Our Race


Our Race

As I look at the picture above I rejoice in the family God has given me. My precious family, the treasure that God has placed in my hands to guide and disciple. Please keep them in your prayers as they grow. Tanya in now 16 and starting to think about college. She has many choices to make in the next year or two. We are hoping to get her started with classes over the internet and at least let her get some basics finished. Christy is 13 and loves life. She has a servants heart and can be counted on to help whether it is with cookies or cleaning. Josh (9) is starting his personal race. He loves action, mechanics, building, and good stories. Pray that we can guide him into meaningful service for the Lord and that we can help all of them grow in the Lord.

(The new background and Title is courtesy of Tanya and her new computer. :) )

Monday, January 12, 2009

David and Evelyn


I just want to give you an update on David and Evelyn and their daughter Lydia. (The middle one. :) ) David started his oral medication for depression today. Please keep him in your prayers as we hope that it will not have as much influence on him as the injections. The shots were causing him so much drowsiness that he was having trouble functioning and a dry mouth. With the pills we hope to be able to regulate the dosage better. We are hoping that the mouth dryness and tiredness will pass as well as he gets rid of the medicine from his body and returns to a more normal level. God has been good in giving us a doctor that really cares and is working with us on his meds. Yesterday Evelyn was up with us and was still very happy to have her husband. Thanks to the ability to work with David and this Doctor, she has her family.

Speaking of family, I want to give you an update as well on Lydia, her youngest sister, who Evelyn adopted when their mother died. Lydia has been at a bush high school in Maji Moto. This school has performed very poorly on the government tests and we were depressed over Lydia's education. As a new Junior in High School, she should have been able to speak and write English very well as well as been able to have knowledge of many other subjects which she is missing. When she was home we found out that they teach the kids in the Maasai language and her scores reflected it. She graduated number 2 in her class of 54, but had a C- mean grade point. (You need a B- mean score to qualify for any further education after high school.)

After praying and thinking about this, we encouraged Evelyn to look for a better school as this might be all the schooling that Lydia will ever get. We paid to have her retested and the clothes and books that she would need as well as putting money aside for a new school. (about $300.00) On Tuesday we got Lydia's test results back and found that if she was willing to repeat her Sophomore year, she could transfer to the number two school in our district. She was almost in tears, she was definitely very 'starry' eyed, as she cried YES! She really wants to learn more and to do better, but she hasn't had the chance. We are thankful for that. We have high hopes for this girl as she is one of the first Christian girls from a Christian home in our community. If she marries a Christian man, it will be only the second completely Christian marriage in our area. You really see the difference it makes when you look around and see all the problems that the mixed marriages have had. Please keep Lydia in your prayers as she starts at Ole Tipis Girls School in Narok. Today is her second day and she has a lot of catching up to do. I am adding this picture which is the only one we have of her without a hat. We have laughingly called her the elf with her hoods. :) (See the Dec. 11th post.) She is truly loved by my girls. All of them from Almi on down. LOL

4 comments:

Kayla said...

Hey guys! I am glad to hear this great blessing, maybe miracle. What is wrong with David and Evelyn? I never heard the first story, but I am glad that maybe he's doing better? I will be praying for everyone.

Missionaries in the Maasai Mara said...

David is struggling with Depression. He basically cycles up and down. When he hits low enough he can't get out of it on his own. It continues to get worse as he meditates on his problems and stops sleeping. After a couple of days with no sleep, he loses his intelligence and goes kind of crazy. His wife start fearing for her life and the safety of the kids. She runs and hides with her family. The medication he is on has dampened his swings. This prevents him for going too high up, which he misses, and from crashing as well. I also help him sleep so he stays normal. Everyone is really happy with the medicine. It has been neat as I found out yesterday that he has been telling people that I am family... like an older brother. That is really sweet and means a lot to me. He has a great wife and nice kids. The small ones really miss having him around, (they need so fatherly disciple and guidance :) ) but hopefully it will get better as he continues to improve. And yeah, for your info, I don't think a miracle is to strong of a word, although God is working through bringing the doctor and the medicine that he needs.

Kayla said...

I am so sorry to hear about that. I will definately keep them in my prayers. I am glad to hear that you guys are coing home soon. I wish you could come back a few months sooner! My best friend AnnaKate and I are going to baptized on January 23. We are very excited. You will definately have to come see us when you do return!

Missionaries in the Maasai Mara said...

That is so neat that you and your friend are getting baptized. Almi also was baptized with her best friend. It is a very special event, I do wish we could be there. We will try to pray for you on that day. God bless.

Jon