Walk Alone

It's 6:44 am and I'm sitting in the London airport.  I'm sitting here watching a young lady sleep.  She hasn't really slept in 3 days.  She didn't sleep on the flight and she didn't sleep much the night before we left Nairobi.  Yes.  I was in Nairobi.  I was in Nairobi because my job was not complete.  No, not the job of "mission work" or anything related to our work in Kenya.  This is related to a promise- a promise I made to a young lady years earlier and reminded her of just a week earlier.
"I'm not done being involved in your life and helping you get to where you're supposed to go.  You are still my 'Timothy' and this 'Paul' has been instructed to continue what we started years earlier."  I concluded her letter, where this comment was written, by telling her she'll never walk alone. ...

... so I left for Kenya on Tuesday afternoon to go get my friend; my sister.  I was not about to let her walk alone through the hell that had just descended upon her life.  There was more to come too.  More pain and agony awaited her when she arrived back home to the full reality of what had taken place on that same Tuesday morning.  No, she wasn't going to walk alone.  She wasn't going to have to experience the beginning of this void of her family and friends.  And she certainly shouldn't have to start an 8,000 mile journey back by herself.  How overwhelming that must have seemed.

She's quiet now.  She's finally getting some sleep.  She needs it.  But she needs the warm embrace of the family that loves her and is desperate to envelope her in their warmth.  And I plan to deliver her for that therapy.  She's not just some "young lady" or "friend".  This is my sister.  And a brother would do anything for the sister he loves.  There was never any doubt that I'd come to get her.

What she, and her family, needs now is love lived out.  She won't require our words as much as she'll require our love which compels us to action.  That action can be fervent prayers for this grieving family.  It can be service to them by way of a meal, yard work, and a simple embrace.  It can also be a resolve to live as their daughter lived:  as much like Christ as possible.  If I had to compare others, or even myself, in our walk with Christ against her's,....  I'm afraid most of us would come up very short.

So I'm sitting her in London.  It's now 7:01 am.  She's still sleeping and I'm still typing.  And I'm also very very honored to do for Grace what Paige would have done.  I'm glad to show her my love, not just tell her.  I'm glad she didn't have to walk alone.

When's the last time love compelled you to uncommon action?  If you can't remember, how do you know you have love for them?  Don't wait to be asked.  Don't hesitate to sacrifice.  Don't think this is for me.  I love gk because I love Christ.  And I'd do again tomorrow.

"Truly Truly I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit."       - John 12:24


Thank you Paige for giving all of yourself.  It won't be in vain.  The harvest is coming...

Letters From Home

Our family has nearly completed it's transition back to the US.  In another few weeks, we'll move into a house nearby and fully be into our next transition of life.  Lindy has been working since we returned.  She was offered a wonderful job with the doctors she served in the past.  Though it's part-time, it's a great job working for good people.  I'm currently working on the possibility of returning to teaching art classes through a local home school group.  This would give our family an additional income, use talents and skill I have, and still allow Lindy or I to be at home to disciple Ezra.  We ask for your continued prayers as this all takes shape.

We've also been talking (Lindy and I) about ways to impact our community and neighbors around us.  We are committed to ministry and "missions", no matter where we live.  Before ever departing for Kenya, our home was a place of constant traffic.  We had students come by for advice and encouragement, men who needed connection and direction for their lives, and we even hosted events at our house.  With that being said; we hope to do the same.  Lindy has been burdened for a while for a specific group of people and she's looking at ways to reach out to them.  I'm excited to watch her passion lead her to action.  I'm getting excited about hosting men's Bible studys and other venues for guys to come and sharpen themselves against other men.  It's these types of ministries that excite us.  And it's IN these types of ministries that God has often come to bring direction for us and others into deeper service!  We ask that you keep this in prayer.  Pray that God would direct us to be open to love on others and seek personal growth for ourselves and family at the same time.

An update on Meshack:  I am so encouraged as I tell you that Meshack's friends and family have continued to rally to his side.  Not only have they shown up at his house, prayed for him, brought him food, and loved on him; a week ago they conducted a fund raiser on his behalf.  These amazing people were able to raise over $2500.00 USD!!!  That is simply amazing!  A people who so often have little in the way of material and monetary possession, gave much.  Some, I'm imagining, gave sacrificially.  This means that 2 more cycles of Chemotherapy treatment are covered!  I have received another $350 and will be adding that to other moneys on hand.  I hope to make another deposit to them by early next week.  Again, if you'd like to help, it would be very welcomed.  (Email me and let me know: chrisandlindyt@gmail.com)

Saint Boys:  The boys are doing well.  I received a brief email from Deo on Thursday and he informed me that the boys are doing well.  They are due to take end-of-term tests during the last week of July.  Keep them in prayer please during this time!

