November 8^th, 2011

We can't believe this day is here...the day we fly to Kenya. There were times when it seemed like this day would never come and last night Lyle and I were marveling at how quickly it has come. We both are conflicted about leaving, but take comfort in knowing that we will be back, Lord willing. We spent yesterday with a young woman from AIM (African Inland Mission) by the name of Julie. She is a fifth generation African of US citizenship. And like her predecessors before her, has surrendered her life to serving Jesus here. She has a master's in special ed. teaching and is trying to educate and unite the few who have committed to care for this special group. Because spirituality is such a huge reality here, any mental or physical illness is thought of as a curse from the devil or witch doctor depending on the belief in place. Still today, the belief is so strong that anyone who touches one of these affected will "catch" the same thing. So these people are isolated, if they are feed and clothed it is without touch or relationship of any sort. Anyone who can afford to warehouse these people, do so. Julie took us to a boarding school that is trying to improve both the physical and intellectual levels of these kids, because no matter how old, they really are precious children. She wanted me to take a look at the unit that houses those affected with cerebral palsy to see if from a therapy perspective I could give the teachers and her any suggestions on how to help some of them write given the level of handicap they have. I was shown two sweet children, Kato, age 16, and Smyrna, whose age I didn't get but, she had the most brilliant smile. Lyle had his own experience as every child, those that could verbalize and those who couldn’t, wanted him to hold their hands and to come with them. I think this was his first experience in this environment and he was amazing. He was so kind and welcoming to them all no matter how dirty or slimy the hands were that were held out to grab his, it was so sweet to watch.

I was able to fabricate out of low temp. plastic, a splint for Kato that would hold a pen so he could use his left arm to make marks. His spasticity is so strong that only his left arm has any hope of use. Smyrna can only use her mouth and when she tries to write with her mouth the crayon slips through into her mouth or she bites off chunks. I was able to make her a mouthpiece out of plastic with an opening for a pen or pencil. They were both so elated. I was able to share with Kato that Jesus loves him, and he just looked at me. I was praying so hard that this wouldn't come out trite, and God just showed me that how could he feel God's love, twisted in a wheelchair and deserted. I relayed that basic idea of how hard it must be to believe that given his life, then I shared that God understands why all things are as they are, and that even tho God has allowed him to be in this state, God thinks he is precious and loves him dearly. He looked at me and had tears filling his eyes. Oh please pray for this precious young man, that satan will not be allowed to do what he wants with him. That Kato will come to know and receive Jesus Christ as his Lord and the author of his salvation.

Please pray for our time in Kenya, as I am troubled by the attacks so close to Dadaab. The church hit was Baptist and about 30-40 miles from the refugee camp and we are staying at the Baptist compound in Dadaab.

Hi it's Lyle.....Thank you all so much for your prayers. I don't have anything to add, but was so blessed by our time in Uganda. God's church is alive and well although plagued by the same deceit of materialism that we see in the US. Please pray for them.