Wainaina & Edwinah's Blog

On the Spiritual Development Course…

wainainanjuguna — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 12:10:13 +0000

The last five weeks have seen us take a course on Spiritual development with 60 pastors in the Lanet cohort here in Nakuru. The basic course book is “Celebrating the disciplines” by Richard Foster. As part of helping the students operationalize the course, I thought up an assignment that would help them experience again the joys of walking in the Lord. Since the course covers issues related to fasting, prayer, meditation, fasting and solitude, the pastors were required to select a day when they would separate themselves from people and spend time in solitude, doing what the Lord wanted them to do. (Of course it was hoped that they would indeed find freedom to reflect, pray and hear from God). Following are some testimonies from the reflection report they submitted:

1. At the beginning of the tired I felt as though I would give up due to the fasting but after finishing the prayers and fasting I felt as though I could sing and jump for Joy. I also felt convicted to forgive any who owed me any debt and all those who had wronged me…I noticed that the few hours I spent in God’s presence were not enough and have set apart all Wednesdays so that I can be seeking God’s face through solitude, fasting and prayer. I felt that it was time for me to start everything afresh including my personal duties and my work in the ministry…

2. On the day of fasting and solitude I had a good time to read and meditate on God’s word. Then I had a time of prayer. Afterwards I felt so nice. It was as if a big burden had been dropped off my back. I was so refreshed by the Holy Spirit that I continued in silent prayer and focusing on God all through the night. Because I saw God bless me so much on this day, I have decided to set aside all or most Wednesdays so that I can be praying and practicing the disciplines so that I can grow. I am making plans to encourage the church to follow me in doing the same on this day…

3. At first it was very difficult to concentrate because of much inward noise although the place was very quiet. After a great struggle I was able to put a lock on it and I thank God because it was a moment of refreshment in my mind and also in my spirit…as I experienced that love of God which knows no limits. Many times I concentrate on my life and the hardships I have passed but this time it occurred to me that God had delivered me from them all. Thank you teacher for letting me know that there are many treasures like this in a Christian walk. I have decided to be doing this every Thursday morning and I will switch my phone off.

4. On the day of fasting and solitude, God did great things for me…for a long time I have been fighting a certain thought and from that day, after I experienced God’s presence, I got victory over it. The Lord also made me aware that I was wasting money through making unnecessary phone calls and I have stopped this habit…I also seem to be able to remember things more easily after that day. I had been getting concerned at my loss of memory but I am much better now…Long ago, I used to walk very close to God and would hear him clearly. Something happened along the way and it stopped. But now, those days are back again Praise God, and I realize that I can hear him clearly now, even in creation. Surely, he was always speaking but I was not listening! At first it was difficult to pull the antennae up and focus on God due to the internal noisebut I was able to stop it . I was alerted that me and my wife are so busy in ministry we do not have time for each other though we live in the same house. The first money I get, I am taking her out….

And one that made me laugh:

5When I got to the place of solitude,I fell into a deep sleep that I was nearly unconscious. I woke up many hours later and read the word and prayed and I felt so refreshed by this holy sleep…

I followed up the pastor who wrote that final testimony and discovered that indeed he had been on the verge of breakdown due to over work and for him, getting to sleep for six straight hours was straight from the hand of God as he needed the rest desperately. The pastors will be submitting a one year plan of spiritual growth for their churches as part of their group assignment and I will be sure to let you know how that goes

Yours and Christs

Wainaina

After a looooong Silence

wainainanjuguna — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 11:30:00 +0000

