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Family News 2007
	2007, A YEAR OF PRECIOUS BLESSINGS
	January 1, 2007… the year began with a gathering of Filipinos in our humble home, Filipino missionaries not only in UEAB but also in other places in Kenya (missionaries of other denominations). We were blessed by the presence of a Filipino missionary family serving in Uganda. It was fun sharing with them the joys of a life of ministry even when sometimes things get tough and rough. We gave out a personalized UEAB-Eldoret Filipino Family 2007 calendar, which Jess crafted using his computer expertise, with pictures of memorable events experienced by Filipinos in 2006. Typical of Filipino gatherings, food was in abundance and the group went back to their respective places of abode loaded with “take-home left-overs” enough to feed each family for several meals.
	Joys and Challenges of Work The second quarter of the school year (UEAB is quarter system and the school year starts in October) began with additional work assignments for Jess and me on top of regular teaching load. Jess continued the planning for the establishment of the UEAB-AWR station with the help of a committee (Mr. Arsenio Poblete, Jr. is one of them), which was appointed by the University Administration in November 2006. I was also appointed to chair a committee of five tasked to review the organizational structure of the University and formulate the job descriptions and qualifications of positions in the structure. Except for one, all members of the committee were Filipinos and/or Philippine-educated (Prof. Miriam Narbarte was one of them). Chairing these committees took a big portion of our time, not only convening the meetings but also doing research to make sure that the documents that will be produced are within standard. We praise the Lord that we were able to submit our thesis-like reports in due time. *The UEAB-AWR Station* It took one year, from the time the Radio Station Committee was appointed, before the radio started to be on air. UEAB-AWR 103.9 FM is currently on its test broadcast. Jess is receiving lots of SMS from listeners, expressing their gratitude and happiness of being blessed by the religious uplifting music and sermons they hear over the radio. We are waiting for the visit of the Communication Commission of Kenya (CCK) personnel to inspect the facility within the month of January 2008 before a permanent broadcast license can be granted. We are blessed in this country because the director of the CCK Frequency Distribution is a Seventh-day Adventist and his assistant is an alumna of UEAB. We look forward to the start of the radio’s regular programming. We have lots of talents in this University and many students and faculty members are willing to be part of this endeavor, to share the message of salvation to the people within the coverage of the frequency allotted to the station. We are grateful to the benevolent support of the Adventist World Radio, Dr. Ben Schoun, the director, and Pastor Sam Missiani, the regional director, and Kurt Roberts, the engineer, of AWR-African region. The vision and mission of this project have been embraced by the UEAB Department of Technology students and faculty members as shown by their untiring support and giving of their time, expertise and energy in installing the transmitter and equipment. Another additional assignment that Jess got involved in was the design and installation of the sound system of the Nairobi Central Church, one of the biggest churches in Kenya that can accommodate more or less 3,000 church goers. A new sound system was inevitable for this church as this was the venue of the Safari Africa satellite evangelism, which was aired by Hope Television on September 15-29, 2007. In April, Jess finished the design of the KShs 3-million sound system and he was expected to supervise the installation of the system before we go to California for our annual vacation from July 11 to August 26. It took some time for the church to raise the amount and while we were on vacation, Jess needed to communicate with the leadership of the church. The system was purchased late July and they requested us to shorten our vacation, which was not possible. We were supposed to go to Rwanda to teach extension classes for the Master of Education program as soon as we get back from vacation. Fortunately (for the Safari Africa), the plan did not push through so on August 29 to September 3, we stayed in Nairobi as Jess supervised the installation of the system, together with 4 Electronics student volunteers. We praise the Lord that the Nairobi Central Church sound system was ready for the uplink of the Safari Africa just in time for the September 8 recording. *The Safari Africa Satellite Evangelism* Safari Africa is a contextualized theme standing for *The Journey of Hope in Africa*. The evangelistic series featured gospel, family life and health messages. All speakers were Africans, with Pastor Geoffrey Mbwana, the President of the East-Central Africa Division based in Nairobi, as the main speaker. All presentations are in Swahili language, translated in many other languages in the live simultaneous broadcast via Hope Television. Adult and children choirs featured mostly African music. We give God the glory for the success of this evangelism. Here at UEAB, 64 precious souls from the community were baptized. During the University Council meeting in May, Jess was appointed to be the chairperson of the Department of Technology effective July 1, 2007. It was not an opportune time since we were scheduled to have our annual vacation and we will be away for 47 days. This made him so busy on the first two weeks of July, seeing to it that the work will go on smoothly while he is away.







	*The UEAB Technology Department* This department is not only academic but also industrial, which includes a fuel depot, automotive and metal works garage, welding shop, carpentry shop and electronics shop. The biggest challenge that confronted him as he took over the responsibility was the fact that the department was losing for many years now and the administration expects that with the change of leadership, the department will make a turn around in terms of the system and its profitability. Through God’s grace, within five months, the department, both its academic and industrial sections, is now gaining. The enrollment also increased considerably. A more inspiring challenge is to maintain the reputation of the department in this country. Kenyan industries look up to UEAB technology graduates to provide their manpower needs. A concrete example is a vacancy announcement which appeared in the Daily Nation on October 12, 2007, posted by the Manpower Services (K) Limited: Automotive Engineers (from “Baraton”) for a leading motor group, specifically from University of Eastern Africa, Baraton. Fresh graduates or 1 year experience. Jess recommended several graduates and were immediately hired.
