Greetings to all from New York City,
It’s November, but the last few days have been unseasonably warm. Last night, Naomi and I were out on the street visiting our homeless friends. One of them had a birthday, so we had a party for him. This included pizza, chips, soda, coffee, and ice cream for twenty-plus people. They were happy to see us but even happier with the ice cream. Yes, the poor like Häagen-Dazs as much as you. This is not the first time we have done this, but once again, we were reminded of Jesus’ words in Luke 14:12-14. Jesus said, “Don’t invite people who can repay you… invite the poor, misfits, and people who don’t get invited out.”
We have had a full schedule since our last update. I was in Kenya from October 12th through the 28th. This was my fifth trip there this year. Naomi stayed in New York, working on schedules for NYSUM’s Thanksgiving outreach. Naomi also made a trip back to Pennsylvania for more sorting and downsizing. She made fantastic progress and had beautiful October weather for a moving sale. She is now back in NYC coordinating the final plans for the thanksgiving outreach with local churches and teams of volunteers from various states. This year, NYSUM will serve 3,000 turkey dinners through “Operation Drumstick.”
Right before my departure to Kenya, I had an infection in my leg. Although healing it involved two trips to the ER, I was so thankful I was cleared for travel less than a week before take off. On my first morning in Kenya, I woke up with flu-like symptoms; a quick visit to the local chemist and I was on the mend. I had a full schedule with no time to be sick, so I was very grateful for some meds.
I arrived in Nairobi and went straight to the Tanzania border. Our friend Pastor Simon was there; we had previously partnered with his church to fund a borehole project and start a cabinet project in the church annex. I had two young men helping me continue on with the cabinet-making project. We made great progress despite the challenges. I was also part of a discussion and meeting with the ministry of health officials on plans for a future life center. This facility’s plan includes a clinic and vocational training.
After a week, I traveled to the area on the Ugandan border where Naomi and I have invested most of our time. Pastor Simon drove his car for this 11-hour journey. He wanted to see the tailoring and carpentry programs that Naomi and I have been a part of. After a couple of days of visiting the programs and seeing the projects, he said, “I can see you and Naomi have impacted many people.”
The people in the tailoring program once again voiced missing Naomi. In her absence, I was able to help the program with some supplies. I also got a bolt of fabric so they could make work coveralls for the carpentry students. I am happy to report that the tailoring program did a great job on the coveralls.
The carpentry program was working on folding chairs for a customer from the community. I was able to help them with this project. I also visited the school where we helped with the desks, checked on the church building project, preached Sunday morning, visited the borehole project, and supplied relief boxes to twenty-two families.
The borehole continues to provide for about 300 families. The community elders have stepped up and taken ownership; this is very important to sustain the future of this well. Many wells sit dormant in need of minor repairs because they think it is the “white man’s” responsibility to fix them. The project does require maintenance, so this time I bought them tools so they can repair and maintain the borehole. The day I was to deliver the tools, I called Meshach to take me. He is the bodaboda (motorcycle taxi) driver I like to use. He is honest and reliable. Meshach was supposed to pick me up at 5 pm so I could get there and back before dark. He was delayed, so we were on our way at 6 pm. The way there is steep, and the ‘road’ is badly washed out. There is no way a car could get up this road.
On the way, Meshach was excited to tell me about what God was doing in his life. I had given him a Ksuili Bible earlier this year, and he told me, “The day you gave me that Bible, God took me to a new place.” On the way up the hill, he was singing and praising God. We got to the borehole, some young girls were pumping water, and the village elders were happy to see me and grateful for the tools. This was when I looked over at Meshach and saw that he had the motorbike on its side and was lifting the back. He was out of petrol, no fuel available in the bush, and it was getting dark. After a short visit with the village elders, we were on our way using the last few drops of petrol and fumes. Since most of the way is downhill, we coasted down the badly washed-out road. At dark, we got to the fuel stop, and Meshach praised God. He got me back, and all was well. He asked for an English Bible, so I gave him one, and he continued to praise God. This is a snapshot of our experience of God always at work in people’s lives. God is always leading and taking care of us! For this, we give Him praise!!
From now until the end of the year, our schedule is packed. Thanksgiving outreaches here in NYC. Sunday, November 27th, we will be speaking at a church in Pennsylvania. November 28-December 3rd, we will be joining some ministry leaders in Alabama. And then we’ll be back in NYC for Christmas Compassion outreaches and time with our friends on the street.
Thank you for your faithful prayers and giving!
Blessings,
Paul and Naomi
Read more newsletters about our work caring for the homeless in NYC here.
Read more newsletters about the Bitobo water project here.
Read more newsletters about the Amagoro Carpentry Program here.
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