DAN'S BLOG...as the Spirit moves.

Africa A Second Time - I'm so Blessed!

2011-10-06T20:48:00.000-07:00

I'll be in Rwanda and Kenya for 19 days. I'm answering a call from our church to represent EVFree for World Relief and the work we do in Rwanda through them. This involves field trips, vision casting, a Leadership Conference with our former Pastor Dale Burke leading it, and whatever else God puts in our way and says "Listen up - this is important, tell the people back in Fullerton about this!"

In Kenya I'll be serving with my great friend and mentor, EVFree's former Stewardship and Business Pastor Joe Davis! How God answered the prayers for that to happen is a whole different story - but I'm so thankful!

Stewardship teaching is the priority, but hopefully time for some 1-1 meetings with friends JP/family and Pastor John of World Relief, Kenya; Martin Simiyu of Possibilities Africa Kenya; the Harolds (Missionaries from EVFree) at Moffet Bible College, and more.

More around the 15th or 16th or as internet is available!

NO Africa trip in Feb 09

2009-01-21T19:37:00.000-08:00

God moves in mysterious ways, and this I am trusting is one of them. I all but hit the 'purchase' button last night to buy the tickets to Kenya, but knew I didn't have the final blessing I needed from work. So, I didn't buy.

Good thing. I'm struggling with the decision I got today; I know in my head God is in charge, but it just hasn't taken over my heart yet. I hope it will, but in the mean time I'm afraid I've disappointed several people both here and in Kenya, and that bothers me the most. Tonight, I'm simply trusting that 'joy cometh in the morning'...

Another Trip to Kenya?

2009-01-05T22:31:00.001-08:00

There is a good possibility I will be taking another trip to Kenya in February (14-20). Please pray about this with me. The purpose is to attend a 5-day planning workshop with 14 senior pastors in Nairobi along with the World Relief Director of Church Mobilization, and Joe Davis (Retired Pastor of Stewardship from our church). Joe and I would we resources for the week in helping them develop a stewarship small group study for implementation with those 14 churches. The goal is to lead to a city wide stewarship teaching, and ultimately country wide for Kenya and beyond. The premise: Only when the people of God and Africa fully realize and internalize that God owns it all (I Chron. 29:11-13) will the tribal tension and barriers be broken, brotherhood exist even in political unrest, and poverty be addressed in a biblical,sustainable, stewardship manner. More later, but just wanted to post you on this. This has been in the works for over 2 years; hopefully it will happen.

Goodbye 2008!

2008-12-31T18:55:00.000-08:00

A year of great growth personally and spiritually! A terrible year financially! Glad one is eternal and the other not!! Have a wonderful 2009. Things I loved this year: Africa, London, two additional grandkids, and another one on the way, great books, a position at Biola totally out of my comfort zone, and lots of great new friends, new board member roles, and Judy!

Christmas Already?

2008-12-07T18:17:00.000-08:00

I'm mainly doing this just to 'get over' the last one. No I didn't do the miles. But I got up to 23, and could have done it but for the July/August heat got to me, and I just dropped it. I still look at my bike and silently say...I'll beat you yet...another day I guess.

Christmas...it is special. I love the lights, music, and smell. I love the excitement I see and hear in the grandkids...really refreshes the desire to experience a Christmas season. I'll try to publish more frequently, but if you want a really good, meaningful Christmas read, try Darren's blog on Advent at www.roundtheball.com

So, I think I'll take a picture of the outside of our house (the inside is not started save for the beautiful dinning table Judy decorated yesterday). Enjoy!

Biking is Happening!

2008-07-30T18:04:00.000-07:00

So the update I promised as I progress:
10.6 miles 7/11
12.4 miles 7/14
8.20 miles 7/19
16.1 miles 7/21
19.8 miles 7/24
23.2 miles 7/30....totals about 90 mile so far. If I hit my training schedule, I will have ridden 1,142.4 miles by 10-18.

Whew....it is so easy to want to NOT ride; but at mile 8 or 9, the adrenalin kicks in and I have to make sure I don't over-do it.

Still targeting a 57 mile ride on 10-22-08.

I've thought about turning it into a charity ride (a one person event-me-that is). Would anyone be willing to contribute to a favorite missions group of mine, POSSIBILITIES AFRICA? email me at: danp301@pacbell.net if you would be willing to pledge $1 per mile, or any amount per mile or a flat rate. (Check will be made out to Possibilities Africa, and will be 100% deductible). No pressure, just puts purpose into this challenge other than just riding my age on 10-22.

would love to hear your thoughts. if you know anyone that might be interested, please pass my blog site on to them!

Bike'n 'N Swim'n

2008-07-11T20:16:00.000-07:00

Today I pumped up my bike tires (they didn't blow out!) and slipped on my biking shoes and took a ride around the neighbor; (oops, Judy just pointed out that I probably meant 'neighborHOOD'). It wasn't bad, so did a 2.3 mile bigger block. Got to 5.1 miles and thought "wonder if I could really do 10 miles". Wow... kept going and guess what...10.5 miles today. I had not been on my bike for a good ride in literally years. I was proud!

Now credit should go where credit is due: Jason. Seeing him do a triathlon a couple of weeks ago, especially all decked out in his biking clothes/assesories, motivated me to get back on my bike and eventually be able to do a ride with him!

So I have set a goal (I have to have goals) to ride 57 miles on my 57th birthday, coming up on October 22; not sure I'll make it, but several years ago for several years I always did my age in bike miles that day. I want to start that again!

Then before lunch Jason Carrie Violet EZ Gavin Sarah Ben Addie came to swim and celebrate Carrie's birthday (which is tomorrow). We had a great time, and here is a picture of the kiddos and Nana & Papa Dan to prove it!

I'll try to keep you posted on my biking 'getting in shape' activities.

Cambridge, England - Our last full day, March 27, 2008

2008-04-04T10:50:00.001-07:00

Thursday, 3-27-08 was really our last day of 'touring', and Darren and Pam had it planned perfectly. We met them at the National Train center around 10:30 AM, and Jesse and Lulu were sooooo excited to go on a train ride with us. We were looking forward to seeing the countryside, and together we had a wonderful day. Here are some pictures of the family on the train to Cambridge (about an hour 15 minutes ride).

A couple of the countryside from inside the train moving fast:

Cambridge is a wonderful, beautiful old city. It is mostly a college town, made up of some 40 colleges within Cambridge University. Here are some shots from the street of just beautiful buildings on the campuses.

Pam had packed a delicious picnic lunch...pbjs, cheese, crackers, fruit, etc....and we stopped in this little park for a quick bite; well, Lucy decided it was nap time for her:

After a bit of an interruption of sleet and snow, the sun came out as we were traveling down the River Cam, famous for the various scences in the movie .....have to get the name later; anyway, 'punting' down the river with an oarsman is the way to go (usually college students trying to make a buck...make that a pound...for the day. Here are some shots taken from the river as we idled along; incredible scenery of the colleges and bridges that date back to the 10-11th centuries.

Well, we had a wonderful day, and as you can imagine I took over 200 pictures. Here are some of my favorite family shots of the day:

Well, there are so many more, but can't post them all. We returned around 6PM, Judy and rested for a while, then decided we had to walk across the Tower Bridge and back at least once. So, at 8PM we did that, had a meal at the other side, and walked back. Unfortunately, it was then time to pack....oh no!!!

Making this short, we walked out of the room at 8AM the next morning and headed for the airport. Made everyting just fine, on our own, I might add! Got back to LAX on Friday, 3-28, and our loyal and faithful friends Vince and Sally were right there to pick us up.

It was a GRAND trip, ole chap!!

London --Wednesday 3-26 Recap

2008-03-31T20:56:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the delay on these....just got into late nights and busy days! Actually, on Wednesday Judy and I really took our time in the morning, just walked around the area right at the hotel. I took some more artistic shots (I like to think) than touring shots. Here's one of my favorites, a gold topped fence around the power company office building on Tower Hill:

Another shot of the top of the building:

And finally, a shot of the building itself, which I found just majestic:

We went over to Darren and Pam's around 1:30 in the afternoon and just hung out with them. We enjoyed just playing with the kids, and the parents took off around 5:30 for a night with their church friends. We had so much pleasure just being with the kids one on one. Their creativity is amazing, and we enjoyed their make-believe stories (or were they??). Darren and Pam got home around 10:30 PM, and we left shortly thereafter and hopped on the tube and returned to the hotel, and it was after midnight before we ever got the lights out. It was a very leisurely, enjoyable day.

And so I will close this day with the contrast in the last two pictures I took on this day...the first is over the entrance to the tunnel for the major Tower Hill Bridge and Tower Hill Castle just outside our hotel:

...and the next one is the little grocery market and bread shop (which has wonderful bread, by the way) near Darren/Pam's flat in the Bengali neighborhood:

Interesting contrasts huh? Only 4 miles apart, at the most.

Museum, Musical, and More (Recap of Tues 3-25)

2008-03-26T04:41:00.001-07:00

It is now Wednesday around noon; Judy and I have had a leisurely morning of breakfast in the room, emailing, blogging, etc.

Tuesday morning at the hotel started with me going down to the local Starbucks:

We later had breakfast in our room....really good!

More later....cannons are going off....literally....below the Tower bridge...I think the Germans are landing!

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>FINISHING OFF TUESDAY (I'm updating this Friday evening 3-28, just so we have a good travel-log of out 10 days in London)

Well, as it turns out, the President of France was arriving to visit the Queen of England...and the the cannons firing was a formal welcoming ceremony...21 gun solute.
Wish Judy and I had known in time to have gone down to the site just outside from our hotel. Oh well, next time.

We took Tuesday to allow Darren/family some time without us; Tuesday afternoon Judy and I went on our own back to central London; she visited Harrod's again, and I went to the Victoria & Albert museum. Here's a shot from the outside (I've taken a little creative license here with this shot).

Another shot inside the museum in an area where pictures were allowed:

After a couple of hours we met at a Starbucks, had a snack/cappuccino, and got up enough nerve to figure out the 'tube' to the Soho district which includes many many theatres; after a couple of hours of educating ourselves on the different shows, we finally decided to splurge and see JERSEY BOYS at the Prince Edward Theatre. We got tickets an hour and a half before the show started, and the seats were 10 rows back from the stage, front and center....fabulous seats; the show was just excellent; I think we enjoyed it close to as much as we have musicals like Evita, Les Miserables (sp), and Phanton. So we had a full day of just me and Judy, and we enjoyed our time together very much. We are now very comfortable getting around all over London on the tube.

Pigs, Pubs, Harrods, and Hotel (Monday 24th Recap)

2008-03-26T03:03:00.000-07:00

It is now Wednesday morning, March 26. We've had a wonderful two days since I lasted posted.

Monday morning started with snow again...beautiful. Judy and I walked with Pam and the kids to the 'farm' she volunteers at, and I helped feed the sheep (30-40), donkeys (long-haired ones -weird-) and Sally, the monstrous pig; there were many more to feed, but by then Jesse and Lulu were very cold and ready to come home. On the way home I took a picture of this beautiful old church:

Pam was kind enough later to keep the kids and Darren played tour guide to take us downtown (20 minutes max on the tube) to Harrods. What a historical site and what hysterical prices! We did manage to find a couple of things in the 3-5 BP range for souveniers, however. I think it was the shopping bags themselves!

