We have an new blog site. Please visit us at:
www.thep4inkisumu.wordpress.com

Women's Conference in July 

Having a time of worship

The Women's Leadership team at the sign in table

Our Second Speaker at the second session

Mama Johnny Wrapping the Conference Up (Do you like the purple decorations in the back.)

The Women's Leadership Team under the Umbrella our symbol and reminder of God as our Refuge! 

KID's KAMP in April

A skit portraying the story of Joseph and ending with a Gospel message

The younger children before their teaching station

By the end of the camp we had 126 children

One more picture of the skit

Well, It's April and we've not lived up to staying up on our blog. How does time go so fast? We've just had an amazing visit from Matt's parents and went saw some amazing parts of this amazing country we serve in. Next up? Pictures from the Mara and the rainforest.

Preparing the Christmas gift for New Years Dinner

Cake with a sparkler after a super yummy dinner

Happy New Year Princess with Jeff

Forgot to mention that KG wanted to help prepare the chicken but after one pluck of a feather she was done!

New Year's Resolution

One goal of ours this year is try to blog more and have more pictures. We are trying a new style to see if it helps us and our readers. Since we have not been so great about blogging this last year or so we are not sure who is still reading this blog. If you do read this blog will you let us know? A very Happy New Year to you all!

Perspective

We often tell people that two years of living in Kisumu, is long enough to call this place home but short enough that we are still rookies at what we are doing. As we continue on this journey of missionary life in a third world country we continue to learn invaluable lessons and never know what the next week or day will hold. Over the last couple of weeks we've had some good lessons in perspective. As humans, I think It is easy to loose perspective on anything but it seems to be an area the enemy really likes to use with missionaries. After all when we loose perspective we often find ourselves distracted. And oh how the enemy loves to distract us. It makes sense because when we are distracted we are not focused on the Lord or what He has called us to do. Recently we found ourselves grappling with an issue and at times I found myself loosing perspective. Instead of keeping my eyes focused on Jesus the Author and Finisher of faith, I was focused on the issue at hand and to be honest, absorbed with it. It is in those times that I tend to see the ugliness of life, find myself worrying and hurting, and even question what the Lord has called me to do. I will be the first to say that you can't just discard feelings and ignore them. Especially as women we have to work through them, but one of the lessons I am learning is that in that process of working through things, if my focus isn't on the Lord I will miss the beauty the Lord has for me in the challenge or trial. Romans 8:28 says," And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called, according to His purpose." That is beauty right there. Even what the enemy may have intended for evil, God can use for good! That is beauty. A few days after resolving the issue we had been working through, Matt and I were sitting in our living room and looked out the window as the sun was setting. What we saw was something so beautiful. In the midst of our rather ugly, security fence with barb wire twisted here and there, the sun was shinning through the broken glass on top of the wall. It was stunning and absolutley beautiful. We ran to get our camera. In that moment of taking in the beauty, the Lord showed me an incredible picture of perspective. Instead of looking at the ugly, rather confining security fence that can sometimes bring about discouraged feelings, I was looking at the sun shinning and creating beauty. "Look at My Son in every situation," I heard Him say "And you will see beauty!" No matter the situation, when our eyes are fixed on the things above (like our Saviour) and not on things of the earth (Coloss. 3) we truly see the beauty of the Lord. Not only did I learn a sweet lesson on perspective but the Lord also used the lesson to encourage us in our calling here. What a gracious God He is!
May we all keep looking up at the Son and stay focused on His beauty!
By Peggy

Pure Water for the P4 House

Throughout our time here in Kenya, we've always known and abided by the rule of "Don't drink the tap water". Although technically the water is treated by the city water plant, by the time it reaches our place (or any place for that matter) it is not only unfit for consumption but when using it for a myriad of other things, it can also be too filthy. A friend of ours was complaining that the water coming to his house was making his clothes dirtier after washing them than they were before. So, although we know not to drink the water and to be careful when bathing, etc. to keep it from being ingested, it is near impossible to keep our little girl, Joellie, from getting some amount of water in her mouth during her evening bath. In fact, we wondered if our water could have been the cause of her frequent tummy issues over the past year. All these problems in addition to the fact that we frequently have guests in our home, prompted us to begin investigating ways that we could try to purify the water that we had for our house. Often when drawing a bath for the little ones, we have noticed a layer of silt/dirt particles that darkens the water as it fills the tub; And that's the very water that Joelle often would be getting into her mouth. Before our recent trip to that States this past Spring, we began investigating different methods of filtering our house water. And while in the States, the Lord put it on someones heart to help us with the funds needed to get "clean water" in our home. For which we are so grateful to the Lord for His provision.

