half way home

my ride home
Originally uploaded by lindermans

Here's my newest friends on the side of the road waiting for the minibus (daladala) to stop overheating. We stopped by a pond so that the driver and conductors could fetch water and pour into the radiator (located under the front seat).

It took a ride on the back of a bicycle, and three minibuses to get home, but I successfully reduced my carbon footprint.

I also understand a little more about dependency on God--and others--to meet my needs, as I did not have my car to get me home that day.

(Our car is fine, by the way--it was being used by our teammates who had to make a trip to Nairobi.)

Lusiya's smile
Originally uploaded by lindermans

Lusiya and her husband Matayo are well known to anyone who has visited us in Sukumaland. Rarely will you find a better smile, a smile that is regularly displayed as she expresses remarkable hospitality.

Lusiya and Matayo are hosting a marriage seminar October 31st --November 1. It's a sign of worldview shift--that a voice like Lusiya's is worthy to be heard, and that men here would consider that they might have something to learn about marriage.

5k starting line
Originally uploaded by lindermans

With just 5k to go, Jason, Eric, and I (and our American friends Dan and Dave) are just a stride behind some world class athletes.

Note new luxury hotel going up in the background, at the intersection of Posta and Kenyatta Roads.

Elijah helping me get to the finish line
Originally uploaded by lindermans

Who doesn't need a little help from their kids to finish a race?

I felt pretty good about my 21 minute time, until my friend drove the course and found it was only 4km. Nothing is quite as advertised here.

John sharing his testimony at our AIDS seminar
Originally uploaded by lindermans

We were blessed to have Dr. Bruce Smith and his wife Beth join us in July to teach an HIV/AIDS seminar. Amongst a select group of church leaders and their spouses, John Kasabuya was given the opportunity to share about his struggle with AIDS, and how he has regained health through ARV's.

John is a man of great determination and courage. He has, against great odds, traveled to many villages to open churches, speaking boldly news of hope in the context of spiritual oppression.

Now he has other words of hope to share--words that are impacting churches and families, as he encourages people to be tested, to seek medical care if they are infected, and challenges the church to respond with love and compassion, instead of fear and judgment.

Read more here:
http://hivinafrica.blogspot.com/2009/08/john-infected-and-affecting-others-for.html