Somehow time flew by and we got back home at 6pm; a good friend of theirs had volunteered to child-sit for us, and we left to go check into a hotel Judy and I had booked just to get a few nights of the 'tourist' feel of London. We are staying at Guoman's The Tower hotel, over-looking the Tower Bridge; beautiful views; here is a picture taken from our room at night:

After checking in, we left immediately to catch a 7pm 'pub tour'....a 2 1/2 hours walking tour around the Thames. Yes, there are pubs going back to Shakespere days; no we did not have a pint at each one. But the history given on the tour was incredible. Here is one of the oldest:

Several times we had incredible views of the city skyline; this one is of St. Paul's Cathedral:

We returned to the hotel at 10:30 pm, exhausted, but thrilled with the day we had..a good 13 hours of seeing the sights!

"He is Risen" ---response: "Snow is Fallen"

2008-03-23T13:13:00.000-07:00

NO NO....its suppose to be: HE IS RISEN and the response is: HE IS RISEN IN DEED!

And He is, but we also woke up to a beautiful snow storm; not cold enough to really accumulate, but at times it was blizzard like. The contrast to the season is shown in the small showing of snow in the daffodils just outside Darren and Pam's flat, and the next picture shows the view out their kitchen window.

Darren woke up with the stomach flu both Judy and Pam have had the last 2 days; but he pressed on, and here is a shot Judy took of us waiting at a bus stop, shielding ourselves from the wet snow, as we were on our way to church. (Pam went an hour earlier as she was helping 2 others lead in the music this morning at church...it was beautiful!)

This is Christ Church, Spitalfields, where I mentioned that Darren spoke on Thursday night, and we attended Easter service this morning. The church was built between 1714 and 1729! It was recently refurbished, and is absolutely beautiful. While it appears Gothic and possibly cold from the outside, the people are really warm, friendly, and evangelical...you know what I mean? It is a great, growing, church; we are glad Darren and Pam are already involved.

Pam and friend singing during communion. (I sneaked this picture from my lap without using the flash....it didn't disturb anyone in their communion time)

After the service we had hot tea and coffee; went straight home, had lunch, and proceeded to our reading posts, and eventually naps for most of us. It was a great wintery day in London; love it!

Wintery Day In London Saturday 3-22-08

2008-03-22T13:22:00.000-07:00

We woke up to chocolate filled crepes and sausages prepared by Chef Darren! And, it only got better, as we were next treated to a ballet show by Jesse and Lucy (Lucy is taking ballet classes and is really into it!)

We were stumped for a while as the weather was really bad; should we just stay in and read by the fireplace (idyllic)!! It wasn't long before it was clear we needed to get out of the house, and what better place on such a day than a Museum...a place called The Childhood Museum, in Bethnal Green, London.

We walked to the bus station (5 minutes), and boarded a double-decker. On the way it was snowing, sleeting, raining, sunny, cloudy, and COLD! But, it was fun...we were all dressed for it and had a great time.

Can you see the snow against the dark windows?

The kids had a great time on the horses!

The place was appropriately named the CHILDHOOD Museum, as it took the adults back to many memories such as funny mirrors at the county fairs.

We walked along the Regent's Canal in Hackney...a beautiful walk where Darren and Pam ride their bikes at times.

I love this picture for its geometric features. I took it along the canal...it is a functional gas tank...fills from the bottom up,the top rises...unique, huh!

After a great outing Jesse, Lucy, and Pam (yes, Pamela is in there somewhere) couldn't wait for an exciting story from Papa Dan!

Day 2 and 3: Tower of London, Tower Bridge, Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, and Big Ben (Plus much more)

2008-03-21T14:08:00.000-07:00

This morning started with tea (cream and sugar, of course) with Jesse and Lucy before anyone else got up...it was fun! You should hear their British accents...sooooo cute!

We proceeded to walk Jesse to school, and after signing him in, Darren was talking to an aquaintance he and Pam have made over the past few months who has a daughter in the school as well. Darren introduced Judy and me to Jarmen, who is a Muslim Bengali. Next thing you know we are at his 'flat', meeting his wife Joahna, and having tea. This was an incredible breakthrough for Darren and Pam, as they have so wanted to establish a friendship with them; and after hearing Jarmen and Joanha describe their desire to have friends, and how much they had appreciated Darren and Pam greeting them daily, it seems to be a real friendship in the making! Darren felt that having us there prompted the tea invitation as a sign of respect for us. Hopefully, then , we were able to be used in Darren and Pam's ministry in a small way. Pray for them.

Yes, we did all those things in the blog title in the last two days. I didn't blog last night because we were tired!

The real highlight of Thursday, 3-20-08, however, was getting to hear Darren speak at their church, Christ Church, Spitalfields. It was Maundy Thursday, the night of Christ's last supper with His disciples. Darren's 'talk', as listed in the bulletin, was excellent, and was the first time he had spoken in their church...and doubtless it won't be the last. His sermon should be published...classic Darren.

Both days have been cold, but especially clear and sunny today while we were touring from 9:30 AM to 2PM. (Judy and I found a 'pub' that had great fish and chips!) Then, late afternoon, it actually sleeted! Good timing for us to be inside this afternoon! This evening, we had home made deep dish pizza (thanks to Darren (the 'deep' part) and Pam (the wonderful homemade whole-wheat dough). Then we took the kids to a local theatre and saw the recent Dr. Seuss movie. (I think I dozed in the last half...not sure how it ended!)

Now, to the more material, we enjoyed seeing the sites listed about. Thursday was mostly the Tower Bridge and London Tower, and today, Friday 3-21, was all the rest. Since they are so famous, I'll just show the pictures without commentary, and w/o order of how we saw them:

Thursday:

And, we were back in time to pick Lucy up from her school!

Friday:

Parliment Building

Great Trip to London on 3-18/19-08

2008-03-19T11:53:00.001-07:00

We left LAX March 18th at 8:05 PM Tuesday night to visit Darren, Pam, Jesse, Lucia, and Peanut. We were at LAX in perfect timing due to our good friends Vince and Sally Reyna...thank you guys!! Good thing we did have time: I had to go through security screen 3 times; 2x my own fault (wore my shoes through, and, had a water bottle 1/2 empty)...3rd time was due to a "time capsule" -a Mac thing-we had purchased for Darren and the security people didn't like the looks of it at all. (It is a wireless converter and hard drive converter all in one). But, eventually made it through, sweating by the time I unpacked and repacked everything in our carry on bag.

Oh, and then before getting on the plane I lost my Passport and Boarding ticket....after frantically searching everthing, turned out it was in JUDY's hand all along (not intentionally hiding it from me.) She got a kick out of it, as did I, except for me the ability to laugh came about an hour later!

Uneventful flight; certainly can say that British Airways does a MUCH better job of taking care of passengers and their comforts than American Airlines. (My round trip to Nairobi was on BA). This trip on American really felt like a cattle-car. But, I think we both got a couple good hours of sleep, a movie each, some reading, and just fun being together...we can read each other's mind so well, especially when it comes to humor between us. I love that.

We arrived 1/2 hour ahead of time, at 1:00PM. But by the time we got through immigrations, baggage, customs, and found the subway ticket place (the right one, that is), met Darren, waited for delayed trains, got to the end of the train ride, walked a few blocks, met Pam, Jesse, Lucy, and Peanut walking toward us, and walked the rest of the way home, it was nearly 4:30PM.

Well, here is the only picture I've taken so far; Darren met us 1/2 way from Heathrow on the subway. Yes, we did the underground 'train' thing all by ourselves (with excellent written directions from Darren.) Yes it is cold, (40 F) but no rain and a little sun here an there.

We are already babysitting as Darren and Pam needed to go to a meeting tonight. Jesse and Lucy are now in bed, and Judy and I are going to see how long we can stay up so as to make the time adjustment as best we can. It is 7:52 PM Wednesday night as I type this. Well, make that 8:32 and Judy is preparing for bed as I finish this, and I have my eyes propped open with toothpicks.

But must add that seeing Jesse and Lucy is a thrill. They have grown so much...and their british accents are wonderful! More later, with pictures of them too!

Arrived Home to a "Special" Welome-Home Gift!!

2008-03-08T11:40:00.000-08:00

I arrived safely and in good health Friday afternoon at 1:15 PM. And guess who just couldn't wait for me to make it back from Africa?

This is Violet Grace Prince, Jason and Carrie's 3rd child and 1st little girl!! She weighed 8 lb. 6 oz., 21 in. long. Isn't she beautiful? She was born @ 8:15 AM, 5 hours before I got home, and just in time for Nana (Judy) to visit and then come to the airport for me. Violet was all ready for me to visit in the evening!

More later, just wanted to say to hello to everyone and thank you again for your prayers.

Dan

D-Day!

2008-03-05T23:49:00.000-08:00

Can't believe it is Thursday, March 6th. This is the first time I have been able to blog since Friday night, Feb 28...or was it the 29th?? I'm really mixed up. I will give a very brief review of where we have been, and post when I get back with pictures, etc.

We left Saturday morning, March 1, very early, to catch a flight to Kigali, Rwanda. We stayed at JP's farm, which his sister Barraka is turning into a retreat for ministry people. She also has established a counseling office there. Many at EVFree have met her. Here are a couple of pictures on the farm:

We had lunch on Saturday with JP's parents and family:

On Sunday, March 2, we left around 10 AM to pick up Phil Smith, Country Director for Rwanda, and Sammy Mah, President of World Relief. We then traveled via car for 5 hours to the border of Rwanda and DRCongo. This is Sammy, Phil, and me, with JP taking the picture while we take a brief stop in a very scenic spot along the way.

Crossed over into Congo and was in the city of Goma for two days. Incredible ministry going on there; it is the most poverty stricken and overall devestated place I of all places I've been. Between the major volcano (can't think of the name) that erupted in 2002, sending lava right through the middle of town, and the Congolese Rebels in the mountains on the other side, the place is devastated. But World Relief is there ministering to thousands through the local churches. The most UNKNOWN story of Goma and surrounding area are the IDPs...over 1,000,000, and growing, because of the rebel militia in the very near areas. There are refugee camps of 200,000 and up. And this has received NO attention, and contrast to the Kenya IDP crisis in many ways.

More on that next time. I'll have to tell you about coming face to face with 3 rebel army guys in an unexpected place...not a calm moment in my life!

We left Goma on Tuesday morning at 6:30 AM to catch a boat for a 2.5 hour boat ride to cross Lake Kivu; we docked at the other end of the lake, but still in Congo;
this is a shot after just making a quick stop along the way:

No, that is not us in our boat; it is fishermen!

