Hello friends, we hope you are doing well. Naomi and I are both currently in NYC. After “springing ahead” an hour and with the magnolias and dogwoods flowering in the city, we are experiencing the beauty of the changing seasons. When I returned from Kenya on March 19, I cleaned out our window box and planted some pansies, bringing springtime closer.
Speaking about the time and seasons of change, it has been a while since we updated you, so here is some of how we have been spending our time and the changes we are experiencing.
We just finished up all the spring break outreach teams here at the New York School of Urban Ministry (NYSUM). This is always one of our busiest times of the year. Once again, teams of college and high school students from many different states visited. They learned more about reflecting the image of God in the urban landscape. This includes classroom and “street” opportunities. We are grateful for the love they bring to the marginalized of our city.
Naomi continues to work with ministry services and many other responsibilities around this large building. I continue to teach a class on urban evangelism and serve as an outreach leader. One change has been for me to lead teams on late-night outreaches again to the people living on our streets. Due to not being well, I was excused from that last October. I’m not back to 100%, but I am on the path to healing and grateful for this opportunity again.
Another change we have experienced is our vehicle. We shared with you how our Corolla was rear-ended one week before Christmas. The insurance adjuster totaled the car, which left us in a situation that we were not ready for. I was on my way to Kenya, and we didn’t want to make a hasty purchase that we would regret.
While I was in Kenya, Naomi visited her family in North Carolina. Her uncles and aunts knew of our situation and responded with generosity. They provided funds and took her car shopping. With the small amount from the insurance added to the amazing generosity of family and friends, a purchase was made. We now have a Rav 4 with one previous owner, clean and rust-free from NC. We are reminded that God provides for us, working out all the details to meet our needs and sometimes even our desires. We are overwhelmed by the generosity of family and friends and the goodness of GOD!
My time in Kenya was divided between Namanga and Amagoro.
On January 7, my first stop was to Namanga to check on the Life Center project. I met with the project manager, electrician, and plumber to discuss the work that needed to be done next. I also did an inventory of my tools and what I needed to get so we could set up a cabinet shop onsite.
The next day, I was on my way back to Nairobi. I did some shopping for items not available in the village, then I traveled a day’s journey to Amagoro. This is where Naomi and I have been involved with the tailoring and carpentry students since 2017. This is home, and it was good to hear our neighbors say “Karibu–welcome.“
Everyone wanted to know how Mum (Naomi) is, and she is greatly missed. The tailoring program continues to make progress in their larger facility. Florence, one of Naomi’s first students, is an instructor. Her success reminds me of all that Naomi has done to help Kiwimbi develop this program.
I began my mornings with a walk, enjoying the beautiful sunrises in the cool of the day. My time was mostly with the carpentry students, helping them build a computer lab. An organization donated 50 laptops, so the carpentry students now also receive computer classes.
I learned that some of the bicycles that we provided required repair. Our desire is to help create sustainable programs. I was reminded of the plumbing tools we purchased for the village elders to maintain the borehole pump, helping encourage ownership. (I also checked on the borehole, and all is functioning well.) So we purchased all the bicycle parts, got a fundi (mechanic). Then we planned a day for a bicycle clinic. The clinic taught the students mechanical skills, and, by the end, all the bicycles worked again.
Four of the carpentry students were preparing for their national exams. They are the first students in the program to get to do this. We provided the tools required for the practical part, and the students will keep them as an achievement to start their career.
One Sunday, I visited the church that we have helped build. The project has moved slowly, but they can meet there around the work to be completed. We also provided 30 food relief packages for the church families.
I was invited to speak. God was at work through the words of Jesus in Matthew 5: The Sermon on the Mount. I covered the Lord’s prayer, with the focus on forgiveness. God’s work led to reconciliation that day. The pastor told me weeks later that the church family was still working through reconciliation. God is always at work. That day He spoke clearly in spite of my jet-lagged brain and our language barriers. We helped the carpentry students with some small projects, then returned back to Namanga, nearly 400 miles to the south.
In Namanga, we set up a cabinet shop onsite. I invited two of my former carpentry students from western Kenya to help me. They are now entrepreneurs, but not much work is available in their area. We began building wardrobes for the guest/volunteer rooms. I was very happy to see the former students, and they were very grateful for the work.
Before getting started every day, we gave God thanks and asked for protection for the day. One morning my friend Okiyo thanked God that he could work to provide food for his family. At this time most of the people in his village are only eating one meal a day. His prayer reminded me of humanity’s great need in our world.
We were able to get some of the wardrobe units finished. My apprentices continued working while I came back to NYC. They not only finished the wardrobe units, but they also made great progress building the cabinets for the linen/pantry storage room. I am very proud of them and the quality of their work.
Here in New York, we continue to partner with NYSUM. Naomi has taken on a new role as the assistant supervisor for housekeeping. I mentioned that I was leading late night outreach again. I am grateful for the opportunity to invest in the lives of many high school and college students by helping them understand the needs of the marginalized and how the marginalized are in God’s heart.
It was also good to reconnect with our “street“ friends again after being away. I was out alone this week meeting some specific needs in and around Penn Station. I asked God to help me pack my resources and order my steps. In just a few hours, I was reminded how God has allowed us to build relationships in the marginalized community.
In a city of 9 million, in a train station that 600,000 people pass through daily (the busiest in U.S.), we have many friends. On that day I was able to find many of them, including Dory and Lorna. They both needed new shoes and several other resources from my cart.
I met a man that I didn’t know. He was sitting on the floor. He had been given some food but needed a fork. I gave him utensils. He also needed a hat. I gave him a stocking cap with “tell God I said hi “ branded on it. I use this phrase when I say goodbye to people to invite them to talk to God. A dear lady made the hats for us. I learned the man’s name was Howard, and I asked him to tell God I said hi. He insisted on sharing his food with me, so I enjoyed some with him.
Next, I helped our friend Roy with several needs, including a Metrocard so he could get to a medical appointment. As I stood there and visited him, he reflected on his grandfather’s words: “There is a friend closer than a brother.” Roy said that back then he didn’t understand, but now he does. “Paul, you are that friend.”
Then I visited John and give him the XL t-shirt that he asked for. While helping him, I heard a voice from behind me.
“Is that you? “ she said. I found our friend Shirley standing there. I had not seen her for about three months.
She hugs me and tells me that she has been looking for Mum and me. I give her a Snickers bar from my backpack (her favorite) and some sweatpants. I ask her if she wants coffee or hot chocolate. “Not today,” she says, but she would like a piece of chocolate cake. I walk with her to Paris Baguette where there are many options for sugary goodness. She has a hard time choosing, but eventually decides on a piece of chocolate cake.
I bring the cake to her table and visit with her. She is all smiles as she enjoys every bite, but comments “This isn’t as good as Mum’s muffins.” She loves when Naomi makes muffins. I tell her that I am returning to Kenya in a few days. As I tell her goodbye, I mention that I will see her again either here or in God’s eternal kingdom. She says, “Maybe we will be neighbors there.” Yes, I agree we will be neighbors.
Since returning from Kenya, Naomi and I were privileged to visit Soldier Church, and it was great to see our faithful supporters there. I also had several doctor appointments. Naomi and I are not back to 100%, but we are experiencing healing. I am returning to Kenya to the Life Center project in Namanga on April 18. I will return on May 12th. Naomi will be helping at NYSUM to get ready for Makeover Weekend, May 16-18.
We are so thankful for each and every one of you!
Blessings,
Paul and Naomi
BLIP 