May 2010

BUILDING LIVES…

BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS

PAN AFRICA CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY 2010 THEME

“And in Him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by His Spirit.”  Ephesians 2:22

 Dear Family and Friends,

 Building Lives and Building Relationships describes our lives in Africa since arriving in January this year!

 ·         Teaching Relationships:  John recently concluded teaching Old Testament Theology, Pentateuch and Christology to godly young men and women, many of whom are already in vital ministries.

 ·         Happy Life Relationships:  I have again had the privilege to be involved in this faith ministry of rescuing abandoned babies and children.  Recently 6 babies were brought to the home for love, care…and we pray for loving adoptive homes.  Around 18 children and babies have been adopted in the past year. A special thanks to you who have donated to this ministry.  It has provided always needed formula and permanent (the paper ones were being “eaten”) name plates for each of the baby cribs.

          Mentoring Relationships both in the classroom and on the campus: John’s office door has been “open” for students to visit and talk.  Since we live on the top floor of the Ladies’ Dorm we have lots of opportunity to connect.  I have had the ladies in for devotionals and baking classes which were lots of fun.

 ·         Church Relationships:  We have made NPC Valley Road our home church when not involved elsewhere.  John is an Associate Minister for occasional preaching.  We recently had the privilege to minister in the NPC Buru Buru church where Elias, a student from 1991 (and PACC classmate of our son, David) is the senior pastor of that congregation of 4000…and growing.  The NPC (also known as the CHRIST IS THE ANSWER MINISTRY) CHURCHES are a mission’s “success” story.

 They are completely self-supporting and self-administered and are a “sending” church to other parts of Kenya. The church started 50 years ago in the home of retired missionaries, John and Ella McBride…and has grown to around 45,000 in 8 churches.

 ·         Reconnecting Relationships: We have again been thrilled to see students from the 80’s and 90’s who are faithfully serving in effective ministries.  We ministered in a large church about 2 hours from Nairobi where Daniel Matheka gives leadership to that congregation and to 500 other churches in the region. It was amazing to hear him relate specific lessons he had learned from both of our classes many years ago.

 ·         New Relationships:  We are writing this from the Seychelles (but will probably be sending it from Nairobi) where John is teaching a PAC Transformational Church Leadership diploma course on Old Testament Survey.  I am blessed with some of the “administrative” duties. We have also been involved in ministry in the churches. Pastor Hermitte, a PACU graduate, gives leadership to the 5 growing PAOS churches on these tropical islands in the Indian Ocean.  We are delighted that Herb and Laverne Tisher will be coming from Qatar to join us for a few days.

 ·         Missionary Relationships:  In April we attended the East and South Africa PAOC retreat in Mombasa.  We were blessed and challenged by the sessions presented by John and Dawna Caplin and Darcy and Leanne McAlister (thanks to CLA Langley).

 ·         Family Relationships from Afar: 

The great news is the announcement that David and Kirsten are blessing us with grandchild #7 in October!

Another great is that we are soon to have a teenage grand daughter—Rayven in turning 13 in May!

We are delighted with the prospect of seeing Erik in Nairobi for a few days while he is attending a Wycliffe seminar to become a translation consultation for languages related to the Zeri language.

THANKS FOR YOUR PRAYERS FOR…

 

·         Peace in Kenya with ongoing constitutional issues.

·         PACU as it looks to appoint an African Vice Chancellor.

·         Safety both in Nairobi, on the Seychelles…and as we fly to Kisumu for John to teach the first PACU        degree course (quite appropriately, Genesis) at Pentecostal Bible College in Nyang’ori.

·         Health—we have been generally healthy but recently have had some GI upsets.

·         That we will finish well!

·         Our adjustments as we return to Canada on May 29th.

 

We express thanksgiving to the Lord for the amazing opportunities we have been privileged to be involved in over these 5 months. We are thankful for provision to do this, and to each of you who have encouraged, prayed, emailed and skyped us.

Til neste gang (Until next time)…blessings

January 23, 2010

We send warm New Year’s greetings from Pan Africa Christian University in Nairobi, once again!  Some of you have not heard from us since we sent our last newsletter in May 2008; others have been involved in some of our comings and goings.  So for an update…. 

