Catching up on life

We are very behind on updating this blog, this is the post that I hope catches us up.

We have really been struggling with the idea of bringing Ezekiel back to a house that has a floor made up of 10,000 marble size rocks (i.e. choking hazard, and scorpion camouflage) The mission has allowed us to move to a house with a cement floor, running water and now that we have finally gotten our solar panel up, lights(custom made by Steve's brother for solar systems)




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One of the Reasons we were nervous in the old house->











-We attended a short conference for all Kenya A.I.M.ers before we headed up country again. Salome, Angi, Ezekiel, Enock, and Ezra were able to fly up by plane. This was a huge praise for Paul and I because the trip was extended because of of so many break downs.



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A great picture that Charmyn took that captures the spirit of the trip->

Traditionally if a boy is born the Gabbra women will come and dance and sing. It was a pleasure to have them come to our place.


















Christmas eve our team was able to have a big dinner together. Angi was able to make 2 pies and a cobbler all on our propane stove. I (steve) was so impressed I had to take a picture of one of the pies. Coconut cream:)
Christmas Day was a very difficult day. We were going to sleep in but we were awoken by a friend wanting to borrow money. After a busy morning when things were starting to slow down in the afternoon, I (steve) was moving Ezekiel and the chair he was in folded and I dropped him about 3 ft onto solid concrete. Ezekiel lip was ripped up and his left upper arm was broken. We flew out the next day to get an X-ray to a town called Gatab. 4 days later we flew down to Nairobi to take Ezekiel to Kijabe hospital. The Dr. has told us that Ezekiel will heal fine. Please pray for us as this is very difficult to deal with and figure out what the best things are to do.


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Bruised and bandaged boy->
















Our lives are different in KaIach a. To keep water cooler we put a sock on the bottle and the evaporation helps cool it down. Our window lizard, Edwardo, has found that sitting on the bottles helps him stay cool as well. Other "friends" are not so welcome. Angi found a boomslang snake on our front porch. No pictures because we were busy killing it. Please pray for safety.

Sacrifice and outside house

This is old news that happened before Ezekiel was born but I thought it was interesting (and I had already uploaded the pics) so here it is...
I (Steve)(No Women are allowed) was invited to observe a traditional Gabbra sacrifice. I went with the old men and we sat near a traditional Gabbra house. The "meat" from the sacrificed goat was brought. Each man had blood smeared on his head and a piece of goat skin tied on his wrist. I was given some of the "best" part of the goat... a glob of fat to eat. (Not being sure of the whole "meat sacrificed to idols" and not being a big fan of roasted fat it got slipped into my pocket. This is not a good idea as the cleaning is difficult:)
The men then prayed and drank a coffee drink. With my very limited language I tried to ask them who they were praying to and why. They pray to Waaq (God) and to the animals. There were MusIums, Traditionalist and Catholics there. The next time of Sacrifice is coming so I will get to ask many more questions.
























It was so hot and we had run out of kerosene for our lanterns so at night we would pull our seats and visit with the kids.








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Ezekiel Stone Harding

Praise God! Ezekiel Stone Harding is here.
Angi and I walked up for our usual Wednesday Dr. appt. The appt. went well. No change. 3-4cm. The Dr. offered to loan us a book on a birthing method. She would get it on her Lunch break. So after lunch we were returning to the hospital. When we were almost there Angi mentioned that she had to use the Choo(toliet). She said I might have just wet myself. She thought the pregnancy had finally caused all bladder control to fly out the window. The next couple of steps she said no, my water just broke. We went in and saw the Dr. but because we weren't having any contraction she sent us to the home we are staying in.

We had been there about 2 hours when Angi had some very small contractions. I didn't think much of it. Then a very strong one. Seven minutes later a stronger one. 2 mins later a strong one. Then one every two mins. We called a wonderful nurse (Jacqui Besley) who very kindly offered to help us during the birth. She came and decided Angi needed to go right to the Hospital.

