Monday---part 1

"So the people of Israel---every man and woman who was eager to help in the work the LORD had given them through Moses---brought their gifts and gave them freely to the LORD."

Exodus 35:29

At this point in my journal, I had to resort to snippets, so will not bore you with those.  Instead, I'll try and remember what they were and expand on them.  As I've been typing and writing this out, I have found that I will need to separate things into partial days, because there is so much to cover.


Monday morning we awoke at 5 am by a rooster.  The sun wasn't up yet, but was able to take a cold shower at 6:15.  I did some journal writing to catch up, then met with everyone for breakfast.  Trecy awoke this and every morning to go and work out with the other guys.  Not me---I figure I'd enjoy my Christmas gift and relax when I got the chance.

After a quick breakfast, we all piled into our vans/trucks and headed to Kiawara.  The ride was about 35-40 minutes down an nicely paved highway.  There are a few speed bumps when you reach some larger communities, but all in all, it is a very quick commute.  One thing I noticed right away is the amount people were walking.  Nieri is no where near the size of Nairobi, but there certainly are many people.

This is my Lion King Tree---I was day dreaming, looking out
the window in anticipation of our first day at clinic, and saw this
in the distance.  It so reminded me of what one saw in the Lion
King---long plains, with an oasis of a huge tree or two.  I looked for
it every day---this day, there was a fog behind it, so it seemed that there was
nothing beyond it.  Actually, there are some mountains miles away, you just
can't see them.

We arrived at clinic to a line of about 100 people or so waiting to be seen.  The first day is unique for the dental team---every person has to go through the doctor's clinic to be seen first, then, if they need it (based on doctor's diagnosis), will be sent to the dental unit for extraction.  So our first day, our first patient wouldn't come until at least 30 minutes after clinic starts.

But I am getting ahead of myself.  We didn't begin until about 10:30, which was about 30 minutes later than we anticipated.  Prior to start up, we prayed and were introduced to everyone including all of the 35-45 pastors and helpers that volunteered their time this week to do the same---serve others. So, as we were being introduced (and it was being translated into Swahili), Donald, our trip leader, introduced everyone by name and where they would be working.  The problem was this---for a second day in a row, he was asked to introduce people in front of a big crowd.  For a second day in a row, he messed up people's names, where they'd be working, even introduced someone twice.  I can't say I blame him, but we were able to give him a good ribbing for being forgetful and wrong in the introductions.

Praying before we start.   You can see all of the volunteering nurses
in white---we actually worked with the government agency, who normally
would have sent a few people, sent us about 10-15, which helped allow us to
see over 1000 people in just over 3 and a half days.

When it came to introducing me, I felt that I had to show these people how God made who I am, so I did.  It may sound a bit off, but I felt that I can connect with people through my enthusiasm and silliness, and I don't embarrass easy.  So, when Donald said, "Stephen Buckingham, Dental," I proceeded to to smile extremely big, point to my mouth with both hands at my cheeks and SMILED big and look foolish doing so.  Everyone had a big laugh about it, but I wanted to show I'd be working with teeth.  Anyhow, all week, I had people come up to me and smile and point at their mouth like I did---it was a great way for them to be at ease to approach me---a bearded white guy who otherwise may look intimidating.

Our work stations for the week.  You will notice the cleaning station in the back, and you
can see two of the three stations.  Each station has three chairs (Dentist, Patient, assistant),
a spit bucket filled with dirt, and all of the gauze that you could handle.

The start of the line, and notice everyone dressed up in their Sunday
best.  It was wonderful to see the pride yet humility that the people
of Kiawara had.  You can see Bernard (light and dark blue striped shirt)
talking with the people.  You will notice that the pastors are all dressed in suits---but hard
to distinguish, as other men in their Sunday best as well.

I had the wonderful opportunity to work on the first patient of the clinic.  I assisted Keenan in an elderly gentleman.  Mind you, I've never done any of this before, and I was pretty much winging it.  I had no preconceived notions on what was or wasn't a tough case.  In this case, it wasn't too tough---this man wanted all of his teeth out---he told us through the translator/pastor Bedan that he wanted to be as he was when he came into this life---no teeth.  So we helped him---his teeth were barely hanging in there as it was, and we removed 16 teeth.  Yea.  16.  He was so happy when we were done, and I felt good about what we were doing.

