tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8056295715726345302024-02-19T04:58:53.498+03:002012 CLC Mission Helper Trip to East AfricaTodd H. Ohlmannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04227222714145635908noreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-805629571572634530.post-85098649560478575982012-08-16T01:41:00.001+03:002012-08-16T01:41:06.225+03:00I'm no longer the same! :)<div dir='ltr'> <style><!-- .hmmessage P { margin:0px; padding:0px } body.hmmessage { font-size: 10pt; font-family:Tahoma } --></style> <div dir="ltr">"I'm no longer the same, (I'm no longer)<br>I'm no longer the same, (I'm no longer)<br>He has changed my life,<br>and has given me a new name,<br>I'm no longer the same!"<br> ~ sung by the St. David's school kids<br><br>Back home safely, yes, but not back to life as it was. Our time spent living simply in the Word and with so many wonderful, humble Christians in East Africa left me feeling very blessed. Daily "necessities" are sometimes not necessary anymore, or at least not taken for granted. I somewhat expected to more greatly appreciate clean water and certain foods, but one thing I didn't expect was new-found appreciation for education. Many very bright grade school children are not able to continue on to even high school, due to lack of money. I almost feel selfish being in my 3rd year of college already when most of the teachers have only done 2 years, if any. So I will certainly put forward my absolute best effort in all my classes to come, with the same attitude that the Etago kids had - that education and gaining knowledge is a great privilege. But essentially, God is enough for anyone.<br><br>I hope to go back to Etago someday (sooner rather than later! ;) ), with new, more obscure Bible story lesson plans (they already knew very well all the stories we taught), crafts, dozens of fun songs with actions, and all their names memorized, with the hope that I just might be able to teach them more than they could teach me. But I somehow wouldn't be surprised if that was reversed yet again. ;)<br><br>Please pray for blessings to all our fellow Christians in East Africa, and visit them as well if you can! They treat their visitors very well :)</div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">To God be thanks and glory,<br><br>~ Gretchen</div> </div>Todd H. Ohlmannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04227222714145635908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-805629571572634530.post-62354282861151318282012-08-03T03:39:00.001+03:002012-08-03T03:39:27.651+03:00By the grace of God...all the 2012 CLC Mission Helpers to East Africa have arrived safely in Chicago. Cars and planes will take us to our families!<div></div>Todd H. Ohlmannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04227222714145635908noreply@blogger.com0Chicago O'Hare International Airport, Chicago41.97664 -87.90516tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-805629571572634530.post-27320022381328453432012-08-02T10:08:00.000+03:002012-08-02T10:08:20.057+03:00Heading to the AirportWe head to the Istanbul airport in about 15 minutes. A 12 hour flight will take us home to Chicago. Prayers for a safe flight are much appreciated.<br />
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In Christ,<br />
Pastor O.Todd H. Ohlmannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04227222714145635908noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-805629571572634530.post-12938891008484939282012-07-31T14:57:00.002+03:002012-07-31T14:57:52.113+03:00Made it to Turkey<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiKl798MzOoAYoaGa6Ul3B_2LgLYGb3H0fbN2f4x0EkOV9MqlvhRDkh0NK9d8KFh_M-NPtsI-wde0AkZ5fpbo0gU-3kqbSEwy8wQOQOOBaE5C7iMktjtgIEAdRkE1RK4QTVn1r-jT6Zww/s1600/Istanbul-Hagia-Sophia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="116" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiKl798MzOoAYoaGa6Ul3B_2LgLYGb3H0fbN2f4x0EkOV9MqlvhRDkh0NK9d8KFh_M-NPtsI-wde0AkZ5fpbo0gU-3kqbSEwy8wQOQOOBaE5C7iMktjtgIEAdRkE1RK4QTVn1r-jT6Zww/s200/Istanbul-Hagia-Sophia.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 17px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The CLC Mission Helpers made it safely from Nairobi to Istanbul, Turkey. We will be here for a 1 1/2 day layover. We are staying in a youth hostel about 2 blocks from the famous Hagia Sophia mosque. We rest and relax this evening and then see the sights tomorrow.</span></span>Todd H. Ohlmannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04227222714145635908noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-805629571572634530.post-16571801848930269732012-07-30T00:18:00.002+03:002012-07-30T00:18:27.752+03:00<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sunday<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hello from Team Etago,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Yesterday was our last day at our location. We were
privileged to bring the word of God to a prospect church near Emesa. They were
formerly part of a different synod, but have expressed interest in joining our
synod here in Kenya. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">On these weekends we have been teaching the 7 C’s. These
lessons start from Creation and go to Judgment day. Essentially, they are the
history of the world through the eyes of a Christian. God has blessed us in
that at every church we had been at the children have already learned about
God’s plan for the world. They are able to intelligently answer our questions
and recognize the lessons we are trying to convey. It is wonderful that these
small children know about their Savior and God’s plan for salvation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It truly is comforting to know that not only
our redemption has been taught, but also deeper Bible truths. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Yesterday the Lord presented us a different sort of
opportunity. As I mentioned before, this church has expressed interest in
joining our synod. Our group and a couple of our Kenyan pastors went to this
church. We met with the leaders of the church and spoke to them about their
beliefs and our beliefs, discussed the role of men and women in the church, the
proper attitude of a Christian, the proper outlook of a leader and many other
things. We continually turned towards Scripture and referenced our thoughts
with the Bible and many of the men there quite clearly were given some new
things to think about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Afterwards, we
started with our 7 C’s lessons, not really knowing what to expect. As we started
presenting our lessons something incredible happened. Throughout every lesson,
from Creation to the Flood to Christ to Judgment day, every eye, both young and
old was on us. It was a very different experience for us. We asked the children
if they had learned a lot and they responded with an emphatic, “Yes we did!”
(or the Kisii equivalent of it). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">After the lessons, we were invited once again to the
secretary’s house and had ugali, black night shade, and goat. The “mamas” there
thanked us for coming and told us that they also had learned much during our
lessons. We were given Swahili names and begged to stay in Africa or to send
people to them every year. We realized how much our visit meant to these
people, who wanted to learn the truth of God’s word. We are grateful to God for
this opportunity to bring our message and fellowship to this new congregation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As we were writing the first part blog, Wickliffe just
walked in with Boston and said hello. These boys are in standard 8 at the
school. Wickliffe is a very intelligent student who is near the top of his
class. Unfortunately, he comes from an especially struggling family and might
not be able to continue on to high school next year due to finances. He is one
of those students who has shown a great aptitude for learning and has displayed
his knowledge both of school and the Bible during our lessons. He has some
minor health problems and can’t afford to do anything about it. He is
determined to improve his living conditions, and his dream is to become an
engineer and see America, even if it’s just for a few minutes. Wickliffe is
just one of many students who has a background of hardships yet perseveres and
keeps his trust his God. Please keep him and all the other students here in
your prayers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Today we had to leave Etago to journey to Nairobi. Some of
our group along with a number of the school children began the morning with hiking
up the hill across from school and watching the sun rise. The same group of
children stayed with us until we were leaving Etago, and a couple even ran down
the hill after us as we were driving away. Our hosts were kind enough to drive
us to Kisii where we were then able to catch a bus to Nairobi. The goodbyes in
Etago were difficult, but as several people reminded us, this is not the end,
but rather the beginning!<br />
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Now we are in Nairobi, reunited with the other mission helpers, and ready to
share our inspiring stories with each other over the next few days as we make
our way back to the states.<br />
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In the Lord,<br />
~ Team Etago<o:p></o:p></span></div>Todd H. Ohlmannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04227222714145635908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-805629571572634530.post-47723084639995944842012-07-29T23:51:00.000+03:002012-07-30T00:06:21.236+03:00Safely Back in Nairobi<span style="font-family: inherit;">All three teams have arrived safely in Nairobi. After wonderful meals of hamburgers and pizza, we spent a couple of hours in devotion (Psalm 105 remembering God's promises and faithfulness), hymn singing, prayer, and rejoicing in God's goodness, grace, mercy, and blessings as we all shared stories from our time in Kenya and Tanzania. We wrapped it all up around 11:15 pm. It was wonderful to hear how the Lord encouraged each mission helper and the marvelous things He has done! God is Good!</span><br />
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<i style="background-color: white;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Oh, give thanks to the Lord! Call upon His name; </span></b></i></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><b>Make known His deeds among the peoples!</b></i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><b>Sing to Him, sing psalms to Him; Talk of all His wondrous works! </b></i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><b>Glory in His holy name...</b></i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><b>Remember His marvelous works which He has done...</b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><i>For He remembered His holy promise...</i></b><i style="background-color: white;"><b>Psalm 105:1-3a, 5a, 42a</b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">What a privilege it has been to work along-side these faithful and gifted servants of our Savior. Thank you Lord for all you have done!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">In Christ,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Pastor O.</span>Todd H. Ohlmannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04227222714145635908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-805629571572634530.post-63769680130421924752012-07-29T14:54:00.001+03:002012-07-29T15:03:16.258+03:00Team Tanzania is Back in Nairobi<br />
After an 6:00 am departure from Moshi, TZ and an 8 hour bus ride...Team Tanzania (Lucas Brown, Ashley Elliott, Randy Wittorp, Jessica Ohlmann, and me) made it safely back to Nairobi today (Sunday afternoon). We are waiting for the other two teams to arrive this evening. Later tonight we will join in worship as we rejoice over the blessings the Lord has bestowed on us over these past few weeks here in Africa. It will be fun and encouraging to hear all the stories of what God.<br />
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Now it is time for a good hot shower, nap, and a good supper!<br />
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We leave for home (with a 1.5 day layover in Istanbul) late tomorrow night.<br />
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In Christ,Todd H. Ohlmannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04227222714145635908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-805629571572634530.post-80928437020009701932012-07-28T19:45:00.000+03:002012-07-28T19:48:38.214+03:00Let this be a beginning, but never an end<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Life is an opportunity—benefit from it; life is beauty—admire it; life is a dream—achieve it; life is a challenge—face it; life is a duty—complete it; life is a game—play it; life is a promise—fulfill it; life is sorrow—overcome it; life is a song—sing it; life is a struggle—accept it; life is a tragedy—confront it; life is an adventure—dare it; life is luck—make it; life is too precious—do not destroy it; life is life—fight for it. Be blessed.” ~One of the teacherS here in Etago</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">These words were heard being read by Loren as Gretchen and I were in the middle of an interview with one of the teachers. They fit so perfectly with the things we had heard about the lives of some of these teachers that my heart couldn’t help but be humbled by the things surrounding me. These last two days have been especially humbling and eye opening, that I thank the Lord for the privilege of having spent them. <i>~Life is an opportunity; life is beauty.~</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Thursday noon, Gretchen and I interviewed all of the teachers, asking them different questions about their lives, and there was one that especially pulled at my heartstrings as I listened to the selfless love that he poured out. This teacher, Nicholas, is twenty-three years old, has been teaching here at the school for two years, and teaches 7<sup>th</sup> and 8<sup>th</sup> grade science; 7<sup>th</sup> grade Swahili; and 5<sup>th</sup>, 6<sup>th</sup>, and 7<sup>th</sup> grade Christian Religious Education. He lives in a small, poverty-ridden house with his six brothers, four sisters, and his father who had a stroke that is causing much difficulty. Nicholas is the 4<sup>th</sup> born child, but the oldest son, so he takes care of the family for his father. Almost half of his monthly wage, which is less than 30 American dollars, is used to pay for his father’s illness, while the rest goes to his siblings’ school bills and what they can afford for food and other needs. Nicholas is also a very intelligent man—having gone to “computer college,” driving school, school for plant operation and road construction, and two years of school for teaching. Seeing his accomplishments, it is obvious that Nicholas is smart and could be working for more wages—but he chooses to teach here at the school. He chooses to work for 11 ½ hours Monday through Friday for 10 months of the year and make far less than what a person making minimum wage in the United States would make in a month, and he chooses to use all of that money for the rest of his family. What a selfless, respectable, Christian example. Nicholas has chosen to use his talents to help the children at this school get an education not only for their lives here on earth, but for their eternal lives. Nicholas has chosen to put the needs of others before his own, and to do the Work that the Lord has set out. <i>Philippians 2:3 “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.” ~Life is a challenge; life is a duty.