We visited a branch office of WR that manages a micro-finance operation...and doing great! We only spent 20 minutes there and were on to cross the border back into Rwanda to visit with a network of pastors where the earthquake of 2-4-08 killed 40+ people. It struck at 9:30 AM, when the churches were full. 4 were destroyed, many hurt, and the ones that were killed were mostly in one congregation. We prayed with them, listened to their stories, and heard that WR was the first and ONLY NGO to respond with help.

We then drove proably an hour and eventually crossed the border into Burundi. Only 30 minutes into Burundi we stopped and visited an HIV Aids office of WR, and met with the leaders and listened to their report on the operation. Unbelievable work; they are slowly but surely getting the church to embrace the responsibility of being trained to teach on prevention and assisting with medical aid.

We arrived in Bujumbura, Burundi, the capital city. Totally different world than Congo. Beautiful, almost resort like by most comparisons. We met with the staff leaders of WR-Burundi, and later had dinner at the hotel we stayed at. That is where you begin to see below the surface...great asthetics, poor basic functions, such as hot water, etc. But not a problem...anything was better than Goma, Congo.

On Wed, March 5 we spent most of the day driving south along a very scenic lake whose name is too long to remember, let alone spell. It was a 2.5 hour drive...safari like at times...to arrive at Nyanza Lac, Burundi. WR has a major field office there that is helping resettle Burundi IDPs from the last war as they are returning home. WR has equipped and provided over 3,000 houses in partnership with Habitat for Humanity. Another 1,090 are being built in 2008. Don't get too excited; these houses are the size of our typical living rooms; but there are good houses, especially compared to the grass/mud huts they are replacing.

We also visited a small village where WR has started a goat program to provide milk and an income to provide the basics...food.

Next we stopped at a medical clinic which WR built (not sure where the funds came from). it was in a beautiful location, high on a hill, overlooking the lake ([cannot see the end of the lake on either direction, but can see the mountains of Congo in the far distance across the lake). The medical center will be officially opened in May y the President of Burundi. (it includes an outdoor incinerator, and morgue!)

We got back to Bujumbura around 6, got some dinner, and checked back into the hotel we spent the night in Tuesday night....long story, but finally got to bed around 11PM.

It is now Thursday morning, JP is in a training session with his country director and staff leaders here, and we will leave at 11AM. We fly from Bujumbura, Burundi, to Kigali, Rwanda, and then on to Nairobi, Kenya, hopefully arriving at 4PM today. I will repack at JP's where I left my large suitcase, and then go to Java House in Nairobi where the senior staff wants to wish me farewell. My flight to London leaves at 11:20, so i need to be there by 9:20. PRay for all of this!

Sorry no pictures....just can't get it done right now.

Again, I am so blessed to have been able to do this trip. While I believe God used me to make some small contributions here and there, it was I that was mostly blessed, and in ways I never anticipated. Trust me, I can't wait to get back on American soil, and will never complain again when things don't go according to plan. Well, I know that is not realistic, but I'm praying there will be a profound impact on my few of things for a long time.

Can't wait to see you all, including my shortly to be borned 7th grandchild, due the 11th....don't be early Carrie and Jason!!

Love to you all.
Dan

Time in Kenya Ends

2008-02-29T09:18:00.000-08:00

What is this? Answer at bottom of blog!

Well, unbelievable, but today was my last full day in Kenya. It is now 8:30 PM Friday night, Feb 29th. JP and I leave at 6AM for an 8AM flight to Rwanda in the morning.

This morning started with me checking out of my 'home' for the last 3 weeks, and that was a packing job in and of itself after I got home last night. I simply didn't want to do it! But, I went to bed at 1AM with it all done, and slept till 7AM this morning.

We had a wonderful devotion time with the full staff at 8:30 am, and much praise was given that the agreement was reached with the governmnet officials. Its as if everyone took a deep breath, and felt a tremendous load lift from their shoulders. I pray things will continue to go well as the details are worked out starting March 7th in parliment.

After devotions we had the traditional 'tea break', and I even chose tea over coffee. What is happening to me?? We then started an almost 4 hour full staff meeting and JP led the team through various organizational updates and new policies and procedures.

I was able to do some final little shopping here (just couldn't help getting the grandkids something), and got to JP's around 6:30 PM. His nephew Bevinue (french, and not sure i spelled it right) had prepared an absolute feast in my honor. It included fresh fish from Lake Victoria, lamb, special sauce, pasta, spinach, beans/potatoes combo, homemade bread, kinda like tortillas, but thicker. And then a beautiful serving of fresh fruits over his homemade crepe and ice cream. I MUST fast this next week!

I'm in my room, my eyes are very droopy, and i'm going to bed and read a minute. As we have to get up at 5:30, need to get going.

Thanks for following along with me on this journey. I can't begin to express my appreciation to everyone that made this possible, especially my wonderful wife Judy. Thanks, sweetheart, for being so faithful in your emails and updates. I'll see you a week from today! (I get back from Burundi at 4PM the 6th and leave for Lonon/LA at 11:40 PM same day...pray there is no problem on the arriving flight! I arrive at LAX at 1:30 or so on Friday, March 7th.)

Can't not post without more pictures. So, here are the WR offices:

Here's JP and Tina sorting out the day

The beautiful grounds:

Answer: It is the bloom of the tree shown below. I still don't know what kind of tree...do you? It is just inside the gate entrance to JP's housing track...I've never seen one like...beautiful.

Possibilities Africa, The Harrell's from EVFree, Near Death Experience, and Dinner at Tina's

2008-02-28T03:25:00.000-08:00

(Posting Thursday afternoon, 2-28-08)
Our Wednesday started with a meeting at Possibilities Africa...a Christian organization founded by Martin Simiyu, a Kenyan, Moody Bible Institute graduate, and Biola MOL graduate. I was asked by both Dan Maltby (MOL Director) and Joe Davis to be sure and contact him if at all possible. Among many other areas, PA has a business incubator program to help young entrepreuers get their businesses off and running; objective being to help Kenyans help Kenya raise the economic levels. After a wonderful introduction of the ministry, I had been asked by Martin a couple of days before to speak to the issues of marketing and budgeting which the guys were struggling with. I did my best, but added a 3rd topic on biblical stewardship which I challenged the guys to embody personally so that it would be embodied in their business as well. It was a wonderful time of just sharing 'grey-hair' wisdom along with some best practices to hopefully help them progress. This picture is the group; JP, Martin, and myself are in the center in that order. Darren (taking the picture) was able to join us and I think even benefited from some of ole dad's marketing experience. It was great to have him there, and for him to make some appropriate connections for InnerChange.

We left Possibilities Africa at 12:30PM and drove for 1 1/4 hours to Kijabein the Rift Valley area, where Moffet Bible College is. Our purpose was to meet with Rich and Kathy Harrell, missionaries from my home church, EVFree, Fullerton. JP had met them previously with Joe/Molly Davis, and we had mutual interest to visit them. They are incredible hosts, wonderful assets to the college in many roles, and extremely knowlegable about Kenya. They were so warm and welcoming to us, including a fabulous meal which Kathy said was 'leftovers' because of short notice. (I would come and eat their 'leftovers' any day!). We enjoyed their company for about 2 hours; we discussed Crown Ministry type teaching at the college, and I see incredible opportunity to tie that in with the desire in Nairobi for the pastors, and WR staff.
Here is their home, overlooking Rift Valley, the most beautiful spot ever! (a little hazy this day, but in the background is Mt. Kenya) I could sit and talk with Rich for days on their front pourch! (So could Darren, who quickly learned of Rich's curriculum development writing skills, a passion of Darren's).

The 'Near Death' Experience(s):
When we got back from the Rift Valley around 5PM, Darren wanted to tour the Hurlinggum area for the InnerChange couple that is considering that area when they move to Nairobi in the next 30 days. He assured JP that he could drive a vehicle with the sterring column and the wrong side of the car on the wrong side of the road, (after all, he was FROM London [tho they have NO car])so off we went. What WAS I thinking???. The area was fairly close, and I was taking pictures to send them. Then we came upon one of the infamous 'roundabouts' in the road, and Darren decided to take an empty spot, and make 3 lanes out of 2. Just so happens there was a policeman standing right at the bumper as he pulled around the car. (death experience #1..no license, considerable cash on us, and horrific tales of what policemen in Kenya do when they stop you). After some extreme facial expressions and graphic arm gestures I didn't understand (glad I didn't) the policeman directed Darren to back up (in the horrible traffic) and take the exit lane he should have taken. (backing up in the traffice-death experince #2.) We finally navigated a ridiculous command, and took off somewhere...anywhere.

In an effort to make a block back to the main street, we ran across a certain Embassey of interest. Great! Darren said. get a picture for the couple [or was that ME that made the suggestion]...their ministry is to be with people from that country! I directed Darren to just pull up to the gate so I could get a quick shot of the official sign. I had just snapped the picture and lowered the camera when an armed guard flashed out with his AK47 and gave the look that would kill us had we not been so dumb, scared, and innocent looking. Thank GOD he did not see my camera (again, What was i thinking) and as he circled our vehicle with the look of a rebel army leader, Darren quickly explained that we were just turning around. Had Darren not proceeded to back up the car, I'm sure he would have finished us off right there. Lesson Learned...no pictures of the Embassey gates, let alone pulling up to the gate like we owned the place. OOPS! Well we proceeded to get the heck out of there, but later told JP that his vehicle was now being tracked by a certain country militia and please be careful.

(Picture removed for security purposes)

Thank goodness Darren and I had been invited to have dinner with Tina Oloo, JP's executive assistant Thursday night. It was the calming effect we needed! Was it ever delicious...wow...mild curry/coconut sauce over fish, sweet potatoes, ????root, a type of greens unknown in American,and rice. And wonderful mango/pineapple fresh fruit dessert. Thank you Tina! what great hospitality.

This morning (Thursday, 2-28) Darren was off at 5AM; almost surreal experience that he was here; we enjoyed our time so much...I miss him already! He and JP would be dangerous together...they are two of a kind. Wonderful connections in Nairobi for Darren through World Relief, Jean Paul, the Harrell's, and Possibilities Africa...all in 48 hours.

I committed yesterday to Martin at PA that I'd come back this morning at 9 to spend more time with the guys, and more specifically on each of their businesses. I was ther at 9AM and left at 12:30PM, thoroughlly exhausted but more energized than ever. I hope I helped them just a little. It really brought out my passion for sales, marketing, etc, and I realized that is another area God may be calling me to, but I don't know how to define it at this point. No processing time for me yet...and a whirlwind trip coming up of 3 more countries. I think I may have to take a sabatical from my sabatical when I get back!!
Blessings to all. I have to pack to leave the apartment Friday morning, and get to spend tomorrow night at JP's and leave very early Saturday for his regional tour. Pray for us!

The REAL Kibera Slums, & Darren arrives

2008-02-26T07:01:00.000-08:00

Darren arrived safely after flying all night from London. We were at Java House at 8:15 AM having an American breakfast and great coffee. We then headed to the apt. to unload his stuff, and took off to the office where I needed to be for a 10AM meeting with the consultant JP had been working with on the micro finance project.

