WEBSITE THE TRACTOR PROJECT INTERNATIONAL LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE PRAYER REQUESTS
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OUR FIRST SLIDESHOW Here we are, experimenting with our blog and website again, and you see our first slideshow. It shows several houses that were recently built thanks to generous sponsorship. We received enough funding for 7 houses, which are being built in order of need. Please note that the houses in these photos have just been built and are able to be occupied the same day they are erected. However, the mud must thoroughly dry before the finishing touches are made. Finishing entails applying a smooth finish to the walls, inside and out.
LATTER RAIN HARVEST Johnfred just sent us a photo of the recent maize harvest and our bananas. The one on the left shows one of the volunteer widows pouring maize onto a tarp for drying. The maize must dry thoroughly before storing it in bags for later distribution. Two of the other ladies are taking a bit of a break. The women that come volunteer work so diligently. They don't come on Tuesday, however, for that is market day. They work out their own schedule for the other days and some can come early to do the need work, whereas others come later, after they have done their housework and gardening at home. The one on the right is Peter, one of our farm hands, with a stalk of bananas. Bananas grow all year round - there is no "banana season". Several are ready to harvest. We have learned, the hard way, to harvest them just before they begin to ripen because, otherwise, the birds eat them. There are two planting and harvesting seasons in Kenya; they go according to the former rain and the latter rain - just like the bible. If it doesn't rain properly the crops are poor or, sometimes, non existent; that applies to not enough rain or too much rain. We are praying in earnest for the rain to come now so that we can plant the next crop. JOHN'S EYES
John couldn't go to Kenya this January because of issues with his eyes. While we believed the cause of the allergy was sorted out and his eyes were well on the way to total health, it turns out that the second medication he takes can also cause an allergy and it has. We are optimistic that the course of action the glaucoma specialist has him on will clear everything up entirely. It can awhile. Please pray for him/us. Glaucoma has the tag "incurable" attached to it. I (Marty) thoroughly believe that anything that is "incurable" is demonic and requires a miracle. I am believing for a miracle for John; that's the only alternative. COMING ATTRACTIONS We should soon have some photos of tractors that we are considering purchasing. We have found an organization in the UK that rebuilds tractors and specialize in shipping them abroad. They know all of the hoops through which to leap in order to export them to Kenya. PRAYER REQUESTS:
PLEASE RECEIVE OUR LOVE AND BLESSINGS!!
DRESSES FOR WIDOWS You may remember us telling you about Marty's trip to Uganda to buy material to have dresses made for widows. That was when our driver, Robert was arrested for wearing camouflage trousers. Well, our Sarah, who is a seamstress, called the ladies to her shop one-by-one; took their measurements; let them pick their fabric and pattern, and made dresses. We went to her shop one day when some of the ladies were having fittings. It was a fun time for all. The ladies even posed for the photos! Our next edition will be about our moving into the "farmworker's house" on the Widows' Farm, and the requisite sacrificial chicken.
We are well. John has had a serious bout of conjunctivitis in both eyes, but they are clearing up nicely. We are nearly recovered from jet lag, and finally getting into a routine! God is good! Bless, John & Marty |
AuthorsJohn & Marty Smith Click to set custom
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