This is a bit of a late announcement but haven't had time to upload photos til today. Our Serve national teammates James and Jacinta Muthee gave birth to a beautiful baby boy, Daniel Mwangi Muthee, on October 21st. He weighed 3.5kgs. and is growing by the day. He will be 2 weeks old tomorrow. Because of some complications Jacinta had to give birth by C-section but is at home and healing and feeling well. Baby Daniel is so cute and has brought such joy to his parents as well as to all of us on the Serve Kenya team! Enjoy these beautiful pictures taken at the hospital the day after he was born.
Yes I know we have been slack about updating our blog and sending out email updates. We are sorry!! My sister has been here for the last two weeks and I just have enjoyed her so much I haven't been on email or blog or even FB much lately:):) (that story to come later) Anyway, to update those of you who have been praying for ANjela's adoption. Please please please keep praying hard. There is a little progress. All of the papers are in Nairobi now at the adoption agencies office and we are waiting for them to be sent to Mombasa to the lawyer who will then contact us and get us a court date. THINGS ARE JUST WAY TOO SLOW in getting accomplished here in Kenya....and yes it is very frustrating. We have been at this same place in the process so many times already where they tell us we are just waiting for the lawyer to contact us, and then they turn around and tell us they need some other document, etc. So this time we are really praying and hoping that we will actually get a court date. Our fear is that they won't do it in time before the courts go on recess for the December holiday. Please pray for this to happen very quickly! Unfortunately after that we still have to apply to get her a new birth certificate, then a Kenyan passport and then an American VISA if we want to travel with her to the States. We would love it if all of this could be done by the end of the year before Dennis must travel to the U.S. to renew his greencard....but at the same time I am trying not to get my hopes too high, cause I know just how long things take here..please just pray. My heart is content either way. Having my sister here for the last few weeks and her being able to meet Anjela has really helped my spirits. But keep praying. We will continue to fight and pray for our little girl til she's finally "OURS"!!!
We just received this from the American Embassy today. We are praying that since Anjela is a relative it wont affect us at all when the adoption is final. Please pray! pray! pray!
Adoption Notice
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Bureau of Consular Affairs Office of Children’s Issues
Kenya is party to the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption (Hague Adoption Convention). As such, all adoptions between Kenya and the United States initiated after April 1, 2008, must meet the requirements of both the Convention and U.S. law implementing the Convention.
Although the Government of Kenya (GOK) acceded to the Hague Adoption Convention in 2007, it appears not yet to have established the regulations and procedural infrastructure necessary to meet its obligations under the Convention. In the absence of Hague-compliant adoption procedures, the Department of State cannot issue the documentation required for Convention cases to permit issuance of a U.S. immigrant visa for an adopted child. The Department of State therefore cautions American citizens not to initiate the adoption of a Kenyan child at this time.
The U.S. Embassy in Nairobi continues to be in contact with the High Court of Kenya and their Department of Children’s Services concerning the processing requirements of Convention adoption cases. Please continue to monitor adoption.state.gov for updated information as it becomes available.
American Citizen Services Unit Consular Section U.S. Embassy - Nairobi
Anjela loves helping Mama and Mary, our househelp, clean the house. And she's so good at it too. And God knows, due to all the dust and dirt that blows in and gets tracked into this house, we clean A LOT!! I praise God for Mary who is such a blessing to me. Without her I would spend almost every second of every single day doing nothing but sweeping, mopping, dusting, washing dishes, making clean drinking water, cooking, washing clothes, hanging them to dry, and folding laundry, cleaning and scaring away the cockroaches, and scrubbing every other single spec of our apartment. We don't have all the modern machines and conveniences here like we had back in America (no drinking water from the tap, no dishwasher, no vacuum cleaner, no clothes dryer) but we survive just fine!! Again I say, praise God for Mary!! She doesn't speak English so she also helps me keep up with my Kiswahili everyday. Mary's picture at the bottom.
Friday, October 2, 2009
I know that most, if not all our friends, have been praying for Anjela's adoption to be finalized. We have some good news.