~</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The 7<sup>th</sup> and 8<sup>th</sup> grade children have school from 8 am to 4:30 pm (like the others), with a break of 2 ½ hours, only to come back for class from 7pm to 10pm and stay overnight. The 5 male teachers here teach all of these 11 ½ hours, and some stay overnight with the children. For many of the children here, it is a wonderful blessing to be able to stay at the school. Many of them come from extremely poverty-ridden homes and families that cannot feed them or support them in their education, so the school allows these underprivileged children to live at the school for all ten months. The teachers selflessly allow these children to live here for free and go to school here for free, and they even provide them with what they can afford for food, which is more than their families can do; and the other school children who come from more privileged families and who are able to pay for school and live at home, bring what they can of food in order to help provide for the other, less-privileged children. This love for one another that is shown so abundantly here at the school is extremely humbling and heart wrenching. <i>~Life is a tragedy; life is a song .~</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Gretchen and I also interviewed the 8<sup>th</sup> graders today, who will be graduating at the end of this month after taking a test in the coming week. Some of these children are those who live in struggling families, and are unsure of how they will be able to pay for secondary education after this. Another story that especially pulled on my heartstrings was that of a boy who is 13 years old and living with only his mother. He has no siblings and no father, due to the fact that his mother had him out of wedlock; and the two of them continuously jump from rental house to rental house when he is not living at the school. The teachers told us that this boy has very much potential—aspiring to be a doctor—but sadly after graduation, he will not have the funds to move on to secondary education since he has no father and a struggling mother, barely getting by on rent. If this boy’s mother dies, he will have nowhere to go—no one to support him. He would be alone completely in the world, and as we found out from some of the other children, sudden death is not uncommon here. A few of the children’s parents have died of malaria, and another’s parents died in a car accident. <i>~Life is a struggle; life is a dream.~</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">These children are so determined and driven for their education and to make their lives better that it makes me look at my life and appreciate it so much more. God has blessed me with the opportunity to go to high school easily, when these children look at secondary education as a goal. God has blessed me with a home and a family that provides me with food and clothing, when some of these children don’t have a home or parents, food, shoes, or many clothes. I looked at one of the children’s feet today and saw toes popping out of the front of what used to be tennis shoes; and when we handed out those baseball uniforms, the smiles and excitement in the children’s faces was unreal, just like when they were given toothbrushes. They all gripped their toothbrushes so tightly and waved them around in joy, that I was afraid they might lose circulation in their hands. God has blessed me with so many things in life and has given me so much more than I deserve. I thank the Lord for the opportunity he has given me to come on this trip to learn what I have and join in fellowship with these strong believers in Christ. The blessings I’ve received on this trip have been more than anything I could ever want or need—more than any physical blessings I could hold onto. I have surely learned more here than I have taught, and I will miss these children all the more for that. <i>~Life is too precious. Be blessed.~</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Today was our final day with the kids, and after their beautiful morning songs and a few devotions from Loren, Matthew, and another teacher here, it was spent fully on playing with the children, talking with them, tickling them, letting them pet our hair and make it look “smart,” and taking picture upon picture with them. Many of the children and teachers told us not to leave—to live in Kenya, get married in Kenya, raise a family in Kenya, and the like. It was so hard to say goodbye, especially when one of the teachers had some of the children from each class say a pleasant goodbye to us and had each of us say one to them. When all of the children were dismissed, another teacher—one that we worked with for much of the time we spent here—came up to us and gave a very wonderful goodbye speech, thanking us for the messages we have brought, the fellowship we have shared, and the work we have done. He ended his speech by saying, “let this be a beginning, but never an end.” <i>~Life is an adventure; life is life.~</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">God’s light is clearly being shown through these people and their selflessness, and I can assure you that they have done much more for us than we have done for them. Please pray for these beautiful people, that they may continue on with their work here, and that these families may be blessed, not only with earthly blessings, but especially with the grace of God and a strong faith so they can smile out any storms they may face.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i>Matthew 6: 25 & 34</i>, <i>“Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? . . . Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” ~Life is a promise.~</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">“Never regret a day in your life. Good days give you happiness, bad days give you experience, and both are essential in life. Keep going.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">~Christiana</span></span></div>Todd H. Ohlmannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04227222714145635908noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-805629571572634530.post-54538166550185337692012-07-28T09:08:00.000+03:002012-07-30T05:31:32.986+03:00“Let this be a beginning, but never an end”<div dir='ltr'> <font size="3" face="Times New Roman"> </font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><font face="Calibri">"Life is an opportunity—benefit from it; life is beauty—admire it; life is a dream—achieve it; life is a challenge—face it; life is a duty—complete it; life is a game—play it; life is a promise—fulfill it; life is sorrow—overcome it; life is a song—sing it; life is a struggle—accept it; life is a tragedy—confront it; life is an adventure—dare it; life is luck—make it; life is too precious—do not destroy it; life is life—fight for it. Be blessed." ~One of the teacher here in Etago<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></font></font></p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"> </font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><font face="Calibri">These words were heard being read by Loren as Gretchen and I were in the middle of an interview with one of the teachers. They fit so perfectly with the things we had heard about the lives of some of these teachers that my heart couldn't help but be humbled by the things surrounding me. These last two days have been especially humbling and eye opening, that I thank the Lord for the privilege of having spent them. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">~Life is an opportunity; life is beauty.~</i><o:p></o:p></font></font></p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"> </font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font face="Calibri"><font size="3">Thursday noon, Gretchen and I interviewed all of the teachers, asking them different questions about their lives, and there was one that especially pulled at my heartstrings as I listened to the selfless love that he poured out. This teacher, Nicholas, is twenty-three years old, has been teaching here at the school for two years, and teaches 7</font><font size="2"><sup>th</sup></font><font size="3"> and 8</font><font size="2"><sup>th</sup></font><font size="3"> grade science; 7</font><font size="2"><sup>th</sup></font><font size="3"> grade Swahili; and 5</font><font size="2"><sup>th</sup></font><font size="3">, 6</font><font size="2"><sup>th</sup></font><font size="3">, and 7</font><font size="2"><sup>th</sup></font><font size="3"> grade Christian Religious Education. He lives in a small, poverty-ridden house with his six brothers, four sisters, and his father who had a stroke that is causing much difficulty. Nicholas is the 4</font><font size="2"><sup>th</sup></font><font size="3"> born child, but the oldest son, so he takes care of the family for his father. Almost half of his monthly wage, which is less than 30 American dollars, is used to pay for his father's illness, while the rest goes to his siblings' school bills and what they can afford for food and other needs. Nicholas is also a very intelligent man—having gone to "computer college," driving school, school for plant operation and road construction, and two years of school for teaching. Seeing his accomplishments, it is obvious that Nicholas is smart and could be working for more wages—but he chooses to teach here at the school. He chooses to work for 11 ½ hours Monday through Friday for 10 months of the year and make far less than what a person making minimum wage in the United States would make in a month, and he chooses to use all of that money for the rest of his family. What a selfless, respectable, Christian example. Nicholas has chosen to use his talents to help the children at this school get an education not only for their lives here on earth, but for their eternal lives. Nicholas has chosen to put the needs of others before his own, and to do the Work that the Lord has set out. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Philippians 2:3 "Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself." ~Life is a challenge; life is a duty.~</i><o:p></o:p></font></font></p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"> </font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font face="Calibri"><font size="3">The 7</font><font size="2"><sup>th</sup></font><font size="3"> and 8</font><font size="2"><sup>th</sup></font><font size="3"> grade children have school from 8 am to 4:30 pm (like the others), with a break of 2 ½ hours, only to come back for class from 7pm to 10pm and stay overnight. The 5 male teachers here teach all of these 11 ½ hours, and some stay overnight with the children. For many of the children here, it is a wonderful blessing to be able to stay at the school. Many of them come from extremely poverty-ridden homes and families that cannot feed them or support them in their education, so the school allows these underprivileged children to live at the school for all ten months. The teachers selflessly allow these children to live here for free and go to school here for free, and they even provide them with what they can afford for food, which is more than their families can do; and the other school children who come from more privileged families and who are able to pay for school and live at home, bring what they can of food in order to help provide for the other, less-privileged children. This love for one another that is shown so abundantly here at the school is extremely humbling and heart wrenching. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">~Life is a tragedy; life is a song .~</i><o:p></o:p></font></font></p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"> </font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font face="Calibri"><font size="3">Gretchen and I also interviewed the 8</font><font size="2"><sup>th</sup></font><font size="3"> graders today, who will be graduating at the end of this month after taking a test in the coming week. Some of these children are those who live in struggling families, and are unsure of how they will be able to pay for secondary education after this. Another story that especially pulled on my heartstrings was that of a boy who is 13 years old and living with only his mother. He has no siblings and no father, due to the fact that his mother had him out of wedlock; and the two of them continuously jump from rental house to rental house when he is not living at the school. The teachers told us that this boy has very much potential—aspiring to be a doctor—but sadly after graduation, he will not have the funds to move on to secondary education since he has no father and a struggling mother, barely getting by on rent. If this boy's mother dies, he will have nowhere to go—no one to support him. He would be alone completely in the world, and as we found out from some of the other children, sudden death is not uncommon here. A few of the children's parents have died of malaria, and another's parents died in a car accident. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">~Life is a struggle; life is a dream.