My pictures from yesterday's visit didn't come close to telling the story of Kibera slum. We left at 12 noon to go to a 'wet feeding' at a church school in the middle of the slums of Kibera. (WR has to verify the USAID food purchases are getting to the right people, and they do this with 'field' visits to all sites.) When I say middle of the slums, think of an area that is home for approx. 1 million people. This school had about 200 students, 50-60 of whom are orphans. Margaret, the lady in the picture "Slum Outreach Ministry" (SOM) started the ministry to the school kids. She was responsible for the kids having food today, supplied through World Relief. I'll let the pictures tell the rest of the story.

KIBERA and Food Distribution from Main Warehouse

2008-02-25T08:05:00.001-08:00

WARNING: ANOTHER LONG BLOG, BUT MOSTLY PICTURES!

I am posting this Monday night, at about 9:00 PM. Yesterday, Sunday the 24th of Feb, was really non-eventfull as we needed rest. Attended Nairobi Chapel; guest speaker was from.....Wisconsin. I told Pastor Oscar (the senior pastor) that I didn't come all the way from California to hear a white American preacher!! He got a big kick out of that.

Today was anything BUT what I had anticipated as a day in the office working on a micro-small finace proposal for JP. I had the opportunity to go out to the 'field' for food distributioin with Tina and Naria. The pictures below capture my time in Kibera and the distribution warehouse. I left the office at 10 and got back at 3:30.

HERE IS KIBERA...but I didn't even see the worst areas.

This is All that is left in many areas. Multiply this by thousands, and you will understand why food is necessary in Kibera, even though it is not an IDP camp.

Burned out homes on one side of the street; nice homes (picture below) on the opposite side, separated only by a gate and fence.

Nice homes on the corner of the burned out intersection shown below. Niara, WR's communicaiton manager for Kenya, told me today that her mother died in one of these homes (where she grew up) on December 29. She had high blood pressure, and violence just outside their home caused her to die from the trauma.

Burned out major intersection which was previously covered with stalls of businesses. This is just over the fence from Niara's home where her mother died.

Community leaders and church leaders determine who gets these cards; WR's objective is to get the food to the ones that cannot provide for themselves, i.e., AIDs victims too weak to work, and orphans. You have to have these cars to get the food; they know who represents these intended recipients.

Church in Kibera, all be it on the perimeter, that distributes the food sent by WR;I met with the pastor and prayed with him. He begged for more food. He has 11 other churches within Kibera, but this is the 'mother' church of over 2,000 people...all poor or desperate poor (two different classes as I have learned)

Business as usual for some.

Not your average Hilton. I asked if they were serious about this, and the answer was an emphatic YES. I then learned that it really meant 'restaurant'; I felt better, but passed even though I was starving at the time.

Note the empty concrete slabs--these use to be business stalls for the family business where they earned enough daily to buy food for the next day.

Poverty is everywhere in Kibera

A local artist's expression of the situation.

Open garbage burning along a main entrance to Kibera; this is necessary because the privately owned garbage company has refused to pick up in Kibera since the violence in late December and January.

AT THE MAIN FOOD DISTRIBUTION WAREHOUSE IN JAMBORI:

A World Food Program truck staffed by volunteers to load and deliver to designated sites.

Lucy, from ADRA, and Tina, from WR, try to figure out what happened to a whole truckload of food; in essence, it was determined to have been diverted to the wrong place, unauthroized; not an unusual occurence; corruption is rampant. It did reach the poor, but not the AIDs victims and orphans it was intended to reach. They are very careful not to supply those that can work.

A truck being loaded for delivery to Dandora...not a safe place even now.

The EU (European Union) has contributed also.

I am proud of the USA! Food distribution in 3rd world countries by the US has a totally new meaning to me.

A way bill for loading and delivery to Dandora today. Issac, from WR, told me late this afternoon that a small riot broke out and they had to pull out; they went to the local police and asked for help to come back in the morning at 6AM when not so many people would be up. Issac works for WR, and leads worship for our devotions. Pray for him

This art work was located just beside where the food trucks load on the warehouse grounds. What is it's message for you?

I finished the day at 6:30 after spending the last 2 hours on the micro finance project. I think it is ready to be submitted as a good concept document; JP was very happy to have it done. We'll see; pray for this. It could be significant for long term sustainability of a program to get people like those in Kibera out of poverty, even in times of crisis.

There is much talk of a strong undercurrent of troule brewing; our devotion time this morning just allowed staff members to articulate what they are hearing, and we prayed very hard on many fronts. There is great fear the worse is to come. God can intervened, and I believe the churches here are doing everything possible to rally the Christians. Keep them in your prayers. I understood even more this morning how deep and widely affected the people are. I can't describe it, nor can I relate it to anything in the US. We are an incredibly blessed people; we have no idea how much.

I am excited that I will get to spend 2 days with Darren starting in the morning. He had a trip planned to South Africa, and added in a stop in Nairobi when he found out I would be here. We have two full days planned...more on that next blog.

WARNING: THIS IS VERY LONG (updating Fri. & Sat 2-22,23

2008-02-23T07:22:00.000-08:00

First, this is Sat, 2-23: Vickie, JP and Clementine's little 2 year old, has not been able to keep food or drink down for the last 24 hours. Test show she has an infection, possible food poision. Pleae pray for her! Well, thats two for two for them this week. (Sammy is doing great...just can't talk...you can't understand him I mean.)

Now starting with Friday morning:
I was honored to again give the devotion for their Friday morning gathering. I put together my "Top 20 Observations of Kenya", and shared my concerns for keeping them from becoming westernized. Here is the list observations first and westernizing concerns secondly.
1. It is a beautiful country
2. The people are beautiful people
3. You are brave, courageous people
4. You are friendly people
5. You have wonderful traditions, like tea at 10 and 3
6. People enjoy relationships more than transactions
7. You are an openly Christian society
8. You have wonderful coffee!
9. People are very well educated and industrious!
10. You eat well! I love the African food…and there is always plenty of it!
11. Pizza can be delivered at 9PM even here!
12. There are no street addresses…just p.o. boxes
13. There are locks everywhere!
14. The journey is as important as the destination
15. You value everyone’s voice; agendas are suggestions
16. Your smiles encourage me
17. All the conveniences are here…not my picture of Africa
18. You love people
19. I love the Kenyan people
20. You get out of the boat all the time. (ref. to previous devotion on Peter's faith to get out of his confort zone..the boat..when Jesus called him)

Some challenges to them to prevent being westernized (contrast to typical American attitudes)
1.Be faithful in the little things, the material goods: Luke 16:11: Therefore if you have not been faithful in the use of worldly wealth, who will entrust the true riches to you?
2.Acknowledge daily that God owns it all: I Chronicles 29:11-12: Everything in the heavens and earth is yours O Lord, and this is your kingdom. We adore you as being in control of everything. Riches and honor come from you alone, and you are the Ruler of all mankind; your hand controls power and might, and it is at your discretion that men are made great and given strength.
3.Watch out for credit cards! And as borrowing becomes easier and easier: Proverbs 22:7: Just as the rich rule the poor, so the borrower is servant to the lender.
4.Seek counsel; African proverb….If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together. Proverbs 12:15: The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man is he who listens to counsel.
5.Be honest with one another: Leviticus 19:11: You shall not steal, nor deal falsely, nor lie to one another.
6.Be generous in your giving: Acts 20:35: Remember the words of the Lord Jesus that He himself said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
7.Your work is God’s work, no matter what you do: Colossians 3:23-24: Whatever you do, do you work heartily as for the Lord rather than for men…It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.
8.Be careful about trying to hit the big deal, the get rich quick schemes; guard against investing for the short term on the hot tip: Proverbs 21:5: Steady plodding brings prosperity: hasty speculation brings poverty.
9.Don’t become materialistic and comfortable: Philippians 4:11-13: I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity….I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.
10.Keep your family first before your work: Mark 8:36: What does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul? "Never confuse involvement in ministry with intimacy for the Master."

After devotioins, I worked on a micro finance proposal JP has been putting together for some time; it involves 7 key churches, and WR administrating it. I spent 3 hours reviewing, and then started rewriting the executive summary. I enjoy it, and am learning a lot.

We left at 12:30 for the final get to gether for the NAC center volunteers' Appreciation Luncheon. They were presented a certificate of appreciation, signed by the appropriate people, and JP is getting Kofi Annan's signature...can you believe that? I asked him if he would get one for me! _Here are a couple shots at the luncheon; it was outside at a restaurant called GARCIA's; but it wasn't Mexican. Go figure.ha

This went until 3PM, then we rushed to a meeting at the Life Ministry building (a Campus Crusade office building), for a debrief and further planning for the 'Hope for Kenya' pastors' healing and reconciliaion. We were there until 6PM. It was a great meeting. Went home!! I made a peanut butter/jelly sandwich, had milk, and went to bed!
---------------------------

This morning (Sat)I got up at 9:00 AM...lazy huh? But, I went to bed last night at 7:30 PM!! I read for 2 hours (John Grisham's new book, THE APPEAL) and turned the light off at 9:30. Woke up at 3AM fighting a mosquitoe. Yep, A mosquito; it had been buzzing around driving me nuts for 10-15 minutes. I finally turned the light on and found the little creature...actually, it was a BIG creature, and chased it around, finally into the bathroom. I won! (after losing the first two battles on my ear and elbow. (I'm struggling to find the sacrificial, heart breaking missionary story, can you tell??)

Obviously I was then wide awake. So I turned the TV on and guess what...they had CNN on! First time I've seen it in 17-18 days! So I figured out one of the local channels (all 2 of them) must have CNN on after midnight or so...who would have guessed. So I caught up on the world for 2 hours, went back to bed, and woke up at 9 AM.

Caught up on emails, started (key word STARTED)figuring out my current finances (how much have I spent)..takes a spreadsheet for me to figure out what I have and don't have (conversion rates). Caught my journal (hand writting) up for last couple of days. JP picked me up at 2PM and and dropped me at Yaya Center where I did some serious shopping..cards,Java House of course, couple of t-shirts, and something special for Judy...no I'm not telling what.

The pick-ups for me was in-between trips to the doctor/hospital for VICKIE..their little 2 year old.
JP picked me up at 4PM and I've been resting and reading. I will go grocery shopping with Clementine and him at 8PM...their shopping night weekly when the kids are in the bed (Clementine's 16 year old niece lives with them and stays with the kids when necessary. Vickie was sound asleep in her mother's arms. Yep, no car seats and no seat belts for the kids here. No worry, the traffic is so congested in town that you can't go over 5 miles per hour. Seriously.

Well, I need to prepare for visiting Possibilities Africa-Kenya next Wednesday morning; it is a business incubator for young entreprenuers, and I got in touch with their Exec. Director at the request of Joe Davis and Dan Malty. He wants me to share lessons learned from my sales and marketing carrer; how do you do that in an hour. I'm God will provide the right info that they need. You can look them up on their web site..use the name above. It is a Christian ran non-profit org. on the micro-small finance type program, but for very talented young business people who just need some initial help. Pray for me in this.

Well, gotta go.

