Introducing Isaiah Marvin Trump

We are happy to share the good news of the birth of our healthy baby boy, Isaiah Marvin Trump.  Isaiah was born at 7 lbs 1oz and 20 inches long. His brothers, like us, are completely enamored with him. Thank you for your prayers, encouragement, and support. 

- Shauen, Krista, Josiah, Elijah, and Isaiah, your LCMS Missionaries to East Africa

Life and Ministry in Kenya

I was recently asked what I like most about my life in Kenya and the ministry God has put before me...

The rich cultures of Kenya place a high value on relationships which contributes to a welcoming hospitality and a deemphasis on hurry, haste, and busyness. Many cultures are built around traditional conservatives values with minimal influence from materialism or the inherent frustrations of an entertainment/leisure-based culture. Kenya is a wonderful place to raise a family and we feel fortunate despite cross-cultural frustrations to be called here. My favorite task as a missionary in Kenya is to visit, encourage, and walk alongside God’s people here in their own context. I love to be in the bush, worshiping with a small congregation under a tree or in a mud church and joining them in their songs of exuberance and joy, to receive their warm hospitality and tea or a meal, to walk with them in their community, to share with them our own joys and challenges and to hear theirs. This ministry of presence, a focus on relationship and fellowship in Christ, both fulfills and encourages us all as fellow believers for the glory of His name and for the sake of reaching the lost. These are the joys of my life and work. Thanks be to God!

-Shauen

October Field Notes Published

Field Notes for October 2013 has been published. This issue of Field Notes included the following articles:

• Ordination of Rev. Paul Sserwaniko
• Presenting and Preaching at a Youth Event
• Preparing for Baby Trump
• Photos in Focus: Trump Boys

Our prayer requests this month include:

• For continued good health and a safe delivery for both Krista and Baby Trump
• For fellow missionary Shara Cunningham as she takes over short-term team and visitor support from Shauen

In Praise

• For the ordination and ongoing service of Pastor Paul Sserwaniko in Uganda
• For safe travels as our family came to the USA
• For the dedicated and eager youth of Kenya as they grow in faith and joyfully participate in the life of the church

If you haven't seen it yet, download Field Notes - October 2013 (PDF format) from thetrumps.org now!

The Boys Travel to the States

Today I travel to the States with my almost-4-year-old Josiah and my almost-2-year-old Elijah. Krista preceeded us by a week to ensure she would be flying within the airline's policy for flying when pregnant. It will be a long journey but not as long as it could be - we have only two flights: Nairobi - London and then several hours before our flight London - Chicago. Krista and her sister will pick us all up in Chicago - hopefully we'll all survive the journey! -Shauen

Update on Wednesday, October 16, 2013 at 2:35PM by Shauen & Krista

My time of meltdown (email to Krista from London - she had left her prized ipad with me to entertain the boys on the journey - subject line of the email is "Oh. My. Gosh."):

I'm considering not going back to Kenya with the children at the end of December. 