The process that it took to "install" something to purify the water was anything but easy. Although by American standards the cost was not all that high (less than $300) the labour to get everything done and working right was quite tedious. The first Step was to finish investigating the different methods of filtration systems that could handle the flow of water needed for the house. This took several trips to a local water specialist store and many long conversations with one of their employees to see what would be best and most cost efficient. (The first system that we were looking at would have cost over $1,000). Once we had a peace from the Lord about moving forward with the filtration system of our choice. We had to coordinate with a welder, a plumber, and a mason to come and install everything (which took another couple weeks after having secured the water treatment device). Aside from the plumbing of pipes to run our water through the filter and back to the main line to the house, we needed to install a housing box for the filter system in order to protect it from the weather elements (which was built by the welder, and installed by the mason in the side of our outside wall). After this was done, we then had to have our current water storage tanks (one large tank above the house and one large tank at the bottom of the house) scrubbed cleaned and disinfected. There were also two hot water tanks in the house which have been a "dirt/sediment catch" over the years since their original installation (I'm guessing over 10 years ago). Neither of which had ever been removed or cleaned since the house was built. (The pictures are of one of those tanks being cleaned and what came out of that tank).

The way water works here in Kenya is that the city provides water to those within its jurisdiction, but because the water can be very low in pressure coming to the house and many times will go for days without coming at all, people install water storage tanks for the water to fill. If their is a "top tank" such as our place has, then the water is then gravity fed into the pipes of the house, which then provides enough pressure for things like a shower, etc. Because sometimes the water pressure coming from the city is too low to effectively fill the top tank, people (like us) have opted to have a down tank which can be filled much easier by the city water, which is than pumped up to the top tank. What we've managed to do for our water filtration system is to put a filter in between the down tank and the up tank which passes the water (via the pump) into 2 filters (a 5 micron sediment filter and a 1 micron sediment filter). These filters then have to be changed when they clog up with too much sediment for water to pass through them. Although these filters remove almost all sediment, there is still the possibility of small things such as bacteria, viruses, amebas, etc. that would be able to get through (although the risk is reduced quite drastically by the filters). So in order to kill any type of "bug" that could make us sick we then also treat our water with a "chlorine" based water solution that we dump into our down tank about once a week. Now with the combination of the chlorine and the sediment filter, our house has "clean water". PRAISE THE LORD!

We wanted to thank everyone who has prayed for us and even those whom God used to help supply the needed funds for this to become a reality. Although we still try to keep Kenya Grace and Joelle from drinking the bath water... it's not nearly the concern that it used to be. To God be the Glory!

Stateside Visit

Needless to say it has been a long time since we've posted. Whew! The month of April was all about preparing for our Stateside trip and lining things up for potential summer teams. Both took a lot of time and work in the midst of our normal lives and ministry so there was little time for anything else. (Even a blog post...smile!) Now that we have completed our Stateside trip and have a few moments in London with our dear friends the Hoydles we can finally post on our blog. Excuses, excuses. Thank you to those of you who faithfully check and follow our blog. We are trying to be better about posting more.

Some missionaries don't always enjoy their return to America but we have to say we really love America and the people who come with it. Smile! Of course like any country there are things that bother us and drive us crazy but that just comes with living in a fallen world. We love the order on the roads, the incredible varitey of food choices, the "stuff" that we don't need but really enjoy like soft toilet paper, well made jammies, sticker frames that you don't have to nail, Ikea cheese graters, salad spinners, good sound equipment, Mac N Chz, etc, etc. The list could go on and on. We also enjoy the choices of things to do for children like parks, and play centers in malls, museums, and pools etc. Oh and child care on Sundays is a great thing too. When Kenya Grace is asked what she liked best about America she says, "I just don't know. It's just so hard." That is her way of saying it's hard to choose one thing. :) And we have to add that having a break from the mosquito nets, bad mosquitos, bad water, bad bugs, etc was a delight and very refreshing!