Progress was made this week when the social worker was able to get signed documents from Anjela's maternal grandparents in Western Kenya. Now it is another waiting game and we hope that the adoption agency won't come up with anything new to be done or collected.
If nothing comes up then the social worker who visited the grandparents will write a report, and send it to Nairobi. The adoption agency will organize all the documents and send them to the lawyer in Mombasa who will then set a court date. Once we appear in court, the Judge will make his decision (we pray its a straight forward case and easy decision with further appearances in court) and should be able to give us the adoption certificate right there. We then have to go and have Anjela’s name changed to Anjela Grace Akinyi Omondi. Once that is done we will have to apply to get her a Kenyan passport and American VISA so that we can come to America with her and introduce her to all our friends and family. We pray this is all done VERY QUICKLY so we can travel to the States before the end of the year for Dennis to renew his Green Cardby mid-January. If all this isn't complete, Dennis will have to travel by himself once again to the States.
Praise God with us for this big step that has been completed in moving us forward to becoming Anjela's legal parents and we ask you to continue to pray that the remainder of the process will be completed quickly. Thanks for your love, concern and prayers as you support and stand with us in all of this. We love you all!
The pastors and church leaders at Ujamaa in Mombasa
Group discussion in the afternoon after a long morning of lectures on Joseph
The Ujamaa BTCP/BTCL Alumni Conference
Chris teaching the Pastors in Ujamaa on being faithful in little things as ministers
Janis talking to pastors in Mtwapa about the importance of women ministry in their churches
Anjela and Allison during tea time at the Nakuru Pastors/Church leaders Conference
I am very sorry about the long - very long - silence. We are doing well and here is a recent Team Picture of our team in Mombasa together with Chris Cobble, Jerry and Linda Clark and Janis Saville.
After long months of building and toiling at the Serve compound we finally have finished most of the work we started early this summer. We begin to build the out side toilet this month and are excited about that:)
That's a good looking gate with the Largest Serve Logo in the world!
We can't believe our sweet little Anjela is already turning 2 years old! Wow she is growing up so fast. For those of you who have actually met our little "genius" daughter, we feel like she should be turning 3 or even 4 years old..She's talking and acting much older than her age thats for sure. (Teachers, please help, Is it normal for a 2 year old to know all of her ABC's, recognize them by sight, and know the sounds each letter makes, plus read about 15 sight words, and count to 10 in both English and Swahili? blows my mind!! is this ok?) Anyway, we are so proud of her and love her so much and will be celebrating her precious 2 years of life this Saturday with a big Finding Nemo swimming party. Yes, Finding Nemo is her favorite movie and you can't be around her for 5 minutes without her making sure you know about Nemo, and Dory and Marlin. Today Dennis returned from Busia in the late afternoon and we as a family had a small little birthday celebration with our little Angel girl. Hope you enjoy the few pictures. I will be attempting to make a Nemo birthday cake for her party on Saturday but today I made a batch of chocolate brownies (thanks for sending us the American brownie mix Nesbits), put a little icing and we had a little birthday cake for her. As you can tell from the pictures its beginning to get really hot again in Diani. The moment you take the icing out of the fridge it begins to drip...and forget trying to write with it. Ha! But we certainly tried and Anjela enjoyed it. Then we put some trick candles on top and she had a blast...actually I think Baba had more fun with that than anyone. Then Anjela got to open her gift from Mama and Baba...it was a Finding Nemo interactive sound book. (thanks Amazon and Linda for bringing it out last week) Now maybe she won't ask for the movie every day! We enjoyed a fun family evening though Baba conked out about 8:30pm. He was so tired from traveling all day. Then Anjela got to stay up extra late to talk to Auntie Jill who called her on Skype to wish her a happy birthday. And tonight big girl Anjela gets another special treat...sleeping with Mama and Baba in the big bed! Wow is she spoiled or what? Nope, not spoiled...just LOVED a WHOLE lot!!