At the Hospital they checked Angi; after about a half hr of 1min long contractions that were 1 1/2 min apart, she was at 8cm. Next check half and hr later, she was fully dilated. Off to the delivery room.

In the delivery room Jacqui checked on Angi, Dr Kim Smith directed Angi, I counted for Angi (the hard work) and Angi pushed. 45 mins later 8:02 on the 24th Ezekiel Stone Harding was born. The whole thing was less than 4 hrs!

Ezekiel means "God Strengthens"- Which is our prayer for Him and for us raising him
Stone -comes from my Grandfather Henry Stone Harding (We pray that Ezekiel will follow Gramp's dedication to the Lord
Harding- means "of Hardy Stock" and the reason for that one is...uh

Thank you to all who prayed for us!! And Jacqui, Dr. Smith, Dr. Hedges, and the Nursing staff.
















Angie and Zed, Z, Zek, (don't know yet)

Ezekiel after birth

7lbs and sleeping

Angie and Ezekiel both sleeping better knowing the other is there.

Random Animals that we have seen

Since being here in Kenya we have seen a lot of some animals ( goats, chickens, crows, baboons) and less of others. We have found that getting to see animals is a stress release and we praise God for when he brings them across our paths. (well Steve is still having difficulty with the Roosters calling at 4:00am)

One of the bats that lives in the prayer chapel

Two long-necked Gerinuk, on a trip to ABO.

A Cameleon I found at ABO.

A lizard trying to hide in Angi's trouser pocket

A goat giving a lift to a
crow in Marsabit

A spiky lizard in of Kitchen cabinet

The sheep must have image problems

Giraffe on the way to ABO

Small antelope called dik-dik on the road

Chickens in our Kitchen

Sykes Monkey in the front yard tree at Kijabe

Baboon outside the house at Kijabe

In Kijabe waiting for the Baby

We are now in Kijabe(a town far South of Kalacha in which Steve was born and raised). Angi is doing well. We came out two weeks earlier than planned via plane, because Angi had a night of strong pains which gave us a lot of concern. I(Steve) am quickly realizing how little I know about childbirth or the raising of a child. The Doctor says Angi is doing well and has progressed far. Please pray for a safe delivery with minimal pain. thanks

Trip to Africa Based Orientation

We borrowed a vehicle and took a trip South. It took longer than we anticipated.




We took a trip south to attend the Mission's Africa Based Orientation. It was beautiful but we had frequent break-downs.
We started out by seeing Gerenuk that seemed to have two heads.





















We had our first two breakdowns, because of the vacuum advance having trouble.


We got to see some baboons, before reaching the town where our teammates were staying to have a baby.


Upon reaching that town "Marsabit" we had a flat tire. It order to seat the tire back on the rim gasoline was poured on the tire and lit on fire, then hit to cause the burning gas to fall into the tire and expand quickly and seat it. (note not OSHA approved)


That little piece is part of the U-joint. It failed the the driveshaft came loose and in the process grabbed all the wires and pulled them apart.

Try to find the wire connections!

A new break down, trouble with the distributor cap
We got to see a Giraffe on the side of the Road.

The next flat at a inn where we spent the night.
The next breakdown, suspension bolts sheared but spirits were high because of the beautiful spot and cool weather.The cows went out for grazing.

Around Lunch time Scott went to find bolts and lunch.
Scott returned with lunch but no bolts. The Cows also returned, giving new meaning to the phrase "till the cows come home"Everyone looking sun burnt and worn out from the day there.
The owner of the vehicle brought bolts and a rescue vehicle.
Eating dinner at a "duka" store on the road.
Finally at ABO with other newer missionaries. (yup definitely a little strange)

Slowly Learning the ropes and working on Language

Well we are here in KaIacha. We are working at learning the Challenging language of Gabbra. We could definitely use prayer in that area. the Pictures are of a trip to a close town (3 hr) for supplies, and our living room.
We have had two scorpions in our house so far but, Praise God, no troubles with them. Our host mother is sick please pray for her and for her to be open to the gospel.