~<o:p></o:p></i></font></font></p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"> </font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><font face="Calibri">These children are so determined and driven for their education and to make their lives better that it makes me look at my life and appreciate it so much more. God has blessed me with the opportunity to go to high school easily, when these children look at secondary education as a goal. God has blessed me with a home and a family that provides me with food and clothing, when some of these children don't have a home or parents, food, shoes, or many clothes. I looked at one of the children's feet today and saw toes popping out of the front of what used to be tennis shoes; and when we handed out those baseball uniforms, the smiles and excitement in the children's faces was unreal, just like when they were given toothbrushes. They all gripped their toothbrushes so tightly and waved them around in joy, that I was afraid they might lose circulation in their hands. God has blessed me with so many things in life and has given me so much more than I deserve. I thank the Lord for the opportunity he has given me to come on this trip to learn what I have and join in fellowship with these strong believers in Christ. The blessings I've received on this trip have been more than anything I could ever want or need—more than any physical blessings I could hold onto. I have surely learned more here than I have taught, and I will miss these children all the more for that. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">~Life is too precious. Be blessed.~</i><o:p></o:p></font></font></p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"> </font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><font face="Calibri">Today was our final day with the kids, and after their beautiful morning songs and a few devotions from Loren, Matthew, and another teacher here, it was spent fully on playing with the children, talking with them, tickling them, letting them pet our hair and make it look "smart," and taking picture upon picture with them. Many of the children and teachers told us not to leave—to live in Kenya, get married in Kenya, raise a family in Kenya, and the like. It was so hard to say goodbye, especially when one of the teachers had some of the children from each class say a pleasant goodbye to us and had each of us say one to them. When all of the children were dismissed, another teacher—one that we worked with for much of the time we spent here—came up to us and gave a very wonderful goodbye speech, thanking us for the messages we have brought, the fellowship we have shared, and the work we have done. He ended his speech by saying, "let this be a beginning, but never an end." <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">~Life is an adventure; life is life.~</i><o:p></o:p></font></font></p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"> </font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><font face="Calibri">God's light is clearly being shown through these people and their selflessness, and I can assure you that they have done much more for us than we have done for them. Please pray for these beautiful people, that they may continue on with their work here, and that these families may be blessed, not only with earthly blessings, but especially with the grace of God and a strong faith so they can smile out any storms they may face.<o:p></o:p></font></font></p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"> </font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><font face="Calibri"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Matthew 6: 25 & 34</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? . . . Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble." ~Life is a promise.~</i><o:p></o:p></font></font></p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"> </font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><font face="Calibri">"Never regret a day in your life. Good days give you happiness, bad days give you experience, and both are essential in life. Keep going."<o:p></o:p></font></font></p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"> </font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><font face="Calibri">~Christiana<o:p></o:p></font></font></p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"> </font> </div>Todd H. Ohlmannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04227222714145635908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-805629571572634530.post-43561629981808395852012-07-26T22:08:00.000+03:002012-07-28T19:43:25.944+03:00With Jesus in the Vessel<span style="line-height: 15.555556297302246px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">July 26, 2012<br /><br />Hello once again from Etago!<br /><br />As Christiana described in her last blog, singing is essential and especially wonderful here. Recently one of the teachers taught everyone a new song – “With Jesus in the Vessel.” The simple, yet meaningful lyrics, “With Jesus in the vessel we can smile out the storm as we go sailing home” is a perfect theme song for the school kids here, as well as any Christian. Kate mentioned in her blog how incredibly joyous all the children are at the places they have been privileged to teach, and our team here in Etago has discovered the same. Most if not all of the many many songs we’ve been blessed to hear our children sing are about redemption, salvation, eternal life in heaven, and praising God. “With Jesus in the vessel…”</span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 15.555556297302246px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />The children here do not have nearly as many earthly things that we might consider “necessities.” At the end of the school day it’s common to see a couple broken shoes left on the ground, and students showing up barefoot the next day. Terrible diseases such as AIDS are so prominent here that with lack of medical resources, many easily lose friends and family members, as one student’s sad poem reminded us. Yet despite all their hardships of life, laughing, singing, and smiling remain constant every day. “…We can smile out the storm…”</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 15.555556297302246px;"><br />Persevering, sailing on to better days, and ultimately heaven, is what these children strive for. They certainly use their gifts and talents to the glory of God, and this is clearly shown in the great success of the school. In 2011, the school was ranked 24<sup>th</sup> in their district of 143 schools. In 2012, out of 131 schools, standard 8 was ranked 29<sup>th</sup>, standard 7 ranked 8<sup>th</sup>, and standard 6 ranked 28<sup>th</sup>. The Lord has truly blessed this group of young children.<br /><br />Last Sunday, we traveled to the CLC church in Omotembe, Kenya, and were able to join in their worship service filled with dancing and singing hymns, some of which were Kisii hymns that we are actually getting to know quite well now! </span><span style="line-height: 15.555556297302246px;">J</span><span style="line-height: 15.555556297302246px;"> We then presented our ‘Seven C’s’ lessons to the eager and attentive children there. The afternoon was quickly filled with stops at a few homes, many hilarious conversations with our Kenyan brothers and sisters in Christ, and a very interesting car ride back to Etago in the refreshing Kenyan rain. </span><span style="line-height: 15.555556297302246px;">J</span><span style="line-height: 15.555556297302246px;"> Thankfully, the rain stopped in time for Jennifer, Christiana, and I to help our host mother prepare supper, which includes (but is not limited to) rolling out chipati, milking a cow, and entertaining our hosts’ 5-month old son.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 15.555556297302246px;"><br />Monday and Tuesday we were back at school, finishing up our Bible lessons with the story of Jesus’ ascension and doing origami-type crafts. Also on Monday, the infamous blue baseball pants, among other sports uniforms as well, were distributed to the school kids, who all changed into them right away. The place was instantly transformed from a traditional Kenyan school with kids in pink and blue uniforms to a hillside full of several very energetic sports teams. </span><span style="line-height: 15.555556297302246px;">J</span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 15.555556297302246px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />Yesterday, our team and our hosts roadtripped to Lake Victoria. We were even able to get a ride out on the lake in a large motorboat (only after our friend in the Kenyan Navy refused to commandeer the unused ferry we found ;) ). Being in the boat, we really couldn’t help but sing “With Jesus in the Vessel.” Our time in Etago is coming to an end shortly, but we still have a couple days to teach and celebrate in the Lord with our new friends here.<br /><br />Bwano Asifiwe,<br />~ Gretchen</span></span>Todd H. Ohlmannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04227222714145635908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-805629571572634530.post-57415932130647517822012-07-25T12:09:00.003+03:002012-07-25T21:32:17.420+03:00Korogwe Tanzania = More OpportunitiesToday (Wednesday,7/25) we will hit the road again and head further south to the Tanzanian coast on the Indian Ocean. Team Tanzania will teach another 200-300 students at a primary school here in Korogwe this morning and then find a bus heading south to Tanga. This is where Pastor Michael Gondwe lives. We will meet his family and visit a local congregation tonight and then tomorrow we will travel by bus again an area near to the most south/eastern border of Kenya near the city of Horohoro where Pastor Gondwe has started his most recent congregation.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Korogwe Tanzania area Primary School</td></tr>
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The past two days have taken us to several schools and homes in the Korogwe area where we have had the opportunity to teach primary school children the simple Gospel message. By the time we leave today we will have taught several hundred children in three different schools in six classrooms and four homes. While many of the children we are teaching have already heard the Good News of Jesus...we are all especially excited that we have been able to teach many Muslim children as well. You can always identify the girls from Muslim families because of the head-coverings they are wearing. I was told that there are probably more Muslim boys in the classes than girls because many of the little girls are not allowed to attend school.<br />
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While some of the Muslim children do not respond and make their non-participation obvious in the classes (especially among the older children), there are many who listen attentively and even ask and answer questions.<br />
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What a privilege to be able to plant the Seed of God's Word in the hearts of these precious little children for whom our Savior died and rose again.<br />
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<i><span style="color: blue;"><b><span style="background-color: white;">For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, And do not return there, But water the earth, And make it bring forth and bud, That it may give seed to the sower And bread to the eater, So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it. (</span><span style="background-color: white;">Isaiah 55:10-11)</span></b></span></i><br />
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Please join us in praying that the Lord will bless the truth that has been proclaimed...that these children will be led by the Holy Spirit to repent of their sins and rejoice in the forgiveness, salvation, and eternal life that is for them by faith in Jesus!<br />
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In Christ,<br />
Pastor Ohlmann<br />
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<br />Todd H. 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} if( !_timedOut && !(_parseCriterias&ParseCriterias.InputsOnly) && _parseCriterias&ParseCriterias.EnableAjaxSupport ) { this.processInputs(oElement.getElementsByTagName("A"), null, arrInputsDesc, arrInputs, true); } var endTime = new Date().getTime(); if( (endTime-startTime) > maxCombinedParseTime ) { _timedOut = true; } return true; }, collectNonInputs: function(oParent, oBoundaries, arrInputsDesc, arrLabels, arrInputs) { if( typeof oParent == "undefined" || typeof oBoundaries == "undefined" || typeof arrInputsDesc == "undefined" || typeof arrLabels == "undefined" || typeof arrInputs == "undefined" ) { return false; } if( Rect != oBoundaries.constructor || Array != arrInputsDesc.constructor || Array != arrLabels.constructor || Array != arrInputs.constructor ) { return false; } var matchUsingAttachedText = true; var usingEventObjects = (ParseCriterias.EventObjects==(_parseCriterias&ParseCriterias.EventObjects) ); var verifyAttributeByAttachedText = ( ParseCriterias.VerifyAttributeByAttachedText==(_parseCriterias&ParseCriterias.VerifyAttributeByAttachedText) ); var enableAjaxSupport = ( ParseCriterias.EnableAjaxSupport==(_parseCriterias&ParseCriterias.EnableAjaxSupport) ); if( !matchUsingAttachedText && !usingEventObjects && !verifyAttributeByAttachedText ) { return true; } var eventTypes = (usingEventObjects ? _eventTypes : 0); var oRectElement = new Rect(0, 0, 0, 0); var isFormCollection = false; var oItems = oParent.getElementsByTagName("*"); if( typeof oItems == "undefined" || 0==oItems.length ) { oItems = oParent.all; if( typeof oItems == "undefined" || 0==oItems.length ) { return false; } } var elementType = {}; var inputType = {}; var startTime = new Date().getTime(); var checkTimeCounter = 150; var i = 0; for( i=0; i<oItems.length; ++i ) { if( --checkTimeCounter<=0 ) { var endTime = new Date().getTime(); if( (endTime - startTime)>_parseTimeOut ) { _timedOut = true; break; } checkTimeCounter = 150; } var oElement = oItems[i]; if( typeof oElement == "undefined" ) { continue; } elementType.value = ElementType.Unknown; inputType.value = InputType.Unknown; if( !this.getElementType(oElement, elementType, inputType) && ElementType.Unknown != elementType.value ) { continue; } if( ElementType.Input==inputType.value || ElementType.Select==elementType.value || ElementType.Button==inputType.value || ElementType.Image==elementType.value || ElementType.SelectOption==elementType.value || ElementType.Form==elementType.value || InputType.File==inputType.value || InputType.Submit==inputType.value ) { continue; } var oRect = oElement.getBoundingClientRect(); if( InputType.Unknown == inputType.value && usingEventObjects ) { if( 0!=eventTypes && this.hasEventHandler(eventTypes, oElement) ) { inputType.value = InputType.EventObject; } } if( InputType.Unknown != inputType.value ) { var width = oRect.right - oRect.left; var height = oRect.bottom - oRect.top; var outOfBounds = ( width<_minElementWidth || width>_maxElementWidth || height<_minElementHeight || height>_maxElementHeight ); if( outOfBounds ) { if( _parseCriterias&ParseCriterias.IgnoreHiddenInputs ) { continue; } if( 0!=width && 0!