Elijah cried for about a quarter of the flight because he wanted out of his seat. The poor guy sitting right in front of him kept turning around with the evil eye. He cried because he wanted out of his seat. He cried because he saw Josiah playing with the tray table (no one was sitting in front of Josiah) and Elijah wasn't allowed to (the poor evil-eye guy was sitting in front of him). He cried because he couldn't reach the screen when he was buckled in and because someone was sitting in front of him when Josiah could both reach the screen to poke it and was allowed to because no one was in front of him. I'm dying carrying all this stuff - Elijah wears his little backpack for about 5 minutes before giving up and won't walk down the aisle to get to our seats so I have to carry him, the diaper bag, my backpack, his backpack, and the carseat. I lost your iPad - discovered it missing when it wasn't in its place as I went through security in London. I lost my wallet while I was trying to pay for the Starbucks breakfast. I lost Elijah's shoes because they had to take his shoes off at security in London because Josiah refused to walk through the metal detector by himself or not touch the sides so I had to walk through the metal detector with both of them which set off when they both reached out for the sides. So we had to be searched. Josiah refused to take off his shoes to run them through the X-ray but we pulled Elijah's shoes off. Which meant, of course, that by the time we got back on our way I forgot Elijah's shoes because they were sent through after our stuff. I got all the way downstairs to report that I'd lost your iPad in the seatback pocket of our first flight, standing in line, before I realized Elijah's shoes were gone. So I got out of line, back up the elevator, back to security, ask for the shoes, put them on him, all the way back down the elevator to customer service to report your iPad, then to starbucks where the kids BOTH started melting down. Ordered Elijah and Josiah a glass of milk that I forgot to pick up because it was a last-minute addition to the order so I lost that too. Found my wallet after stepping aside to search EVERY bag for it so I could pay for breakfast. Kids both crying straining to get out of the stroller, finally got to the play area where I unbuckled them and they both jumped out… So the stroller tipped over backwards because of the carseat and bag hanging on the back and nuts, raisins, bananas, and muffins flew everywhere. Oh, and I have a headache and Elijah still has a temp. I finally got medicine for my headache when I got water at Starbucks. Hit Elijah with another dose of Advil before coming through London security. Elijah cried for half an hour solid at the end of the flight - from the moment he had to be buckled in for the seatbelt sign to the moment the fasten seatbelt sign was finally turned off at the gate. My phone DOESN'T work here. And Elijah has lost his socks somewhere in the play area. I think. Unless he took them off and threw them between the play area, Customer Service, Starbucks, and returning to the play area.

ARGH.

Okay. I "lost" my wallet but found it - it had slipped down in my backpack behind the backup clothes. I lost Elijah's shoes at security but found them. I lost your iPad but got it back from Customer Service (whew). I lost the milk but got it when they called for me to come to Customer Service to pick up the iPad. I DIDN'T lose my mocha when the stroller tipped over because I was carrying it (no hot beverages in the cup-holders on the back, you know - says right on it). I DIDN'T lose my cool. I DIDN'T cry (although very close several times). I DIDN'T give up (this flight). And I DID get one lady sitting right in front of me say at the end of the flight, "You did really good." Then she and all the other passengers sitting around us stared wide-eyed when I said I'm half-way done. And it was kinda cool to hear Passenger Trump enroute to Chicago paged over the intercom. 'Cause, you know, like Donald Trump is from Chicago or something, isn't he? It made sense a couple minutes ago. But I'm pretty much delirious, so never mind. Elijah stopped fussing on the flight when I built him a bed on the floor out of pillows and blankets. He slept at least 3 hours, very nicely, on the floor while Josiah slept on the middle seat. I even got a few hours sleep myself. Not good sleep, of course. But it was sleep. There's a handicap bathroom within sight of the play area. Josiah asked before punching the HUGE red emergency help button in the handicapped bathroom so that was also good. And these Starbucks muffins are amazing. 

So, I'm alive. I'm surviving. I feel better right now with a little food and half a Mocha in me. The only thing I've actually lost is Elijah's socks and I haven't looked for them yet. Not too bad if I may say so myself. I'm off to make some laps around the play area while the kids play inside. I love you. But I'm still never flying with them again. Elijah is at the absolute worst age to fly. We will not fly voluntarily with children under the age of 3. I have spoken. Oh, and Josiah just found Elijah's socks for me in the play area. He's supposed to wear them in the play area but I'm going to let it slide this time. 

-Shauen

Update on Thursday, October 17, 2013 at 2:42PM by Shauen & Krista

We all survived, uneventfully (more or less). I almost melted down when the flight attendant on the London-Chicago flight told me my children weren't allowed to sit or lay down on the floor. But I didn't. She was a wise flight attendant. She told me and then quickly walked away to leave me to wake my child sleeping on the floor. She did come back later and say she's so sorry and she did understand that the child was asleep and felt so bad that she couldn't allow him to sleep on the floor between the seats. So she was nice. But the policy is still lame. We have all survived, arrived safely in Wisconsin, and are at our house for the next 2 and a half months while we wait for Baby Trump to arrive and then process his paperwork so we can get back home to Kenya. Thank you for your prayers!

Clergy Appreciation Month!?!