These were two of my many "ladies."  The hut for cooking was on the way to
the bathroom for us, and I was able to pass them several times a day.  With that,
from the first time I passed them, they smiled big beautiful smiles to me---and were doing so
because of my "introduction."  Knowing this, I smiled HUGE every time I saw them, and thanked them profusely
as I walked by them.  I loved my ladies---they were so great to see, especially when the days got hard.

Another of my ladies, washing the dishes in the nice equatorial sun.

As Kenya was a British colony until the early 1960's, they observe the tea times of day.  Specifically, they describe it as "Chai."  Now, the Chai is not the type of tea, but rather the translation.  Chai is traditionally served as tea, milk and sugar---very sweet, very hot.  We took a Chai break, Bedan and I, and had a great time.  The thing is, if someone asks you to go to Chai, especially if you are Mzungu.

Just showing how we are set up----you can see Dori with gauze in her
hand, we all wear glasses, masks, headlamps, gloves, etc.  

Bedan and I spent a lot of time together the first two days, and then the
assistants and dentists kept switching up, so we had a nice team work type
of program going on.

Sunday, "Sabbath..." Part 2

The verse of the day:  1 Kings 8:56-61
"Praise the Lord who has given rest to his people Israel, just as he promised.  Not one work has failed of all the wonderful promises he gave through his servant Moses.  May the Lord our God be with us as he was with our ancestors; may he never leave us or abandon us.  May he give us the desire to do his will in everything and to obey all the commands, decrees, and regulations that he gave our ancestors.  And may these words that I have prayed in the presence of the Lord be before him constantly, day and night, so that the Lord our God may give justice to me and to his people Israel, according to each day's needs.  Then people all over the earth will know that the Lord alone is God and there is no other.  And may you be completely faithful to the Lord our God.  May you always obey his decrees and commands, just as you are doing today."



"We got to Nyeri Baptist church a little after noon, and were able to worship with Pastor Peter, his son Joseph, about 30 or 40 kids, and 100 adults.  It was truly great to see the Spirit work through them, and humbling to see how well they welcomed us into their house of worhsip.

Peter gave the sermon (English), while a translator did so in Swahili.  The translator seeme dto scream into the mic, whereas Peter would bring his voice tone up and down.  It was funny that Peter was barely above a whisper, then the translator SCREAMS what he says in Swahili.

After church, we were able to take pictures with the children and kids before we loaded back up and drove to our hotel---Westwood.  It is a very nice place, one that we'll be able to make our home for the next few days.

Trecy and I get to room together in room 486---with one of the best views in the hotel.  Simply gorgeous.  We quickly loaded up and went to the clinic before the sun went down.  Clinic is in a school off the beaten path.  We set up shop, and found that we were missing a bag of all of the pain medicine.  We are praying it shows up but are a bit apprehensive about what will happen.  God will provide what He wants, and we have to trust Him.

We got back at 8 pm and went straight to dinner, set up in an upper room with chairs around the outside---reminds me of a Seder!

Internet is spotty at best----was able to FB Katie, which was good."

Sunday was a busy, busy day.  We traveled from Kentemere all the way up to our clinic in Kiawara.  We had worship service, checked into hotel, had several meals, and essentially got our game faces on, for the next morning it was "go time."

So Sabbath?  A time of rest?  Not so much.  That would come at the end of the week for us, as you will see.

Below are a bunch of pictures, the captions explain themselves.

Then I asked him to take mine...

After service, this boy ask I take his picture...

Suddenly, they all wanted to take pictures...I had to stop with the one
in taking pictures.  Note that unless you are prepared to let 40 kids do
what you let the 1 kid do, don't do it!

Beautiful little girl after service.

This man seemed to be mentally challenged, but
filled with spirit and fun and love.  He was dancing
through the aisles and singing along with everything.

All of the children singing songs so that we could
record them.  Some of these children are considered
OVC, Orphan-Vulnerable Children.  You can read more
about our partner Bernard's program as it relates to OVC
here.

