Deuteronomy 11:18-21 Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates, so that your days and the days of your children may be many in the land the Lord swore to give your ancestors, as many as the days that the heavens are above the earth. [NIV]
The picture shows the street outside the house where Neil stayed while in Nairobi. He is thankful for our friend Cosmas Solamba who allows Neil to stay in Cosmas' former home which is within walking distance from Cosmas' church. Neil was able to come back to the house and get naps between teachings. Since 2004, Neil has made 26 trips to Kenya. It feels like home when he is there, because Jesus is always with him and Neil is continually teaching from the Bible helping people walk more and more in Jesus' steps.
Some of you might wonder, then, how Neil can take so much pleasure in winning 4 games of cribbage while visiting with Joe Medley and his dear friend. In the 47 years of marriage to Neil, Ruth has learned that as the Holy Spirit is setting Neil free to become the man God created, Neil has developed a deeper, more flavorful character; one who people enjoy being close to. However, as much as Neil enjoys being with his friends, he reminds them that it is not good for him to be Ruth-less. His eyes have turned toward home. Neil and Sonja Kvale will meet in the airport around 8:00 p.m. when Sonja's friends drop her off.
Thank you to those who prayed for Neil's visit to Nairobi's maximum security prison on Wednesday. The Lord heard Ruth's prayer for safety and sent Neil and Cosmas to the minimum security prison. Ruth was praying for the Holy Spirit to reach the hearts of the men in the prison, but she also wanted Neil to come home. They ministered together at the Appleton, MN medium security prison for 10 years, so Ruth is familiar with US prisons, but has heard Neil's stories of the Kenyan prisons being less desirable. Ruth has a master's degree in understatement.
Neil hired an uber to get to Joe and Karin Medley's home where Karin fixed a delicious dinner for him. It was great to have a time of relaxation with the Medleys. Neil texted from his Minnesota phone and emailed Ruth while his Kenya phone was in the shop. Neil's Kenya phone had stopped recharging. Neil texted from his Minnesota phone (which might have roaming fees).
The first message was from Sonja:
"I spent Sunday with Felisters family and a visit to Nkuru National Park to see the African animals, traffic jams .. learning more about African culture!! Praying re: results of Neil's work to turn the church upside down with the medallion search!"
Then more texts from Neil:
"My phone is in the shop 'til tomorrow. No texts. I beat Joe in a game of cribbage this afternoon while waiting for Zach to join us. (Neil got to meet Zach when Zach borrowed Neil's canoe trailer and canoes to take young people from Marshall, MN on canoe trips. Zach is the new principal at the Christian school where Joe's daughters attend and where Joe is on the school board. Zach left his post this year as principal of the Christian school in Marshall to accept the position in Nairobi.) We had a great meeting.
"We went out Thursday night to a pizza restaurant reminiscent of Papa John's in Morris (the original long before Papa John's became a franchise).
"I had some time this (Friday) morning to get a haircut. Sonja stopped by at Karin's office. She and her friend stayed for lunch. I have been reading Living Fearless by Jamie Winship. I hope to have a Monday night small group this fall with this book.
"Would you like to have a date in Glenwood when you pick me up on Saturday?"
Of course, Ruth said, "Yes!", but only if Neil has strength to stop for a date when he is only half an hour from his home in Morris.
Please pray:
- for safety, strength, and rest for Sonja and Neil as they travel home.
- thanks to God for allowing Neil and Sonja to be part of His work in Kenya, and for the continuing work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of the people they touched.
- for a time of rest for Sonja and Neil to overcome jet lag when they return so they can be refreshed for the work God has for them here.
Outfitters for Adventure