Wow! It has been over an year since I last posted anything on this blog. Partly because Africa is learning how to communicate via technology, partly due all that has gone on in the last year and also partly due to indiscipline. I am growing though and hey, thats what Christianity is all about…second chances.
So much has gone on in the past year. On the family front, we moved from Nairobi to Nakuru late last year when it seemed to make sense to have me located closer to the farm and the two centers we have on this part of the country. Moving house was no easy task but ART was very supportive through out the process. We found a nice three bedroom house out of town, in a relatively new and safe estate that is right next to the Lake Nakuru national Park. Actually, from my place, one can see lots of Zebra, buffalo, wildebeest and we once spotted a white rhino. The down side is all the baboons who occasionally invade the compound and tear up the vegetable garden. Interestingly, they don’t like spinach and that is just about all I have that has survived their frequent scavenging forays into our compound. I recently met one full grown baboon right in the kitchen and I don’t know who was more shocked, he or I because we both let out startled shouts! We have settled in quite well though and we are blessed to have a roof over our heads.
Aicken our son is just over 2 years and 7 months now. By God’s Grace we were able to get the last place in one of the better schools in Nakuru. Being a missionary (technically), one of our biggest concerns has been where Aicken will go to school. Nairobi has by far the best schools in the country and so kids from there seem to have a head start on their age mates in the rest of the country. We are satisfied though that Shah Lalji Nangpar Academy will do a good job when Aicken starts school in 3 weeks time. He is in good health and is quite the strapping lad. He is 3 feet 3 inches and weighs 20 kgs.
Edwinah is also in good health and we are excited to be expecting baby number 2 sometime in early June. She graduated from NEGST with her MA in Christian Education as scheduled and on application to Africa International University was interviewed and appointed the Registration Officer. It was at this time that it became clear that we needed to move to Nakuru and so she declined to take up the posting. This has turned out to be quite a testimony to many of our friends, family members and church members. In our generation, too many are not willing to sacrifice themselves and their interests for the sake of God’s kingdom or the stability of their families. We pray that as a family, God would remember us and cause our availability to be his opportunity to do good to the members of his household.
In that connection, God must have known something was up because the trainer who was resident in Nakuru (Moses Njenga) left the organization and so for the time being, I have been teaching the students each Monday. It is the largest class we have so far (60 Students) and I will be sharing a lot more on what God is accomplishing in, with and through them.
The farm is slowly taking shape and the borehole pump is now doing what it is meant to do. After so many letdowns it was such a blessing to see the first liters go into the reservoir, and then return a few weeks later to find the reservoir almost half full! We look forward to planting the farm with food, and making money in the name of the Lord so that we can keep training the pastors.
Do pray for us that God keeps us in good health and that the evil one will be restrained in his activities. Pray for the pastors who are finding the studies very fulfilling but very taxing. Ask that they may not grow weary, and that by taking their studies seriously, they may show themselves to be men who are approved of God. Pray too that God would use the time we spend in class and in one on one mentoring to bring real change and challenge in the pastors lives. My the Lord bless you All for standing with us in prayer.

Edwinah, Aicken and Wainaina

God is in Control

wainainanjuguna — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 08:13:55 +0000

As I look back on all that has gone on in 2009, I am immediately thankful because God trully was in Control of all my moments. From writing the research report, to seeing the first pastorpreneurs recruited; from a hectic orientation to an even more hectice travel schedule, God has been there all the time: leading, guiding, holding, shielding, keeping.

One of the most challenging experiences we went through as a family was when Aicken was unwell. After we weaned him, his health took a turn for the worse. he kept getting sniffles, which led to coughs, which led to chest infections, which once led to pneumonia. We were in and out of hospital so many times we lost track of whether we were coming or going. One doctor finally put him on some asthma drugs but Aicken hated the babyhaler so much and it was a battlke every day getting him to take his drugs. And then, one night, out of sheer desparation I talked to God (or cried out to God from the depths of my heart). I thanked him for Aicken (who at that moment was struggling to breathe), praised the Lord for giving us such a wonderful gift, pointed out that Aicken would need God’s help through out his entire life and so I committed him to the Lord again…then I mentioned his current state. And as I spoke, Aicken stopped coughing…and has not coughed again. Within 2 days he was off the drugs and even his doctor was suprised by the turn of events. Well, I shared the testimony with him and it’s now being almost two months and Aicken is completely healed. Praise the Lord, he is in control.

Aicken, mummy and Daddy at Kayleigh's dedication

While on the road, God has also being in control. We experienced at least one slow puncture and one tyre burst in the same day.

We have met dead bodies cast by the way side on these our Kenyan roads. We have witnessed bad drivers miss accidents by inches. We have never had any stomach upsets from eating food-on-the-go. We have met with thieves but not with carjackers (a “normal” phenomena on Kenyan roads) and we think it is all because God is in control of our moments and our days. We have woken up early, slept late, driven far-by day and by night- and we are still here…because God is in control.

Looking to the future now, I see very clearly what attitude I must have. Moses told Israel “not to forget the Lord, but that they were to fear him…revere him and serve him alone”. Knowledge of past deliverances by the Lord always give one the confidence that they will overcome the challenges of the future. If he WAS in control in the past, he WILL BE in control in the future.

Tyre burst!

Pray for us, friends, that we as a family will continue to glorify God with our bodies, and our spirits which belong to him. Pray for continual protection from the evil ones attacks. Pray for journey mercies, for good health for us all, for wisdom as we serve God’s people and for strength and grace as we spend so much time away from each other. Pray for Edwinah as she enters the final lap of her thesis and goes out to collect data on rural pastor’s wives (and seeks to understand the challenges they face). Most of all, pray for us that the peace of God will rule our hearts…no matter what happens this year.

Why I’m thankful

wainainanjuguna — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 07:51:42 +0000

Looking Back…what I’m thankful for

I am thankful that my sins have been washed away by the precious blood of the Lamb.

I am thankful that the Holy Spirit is here…now…my counsellor and friend.

I am thankful that I am not in hosiptal right now.

I am thankful that I have a wife, that we love each other dearly and that we have a ”no-drama” relationship.

I am thankful that Aicken is my son and that God uses him to make me laugh so much.

I am thankful that I have no debt (well, except to love the brethren).

I am thankful for the Bible…I’d be lost without it.

I am thankful I have a roof over my head

And most of all…best of all, I have a Father who is so concerned about my welfare that he never sleeps nor slumbers. ( And some day I will see him face to face)

As I rest I realize this, I ought to be more thankful to God for all he has done for me.