Pastor Peter's son, Joseph, who rode with us to Westwood
Hotel for lunch. 

On top of the hill in the background is a prison
and the small village below is one of the most
"unsafe" places in the area, according to the
Pastors.

The kids making faces as we leave.

Heading to the Cho.  We'd be seeing this scene over the next few days
and as you can see, it is absolutely gorgeous here.

Some of the out buildings----the white one is a large meeting room
used for preaching the Gospel.  The two-door building on the right is where
the 40 pastors, (who volunteered their time, walking from miles away from
their villages to spend the week here) slept.  They served the food in the
right door, and we ate where I am standing (out in a field).

Building in the back ground is one of two that create an "L" shape.
That building is where the people would come to first meet with the doctors,
and we (and the pharmacy) were in the second building.

This is where they cooked our food----notice the dark
black soot on the top part of the wood---I wonder how many
meals are represented by the black smoke/steam that is created
each day while this was a school.

Would we call it ironic or divine foresight that caused us as
a dental team to choose this room?  After we chose it, we noticed
this sign, describing the different types of teeth in a human
mouth!

This is the view out the back window of our room.

The dental office---three stations, one washing station, and a
whole lot of gauze! 

This is likely not what the dentists mean by "brushing your teeth."
Molly and I were both assistants this week.

From left to right, starting with the khaki shirt, Dr. Trecy Watson, Dr. Keenan Smith,
Molly Puryear, Dori Clark (yellow), Amanda Gay, Dr. Ryan Magg, Me.

Sunday, "Sabbath..." Part 1

We have been meaning to do a study on the Sabbath...will have to do so, because on Sunday, it was anything but a rest, as you will read...

"4/22/13

It seems that once we get going, we are 'on.'  We awoke Sunday morning to a wonderful, lush greenery outside our window.  It reminds me of El Farrah---definitely---all of the flowers, smells and beauty...very Western European indeed.

One of the many cottages in this quaint, nice compound which
was once an officer's club.  There are about 25 little buildings like
this that run around the campus, and a main area, of which you
saw in a previous posting.

Outside the breakfast/bar area, this is what greeted
me in the morning.  Isn't it amazing?

Breakfast was wonderful; Spanish omelette  coffee, and some Cipro.  Saturday night didn't do well on my insides.  I did get a solid 4 hours sleep, though.  We unpacked and repacked our bags at Kentemere, then loaded up for a 3 hour ride North to Nyeri.

Us unpacking and repacking bags for the clinic.

Notice all in Sunday attire, and how packed the truck
already was.  

The country side was awesome.  One could tell the change in scenery...it went from urban, lots of people and shanties on the sides of the road, to less and less, to cows and other livestock, to foothills and nothing but trees and fields.

Shanties

Less and Less

No cows, but trees and fields

The roads were very smooth (until the end), so a nap would have been prudent had I not been so jacked up with adrenalin. It was great to be able to get to know some of the team a little better."

This is a good stopping point for me to interject just how quick things seemed to go by; one minute, we were enjoying breakfast in a European type pension, the next we are speeding down the road watching countless people dressed in their Sunday best, walking to church.  And still, it is all a whirlwind in my memory.  How hard it is to try and capture the moment God wants us to have, but to have it pulled away by our absolute sense of mania to get things done "now now now now quick quick quick." And I realize that it is not just there, on a short term mission trip with a very specific timeline---this is our everyday lives.  How often do we Sabbath?  How often do we truly look and see what is good, and intentionally rest?  Just something to think about.

  I am glad I am able to go back through my notes and pictures to try and get some of those "snapshots" of the moments.  How it hurts to know that I may have missed something that He wanted for me to see.  Yet how it is great that I don't have to worry about it, because His timing and plan is perfect, I'm just along for the ride---He's driving!

Oh...my intentions

Faithful reader, and I am talking to all three of you, I had such delusions that I'd be updating this exactly one week after the events happened.  Well, life happened, and here I am behind.  And lo, I found that I missed a critical part of my journey.

