A year ago today

Today is a significant day for us.  It was exactly a year ago (almost to the hour) when I was sat at home with the kids waiting for Ken to come back from work to watch the football.  Exactly a year ago when it was his penultimate day at Langley House Trust before starting our new adventure with MAF - something that we really felt was right for us.  Little did I know how much was going to change in the next few hours and how since then we have felt God's faithfulness in a way we have never experienced before.   It's been a year since Ken had his car crash.

It is good to mark these days and remember how much God has provided for us as a family in ways above and beyond anything we could ever ask or imagine.  (Ephesians 3 v20) God has been so amazingly faithful.  He has always provided for all of our needs (Philippians 4 v 19)

And I have certainly learned through this that God always uses every circumstance for His good and His glory. (Romans 8 v 28) Perhaps some of the things we have been through this year I wouldn't have chosen for us, but through every situation whether it was for good or for bad, God has turned for his good and his glory.  He may not have stopped some things happening, but He has ensured that when we have needed to endure a situation, He has given us the skills we have needed to get through it.   I want to mark this anniversary for us with acknowledgement of how God is faithful.    He can be trusted and he always wants the very best for us.

Here is just the beginning of God's faithfulness.

- I first heard about the crash when a policeman picked up Ken's phone.  I would have found it really difficult if 2 policemen had come to my door to tell me what had happened (which would have been the alternative) so I was very grateful that I spoke to the policeman on the phone first.  He said to me weeks later that as a policeman you are not supposed to pick up the telephone of the person in an accident as you don't know how the person on the receiving end of the phone will take the news that someone they know or love is seriously injured in a crash - but that on this night, he just felt it was right to pick up the phone - God is faithful.

- The policeman also said that 'Your husband is seriously injured but that he will be ok.'  This was enough for me to believe!  He didn't need to say those words to me but God knew I needed to hear those words - God is faithful!

- My very good friend, (also a nurse!) was not working that night and so was able to come with me to the hospital and translate 'Doctor's language' into something that I understood and could reassure me when they were using certain words to tell me what was happening and not others.  What a blessing she was - God is faithful.

- Another very good friend was free that night to come over and sit with the children.  She says that she has never prayed for healing and felt such peace in such a way as that night.  God is faithful.

- My parents were home (and not on holiday) so they could come and stay with the children until morning.  God is faithful.

- Ken doesn't remember a thing - not even now - and has never had a flashback!  wow - God is faithful!

- Someone from our village was first on the scene, not really knowing Ken, but was able to come over and fill in the gaps that the police couldn't.  God is faithful.

- People on the scene thought that Ken was already dead and so left his car alone to focus on the others involved in the crash.  But an off duty policeman was in the tailback of the accident and rushed to Ken's car - felt a pulse in Ken, ripped off the roof of the car and held his head until the ambulance arrived,  God is faithful.

- Another very good friend wasn't phased when I burst into tears on him at the school gates the next morning!  God is faithful!

- Another very good friend (also a nurse working at the same hospital) was free the next morning to accompany me to the hospital and push doors to get the very best care for Ken and explain what all of the machines were for and what they meant.  God is faithful.

- Satan certainly meant that night to 'kill, steal and destroy' John 10 v 10, as we were beginning our adventure with MAF when we knew we were going to have to rely on God a lot more for a lot of our needs - finances, work, home etc.  But through the car accident, our faith has been increased - not decreased - and so showing that God uses every situation for his good and his glory.  God is faithful.

- Another very good friend (whom I should have been sharing supper with that night) was also with another leader from church and was able to pray that night for us.  She later explained that she had never prayed for healing as much as that night and that her faith increased as a result, giving her more faith to keep praying.  God is faithful.

- Another very good friend who lives a long way away had been fasting all day, with two other friends (who don't know Ken), not knowing what they were to be praying for that evening when they met together to pray.  When they found out that news that night, they prayed for every part of Ken's body they could think of.  God is faithful!

- Those first on the scene at the accident, once they knew that Ken was alive, thought he would never walk again because of the position of his body - and yet he didn't even have a single bruise on his body below the waist!  God is faithful.

- Ken received over 60 get well cards and everyone who wrote a verse of scripture in their card (except 3 people) quoted from the same verses from the bible!  Psalm 91 God Is faithful!

The doctors couldn't believe how quick ken was recovering at home. God is faithful.

So, God is faithful.  I could go on - this is just the beginning of our story.

I have so many more testimonies of God's faithfulness, of his miraculous healing - this only covers the night of the crash and there are still more of the same night that I could tell you, but I figured you might have got the picture by now - God is faithful, loyal, trustworthy, staunch, dependable, reliable and dedicated to us.  We have learned so much of His faithfulness this year and I am so very grateful.

If you don't know the whole story of Ken's car crash and would like to comment on what I have said or find out more of God's faithfulness to us this year,  please do email us - 4kenandmaz@gmail.com as the comments section isn't working.

Thanks so much - you're great

This is what sums up the feelings of one of the passengers of a recent MAF flight.  And we want to say that to our supporters too.  Without you, it would not be possible for us to be here, doing the work we are doing - thank you so much.  Your support is enabling many passengers to reach their destinations quicker and so reaching many many more communities with their life saving work - be that medical support, educational programmes, developmental programmes or spiritual ones.

Here's what the passenger said:

We are currently on a one month teaching mission that could not have happened without MAF. Travelling in and out of South Sudan is not possible without MAF. Getting through the chaos of the Juba airport and departing safely through the uncontrolled airspace would have been too risky if not for MAF. Missions in Africa happens because of MAF...no MAF means no missions outside of capital cities by anyone other than long term missionaries. 

This is my third trip to East Africa and my 12'th flight. As a pilot, my requirements to fly are extremely high and demanding. The MAF pilots exceeded every expectation and are the best pilots in the world. I'd fly anywhere, anytime and in any condition with them. 