=height ) { continue; } } if( InputType.TextArea == inputType.value || InputType.EventObject == inputType.value ) { var sInputDesc = this.processInput(oElement, oRect, elementType, inputType); if( null != sInputDesc ) { if( null != oBoundaries ) { this.expandRect(oRect, oBoundaries); } arrInputs.push(oElement); arrInputsDesc.push(sInputDesc.length); arrInputsDesc.push(sInputDesc); } } } else if( matchUsingAttachedText || verifyAttributeByAttachedText ) { var ptX = ((oRect.right-oRect.left)/2)+oRect.left; var ptY = ((oRect.bottom-oRect.top)/2)+oRect.top; if( !(ptX>=oBoundaries.left && ptX<=oBoundaries.right && ptY>=oBoundaries.top && ptY<=oBoundaries.bottom) ) { continue; } var sText = this.getElementText(oElement, oRect); if( null == sText ) { var oFirstChild = oElement.firstChild; if( null != oFirstChild ) { sText = this.getElementText(oFirstChild, oRect); } } if( null != sText ) { sText = sText.trim(); var length = sText.length; var sLabel = ""; if( length>0 ) { sLabel = "{" + elementType.value + ",0},{" + oRect.left + "," + oRect.top + "," + oRect.right + "," + oRect.bottom + "}"; sLabel+= "#!#" + length + "#!#" + sText; } else { sLabel = "{" + elementType.value + ",0},{" + oRect.left + "," + oRect.top + "," + oRect.right + "," + oRect.bottom + "}"; sLabel+= "#!#0"; } arrLabels.push(sLabel.length); arrLabels.push(sLabel); } } } return true; }, processInputs : function(oInputs, oBoundaries, arrInputsDesc, arrInputs, isAjaxCollection) { if( typeof oInputs == "undefined" || typeof arrInputsDesc == "undefined" || typeof arrInputsDesc == "arrInputs" ) { return false; } if( ( oBoundaries!=null && Rect != oBoundaries.constructor ) || Array != arrInputsDesc.constructor || Array != arrInputs.constructor ) { return false; } var length = oInputs.length; if( 0 == length ) { return true; } var usingEventObjects = (ParseCriterias.EventObjects==(_parseCriterias&ParseCriterias.EventObjects) ); var ignoreHiddenInputs = (ParseCriterias.IgnoreHiddenInputs==(_parseCriterias&ParseCriterias.IgnoreHiddenInputs)); if( isAjaxCollection ) { ignoreHiddenInputs = true; } var startTime = new Date().getTime(); var checkTimeCounter = 150; var i = 0; for (i = 0; i<length; ++i) { if( --checkTimeCounter<=0 ) { var endTime = new Date().getTime(); if( (endTime - startTime)>_parseTimeOut ) { _timedOut = true; break; } checkTimeCounter = 150; } var oElement = oInputs[i]; var oRect = oElement.getBoundingClientRect(); if( isAjaxCollection && usingEventObjects ) { if( 0!=_eventTypes && this.hasEventHandler(_eventTypes, oElement) ) { continue; } } if( !this.IsValidElement(oElement, oRect, ignoreHiddenInputs) ) { continue; } var elementType = {}; var inputType = {}; if( false == isAjaxCollection ) { if( !this.getElementType(oElement, elementType, inputType) || InputType.Checkbox == inputType.value || ElementType.SelectOption == elementType.value ) { continue; } } else { elementType.value = ElementType.AjaxLink; inputType.value = InputType.Unknown; } var sInputDesc = this.processInput(oElement, oRect, elementType, inputType); if( null != sInputDesc ) { if( null != oBoundaries ) { this.expandRect(oRect, oBoundaries); } arrInputs.push(oElement); arrInputsDesc.push(sInputDesc.length); arrInputsDesc.push(sInputDesc); } } return true; }, getElementText: function(oElement, oRect) { if( typeof oElement == "undefined" || typeof oRect == "undefined" ) { return null; } if( ClientRect != oRect.constructor ) { return null; } var width = oRect.right-oRect.left; var height = oRect.bottom-oRect.top; if( width<_minStringWidth || width>_maxStringWidth || height<_minStringHeight || height>_maxStringHeight ) { return null; } var innerText = oElement.innerText; if( null == innerText ) { return null; } innerText = innerText.trim(); var length = innerText.length; if( length<_minStringLength || length>_maxStringLength ) { return null; } return innerText; }, processInput: function(oElement, oRect, elementType, inputType) { if( typeof oElement == "undefined" || typeof oRect == "undefined" ) { return null; } if( ClientRect != oRect.constructor ) { return null; } var ajaxSupport = ( ParseCriterias.EnableAjaxSupport==(_parseCriterias&ParseCriterias.EnableAjaxSupport) ); var isImage = ( ParseCriterias.IgnoreImages==(_parseCriterias&ParseCriterias.IgnoreImages) ); var outerHTML = null; if( ElementType.Form!=elementType.value && ElementType.FieldSet!=elementType.value ) { outerHTML = oElement.outerHTML; } else if (InputType.Select == inputType.value) { outerHTML = "<select"; var oAttributes = oElement.attributes; if( null != oAttributes ) { var length = oAttributes.length; for( i=0; i<length; ++i ) { var oAttrPair = oAttributes[i]; if( typeof oAttrPair == "undefined" ) { continue; } outerHTML+= " " + oAttrPair.name + "=\"" + oAttrPair.value + "\""; } } outerHTML += "></select>"; } if( null == outerHTML && (InputType.EventObject==inputType.value || isImage) ) { return null; } var innerText = ""; if( ElementType.Button==elementType.value ) { innerText = oElement.innerText; if( null == innerText ) { innerText = oElement.getAttribute("value"); } } else if( ElementType.AjaxLink == elementType.value ) { innerText = this.getElementText(oElement, oRect); if( null==innerText ) { return null; } } else if( InputType.Select==inputType.value ) { var arrOptions = new Array(); var length = 0; var items = oElement.options; if( typeof items != "undefined" ) { length = items.length; var i = 0; for( i=0; i<length; ++i ) { innerText = items[i].innerText; if( null == innerText || 0 == innerText.length ) { arrOptions.push("<!>#<!>"); } else { innerText = innerText.trim(); arrOptions.push(innerText); } } if( arrOptions.length >0 ) { var sOptions = "\"" + arrOptions.join("\":\"") + "\""; sOptions.replace("<!>#<!>", " "); innerText = arrOptions.length + "#!#" + sOptions; } } if( 0==length ) { innerText = "0#!#"; } } else if( InputType.Submit==inputType.value ) { innerText = oElement.getAttribute("value"); if( null == innerText ) { innerText = oElement.innerText; } } else if( InputType.EventObject==inputType.value ) { var oFirstChild = oElement.firstChild; if( null != oFirstChild ) { innerText = oFirstChild.innerText; } if( null == innerText || 0 == innerText.length ) { innerText = oElement.innerText; } if( null != innerText ) { innerText = innerText.trim(); } } else if( ElementType.Link == elementType.value ) { innerText = oElement.innerText; bIsAjaxElement = true; } else if( InputType.Radio == inputType.value && (null == innerText || 0 == innerText.length) ) { var oNextSibling = oElement.nextSibling; if( null != oNextSibling ) { innerText = oNextSibling.innerText; } } var arrDesc = this.getInputDescription(oElement, oRect, elementType, inputType); if( null == arrDesc ) { return null; } if( null == innerText ) { arrDesc.push("0"); } else { innerText = innerText.trim(); var length = innerText.length; if( 0==length ) { arrDesc.push("0"); } else { arrDesc.push(innerText.length); arrDesc.push(innerText); } } if( null == outerHTML ) { arrDesc.push("0"); } else { var length = outerHTML.length; if( 0==length ) { arrDesc.push("0"); } else { arrDesc.push(outerHTML.length); arrDesc.push(outerHTML); } } return arrDesc.join("#!#"); }, getInputDescription: function(oElement, oRect, elementType, inputType) { if( typeof oElement == "undefined" || typeof oRect == "undefined" ) { return null; } if( ClientRect != oRect.constructor ) { return null; } var arrItems = new Array(); arrItems.push("{" + elementType.value + "," + inputType.value + "},{" + oRect.left + "," + oRect.top + "," + oRect.right + "," + oRect.bottom + "}"); var oAttributes = oElement.attributes; if( null==oAttributes ) { arrItems.push("0"); } else { var length = oAttributes.length; arrItems.push(length); if( length > 0 ) { var sAttrs = ""; var i = 0; for( i=0; i<length; ++i ) { var oAttrPair = oAttributes[i]; if( typeof oAttrPair == "undefined" ) { continue; } if( "id" == oAttrPair.name ) { if( sAttrs.length>0 ) { var sTemp = "\"" + oAttrPair.name + "\":\"" + oAttrPair.value + "\"," + sAttrs; sAttrs = sTemp; } else { sAttrs = "\"" + oAttrPair.name + "\":\"" + oAttrPair.value + "\""; } continue; } if( sAttrs.length>0 ) { sAttrs+=",\""; } else { sAttrs+= "\""; } sAttrs += oAttrPair.name + "\":\"" + oAttrPair.value + "\""; } arrItems.push(sAttrs.length); arrItems.push(sAttrs); } } return arrItems; }, expandRect: function(oElementRect, oBoundaries) { if( null == oBoundaries ) { return true; } if( typeof oElementRect == "undefined" || typeof oBoundaries == "undefined" ) { return false; } if( ClientRect != oElementRect.constructor || Rect != oBoundaries.constructor ) { return false; } if( oElementRect.left<oBoundaries.left ) { oBoundaries.left = ( (oElementRect.left-_farTextMaxDeltaX>0) ? oElementRect.left-_farTextMaxDeltaX : 0); } if( oElementRect.top<oBoundaries.top ) { oBoundaries.top = ( (oElementRect.top-_farTextMaxDeltaY>0) ? oElementRect.top-_farTextMaxDeltaY : 0); } if( oElementRect.right>oBoundaries.right ) { oBoundaries.right = oElementRect.right+_farTextMaxDeltaX; } if( oElementRect.bottom>oBoundaries.bottom ) { oBoundaries.bottom = oElementRect.bottom+_farTextMaxDeltaY; } return true; }, getElementType: function(oElement, elementType, inputType) { elementType.value = ElementType.Unknown; inputType.value = InputType.Unknown; if( typeof oElement == "undefined" ) { return false; } var isInputType = false; var nodeName = oElement.nodeName.toUpperCase(); var length = nodeName.length; if( 1==length ) { if( nodeName == "A" ) { elementType.value = ElementType.Link; } else if( nodeName == "B" ) { elementType.value = ElementType.Label; } } else if( 2==length ) { if( nodeName == "TD" || nodeName == "TH" ) { elementType.value = ElementType.TableCell; } if ( nodeName == "TR" ) { elementType.value = ElementType.TableRow; } if ( nodeName == "EM" ) { elementType.value = ElementType.Header; } else if( nodeName == "H1" || nodeName == "H2" || nodeName == "H3" || nodeName == "H4" || nodeName == "H5" || nodeName == "H6" ) { elementType.value = ElementType.Header; } } else if( 3==length ) { if ( nodeName == "DIV" ) { elementType.value = ElementType.Container; } else if( nodeName == "IMG" ) { elementType.value = ElementType.Image; isInputType = true; } } else if( 4==length ) { if ( nodeName == "SPAN" ) { elementType.value = ElementType.Container; } else if ( nodeName == "FORM" ) { inputType.value = InputType.Unknown; elementType.value = ElementType.Form; } } else if( 5==length ) { if( nodeName == "INPUT" ) { elementType.value = ElementType.Input; isInputType = true; } else if( nodeName == "LABEL" ) { elementType.value = ElementType.Label; } } else if( 6==length ) { if( nodeName == "OPTION" ) { elementType.value = ElementType.SelectOption; } else if( nodeName == "SELECT" ) { elementType.value = ElementType.Select; inputType.value = InputType.Select; } else if( nodeName == "BUTTON" ) { elementType.value = ElementType.Button; this.getElementInputType(oElement, inputType); if( InputType.Submit != inputType.value ) { inputType.value = InputType.Button; } } else if( nodeName == "STRONG" ) { elementType.value = ElementType.Header; } } else if( 8==length ) { if( nodeName == "TEXTAREA" ) { elementType.value = ElementType.TextArea; inputType.value = InputType.TextArea; } else if( nodeName == "FIELDSET" ) { inputType.value = InputType.Unknown; elementType.value = ElementType.FieldSet; } } if( ElementType.Unknown == elementType.value ) { elementType.value = ElementType.Generic; } if( true == isInputType ) { this.getElementInputType(oElement, inputType); if( ElementType.Image==elementType.value && InputType.Submit!=inputType.value ) { inputType.value = InputType.Image; } } return true; }, getElementInputType: function(oElement, inputType) { inputType.value = InputType.Unknown; if( typeof oElement == "undefined" ) { return false; } var sType = oElement.getAttribute("type"); if( null == sType || 0 == sType.length ) { inputType.value = InputType.Text; return true; } inputType.value = InputType.Text; sType = sType.toUpperCase(); if( sType == "PASSWORD" ) { inputType.value = InputType.Password; } else if( sType == "SUBMIT" ) { inputType.value = InputType.Submit; } else if( sType == "IMAGE" ) { inputType.value = InputType.Image; } else if( sType == "BUTTON" ) { inputType.value = InputType.Button; } else if( sType == "CHECKBOX" ) { inputType.value = InputType.Checkbox; } else if( sType == "RADIO" ) { inputType.value = InputType.Radio; } else if( sType == "RESET" ) { inputType.value = InputType.Reset; } else if( sType == "FILE" ) { inputType.value = InputType.File; } else if( sType == "HIDDEN" ) { inputType.value = InputType.Hidden; } else { inputType.value = InputType.Text; } return true; }, IsValidDocumentHeight: function() { if( !(_parseCriterias & ParseCriterias.VerifyDocumentHeight) ) { return true; } var oRect = window.document.documentElement.getBoundingClientRect(); if( (oRect.bottom-oRect.top)<_docMinHeight ) { return false; } return true; }, IsValidElement: function(oElement, oRect, bIgnoreHiddenInputs) { if( typeof oElement == "undefined" || typeof oRect == "undefined" || ClientRect != oRect.constructor ) { return false; } var nWidth = oRect.right - oRect.left; var nHeight = oRect.bottom - oRect.top; if( 0 == nWidth && 0 == nHeight ) { return (bIgnoreHiddenInputs?false:true); } if( nWidth<_minElementWidth || nWidth>_maxElementWidth || nHeight<_minElementHeight || nHeight>_maxElementHeight ) { return false; } var valid = true; try { var sType = oElement.getAttribute("type"); if( null != sType ) { if( sType == "hidden" ) { valid = false; } } } catch(err) {} return valid; }, hasEventHandler: function(eventType, oElement) { if( 0 == eventType || typeof oElement == "undefined") { return false; } if( eventType&Event.OnClick ) { if( null != oElement.getAttribute("onclick") ) { return true; } } if( eventType&Event.OnSubmit ) { if( null != oElement.getAttribute("onsubmit") ) { return true; } } if( eventType&Event.OnMouseDown ) { if( null != oElement.getAttribute("onmousedown") ) { return true; } } if( eventType&Event.OnMouseUp ) { if( null != oElement.getAttribute("onmouseup") ) { return true; } } if( eventType&Event.HREFJavaScriptMethod || eventType&Event.HREFPound ) { var handler = oElement.getAttribute("href"); if( null != handler ) { handler = handler.toLowerCase(); if( 0 == handler.indexOf("javascript") ) { return true; } if( 0 == handler.indexOf("#") ) { return true; } } } if( eventType&Event.Command ) { if( null != oElement.getAttribute("command") ) { return true; } } if( eventType&Event.FormAction ) { if( null != oElement.getAttribute("formaction") ) { return true; } } return false; } };} ();function waxGetLangs() { return WAX.getLangs();}function waxGetElement(index) { if( null == index ) { return; } return WAX.getElement(index);}function waxGetCandidates(args) { if (Array != args.constructor || ( 15!=args.length && 16!