You see, some sneaky wife, who will remain nameless, snook in a pile of envelopes with days listed on them.  Now I know, I graduated from a small country school in the upstate of South Carolina, but even I could figure out that I should open each envelope on the designated day.

Not only did the sneaky spouse leave me a pile of envelopes, a pile was also left for a fellow traveler whom we were asked to pray for along the journey.

You will notice that not only were there hand
written notes from the sneaky spouse, but also
her helping brood of children left pictures.  They
also left verses for each day!

So, the message on Saturday came, and I mistakenly waited until the night time to read it----it should have been a morning thing.  Anywho, it reads:

"All of your works will thank you, LORD, and your faithful followers will praise you.  They will speak of the glory of your kingdom; they will give examples of your power.  They will tell about your mighty deeds and about the majesty and glory of your reign.  For your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom.  You rule throughout all generations.

The LORD always keeps his promises; he is gracious in all he does."

Psalms 145:10-13


Imagine how much love I was feeling every time I was able to open an envelope.  Not only was I getting an intentional line of scripture, but the personalized notes also told me what she was praying for that day (she kept a copy by our bedside table, I later learned).  How awesome and loved did I feel?  Pretty much, totally!  Not only from my sneaky spouse, but from the GOD whose image she was created in; the GOD whom we are called to not only worship, but spread the great news of His Son;  the God whose image we reflect, and we are to show not only in the words of our mouths, but our actions, thoughts and deeds---and do so as a response to His Graciousness.

So yes, my intentions was to keep going at a quick clip with this blog and my narrative about my trip---but God has other plans, and who am I to not follow them?

First night in Kentemere

My travelling buddy Joe and fellow Dental Assistant Amanda 

on the way to Kentmere.

"We arrived in Kentmere at 10:30 PM local time.  The ride from the airport was as expected: 51 bags, 17 passengers, 3 buses was craziness!  Counting the bags before customs was the biggest hiccup.  We have too many chiefs!  How hard is it to count 34 bags!








The Kentmere Club was an old officers club changed into a resort type area.  My first impression is that it is sort of like El Farrah would have been .  I can't wait until morning until we can see all of the flowers.

I'm excited about being able to work along side this crew---we are all just clicking---a good mix between the "have been" and "haven't been" to Kenya.

 Lastly, I love and miss my family.  I know KT would love this.  Kids...not so much at this point.  I'm excited about tomorrow.  I"m excited about the notes they wrote to me.  I"m excited about what God is doing.  I pray that I let Him work through me."

My head was in such a fog at this point, I didn't know what to expect.  We had minor internet access, but we all were just searching for a bed (and at this point, me, a bathroom!)  I know that this oasis within the "wilderness" wasn't what Kenya was really about, but it was nice to have a night to just relax prior to hitting the ground running.

Of course, Bernard met us at the airport with Richard and Charles (drivers who stayed with us the entire week and really became a part of the team), and it was great having them there to get us firmly planted in Kenya.  That established anchor left me with a good, confident, no fear feeling of things to come.

I was told to look distinguished in this picture---sort of hard
to do if I am in my sweatsuit!

This is our crew relaxing, having some N.A. drinks, and some
chicken and butter sandwiches.  After the long day of travelling,
it was a welcome change to the airline food!

Starting on water early---much and plenty of it!  Here we are
about to have a meeting on how we were going to attack the next
day (Sunday)---church, clinic set up, and settling into the new
hotel.

If you read the sign in the back ground, it says, "Please refrain
from using your mobile phone inside the bar."  Everyone, including
the photographer, were utilizing their mobile devices in this photo.

See our sweet room?  Those aren't adorable, fancy things
around the beds---it is mosquito netting---no one wants
Malaria on this trip!

Day 1---Travelling

This is our team checking in at GSP prior to leaving.

 I am posting what I wrote in my journal.  What I write will be quoted, and my post-trip comments will not be (as these first sentences are not).

"4/20/13

Am on flight just taking off from Amsterdam.  From the window, it looks like the Netherlands is a beautiful country.  I need to read up on the waterways, windmills, history.  This portion of the trip is 7.5 hours, which with little sleep will be interesting.  I am seated next to a nice lady who is in the Kenyan Department of Tourism....is getting me excited about the whole trip."

