Hello Friends and Family,
During my morning prayer time on February 13th, I was compelled to return to Kenya. I was on a flight 8 days later.
While I was packing for the trip, I began putting together some gifts for my friend Okiyo’s children. One of the gifts was a children’s book by Stormie Omartian called What Happens When I Talk to God? I read through the book before putting it in my luggage and all was well until I got to page 10. The prayer on this page said, “Thank you for clean water to drink.” Okiyo’s family lives in a community where they do not have the basic privileges of clean water. So off I go shopping for coloring books and markers as replacement gifts, this is a last-minute reminder of where I am going.
Arriving back in Kenya this time one thing was very different: Naomi was not up to making the trip and I am without her. When we were here last November she got an infection in her toe that has caused severe pain, sometimes so extreme as to wake her up in the middle of the night and constant to the point that she has not been able to wear her normal shoes. This disease-prone area of the world is not a good place to be with a wound that will not heal.
This community in Kenya has received us with open arms, and once again I hear “Welcome home.” Everyone in the village wants to know where and how Naomi is. They also asked about her in the neighboring border town, even the public transport driver asks “Where is Mum? How is Mum?” The truth is I miss her too. Due to our ministry opportunities in NYC, she is much needed and busy while I’m gone.
The carpentry students are happy to see me. We do some review of previous lessons, remind them that math is important and encourage them to be problem-solvers for the challenges they will face. We also cover some new material that may be on their national exam. Three students are getting ready to take that exam. We also worked on a practical project that will be helpful as they work in their communities, a toolbox that when turned upside down serves as a small workbench. The students are eager to learn and very appreciative of anything I teach them.
I always have detailed stories to tell. I could share about my 9-hour road trip from Nairobi to the Uganda border, running out of gas on a Boda Boda (motorcycle taxi), or running into a friend from Brooklyn at the Nairobi airport, but I will share this one.
Edmund is one of my carpentry students. He has reminded me that I said I would visit his church. I had forgotten about this, but of course I told him that I would visit on Sunday. When I asked how far the church is I understood him to say it was about one kilometer. On Sunday morning he picked me up on his dad’s motorbike and we were on our way. We went into the bush in a direction I had never been before. I soon realized there was a big misunderstanding: we did not stop at one kilometer. Riding into bush past fields of sugarcane, banana trees, and curious onlookers. The road continued to narrow and was washed out in places. We were now seeing more traditional African Huts. I finally asked, “Are we almost there?” He answered yes, and we traveled on a little further before arriving. I was invited into his home with dirt floors, no electricity, and no running water. In the room that was dimly lit by sunlight, my eyes focused on a piece of fabric one which someone had written Jeremiah 29:11. A verse telling of God’s Plan for welfare, future, and hope.
As I took a seat, Edmund’s father came to greet me. His name was John and he was very happy to see me. He expressed that my visit was not easy and it is a great honor for them to have me there. He is a farmer as well as one of the pastors of their church. When I asked him the distance to Amagoro he said 10 kilometers. The estimate seemed far more accurate than the estimate I had assumed earlier. It was at that point I learned that Edmund walks that distance each day to and from the carpentry program. Soon the other Pastor came in and we shared a meal of bread, bananas, and groundnuts.
Pastor Isaac is very grateful for my visit also and we begin to share. I asked if they knew about PEFA. This is a fellowship of churches that was started by one of NYSUM’s founders. They were very surprised that I knew about PEFA and I was surprised I was visiting one of their churches today. Soon a certificate verifying their association to PEFA was proudly revealed. When you say yes to someone that you will visit their church you don’t know if you will be handling snakes or find yourself in some other uncomfortable situation. I know this is a divine connection but when I tell Isaac that we worship at Brooklyn Tabernacle he lights up and says “I know them, powerful church, I listen to their choir.” We are no longer strangers but brothers.
It was now time to walk to church so we walked down a path that led to a small church. On the way, Isaac expressed how they have started making bricks and collecting shillings to build a new church. The poverty in Kenya villages is extreme and many come to church expecting to receive something for they have nothing to give. We entered the church at the front and the people were already singing. Because I was the honored guest I was seated on the platform with the two pastors. The platform had about four inches more dirt on the floor than the rest of the area. The church had dirt floors, dirt walls and a tin roof with many holes but it was God’s house and He showed up that day.
As I tried to focus on worship and take everything in I noticed a pile of mud bricks in the back corner for the new church. I noticed something else, tears rolling down my face and I was reminded that “God has chosen the poor in this world to be rich in faith.” After much singing and clapping of hands, it is time for me to be introduced and speak a few words to the small congregation. I felt I should remind them of the faithfulness of God and the work He has begun. He will be faithful to complete. Pastor Issac was my interpreter and as I sat back down he smiles and tells me that one verse I quoted is in his message today. It was time for the sermon and Pastor Issac told the people I did not look at his notes. God’s message for today is about faith. But, first, they held church “business” and held a vote concerning my coming back again and bringing the message, the vote was unanimous, I must go back.
They want me to stay for church lunch but I need to go back to Amagoro to prepare for the next day’s 6 am ride to Nairobi. I was sent on my way with two bananas, two oranges, and pineapple. On our way back Edmund takes me a different way, an even narrower path. My mind cannot help but think about life in the bush compared to life in the USA. There are many ways but that day I was thinking about Jeremiah 29:11.
If God’s welfare, hope and a future for you only included dirty water, dirt floors, no electricity and walking 20 kilometers each day (12 ½ miles) to school would I be in church on Sunday praising Him with great enthusiasm?
Some in the USA question: “Why would you go to a place like that?” No comfort, disease, etc? But as I said my goodbyes they questioned me “Why can’t you stay? When will you be back?” The answer is we are doing our best to follow God’s leading and HIS timing.
After a nine-hour road trip back to Nairobi, I enjoyed a hot shower and a comfortable bed before I started my 25 hours of four flights and layovers back to NYC.
Here on the NYSUM campus, we need to move again and this time our room is 11 ½’ X 15’. We have clean water, electricity and grateful hearts. We will continue to serve the homeless of this city and help here at NYSUM as God leads. Due to the outbreak of the coronavirus, many of the short term mission teams are canceling. Please pray for wisdom and protection.
Tentative plans are for me to go to Haiti in April. Twenty-two students have signed up for the carpentry class. Please pray for this country as they endure so much unrest.
Thank you for your prayers and continued support.
Our God is an Awesome God,
Paul and Naomi
Read more newsletters about the Amagoro Carpentry Program here.
Read more newsletters about building Kodema Church here.
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