Nat'l Alliance of Church (NAC) 2nd Monthly Update Meeting

2008-02-21T06:21:00.000-08:00

I'm posting this Thursday evening at 5:30 PM 2-21-08.

Sammy came home from the hospital this morning around 11AM. He is doing well under the circumstances. Thanks for your prayers!

Jean Paul, after spending the night at the hospital, showered, shaved, and put on a suit, and got to the office just in time for us to prepare a quick power point presentation, and head for the NAC's monthly update meeting. I had already prepared a visual story from the pictues I have taken over the last 16 days for him to share, just in case he didn't have time for the power point to be done.

The meeting was at Parkland Baptist Church. There were over 100 pastors, NGO leaders, volunteers, etc. Jean Paul walked in, opened the meeting, did a power point update, and introduced various speakers, and closed with the picture slide show. No one would know he had no sleep last night...he is an amazing man, great leader, and wonderful father/husband.

Here are some shots I took at the meeting.
The attendees:

Volunteers from the center were recognized.

These two ladies (on the left in each picture, interpreters on the right in each picture)were in IDP camps; can't begin to tell their stories, but they were there to thank the NAC and the NGOs for saving them.

Diane Bricker, Africa Area Director for World Concern gives wrap-up, updates on move of NAC communication center to World Conern

I got my tickets changed to leave on Mar 6 instead of Mar 3; will be arriving at LAX on Friday, Mar 7. (Not sure I've stated here that the extension of time is so I can join JP on his already planned trip to Congo, Rwanda, and Burundi, leaving on the 28th)

Later!
dan

Pray For SAMMY

2008-02-20T07:50:00.000-08:00

It is Wednesday evening 2-20-08 at 6:50 PM.

I just got a call from Jean Paul who is at the hospital. Their 5 year old son Sammy fell and bit his tongue severely....they are waiting on a surgeon. He will have to be put under general anathesia (wish Judy was here to spell that for me)...that is troublesome for JP and Clementine. So please pray for a great surgeon to arrive quickly, and that Sammy will be fine, heal quickly, and they will feel God's peace and presence during this time.

Since I'm blogging, let me quickly say that I have had a wonderful day of rest, shopping, haircut, journaling, emailing, reading, and yes, a great cappuccino at Java House at Yaya Center. This evening I am going to reveiw a micro-finance proposal JP has been working on for several months, and see if I can help with it. TV is out of the question; poor reception, mostly in Swahili (can't get CNN), and same news recycles every hour for the day...honestly. So, I'm also enjoying 93.3 FM----Christian radio station.

Since I'm in the mood, may I also say that it is really interesting to be in a country that is 50% Christian, but very openly so. We were at the Karen Bank Corporation (secular)for the 2 day retreat. It is a management/leadership retreat of multiple buildings, overnight accomodations, and meeting rooms of all sizes. At the entrance to the restaurant (cafeteria style) is a prominent sign that says: "Our food is a gift from God; please take what you need, but do not waste it."
While getting my haircut today, I noticed music was playing in the background..."Our God is an Awesome God". This was a very nice, upscale barber shop. Isn't that wonderful?

Try those two things in America where we say it is a Christiam nation..98% at that....hummmmmm.

Evidence that cultural/language issues are still a challenge for me:
I told JP I wanted to get a haircut; he said that where he was dropping me for 2-3 hours had two saloons and I would enjoy them. I'm thinking, o.k., so that's interesting... having a beer while getting a haircut...didn't want to question him in front of his wife...not good culturally. But I thought"That's certainly unique, and almost appealing this hot day" So, I checked out four floors in the center looking for a saloon. I figured if he thought I should have a beer with my haircut that was o.k., and I didn't want to offend him in what I assumed was a cultural thing here. Real Macho type of thing....I should comply.
No Saloon...anywhere.
I finally spotted a store that had a sign: "Beauty Salon" I thought about it, and finally realized 'saloon' was how he pronounced 'salon'. I laughed out loud as I entered the shop, which was playing "Our God is an awesome God"...the receptionist just thought I was a very happy old guy with grey hair and glasses.

So after the haircut I settled for a wonderful double expresso cappuccino at Java House... the best saloon in Africa!!

Pray for Sammy.

Looking In from the Outside

2008-02-19T22:06:00.001-08:00

It is now Wednesday morning, 2-20-08. Monday and Tuesday was the Pastors Retreat for forgiveness, healing, and reconciliation. We planned for 50-60; there were over 100! PTL. I cannot capture the necessity for this in words. I did not understand until I heard pastors telling their stories. I can't express how deep the tribal history is in everyone's lives. How one church is made up of Kikuyus, another of Luos, another of other tribes, and some with mixed tribes in the churches where members attacked members, etc. Some pastors looted along with members; some ran, some stayed and remained strong. This was a healing time, and a call for servant leadership to start with them.

JP and I left at noon on Monday to work on a major USAID grant that had to be submitted by midnight Monday night. At 9PM we ordered pizza delivered...yes, here in Africa! we finished at 10PM, prayed over the work, and sent it off. It was a 15 hour day I will never forget.

Here are some photos and brief comments regarding the retreat. JP and I returned for the full day on Tuesday. My role? I got to do flip chart note taking, much photography, and was honored to do the closing prayer on Tuesday. How do you pray in front of senior leaders from all over Kenya? Let go and let God. (Dr. Celestin picked on me as the 'white American' several times...I loved it.

You can click on the pictures and enlarge them; I posted 'small' so it wouldn't take so long to download)

Jean Paul gave the first day's opening devotion, based on LOVE (from Gospel of John) and related to his own story of being a refugee in Rwanda.

Dr. Celestin Musekura, key note speaker, spoke with authority and knowledge; he was a refugee during the Rwanda genecide in 1994; he also was good friends with JP's dad during that time. Unbeliveable stories of how God worked in all of that. Dr. Celestin is President of ALARM (African Leadership and Reconciliation Ministries. He has offices in Dallas and in Nairobi.

Opening group prayer

The Hope for Kenya Forum members--the group that organized the Pastors' retreat in just a 2 week period. The members are all missionary agencies in Nairobi...their mission was to provide a safe environment for the Pastors to come together for a time of foregiveness, healing, and reconciliation; then for them to start the same in their churches and communities.

Dr. Celestin and Pastor Nixon

Small groups start Monday afternoon

Dr. Celestin and me. We had time to talk and find out we had mutual friends! He attended DTS, knows Dan Crane, etc. He is an extremely knowledgable man of God.

O.K. family, I had to sneak in ONE flower picture

After the small groups shared the first day, the Pastors were asked to write a note on their reflections/feelings. Read carefully...they are very revealing.

This is Jacinta Makokha, Exec. Dir. of CAPI (Change Agents for Peace Int'l) Isn't she a beautiful African lady!

Looking in from the outside during small group breakouts

Lucia's Birthday

2008-02-16T22:26:00.001-08:00

This picture is just for my grandaugher LUCIA MAE PRINCE in London. She turned 3 on the 15th. I didn't forget about it; just forgot to acknowledge it on my posting that day. So, here is to Lucy and her 3rd Birthday, from Papa Dan in Africa. Lucy loves animals!

Traditional Kamba Wedding

2008-02-16T20:58:00.000-08:00

We left at 7:15 AM; got home at 8:30 P.M. This was a tradtional Kumba tribe wedding ceremony, the tribe of the bride. It was a day of family and friends, food and fellowship. No one was in a hurry. It was a day of celebration. (Official wedding in the church will happen in June...they are NOT married until then. The bride and groom went their separate ways after the celebration.) It was hard to capture the spirit and joy of the day. Here are a few attempts. Money could not have bought this experience.

Vickie and Sammy and in the SUV and ready to go!!

The groom's family ladies stayed up all night the night before cooking all of this food. It is the groom's family's responsibility to provide all food and drink for the wedding ceremony, which takes place BEFORE the official ceremony. It the food was wonderful!

Pastor John Gichinga welcoming me at 7:30 A.M. to his home where the caravan to the bride's grandparents' homestead begins. (The shirt I am wearing was loaned to me by JP...I may just forget to give it back!) I was recognized during the ceremony as being from 'America', and working with World Relief. JP and family were recognized also, as being from Rwanda, and with WR in Nairobi.

The groom's caravan from Nairobi is finally arriving!

Jean Paul, Sammy, Vickie, and Clementine...what a beautiful family!

The groom's family and friends arrive at the grandparents of the bride's homestead. (Note the pick-up full of food and supplies...it was one of two loads of food and drink)

Some of the bride's family:

Having tea upon arrival, served by bride's family

The groom's family's lunch is served...to all 200+ at their seats!

The official service begins (I think; there were many speeches, introductions, stories...)

Flowers and Fanta for the wedding party head table

Pastor John Gichinga and wife, the proud parents of the groom, Mwema.

group picture of the setting...it was beautiful. The blue cast to the picture is created by blue tarps overhead to protect from the sun).

The sun sets as we started returning home (2 1/2 hour journey)

This was a wonderful day. I went straigt to bed at 9 PM. It is now Sunday morning at 7:30 AM ....I had the most sleep since I got here. Today, Sunday, we leave at 10:20 to attend Nairobi Chapel, then lunch, and back home...I intend to just rest today, period. JP needs the rest too! Thanks for your comments on the blog, and emails. I will be away Monday and Tuesday at the pastor's retreat, not sure if I will be able to blog or not; keep praying for the people here, the churches are making a REAL difference in people's lives!!

Aids, WR Clinic, Slums, Church and Red Cross IPD Camps

2008-02-15T11:16:00.001-08:00

This is Lydia. She is 13 years old and HIV Positive. She has been taking medicine for some time, and her prognosis is positive. Both her parents died from AIDS several years ago. Her aunt took her in. She is showing me her math workbook; she had excellent scores and excellent hand writing. She is seen 1-2 times a week by the local AIDS clinic set up by World Relief, as shown below.
This is an AIDS clinic setup and administered by World Relief in Faraja. It has a wonderful staff of nurses, volunteer doctor, and a local pastor that teaches about AIDS prevention as well as helping them set up 'microfinance' type little businesses so they can make their daily living.

The clinic cares for 1500 patients that are HIV Positive in home visits and in this one examine room; note the 'pharmcy' through the closet door.

City streets and slum areas of Faraja

(below)This is a church ran IDP camp about 40 minutes out of Nairobi; at its max they had 276 people; it now has 176. This church (a plant of Nairobi Chapel) has decreased the camp by church families 'adopting' families; providing for them; getting them home; taking them in, what ever is needed specifically for each family. Happy faces were everywhere...unbelievable joy in a horrible situation. But the camp was organized, clean, happy, and full of hope as people told us their stories.

The ladies preparing their families' next meal

RED CROSS CAMP:

This little girl's expression captured for me the difference in the church ran IDP camp and the Red Cross Camp where she is. At its max they had 2,000 people; it currently has around 800; Red Cross provides the basics...that's it. Churches are again showing up with help and taking families in slowly but surely.

(below) My buddies; the little one with his arm on my shoulder never let go of me; there are many kids there with NO family; I couldn't find anyone who knew about this little boy...he was just there.