James' ear has been improving as well.  What I should say, is that his hearing seems to be improving!  We are still planning on having his second surgery in either January or February.

The boys are also "pumping iron".  Before leaving I gave them my set of dumbells and weights.  I gave them a few exercises to do and told them that if they wanted to be serious about "toning up", they needed to be mindful of what they were eating.  Well, they have taken it seriously!!!  Brian and Thuku are well on their way to becoming body-builders!  I'll try and get some photos to show you.  Maybe I should send them a few Cross-fit workouts!  :)

Thanks for continuing to read, pray, follow, and support this ministry.  You are a great blessing to so many!

~Chris, Lindy, & Ezra

Meshack Update

I wanted to give you all a quick update on Meshack and the status of his Chemotherapy he's under going right now:

Meshack is scheduled for 6 rounds of Chemo in total.  He has already received the first two.  At the end of this week, he will go in for an evaluation and scan with his Oncologist to determine the affects the drugs have had on the cancerous tissue.  If the doctor is pleased with the way the drugs are reacting then he'll continue with the remaining 4 treatments.  (I'll try to give you an update once we receive word from them about their visit)

The entire family wanted me to share with you their deep gratitude for the support, love, prayers, and assistance each of you have given unto them.  I, too, want to say 'Thank you' for all you have done and are doing.  I know of so many who have fasted on Meshack's behalf over the past few weeks.  These are being honored by our Father! 

Please continue to lift he and his family in prayer. 
Please continue to consider ways you can support them through this challenging and expensive situation.
Email us at anytime and we will certainly pass along your words of encouragement unto this sweet family.

Blessings,
~Chris

Zealous

The following article will also run in our July newsletter.

URGENT ATTENTION

Friends, we write this newsletter to ask you for your urgent prayers.  One of our dear partners and friends in Kenya has recently been diagnosed with Stage 3 Liver Cancer.  He is currently undergoing Chemotherapy at a reputable hospital in Nairobi.  I want to tell you more of our friend as we devote this newsletter to him and ask you to read, pray, and support them during this critical time.

Pastor Meshcak Chitiavi, my friend.

Meshack Chitavi has a wonderful wife named Beatrice (OSM National Team Secretary) and 2 beautiful young children.  I met Meshack about four and a half years ago.  He was mild-mannered, yet poignant in his speech.  He was serving under the guidance of his father-in-law, Pastor Geoffrey Indiazi at Berith Life Church.  He was also assisting with the teaching responsibilities at African Bible College.  

Meshack and I quickly became good friends.  His maturity and character were only matched by his deep zeal for ministry.  Meshack and I are almost the same age, yet he carried himself as a man twice his age.  He was committed to excellence in his personal life, yet seemed to influence those around him often without saying a word.  Families, friends, young men and old, often came to Meshack for advice.  His integrity served his counseling sessions.  I, too, sought his opinions on numerous matters.  

About 3 years ago, Meshack asked me to join him one weekend in conducting an outreach to a group of young people in Kericho, a smaller city in Kenya.  My agreeing to accompany him was due more to our friendship than anything else.  Yet, I was curious to see Meshack minister to a group I had been suspecting him to be most passionate about.  

Meshack speaking during a youth weekend in Kericho.

I’ll never forget that weekend.  It served as the catalyst to numerous other outreach weekends to youth all over Kenya.  Watching Meshack during those times taught me what a zealous man can accomplish for the Lord.  He never asked me or the ministry to fund these events, yet after the first one, I was convinced of the “right-ness” of such investments.  Days and weeks after the conclusion of our time in these areas, young people were still emailing and texting “Pastor Meshack” with their questions.  He always had time for them.  In fact, their hunger for guidance seemed to be fodder for the fire which burned inside him.  

My suspicions were right!  Meshack loved discipleship.  And he was good at it.  He was especially good at connecting to the hearts and minds of young people across his homeland.  He seemed to earn their trust in such a way that people like me never could.  He would speak directly to them; bluntly.  Yet, they were never offended.  They just believed him and found themselves surrendering to the Christ he was so passionate for himself.  

What’s not to love about that?  I remember Meshack pulling me aside once and telling me that perhaps my assessment of a group of people was wrong.  Yet Meshack tempered everything he said with love.  I knew this man loved me and wanted to preserve the longevity of our ministry to his country.  

