March 15, 2003

Dear Friends,

The sights and sounds and smells are different here in Kikuyu, a rural village west of Nairobi, Kenya. As missionaries for just one month we are slowly adjusting to a very different culture. But one thing is very familiar and that is the Christian community. A large Presbyterian church of 1,000 members established by Scottish Missionaries in 1898 is just across the road from where we are staying. The Church of the Torch (a light in darkness) is a very active congregation led by an African pastor.

Three years ago the public elementary school near the church moved to another location and left behind two buildings made of corrugated tin with dirt floors. A deacon of the church noticed that there were a lot of children in the vicinity—many orphaned because of AIDS or abused. All were too poor to afford uniforms and school supplies and, therefore, unable to attend school. The deacon of the church, a retired school headmaster, said he would organize a free school if teachers would volunteer to help. They now have 11 certified volunteer school teachers and about 200 children.

The children look nice in their green uniforms and brown knee socks. You can usually spot the new students by their tattered clothing, but their smiles are just as beautiful as those students in uniforms. We walked away from the school with tears in our eyes and gratitude in our hearts. Those dedicated African Christian men and women are providing for children as best they can, maybe not up to Western standards, but they are making a difference in the lives of those children.

Things we take for granted in the United States are still a struggle for Kenyans. The theological students have not been in classes since December 2002 because the Presbyterian College ran out of money and is not able to give stipends to them for their living expenses. The Church here is working diligently to find the funds. (There is an extra commitment opportunity account in our PC(USA) for the Presbyterian College in Kenya and for scholarships for the students.) The deputy general secretary of the Presbyterian Church of East Africa said in a meeting last week that he could place all 55 theological students immediately in churches if they could complete their studies. We look forward to the return of the students.

In the meantime, we have been assisting the chaplain supervisor of the clinical pastoral education program at the Kikuyu Mission Hospital. We join them once a week for their reflections on their visits with patients. Lyle was asked to present on the value of understanding group dynamics as a pastor, and the pastor as counselor. Terry reflected with the group on interacting with children with chronic illness and those facing death. We are enjoying these fine men and one woman. They are very caring and loving in their work with patients.

There is a compelling rationale for participating in God's mission in the world. It is imbedded in who we are as Christians. When we join in service to others we are filled with a joy beyond understanding, because our souls are restless until they rest in God.

In service to Christ,

Lyle and Terry Dykstra