1 1/2 months ago when you were 6 months and brought to our doorstep, little did we know the amazing plans God had for you or for us! And little did we know the JOY you would bring to our lives. We love you and praise God for you baby girl!!
(or as Anjela will tell you "Ma's girl")
Jeremiah 29:11For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
To see more pictures on Facebook click HERE And if you want a funny laugh go and watch Anjela read a few sight words HERE...."And Babe, sorry I was so rude in this video. I didn't mean to say 'hold-on' in such a rude way, you didn't know Rachel was filming":(:(
Thanks for all your prayers as we traveled upcountry to Nakuru to teach and explore several other potential ministry opportunities there. We had a great time with the Clarks, Janis and Chris from Denton. We all left Nakuru on Saturday and me, Anjela, Linda and Jerry, as well as Dustin and Ben traveled to Nairobi and spent the day there while Dennis took a bus upcountry to Busia to go and meet with his mom and Anjela's other grandmother about Anjela's adoption. There is another document that Anjela's other grandmother has to sign in order for us to proceed with the court process. Dennis went to discuss these things with her and to prepare her for when the social worker goes to have her sign the documents. He will be meeting with her tomorrow (Monday). Please please pray that all of this goes smoothly and that the documents can be signed QUICKLY so we can proceed with the adoption. Meanwhile Anjela and I arrived back home in Mombasa last night around 2am in the morning. It was such a long and hard day but I praise God Anjela was so cooperative and did so well on all the traveling. Anjela is over her bad cold but please continue to pray for me as i fight a cold/allergies/flu??? stuff that i have had for 3 weeks. I feel pretty weak and I suspect my immune system is pretty weak. Please pray for rest and complete healing for me. Pray for safe travel as Dennis travels back home on Wednesday and for Anjela and I's safety at home while he is away. Pray also for our new teammates Ben and Dustin as they adjust and adapt to life here in Kenya!
Monday, September 14, 2009
Please pray for us as we travel to Nakuru this week to join in ministry with the team that has come from Denton Bible this week. Chris, Janis, Jerry and Linda have been with us this past week in Mombasa helping Dennis with BTCP, and participating in the Prayer/Dedication service of the new Serve Kenya property and future pastor's training center in Ukunda. We have really enjoyed their visit. Anjela and I have been sick this past few days and we are all pretty exhausted. Pray for God's strength, mercy, protection and perseverance as we travel by air and by road and as we minister to those in Nakuru. At the end of the week the team will head home to the USA and Ben, Dustin (our newest teammates in Mombasa), Anjela and I will travel back home to the coast while Dennis goes to Western Kenya to try to get another document from Anjela's biological mother's mother (her grandmother) so we can proceed with adoption. Please pray this is done with ease so we can get a court date.
Finally, after searching for months and months I found some strawberries at one of local fruit and veggie stands down the road...ok they aren't the normal N.C. big red juicy plump strawberries you pick at a strawberry patch, but they at least resembled strawberries. My sweet Anjela has had this obsession lately of dipping food into liquids and licking them, (aka, trees (brocolli) in ranch dressing or anything into ketchup) And what better to eat with strawberries than to dip them in some good ole chocolate. Yep, Mama introduced her little African princess to Strawberries dipped in chocolate and I'll let you take a guess whether or not she loved it or not?? Which picture do you like best?
And Last but not least my favorite......a yummy chocolate strawberry kiss for Baba!! Could it get any sweeter or cuter than this?
These pictures were taken last month when we decided it was time to change Anjela's overdue hairdo...We go through this at least once a month. After taking out all the braids we have to wash and scrub all the scum and usually sand out of her thick hair several times, try to brush it while its soapy and wet, put lots of Mama's soft leave in conditioner in her hair, brush again, then rinse, and then brush again....never fun but we are getting used to it! And her hair just keeps growing! Its soft like her Auntie Nelly's hair.