=args.length) ) { return "E_INVALIDARG"; } return WAX.Parse(args);}</script> <div style="direction: ltr;font-family: Tahoma;color: #000000;font-size: 10pt;"> <div><br> </div> <div>There is a children's song, that many of you are probably familiar with, which uses this verse for its basis. It has been one that runs through my head as I am waking in the morning. Each day is filled with so many blessings and oppurtunities to spread the Good News to vast numbers of eager hearts. </div> <div><br> </div> <div>I cannot rememeber the last time I have had as much fun as I did today. We celebrated (and are still celebrating) Tom Tom's 21st birthday...African style! We went to Holy Cross School for the morning. It amazes me how excited the kids still are to see us. I figured that after awhile they would get used to us being there and we would lose our novelty. But the opposite seems to be happening. As Mwangi (our driver) makes his way up the large rocky hill to our school, we know we are close when we start to hear excited shrieks of joy. We can hardly get out of the van because they are packed so tightly against the door jumping up and down, smiling their beautiful smiles, and waving enthusiasticly. While the kids might show their excitment more openly I can assure you that we are more excited to see them every morning than they are to see us. (Or it's at least a tie.) </div> <div><br> </div> <div>We spent the morning doing all sorts of joyous activities. From playing volleyball, football, hopscotch, duck-duck-goose, chasing bubbles, styling hair, snuggling, coloring pictures, to running away from the crazy leaping monkey (Jordan), there is never a dull moment. The students made a circle around the birthday boy and serenated him with a joyous birthday song. Then the kids taught us all sorts of Swahili songs and dances. Their joy is contagious and you can't help but to grab someone's hand and dance around. These kids are the happiest kids I have ever met. They have so little, yet they are content. Being around them is very humbling and makes me realize how much I take all that God has given me for granted. Many of them don't have shoes or a lunch to eat, some don't have parents to go home to. Yet they are so joyful. They are filled with the joy of their Savior and sing and dance with all their hearts to glorify Him. These kids are teaching me so much more than I am teaching them. </div> <div><br> </div> <div>This afternoon we went to two different schools in the area and taught our lessons. The first was a primary school (1st-8th). The kids were very eager to here the message we brought to them. There was one kid that answered every single question that we asked the group. He was extremely intelligent. Tom shook his hand and told him he should become a pastor when he grows up after we finished out lesson. </div> <div><br> </div> <div>Next we went to a Secondary School (High School). Today I was faced head on with one of my worst fears- public speaking. We entered the auditorium where over 600 students had gathered together. I was shaking I was so nervous. I took a deep breath, said a little prayer, and carried myself to the front stage to begin our lessons. This experience enforced in me how much I have nothing to do with the message that God gave these students today. I am simply a vessel through which the Holy Spirit is carrying out His work. </div> <div><br> </div> <div>As Paul says in 1 Corinthians 2:1-5,"And I brethern when I came to you, I did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. For I am determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of Power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God." </div> <div><br> </div> <div>As we go through our daily lives we have to fight off Satan's lies with these words of God. Satan contiually tries to fill our minds with doubt and tries to convince us that we are to weak to do the work of God. We must remember that the Holy Spirit is giving us the words to say and He is the one doing the real work. It is not about the messanger, but rather about the message that we bring. </div> <div><br> </div> <div>2 Corinthians 12:10,"Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong."</div> <div> --Kate Oster</div> <div><br> </div> </div> Todd H. Ohlmannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04227222714145635908noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-805629571572634530.post-67002906339075112312012-07-23T23:57:00.002+03:002012-07-24T08:47:54.261+03:00New Scenery, new faces, new children to spread the Gospel to!<br />
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Greetings from new (green) scenery in Korogwe, Tanzania!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Today we left Makanya and headed on to Korogwe. Now in a hotel with a shower, FINALLY we have settled in and are ready to continue our work looking forward to the many children we will see tomorrow. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Since we were without internet for the entirety of our stay in Makanya, we have much to blog about. We arrived in Makanya on the 18<sup>th</sup>. It was an interesting change from the cities we had stayed in previously. During our four days in Makanya we had the opportunity to teach our lessons to a preschool/kindergarten class of nearly 130 children and to travel to some public schools. Pastor Ibrahim gave a short message to the children in the primary school and Pastor O. talked with the older students about God’s grace. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Some things that we learned during our stay in Makanya<o:p></o:p></div>
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--The HIV/AIDS percentage in the Makanya area is over 70%.<o:p></o:p></div>
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--The Makanya area is currently in a 3 year drought.<o:p></o:p></div>
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--There is a large population of Muslims in the Makanya area.<o:p></o:p></div>
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--The stars in Africa are absolutely insane.<o:p></o:p></div>
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On Saturday, Pastor O. was in charge of a seminar for the elders and pastors in the area. Seeing as we had no plans for the day, we put our hiking shoes on and headed up into the mountains (large hills…mountains have snow on them year-round). We got to see the city from a new point of view.<o:p></o:p></div>
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On Sunday Randy had the privilege of preaching….3 times!!! Of course the choirs were amazing (both the children and the adults). We were called on to sing 3 hymns in front of the church. The church service lasted over 2 hours, and immediately following the service Randy was gifted a chicken (we ate that kuku for supper). Next, we loaded 19 people into the Dala Dala, plus four on top, and two on a motorbike. We headed out into the bush to visit a Maasai village. Randy preached again and Pastor O. baptized a little girl. We feasted and headed even further into the bush to another, even smaller and more traditional Maasai village. Randy preached his sermon for a third time and Pastor baptized three more children. After the service an elder in the congregation stood to thank us for coming and<b> </b>tell<b> </b>of the needs of their church (this is common in the churches that we visit). But this was different. Even though this village did not have water (they use donkeys to bring the water in from Makanya...a 4-5 hour walk) and many of the children were hardly clothed, the elder asked for two simple things: a hymn book and a Bible so that they could worship the Lord. At first, it didn’t sink in that this was all that they wanted. Their love and desire to serve and worship their Savior were incredible. Without a single Bible or hymn book they still sang their praises to the Lord.<o:p></o:p></div>
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It’s a real struggle to express the emotion and the reality of the things that we saw there and everywhere we’ve been. We have been uplifted and reminded by Paul’s words to the Romans.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“…for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the holy spirit” Romans 14:17<o:p></o:p></div>
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In Christ,<o:p></o:p></div>
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Ashley, Lucas and Jessica<br />
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PS - a quick Happy Birthday to Tom Tom up there in Kenya!</div>Todd H. Ohlmannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04227222714145635908noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-805629571572634530.post-1283278176729820972012-07-22T21:26:00.001+03:002012-07-22T21:26:17.529+03:00Blessings Abundant<div dir='ltr'> Hello All,<div><br></div><div>I am blessed to inform you that Team Milimani is faring very well. We are heading into our final week here. A week from today we will head back to Nairobi, meet up with the rest of the groups, spend a day in the city, then head on home stopping in Istanbul along the way. Our spirits could not be higher. It seems that the more time we spend in the fellowship of our Kenyan brothers and sisters, the harder it is to think about leaving. </div><div><br></div><div>We were privileged to once again join in the worship of our triumphant Lord this morning at Holy Cross Lutheran Church. Pastor Gurath preached on Habbakuk 2:1-4. A sermon focusing on the God given faith on which we place our trust. I was once again honored to preach the Children's sermon. Which involved the story of the Tower of Babel and Pentecost. The theme was that the Gospel has no language barrier. Pastor Gurath, Kirsten, Jordan, Kate and I also sang two hymns: "Tis Good Lord to be Here" and "Guide Me O Thou Great Jehovah." The latter was difficult to get through. Strong songs and weary singers leads to weepy eyes. </div><div><br></div><div>Tomorrow is picture day at Emmaus Lutheran Hill School. We will take individual pictures of all the students and document their present information and circumstances. We are looking forward to seeing all of those smiling faces for one more week.</div><div><br></div><div>1 Corinthians 2:1-2 "And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.<font face="Charis SIL, charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="3">"</font></div><div><br></div><div>God is Good,</div><div>Tom Naumann <br><div><br></div><div><br></div></div> </div>Todd H. Ohlmannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04227222714145635908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-805629571572634530.post-3919491241217830192012-07-22T21:09:00.001+03:002012-07-22T21:09:17.105+03:00July 21, 2012<font color='black' size='2' face='Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif'><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"> </font> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><font face="Calibri">Jambo,<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></font></font></div> <font size="3" face="Times New Roman"> </font> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><font face="Calibri">Tukosalama hapa katika Etago, Kenya.<o:p></o:p></font></font></div> <font size="3" face="Times New Roman"> </font> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><font face="Calibri">Mungu, alitubariki sana. <o:p></o:p></font></font></div> <font size="3" face="Times New Roman"> </font> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><font face="Calibri">Watoto wamefurahishwa na mafundisho yetu. Tumefundisha mengi ambayo tulikuwa tumejiandaa nayo.<o:p></o:p></font></font></div> <font size="3" face="Times New Roman"> </font> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><font face="Calibri">Tuko na uhusiano mzuri na waalimu. Mungu ametujalia kufundisha neno lake. <o:p></o:p></font></font></div> <font size="3" face="Times New Roman"> </font> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><font face="Calibri">Tunamshukuru Mungu kwa kutujalia nafasi hii. <o:p></o:p></font></font></div> <font size="3" face="Times New Roman"> </font> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><font face="Calibri">Tafadhali mutuombee sisi pamoja na ndugu zetu walio hapa Etago.<o:p></o:p></font></font></div> <font size="3" face="Times New Roman"> </font> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><font face="Calibri">In Christ,<o:p></o:p></font></font></div> <font size="3" face="Times New Roman"> </font> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><font face="Calibri">Matthew<o:p></o:p></font></font></div> <font size="3" face="Times New Roman"> </font> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><font face="Calibri">(Written with the help of one of our Pastors here in Etago)<o:p></o:p></font></font></div> <font size="3" face="Times New Roman"> </font> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p><font size="3" face="Calibri"> </font></o:p></div> <font size="3" face="Times New Roman"> </font> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><font face="Calibri">Beautiful<o:p></o:p></font></font></div> <font size="3" face="Times New Roman"> </font> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><font face="Calibri">Matthew about said it all! We have been very blessed here in Etago, with friends, fellowship, children who continuously put smiles on our faces, random happy strangers, and the most wonderful families we could ever have to take care of us.<o:p></o:p></font></font></div> <font size="3" face="Times New Roman"> </font> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><font face="Calibri">Friday morning, Gretchen, Jennifer, and I all began our 1k walk down to the school, slightly late, but TIA (this is Africa), so time is irrelevant here. When we were about a block or two away from the school, we could already hear the joyous voices singing our favorite song—"Boom to the Lord." Every word was heard perfectly from that far away, and we even sang along as we continued on into the school, where the sound was indescribable. These children love to sing and they put their entire heart and soul into every song. It's incredible--the joy in their faces, the enjoyment in their body language as some of them tap their feet to the beat while others throw their entire bodies into it, and the sound. The sound is so loud I can feel my eardrums shaking. It's amazing. It's beautiful. I could sit there all day, listening to those children sing. Fridays are my favorite day for this reason. They sing for about an hour every Friday morning for a special program that they put together, sharing so many wonderful songs with us. There is really no other way for me to describe it but beautiful.