By far, and many people have heard us say this several times, the highlight of our trip was the amazing time with our family and friends! We are so grateful to have fellowship with our family and praise God for our amazing friends! We loved seeing what God is doing all over America and are just so thankful for the amazing time! We've now returned home after a very, special 5 days in London with the Holyde family and friends from CA. We can't begin to explain how great it feels to back. We are now working on unpacking, settling in and finding a good routine. Thank you for all of the prayers and love and amazing support. For all of you who we got to see and spend time with, please know we are still cherishing the time!

God bless you! Till next time!
Peg for The P4

Most Recent Video Update

Here is a recent video updating life and ministry up to January.

Here are some videos of our children at CCL sharing in the main service.

Video

CCL's First Ladies Conference

Our first ladies conference was held this month. Ladies from Calvary International Fellowship in Nairobi, came and taught us about "Taming the Tongue," from James chapter 3. It was a blessed time as 20 of us gathered together to worship the Lord through song and dance, wonderful teachings, prayer and fasting. It is normal here like many ladies conferences to prepare lunch or at least chai (tea with milk and sugar) which is usually served with buttered bread but the leaders at CIF found there was a desperate need to fast for some of the gossip issues happening at church. We bodly went along with this as we as women face these same issues here in Kisumu. It truly was an incredible day of learning, surrendering, sharing and praising God for His faithfulness and reminders of His desires for us as women. Many women told Pastor Stephen the next day that they were surprisingly blessed and really enjoyed it. We were happy to hear that, as the fasting part was very different for our women and many were apprehensive. During the conference several women shared "Cardboard Testimonies," a way to share your testimony of coming to Christ in just 6 words. It fit the theme of being women of few words and was very powerful! Another aspect of the day that was encouraging was seeing our women lead worship, and translate. Translating is difficult and several of our women can do this but are apprehensive. They did a wonderful job and prayerfully have more confidence in this. Kelli Compean closed the conference with a beautiful teaching CBS style which really involved the women and was a perfect way to close the day. Each women went home with three roses that were white and pink. Kelli encouraged the ladies to be reminded by the white in the rose,of their purity in Christ and by the pink on the petals, that Christ's blood was shed for them and covers their sin. One rose was for them and the other two were for them to give to a friend or neighbor and to share with them what they had learned from the Word of God that day. We are so grateful to partner with CIF and to have had such a wonderful first conference. Thank you CIF and thank you Jesus for all you are doing in our lives as women.

Recent Visitors

Our Pastor and friends Jack and Jinell Arnold came to visit us the end of January through the beginning of February. It was an absolute amazing visit for many reasons. First of all they are dear friends of ours whom we've known for many years. Just being together felt SO normal and it was amazing to catch up in person and let me tell you we talked for hours! Another reason their visit was so special was because they are the Pastors of our sending church. Having them here on the ground with us seeing what we do and what God is doing with CCL was really special. They were so encouraging to us and the O4 and they not only encouraged but shared the Gospel and blessed everyone they encountered! It really was a "moment in time" visit and we praise God for it! It was rather hard when they left especially for Kenya Grace who had an amazing time with them. They showed her such love and attention, that I think she thinks they are family. Smile! Well, they are family to us! And now that they have returned, there is a spark for teams to come and visit. We are already preparing. Praise God!

Health Conference

The first of the year began with a visit from our dear friends Ed and Kelli Compean. Kelli is a nurse and ministers regularly to her church body in Githuri. She has held several health classes at her church and has seen wonderful fruit. In fact she has not had to see as many people for health reasons because they have made changes in their nutrition and lifestyle. We asked her if she would come to CCL and hold a health conference. She was more than willing and we are so grateful as the conference was such a blessing to the fellowship and a sweet opportunity for people to invite others to CCL. It was two days and Kelli addressed issues from nutrition to diseases, to when to go to the doctor, to health reproduction and sexual diseases. She talked about how to save money and not buy unnecessary medicine which is a huge problem here. Doctors will prescribe an anitobiotic for anything as well as extra things that are not needed. It was so great to see the people listen intently, and ask more questions than there was time for. Kelli was an amazing teacher and really took time with the people. Everyone was so appreciative and the mamas of the church met with Kelli on Sunday and shared in a special way their appreciation for her. It was also an opportunity for the mamas to come together for the first time to cook, and run the kitchen for the conference. We praise God!

