Kenya Missions Update

June 15, 2006

Greetings in the Precious name of our Lord, Jesus the Christ!

Please, in July we will no longer be using our old e mail address, be sure that you switch to either; kggafner@googlemail.com or kggafner@yahoo.com. Thanks

The video that we made several years ago, Mable’s Garden Secrets is still being effective. I from time to time get letters from people who are visiting patients at Kenyatta Hospital in Nairobi (the capital). They are asking for the booklet that goes with the video to help explain some of the technical details. Apparently they show it quiet often in one of the lounge areas. Praise the Lord that it continues to help people to do better vegetable growing.

What is the fastest thing in the world? I used to believe that it was the hand of a small child sweeping the food off of highchair table. The other day I was sitting at the market waiting for Grace to buy vegetables and fruit. Along both sides of the street were venders selling many and various products. In the matter of seconds, they were all gone with their goods and if they had wooden stands, they were taken care of. Then about 30 seconds later, the city askaries (city employees who are to keep order in town) came by on foot and in a truck. If they catch you, they will put you and your items in the truck.

Kirsten and Ruth Korner
Keith went with them to the deaf campaigners seminar in Sotik. We went to be servants. One way that we served was by baby sitting little babies so that their mothers could listen and take notes during the seminar. Billy Levell taught us how to pull coins out of our ears and to throw it up into the air and not have it fall back down. Frank Rushing showed us how to detach his thumb. It was an exciting three days. Oh, yes, then there was the candy man George Myers. And his son Philip, who squished us. Not to mention all the other children to play with. In summary, I (Keith) asked the girls how they would describe these visitors, and three words came to their minds, candy, kind and love children. Thanks you seven!

(* Side note, the bread oven that we made here several years ago was in full production. Making scones for breakfast for the 100 + participants. I was told that at least 10 more that they know about have been built and are in full production. The man there who takes care of the cows and garden told me that he has one and that his children make and sell scones. Praise the Lord!)

We are back in school now. We are really looking excited to the next set of visitors. On 11th and 12th of July they want to go to an Island Camp in Baringo Lake. Dad and Mom said that since they are doing the booking under dad’s name as a resident, they will get resident rates, so for $12 extra over tourist rates, our family can join them for this one night venture. We have read about canoes in our schoolbooks and now we will get to ride in one.

Prayers
Thank you for your prayers, Susie Bullock and group and Deaf Campaigners have safety and wonderful times while in Kenya and Uganda. Continue to pray for the below following visitors.

June 29th, David and Mary Helen Bush will arrive in Kenya. They are former missionaries in Kenya as well. They will be travelling with a group from their church. Most of the group will be in Sirwa working with some Christians there and with the local school. We will keep an older couple from 8th until 13th of July with us here in Eldoret. They fly back to America on the 16th of July.

Dr. Kevin Kehl, also a former Eldoret missionary will be around from 12th – 23rd July. He will be travelling with a former Abilene Christian University coach who is now coaching at Texas Tech University. So they will be scouting new running talent and Kevin will be visiting and encouraging Christians. I hope to go around some with him.

Pray also for Keith’s work permit renewal (Update). I have been informed that it has been approved and in about a month I will need to send my passport down to get the official stamp placed in it. In Kenya, nothing is official until you see the ink in the passport, so keep praying.

July 1st is the first official opening of training at our Saroiyot plot. 10 ladies are coming for a 5 hour course in gardening and making bread in the bread oven. Pray for this big day. The Turgururwet Cluster has 5 churches in it. Each church is to send 2 ladies. Then, these ladies are to go home and practice what they have seen and experienced from this day. In the future, we will see about doing additional teachings (such as drying vegetables for later usage) to the ladies in this cluster.

In Service to Christ,
Keith, Grace, Kirsten and Ruth