<o:p></o:p></font></font></div> <font size="3" face="Times New Roman"> </font> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><font face="Calibri">This Friday, after the children were done singing their songs, we Mission Helpers sang "What a Friend We Have In Jesus" and "Rock of Ages" with a few of the teachers here. After school on Tuesday and Thursday we sat for about an hour each day, just flipping through song books, singing a few songs in the Kisii language and a few in English, picking a couple to sing for the program on Friday. It was so fun, just sitting around, enjoying fellowship with this group of people, praising God with song. The teachers also sang a very nice version of "Nothing but the Blood of Jesus" for the program on Friday. It was…you guessed it, beautiful.<o:p></o:p></font></font></div> <font size="3" face="Times New Roman"> </font> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><font face="Calibri">We went to a church today (Saturday) to teach our seven C's lessons, and afterward we shared in fellowship, singing, games, and just each other's company. We listened to a group of them sing a very African song with a guitar and the occasional African "yodel" if you can imagine that sound in your head. Only one word could describe this song—beautiful.<o:p></o:p></font></font></div> <font size="3" face="Times New Roman"> </font> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><font face="Calibri">Singing is definitely one of the favorite ways, if not the favorite, for people to worship and express themselves here. The joy is imminently shown upon their faces, through their body language, and most definitely through the force and strength they put in their vocal chords. The words touch their hearts as well as the hearts of those who listen, clearly showing the Lord's hand working here in East Africa.<o:p></o:p></font></font></div> <font size="3" face="Times New Roman"> </font> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><font face="Calibri">These voices, the Work happening here, the love that our Savior has given us—beautiful. Bwana asifiwe—in song, in prayer; in all things.<o:p></o:p></font></font></div> <font size="3" face="Times New Roman"> </font> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><font face="Calibri">~Christiana<o:p></o:p></font></font></div> <font size="3" face="Times New Roman"> </font></font>Todd H. Ohlmannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04227222714145635908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-805629571572634530.post-73077418029515753582012-07-21T21:55:00.001+03:002012-07-21T21:55:42.037+03:00Our Host Mother - Our Hero!<font color='black' size='2' face='Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif'><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"> </font> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><font face="Calibri">7/21/12<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></font></font></div> <font size="3" face="Times New Roman"> </font> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><font face="Calibri">Jambo!<o:p></o:p></font></font></div> <font size="3" face="Times New Roman"> </font> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><font face="Calibri">Thursday started out as a pretty average day here in Etago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We separated into our two teaching groups (Christiana and Matthew with the older children, and Gretchen and I with the younger children) and taught our lessons as usual.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After our lessons, though, while all the children were outside for recess, we prepared a surprise for them – toothbrushes. Lots and lots of toothbrushes. We got one ziplock bag for each grade, filled them with the appropriate number of toothbrushes, and gave them to the teachers to hand out to the children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And the children loved them!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It wasn't hard to get the children to pose for a couple pictures. </font><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><o:p></o:p></font></div> <font size="3" face="Times New Roman"> </font> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><font face="Calibri">Friday was business as usual for team two.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We woke up, went to school, listened to the children sing for us, sang for the children, and then separated to teach our lessons to the separate age groups.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After lunch, we four teachers got together and taught the children (two or three standards at a time) how to make "God's Eyes" out of shish kabob sticks and yarn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can expect plenty of pictures of how those turned out later. </font><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><o:p></o:p></font></div> <font size="3" face="Times New Roman"> </font> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font face="Calibri"><font size="3">Later that night, as the three of us girls were going back to our hut after supper, I happened to notice a rather large five-legged spider.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Christiana was, thankfully, willing to kill it (with my shoe, probably because it's the biggest), but our host mother seemed to think the whole ordeal was really funny, especially the part where Christiana wasn't sure if the spider was dead or not, and I jumped onto my bed, bruising my shin in the process.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Later, we spotted what appeared to be a huge wasp flying around our room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Naturally, we all hide under the protection of the mosquito net on my bed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I guess our host mother heard us screaming or something, because she came into our hut and started laughing when she saw us all sitting there, and we explained the situation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She then laughed a little more and walked over to where the wasp was sitting and grabbed it by the wing and very casually showed us the wasp.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Needless to say, we all felt a little pathetic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I guess we all need to be humbled every now and then.<o:p></o:p></font></font></div> <font size="3" face="Times New Roman"> </font> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font face="Calibri"><font size="3">This morning, our host told us that whatever that wasp-like thing was couldn't even sting us anyway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Good to know, right?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyway, then we all packed into the car once again, this time to go to Kinuchi.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There, we taught the children our lessons that we had prepared for them and listened as they performed a few songs for us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Halfway through our lessons, we gave the children little bags with black and white puzzles and crayons, and they spent probably twenty minutes assembling and coloring them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then we acted out the story of David and Goliath, which I think they really enjoyed, especially when Matthew had Christiana stand on a chair and he pulled up a little boy to show how ridiculous David must have looked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then, we gave out crocheted crosses to all the women in the congregation, courtesy of the women of the local CLC congregations (thanks, everyone!).<o:p></o:p></font></font></div> <font size="3" face="Times New Roman"> </font> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font face="Calibri"><font size="3">As always, any prayers for our efforts here in East Africa would really be appreciated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So far, the Lord has blessed us with safety and good health, and we thank Him for that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also, please continue to pray for the church here in Etago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I really can't stress enough how bad of shape it's in.<o:p></o:p></font></font></div> <font size="3" face="Times New Roman"> </font> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><font face="Calibri">Bwana asifiwe!<o:p></o:p></font></font></div> <font size="3" face="Times New Roman"> </font> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><font face="Calibri">~ Jennifer<o:p></o:p></font></font></div> <font size="3" face="Times New Roman"> </font></font>Todd H. Ohlmannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04227222714145635908noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-805629571572634530.post-71127268034239229922012-07-20T09:39:00.000+03:002012-07-20T09:39:04.817+03:00Team Tanzania in MakanyaJust a quick post to let everyone know that Team Tanzania is doing well. We are in a small, very impoverished village with limited internet access. We have been very busy here for the past two days teaching lots of kids, encouraging pastors, and making home visits. Pastor Mshana serves the local congregation and is also employed as the director of education for this district. His wife runs a pre-school/kindergarten for 150 children. We have been given full access to all the schools in this area. Yesterday we taught upwards of 500 children. Today I will have 1 hour with the high-school students. Praise the Lord for this opportunity to proclaim His saving word that many might hear and be brought to faith!<br />
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Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10:17 <br />
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In Christ,<br />
Pastor ToddTodd H. Ohlmannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04227222714145635908noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-805629571572634530.post-34049001719221818342012-07-20T09:16:00.001+03:002012-07-20T09:16:25.273+03:00Bloggy Bloggerton<div dir='ltr'> Some of the highlights so far...<div><br></div><div>A couple of young girls from the same family had been faithfully attending our Sunday School and church services since the very founding of Holy Cross Lutheran Emmaus. Their quiet and humble testimony has had an impact at home. Just recently they have recruited their mother to attend church as well and give her permission for them to be baptized. The whole family will be present to celebrate this gift of God in church this Sunday.</div><div><br></div><div>Conducting children's evangelism at schools in the area and getting to see some of our children from church in the school setting...and the reaction of their classmates when it's discovered that they actually know people from the U.S.</div><div><br></div><div>The beginning of a new dynasty. Discovering that the parents of Baby Michael Norman Gurath have not retained any of his other family names. I'm not sure how that will work itself out down the line, but I'm curious to see.</div><div><br></div><div>My former motor bike taxi man has retired his motorcycle and opened up a small restaurant. All the business I was giving him must have provided him with the starting capital he needed. I can now run for office, claiming that I have created jobs.</div><div><br></div><div>Our driver, Mwangi, is a jack of all trades. When not behind the wheel, he smashes rocks, organizes a game of pickup football, keeps kids in line and paying attention, and rubs elbows with the passersby.</div><div><br></div><div>A meeting with the representative from Love Mercy water drilling division. We have more information, and even a few solid figures as to what a borehole on the school and church property would cost. He is in the process of drawing up a few different quotations for us depending on the depth and type of materials used.</div><div><br></div><div>Today is set aside for a meeting with our church eldership and seminary students, we will discuss the possibilities of opening up new CLC branches in areas surrounding Milimani.</div><div><br></div><div>The time is going fast, blessings to the rest of the teams, and see you in Nairobi.</div><div><br></div><div>Pastor Gurath</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div> </div>Todd H. Ohlmannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04227222714145635908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-805629571572634530.post-90921942209501702962012-07-19T11:49:00.001+03:002012-07-19T11:49:53.874+03:00Ok...So...I think...maybe...I will blog now.<div dir='ltr'> <font size="3" face="Times New Roman"> </font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><font face="Calibri">Greetings from Etago.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></font></font></p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"> </font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font face="Calibri"><font size="3"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is my second blog, sorry but my first blog was deleted when the computer decided to shut down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is just a quick note to let you know that we are all safe, healthy, and productive here in Etago.<o:p></o:p></font></font></p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"> </font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><font face="Calibri">~Loren Hansen<o:p></o:p></font></font></p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"> </font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><font face="Calibri">p.s. Rachel, and family, I love you, and I will see you soon.<o:p></o:p></font></font></p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"> </font> </div>Todd H. Ohlmannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04227222714145635908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-805629571572634530.post-63413727803698082392012-07-17T22:41:00.000+03:002012-07-17T22:41:30.221+03:00Opportunities Abound<br />
Greetings in the Name of our great God and Savior!<br />
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As night falls on our final day in Moshi, Tanzania, each of us here has much to wonder at and to give thanks for. For the past three days we have been in and out of small Masai settlements, taking any opportunity to share the Good News of sins forgiven through Jesus Christ. <br />
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Our trek today took us over the border into Kenya to a village in the foothills of Kilimanjaro. We had initially been told that we would be witnessing the marriage of two members of the tribe, something we were all excited to experience. What we actually ended up being a part of was so much more. We arrived and were treated to a customary bottle of Coke in the home of the congregation's pastor after greeting many of the children and adult members. <br />