Forgive Lord, thy servant who makes this prayer to you. I’m sorry for not saying thank you to you who has done more than I hoped, prayed and imagined. Grant my wayward heart sensitivity to see all you do for me. Through Christ’s name I pray, Amen

looking back on day’s past

wainainanjuguna — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 07:46:45 +0000

Hi all. What an amazing task the Lord has sent us out to do. As you know, the pilot of the project is running in three different locations in Kenya-and they are as far as the East is from the West! We have just begun to travel using the Prado the ministry recently acquired and personally, I am very excited about it. When I was doing the research just before we got ART up and running, I managed to cover over 10,000 kilometers in about six months and that with public transportation (buses, cars, cabs, bicycles, motorcycles…walked some…) so I am grateful that the Lord has made it easier to travel now.

Steve (the Business developer) is a fun guy to ride with and we have decided that we will be witnessing to the people who the Lord brings our way. We meet so many people in shops, offices, hotels and restaurants. The conviction that we need to be faithful witnesses everywhere we go came about because during our last trip to the Coast, we witnessed to two waitresses and one gave her life to the Lord. The other one appeared to be deeply moved by our talk and went off to the kitchen with tears in her eyes. That’s when we realized that a whole new ministry can be in the making. As long as we are travelling, why not be a witness to the saving grace of Jesus our Lord? Pray for Steve and I as we share the good news while “on the road”

And as you travel…you meet with humorous incidents like “monkey business”. We were staying at the Word of Life center down at the South Coast and it’s a beautiful place…right near the Indian Ocean. There are lots of trees, birds…monkeys! Weeeelllll, one apparently made it into our rooms and as we drove into the compound one staff member told us that we had a “visitor” who visited us, ate our chocolates, peed in the room, poured the sugar on the floor and left a gift of monkey-pooh in the dining room! They had cleaned it up of course but it made me think a lot about the interaction of man and nature (or perhaps why there should be no interaction). Mind you, this is on the same day we met a huge bull elephant on the road from a place called Kinango. The Prado did not seem big enough for us all to cower in. Lessons learnt? Lock your windows properly…and pray you don’t meet a mad-bull-elephant that’s having a bad day!

In all things, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, strength and mind…”

Rest Awhile

wainainanjuguna — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 07:32:15 +0000

And God rested on the seventh day from all his work of creation which he had done…

After working since August last year without a break, it was very necessary to take some tome off from all the goings-on in ART. And what an year it has been: Over 10,000 kilometers covered by public transportation, endless meetings and interviews, finally agreeing with the trustees on how to respond to the needs of pastors, getting the first three couples recruited, numerous readings of CV’s in response to our advert for a Business developer, interviews, bank accounts…on and on and on. If there is anything ART does, is require 110% of your time and effort 8 days a week 32 days a month and 423 days per year…

But one must rest huh? And so here I am, on leave for a couple of weeks. I garden…I cook…I sleep…I reflect on the journey so far…I pray…I read my Bible…I go out with Aicken for two hours after breakfast and we play…and sometimes I do nothing. THAT is hard for workaholics like me (and I’m sure workaholics like some of you will appreciate just how hard it is to do nothing) BUT…even God rested. Not because he was tired like me offcourse, but even so, Rest is good

So take time soon to rest…laze around…recover your strength…reflect a little about where you have been, where you are now, and where you are headed. I will share some of what I see, remember and discover over the next few days.

REST!

Welcome to our blog

wainainanjuguna — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 07:59:57 +0000

Here's us at Nakuru National Park

Hi, we are the Wainaina’s. Most people prefer to call us by the names Aicken (A), Wainaina (W), and Edwinah (E). I am privileged to be playing the role of director of operations and have had an amazing time doing it. I always find it interesting how all our experiences in the past prepare us for roles we will play in the future. It’s almost as if every experience bears in its shadow a lesson we are meant to learn. I have always loved meeting new people, travelling to new places and organizing things (and people), but as I look back on my “race”, I can tell you with confidence that without God, I probably would not have made it this far. We will explore more on these thoughts as the days unfold right here on our blog spot, and I am sure the testimonies we will share will indeed prove that “without the Lord, we can do nothing (John 15:5)”

Here's Edwinah outside the chapel at NEGST

Edwinah is back in school and just got news on who her first and second readers for her thesis will be! I’m sure that over the coming year she will tell you about what her thesis is all about… and her passion…and her dreams. Watch this space for more updates on how her final year of studies goes.
Aicken learnt how to say “mama” two days ago and Edwinah is all excited now. Trouble is, when we tell him to repeat it, he says “baba” (which he has said for quite a few weeks now)! He is so much fun to be around and we really thank God for gifting us with such a precious bundle of joy…so full of fun, laughter and good cheer. Watch this space and track his growth and development together with us. Well, that’s all for now. See yah next time A.W.E(some)…Figure it out yall…figure it out

Yeeeaaaah, I just turned ONE!

Hello world!

wainainanjuguna — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 07:30:44 +0000

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