It turns out, that her territory was all of North America and Brazil, and she was in Boston the day of the Marathon bombing.  She had left just a few minutes prior to blasts.  She was interested in our trip, and was very nice.

As we flew over the Sahara, we were able to look out one of the side/back exit windows and view down thousands of feet to the desert sands.  I could see the ripples which were the ever-moving sand dunes.  What came to mind was the fact that thousands of years ago, the nation of Israel were a part of this nation, and Moses himself roamed in these deserts after being outcast from the Pharaoh.  I recall that this was just one of those moments and thoughts that God put in my mind to get me excited about the unknown that awaited me the upcoming week.

The Greatness and Weakness in Technology...

I know, I know...I said I'd post on the blog while there...well, didn't work out that way due to technology constraints, and...well...time.  I did write in my journal, and take videos of me talking through the scene.  What I am learning is that this whole trip will take some time to decompress...and I am trying to find the best avenue to share with you all.  I will post some, and perhaps make some other fun project, we'll see.

Pictures I have are nothing compared to some of the camera shots that others had, so our group will be sharing pictures and hopefully will be able to add to my collection.

So...as I had to be in Kenya, I ask you, oh humble reader...be patient...the stories will come.

Jambo!

So pretty here...full post later!

On your marks...

Here it is...we are leaving in a few hours, and here is what I know:

• There is craziness going on in Boston with the hunt for the bombers of the Marathon.  People are glued to their TV's and computers trying to get that next bit of information.
• There is craziness going on at work for me---with me gone, and my boss on a trip to Europe, our place is in a little bit of uneasiness when it comes to getting things done in our little recycling company.
• There is craziness going on in our small group---a very pregnant family in the midst of selling their home and moving to Columbia, SC, along with a recent death, total family brokenness, not to mention our normal day to day and week to week issues called life.
• There is craziness going on at home---why wouldn't there be with 4 children all under 7.

And I'm leaving it all.  Temporarily, but am leaving it.  I am leaving things undone, unaccounted for, unfinished.  This causes me a bit of unease.

Here is what I know and preach to myself every day now---God is in control of it all.  Can you know that?  Can you live like that?  I mean, all of the stuff that have led up to this trip---the very things going on right at this moment, He is in control of---and I don't mean He is responsible and is allowing things to happen in a passive way.  He. Is. In. Control.  

He is flying the ship, He is navigating the way---in an absolutely crazy, intentional pattern of bringing more of His children into His story, to ultimately glorify Himself.

So yea, I'm leaving it all, because He can handle all of THIS, as well as all that will happen to us in Kenya, and we are along for the ride.  

Let's enjoy it!

Pizza before the trip

I am so blessed! 

Mobile test

This is a test of the mobile blogging system. This is only a test.

Ouch!

Here I sit, with painful shots less than 2 weeks away...I couldn't get all of the shots---financially, was a bit much.  So, a bit of risk, but so is waking up every day.

Here are a few fun facts about where we'll be going and what we'll be doing.

Our local church, Grace Church, has partnered with FOBOCK, the Fellowship of Baptists of Central Kenya.  You can learn more about the partnership here.  We are going on a medical mission trip, bringing both doctors and supplies and helping hands (like me!)  Below is an idea of where we'll likely be.  Note that this IS NOT our trip, but we'll be in the general vicinity.

I'm excited because it is WAY outside of what I do---but I know God will lead me, and this is a chance (forcefully) for me to follow Him.  If I don't, well, I don't think I'd like the consequences.

Crash!

4/4/13

Here a week or so later, and let me tell you, the crash of a spiritual high is hard.  This past weekend, we celebrated Good Friday by serving at a local church that Grace partnered with, and watched over children.  Afterward, we went out on a date, as it has been a while.  As we waited for our table, Katie turns to me saying, “I think we better go, I’m not feeling great.”  She’s been chalking it up to allergies, but this was different---upset stomach, so we went home. 

