The Mutatu (moo-tah-too)

Do 30 people fit into a 14-passenger van?  Yes!  They do!  With limbs hanging out of windows, some crouching by the door, and others sitting on boards stretched across aisles, this is possible!  Welcome to the mutatu, your uncomfortable public transportation!  You will need to use all your core muscles to remain squished in the position you are in without falling onto your very close neighbor.  But, hey, to go about 20 miles for around $2, what’s not to love?  It’s better than walking!

My Name is Mwende (mwhen-day)

Hello from Mbitini, Kenya!  The Lord has been so good to me this trip.  I have already gotten a cold but it has not hindered the ministry. 

I am staying at Esther’s house this year.  Esther is always calling to people—“Oma!” “Mungaa!” “Munanye!” “Muthingu!”  I was feeling left out so I told her I wanted a Kikamba name!  She looked at me a moment and then said, “Mwende.” 

I asked what it means.  It means “loved one.”  I could not believe it!  My name Amanda means “beloved.”  I have so often known the Lord knew I would go through life needing to know that I am loved.  Now, he has provided that name to me in Kikamba as well!!  If I ever question why I came here to Ukambani (the region of the Kamba people), I can look no further than my name.  This was ordained by the Lord and oh, how he loves me!

My heart is full of love for these people.  God loves them so much, just like he loves you and me, that he sent his own son to die in our place. 

I am Mwende!

One Incredible Day!

By Guest Contributor Mandi

Today was an excellent day!  It was filled with much excitement!  First, I talked with Kim this morning and she told me her Jubilee Market was written up in the newspaper and that business was booming as a result.  God continually shows her favor! 

I spent the afternoon working on messages that I will deliver in Kenya.  All is going well with that but this is Thursday and I leave on Monday so the days are very short now to get finished up!  I checked my email at 5:00 and was met with incredible news!

The Christian Motorcyclists Association raises money to provide indigenous pastors with motorcycles to aid them in their ministry.  Transportation is one of the top problems in third world countries as I experienced last year!  There is an application and a set of requirements to meet in order to potentially qualify for a motorcycle.  Esther and I worked together to fill out the application for Pastor Theo.  I have been checking in on the application because we are all hopeful of using a motorbike while Esther and I are over there in August/September. 

PRAISE THE LORD, THE APPLICATION WAS APPROVED!  Pastor Theo will receive funds to buy a motorcycle in Kenya.  Now, the next prayer request is that the money will be made available to him quickly because he is coming to Nairobi next week to meet Esther and me.  If he has the funds, he will be able to buy the motorcycle right then and not have to make another trip to Nairobi to make the purchase.  We will rent a van to take us to Mbitini and I THINK that we can put the motorcycle into the van. 

WHAT A DAY!  This evening Nathan and I went to church to help with VBS and I have just been filled with so much joy!  I am glad to be feeling this way right now because once I am in Kenya around the poverty and harsh conditions it gets harder to be joyful.  Kim IS joyful anywhere she is.  She is a good example to me.  Oh, how I need to be unaffected by circumstances and rejoice in the Lord always!

Thank you to all who have prayed—keep it up: IT IS WORKING!!  :)