	*Center for Research and Statistics* I was also appointed by the Administrative Board to be the director of the newly created Center for Research and Statistics effective October 1, 2007. Prior to this appointment, I was already working as research consultant and statistical data analyst inasmuch as I teach research and statistics for the graduate programs. I assist all MBA, MEd and MSN students as well as the faculty members who are on upgrading and some graduate students in Moi University, a public university nearby, in their thesis/dissertation writing. Blessings of Serving the Church We were also given responsibilities in the University Church as Sabbath School teachers. Jess was appointed church elder and became very busy with power point presentations every Sabbath using our own laptop and LCD projector. I was one of the church song leaders and was appointed as the leader of the Women’s Ministries Department and re-appointed for the year 2008. RJ was a regular church and University Chorale pianist and continues to be one. She also sings with the Chorale and the Anointed singing group. *The Women’s Ministries Department* A formidable challenge one faces in this country, even in the church, is the strong spirit of tribalism. The Women’s Ministries needed revival as it has not functioned with enthusiasm for some years. My appointment seemed to be providential, I being seen as a neutral member of the church. I formed a committee of seven to plan for the women’s activities and I found these ladies to be very supportive and active. A good number of ladies (students, faculty and staff) became actively involved in all activities: the International Women’s Day of Prayer in March, honoring mothers in May and honoring fathers in June (the first of its kind in UEAB church), women’s week of prayer (June 3-9) with the theme “Strength in Weakness”, which culminated during the Women’s Emphasis Day, prayers bands after Friday vespers, and community outreach. We held a seminar for women and children’s program for the community on December 2-8. There were more or less 50 women and 70 children in regular attendance. The presentations were on religious life, nutrition, child development, young women and the girl child, women’s diseases, and HIV and AIDS. Some HIV-infected patients volunteered to speak. I asked for donations, both in cash and in kind, to be distributed to the needy as Christmas gifts and the response was overwhelming. Faculty, staff and students gave used clothing and shoes. We were able to distribute 100 bags of goodies to women and simple gifts to children. We still have lots to give and at the beginning of the year 2008, we plan to distribute clothes and shoes to people who were displaced due to land dispute in Mount Elgon and sought refuge in a camp nearby. The need is great in this part of the world and we are glad that God has given us this opportunity to be His feet, His hands, His eyes, His voice. In March, the Ministerial Association requested me to be their week of prayer speaker. We are glad that in this culture where women are not well-recognized, education has changed the attitude of people and the pastors are now willing to listen to a woman preaching to them. The meetings were attended not only of ministerial students and the pastors of the East African Union but also of other students.
	A Damaged Car: A Reason to Praise the Lord In all the activities of the women’s ministries, Jess was always there to give his support. He would always drive for me and lend me his helping hand especially in activities where his computer expertise is needed. In the morning of November 30, our car would not start. We needed to go to Eldoret (50 kilometers away from UEAB) that day to buy stuff for the Women’s Ministries seminar. Jess asked the help of some of his students and before noon, the car started, which made me very happy. We drove to Eldoret together with the WM assistant leader. We were about 15 kilometers away from the town, after having passed through a terribly bad road, when the car stopped. Jess suspected a big problem. The timing belt was cut. He wanted to call Kitur, one of his workers in the department, and found the battery of his mobile phone was low. Good that I was able to get the number from his phone book before the phone went off. Jess called using my cell phone and found that Kitur was in Eldoret and promised to find a way so our car can be towed. While Jess was still talking over the phone, a technology student came. We found out that he was riding a “matatu” (a van used as public transport) to Eldoret for an important business and when he saw us, he decided to get down the van, believing that we need some assistance. Just a few minutes after, Pastor Caesar Wamalika, our university chaplain, who was driving with his wife came. He volunteered to call a mechanic and while he was dialing the number, a car approached and lo and behold, it was the person he wanted to call! Was it a coincidence? I don’t believe so, it was providence! Mrs. Maradufu and I rode in Pastor Wamalika’s car (there was space for two), Jess went with the mechanic, and the student stayed behind to watch our car and waited until the tow truck came. We were able to buy the goods for the Women’s Ministries outreach program and we did not know how to transport them to UEAB. Pastor Wamalika’s car has space for only two people. God’s power continued to work. We saw Mrs. Tieng’o and, learning about our predicament, offered a space for one person and for the goods in their van. It was already dark when we loaded the goods in the van. Jess and I had to wait for Pastor Wamalika’s car in the parking lot of a supermarket. Dr. Tieng’o and Mr. Yogo did not want to leave us there waiting and all the people in the van stayed with us. It took us almost two hours of waiting and these loving people patiently waited. We got home almost 10:00 p.m. On that day, we felt the love and concern of our dear African brothers and sisters. I learned that while the car was parked on the roadside, several “matatus” stopped because there were students on board and they wanted to check what was wrong. Students, faculty and staff went to the garage where our car was brought (the news spread like wildfire) and talked to Jess to find out what they can do to help. We spent a good sum of money for our car to be fixed. Until now it still has a problem although it has been brought back home for Christmas. The Christmas season on campus is a typical “silent night, holy night.” No Christmas lights, no Christmas decors, no Christmas carols, no sound of firecrackers even on New Year’s Eve, but love is all around. Isn’t this the spirit of Christmas, unconditional love?