Saturday we had work in the yard on a glorious day, and I was able to finish up, and relax in the evening.  Didn’t feel like dinner, so didn’t really eat much.  At this point, we were planning on a wonderful Easter dinner at Camilla’s the next day with Amy, her kids, her neighbor and kids, high school friend, fiancé, father, as well as our clan and Camilla.  It was going to be a bit crazy, but doable.

Forward to Sunday early AM, I awoke several times nauseous but able to hold things down.  I got up to take a shower, turned on the water, walked to grab a clean towel, then it came---rushed to the bathroom and boom, what I had Saturday for lunch (PB&J)---all thrown up.  Needless to say, I felt weak and think the past several weeks of go go go caught up with my immune system, and I laid in bed all day.

So the normal Easter revival I feel going to church and watching baptisms didn’t happen, but I know my Lord is Risen, he is Risen indeed!  I am pushing myself this week to try and get back to being more Godly focused---God Help me!!!

And as I've been reflecting on this, I think a culmination of the "go, go go!" of the past few weeks, and my ultimate brokenness and body weakness came up with a perfect storm.  I think there is a time, every once in a while for "go go go," and yet other times for "slow yet steady."  In both cases, relying on Him to get you through is key.

I'm excited for Kenya, but know we'll be in a "go go go" mode---I've been told that we'll likely be reigned in every once in a while---the Kenyan's don't always run on our "go time." 

Preparation

I could spend the next 7 days writing about Shannon Wham’s mama, and what type of impact she has in his life, but I won’t.  What I will say is this:  I dreaded this day, somewhat, as Shannon’s direct words almost 3 years ago was, “Take away my guns, and be ready to haul me into the loony bin, ‘cause when mama goes, I’m all comin’ apart.”  Now that is paraphrased, but read it with a deep southern drawl, and know that there was truth in it.  I knew God would provide here, and He did.  I arrived about 30 minutes early, and helped the mortuary guys move the casket from the hearse to the lowering platform at the grave.  Slowly but surely, many people showed up---family, friends, the Waffle House lady.  He certainly was in control, but I hadn’t seen Shannon or his wife Dana yet---he could have had a downward spiral and started the process as stated above.  However, God has been working in Shannon’s life, and as I listened intently, staring at Shannon as he gave his mother’s eulogy at a graveside service yesterday, his eyes were as clear as the cloudless sky, and his words as crisp as the morning’s air.  It was God’s strength pouring through him, and it was certainly a great ceremony.  Shannon closed with the timeless truth of the Gospel, and pleaded to those who were there who were not Christians.

All of this to say this---I feel God is preparing me for this trip.  He is paving the way to help me learn to Listen for Him and to Him, as He speaks to me in oh so many ways.  I thank Him for it and pray this mini-revival continues here on Holy Thursday through the trip and beyond.

Provision

3/27/13

Since the previous entry, I’ve traveled to New Orleans on business, had several meaningful happenings and encounters that only God could have set up, came back, set up and hosted a Daddy Daughter Dance, led worship at a 24/7 (7^th and 8^th grade) retreat, led a Seder for our small group, helped pray over a small group member’s dying mother, attended a funeral, bought a car, sold a car, repaired the jeep, and have had my eyes absolutely open to how GREAT God is and how he has provided and continues to provide. 

Regarding the Daddy Daughter Dance---I had to make one, as the church’s version of it was being held the week we were in Kenya.  Eve and Ellie have been talking it up so much that I had to do something.  Below is an email I sent to one of my church’s campus pastor, Ed Sweeney, who sets up the annual Daddy Daughter Dance.  He asked me how things went for our “mini” DDD, here is how I responded:

Hey Ed. 

This email will be long, but I feel the need to share,

First of all, it went wonderfully.  My daughters were so excited and had a wonderful time, and the other guys and their daughters did too.  The particular high light by far was Ashley Tomlin's Photo-booth...the Watson's had a stack as thick as 100 worth of dollar bills---they took so many.  Everyone enjoyed many pictures of it, and he was entirely GRACIOUS by doing "at cost," and even at that only took the cost of the film, and the rest he is donating for a ministry purpose (ask him if you get the chance, it is an awesome thing).  