Thank you so much for the prayers and support you offered during these last few days of mourning for Margaret, Samuel, their family and our church. A few of Samuel and Margaret's family members came from upcountry to be here for the funeral but the majority of the people in attendance were our own church members and friends. We buried baby John Kamau Ndugu at the Mbaraki Cemetery in Mombasa at 11:30AM. Here are a few pictures of this sad day....John would have turned 1 year old on September 23rd. He and our Anjela shared the same birthday and we were planning to do a party for them together next month. Anjela loved baby John so much and not too many days go by that she still doesn't ask for him. Please continue to be in prayer for this precious family. Samuel himself isn't completely well and has continued to have major headaches after his multiple brain surgeries. Also right now neither he nor Margaret have a job. Pray for them as they begin to heal and continue life without their son John. May God comfort and provide for them in miraculous ways.
Our church members have really pulled together to be there for and with Samuel and Margaret during this difficult time.
Carrying the casket to the graveside
Waiting for the casket to come to begin the service
The beginning gathering at the grave side service. Many others joined us.
Baby John's Casket
Dennis and the interpreter preaching at the grave side service
Allison encouraging Margaret and family with fond memories of John
Casket being carried by family and friends
Grave side service
Lowering the casket
From dirt we came and to dirt we will return
Church members covering the casket
Margaret and Samuel laying flowers on John's Grave
Final Prayer
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
We just wanted to write to you and ask you guys to pray for our friends. I am sure you have had of their names - Samuel and Margaret. We asked you to pray for Samuel who had a brain hemorrhage some time back. God pulled him through but then this morning We received a call very early (3:50am) from Margaret informing as that their little baby John passed away. He was admitted in one of the local hospitals a few days ago after being diagnosed with dehydration and severe malaria.
Our hearts ache for Margaret and Samuel! Samuel is just recovering from several head surgeries and this has happened just a few days after they returned to their home here at coast.. I am sure this is very hard especially for Margaret. She was at hospital alone when John passed away and Samuel still hasn't arrived - please pray for her that God would give her supernatural strength! Please pray for us as we look for ways to be there for them and to encourage and comfort them. We will be headed to hospital just as soon as the sun rises. Pray that God will use this incident to bring our church very close and to teach us to carry each others burden - Laughing with those who rejoice and mourning with those who mourn.
The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
Sinners saved by grace brought together by the love, grace, and faithfulness of God, for the purpose of glorifying HIM no matter where we are or what we are doing!!
Dennis was born and raised in Mombasa, Kenya. After he came to know the Lord in 1993, he was discipled by a Denton Bible church Missionary who was teaching/discipling leaders through a program called Bible Training Center for Pastors. He came to the States in 2001 to go through Tommy Nelson’s Men’s discipleship program, then was trained as a missionary through the Missionary Training Institute at Denton Bible. God gave him a great desire to return to Kenya to minister to his own people and to train pastors and church leaders there.
Allison is a Registered Nurse by profession and served 2 years with the International Mission Board on the coast of Kenya from 2003-2005. Dennis and Allison met in Kenya in Dec. 2004. Then after an extended long distance relationship, and lots of details in between, we married in July of 2007 and are now both serving together with DBC missions in Kenya
Anjela Grace is our first born baby girl. She joined our family in April 2008 and has been an unexpected blessing every since. To read her special story and to know how God so graciously brought her into our lives click on her beautiful picture above
What do we do?
We are missionaries working with SERVE International, a sending organization out of Denton Bible Church. Our major focus is on the teaching/training of Kenyan pastors and church leaders, church development, and discipleship.
If you are interested in knowing more about the ministry going on in Kenya, and how you can support us please write us at omondiupdates@gmail.com. THANKS!
This is a bit of a late announcement but haven't had time to upload photos til today. Our Serve national teammates James and Jacinta Muthee gave birth to a beautiful baby boy, Daniel Mwangi Muthee, on October 21st. He weighed 3.5kgs. and is growing by the day. He will be 2 weeks old tomorrow. Because of some complications Jacinta had to give birth by C-section but is at home and healing and feeling well. Baby Daniel is so cute and has brought such joy to his parents as well as to all of us on the Serve Kenya team! Enjoy these beautiful pictures taken at the hospital the day after he was born.
