A Great Morning

I am wanting to get better at writing short, more regular blurbs about daily life. No promises though…

I woke up this morning knowing I had too many things to do. I have done a lot so far, and accomplished very little of what I actually had planned. The important things are getting done like ordering buildings for our childrens home, but my office may never get cleaned and organized.

Not on the list was meeting with Pastor Daniels and the tax consultant over the progress of tax exempt status for our school. The consultant came at a great time because I was suppose to pay my quarterly Kenyan taxes 3 days ago, oops.

I rushed out to the bank to get a bankers check to send back to Nairobi to pay our taxes. I withdrew from the Barclays ATM like I always do (no fees), and then went inside to convert the money into a bankers check. It was going to cost a hefty 1,250 shillings ($15).

When the teller asked for my passport, I told him I did not have it but I have my resident ID card. He said without a passport he would need a Kenya government issued ID (which my residence card is!). After going around in circles:

Teller: I need a Kenyan National ID.

Me: This is a Kenyan National ID.

Teller: No, that is an alien certificate.

Me: Yes, they do not give residents “National ID’s.” They give them alien certificates which is equivalent to a National ID.

Teller: No, I need a valid Kenyan ID.

Me: This is a valid Kenyan ID. I use it all the time it was issued by the government as my official identification card. I cannot get anything else.

Repeat x6

He eventually told me to go get my passport. I was extremely frustrated because I was trying to hurry and get back so the tax guy could return to Nairobi, but I was glad to go. I drove to Co-Op Bank where our ministry accounts are. I had the check in 5 minutes and it only cost me 200 shillings ($2.40).

I thank God for sending me to a teller more stubborn than I am. He saved me over $10, and the story gets better.

While I was arguing with the teller, Pastor Daniels was waiting with the tax consultant. They have known each other for years, but normally they finish business and then he goes. Pastor Daniels took the opportunity to tell Shadrach the gospel.

I arrived back to them reading verses together. Shadrach attends a Salvation Army church in his hometown and has always said he was saved, because he wanted to be, but no one had ever explained how to be saved.

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9

“For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” Romans 10:10   

Shadrach asked Jesus to take away the penalty for his sins this morning, and I was reminded how much God loves me and watches out for me 🙂

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Dubai Retreat

Last week we had the amazing opportunity to travel to Dubai to meet up with our fellow missionaries sent out from Grace Fellowship in WPB, Florida.  What a blessing this week was to us!

The church wanted a time where we could all come together to have a refreshing week, filled with fellowship, teaching, and most of all relaxing!  They sent over a retired missionary couple, the Richards, who provided our sessions each morning.  They were the perfect couple to send! So much wisdom and sensitivity to culture, and I know I can speak on everyone’s behalf and say that they were exactly what we needed!  We had sessions every morning until lunch, and then each couple had the opportunity to meet with the Richards’ alone to discuss personal issues and questions.

As well as learning a lot from our session time, last week was also great to have fellowship with friends who understand the difficulties and joys that we are going through on the mission field!  I (Abby) personally only knew 1 of the other couples before going, so it was really fun to be able to meet and get to know everyone!  Now, after spending a week together we know better how to keep in touch and how to pray for the specific needs in everyone’s ministry. 

Dubai. I didn’t even know where it was until we were going there. And I knew absolutely nothing about it until I was there.  And let me just say….culture shock, big time (for me)!!  Andrew and I laugh now and say it was a good prep for going back to America.  We had every day free after lunch, so we would go into town and enjoy the malls and sites.  The first mall we went to had over 1,400 shops.  The restaurants that we splurged on through the week were TGI Fridays, Chili’s, PapaJohns, Pizza Hut, Coldstone (my personal favorite), Krispy Crème, and Cinnabon.  Now, I know this doesn’t mean much to many of you, but remember…we do not have any American chains here in Kenya, so I have not seen any of these places in over a year! It’s official, I ate way too much last week!!

I could write about the food throughout the whole blog, but I will refrain.  We were also able to do some shopping for our home.  We found an IKEA, which made my day!  We bought a lamp, some picture frames, shades for our lights, and a few baby items.  It was so nice to be able to get these things because in Kenya they are way over-priced, so we have been holding out. What a nice surprise it was to find these decently priced shops in Dubai!

                                         Standing in front of a huge fountain in one of the malls.

The day we were leaving Dubai, I have to be honest…I wasn’t too excited about it.  Part of me wanted to stay in this nice, modern city (with great, smooth roads!). But as soon as we got back to Nanyuki, it felt great to be home.  And that feeling was way better than being in a nice place with familiar shops and restaurants. I am so thankful for the week we had to relax and fellowship with friends, but I am also excited to be back where we are called to serve. 

**A special thanks to Grace Fellowship (and all the members who may have given!) for making last week possible for us!  It was truly a blessing!! 

 

                      On the last day, the boys went dune bashing, dune boarding, and camel riding!