Africa
Taking the Gospel to the Giriama
Report from the Talleys
April-June 2000
Beck Returns
Jim Beck, LCU Professor of Missions and former missionary to the
Giriama, returned to the coast of Kenya again this May, Jim's annual
return to Kenya is anticipated by many Christians with whom he worked
during his 10 years here. While he was here, Jim taught the book of
Romans during a block course at the Uzima Christian Training Center.
Coming to Kenya with Jim were students from Lubbock Christian
University who wanted a chance to experience African missions first
hand. The group was made up of Chris Horner, Andy Rosson and Jeremy
and Rose Porter. These students spent time. learning language and
culture, visiting churches and staying in local Christians' homes.
Towards the end of their stay here, Tim piled Jim and the LCU
students into our old Land Cruiser-for a survey trip to Tanzania. The
aim was to see what the feasibility of putting a mission team in the
city of Tanga would be. Though the trip was informative, it proved a
little too hard on our vehicle, which came limping home from its final
journey going about 20 mph.
Having Jim back for a while was such an encouragement to many
churches here. On a personal level, it was a great blessing for the
Talley family to reminisce and make plans for the future with our
lifelong friend. We sincerely thank all those who made Jim's visit
here possible.
There's nothing Like a Big Brother
The most difficult aspect of being a missionary is not having to
learn a new language ....it's not trying to understand a different
culture .... it's not eating unusual food. The one thing that causes
anguish for most missionaries, is separation from family. It's not
just the pang of missed weddings and funerals, it's a sense of
isolation that results from not being able to adequately explain what
life is like outside the U.S. of A. Some things you just have to
experience to understand.
That is one reason why we were so thrilled this past April to have
Tim's big brother, Leon, and his wife, Nelda, come visit us. This was
their first visit to Africa. Leon is the preacher for the church in
Friona, Texas.
While they were here we visited several congregations. The local
brethren were excited to finally meet the man of whom they had heard
about for many years. They were eager to hear Leon preach (with Tim
translating) and were encouraged by his words.
Leon also taught a block course at the Uzima Christian Training
Center. This one week intensive course covered all the different names
for God in the Old Testaments. Though the students had to work very
hard in Leon's class, they were amused to find this learned mzee
(elder) could be just as goofy as his little brother.
Of course, Leon and Nelda's visit was such a blessing for our
family. They gave us a chance to share our lives and work with them in
a way that letters and email can't. Our thanks go to the Friona church
for sharing Leon and Nelda with us.
"Unless a Grain of Wheat falls to the
Earth and dies..."
David Gona was late. Late to leave his job as a bartender... late
to straighten up his life... late to become a Christian.
"Brother, Timoti, 1 was too late," he would often say to
Tim, "Just too late!"
David was a muturnia (old man) when his life changed. Though his
wife and sons loved him, they had no interest in his Christianity.
"My sons saw me stumbling home drunk too many times," he
would sadly explain. "My wife put up with my bad behavior too
long."
David had been a Christian several years when he suffered a stroke.
!t affected the left side of his body, making his speech slurred and
forcing him to walk with a cane. His poor health made him fret even
more about his family's resistance to the gospel.
For six more years David tried to convince his family to be a part
of the tiny, struggling church he had started in their village, but
without success. He was at the training center in Malindi one day,
talking with the Christian men there and expressing his discouragement
about his family. "This is where I want to die," he said,
indicating the Malindi church building and Christian training center.
"You, brothers, are my real family."
This past January, David was at the training center for a meeting
with church leaders, when he suddenly had a seizure, and there with
his Christian brothers, he died. He was buried in his home village and
to everyone's surprise, his extended family gave him a Christian
burial. Though he was the only Christian in his family, there were
none of the pagan rituals and drunkenness that characterizes
traditional Giriama funerals.
In April, Tim was teaching a block course at the training center
when he noticed a young man leading singing at one of the devotionals.
He was shocked to find out it was one of David's sons. Tim came to
discover that after David's death, his wife and two of his sons had
become Christians and were faithfully attending worship at the little
church in David's home village.
Maybe the late David Gona wasn't too late after all.
Truly, truly, 1 say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into
the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much
fruit.
John 12:24
Not so Great Expectations
It seems like all kinds of predictions for Kenya have been making
the headlines these past few months. The drought that was expected has
begun to bite, with 3.3 million Kenyans "in desperate need",
according to the World Food Program.