Did you know that October is National Clergy Appreciation Month in the United States? Yeah, me either! Until, that is, one of my dear co-workers gave me a present of Twix, one of my favorite candy bars (fortunately, they sell Twix here in Kenya). September 26th was the three-year anniversary of my ordination and without a traditional parish to serve, small gifts of appreciation are rare but very powerful and encouraging to me. Thank you to my appreciator! Appreciate your Pastor and let him know! -Shauen

Cross Cultural Ministry: A Few Keys

This article is a cross-post from the newsletter of Dan and Patty Schmelzer's Capstone Ministries project in Kisumu, Kenya. Learn more about Capstone Ministries at their website: http://capstoneministries.org/

Cross Cultural Ministry: A Few Keys

“I have become all things to all men, so that by all possible means I might save some.” I Corinthians 9:22

Imagine working on Ellis Island when immigrants were flooding into the USA by the thousands daily. As an orientation officer, your job is to help new arrivals with important information about citizenship, how to live, work and travel in this new land. However you don’t speak the language of those arriving from so many different countries. How would you approach your job? How would you communicate effectively? What might be some potential problem areas?

Being effective in cross cultural ministry involves some of the same situations. Over the past 11 years Patty and I have discovered some keys to being effective in bridging the gap in culture between our western culture and African culture.

PLAN. From the beginning it is vital to understand that as a Christian missionary, you have moved away from your culture and are now living in another culture. That means that the burden for bridging the gap every day is on you, not on those you work with. That affects everything from how you talk, understanding norms of conversation, as well as how you approach theology and learning. In Kenya for example, conversations will circle a topic before addressing the topic at hand. Americans tend to be more abrupt and dive right into an issue. Preaching also is different. Africans are more “eastern” in their approach, using stories and illustrations to teach. Americans tend to be more “western” or conceptual. An African may be more comfortable hearing about God as the Bright Morning Star whereas a westerner might describe God as a source of enlightenment.

But a basic structure to ministry is also a key in planning. Long ago missionaries did everything that needed to be done. Over time we have learned that it is more effective for missionaries to utilize people from the culture to minister to their own people. A missionary becomes more of a trainer of trainers, planner, administrator, motivator, fund raiser and accountant. In this approach, it is also critical to find the right trustworthy, honest, industrious and innovative people to work with the missionary. Capstone is blessed with seven very dedicated staff members and this greatly enhances the effectiveness of the ministry.

PITFALLS The downside of the missionary insisting on doing the work him/herself is many. In Kenya there is a perception that white people have money. This coupled with a history of hand-outs creates a perception by those who have perceived needs. The local people may listen to you politely, all the while intending to ask for and expecting a hand out at the end. Indigenous staff may face some of this but it is certainly less normative.

One temptation that every missionary faces who tries to help people directly is something known as the God-complex. When the recipient of your help calls you “Jesus in the flesh” or says, “You are so wise and we are so blessed by your presence,” humility can be a challenge and an ego can run wild justifying even bad ideas.

A doctor can be extremely gifted but if he makes a mistake in diagnosis, harm can result. The same is true of a missionary diagnosing a social or spiritual setting without local wisdom. This happens often with those who come for a short visit and draw conclusions about how to help street kids based on a few conversations with a street boy.

Other less serious pitfalls can also be experienced by a missionary. Communication issues are one example. Kenyan English sounds much different than American English. Most Kenyans speak with an English accent. Kenya was a former colony of the United Kingdom and Kenyans learned their English from the British. Americans speak faster, slur their words, use slang and idioms foreign to the Kenyan ear. It is not uncommon for an entire sermon to go unheard simply because the American made no effort to communicate as a Kenyan.

PRIDE. All of us love our own country and people with a good heart want to make it better. One reward of our Capstone staff is that they know they are improving the society. When an alcoholic father repents and vows to support his family, when a boy is reconciled with a harsh father and becomes a prayer warrior in school, when Bible study group members minister to each other with love and sacrifice, our staff go home in the evening with a full heart and love to recount the stories in our staff meeting. That is pride in the work of God and the privilege of being an instrument in the hand of God. I believe it is even more powerful and meaningful when that PRIDE is part of the indigenous experience. May we all take pride in our joint efforts to bring reconciliation to the vulnerable children of Kenya through our Kenyan staff.

