 arrival at KisumuArrival
Shirley writes: "I was met in Kisumu (on the shores of Lake Victoria) by a beaming Mike, his young wife, Irene, and baby, Trevor, along with some other friends. Then we drove for about 4 hrs across the Equator to Kimilili, about 5,000ft above sea-level on the slopes of Mt. Elgon, near the Ugandan border. We arrived at dusk at the humble home of Mike and Irene, where I was going to stay. It’s on the edge of town, and is a very typical rural Kenyan home – built of chocolate-colored mud, with a dirt floor and tin roof.
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 chickens come in at night Home
They have no electricity, and carry water from a neighbor’s outside faucet. The toilet is outside in another small mud building with a curtain for privacy, and is of standard Kenya design – namely a hole in the ground! I was very blessed to be given a separate bedroom inside the house, and to actually have a bed, complete with mosquito net. As darkness fell, two hurricane lamps were lit, one for Irene to see to prepare supper in the tiny kitchen (a large pot with burning wood is used to cook with, as the cook squats on the floor); and the other to provide light in the living room. I was amazed to see the chickens are brought inside the house at night, and shooed into a bamboo cage on the floor of the living room. Of course this makes for a good "alarm clock" at about 4 am each morning!
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 eating ugaliRural Kenyan life
I adapted amazingly quickly to my new living conditions and felt right at home, especially since Mike and Irene are such warm, welcoming hosts. I learned that the British left this area of Kenya in the 1960’s, and it gradually became resettled by native Kenyans in the 70’s and 80’s. The land has almost totally been divided into small tracts of about one fourth of an acre, each with a small mud house with thatch or tin roof; small vegetable plot for maize, sugar cane, kale and sweet potatoes; chickens and maybe even a cow for milk, if the family can afford it. Everyone lives on this subsistence level and the daily diet usually consists of “ugali” (or as Mike calls it fondly “food” - a stiff, dough-like mixture of cooked maize flour) and greens, with maybe some mashed pumpkin or plantain bananas, or lentil stew (actually quite delicious!). Food is usually eaten with the fingers, and the common drink is milky tea, with fruits like oranges and mangoes also common. Food preparation is time-consuming (on just one source of fire!) and milk is a staple, with thin milky “porridge” often for breakfast, although cheese is not available where I went. Meat is eaten rarely, as are fish and eggs. But the ugali “sticks to your ribs” and provides energy for the large amount of walking (or cycling) done each day! We averaged about 6 miles, with a finale of walking 11 miles on my last day!
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 street sceneThe town
Kimilili is a market town with people coming in from the surrounding rural area – either on bicycles along the rutted roads; by walking down the many winding paths; or by packing into the little “matatus” or public buses (that can be anything from an actual bus to an old VW van!). The town is bustling with people visiting the market (where most items are strewn on the ground for viewing prior to sale) or the many small businesses (usually selling just a handful of different items). There is VERY LITTLE CHOICE of anything and only the most basic of necessities are available!! I was fascinated by the many TINY shacks along the road with proud signs outside boasting they were “hotels”! It appeared there was only a single small room inside and my mind was questioning how they did business, when I was told that “hotel” in Kenya, actually means “restaurant”!! Yes, it could be confusing!!! This photo shows the local cinema!!
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 Shirley preaching at a schoolMinistry in schools
After the British left, Kenya was ruled by a type of dictator for about 26 years, until a democratic government took power in 2002. Until then, Kenya was Number Two in the world for corruption and there was NO free public schooling, although a number of small Christian private schools grew up. Many public schools even now are in very poor condition – no glass in the windows, dirt floors, maybe not even a blackboard in the classroom, and very few books; and primary schools may have students from ages 6 to 18, since many only started school 3 years ago! The Friday morning at 8.00 am we arrived at a public school and found 1500 children eagerly awaiting us!! I ministered with Mike and his friend, Francis, who also did some puppet skits, and the children were amazingly attentive considering we were in an open field with no microphone!! In one of the Christian schools we visited, we knew that there was a terrible problem of sexual promiscuity. AIDS is a dreadful problem in Kenya, partly because of a number of different old tribal practices (including traditional circumcision, wife-inheritance and unsanitary conditions). Mike had been able to arrange to talk with the students on a weekly basis for some time, and was excited that now I could address them, which I was finally able to do for half an hour and help them see the importance of respecting their body as a temple for God.
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 bible balloon raceChildren's rally and party
One of the main events planned by Mike for my visit was a big children’s party as an evangelistic event at the church he attends – Christco Church (Christ’s Co-workers Church). The children had been preparing a special program and bringing small offerings for several weeks, and augmented by some money I was given in the US for the purpose, we planned a special meal for some 400 poor children and 36 widows. The church members worked hard all morning on the Saturday preparing the food (savory rice with a few small pieces of meat in every bowl), while the children gave their presentation, Mike and Francis sang, did puppet skits, performed a short biblical skit and then came in dressed in my parrot costume (which was a big hit!!). Then I ministered to the children with object lessons and stories, while Mike again translated. We finally all went outside to divide into 4 teams (quite an awesome feat with so many excited children!) and then played three exciting bible-based games. Great fun was had by all and the children will apparently never forget the big bowl of rice and meat, and the bottle of soda that EACH one of them was given! (I learned later that such fine fare is only ever given at very expensive weddings or special occasions, and some children had never had a soda before!)
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 ministering to widowsMore ministry
While the children were lining up to eat, I was asked to address the group of widows who had also been invited. Fortunately the Holy Spirit knew exactly what I should say, and I spent 30 minutes ministering to them with a very special message. Afterwards I ate my lunch with them, and later, at the end of the day, they blessed me with two very beautiful “kangas” (African piece of brightly colored cloth that is used as a wrap-around skirt or head covering). It was a very moving and unforgettable experience! The following day (Sunday), I preached in the main church service with 500 adults packed into the church. I felt a strong anointing as I shared on the importance of recognizing the POWER of God’s Word and the great blessing of having direct access to our Heavenly Father through Jesus’ death on the Cross. After the service I was told that no less than 20 of the widows from the previous day were attending the service, and had accepted Christ and joined the church – and they brought with them 35 children!!
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 with Mike and familySowing seeds
My visit to Kimilili only actually lasted about 10 days but it was packed with meeting pastors, visiting schools and churches, and getting to know Mike's co-workers. I also taught the first part of a children’s ministry seminar for three nights to some 20 children’s ministers from 8 different churches. A lot of enthusiasm was generated for this much-neglected ministry and Mike will continue teaching the seminar using our book of seminar teachings over the coming weeks and months. I was very happy to present him with his certificate for completing the seminar by correspondence course; and also to appoint him as our ministry partner there in East Africa. He has amazing favor on him as many pastors and leaders from all over the region are learning about his ministry and wanting to start using our resources in their churches or schools. I was truly sad to leave, yet happy to think of what God has planned for our ministry together in the future."
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