(below) Red Cross Camp

(below) But the church provides again; this is the home of Beatrice; she purchased this at the end of December, worked hard painting and decorating for it to be a hostel for university students. She attended Nairobi Chapel for the first time at the end of January. She heard Pastor Oscar ask for families in the church to take in IPDs from the camps. She has now had 40+ transition from the camps to her home, and 30 of them are now back home. the 10 living there now do not know where their husbans/fathers are. But Beatrice is being Jesus to them. The hostel will just wait, she said. What a beautiful lady. That is the church at work.

I saw, smelled, heard, and touched more than I ever wanted to today. Not a whole lot more to be said.

Not my Typical Valentine Day

2008-02-14T11:36:00.000-08:00

First, HAPPY VALENTINE, TO MY SWEETHEART JUDY! I LOVE YOU

Today JP and I met with the volunteers and leaders of the NAC's Humanitarian Crisis Center to thank them for their work, encourage them to finish well through next week. As of 2-25-08 the function of the center will transition to World Concern for ongoing work. The center was never meant to be institutionalized under the NAC. But, it was this Center that brought the churches together to respond when the government was down, and the major providers such as UN, Red Cross, and World Food Program was not operational in the first 2 weeks.

But their work is not finished...it is just transitioning; the work continues to be needed as you can see on this chart posted on the wall when we visited today. Read the chart very slowly and carefully; then thank God for the abundance we have in the states.

We spent 4 hours at the center, went back to the office and then home; had an hour of rest and then a dinner at 6:30 (chinese food :) ) with Dennis Tongoi, Director of Church Mission Society (London based), and also author of a book called "Mixing God with Money"....a stewardship book written from the African culture perspective. Members of our TEAM KENYA will understand the significance of this. Dennis will be in Phoenix in March....might be worth trying to get him over for a 1/2 meeting wtih us. My quick review says the curltural adaptation of the Crown materials is DONE! this is it! I am bringing copies for you. (Joe Davis...I have emailed you 4 times and they keep coming back...not sure why)

Then we went to a prayer meeting at the home of the director for World Conern. It was a great time; Also there was the Chair, Dept, of Leadership STudies of the Nairobi International School of Theology, Dr. Marta Bennett, a wonderful lady. I mention this because the 'School' will soon become a University (credentialed), and they are in need of someone to come help them set up a budget...right...they have no bugeting system as the new President discovered. Let me know if you are interested...a wonderful mission project for someone for 6 months. You would be so appreciated.

Just got home a minute ago, and it is 10:49 PM; we start at 6:30 AM in the morning (Friday Morning) to finish another round on the proposal, and then have visitors from the states (potential significant donors to WR) at 8:30, a lunch meeting from 11-1 with the Hope for Kenya forum to finalize the pastors healing and reconciliation retreat next Monday and Tuesday. Then, and IDP camp visit/work, and then dinner with the states visitors.

Good night!

Wednesday 13 FEB

2008-02-13T08:52:00.000-08:00

It is now 8PM Wednesday night, I'm back at the apartment after a very full day, and since the internet connection seems to be working I'll take advantage of the ability to do another blog.

I don’t even have time to think about civil unrest here. No one talks about anything that happens in the day…and basically nothing is happening. Everyone seems to have their fingers crossed for Kaufi Annan’s peace plans…if that doesn’t happen, all are very concerned.

With the hours we have been keeping, including the staff, stewardship based bible studies have not happened so far. And they may not happen at all. JP wants me to be sure and do aleast one before I leave, so we’ll see how timing works out for that.

JP is insisting that I spend Feb 28-March 5 with him, his boss Stephan, and Sammy Mah, who will be touring Burundi, Rwanda, and Congo. That means 3 more days, but it could be significant experience. Pray for clarity on deciding if I should or not.

Physically, I’m doing just fine. Spiritually, I’ve been so blessed that if Judy were to join me I might not ever come home!! Make that if 6 grandkids plus the 2 on the way were to join me with Judy. Oops, make that my entire family!

Oh, I have a cell phone: 0712312712...easy to remember. My updates and emails are sporactic at best…either due to time, or more likely, lack of functionality of connections to internet.

Today started with a 3 hour meeting at Navigators conference center here in Nairobi; it was a meeting of the Hope for Kenya Forum, a group of 10-12 mission agencies assembled for the purpose of initiating healing and reconciliation for the senior pastors in and around Nairobi. Hard to think that is necessary, but tribalism is 10x stronger than political parties here or in the US for that matter. We are trying to get 50-60 together at a retreat center next Monday and Tuesday for this process. JP will play a major role in that, trying to keep it in focus with the NAC also. I have been writing speech drafts for him for several events coming up. Getting up to speed with all the players has happened faster for me than I thought it would.

I have been invited to attend the wedding for Pastor John Gichinga's son this coming Saturday about 3 hours away from Nairobi. It would be a great experience, and I am honored to be invited by him. It depends on how we are doing on the proposal--JP and I may have to spend several hours over the weekend to put final touches to it. Pastor John and I have developed a great relationship; it is a real honor to be invited to such a family event.

IDPs continue to be returned, but there are still probably 150-200 thousand still in camps. Food is getting there routinely. Major problem now is gender violence within the very large camps...pray for that.

Can't close without thanking you for your prayers. Twelve hour days are keeping me energized and feeling productive. Also, I can't close without a couple more pictures from the Park...just incredible.

This is at sunrise...just entering the park.

My favorite, the cubs

The brown zebra is a baby...color changes as it gets older!

Feel free to email with any questions you have: danp301@pacbell.net I'll respond as soon as possible!

Again, these are great people...love the Lord. I met Dorcas the WR office on my first day; she keeps the kitchen and refreshments available; and she now brings me great coffee at 10 and 3 on the nose...what a wonderful lady-sheis bubbling over with joy and love for all; I'm Mr. Dan to her. Today she told me she was "very encouraged to 'get out of the boat' on faith" from my devotion Monday morning.

Blessings to all.

Not Your Typical Sunday Morning (or Monday or Tuesday!)

2008-02-12T06:17:00.000-08:00

Here are some pictures from my trip to Nairobi Nat'l Park early Sunday morning. Indescrible experience, and pictures don't even come close to expressing the reality of being there.

This picture, folks, is NOT an airport wall poster..it is the real thing!

Hunting for water buffalo in my Sunday church clothes...very fun! (we didn't find any, but found their evidence on the trail we were standing on, if you know what i mean.

We were at the Nairobi Chapel (church of 3,000+) by 10:45a.m.; just in time for some of the most beautiful African worship music I have ever heard. Pastor Oscar Muriu spoke, and it was the clearest background on what caused the violence and the Biblical solution as God gave the Isralites being persecuted in Egypt. I encourage you to go to the church's website and see if you can either listen or order the CD...you will not fully understand this situation without it, nor the solutions for permanent peace.

Monday morning I gave a 20 minute devotion to the staff here at World Relief, based on Matt. 14:21--faith to get out of the boat! Later Monday I was in a 3 hour meeting with Pastor Oscar, JP, and Pastor John Gichinga strategizing on next steps for the churches, of which he has stepped up as the leader from within the churches of Nairobi. We later met for 2 hours with the steering committe of the center of coordination and developed a plan to transition that to World Concern (not WR) as they have the desire and resources to do this longer term.

I am loving every minute of this, and feel God is using me in very strategic ways and even in relationship building among some of the players in all of this.

Today, Tuesday, it is now 7:42PM here and we are still at the office. We have spent most of the day organizing our efforts for writting a proposal for USAID grant to be given to organizations to implement conflict mitigation and reconciliation programs;I'm taking a lead in this effort to organize the proposal with the staff's excellent input and writing of the technical elements. The Grant is for $35M to be broken into separate grants of $100k to $600k portions. Please pray for WR to be granted the money to do what God has called them to do; this is YOUR tax money, by the way...pray hard! These are wonderful, hard working people who want to do everything possible to help their people.

More later!

Saturday 2-9-08

2008-02-09T17:46:00.000-08:00

[I'm writing this at 4:45 AM Sunday Morning. Seems my sleep clock isn't adjusted yet, but still had 5 good hours of sleep] Busy day. We went to the downtownfresh meat and vegetable market first; bought fresh fish, beef, chicken, goat, lamb. Yes, I said goat. Here is Clementine and JP bargaining for the price of the fish and chicken...it is the way it is done. By the way, here is a picture of the kids, Victoria (Vickie-2yrs)and Samuel (Sam, Sammy, and 'dude', the name given by Joe Davis, whom they affectionately call Granpa Joe).

I treated the kids to ice cream after the shopping so they are endeared to me for life now!

JP and I met with the Africa Area Director for WORLD CONCERN in the afternoon. It is amazing to learn that once the crisis of setting up relief is over, the politics start and we spent a long time learning what was going on currently as JP had be out the last couple of weeks. Between the UN, Int'l Red Cross,WR and WC, food is being distributed for the most part as needed. There are over 200 camps, ranging from a few people (handled mostly by churches)to 10,000+, handled by Red Cross, supposedly. Sounds like there needs to be clarification over who is really doing the work vs. who is getting the funding. We are meeting today with one of the key pastors to start plans for dealing with all of this Monday.

In the evening JP and Clementine hosted 2 wonderful ladies from WR hdqtrs, Debbie, who is the Int'l Director of Health and Gail, who is the Executive Assist. the president of WR, Sammy Mah. We went to a brazilian type restaurant and got enough protein for the month in our tummies. Aligator and Ostrich meat balls were new for me. Came home and crashed at 11:00 PM

We are leaving at 6AM to drive to a nat'l park just 15 minutes from JP's house, in time for the animals to be out feeding. it is a place where you drive through! it should be very interesting. We go straight from there to the Nairobi Chapel church for 10:30 services, meeting with the Pastor afterwards, and then lunch I assume. I'll be moving into my studio apartment this afternoon; visited yesterday to see what was needed. It is effecient, and perfect for the occasion. Only one drawback: it is 4 stories up, and there is no 'lift' (elevator). So i will get my excercise, for sure!

Pray for our meeting today...it is critical on some other issues...and for the ones to take place next week, including one with the government colonel in charge of security and authority for the IDP camps, the UN, the World Food Program, WC, and the council of churches.

This is Kenya

2008-02-08T04:15:00.000-08:00

I saw ZEBRAS at the airport!
(I'm writing this Friday afternoon 2-8-08 in Nairoba, Kenya...the first time I've had time and availability on a computer since I arrived Wednesday morning) Truth is, I did see these zebras at the airport, except I took this picture of a poster on the British Airlines Termnial wall. (forgive me, but thought you'd enjoy a touch of humor in a time of concern). I walked through customs and immigration to meet my oldest son, Darren at London Heathrow during my 6 hour layover on the way to Kenya. Here is a picture of us in what else....a coffee shop;

I have learned my first lesson in being flexible: God decides what is going on; if you review the list of things Jean Paul Ndagijimana gave me to do here in Kenya posted on my Feb 1 blog below, one was help with the coordination of matching resources to needs. I am thrilled to say that since his original urgent request of Jan.15 (at the height of the violence and afer two weeks of 24/7 coverage)that need is in a very manageable state. There are still daily occurences, and new needs, but there is routine. Here are a couple of pictures of an IDF camp WR has serviced since the beginning. We passed this coming from Limuru back to Nairobi today. Note the new-like tent: demonstrates the need is under control, but probably will last a while.