We returned to Canada in early May in time to prepare for the joyous and beautiful celebration of David’s marriage to the lovely Kirsten Behee in Bellingham, Washington.  It was a special family time with Erik and Christina and family coming from the Netherlands, and Lily and Tim and family from Alberta.  David and Kirsten are now very happily settled in Surrey, B.C.; David continues to teach English Literature at TWU and Summit Pacific College, while Kirsten is a PAOC Chaplain at Simon Fraser University. The summer took us to the Maritimes to reconnect with Elizabeth’s “roots” and cousins.  Our nephew Adam Newcomb (my brother Elden’s middle son), was married to Gina in Cobourg, Ontario;  we were privileged to attend their lovely wedding as well.  It is so very special to be able to celebrate these wonderful family gatherings and reunions. We also reconnected with John’s Aunt Laura, cousins, and other friends.

The fall took us to Vancouver Island to attend John’s Bible College graduation reunion in Campbell River (even though Bethel Bible College was in Saskatoon!). And then it was time to make preparations to return to PACU for another 4-5 months. We were able to stop in the Netherlands en route to see Erik and Christina and their four delightful children (and our grandchildren!). We were able to cuddle 6 month old Freya for the first time! We are very happily settled in a spacious flat above the ladies’ dorm overlooking green space and the campus.  John is teaching Christology, Old Testament Theology and Pentateuch.  His former students welcomed him with enthusiasm.  We consider it a privilege to teach and mentor students who are preparing to impact their nation.

 I have returned to my volunteering at the neighbouring Happy Life Home for Abandoned Children.  The older children ran out to welcome me.  Little Jonathan whom we have featured in our letters is now walking.  The staff say, “It is a miracle!”  Thanks to a donation we were able to arrange for therapy for him last year. We are thankful that many of the children are being placed in loving adoptive homes….but more come to take their place. There are so many needs and so much suffering in this land. The large (10,000 in 3 services) Valley Road Church today prayed for Haiti, and the congregation was encouraged to send money for relief.  It is exciting to see a new day in Kenya where the church is no longer just a recipient of mission support, but a sending and giving church. Thanksgiving:For the privilege of being at PACU for the third time since we retired. For good health. For special friendships here.

Pray For: Peace in the country of Kenya as a new “harmonized” constitution is being drafted. There is concern by Christians as to what may be included.

That students will have the necessary fees to continue their studies. 

That Happy Life will have funds for basic needs such as formula.  $100 will pay for enough formula to last about 8 days.

For our safety on the roads.  Just today we saw a terrible motor vehicle accident on the road we frequently travel.  There is major construction and “jams” that make traveling difficult and dangerous.

For our scattered family—B.C., Alberta and the Netherlands!

To conclude, a little humour as seen on lorries and “matatus:”

Don’t blame it on hip hop!—Not sure what “it” is?

Desire—could be tempting?

Hang at Your Own Risk—sign on large lorry to discourage hitchhikers.

 

April 2009

   THE EARTH IS THE LORD’S, AND EVERYTHING IN IT. Psalm 24:1

We have enjoyed teaching and getting to know some of the 300 students here at PACU.  John taught 3 courses plus a directed study.  I had the opportunity to sit in on his World Religions in Africa class…and learn!  I was able to have the Girl’s Dorm over to our flat for pamoja na chakula (fellowship and food) and a devotional and prayer time.  Some of these young women just need a Mom to talk with.

It is thrilling to hear of the ministry and “dreams” the students have for future ministry as they gain further education.  Let us introduce you to Noella and Bethuel who come from Congo.  Bethuel was a successful business man who along with his wife felt the call of God to minister to the unreached Pygmies in their country. Bethuel graduated last year and Noella is to graduate this July with a degree in Counselling. Together they will return to Congo better equipped to fulfill the vision for ministry that the Lord has given them. A donation from someone in Canada helped pay for part of Noella’s tuition this past semester.

Francis Gatimu is a PACU student who grew up as a Muslim in Kenya.  He had a dramatic encounter with the Lord through a supernatural visitation from the Lord…and came to a vibrant faith in Christ.  He has a passion to share Christ with other Muslims.

I continued with my involvement at Happy Life Children’s Home that cares for over 30 abandoned babies and children. The goal of the home is to rescue these precious lives and to find loving Christian homes for each child.  Baraka (Blessing) has just brought great joy to his new adoptive Kenyan parents.  Because of donations from a number of you, we have been able to facilitate the purchase of formula, have aprons made for the “mothers” and “volunteers,” and arrange for therapy for some of the children who are developmentally delayed. Jonathan, whom many of you prayed for when he had meningitis, is one of the children benefiting from this intervention.  Recently I was able to assist with a “Memorial” service for baby Angel who went to Heaven at 3 weeks of age, and to help the “mothers” as they grieve the loss of these little ones whom they care for as if they were their own children.

