THE TRACTOR SAILS ON
This is the Ship Carrying our Tractor - the CMA CGM Alexander Von Humbolt. It is a Container Ship. Gross Tonnage: 175,343; length & breadth 396m x 53.6m; Year Built: 2013.
Due to the unspeakable terror in France on Friday, November 13, the country was closed down. Our tractor was moored in port at LeHavre France at the very time the country was closed to anything coming in or going out. The President of France made the declaration either Friday night or Saturday morning. We didn’t know how long that would hold up the transport of the tractor. We have been tracking the ship’s progress online as it sails to Kenya. Yet – when we looked online later that day we saw that the ship had disembarked at 13:01 that afternoon. Wow! Oh, Wow! How did that happen??? It happened through prayer!! People all over the world knew about the ship being anchored there and were praying for it even as we were all praying for France. God is not deterred by man’s decree! He wanted that ship moved and it got moved!! Glory to God! Hallelujah!!!
We have access to this tracking mechanism that shows EVERY ship at sea and in port or just at anchor. It shows what kind of ship, its name, location, destination, speed, etc., etc. We have the free, simple version, but are able to get much more sophisticated and thorough data if we purchase added applications. When ships leave or approach a port there are reports every few minutes. When out to sea there can be hours between reports; however, it seems to us that pirates could be using this system to their advantage. So - they don't just "happen" upon an unsuspecting vessel. They stalk it!
As of this post the ship arrived at Suez (having gone through the Suez Canal) at 00:22 on Nov. 22, 2015. We are not able to determine its next port. But, having gone through the canal it is now officially in North East Africa.
WELCOME HOME
We have received what is probably one of the most complimentary and heartwarming greetings from Kenyan loved ones as we were on our way to Kenya, but especially as we arrived in the village. We went to the farm to see how things are coming along and we met a neighbor man with whom we had not been previously acquainted. He greeted us with “Karibuni Nyumbani”! Because dear Kenyan friends on Facebook had already said those words to us when they knew we were on our way, we knew what that precious man was saying. How wonderful and warm and accepted we were to hear him say - “Welcome Home”!
CREDIT UNION SEMINARS
The credit union venture continues to prosper micro-finance businesses. Various owners use loans to expand their business in fields such as tailoring, hotels (cafés), goats, second-hand clothes and ballast production.
In addition, there are five groups of 10 people which have benefitted from “table banking” with smaller loans for their businesses such as selling tomatoes, maize, basket making, grocery supplies and barbering. These groups borrow a certain amount and lend it amongst themselves and those within the group
who did not benefit from the loan are guarantors for the money should the lender default. These types of loans are very successful due to the peer pressure.
These pictures show the latest development where members of the Credit union gather to listen to experienced successful micro-finance owners who pass on their experience in how to succeed, plus what mistakes to look out for while growing their business. These business seminars have proved to be educational and inspirational to the members. The speakers have been arranged for by Daniel Albitz, who is serving as a Dove missionary with his family in Kisumu.
This is the Ship Carrying our Tractor - the CMA CGM Alexander Von Humbolt. It is a Container Ship. Gross Tonnage: 175,343; length & breadth 396m x 53.6m; Year Built: 2013.
Due to the unspeakable terror in France on Friday, November 13, the country was closed down. Our tractor was moored in port at LeHavre France at the very time the country was closed to anything coming in or going out. The President of France made the declaration either Friday night or Saturday morning. We didn’t know how long that would hold up the transport of the tractor. We have been tracking the ship’s progress online as it sails to Kenya. Yet – when we looked online later that day we saw that the ship had disembarked at 13:01 that afternoon. Wow! Oh, Wow! How did that happen??? It happened through prayer!! People all over the world knew about the ship being anchored there and were praying for it even as we were all praying for France. God is not deterred by man’s decree! He wanted that ship moved and it got moved!! Glory to God! Hallelujah!!!
We have access to this tracking mechanism that shows EVERY ship at sea and in port or just at anchor. It shows what kind of ship, its name, location, destination, speed, etc., etc. We have the free, simple version, but are able to get much more sophisticated and thorough data if we purchase added applications. When ships leave or approach a port there are reports every few minutes. When out to sea there can be hours between reports; however, it seems to us that pirates could be using this system to their advantage. So - they don't just "happen" upon an unsuspecting vessel. They stalk it!
As of this post the ship arrived at Suez (having gone through the Suez Canal) at 00:22 on Nov. 22, 2015. We are not able to determine its next port. But, having gone through the canal it is now officially in North East Africa.
WELCOME HOME
We have received what is probably one of the most complimentary and heartwarming greetings from Kenyan loved ones as we were on our way to Kenya, but especially as we arrived in the village. We went to the farm to see how things are coming along and we met a neighbor man with whom we had not been previously acquainted. He greeted us with “Karibuni Nyumbani”! Because dear Kenyan friends on Facebook had already said those words to us when they knew we were on our way, we knew what that precious man was saying. How wonderful and warm and accepted we were to hear him say - “Welcome Home”!
CREDIT UNION SEMINARS
The credit union venture continues to prosper micro-finance businesses. Various owners use loans to expand their business in fields such as tailoring, hotels (cafés), goats, second-hand clothes and ballast production.
In addition, there are five groups of 10 people which have benefitted from “table banking” with smaller loans for their businesses such as selling tomatoes, maize, basket making, grocery supplies and barbering. These groups borrow a certain amount and lend it amongst themselves and those within the group
who did not benefit from the loan are guarantors for the money should the lender default. These types of loans are very successful due to the peer pressure.
These pictures show the latest development where members of the Credit union gather to listen to experienced successful micro-finance owners who pass on their experience in how to succeed, plus what mistakes to look out for while growing their business. These business seminars have proved to be educational and inspirational to the members. The speakers have been arranged for by Daniel Albitz, who is serving as a Dove missionary with his family in Kisumu.
PRAYER REQUESTS
* The end of jet lag (it's especially difficult this time).
* The procurement of specific official documents needed to authorize entry of the tractor into Kenya.
* Continued safe transport of the tractor to Mombassa and then the smooth transition to transportation by land across the nation.
* Planning and building the shed for the tractor so that it is ready upon arrival (it must be large enough for the tractor and all the implements.)
With Many Blessings & Much Love,
John & Marty
* The end of jet lag (it's especially difficult this time).
* The procurement of specific official documents needed to authorize entry of the tractor into Kenya.
* Continued safe transport of the tractor to Mombassa and then the smooth transition to transportation by land across the nation.
* Planning and building the shed for the tractor so that it is ready upon arrival (it must be large enough for the tractor and all the implements.)
With Many Blessings & Much Love,
John & Marty
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