	Special Answered Prayers One very special blessing we have here is availability of house help at a very low price. We can afford to have a helper to do household chores (3 days a week) and a gardener to take care of the lawn and our backyard garden (3 half-days a week), both for less than $50 a month. As soon as we came in 2006, the Narbartes and Tabaranzas shared with us their lady helper and worked with us two half-days a week. After two months of work, we discovered that Florence was acting abnormally and concluded that she was mentally sick. What happened to her saddened us but we had to let her go and be with her parents in Uganda. We prayed for her recovery. Then Sarah came offering her services. We liked her work and her honesty, in particular. She was a great help to us but we found her to be a little bit sickly and would be down with malaria for some days, but with medication, she would immediately get well. But on the last week of February, she became very ill. Her uncle, who was working in the Physical Plant, suggested that she went home and die in her hometown, as it is less expensive to die there than on campus. People who know Sarah showed hopelessness in her recovery and they expected that she would die. But we did not give up. We continued to hope that she would recover from her strange sickness. Personally, I prayed for her and continued to pray even though we have not received news about her. We even did not get any other helper since it is very difficult to find an honest person like her. I kept hoping that she would come back and work for us again. When we arrived from our annual vacation on the last week of August, a wonderful surprise met us. We saw Sarah, strong and happy, and she was ready to work for us again. Sarah is a member of the Pentecostal Church. On her first day of work, she told me: I was in church last Sabbath and I gave a testimony of the goodness of God to me. She now regularly attends Sabbath services and I keep praying that she would soon be part of the Seventh-day Adventist family of believers. On Saturday (December 22), late afternoon, God gave us another pleasant surprise. There was a knock and when Jess opened the door, he came to me and said, Come, looks like it is Florence. Yes, it was Florence, looking good with her sweet normal smile. She has recovered from her mental illness. She is looking for a family to give her employment so she can feed her children (she is a single mother). I gave her a small amount as a Christmas gift and we are hoping that she could find a place to work. God is really good, He answered our prayers on behalf of these ladies, very good and honest house helpers.
	In and Out of the Crucible Life in the mission field is a mixture of ups and downs. Our workload has been too heavy this year, more than twice the normal load. We would usually go to bed past midnight and we needed to get up early during school days because RJ’s first period class was at 6:30 a.m. But in this situation, God has sustained us with strength and good health. Except for occasional body pains because of fatigue, we have never been sick. Two tablets of Tylenol in the evening or in the morning would immediately dispel the pain and we would be ready to work for the Lord with enthusiasm again. The bad roads in this country continue to be a burden and this affects our mobility. We refrain from going to town and pass the dusty (nowadays) and, most of the time, muddy “crater-like” roads, unless necessary. Every time we travel, we experience a three-round boxing spree where you allow your opponent to throw punches on your body and you have no way of protecting yourself, thus, our bodies would be aching when we get back home. But of course, we need to buy our supplies at least once a month. Good that we have vegetables in our backyard garden. What a blessing! We realize, however, that when you leave your comfort zone, that is when you experience a closer relationship with the Lord. We experience homesickness being far from our loved ones, our son, our daughter-in-law, our granddaughter, our parents, our siblings, our dear friends. Thanks to the new policy of being able to visit family members and spend 36 days with them once a year. We always look forward to our annual vacation. As I end this newsletter, our hearts are filled with anxiety and despair for the political situation that is happening in Kenya right now. Our business manager just met with us in our backyard, all inter-division and intra-division workers. The looting and the killing that are happening in many parts of the country, which does not exclude the community around us, are indeed terrible. The election that transpired on December 27 and the proclamation of the incumbent president as the winner on December 30 have created turmoil in this country. Shoot-to-kill orders have been issued. Hundreds are dead. Homes were burned. Business establishment have been looted. Our campus is not safe. We are preparing right now, me might need to be evacuated to a safer place. When troubles arise in a foreign country, you think of homeland. Peace becomes elusive. We are just thankful that we know we have a God who cares and who always wants the best for us. We have nothing to fear for the future. We can face 2008 with confidence because God is with us.
	Please pray for us! May you have a joyous and prosperous New Year! Welcome 2008!
LAST UPDATED
Wednesday, January 19, 2011 11:06:54 AM
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