A highlight was a trip to West Asia to visit with Erik, Christina and family where they are doing “language development.”  It was a very different world culturally and spiritually.  We had a renewed appreciation for the sacrifices they are making to make a difference in the lives of the Zeri people.  We had so much fun “grand parenting” after having not seen these grandchildren for almost a year.

Weekends provide for ministry…and sometimes relaxation.  John is pictured preaching at a growing Nairobi Church that is pastored by a PACU student. The next 2 pictures are taken from the same place in opposite directions-a local tourist hotel where we can swim…and Mathari valley, one of the largest slums in Africa.  There is such disparity between the rich and poor here.

Kenya is a land that reflects not only the beauty of creation, but also what God is doing spiritually in the hearts and lives of people who live in a politically and economically unstable land.

Pray with us:

That we will finish well in our last weeks here (we leave May 3rd).

For Kenyans who are suffering from hunger due to the drought in the land-that the rains will come so that there will be an abundant harvest.

For peace in the country.

For the Christians to stand strong with integrity and godly influence.

For our wonderful upcoming family wedding celebration.

That we will find meaningful ways to “occupy” back in Canada.

For our plans, Lord willing, to return to Nairobi in January 2010.

We want to express our thanks to each of you who have emailed, skyped, prayed for our safety, and supported and encouraged us in a variety of ways. We look forward to connecting with many of you back in Canada.

Til neste gang, (until next time-in Norwegian)….

With love and blessings

===== 

January 13, 2009

 

 

“THE LORD HAS SET US IN A LARGE PLACE.” (Paraphrase Psalm 118: 5)

Dear Family and Friends,

NAKUTAKIA HERI YA MWAKA MPYA -HAPPY NEW YEAR!

We send “warm” (with temperatures between 15-29 degrees C. we are not missing the snow and cold that we lift behind!) New Year’s greetings from Pan Africa Christian University in Nairobi, Kenya. In July 2008 we returned to Langley, B.C. after nearly a year in Africa. The 5 months home were filled with sharing our heart for Africa with anyone who would listen, reconnecting with family and friends….and preparing to return to PAC University on January 3rd.

August saw us trying to resettle at home, and celebrating our 40th wedding anniversary (the actual celebration was in November at Christian Life Assembly with over 100 family and friends joining us to celebrate the Lord’s blessing on our lives together).

In September we drove to Alberta with stops in Trail (John went hiking and fishing in his beloved Selkirk Mountains) and Salmon Arm to visit dear friends (Lou and Delores DeRosa) and family (David and Rose Anne). In Lethbridge we connected with family (Ziebers) and friends (the Gilmers, who were our neighbours in Kenya last year). We drove on to Strathmore to have family time with Tim and Lily and our oldest grandchildren, Rayven (11) and Jonathan (9). The time was too short, but we were thankful that we could reconnect in person.

November 14th brought the exciting news that we are soon to gain a lovely daughter-in-law. David and Kirsten Behee were engaged and are planning for their wedding in Bellingham, WA on May 30th. Kirsten is a PAOC Chaplain at Simon Fraser University. David continues to teach at Trinity Western University, Summit Pacific and Kwantlen University College. They both have a passion for the Lord, each other….and students!

Later in the Fall we flew with my sister, Barbara (who visited from California) to visit our  brother, Audley, and Sandy and family, in Prince George. John’s brother, Joseph and Ellen (missionaries with AOG in the Dominican Republic) were home in December so we were able to have special times with them and their families.

Erik, Christina and three-Parisa (nearly 7), Nisse (nearly 5) and Leif (2) continue to do  “language development” in West Asia. We are hoping to fly to see them from here.

NOW FOR OUR NAIROBI NEWS….                                                                                                                                             

• NEW AND RETURNING STUDENTS-Pray for the Lord’s blessing on the PAC University campus this semester. John has already met with some of his classes. He is teaching Pentateuch, Christology and World Religions.
• BABY JONATHAN AT HAPPY LIFE CHILDREN’S HOME- is now 7 months and doing well after being abandoned and contracting meningitis. He is just one of over 30 children at this orphanage. Pray that he and the other precious children will be adopted by loving families.
• BACKPACKS 4 KIDS-1000 backpacks have been made by a single moms’ sewing project and filled with basic school supplies. These are being given to the school children that are sponsored by Child Care Plus through PAOC.
• OUR COZY FLAT ON CAMPUS-Pray for the safety of the university community, both on and off campus. We were warmly welcomed by an “askari” (guard) who said, “Welcome back-we need you here!” We probably need him to provide campus security more than he needs us!
• PRAY FOR OUR SCATTERED FAMILY….

