Since Kenya shut down in March, and I have not been able to travel out of Lodwar, I have been able to continue to encourage many of our partners and pastors through text messages and scriptures. It may not seem like much, but it has been encouraging for me to receive responses from those who are able and random encouraging Bible verses in return. I have prayed with and for them through many struggles. Just as I am encouraged by your contacting me, I believe they are being encouraged when I contact them.
I have also been able feel a bit normal, by continuing to do surgeries on some of the cats and dogs of other missionaries/friends. Three cats spayed, one cat neutered, and one dog neutered. Again it may not seem like much, but pets reproducing is an exponential thing, so even these five being spayed and neutered does make a difference.
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| Karibuni means Welcome in Swahili The plastic was for protection during another heavy rain.  |
I continue to read and learn all the time and am now putting some of the learning into practice with bees. The bee hive is completed, however we need to make a new top for the hive, as the current one is too heavy and would be hard for me to safely replace while in a suit and gloves. We have seen a few bees around the yard, so are praying for a nice swarm to come take up residence there. I have other ideas from friends on ways to help attract bees and may try smoking it as they do in West Africa. Also the fence around the bee yard is almost complete. This is for the safety of visitors, guards, and the guard dogs. Also it makes a nice boundary for others that are here to learn, as I am inside opening the hive and demonstrating.
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| The part with the platform will be covered with wood, to make a nice nesting/roosting area. The other areas will be covered with thick wire. I hope to keep 2-4 chickens and get a few eggs every week. If this goes well, we may adapt the extra car shade area for a permanent coop. |
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| Teaching me how to use the binding wire. |
I have also been learning more about chickens, well learning about raising them. This is something I have never done before. It has also been a good way for my helpers to learn about a new way to raise and protect chickens. Most here are free range, however, mine will need protection from my dogs. We are making a moveable chicken tractor, that could be reproduced here. This has been a good lesson for my helpers in planning, engineering, adapting plans, buying supplies, and budgeting. They are also helping me to learn about the best physical ways to put it all together here, how to properly tie the binding wire, and much more.
We are still making masks, but have slowed down production, after cutting all the scraps and fabric pieces we had. Over 250 masks completed and given out to our ministry partners and church members. We can finish about 40 more and will likely continue making them, as I feel we will still be wearing them for quite a while up here.
I am thankful that my home is very "open", inside layout and open to the outside. There is no glass in many of my windows, so this has allowed me to safely have my helpers coming to work and learn here 3-4 days a week during this whole time.
It is also nice that our work for the chickens and bees has been outside, in addition to our work cleaned up the property and preparing the garden areas for planting seeds (produce and flowers). We have cut many lower hanging branches and cleared brush, which helps by reducing areas for mosquitoes to hide and breed. We have also used the branches for the fences (bee yard and extra garden areas for the guards) and for the chicken coop. I am happy to now have sunflowers coming up and some produce after another planting after the rains/floods and locusts. Sadly another heavy rain this week washed away more seeds and we have been told more locusts are coming back this way again.
Corona cases are increasing and its a bit hard to determine exactly where those cases are and where other exposures could have taken place. They are doing more testing and contact tracing up here now, which is good.
I post frequently on Facebook and want to also share my post for today, for those who might not see it.
Thankful Thursday:
“What a God you are! Your path for me has been perfect! All your promises have proven true. What a secure shelter for all those who turn to hide themselves in you! You are the wrap-around God giving grace to me.” Psalms 18:30 TPT
Thankful for a day of rest, Gods protection from injuries and illness, and for being able to stay here to teach, learn, and encourage others.
Prayers requests:
🙏 Pray for protection for the plants as locusts are worse in many areas again. Many of our farms and church areas are affected and I’ve just replanted here for the 3rd time after the locust and floods.
🎉 Praises Kenya is taking action and will begin spraying. Prayers for people to remain safe as this happens.
🙏 Prayers for safety from illness, as mosquitoes are spreading malaria, previous floods brought more GI diseases, and Corona cases are increasing.
🎉 Praises I found some mosquito nets in our store house and will be able to share those with our guards and a few other workers. Praises that I have screens on my house and artemisia tea for prevention (and cure if needed), since I am being bitten, while wearing repellant, during the day, when we are outside working.
🙏 Prayers for safety from fires, as dry, windy days mean house fires are more common. My facilitator lost a kitchen hut last week.
🎉 Praises no one was injured and they lost minimal supplies and no other houses caught fire.
🙏 Prayers for protection against injuries, since we are building and working outside a lot. Thorns are a constant nemesis to me, scorpions are all over, and I was hit on the back and head by a large stick as we were building the chicken coop this week.
🎉 Praises for Gods protection as I encounter injuries and they continue to be mild enough that I can manage to heal well!
Thank you all for your love, support and prayers.
Love you all, Shannon