Ouch

That was an expensive mistake. 

We have to filter our water here through our water filter for it to be safe to drink, wash our teeth with, etc. 

 It takes an age to drip through and last week it hadn't dripped enough to fill the 3 children's glasses to clean their teeth.  So I tipped it slightly and the whole thing came crashing down. 2 of the 3 candles(filters) inside smashed on the floor. 

I replaced them yesterday for £140! Ouch. An expensive mistake. But we do now have drinking water again. Yeah. Although not just yet as we have run out of water and need to tank some more in today before we can fill the water filter up!  

I'm refusing to buy anything

Until our shoppng arrives!

It's been 8 months so far since our things were packed up into boxes and put into a shoppng container to begin their journey to Kenya. The good news is that they are now on board a ship and heading over at last. If all goes to plan we should receive our things by mid February. We'll keep you posted!  

Here are a few things that I am keen to arrive. 

More clothes pegs to hang my washing out with. 

A new colander as I melted this one!  

The kids are keen to see their toys and bikes again, Ken is keen for his tools and Maz is keen for her kitchen equipment so she can get baking again. I hadn't realised what a traditional family we were!  

Back to school

So I can tell schools are back and the Nairobians who left Nairobi for Christmas are back in town as the journey home from school today which can take 5 minutes, if there is no traffic, took 2 hours!

  And after every corner it just got worse and worse. 

And worse 

Still it could be worse. The car in front of me was being towed 

And whilst queuing my friends were in the queue coming the opposite way so we were able to catch up in a rare moment in Nairobi when we both had our windows down. 

Such Fun!

Having family around at Christmas has been just so lovely.  Maz's parents have been out here for the last 3 weeks and we have shared so many good times and amazing memories together.  Ken is diving them back to the airport now and I hadn't quite prepared myself for the flood of tears and how the children would react when they left - Audrey even had her biggest nosebleed ever!  We are feeling sad and very empty here as we will now think about packing up the room they were staying and taking down the homemade Christmas tree and decorations.  And we will look forward to the next visitors to come.  Here are a few of some of our favourite memories.

When our visitors first arrived

A MAF flight to visit LARK a charity mum and dad support in Eldoret 

Milking the cows at Sunrise Acres on holiday

Opening Christmas presents outside on Christmas day.

Watching the elephants at the Elephant Sanctuary

3 Gorgeous monkeys - I mean, children!

 Feeding the giraffes from our hands or mouths!!

Nairobi National Park

Last Family Selfie before our goodbye's.

Guest Blog: Sue Hall aka Maz's Mum!

I have been supporting a charity called LARK along with my local church, village and wider community for the last ten years.  LARK help finance a children's rescue centre in Eldoret, Kenya.  It has always been my dream to see the centre with my own eyes and a flight with MAF with pilot Christiaan made this a reality for myself, husband, daughter and 2 grandchildren.  Here's my account of the day when we returned back to Nairobi at the end of the day.

Just to let you know we are safely back after an amazing day.  We left home at 6.30 and arrived at the airport about 15 minutes later.  Fortunately traffic was ok as it was early and also a Saturday.

Our pilot arrived at 7.  We all had to be weighed plus baggage but were allowed on the 6 seater plane which included the pilot. He prayed for the day ahead and for the centre and we were in the air just before 8 and the flight took 1 hour 20 minutes.  It was awesome.

It was a beautiful sunny day and we were able to see a lot of the places we had visited last week.

We had a perfect landing and it was so easy to get through customs etc.  We seemed to be the only people at the airport.  June, Centre Director, met us at the airport with 2 taxis and we made our way to the centre.

It took nearly an hour to get there because the traffic was so bad.  However the pilot came with us and agreed to give us an extra hour so it meant we had over 2 hours to take all our photos and do interviews etc.

Everyone at the centre was so helpful and we were able to see all the developments and speak to most of the staff and children.  I haven't had chance to go through everything yet but hopefully some will have turned out ok.

The mother and baby unit is still unused but June hopes the government are going to fund 2 staff so that it can be used hopefully from January 2015. They are also hopeful the vocational centre might start soon with government support. which will give teenagers experience in carpentry, car mechanics, metal work etc.

The water borehole is installed and pipe work hopefully to be fitted next week. Solar panels coming soon.

There is a hydroponic greenhouse which was built and funded by June's husband. It is great. Dave was in his element.  They are growing tomatoes and food for the cattle.  They now have 4 cows which is great although 2 of which aren't producing much milk!  They also have 10 hens which are not laying well but hope to be soon! June said they are virtually self sufficient in food through their self sufficiency and the donations they receive from the local community.  

We saw the chef cooking lunch with their produce and it looked delicious.

The main need now is for money for education.  There are 2 lads who have completed their schooling who are now hoping to go to college in September but this is only possible if they receive more fundning.  Other than the centre, there is no other hope for them I think it is £300 per year for each but I need to check that!  There was so much to take in!

June was thrilled with the quilt and calendar gifts that we took out with us. We also took some sweets for the children too and Elijah dished them out giving 2 if they gave an interview!!!!  June loved the computer we took for them and Elijah helped her sort it out. Needless to say I couldn't do it!!

It was such a thrill to see it all for real and a real privilege to experience it all.  They are doing a fantastic job.  You can feel the love and see God's presence through the children.

They are all so happy there and so grateful for everything they have.

Although there were 64 children here today you would never have known. They were all happily engaged and all was peaceful and purposeful.  Here are some photos of their dormitories and beautiful children.   

We left about 1 and were back in Nairobi at 3.30.
It was a truly amazing day and I wouldn't have missed it for anything. Maz, the kids and Dave enjoyed it too.
Thank you MAF for making this possible.