To make matters worse the government strategic grain reserves are
only a fraction of the expected need. Kenya needs a Joseph. Yet with
the average annual income dropping to $305 (yes, that's $5 cents a
day), who could afford to buy grain, if there were reserves? To
compound the problems, low water levels at the country's
hydro-electric dams have made power rationing necessary. Some areas
are being rationed 12 hours a day and unless the short rains come,
there will be no electricity at all by November. As a result, even the
lucky few who have jobs are at risk of losing them.
The most sobering prediction of all is that the life expectancy of
Kenyans will continue to drop from its present 47 years to 30 years in
the next decade. That puts an even greater urgency in our work.
These are bleak expectations for Kenya. This country needs your
prayers.
Cruising Without the Bruising
 |
|
Toyota Land Cruiser
(left)
and Suzuki Escudo Nomad
(click to enlarge) |
We had almost forgotten what it was like to be able to carry on a
conversation in a vehicle without being drowned out by rattles and
clunks. But our new (to us) Land Cruiser has arrived and it is quiet
and smooth (considering the condition of the roads.) Though it is
several years old, it is in excellent condition. We are so very
grateful to those of you who made its purchase possible-.
Your generosity was so overwhelming that we were able to upgrade
Rebecca's Suzuki as well. The Suzuki we are purchasing has fewer years
and fewer miles than the older one. The girls are thrilled that it has
windows and shock absorbers that actually work!
We have been humbled by the liberality in which many gave. Thank
you so very much for making it possible for us to drive reliable,
comfortable vehicles as we live and work here in Kenya.
Thank you Broadway!
Someone said,
"Refuse to open your purse, and soon you
cannot open your sympathy.
Refuse to give, and soon you will cease to
enjoy that which you have.
Refuse to love, and you lose the power to love
and be loved. "
If those words ring true, the Christians at Broadway must be some
of the most loving and most loved people in the world. Thank you for
opening your hearts and giving so generously to the Mission Special
Contribution. May God continue to bless you as you have blessed so
many in Europe, Africa and the Americas.
Love,
The Talleys
History 101
Form 5 (11th grade) History class
at Coast Academy is never dull. It consists of a relatively small
group of Arabs, Indians, Africans, a European and me - the only
American. Because of our diverse backgrounds, the class often turns
into a forum for interesting discussions. Biology doesn't create much
controversy because we all believe in creation by a higher being (be
it Jehovah God, Allah or the Monkey God) and all are equally scornful
of the theory of evolution. History, on the other hand, provides
plenty of opportunity for various opinions on international matters.
One day we were studying the Arab-Israeli Wars (a controversial
subject I was already uneasy with) when a boy raised his hand.
"Miss?" he asked our African teacher, "Why have the
Jews been mistreated throughout history? Why have they had so much
trouble?"
I cringed a little, knowing Mrs. Onyango's strong Christian beliefs
and her sometimes-offensive way of sharing them. However, she began
thoughtfully outlining several different theories and the historical
background of Judaism. She chose her words carefully, and when she
finished there was a moment of silence. Finally someone asked,
"But what is your own personal opinion? What do YOU think?"
Mrs. Onyango sighed and smiled a little and began talking about
God's promise to the Jews throughout the Old Testament, the Messiah
and other Biblical principles. It was all familiar territory for me,
but I shifted uncomfortably, wondering how it sounded to the Muslims
and Hindus around me.
After a moment the European girl behind me spoke up. She considers
herself a "non-practicing Christian" (and boy, could she use
the practice!) "So, you're saying that somebody in heaven was
whispering in Hitler's ear and telling him to slaughter all the
Jews?" Her voice dripped with sarcasm.
I winced at the image of God her words portrayed and Mrs. Onyango
opened her mouth to clarify herself. However, it was my Muslim friend
beside me who spoke out
"Yes, Miss!" she exclaimed. "God was punishing the
Jews because they killed Jesus. They've been cursed throughout history
because they murdered a prophet. This is why the Jews suffer...
because they crucified Jesus!"
She spoke in full confidence, as though it was the most obvious
thing in the world ... and the Muslims and Hindus in class seemed to
agree. My teacher tried to better explain things, but the bell rang
ending another absorbing History class - a class that always seems to
have more to it than just learning about the past.
I filed out with my friends-the "Christians", who are
indifferent towards Jesus and see Him no more than a figure in
history, and the Muslims, who revere him as a great prophet.
I only hope I can better introduce them both to Jesus someday, and
show them who He really is.
Elizabeth
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