CCL's first Kid's Camp

Recently we were blessed to have a Kid’s Camp for the kids of Calvary Chapel Lakeside. We were excited to see that Pastor Stephen had a heart to minister to the children of CCL during their Holiday break and as it is common here to have a sort of kid’s camp or what many Americans might call a VBS, plans began to unfold in that direction. As time began to rush by we started talking about what it might look like and how it might run. Our great friends and fellow missionaries Steve and Dianne Warn who work with Agape are well seasoned in putting on camps for kids and have a passionate heart for the Lord and the Gospel. In working together it was our hope to put something together that would be a sort of model that CCL could use in the future. After a leadership meeting, choosing and planning curriculum, finding leaders and volunteers, prepping the craft, lessons and teachings and one last three and half hour meeting, the camp called, “Decide to be Different” began on a Thursday. We really didn’t know what to expect as far as numbers but had planned for around 60 children. Since many of the boys have gone home for the break, Agape graciously allowed us to use their grounds to hold the camp.
In true Kenyan fashion many children arrived late but the amazing part was we reached 60 children immediately and the number started climbing. We quickly started rearranging groups and finding other leaders to take groups. The number grew to 80 and then to 90 and by the end we had about 100 kids. There was a huge excitement as worship began and the kids sang with great enthusiasm. A memory verse was shared, puppets performed a skit which was led by Pastor Stephen and some of the older youth, and a great teaching was given. The children then broke into groups for different stations. There was a game station, a memory verse station where they played games to learn the verse for the day, a response to the teaching station and a craft station (which I, Peg, got to run). The children would line up and when the whistle blew they would march to their station singing the theme song that Matt wrote. Not only did the children love the song, they got points for how well they did their transitions, so needless to say the transitions went smoothly. Every station was visited by everyone and then we all gathered together to see what team won the most points for the day as well as who the “king” and “queen” were for the day. These children were honored for their good behavior by sitting in decorated chairs and having crowns put on their heads. They were also served lunch first sitting in their chairs.
For the craft, the Lord gave us the idea to use bottle caps that had been pounded out flat to make a necklace. The bottle cap represented themselves. The first day the memory verse was 1 Corinthians and we taught that being new creations in Christ means we are different than who we were before. This went along with the lesson of Daniel deciding to be different by purposing in his heart not to eat King Neb’s food and “contaminate” himself. (Daniel Chap.1) We emphasized that as new creations in Christ we needed to decide to be different from the world. This day the kids painted the bottle caps artistically symbolizing a new creation.
The second day the story was the “Fiery Furnace,” and the memory verse was Joshua 1:9. Each bottle cap had a hole in it at the top and we talked about how the hole represents the trials and difficult times in our lives. We reminded them that we are new creations when we are in Christ, but we are not without trials. We talked about the trial of Shadrack, Meshack, and Abednego going through the fiery furnace and how God was with them so they didn’t have to be afraid. The string of the necklace represented God and as we threaded the string through the necklace, we shared how just like God was with Shadrack, Meshack and Abednego in the fiery furnace and saw them through that trial, God will see us through our trials and hold us up just like the string holds up the bottle caps. Then we shared as we tied a knot in the string, how when we go through trials it brings us closer and tighter to God. The necklace was to be a reminder of what they had learned. This day the kid’s threaded the string through their bottle caps, tied the knot and then wrote the letters, D for decide, T for to, B for be, and D for different.
Something great happened the night before while Matt and I were in our kitchen preparing for the “string,” day. I discovered that the string, made mostly of plastic was not tying and staying tied. I began to get frustrated knowing the younger kids would never be able to get their necklaces tied. My amazing husband had an incredible idea. He showed me how the plastic would melt together when the knot went through a tiny bit of fire. Amazingly the knot became super strong after the melted part dried. I was thrilled with the idea and knew the kids would love the fire analogy, so after we demonstrated the tying of the knot, we put the knot through the flame of a candle. As we did it we talked about how when we go through fiery trials it brings us even closer and tighter with the Lord. When the kids finished their necklaces they each brought up their necklaces to be put through the fire. It was a fantastic object lesson.
For the third and final day, we didn’t have a craft but instead had adults spend time with the children and pray with them. The verse for the day was Hebrews 4:16 and we talked about how we can go to the throne room of grace with confidence and pray anytime and anywhere. For the rest of the time adults talked and prayed with the children in small groups. It was during this time that many children gave their life to the Lord. I had the privilege of leading one girl named Millicent to the Lord. She was an older girl and very emotional. She really wanted to be “saved” and seemed to understand what the Bible said. Please pray for her and that we would be able to reconnect with her as she came from across town and we weren’t able to get a contact for her.
It was so encouraging knowing that there were children who received the Lord as their Savior and were also hiding scripture in their heart during those three days. Something else that was a huge blessing was how we were really in the background and apart from running the stations and worship it was the Kenyans doing the camp. We also had several people come from church to volunteer which was very exciting. We truly praise God for a wonderful time and the lives that were saved and for His Word going forth. We trust it will not return void and thank Him that He allowed us to be a part of something so sweet.