I say all of this to say that the urgent request that got me here is not really what I will be doing most of the time, it appears. Now, should I come home? Or did God know that was the only way I would respond, so he got my attention with that. I've been contemplating this since I got here really, and on the first day began to understand my main mission is now my least mission. So, should I come home?

I think I better hang around and see why God really wanted me here. I'll take several days to decide that firmly. Read the rest of the list; the reality of some of that hit today as I sat in a discussion regarding who was directing what as to the churches' joint efforts in spiritual recovery. More on this later.

So, until this morning I've been hanging out with JP's direct reports as the country directors had their first ever annual strategic planning meeting in Limuru, a beautiful Christian retreat center ran by the So. Baptist. It was a wonderful introduction to the people, mission, strategy, and values of the Africa Great Lakes and East Africa Region for World Relief. JP has responsibility for Congo, Burundi, Rwanda, and Kenyan. Here is a picture of the country directors and selected staff from those countries, a program officer from Baltimore (WR hdqtrs).
I have made 14 new wonderful friends, culminating in communion last night. (I played my favorite old hymns after someone discovered I could play the piano..they knew them all and sang along and hummed along...beautiful).

There is so much to write about, and I am doing that in detail in a daily journal book; let me just say there are still 10's of thousands of IDPs; they are being fed for the most part, and basic needs being met for the most part. Don't get me wrong...it is horrible conditions at best. But the urgent processes are in place. In fact, we saw a bus loaded with more people than should have been on it, belongings stacked 10-15 feet high on top and tied down, ready to leave returning them to their homes with police escort. Most want to go home now; many go not knowing the conditions they face, but willing to attempt it.

Me? I am conflicted with eating well, sleeping well, and fellowshipping with great people, during a time of incredible pain and suffering for still over 200,000. I am physically doing great (LOVE THE FOOD). I'm perplexed as to the news Judy gave me of US Peace Corps leaving totally earlier this week, and I have heard NO news on bad stuff here at all. In fact, if i didn't know what I know, this could be normal daily life here in Nairobi. Confusing.

Oh, most exciting, Darren will be able to meet Jean Paul 2-26/27 for an introduction and connection with World Relief/ and CRM's InnerChange start with a young couple this summer. Darren had a trip already planned to South Africa, and connecting here in Kenya was a natural. Amazing how God works it all together........

Most importantly, Judy is down with another round of sore throat, no voice, etc.etc. Please pray she will recover fast, and be able to find the source of this recurring cycle of sickness.

Addie Turns ONE Today ----Notes on Kenya Travel

2008-02-01T20:34:00.000-08:00

First, HAPPY BIRTHDAY ADDIE...ONE YEAR OLD. WOW. I took this picture last night while Sarah, Ben, and Addie were visiting. Here's another great one with Nana:
Can't help but add one from earlier in the week...can you imagine how much fun these boys are??

Notes on Kenya:

This picture was taken in October 2007 after spending time with our friends from Nairobi, Kenya. Next to me is Pastor John Cichinga, and next to him is Jean Paul (JP) Ndagijimana, Country Director for World Relief, and my dear friend Pastor Joe Davis from EVFree Fullerton, my home church. We had been in meetings about planning for Crown Ministry (stewardship) training for pastors and staff in Nairobi key churches. Little did I know that the election on 12-27-07 would result in the violence and prompt the need for help for JP and World Relief. I will also be doing some bible studies on stewarship with his executive staff, and with senior pastors of some key churches in Nairobi. Following are some excepts that JP has sent with things for me to consider doing:
1-to unite the body of Christ—We now have over 100 pastors interested and taking part in what we are doing
2-Continue to Connect needs and resources—We have a matrix tool we use to collect distress call from all over Kenya, and we try to link the needs with big and small players who can respond. SO far we have had individual churches respond to a small group between 15 and 50 and we have managed to move big players such as World Food program to feed 10,000 plus Internally displaced peoples. We have coordinated Christian NGO’s response, and we continue to play the role of match making between needs and resources. We are recognized by the UN, the US Embassy, etc.
3-Continue to disseminate information—As a marketer, this should be one of your sweet spots as we applaud the great work church based volunteers are doing, etc.
4-Finally Continue to advocate for the vulnerable and the forgotten—we have new cases erupting on a daily basis and I have been running offices pleading and advocating for the dignity of human right. The last success was this last Sunday when a church managed camp was given evacuation order by the government on a less than 12hrs notice, and we managed to loby all heads of UN bodies and they convinced the government to extend the deadline by a week.

and the following came yesterday:
The national Alliance of Churches is one of many activities we hope you can help with, but not the only one.
We just got funding to start a microfinance scheme for women living with HIV and AIDS in one of the slums and I hope you will help us a great deal here with your banking skills.
We are working on our communication strategy as a country and I hope you will help us also a great deal
Peace and reconciliation workshop are about to start rolling and we can use your group leader skills in facilitating some workshops,
etc.

For a better understanding of what is happening in Kenya, go tohttp://community.wr.org/NETCOMMUNITY/Page.aspx?pid=865&srcid=865 . you will also see how World Relief is being a significant connector of the christian churches and the UN, Int'l Red Cross, World Food Program, and other agencies.

Please pray for me, and for Judy as she stays home and holds down the fort.

This is a Test, only a Test

2008-01-27T08:41:00.000-08:00

Trying to see if I remember how to do this. I will attempt to update this blog when I am in Nairobi, Kenya. I leave LAX Monday night, 2-4-08; will be there at least 2 weeks, possibly up to 4 weeks. Again, this is only a test.

2007-06-17T22:41:00.000-07:00

To get your attention I'm posting little Addy's picture I took today on Father's Day......

Now that I got your attention with the most beautiful 4 month old grandaughter in the world, here's something new:

I hope to blog some from Japan June 20th through July 3. I'll be on a misionary trip with Missionary Atheletes Int'l's Seahorse Soccer Team, my 3rd trip with them. But the last one was 4 years ago. Please pray for safety, unity, good health and a great time of sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ in a 99.3% LOST country.

2007-02-12T17:14:00.000-08:00

Starting Week 4 here's how the pool is looking! A few changes here, a few there, mostly at my whem, not theirs! They are doing a great job; I've never seen 7 guys work harder than they did today.

2007-02-01T15:07:00.000-08:00

and here she is......ADDISON SARAH FITZPATRICK
born today at 6:44 AM, 21", 8 lbs., 1 oz. She is beautiful! more later

2007-01-27T14:37:00.000-08:00

YIKES!!!!!!!! IT IS ONLY GETTING WORSE!

2007-01-25T20:08:00.000-08:00

HERE TODAY...

GONE TOMORROW!!.... Yes sireee bobalouie.....after 24 years of use by the Prince family and friends, plus 6 more by the previous owner, it was PAST time to upgrade the pool. Many, Many, Many fond memories were made in this backyard pool. I'm thinking of black eyes in the spa (poor Sarah), hours and hours of Marco-Polo (poor Judy) birthday parties (poor neighbors), kids' dates, core groups, etc., etc., and I'm sure much we DON'T know about (and don't want to, boys). I'll post the new and improved in about 5 weeks (yeah, right...as if it will be done by March 7!) We just want it ready by Summer!

2006-12-11T19:25:00.000-08:00

No, folks, there is no Santa Claus. Just SANTA JUDY! Here is how it is really done!

After many hours of driving, shopping, comparing, pricing, paying, carrying to the car, carrying into the house, this is how it really gets done!

I'm thankful for:
I'm thankful for Judy's diligence to get all the shopping done.
I'm thankful for her personalizing each gift to each person.
I'm thankful she doesn't want to just right a check (like me) and call it quits!
I'm thankful she doesn't make me go with her on all the trips (just a very few!)
I'm thankful she wraps each one with care!
I'm thankful that she fights through the crowd-phobia to get all this done! (I've literally seen her in tears over that)
I'm thankful she gets it all done on time!
I'm thankful for the sacrafices she makes of time, money, and convenience!

On reflection of the above, I observed that she really exhibits Christ in all the ways I mentioned above...read them again and think of Jesus, how He demonstrated those things! Hummm....

Thank you, Santa Judy, for being our "Jesus" in the flesh!
I love you.
Dan

2006-12-04T19:10:00.000-08:00

In no particular order:
1-Used Book(s) on Kenya (I might be going there!)
2-Black Gold Toe Athletic Socks
3-Lip Medix (my very own little container)
4-Picture of all SIX grandkids together (belated gift o.k.)
5-Ride-a-long with Officer Fitzpatrick and Officer Prince the same day/night!
6-CD of worship music Edition 2 (see Sarah)
7-Used book on Sudoku strategy (not puzzles necessarily...just the strategy)
8-A real Cuban cigar (o.k., so its illegal and a challenge)
9-If successful on #8, a cigar cutter
10-O.K., a cheap American cigar
11-1 lb. of Darren's own dark roast coffee beans, or, if necessary to substitute,
12-1 lb. of Peete's dark roast coffee beans
13-1 lb. of Kian's dark roast Kenya coffee beans (in addition to above is fine)
14-Men's devotional for next year (used o.k. and preferred if not written in)
15-Our kitchen knives sharpened (the ones given to us last year)
16-Flannel lined kackies (sp) (divide cost by 4 parties)
17-gift Cert. for manicure (I'm getting desperate for ideas)
18-gift Cert. for pedicure (I'm getting REALLY desperate for ideas)
19-6 pk. of Alhambra Beer (from Spain...good luck finding it)
20-One, big, lucious, pineapple upside down cake with tons of gunk...all my own.

Have fun!

P.S. This is an immediate family affair...not posted to solicit gifts from other relatives, friends, or strangers.

2006-10-25T22:12:00.000-07:00

Well, last weekend we were in SF with Darren, Jesse, and Luci....what a great time. It just so happened to be my 55th bd....don't want to talk about it. But, Judy took one great picture at the zoo, and the picture is worth a thousand words, but something like "like father like son" seems to sum it up. (Sarah, I finally got the picture to download...not sure why you are having problems...might want to check your security settings)

Also, just want to add a note about the wonderful birthday dinner Judy made for me and Sarah (26 on 10-20-06)...chicken and dumplings, cornbread, greens, pinto beans, fabulous chocolate cherry cake....wonderful! Thank you Sweetheart!

Frustration is trying to get upgraded to a new Treo PalmOne 700P. Yep, been trying since Monday. It seems that since Judy has the account with Verizon through her work (great corporate rate)I am not authorized to do anything but pay the bill. Amazing.

2006-08-08T20:42:00.000-07:00

Well, if you scroll back to the entry entitled "Wow..It's January 18th already" and notice that I said I was reading the 760 pages of THE ESSENTIALS OF TREASURY MANAGEMENT in prep for a CTP exam (Certified Treasury Professioinal) later this year, I'm happy to say I took the exam a week ago Monday,7-31-06, and PASSED! I was so excited to pass I almost ate a cow!!

