What is up with Megan?

Yesterday: Lauren (left) and Megan, not looking very sick!

I thought I would just post the scoop on Megan, since so many of you asked. She has been feeling poorly for quite a long time. If you’re wondering why we have let it go on so long, well, it has mainly been because her symptoms come and go, it seems like it may be getting better and then it doesn’t, maybe it’s a virus and maybe not—you know the routine. We were ready to head to Nairobi a while back and then happened to be able to see an American parasitologist who was nearby. She was diagnosed with typhoid (the test not done by him, just the results analyzed by him) and treated with a very strong medicine. After talking to Dr. Dad (pediatrician), he advised us strongly not to use that medicine, which we discontinued. It seemed like perhaps she was getting better, but we’re really back at first base again. She consistently complains of not feeling well. Her stomach hurts, head hurts, body hurts. She is lethargic and just generally puny. We were scheduled again to head to Nairobi when the robbery happened, so that postponed us again. SO, all that to say, we’re ready to get our girl to a good doctor and lab and see what they come up with. 

Thank you also for praying for our meeting about safety today. 

It was a good one, and God is giving us unity and direction!

Unless the Lord watches Mavuno, they labor in vain who watch it!

Things have been pretty quiet around here…just going on with our daily lives. However, various “rumblings” and certain circumstances have made us realize again the battle we are in. We continue to struggle with certain village leaders (mainly one), who also harasses Musa, our foreman, on the phone. Would you please pray for strength and safety for Musa, and wisdom for all of us as we deal with this man? We know that God has a plan for us, and for him! Could you also please pray for us as we discuss security issues this Tuesday afternoon (that’s Tuesday morning for most of you)? We really need God’s wisdom to know what are good and appropriate measures to take and what are just our natural reactions to fear. If there is one thing we have learned, it’s that we can never adequately protect ourselves—God is the One who is doing that! And we are doing our part by reinforcing doors with steel, planning “safe rooms” in the homes, and now meeting to discuss what other things to do.

For those of you who want to understand it in more detail, there are several things to consider here in Africa (and I’m sure in many other parts of the world). There is no 9-1-1. If the police come, they won’t be getting here anytime soon (we are a LONG way out as it is!). We can have guard dogs, but then we need to put up a fence to surround acres and acres of land (something we have also never wanted to do, as it separates us from the local community). Guard dogs, unless they are with a trained man, are often poisoned. If they ARE with a trained man, the man can be bought off. Guards are at times involved in burglaries. If they aren’t involved, quite honestly, they are usually sleeping and will be the first ones taken out. Guns, although they can be a deterrent, are also a top item wanted by thieves. If they know you have a gun, they may come for your gun. SO, all that to say, the problem doesn’t have a simple solution, and we really need wisdom!

We were so encouraged at church yesterday, when they brought all of us from Mavuno to the front so that they could pray especially for our safety. We really love this little church we have been attending, and they reminded us that they are praying, will continue to pray, and that they know that nothing we put in place can protect us except GOD, who is doing that! We continue to be so blessed

  A grandma from our church
being baptized at Easter

Our family is headed to Kenya this Thursday for medical testing in Nairobi for all of us, especially Megan. We are planning on taking a couple days at the coast to rest as well, so we are all looking forward to that. If you think of us, please pray for some good lab results for Megan (clear and accurate) so that we can know how to proceed with her.

A visual reminder of why we’re all here!

John, our first family dad, and Mariam on their way to get the evening milk.

Movin' On

We haven't had much time to catch our collective breaths since the robbery, but we are all still doing really well. We have been amazed and humbled by all of the people who have been praying for us. The children continue to do so well, go to sleep peacefully, and aren't generally afraid. I keep trying to pry it out of them, and have finally concluded that there really isn't anything there to pry! :) We are so grateful.

   Josh , all healed up, and Zeke

                                                   

Two days after the robbery, our short-term family left for England. Three days after that, the Tanners came back from the States. Another three days later, we moved Josh and Amy and family into Mwanza to do some language study. Yesterday we picked up a short-term lady who is here for several weeks.

Hitesh, Esther and Lucy

In between that we have managed to keep going on staff house 1, get four sand filters up and running, and keep up on our "normal" stuff.  I use the collective "we" in the loosest of terms--I haven't actively been participating in any of that!  And nothing about any of our lives seems "normal."  :)

Dave and Daudi move the bio-sand filters

to the houses for clean drinking water

As far as any kind of resolution to the robbery situation, the police did find one man who supposedly has a gun at his house, and put him in jail. That same night, however, one of our higher-up local officials bailed him out. We don't quite understand all of it, and we really aren't focusing on it at the moment. The police system is not always dependable, and often corrupt. We continue to pray that GOD would bring these men to justice so that they will not hurt anyone else.

"The name of the LORD is a strong tower.

The righteous run to it and are safe!"