Part 2 Thank You for the Blood

Relieved and ever so grateful that Joelle had been delivered safely and was beautiful and healthy, I turned my attention to the next stage of delivery. I had remembered with my firstborn that the placenta came out fairly easily and so I wondered after two tries and a couple of injections why this placenta was not coming out. I could tell there was a bit of concern on my doctor's face but doctors are always serious when blood is involved. Smile! After the third and incredibly painful try to deliver the placenta, I knew something might not be right. When my friend AC told me to give her my hand because they were going to put in an IV, I knew there was trouble. Shortly after the IV was in, my doctor came to my side, took my hand and in his very, sweet, gentle Indian voice told me he couldn’t get the placenta out because it was “stuck to the uterus wall.” He told me he had to take me to the “theatre” (the term here for Operating Room A.K.A. OR). I asked him if I really had to go to the theater after all that hard work and all that natural work, and he answered me with a sad yes. I aksed immediately if he would have to cut me open to get it out and to my and Matt’s relief he said, “No!” But he did tell me he had to put me under.

For one split second, I thought would panic but because I knew I had no other choice and knew God was on the throne and in total control, I decided to trust Him. Several people were moving quickly preparing me for the trip and Matt was off with baby. There two very sweet people who helped me transfer my tender body onto a gurny and I will never forget the sweet man who wheeled me to my destination. His calm, sweet voice was a comfort I needed before I entered a very chaotic environment. I chose to keep my eyes closed so I wouldn’t see anyone looking at me nor the sights around. This proved to be a great choice because the hospital was under construction so in order to get to the OR, I had to be wheeled OUTSIDE and quite a distance. Giggling to myself of what I must look like, the Lord began to put worship songs on my heart and I began to sing. My friend AC was quickly by my side, and promised me she would stay as close as possible. That was a huge comfort and I smiled knowing I was loved.

As I entered the OR room that was incredibly noisy and bright (even through my closed eyes) I was so grateful for the amazing peace I felt from the Lord. My doctor came to me and for a brief moment I opened my eyes to ask for water as I was desperately thirsty. I was met with a, “No please!” from my concerned doctor. I later learned that I was loosing a lot of blood and he was anxious to get the procedure done to stop the bleeding. I was wheeled into a corner that was sectioned off by what seemed like a curtain in my quick glance. There were people buzzing all around me and when I opened my eyes to see who was near me I saw two men in green masks and quickly decided keeping my eyes closed was still best! I began to sing from my heart and out loud. With what seemed like a quick examination, I was wheeled speedily away but a problem arose. My arms were attached to things that were still attached to the wall in the corner. Not only was I still attached to the blood pressure cord, my IV had been attached to the wall and anymore pulling might have tugged the needle out. As my arms were being stretched above my head, people were calling out in their Kenyan accents, “Wait, wait, she is still attached!” I almost laughed out loud thinking this couldn’t be real.