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When we finally gathered in the small mud church building, the marriage service began. Pastor Todd was asked to give a short sermon in addition to the pastor's address, followed by the brief wedding ceremony. As soon as the rings were exchanged, we were then notified that there were also some children to be baptized. Jessica and Ashley held the children as Pastor Todd performed the baptisms before the Masai congregation, each member dressed in traditional Masai robes and jewelery. It was only yesterday evening that he had spoken at another pastor's home, giving words of encouragement following the passing of a elderly family member. <br />
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I don't think I've ever seen so many opportunities to speak the comforting words of our Savior's work of salvation in such a variety of life's circumstances in such a short amount of time. From baptism to marriage to finally leaving this vale of tears, we see the triumph of the cross over sin and death! <br />
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Performing the kingdom work God prepares for us carries many blessings. The strengthening of the faith of those speaking His Word and those hearing His Word of course comes to mind. No matter where that work is done, whether here in Africa or right at home (wherever home might be), whether at the workplace or at the supermarket, God is seeking for His lambs to be gathered to Him. The perspective which we receive in being a part of that work is yet another blessing. God helps us to see beyond the day to day tasks and the earthly distractions to what is really important, the one thing needful. We see the application of His Word, and are reminded of that ultimate goal, that His Word be spread. The fields are indeed white for harvest, and laborers are indeed few. <br />
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All of your prayers are appreciated, and I hope that through these short accounts, everyone can share in our excitement as God's Word is taught here in Africa. Thanks be to God for the opportunities we have to share the truth of sins forgiven through Jesus Christ!<br />
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Soli Deo Gloria.<br />
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Randy Wittorp<br />Todd H. Ohlmannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04227222714145635908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-805629571572634530.post-64749316204271994522012-07-17T11:35:00.001+03:002012-07-17T11:35:22.290+03:00July 16, 2012<div dir='ltr'> <font size="3" face="Times New Roman"> </font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNoSpacing"><font size="3"><font face="Calibri">Greetings from Etago!<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></font></font></p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"> </font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p><font size="3" face="Calibri"> </font></o:p></p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"> </font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;" class="MsoNoSpacing"><font face="Calibri"><font size="3">Today it was back to school for our group!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We started the day by climbing up a hill to watch the sunrise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then we went down to the school where Gretchen and I taught the nursery and pre-unit classes and Christiana and Matthew taught standards four through six lessons about Jesus' life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After the lunch break, the younger children left, so Gretchen and I helped Christiana and Matthew teach the older children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As we were taking a break from teaching and the children were drawing on the whiteboards, we looked outside and saw all the other classes carrying rocks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For the last hour and a half of the school day, the children all ended up carrying rocks from where the truck dropped them off at the road to where Loren and Matthew were building a retaining wall for them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The children loved to help!<o:p></o:p></font></font></p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"> </font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;" class="MsoNoSpacing"><font size="3"><font face="Calibri">One thing I've learned about the children here is that they LOVE getting their pictures taken, and then you turn the camera around to show them the picture, every child in a 10 foot radius will crowd around to see. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></font></font></p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"> </font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;" class="MsoNoSpacing"><font size="3"><font face="Calibri">In general, I think I can speak for my team when I say we love it here in Etago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The people here are very friendly and they treat us well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The only thing is, there is a lot of work that needs to be done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know that Christiana already said something about this, but they church they have here is literally about to collapse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The walls are made out of a wooden frame and soil, and termites ate the bottom of the frame.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And because the church is on a hill, whenever it rains, the soil erodes and piles up on one side and drags the wall away on the other side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today we literally saw a chunk of the wall just fall off all by itself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don't know what all we can do to help, but your prayers would really be appreciated, both for the church building and our efforts in general here in Etago. Bwano asifiwe.<br> - Jennifer<o:p></o:p></font></font></p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"> </font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p><font size="3" face="Calibri"> </font></o:p></p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"> </font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p><font size="3" face="Calibri"> </font></o:p></p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"> </font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p><font size="3" face="Calibri"> </font></o:p></p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"> </font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNoSpacing"><font size="3"><font face="Calibri">Hello again from Kenya!<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;"> <br style="mso-special-character: line-break;"> <o:p></o:p></font></font></p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"> </font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNoSpacing"><font size="3"><font face="Calibri"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The blessings and adventures continue on here in Etago. We weren't sure if going to Chotororo again would be possible on Sunday, because if it rained, the roads from here to there would be easily washed out, leaving us stranded there. But all were happy to see Sunday morning began with sunshine and pleasant breeze. As Christiana, Jennifer, and I were getting ready to leave for day 2 at Chotororo, I happened to glance out our open doorway just in time to witness a small Kenyan boy be put in the trunk of our host's car, and the trunk door slammed shut. This sketchy scene of events turned out to be okay when we discovered the Kenyan boy was a boy from our Etago school in standard 5, who was going to tag along with us to Chotororo. We tried a new method of teaching there; with Matthew narrating, Christiana frantically drawing utterly captivating pictures on the board, Jennifer acting as the reluctant prophet Jonah, and myself doing quite a stellar job acting in the role of "big fish," the story of Jonah was taught to the children on a whole new level. ;) Following the lesson, many pictures were taken, many hands were held (no proposals this time though…at least in English!), and many sad goodbyes took place as we left Chotororo. The people there were all so kind and welcoming to us, and the children so joyous to hear the Word and rejoice in it. What a blessing to be able to spend part of our weekend with the CLC's Chotororo, Kenya church! (Think about making that your next vacation destination! </font><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><font face="Calibri"> )<o:p></o:p></font></font></p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"> </font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNoSpacing"><font size="3"><font face="Calibri">Back at the school today, like Jennifer said, we taught our lessons until the afternoon was interrupted by the so very exciting delivery of….you guessed it!—ROCKS! Yes, rocks! (Used for building the retaining wall, as Jennifer said.) This seemingly ordinary element created over an hour of fun and excitement for the children, as well as us mission helpers. Christiana, once again acted "like a local" and was carrying rocks on her head, impressing many of the teachers. I guess I must've looked pretty weak, because I only carried a couple loads of rocks down the hill before a younger boy would meet me half way up the hill and take the rocks from me. This eventually led to me just standing at the top, handing rocks out to all the hard-working children. Even a two-year-old frequently found at the school was seen handing small rocks to Loren in his timid, helpful manner. The way everyone works together like a family here at Etago is so terrific, and I love it here all the more for that. <o:p></o:p></font></font></p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"> </font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNoSpacing"><font size="3"><font face="Calibri">One final note…as I mentioned before, the kids here really love singing, so Christiana and I were practicing some songs. A combination of being very tired and wanting to show Loren what harmony meant after he told us the blatant lie "I only sing harmony" resulted in Christiana and I discovering hidden talent in our singing voices. "Bluesy" and "like half a barbershop quartet" were just a couple of the comments our raving fans had to say. So if you ask us, maybe you'll get to hear a fun new rendition of "Father Abraham" or "I Just Wanna Be a Sheep," some of the on-demand favorites here. </font><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><br><font face="Calibri"> Please continue to pray for us as we carry on our work as ambassadors of Christ!<br> Bwano Asifiwe!<br> ~ Gretchen<o:p></o:p></font></font></p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"> </font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNoSpacing"><font size="3"><font face="Calibri"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></font></font></p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"> </font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p><font size="3" face="Calibri"> </font></o:p></p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"> </font><p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNoSpacing"><font size="3"><font face="Calibri"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><br> <br> <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></font></font></p><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"> </font> </div>Todd H. Ohlmannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04227222714145635908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-805629571572634530.post-48413993975902086852012-07-16T22:48:00.000+03:002012-07-16T22:49:09.831+03:00What a Norwegian Can't Do in Africa<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk3SY14_SFKbRSpbHNwdvFIqhten_G2kBwv0Q5LdhbAz_t_97veY5lRUTBf0oaLlFyfv056fgOeq7OT-qT0-ZEOnR387YjpprfUJ8wfYXoTE-bjROFGJ5hs5zL34d9HbtE31O-yH_Oip4/s1600/045-749831.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk3SY14_SFKbRSpbHNwdvFIqhten_G2kBwv0Q5LdhbAz_t_97veY5lRUTBf0oaLlFyfv056fgOeq7OT-qT0-ZEOnR387YjpprfUJ8wfYXoTE-bjROFGJ5hs5zL34d9HbtE31O-yH_Oip4/s320/045-749831.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5765856806953175858" /></a></p><div dir='ltr'> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><font size="2">A Norwegian can't dance with beautiful Kenyan children with rhythm – even when asked – not even a little. </font></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><font size="2">A Norwegian can't sing all the songs in Kiswahili – yet.</font></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><font size="2">A Norwegian can't finish all this food (even when the chapati tastes like lefse) without handing half of everything under the table to a Naumann.</font></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><font size="2">A Norwegian couldn't have found a better way to view the Milky Way than during a black out in Africa by candlelight.</font></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><font size="2">A Norwegian can't figure out how to make 3 ½ weeks last longer.</font></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><font size="2">A Norwegian couldn't have picked a better roommate.</font></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><font size="2">A Norwegian can't go three days without an animal incident – including, but not limited to: face-swelling mosquito bites, leg-munching caterpillars in her pants, and guard dogs leaping from the bushes. </font></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><font size="2">A Norwegian can't take her malaria meds without a reminder from the River Jor-dahnn looking out for her (thanks, Joel). </font></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><font size="2">A Norwegian can't get a single African person to pronounce her name right.