He didn’t just thrive in ministering to his younger fellow citizens. We brought our interns to sit under his teaching on numerous occasions.  We encouraged them to write down questions about theology and Kenyan culture, then present those to Meshack during their time with him.  Meshack would take those questions in advance to go and prepare responses for them.  His answers were ALWAYS from scripture.  He would point the students to scripture as well.  Grace, a past intern, once commented, “He’s just awesome.”  Yes indeed, he was...     ... and he still is!  

Meshack and his family are facing a major health crisis.  The cost of this treatment far exceeds what they make in a lifetime.  Others have already given funds and encouragement to their need.  Just before we left Kenya, I met my friend at his house.  The entire time we were there to pray with him, scores of people were coming by to visit him, pray with him, and show their love to he and his family.  I suspect that they were just like me: smitten and indebted to this zealous warrior.  

Now we can serve him back.  We can fund this need, fast in prayer on his behalf, and mimic the kind of zeal in our support of him the way he has for thousands of others; even you!  Yes, you!  You see, about 3 years ago Meshack fasted for America.  God laid it on his heart and he did it because he loved Christ, His church, and his brothers and sisters in the US.  That’s what a zealous man does.  

Three things you can do for Meshack Chitiavi and his family:

1. Pray fervently for this situation.
2. Support their medical needs through your financial contributions.
3. Read the blog for updates, and share his story and need with your church, friends, and family.

Email us and we will help you with the specifics needed to earmark your contributions to go directly and immediately to Meshack.  On behalf of Meshack, his family, our family, and this ministry; thank you!

Meshack w/ his father-in-law, Pastor Indiazi during the construction of Berith Bible College (2008).

FINALLY!!!

I have been so frustrated at blogger because they have gone and changed everything on me... and clearly i don't handle change well.  ;o)  I kept signing in and it was redirecting me with a different email address.  Any way, I've had SO MUCH to say and NO WHERE to say it!

Thomas and Noah have been working nonstop on their new house just up the road. I love to go up there on my run/walks to see how much further they are. It's so amazing how fast they have turned this stable into 2 homes! Thomas and Zippy should be moving in THIS Friday!

Please pray for Meshack.  He has been very sick for 2 months now.  Tests have been inconclusive and we are getting frustrated because of course we want answers.  He has lost quite a bit of weight, had general weakness, no appetite.  There are questions about his liver having hardened areas or spots on it.  He is in Kenyatta hospital now.  We are planning to visit with he and Beatrice tomorrow.

The boys are well.  James continues to be home schooled by Deo.  Nicolas and Dan are being interviewed Wednesday for their placement in Hope Academy.  We also plan on seeing them tomorrow as well, it feels like forever since I seen them! We wanted to go tonight but the road flooded. We've been told this is the worst rainy season in 30 years.

We have begun the first phase of our transition back to the US.  That is: narrowing down all our junk into 5 cases. Not as easy as it sounds.  God has been so so good to us though.  Honestly, I haven't felt stressed at all.  His peace has completely covered me this whole time.  I've been laid back and relaxed, grateful that he brought us here, even if for just 4 short years.  

We are mostly packed up and the Chancey's moved in today.  I think the most difficult thing about packing and others moving in is having Ezra get into EVERYTHING.  That kid certainly keeps me on my toes.  I walked outside to help Chris yesterday and came back in to check on Ezra.  When I left him he was playing happily with some spoons on the floor.  As I came back 60 seconds later, he was gone.  I look to my left and there he is, halfway up the stairs! Yikes!  In the photo below... he might have gotten into the fireplace...

Today I had some tortilla chips I gave the Chancey kids to snack on.  Ezra was crawling behind them and eating up all the chips that were dropped on the floor.  He thinks everything on the floor must be food and must be for him.  Which I guess is good timing because we had to say our goodbyes to our sweet Wallace- the most amazing English Mastiff ever.  He went back to Tanzania to live with his sister and our dear friends the Helsby's.  I'm so glad they were able to take him back with them.  They live at Mavuno Villiage who has 250 acres on Lake Victoria.  Now, if he can just start getting along with the other dogs....

I was packing our cases in our room today and Zippy came after class to entertain Ezra.  She said to Ezra "What am I going to do without you?  I won't even know want to do when you and your mom aren't around."  To which I replied "Let's not go there right now, Zippy.  We aren't gone yet!"  I feel like I'm going to be the one that is lost without here.  That woman keeps this A.D.D. Mama seem a bit more put together.  ::sigh:: And have I mentioned my son LOVES that woman.  Zippy was holding Hero, the Chancey's 7 month old today, and he was NOT happy about it.  He was so jealous.  So naturally he leapt out of my arms and into hers to let Hero know Zippy was his territory.  