When I knew I was in the OR room I was comforted again by a sweet lady who turned out to be my anesthesiologist and my doctors wife. She kept telling the men handling me (the ones in the green masks) to remember I was a person and a patient and to me more gentle. I was in total agreement with her feeling the tenderness of just having birthed my girl. I continued to sing and knew the Lord was present with me and there was nothing to fear. On a 1, 2, 3, I was lifted onto to the hard, stiff operating table. There was one more chance for a panic moment feeling the hard table and imagining where I was but the Lord continued to fill me with His peace and put the song, “Thank you for the blood” on my heart. The chorus says, “Thank You for the blood, thank you for Your Son, thank you for Your love, thank you for Jesus.” I kept singing with my dry mouth and as the sweet anesthesiologist told me she was going to put me to sleep, I asked her if I could keep singing. She replied, “Oh yes, it is comforting me!” I knew I wasn’t the only one feeling the chaos in the Theatre. Smile! The last thing I remember was singing the last line, “Thank you for Jesus!”

All glory to God, everything went smooth and well and when I came to pleading for water, I could only speak Kiswahili. Now, I am learning the language and can speak a little but I am by no means fluent, so to be able to only speak Kiswahili was amazing. I really didn’t start speaking English until I was fully awake. Ha! A friend told me she thought it was more in my heart than I knew. When I thought about things later, I thought how funny it was and how cool it was that God had put that specific song on my heart. I could only imagine what my doctor thought as I sang, “thank you for the blood” as he prepared to fix a blood issue. My sincere prayer is that he and his wife would know the cleansing, powerful, loving blood of Jesus Christ and always remember the peace that filled that theatre that day. All glory to our mighty God!!!

When Matt came into our room with our little girl, she was all dressed in cute clothes wrapped in sweet blankets that had been given to us as gifts from friends in the States. Daddy had done an amazing job through it all and we were so happy the Lord had faithfully brought us through. What a Mighty God we serve!

Peg for The P4

God's Delivery

I can do all things through Christ who Strengthens me! Philippians 4:13 Part 1

(Disclaimer: This is the story of our getting our Joelle Joye into this world…..labor and delivery details will be included. This is mostly for family and fellow mamas but it’s a beautiful testimony to our Lord Jesus Christ and His power and might!)

There are so many verses I could pick to start this blog but I think this verse captures the essence of our experience that we have had and are yet still having. Like any other 1 am in the third trimester, I hoisted my rather large belly up from bed to use the bathroom. As soon as I stood I realized something was very different. Either I had not made it to the toilet or Joellie was telling me it was time to come. As water gushed upon the wooden floor of our friend’s guest room, I prayed Kenya Grace our firstborn would not wake up. As I waddled to the restroom I called gently for Matt to wake up. He did sit up in bed but did not move. I called him again less gently and said he needed to come immediately. As he stumbled to the bathroom he stood over me silently just staring and not moving. When I told him my water broke, he didn’t even flinch. I told him again, “Babe, my water broke,” to which he replied, “I have to pee.” I knew the only adrenaline in the room was mine and that before any major contractions started I better get going to get us out of the house.

Back in the room as I searched for my “well prepared” hospital list Matt continued to just stand in the middle of the room not moving. Finally, I told him, “I need you to start moving and fast!!!!” Somehow I think he finally woke up and realized what was happening. After gathering our things, leaving a note for our girl, and being prayed for by our friend, we headed out into the streets of Nairobi a little before 2am. It was a bit of an eerie feeling being on the roads here in the middle of the night when crime can be at it’s peak but our mighty God protected us and we made record timing to the hospital. This was truly a gift from the Lord as traffic can be terrible and no one likes traffic, especially a woman going into labor. The contractions hadn’t totally kicked in so we parked in emergency met our dear friend AC who was already waiting for us and walked a good distance to the “Princess Zara Pavilion.”

I don’t think the nurse on duty really thought I was in labor since I was rather talkative and smiley but she gave us a room (in the next wing since maternity was full) and helped us to get settled. We had a few Kenyan moments like the nurse asking me if I had any “feelings” and I proceeded to tell her what my cramps were feeling like. Turns out she wasn’t asking me about “feelings” but “fillings” in my teeth. Ha! (There were several moments like that.) When the nurse checked me, I was 50% effaced and 3 cm. “Ha”! I said to myself, since I had been at a 3 for several weeks now and since I still wasn’t feeling anything super strong Matt, AC and I decided to try to nap. As the lights went out I found myself needing to breathe a little through what I now knew were contractions. After an hour of laying down I decided it was time to get up and try another position and AC informed me my contractions at that point were about 5 minutes a part. (I had this feeling she was not napping but listening to my breathing and sure enough, she was. Smile!) Any request we had for the nurses seemed to be taking a long time so we just decided that we’d move to the next phase right where we were at. Off went the warm clothes, on went the cool top and I found myself making company with the bath room sink which was rather sturdy and a good companion and the moaning began.

