February 2002

Dear Friends and loved Ones,

Greetings in the New Year! The last few months of 2001 saw the completion of teaching three MA courses, a debriefing conference for Daystar’s 20 American exchange students, and Christmas, with our house full with special friends from Kenya, Burundi, and Tanzania. To welcome in the New Year, the children and I joined other missionary families, most of whom come from outside of Africa, for a five-day conference of worship and teaching up in the highlands of Kenya.

We are now well into 2002, and the days have already been full. At Daystar University, I am teaching one MA-level course this term on leadership development. The rest of the time I will be up to my ears in administration, as I continue as chair of postgraduate studies and oversee the process for 40 students attempting to finish their MA research and thesis in order to graduate by June. Students are majoring in Christian ministries or communication, and some of the thesis topics that I am currently reading include "Towards Culturally Relevant Communication Approaches with Urban Church Youth in Nairobi," "Communication for Behavior Change: A Study of HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control Agencies in Kenya," "An Evaluation of a Theological Education by Extension (TEE) Programme: A Case Study of Oldonyo Sambu TEE Programme (Tanzania)," "Communication Training in Formation and Ministry: A case study in four major RC seminaries in Kenya," and "The Adoption and Use of Traditional African Instruments in Christian Worship in Kenya." This gives a small taste of what I get to be pursuing as I advise and supervise student research these days.

Other events in our lives include:

• The death of my mother in November. As many of you know, I had the gift of being with her for one day before she moved on into the presence of her beloved Savior, in the wee hours of November 14. It was a poignant time to be together with the rest of the family in Seattle as we bade her farewell and gave witness to the hope of the resurrection in Jesus Christ.
• A concern for my father’s health. The week after my mother’s death, he suffered a heart attack and was hospitalized. He stabilized and was released within a few days, but has had a difficult time regaining strength. His health seems to be failing rather than improving.
• A change in environment: Our landlord here in Nairobi is repainting our pleasant white house and all the connecting houses… bright orange. All the neighbors are discussing this latest infliction (affliction?) Only Justin is happy: orange is his favorite color.
• A new ministry involvement: I have the great privilege of being asked to join the Board of Directors of a ministry based in Nairobi, but serving the Great Lakes Region (Rwanda, Burundi, Congo, and surrounding nations). It is called "Peace building, Healing and Reconciliation Programs" and focuses on the training of trainers for peace building and mediation in troubled areas, and for trauma counseling. People groups especially targeted are widows, orphans, child soldiers, refugees, and AIDS victims (those infected and their relatives/caregivers). Our executive director, Felicien Nemeyimana, will be in the United States next August, and I hope that a number of you will be able to meet him.

Summer plans: I plan to be in the States this summer, along with the children, from July 1 through the end of September. We will be based in the Seattle area, though will be traveling some to speak in churches and related ministries. I hope to connect with many of you then!

Marta (along with Justin and Imani)

The 2002 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 37