Cole Anderson (high school kid who was in one of my Fusion Groups for 5th and 6th grade years ago) did a great job as DJ keeping momentum going, and slowing down when needing to---remember, this is a high school kid who could do a lot of things on a Friday night, but jumped at the opportunity to help serve.

Trecy Watson's wife and one of their small group members helped out tremendously by taking money at the door for us, and were sort of gate keepers for the young ones.

Overall, I'd say best of all was God provided it all.  You can see that by above and I don't say this lightly or with indifference, nor do I say this because it is a "church-y answer."  But there is so much to this little story that has God's interweaving in it, I have to share:

·        He gave me the passion and desire to do this yet given me the realization that I have responsibilities for my daughters, and I couldn't be passive about this thing.  God provided.

·        He's given me a wife who not only encouraged me to go to Kenya to serve God, but help me in tons of ways through this process---knowing when to let me do it, and when she needed to come along side and help.  God provided.

·        His timing is perfect---between my busy schedule, He allowed a busy BUSY week to be filled with Him running the show.  My stress level was nothing (except between 6:30 and 7:00 night of---I was running late due to dinner and all of the George Straight concert traffic and parking:):), and I had full confidence that He would provide, and He did. God provided.

·        He gave the finances available to cover certain costs.  God's faithfulness in my job and work is no small thing (to me), but He gives me such opportunity and the few times and ways I can try to give back to Him, I will---and He allows that here.  God provided. 

·        He gave the place (Hyatt) to be within the financial range, for the size we needed, AND no construction, tons of beautiful things within the hotel.  AND, there was a women's ministry conference (Perimeter Church from Atlanta), starting Friday, so the hotel was filled with wonderful Godly women that "oooed and aaahed" at all of the daughters going by.  Think about that---hundreds of women, encouraging young girls and ladies as they walked by to and from the dance.  Coincidence?  Nope, God provided.

·        He gave me chance to spread His good news by me telling, inviting, and having attend coworkers, friends from Clemson, as well as their friends.  He used them to help serve me in this too---my buddy who came had all the songs I needed AND the computer AND offered to let us use it for the evening.  No problem.  Yea, that was Thursday, dance was Friday.  God provided.

Ed, I could go on for hours on how God provided this week for me, not only for the DDD, but for the 24/7 retreat, a business trip to New Orleans, some intentional, open time with my wife and kids, and tonight, a Seder meal with our Small Group, and prayer time over difficult circumstances with group members.

God is good.  If you remember any highlight or story, that is it.  He provides what we need, when we need it.

I pray and hope that Grace's DDD does the same wonders for all who serve to run it.  I hope that they recognize it and take pleasure in WHAT God is providing, WHEN God is providing.

 It is truly inspiring to me God's provision---we don't need to look hard to find it---it is always there.

Thanks for being there, Ed.  Thanks for listening/reading, I had to tell someone, and well, I guess God provided you:)

Since then, I feel I’ve had an awakening of my soul---being able to speak freely in prayer to God, and just let Him be in control.

Beginning...

3/18/13

 Here I am 1 month prior to going to Kenya, and God knows what I have ahead. Here is how we began. As a Christmas Gift, Katie gave me the time, space, and home-holding ability to allow me to go to Kenya for 9 days in April. I can’t say enough about how she is absolutely coming along side and helping me lead and helping me be the man I am. I would absolutely not be who I am without her. Make no mistake that God IS working through her, to me. I thank Him, and thank her (not enough on both counts).


 The next step was assuring that work was going to be able to survive with me gone. Early January, I sat down with my boss, Mark, and he tells me he is going on a Mediterranean cruise the same week I’m going to Kenya. On top of that, we were waiting for news from a major supplier that we won a bid on their material. This is a significant source of revenue for us, so we have been on pins and needles until that news came in. Well, it came in for sure earlier this month, at which I approached Mark, told him I thought we’d be OK with the two of us gone, and have Chris and Eric and other guys running the show.


By this time, it was only a few days ago, and I had only begun to put “both feet in” for this trip.

Starting Anew

I'm going to try and keep a journal of sort prior to, during, and after my upcoming mission trip to Kenya.  If you know me, great.  If not, that is OK, too.  Either way, enjoy.