When the nurse realized I was entering hard labor she insisted we move to the labor room, wondering how quick this baby may come. After one good contraction we hustled down the hall and into the next wing and just about made it to the room when another contraction hit. The wall then became my companion and worked rather well till I could get to the friendly, green ball in the labor room. It was now about 6 am and unfortunately the ball did not work for me like it did with Kenya Grace. It was a nice resting place, but standing and rocking and burying my head into my pillow on the bed while I did tribal moans and groans worked well for at least the next hour. When AC made a phone call to the nurse and said my contractions were one minute a part I knew we were getting closer and I was getting tired. I knew I needed to try a different position and as we three experimented using the wall, all fours on the ground, even the chair, it was clear not too much at that point was going to help much.

The nurse came in and did a check after 7am and I was fully effaced and 6-7 cm’s dilated. Matt had already been reading me scripture which encouraged my heart so much but I was thinking he was going to need to do it again as I knew transition was ahead of me and things were already getting intense. My amazing labor coaches began to really exercise their muscles as the only way I could “relax” or find some relief was to fall completely into them and let them hold my 180 lbs plus and try moaning. After a short time on all 4s on the bed, I needed the bathroom again. Once in the bathroom I decided I wasn’t going anywhere and after two more contractions of hanging in my coaches arms and finding no relief, I realized my little girl was coming and no one was going to stop me. Smile! I remember hearing AC say to the nurse, she’s pushing! The nurse replied “She can’t, she has to stop, we have to get her on the bed.” That nurse was not my friend at that moment and I remember just baring down and letting out what I thought would be a good tribal moan but alas it was a scream. As the pushing took over and my body took over I had a moment of not believing what was happening. I felt flooded with peace and knew I wasn’t going to die but had no idea how I would make it through the pain.

AC and Matt managed to get me to the room and I remember hearing the nurse tell me I needed to get on the bed. I was ready to punch her, good thing Matt and AC had my arms. Just kidding! Well I did think of it but don’t think I would have ever done it. Somehow, someway they got me on the bed. Time was around 8am. I began pushing and with the pushes came the screams. I was told to stop so they could do the requested episiotomy and after being told to push gently I remember feeling like I would literally tear in two. With an intense scream and a mama bear growl, Joelle Joye Pottenger was out into the world covered in creamy vernix and blood. She really looked like strawberries and cream! Oh, what a wonder and truly the Lord from the hour we went into labor, to getting to the hospital, to the care, and strength of the Lord to bring this little girl into the world so safely and with no complications for her! (I have to add especially for a mama who praises God for epidurals and didn’t use one. Smile!)

As we pondered for at least two weeks whether to take some action in getting Joellie here, the Lord continued to encourage us to wait, and trust in Him. It was a word we continually received though we confess we waivered in resting in it. When I finally made the decision that God would bring her in His timing and in His way, and we would not interfere and that I could do all things through Christ, even wait…………………………………she arrived. All Glory to God!

Part 2 to follow (Peg’s Theatre Adventure!)

Sunday’s Testimony

Many of you have heard stories about Sunday who helps us as we serve in the ministry here. I had the privilege of leading him to the Lord last fall. He recently was just baptized, and at that time wrote out the following testimony and read it before the church prior to getting baptized. I was blessed in many ways, as a spiritual father, to see one who is still so young in his faith be so bold and so solid in the Word. It is a true testimony of our Lord's faithfulness. I was also very blessed that he used the phrase "my church" as he has wavered in a commitment to Calvary Chapel Lakeside still desiring to go to his "Roho Israel" church, which is very much a cult and very prevalent in this part of Kenya. I pray that you can take the time to read his testimony and be blessed to see, in one persons life, the testimony of what God is doing in Kisumu, Kenya. (please note that I tried to type it as close to what he had written as I could - also, I asked permission to share this before posting it here).

- Matt for the P4

Praise the LORD!

