Steeves Summary # 34: Kenya Coast

Vacation has been a chance to see a little more of Kenya.  At the beginning of August we were able to take the train from Nairobi to Mombasa for a short holiday on the coast.  The train was neat, the beach was nice, but it was our final day that stood out.  We were able meet up with one of our dorm girls and her mother for a walking tour of Old Town Mombasa.

Mombasa is the main port in Kenya and part of it is a modern city.  The Old Town, however, takes you back a few centuries.  The city was founded by Arab and Swahili merchants over a thousand years ago.  The streets are a maze of narrow passageways.  It is a city of spirits.  Islam is the predominant religion, however there are multiple sects and dozens of mosques.  The Indians who came to build the railway at the turn of the 20th century stayed on, adding a number of sects and religions to the area.  In our hour long tour, we walked by about 14 mosques and 3 or 4 assorted temples.  Mrs. Morse guided us confidently through the winding passages, pointing out historical sites, mosques, temples and telling us a little of the myriad cultures represented there.  Our final stop was a Hindu temple where there were special celebrations going on.  Worshipers were ringing bells, praying and offering gifts to the idols in the temple.  One of the men hospitably explained some things about their worship and had a discussion with Mrs. Morse about "The spirit that lives within us."

The Morses are working with the Katchi people.  The Katchi people share a language but not a religion. They originally came from north-west India and Pakistan. They, along with so many of the other groups we encountered, are seeking God, but not in the right places.  Pray for this work.

We have moved into our new house.  It is comfortable and has a nice view.  We have an extra room now and would love to have visitors!  The kids now have a one minute walk to school -- which means I have to walk for five minutes to get to my office.  It is great to be able to watch the sun set from our front porch.

Bannisters

Tim and Dianne Bannister have returned to Kenya after a year in Canada.  They were at RVA for years, but will now be heading up CBM's short term volunteers.  Sarah and John, who work for us, worked for them for many years.  We offered to take them and their families down to visit Bannisters on the other side of Nairobi.  Tim and Dianne are living in a game conservacy.  Sarah, John, and their families had never really seen many wild animals.  On our way through Nairobi we stopped at the giraffe park and let them feed the giraffe.  I'm not sure if the kids or adults enjoyed it more!  At the Bannisters we were able to go for a game drive and see many plains animals.  We've known Tim and Dianne from a distance for many years, so it was nice to spend a day with them while giving John,  Sarah, and their families a chance to reconnect.

Blankets to Bethany Kids

Last week our family took a few bags of blankets down to Bethany Kids at Kijabe Hospital.  It is the pediatric wards at the hospital where they treat many types of birth defects.  Two Kenya workers from Student Health, Esther and Dominic, joined us.  They were excited about the outreach opportunity.  There were many smiles as mothers and children chose their blankes.  Through the multiple languages and cultures, the comfort of the home-made blankets was obvious.  There were a number of Somali women who rushed in, found a blanket and rushed away again with little sign of gratitude.  Several of them demanded a second blanket.  We were discussing it afterwards when Esther commented, "They may not have said thank you, but when they go home they will be asked where the blankets came from.  They will answer that they were given by the Christians at Kijabe Hospital".  It is a testimony of love in a small way.

A new school year

The students arrive back next week.  We are looking forward to our modified roles.  I've already spent lots of time setting up email and internet for the new staff, and it has been an opportunity to get to know them all.
Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field." Matthew 9:37-38

Blessings,

Michael,  Bernadine,  Julianne and Evan

You can see our previous newsletters on our website at www.kijabe.org/mission2005

Michael and Bernadine Steeves
P.O. Box 80
Kijabe, Kenya 00220
phone: 011-254-20-3246-255
cell phone: 011-254-735-317094
steeves@kijabe.org
www.kijabe.org
Africa Inland Mission
1641 Victoria Park Ave.
Scarborough, ON
M1R 1P8
(877) 407-6077 (Toll Free)
www.aimcanada.org