How beautiful are the feet!

Often, when preparing to write for our newsletter/blog, we wonder, "What shall we communicate to our ministry partners this month?"  There are times when it is quite clear what to write about and we are filled with ideas and happenings to report. At other times, it can be quite challenging.  Fortunately, for this month we can share some happenings that we were excited about and touched our hearts in some way. You may be wondering why we have decided to include a picture of our shoes, which have obviously seen better days.  I mean, they are not really a sight to elicit a heart response are they?  Well, read on and you will see the places we visited in our shoes!
                                     

Maneuvering through these iron sheets can be very hazardous

Recently on our Hope Club days, we asked which of the children would like to have us visit their homes and meet their parents.  Enthusiastic hands shot up, and so began our excursion through a maze of shacks within the slum.  

 It truly was a sight to see us as we went traipsing through the slum with a host of children following us and holding our hands and leading us through narrow, mucky, alleyways to take us to their various dwellings.  It was pretty precarious navigating the walkways trying to avoid stepping in toxic looking liquids, mysterious and smelly piles of slush, and sharp, rusty edges of corrugated iron sheets used in the construction of the shacks.  Oh but what a delightful time we had with them!  They were so excited; it was like it made such a difference to them that we would take the time to visit their homes. We both felt like it was another major step in beginning to establish the presence of Hope Anew Ministries in the slum. This was especially relevant because the children told us that earlier that day, an incident occurred where one youth of about eighteen, was killed by a gang of other youths who were upset that he had been reporting on their criminal activities.  When a crowd learned of the killing, they caught one of the young men in the gang and killed him.

The children led us through alleys like this one

 The parents of the children in each of the different homes we visited were very gracious and responded positively to us and they seemed grateful that their children were attending Hope Club!   One of the parents related her amusement with her four-year old son Kevin, when he told her about some people who had built a tall building (Tower of Babel) out of pride because they wanted to reach God and how that God came down and messed up their language so they could not understand each other! The amazing thing is that this little one remembered the teaching and shared with the mother when he got home, it is really humbling because there times when we are teaching and wonder whether we are getting through to the kids! I think the Lord wanted to encourage us through the testimony of this mother!

Meet the children…..

This is Jared and he has been coming to Hope Club every week since we began.  He is frequently the first to arrive from wherever he has been playing, and like most boys, there is evidence of each grimy new discovery imprinted on his clothes, hands and feet.  He is usually displaying a huge toothless smile and excitement radiating from him.  He listens intently to the lesson and is keen to answer questions during the review game time.  His older sister attends sometimes as well.

Little Boy Lost…The little fellow in these series of pictures truly touched our hearts because he seemed so vulnerable and sad.  

Kamau speaking with the little boy

We could not get his name because he spoke so quietly that Kamau could not understand him.  He only stayed a short time for Hope 
Club and then he left.  Please pray for him.

Kimberly & Kimani at homeschooling conference

Prayer & Praise

• The whole family was delighted to attend the East African Homeschooling conference that was held in January in Nairobi.  A team of fifteen people from Apologia (They produce home school curriculum) came to minister to homeschooling families with lots of great activities for the youth and inspiring teaching for parents.  This is wonderful praise to the Lord for us.
•  We are grateful that there have not been any incidents of terrorism in Nairobi in the last two months.
•  Please pray for peace to prevail as we head to the general Presidential Elections in March. In 2007, there was terrible tribal violence with tragic loss of life as a result of disputed election results.
• When the time comes for us to clearly present the gospel to the children within Hope club and give an invitation for salvation, there is all manner of disruption without fail.  Please pray about this obvious display of spiritual warfare.

Cultural Tidbit

Chapatis are a popular type of Indian flat bread loved by Kenyans across the country.  It is a staple dish and often eaten with a vegetable or meat stew or beans. Pieces of the chapati are used to scoop up the stew.  It reminds me of a tortilla, and it is quite tasty.  Here is the recipe which makes about 6 to 8 medium size chapati:

• Ingredients:
• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon of salt
• 2 Tablespoons melted margarine
• Begin with 1 cup of water
• Directions:
• 1.  Mix flour salt and melted margarine together until it somewhat resembles breadcrumbs.  Add water and mix thoroughly.  If needed, use 2 tablespoons at a time to make a soft, pliable dough that is smooth.  It should not be wet and sticky, if so, add more flour.  Knead well.
• 2.  Place a damp cloth over the bowl to cover dough and leave in a warm spot and set aside for an hour.
• 3.  Knead dough again on floured board.  Roll out with a rolling pin to about ¾  an inch thick.  Cut in into 1 inch strips.  Roll each strip in a circle shape similar to a cinnamon roll. Place circles on a plate.
• 4.  Dust the board or work area with flour and roll out one circle to ¼ inch thick.
• 5.   Heat a heavy skillet pan (cast iron is great for chapati) and place about 1 tablespoon of oil in the pan.  When the oil thins, place the flattened chapati on the skillet.  Cook for about 2 minutes on one side.  Check to see if the cooked side is a golden brown color.  Encourage air bubbles to form on the uncooked side by pressing down on the very edges of the chapati, before turning.  You may add two teaspoons of oil and then cook the other side about 2 minutes or until golden brown.  Remove from skillet.  Do this with all of the uncooked chapati circles.  As each chapati is done, place in bowl or plate and cover with a clean, dry dish towel.  Serve with your favorite meat or vegetable stew.  Mmmm…nzuri sana!  Enjoy!

Grace & Peace
The Kamaus