Til neste gang (Until next time)….Thank you for your interest, encouragement and prayers!

Love and blessings,

John and Elizabeth

—– 

August 1, 2008

We have had an amazing year in Africa with the Fall 2007 semester at TTC in Kitwe, Zambia and 2 semesters at PAC University in Nairobi, Kenya (Jan-July 2008) where we spent 4 years as a family between 1984-91. 

We have sensed the Lord “ordering our steps” and now it is time to return to home and family in Langley, B.C.  Lord willing, we are considering returning to Kenya next year. 

Thanks for your prayers and supportive assistance!

May 2008 

ANONBY REPORT FROM CANAAN! 

See what the land is like and whether the people who live there are strong or weak, few or many. What kind of land do they live in?  Is it good or bad? ….How is the soil…?  (Numbers 13)

 After finishing a good semester at Pan Africa Christian University (PACU) with several significant events-living through the terrible violence and post election bloodshed, and celebrating the granting of the long awaited Kenyan University Charter by President Kibaki-we traveled to Uganda for nearly 3 weeks.  The purpose of the trip was three fold: 

• To renew our 3 month visa to enable us to extend until the end of July to complete the second semester at PACU and be here for graduation.
• Ministry at the International Christian Seminary in Tororo where John taught an “intensive” course, where we had opportunities to minister in local churches, and where Elizabeth was able to do hospital visitation with AIDS patients in a local hospital.
• An opportunity to connect with the Watoto and Kampala Pentecostal Church ministries and former students who are in leadership at KPC, the Uganda Pentecostal Assemblies of God executive, and the Bible College in Mbale. We were so warmly received by these “Timothys” of the faith.

 We feel somewhat like Joshua and Caleb as we come back with our “report!” 

 Kampala – Prosperity and Poverty

Uganda is said to be the second most fertile country in the world (Let us know if you know what the most fertile one is?).  It is lush and green with an amazing abundance of crops – maize, tea, rice, bananas, matoke, sorgum, ground nuts…everywhere.

Elizabeth with Watoto/Ugandan Clothes Dryer

We were in Uganda 23 years ago and it was a war torn and shattered land and was to suffer through two more coups and more bloodshed. Kampala is now a thriving city with evidence of prosperity.

BUT there are GIANTS in the land as evidenced by over 3 million orphans and a population in which 70% are under the age of 30-mainly the consequences of the AIDS pandemic. The country is addressing this “curse,” but it still is a major concern.

We are glad we can also bring a report of GIANTS of blessing:  Kampala Pentecostal Churches with ~18,000 attending each Sunday (where a former PACU student of ours, Chris Komogum, is assistant Pastor with Gary Skinner); the Watoto and Bulrushes Villages reaching out to 1200 orphans with plans for 10,000; many other orphan ministries (two of which David Omalla’s children are  involved with); theological education extension from PACU; International Christian Ministries Seminary in Tororo where David and Zipporah Omalla, (formerly Dean of Students at PACU) are ministering)….! 

BACK TO NAIROBI:

It was good to return to our cozy PACU flat and a warm welcome from our campus community.  We are very aware that we are in our final semester/missons “chapter” at this time and we want to “occupy” and take advantage of the opportunities that the Lord gives us.

There are GIANTS in this land too-there are still 140,000 internally displaced people that the government is trying to place, tribal rivalries, government that has appointed so many cabinet ministers that there is little left in the budget after the salaries are paid, security issues (We heard gunshots a few nights ago when the police shot the tires of the robber’s car just outside PACU gates-fortunately only the university sign was damaged)!   BUT just as in Uganda, there are GIANTS of blessing-students able to return to another semester, thriving churches that are addressing the tribal and reconciliation issues, a good rainy season that is going to yield crops to feed the people! 

Our plan at present is to come home at the end of this semester, after graduation (July 31).  In some ways it will be hard to say “kwaheri” (goodbye) as we are very much “at home” here.  We will have been away from Canada for almost a year. 

PRAY

• That we will “finish” well.
• For health and safety.
• For ongoing healing for the nation of Kenya.
• For the anointing of the Holy Spirit on the campus community..

If you email us and expect a reply and do not receive one, please resend as our internet service is erratic. 

With appreciation for your interest and prayers …and emails!  

John and Elizabeth (janonby@hotmail.com)