Zippy recently has 2 job offers.  Hmmm.... which one to take? She is so excited about graduating from cooking school in a couple weeks. One job would really utilize her cooking skills, the other not as much.  I think if she could work out the hours she could have a job and a half if she wants it!

Lucy seeing the house for the first time. 

2 very tired and hard working men.  

Noah in front of his freshly laid cement floor.  

As always- we had an amazing time with these crazy people

Katie was so proud to pick out Ezra's clothes.  :)

A camping we will NOT go...

This is by far the most difficult rainy season we have experienced here in Kenya...BY FAR.  With the Michigan team here, we'd planned to take them, along with the Saint Boys, camping.  We had done our big grocery trip and were basically packed up, then we got a call from the guy that lives in Juja.  The yard was a complete LAKE!  There was no where to set up the tent.  Not to mention it would have been miserable.  So instead, the Michigan team and Chris took all the boys to see a movie, eat KFC, planet yogurt, and come spend the night with all of us here at the house.  We had such a great time!

We all walked to Thomas and Noah's soon to be home and chicken farm.  The next day the boys were excited to go and help them do some work there and they earned a little money... which may or may not have already been spent on sweets and mandazi's! ;)

James, Ezra, and I were off to Kijabe hospital at 7am Friday morning.  The MD that did his surgery had moved back to the US, but the normal American doc was there.  He looked in his ear and said that everything looks good.  He is to start his antibiotic ear drops and take them until they are finished.  This MD will go back to the US for a few months and return in January, which is when his next surgery will be.  So James could go for a check up with the Kenyan MD in 3 months, but he won't even be the one to do the next surgery, so there's really no point.  Dr. Boeve said to just return in January unless he has any problems before then.

We've not had much power this past weekend so everything in the freezer has basically thawed out.  So I need to get to
cooking so nothing gets wasted!  We're praying that rainy season ends SOON!  My heart just hurts so bad for these people in the valley part of Kibera.  I can only imagine that sewage must be overflowing into their homes.  I just can't help but think about the people that are in these little cold, leaky mud shacks.  I'm so grateful that our boys have somewhere warm and safe to live and, through God's grace, they are not on the streets.  But even greater than that is knowing that they now have the knowledge of a Savior who loves them.





I love that Brian gave Ezra his cookie, and even more than that- he kept giving Ezra kisses on his cheek.  They all act like they are the proudest big brothers!

Finally saw it with their own eyes...

We just had some long time friends and supporters come over for 2 weeks to see what all the hype is about over here in Kenya.  Sam and Debra really enjoyed the country and its people.  We always enjoy 

having people here who have been a part of the journey for so long.  It's fun for us to watch them see with their own eyes what it is they have been investing in.  Here are a few pictures from their trip:

For some reason I cannot get the video of the boys' new home to upload.  I have tried and tried. Chris said he may try and take a shorter video.  I suppose it's too big, but I'm not sure. 

This Friday Ezra, James, and I will travel back up to Kijabe for a post op check up on James' ear.  Graig Austin's team of youngins' come in this evening.  Friday night we take G's team along with our boys and we will go to Juja camping.  They are out of school all week this week.  (This will be Wallace and Lana's new home) Acres upon acres.  Also Meshack Chitiavi will be joinging us to do some biblical teachings.  I could sit and listen to him all day... on wait... I have!  

I will try and post photo's and reports from this weekend early next week.  

Yesterday, Mama and Deo invited us over to hang out with the boys and have lunch.  Their house looks so nice and cute. Ezra enjoyed Mama's beans, while the boys enjoyed my butterscotch cookies.  (They promise not to miss my cookies/sweets as much as they'll miss me!)  The boys just love their new place.  Chris found out some disturbing news- they have bed bugs!  Eeeek! Yes, it's disturbing, but not surprising.  When you live among sewage and in the conditions of the slum, bed bugs are really the least of their worries.  We made them throw out their mattresses and bought new ones.  But in order to get the new ones, they had to thoroughly wash and clean their beds, blankets, sheets etc along with all their clothes.  We had to get those eggs killed.  They worked very hard yesterday so that they would have a good night sleep on comfy mattresses.  

James is doing well- keeping that ear dry and not jumping around.  What a great listener!  :)