</font></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><font size="2">A Norwegian can't get skin cancer on the equator, or her mother would kill her. </font></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><font size="2">A Norwegian can't kidnap kids – there's probably a law against such things here. </font></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><font size="2">A Norwegian can't stop teaching the same powerful lesson without it impacting her first every single time. </font></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><font size="2">A Norwegian can't decide if she likes her pastor's English sermons or Kenyan sermons better. </font></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><font size="2">A Norwegian can't teach 3-digit addition in Kiswahili without a few bones from the 20 yr old resident teacher (but she can count to 1000). </font></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><font size="2">A Norwegian can't stop praising that God. </font></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><font size="2"><br></font></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><font size="2">Kirsten Gullerud</font></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><font size="2">Team Milimani, Kenya</font></p> </div>Todd H. Ohlmannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04227222714145635908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-805629571572634530.post-74497032769918256222012-07-16T22:03:00.003+03:002012-07-16T22:06:29.291+03:00Team Tanzania...to Taveta (Kenya) and Back<span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15.454545021057129px; text-align: left;">Team Tanzania (</span>Ashley Elliott<span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15.454545021057129px; text-align: left;">, </span>Jessica Ohlmann, Randy Wittorp, Lucas Brown<span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15.454545021057129px; text-align: left;">) just returned from a long trip from Moshi, Tanzania to Taveta, Kenya and back...we road a Dala Dala to the border and then walked more than 7 miles to visit a congregation in Taveta. We also road in the back of pick-up truck for several miles to visit the home and family of Pastor Ibrahim. It was a very long but incredibly enjoyable day. We are dirty, dusty, worn out, and ready for bed. More tomorrow after we return from teaching children and attending a Masai wedding across the border into Kenya again.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15.454545021057129px; text-align: left;">In Christ,</span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15.454545021057129px; text-align: left;">Pastor Ohlmann</span>Todd H. Ohlmannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04227222714145635908noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-805629571572634530.post-32170674430339330152012-07-15T23:25:00.000+03:002012-07-15T23:26:03.153+03:00"Jor-dahn like the river flowing with blessings from the Lord" and "Tom-Tom and his American height"<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQECsLJTKUsEp9s0uVatPNsMhl8jDmUQKsKWOu5U9qgmdGhlADLUUcW13Vo06Nesa-FtxqK5eLAb1LUiFxJTvxpehpp4IAuXvU7FcxzM7yaDQ3XfrZAvFvKbFlaOwl4KDivxMlLrwBQ_Y/s1600/047-763153.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQECsLJTKUsEp9s0uVatPNsMhl8jDmUQKsKWOu5U9qgmdGhlADLUUcW13Vo06Nesa-FtxqK5eLAb1LUiFxJTvxpehpp4IAuXvU7FcxzM7yaDQ3XfrZAvFvKbFlaOwl4KDivxMlLrwBQ_Y/s320/047-763153.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5765495224029448690" /></a></p><div dir='ltr'> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">Hello Wazungus!</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><br> </p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">Once upon a time, there were two white boys, far from home in an unknown land. Their mission: Preach the Gospel! They came with boldness and confidence knowing that the Holy Spirit was with them and their whole group. With pep talks and imaginations stirring, they readied themselves for the experiences to come, but nothing prepared them for the childlike faith and eagerness to learn they saw in the young children they met. </p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><br> </p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">Today marked the first church service the team was present for in Milimani. Church was to start precisely at 9:30, so in typical African style our van arrived at around 10:20. We walked into a sanctuary resounding with Swahili hymns, and were blessed to hear a sermon by Pastor Gurath on the feeding of the 5,000 and I, Tom Naumann, gave the Children's sermon on Noah and the Flood. It was awesome to see the little dirt church filled with over 100 souls. After the service, we taught our Sunday school lessons to the 60+ children. It is truly amazing to worship in fellowship with all of our brothers and sisters here in Milimani.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><br> </p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">Tomorrow morning we head back to the school to begin our daily teachings. Asante Sana for your prayers! Bwana Asifiwe! Mungu ni Nzuri.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in"><br> </p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in">Tom Tom and the River Jordan</p> </div>Todd H. Ohlmannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04227222714145635908noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-805629571572634530.post-59221740933662279732012-07-15T14:27:00.001+03:002012-07-15T19:14:45.470+03:007/14/12 - Etago<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small;"> </span> </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">The average American probably thinks Africa is a dry, brown and red country. They know of the savannahs and the greenery around the rivers but what they don't know is that God has blessed this land. Loren and I are staying with a family whose house is right up the hill from the school. Loren took me up to the top of the hill and you can see the entire valley. Lush is the only way to describe the view that was before me. The greenery is only broken up by the strips of hillside farming and the shiny tin roofs of the various houses. The land doesn't change throughout the year and neither does the weather. Seventy to Eighty degrees (Fahrenheit because, as a true American, the metric system is absolutely lost on me) everyday only broken up by the evening rain, carried from the clouds of Lake Victoria. Everyone is friendly here. You can wave or greet anyone you meet and it is expected that they will cordially greet you back. They are not shy to talk to me, whether for conversation or for a donation.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We went to Chotororo today, which is where the seminary in Kisii is located. It is near the border of the Masai, Luo, and Kisii. There are members of all three counties that visit the church, as well as a couple scores of children. We taught them the 7 C's and they were well received. (By the way, if Prof. Roehl reads this, the children here are at a near high school level for the English language classes.) The children seem to be familiar with the lessons but even though they have heard the words, they have not seen pictures. They scramble over each other, crane their small heads, jostle, shove and complain to get better views of the ones our group has brought. The children and adults here also traded songs with us, there are not a lot of shy Kenyans when it comes to belting out whatever tune is in their heads. I'd tell you to imagine a group of school children in the United States but you've never seen singing like this.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We played games with the children and sang very active and fun songs to them. The children showed us their games as well. We ended our visit for the day with more singing, a small Bible lesson, and also a prayer. The fellowship that we show to each other is extremely valuable to both us and them. We retired to the girls' host family and discussed the day and future plans.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">God has truly given us a wonderful opportunity to share our faith. God truly doesn't let any of His word fall to the ground nor does He neglect His disciples in other nations. The lessons we teach are valuable but the Scripture and fellowship we bring make our brother and sisterhood in Christ all the more tangible. May God watch over the Mission Helpers as well as the congregations they visit.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">P.S. I raced a Kenyan today for about 1k. He fairly decently crushed me in the long distance but for the last sprint he didn't have a prayer, so I'd say it's a split. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">So, just a quick comment on my fellow Mission Helper, Matthew's, blog post…that Kenyan may not have beaten Matthew to the door, but he most definitely beat him in lung capacity. The rest of our team was waiting for him inside our (Gretchen, Jennifer, and me) tin roof/one room hut on our host's small farm, when we suddenly heard loud cheering and giggling from a few kids outside the house. Shortly after, a breathless, victorious Matthew was seen hitting the tin roof with his hand—instead of his head for a change—and the Kenyan boy was seen smiling and laughing on his way in. After a round of handshakes, the boy left and Matthew lay flat against the nice cold floor of the hut. After a few minutes, Loren looked at him and said, "Let's hope he's just relaxing and not falling into a coma," to this Matthew replied, "I'll let you know if I do…I'll try to twitch or something." So as you can see…it wasn't exactly a victory, especially since after the boy started beating him in the run to our host's house, Matthew made him wait until they reached the top of the hill to sprint him to the door. But I suppose I'll give him this--Matthew did lose some energy running from our host's house to his host's house before coming back.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">After this breath-taking ( ;) ) moment, we tried to catch up on some of our scripture readings, but that soon came to a halt when the sound of the rain beating on the tin roof defeated my skills in speaking…or yelling rather.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Yesterday was our first day teaching the lessons as you heard from Gretchen, and they all went pretty well. My lesson was Catastrophe and Confusion and at the end of the day I brought out two sheets that I had written the passages Genesis 9:11&13 (the promise of the rainbow) on. The kids came curiously and excitedly to see what all the commotion was about, soon finding that they would be putting their painted rainbow handprints onto these 2 ½ yard sheets! The youngest children came first and started in a line to have their hands painted by us Mission Helpers, but soon turned into a crowd of little hands every way you turned. They were so excited and happy to be using paint that when all of the kids had had their turn pasting their prints on the sheets, many of them came up for seconds, or thirds…one kid told us he came back twenty times! When the children had all finished, it was time for the Mission Helpers to get a little colorful, so we started putting paint on our own hands, when out of nowhere I felt a slap on my cheek by the painted hand of none other than…Matthew. I sprinted after him with a handful of paint and in passing he hit Gretchen as well. I came close…ish to catching Matthew but shortly gave up until later when Matthew's guard was down. All of the kids of course thought this was hilarious, especially when Matthew had gotten one of their teachers in the face with paint and she retaliated with a painted heart to slap onto his cheek.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The fellowship and bonding, after being at this school for only two days, has really proven to be an important reason for our being here. It has been wonderful getting to know all of the teachers and children in Etago. They are always so happy and excited to try different things and listen to the wonderful Words that our Savior has to offer. The teachers, all around our ages, have become our friends in these short couple of days, and the children have become more comfortable with us. The teachers even gave me a nickname—Kumi na Kumi. You'll have to ask me about that later, if you're interested. But it is obvious that fellowship and friendship has been one of the main reasons for God leading us to this school. The people, everywhere we go, including those at the church we went to today, are all so happy to see that we came all the way just to share in fellowship with them. Right after our short, yet again cramped drive (in which Matthew challenged my ability to French-braid Gretchen's hair, and lost), we arrived in Chotororo and drove up the hill to walk to the school. Once we got out, there was an old woman standing by a field of sugar cane. She had the most joyful grin I've ever seen on a person's face as she quickly shuffled across the path to greet us. She went around to each member of the group, grabbing both of our hands into her own, speaking Kisii non-stop and bringing us in close to touch our faces to hers. The joyfulness of her heart, seen clearly through her expressions, showed us the gratitude she had in what seemed like a long awaited visit from fellow CLC members. The rest of the time at the church in Chotororo today was spent in teaching lessons; singing songs and hymns such as Guide Me Oh Thou Great Jehovah, Father Abraham, I just want to be a Sheep, and many others; playing games such as their version of duck duck gray duck, our hokey pokey, and other games from both cultures; and listening to recitations of different verses of the Bible. This fellowship has been a blessing to share with those here in Kenya and has clearly been prayed for by the people in these congregations.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">One last thing I would like to mention is the main building here in Etago. It is in much need of repair because it is on a steep slope where water is currently, literally, washing it away. The mud and concrete building is being held up the slope by wooden posts and pieces of it easily crumble even when touching the sides of the building. Loren even took a picture of us all "holding up the building" after we did our rainbow hands project. The need for a new building here is quite obvious, so if there is any way you could help to make that happen, please do. These people here are so happy to just be able to have this school and be a part of the Holy Christian Church that we all share fellowship in, but the need of a new building is obvious if they are to continue on for many years with a school here.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Please pray for all of these people here in Kenya as well as those that the other Mission Helpers are visiting. I also ask that you pray for everyone who is still in need of the Gospel message and that you help to share this wonderful gift with them. For earth is only our dwelling place for a short time until we are able to return home to our Savior in heaven. Bwana asifwe! for His blessing of His Son.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">~Christiana <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small;"> </span></span></span>Todd H. Ohlmannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04227222714145635908noreply@blogger.com2