with the latest in Nandi Hills!

Here’s a note from our pastor, Al Wright:
I do not understand the mystery of how God works through the prayers of His people. I just know that He does. We just received word that the passports that were not here will be fedexed today so that we will have them tomorrow. This means that the two people on the Kenya Team who were in some jeopardy of not getting to go are now on the bus/plane. Let me tell you just how big this is; when I was at the New Orleans Passport Agency and they did the investigation to find the two missing passports and found where they were the Lady said, “you must get your congressman involved immediately; you will not get them at all if he is not involved and you may still not get them.” Well, what a praise to God that not only will we get them but in time to get them to the Kenyan Embassy in DC in plenty of time to get them back before we leave. What a great God. al