2006-06-26T22:06:00.000-07:00

So if you ever accidentally delete pictures from your memory card ***NEVER FEAR--PAPA DAN IS HERE! Yes, I was determined to recover the pictures from Father's day that I deleted thinking I had already downloaded them. I sent Fuji Camera an email asking for their suggestion (after finding a recovery software for $34 but didn't want to pay if there was a free way!). They sent back the following website address:http://www.pcinspector.de/file_recovery/uk/welcome.htm and here is one of the 153 pictures I recovered for FREE!!! Save this website, it WILL happen to you eventually! So, for the loss of time on my website since Father's day, Ben gets his real picture posted with.....Papa Dan!!

2006-06-24T23:28:00.000-07:00

This is my son Jason. I am very proud of him. He had his LAPD Badge Pinning ceremony yesterday. I love him and pray for him daily.

2006-06-19T20:26:00.000-07:00

Well, what would a father's day be if he didn't see all of his kids and all of his grandkids! Exactly what happened to me yesterday. So, I've got pictures no one else has because I was the only one taking pictures: Here's my favorites of the 5 gks!

Well, Well, Well, what would a father's day be if I didn't pull a good one....I now realize the pictures I took later in the day of Ben and family I deleted from my camera thinking I had already downloaded. I will try to see if it is possible to retrive them and post later. In the mean time, you can see two great pictures of Ben on Sarah's blog at:www.sarahprincefitz777.blogspot

sorry Ben...but that's Papa Dan for you!

6-20-06 UPDATE: I found a very recent photo of Ben to include! Ben, like his Papa Dan, likes to read the newspaper!

Have I Shown my Grandkids Lately?

2006-06-04T20:49:00.000-07:00

O.K., so this is the 49th minute I've spent trying to figure out how I got duplicate pictures, one not at all, and none in the order i wanted. I finally figured out how to delete the entire thing, which is what I did.

Here goes on the original thought:

Since I've seen all 5 in the last 3-4 weeks, I have new, fresh, never before published pictures!! I'm thankful for these 5, 2x, so that makes 10 things I'm thankful for.

And if this turns out right, that will make 11 things to be thankful for!
Dan

2006-02-20T08:28:00.000-08:00

I'm thankful for:
1-newspapers
2-good coffee
3-being on track for my July CTP exam
4-time to be with Sarah and Ben Saturday night
5-time to be with Jason and family today
6-working at a bank....today's a holiday!!
7-the sweet note Judy left for me at 6AM this morning
8-a great camera
9-phone calls from Jesse and Lulu
10-getting prepared for tax returns today

2006-02-01T22:02:00.000-08:00

I'm thankful for these common but complex things:
1-grace
2-breath
3-warmth
4-forgiveness
5-money
6-math
7-conversation
8-quietness
9-music
10-fingers

2006-01-18T19:44:00.000-08:00

Wow! It's January 18th already!! If only all my thoughts had magically transposed themselves to my blog...can't believe they didn't. Today, I'm gonna change the routine (if I ever had one) and give one thing I'm thankful for:

1-BOOKS

But, not to keep you wondering what I'm currently reading, here they are in no particular order, (which is how I read them and how I keep them on my nightstand, huh, Judy!)
Books on Dan's nightstand in normal orderly fashion

Ten Secrets for the Man in the Mirror - Patrick Morley (Startling Ideas About True Happiness)
A Shepherd Looks At Psalm 23 -Phillip Keller (An inspiring and insightful guide to one of the best-loved bible passages) Yes, Darren, I'm still reading it...it is fantastic!)
The Wit and Wisdom of Abraham Lincoln -Jack Lang (1942..good luck finding it)
Teams of Rivals-Doris Kearns Goodwin (2005..no problem)-The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln {881 pages - not for the casual reader}
Does Your Tongue Need Healing?[I didn't have to read the book to get the answer to that one!!]-Derek Prince (No relation that I know of!) Since DEATH and LIFE are in the power of the tongue, it is imperative to know how it may be healed.
Major Account Sales Strategy -Neil Rackham (Don't bother unless you are in business development)
The Leadership Secrets of Billy Graham -Myra Shelley (Very surprising-a great read of unknown leadership skills he mastered out of humility, trust, and integrity)
Andrew Jackson - H.W. Brands (His life and times)

Recently finished, and reviewing again:

The End of Poverty -Jeffrey D. Sachs (Economic Possibilities for our time...not Christian based, but cuts to the heart of the U.S. ignoring poverty and disease in the world)One quote: "Every morning our newspapers could read: "More than 20,000 people perished yesterday of extreme poverty" ." This is a tough ready being a white, middle class, U.S. republican, and Christian. Not for the faint hearted.
1776 - David McCullough - wonderful history of a one year period (actually a few years leading up to it). Think you know George Washington? Read this one for a very close look!)
The 8th Habit - Stephen R. Covey; if you are into his 7 habits of highly effective people, this is the icing on the cake; a must read for anyone in organizations of any kind.
The Essentials of Treasury Management - don't go near these 760 pages; it is to help me pass a test in July to be a Certified Treasury Professional, a real plus for my banking job with ministries, for credibility purposes, but more so that God can really use me to help ministries be more effective in their cash management.

O.K., yes, I'm reading through the Bible this year; its on my Palm and keeps me up to date by beeping me to death when I don't do the daily check off; but I appreciate the prompting!! I just pretend it is God.

What are you reading?

2005-12-27T21:00:00.000-08:00

Christmas was 2 days ago; shouldn't my "10 Things I'm Thankful For List" be about 100 things?? I'll keep it to just a few, though:
1-this week off...to do anything I want or nothin' at all!
2-finding the calendar Judy loves "Close to Home" at the mall today, and 50% off at that!
3-enjoying coffee at Starbucks and reading the New York Times for an hour! how wonderful is that?
4-enjoying the family for Christmas, even if it did include having to do it by speaker phone with Darren, Pam, Jesse, and Lucia who are in Boston at Pam's parents...we missed them!
5-the thoughtful gifts from everyone!
6-a great meal, even if I did get some help from the best cook around....Judy!
7-getting to rock Ezekiel to sleep!
8-enjoying Ben's 1st Birthday yesterday!
9-Loving Gavin's excitment opening gifts...what a great kid for 5 hours!
10-Hearing Jesse (I'm sure Lucia was helping him out) lead the Boston gang in "Merry Christmas" to us on the phone.

2005-12-21T19:58:00.000-08:00

I'm thankful for:
1-pictues
2-Maui
3-sunsets
4-oceans
5-beaches
6-sight
7-light
8-serenity
9-Judy
10-You
.....and, #11, My friend of 28 years, Pam Coron of Boston!! Thanks for you note!

2005-12-15T19:52:00.000-08:00

I'm Thankful today for:
1-Our friends Karen and Tim in Arizona now; I miss them!
2-My friends Mike and Glenn who keep me accountable! (And Arizona Tim who encourages us to keep on meeting!
3-Our comfy house!
4-Our daughter's mom/dad-in-laws, Tina and Paul, who invite us to join them in many family things for the Fitzpatricks! And we love to take them up on it! (I took this picture in their backyard on Father's day, 2004)
5-My wife who got her 4 month old promotion formalized today! Good Job Judy!!
6-Time to spend with grandkids....not long enough and not frequent enough, though.
7-Tomorrow being Friday!!
8-Our friends Bev and Hover
9-my grandkids....have I mentioned them lately?
10-my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Have you talked to Him lately?

I'm Thankful!-for a hot air balloon in Placentia???

2005-12-10T18:06:00.000-08:00

Thought I'd share this picture I took from our backyard a few weeks ago...weird, huh?
1-A beautiful 75 degree sunny California Saturday to do whatever I wanted to
2-Getting to drive Judy's red convertible beamer this morning for a bagel and coffee with her!
3-Getting my Christmas lights 100% done!
4-Only 10 months left on our house mortgage!
5-Handsome Ezekiel James Prince, now 4 weeks old!
6-The wonderful story Sarah wrote on her blog last night.
7-Benjamin's sparkling eyes, pointing finger, and big smile to a friendly stranger last night
8-a great boss
9-my sister who sent a beautiful Christmas floral arrangement to us for our 35th anniversary and Christmas season!
10-Jesse looking at me at the park last week and saying "Papa Dan, I'm having fun with you"

12,775 Days and Counting

2005-12-05T19:30:00.000-08:00

Judy and I have been married 12,775 days as of 6 PM CST today, December 5. I am tempted to list all 12,775 reasons why. I could, but you wouldn't read'em anyway. So I'll only list however many I think of for a few minutes:

1-Only with God's leading, even though we didn't and don't recognize it many times.
2-We didn't know there were alternatives to "makin' it"
3-Only through rough times has our marriage grown. Ever noticed how you don't grow in anything when things are going great?
4-When the kids came along, we adopted the committment: Who ever leaves the marriage first has to take the kids. Only joking, of course. Or were we??
5-We need each other tremendously. Our opposites bring balance to many situations. Not without sparks, but the end product is usually much more in line with God's will.
6-We both love Maui!
7-God has blessed our committment to raise our children as best we could to "be", not just "do" in their committment to follow Christ.
8-Our parents/grandparents were married over 215 years collectively; my dad said "don't mess it up"!
9-We both were and are committed to living within our means; even less a lot of the time. I believe God has blessed that practice...we have never argued over financial issues.
10-When we have taken our eyes off each other, God has kept His arms around us-thank you Lord!
11-Judy has kept her sense of humor for 35 years while dealing with me. Why shouldn't I be committed to her and her only if she can do that miracle??
12-It doesn't get easier, but it does get better every year.

I love you sweetheart!!

Dan

Dan Joins the Blogger Set!

2005-12-03T18:16:00.000-08:00

OK, I give up....I have to either get rid of my computer or join the blogging set! So here goes. I love the '10 things I'm thankful for' daily list Sarah is doing, and now her sister-in-law. Do I dare start a "daily" list? No way....not me. So, while I will use that theme mostly, no promise that it will be daily, nor will it necessisarly be that theme. But to get started, I think it is a great topic for the day!

9 Things I'm Thankful For: (you didn't expect me to keep up with Sarah, did you?)
1-my daughter Sarah for inspiring me and Amy to start this too! (What if everyone in the world did this....wow!)

2-my wife and friend of 35 years (as of 12-5)....incredible-we just graduated from high school a few years ago!

3-our fabulous, cutest, most intelligent 5 grandchildren in the whole wide world. Why do I have so much trouble convincing other grandparents of that?

4-God's blessings so abundant (especially the ones I think are through my provision)

5-3 adult children (key word...adult) that love the Lord

6-a job I never dreamed could exist, even though I sought God's direction for it (and I was still surprised when he granted it!)

7-I got the Christmas lights up without incident! (or accident)

8-I've learned I don't have to put the Christmas tree up in one fell swoop!

9-grace when I take all of the above for granted.