I thanks LORD for today’s opportunity. As I stand here in front of my church members this morning when they are witnessing me as I declares my testimony. I got saved on 28^th of September 2009 after I heard the Word of God being preached to me by Baba in Christ Matthew. I will not lie that God saved me from practicing evil things, that I was taking alcohol, mirra, bhang or drug abuse in general or immorality. I know, God calls his children in different ways, maybe you were called after you have been healed in a serious illness. Maybe after seeing a miracle or through songs and so many things. But to me after hearing the Word. I was thinking that to be saved, there are certain rules or procedure to follow in that to be perfect completely. The reason why am saying this is that I thought that I have not sinned any more because I was not involve in evil things which I have just named before or doing anything wrong all along the village. Every time I will thank God for He has revealed to me that I am a sinner. The Bible teaches us that “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom 3:23). I am a sinner. Now I am save by grace, through Jesus’ death on the cross, Jesus is my LORD and Savior, I now have a relationship with God and live for Him not for myself. I normally study the Word and changed by the Word of what it says in my life when the Holy Spirit guides me all along. The Bible demands change in me. This is where God tells me what to do and how to do it. He expects me to be obedient and to agree with Bible teachings. By growing up in the Word day to day I came across some words which I didn’t know before; They are as follows:

1. I know there is no way that I in my good work, would ever make it to heaven. I stand hopelessly condemned on the basis of my past sin. I have no chance of being received by God apart from His mercy.

2. The Bible declares “I am as an unclean thing, and all my righteousness are as filthy rags.” (Isaiah 64:6) God has provided away of acceptance before Him. God who is absolutely holy and pure so righteous that no sin can dwell in His presence, has made people like me to have fellowship with Him.

3. When I believe in this sacrifice that Jesus Christ made for me - even though I didn’t deserve it – the Father grants me perfect forgiveness. That is what the gospel of grace is all about.

4. God looks at me as though I never committed a single trespass against Him. Surely I have no hope in my own self and in my own righteousness. But I have great hope in the work that Jesus Christ did for me and in the work God is doing in me by the power of His Holy Spirit as He is conforming me into the image of Christ.

5. My righteousness is not a question of good works, human effort, or in keeping certain rituals or dietary laws. My righteousness – both here and now and for all eternity – is a result of my simple faith in God’s Son Jesus.

6. Righteousness by faith removes all distinctions between those who belong to Christ. I am no better than you or you than me. We have sinned, saved only by God’s glorious grace.

I may ask myself a question: What is real faith? – “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Heb 11:1). Heb 11:6 teaches that, “but without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” “Faith without works is dead” (James 2:26) True faith leads to appropriate action. If I truly believe a certain thing, then my actions will be in keeping with what I believe. For it’s true I know: Grace changes everything! And it’s true that I was lost but now I am found.

I know that no one in the world is truly as free as a believer in Jesus Christ. As Paul said in Galatians 5:12. What are the responsibility of my freedom? The main goal and desire of my life is to be found in Christ. Complete in Him. If I am to remain free, I must be careful not to exercise my freedom in pursuing anything that could bring me under its power. May the LORD help me to freely love, to freely serve, to freely seek the best interests of one another. The verse in Proverbs 3:5-6 normally encourages me which says “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” The world today is against for those who believe in Jesus, especially nonbelievers. Am saying this because I myself I have been asked so many questions concerning the meaning to be born-again or the meaning of salvation. You may think that they are in need of or that they are heading to, but its just a way of putting you off. They will mock at you, abusing you and doing wrong things to discourage you from serving your God because they don’t fear God. When I read the book of 1 Samuel 16:7 it says. “But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the LORD does not see as man sees. For man looks at the outward appearance, but the LROD looks at the heart.”” My prayers is that to pray for those who has not receive Jesus as their LORD and Savior in that God to reveals for them. And lastly I may ask myself or you may ask me a question. How I will maintain being in Christ all along my life? My answer is in Philippians 3:12-14 which says, “Not that I have already attained or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead. I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

God bless all of you. My name is Aggrey Omondi Olwande

Pottenger Video Update

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dr9_HCO939U

More to Come

We have so many praises! The first baptism was amazing, we are a family again, and awaiting the arrival of our new baby girl. More to come very soon, so stay tuned!