(This article was a little bit different from other newsletter articles. I wanted to take some time to explain the uniqueness and challenge of cross cultural ministry. Patty and I have learned a lot in our 11 years in Kenya. We are still learning. It is, by far, the most challenging work we have ever done. It is also the most rewarding. I hope you have enjoyed this glimpse into cross cultural ministry.)

To The States for the birth

Today Krista departed for the States, headed to her sister's home in Wisconsin where we'll be for the delivery of the baby. She's traveling alone at 35 weeks pregnant and the boys and I will join her next week. We had to move her ticket up because, as her OB-GYN told her last week, "You're 34 weeks pregnant - why are you so big?" Let's just say bedside manner is a little more matter-of-fact over here. Out of concern that she would, indeed, look bigger than she is, we elected to move Krista's ticket up by a week to get her home well within the airline's limits for flying when pregnant. Meanwhile, I'm home with Josiah (3) and Elijah (1) for a week before I fly with them to the United States all by ourselves. Pray for Krista and then pray for us boys!

-Shauen

Update on Thursday, October 10, 2013 at 2:30PM by Shauen & Krista

Krista arrived safely in the States after an uneventful journey. Our poor brother-in-law now has TWO pregnant women in his house! I'm sure he can't wait for me to arrive and get Krista into our own place for a couple months. -Shauen

My nose is three!

"Papa!" (We're having our bed-time conversation, usually held as I'm trying to close the door and Josiah's trying to delay me closing the door). "Yeah, Josiah?" "My nose is three!" "What?" "My nose is three! If I take off my nose and throw it, it will be a three!" "What?" I open the door wider, shedding a little more light on the very confusing assertion made by my son. "My nose is three!" he insists, as I can now make out that he's tracing around the bottom of his nostrils in, indeed, the shape of a 3. I find myself agreeing with the outlandish assertion. "You're right, buddy. Your nose is a three." I'm pretty sure it is a sign of genius to find numbers on the body at his tender young age.

We are safe

Today there was an attack at a mall here in Nairobi. Details are still hazy, and it may be ongoing even as I write. Our family is safe as are all of our LCMS missionaries here on the Kenya Field. We rarely post like this in response to security incidents but this situation is highly visible in the international news and we know you pray for us. We thank and praise The Lord for His protection of our family and our co-workers today. God is good, all the time. And all the time, God is good.

Toooo hot = Rain today

"It's going to rain today," the watchman tells me one morning. Looking up at the clear sky I'm a little skeptical but I say, "Oh, yeah?" "Yes. Today is toooo hot. It will rain." I've lived in East Africa almost five years now and this is, indeed, an indicator of rain but not one I've managed to navigate. There is some difference that I can't discern between mornings that are "hot" and those that are "toooo hot." "Toooo hot" means it's going to rain. To me, it just feels hot or not hot. The watchman was right, of course. Showers started that day in the early evening. Maybe he has a weather app on his phone and he's just playin' with me. 

-Shauen

Can't live without plastics!

Aunt Shara!

It is 6am. Josiah is calling out from his bedroom. It is a reasonable hour, but it feels extraordinarily early. I stumble into his room but before I can eat utter a word I hear him calling "Aunt Shawa (Shara)!" "What?" I mumble. "Aunt Shawa!" "You want Aunt Shara?" The words slur out of my tired lips, "Aunt Shara's not here. She's at her home and probably asleep right now if she's lucky. Why do you want Aunt Shara?" "But I want Aunt Shawa to visit!" "Okay, buddy. Maybe Aunt Shara can visit later. Please try to go back to sleep." Aunt Shara, I think he's ready for a sleepover!

Ostriches throwing toys

"Okay, goodnight Josiah," I say as I close the door. "Papa?" "Yeah, Josiah?" "Pray that an ostrich doesn't throw a toy at my window tonight." "Um. Okay. Let's pray..."

-Shauen

Mileage on our LandCruiser: 18.8mpg

2000 Toyota LandCruiser VXPeople often ask what kind of mileage we get on our LandCruiser what with it being all-time 4-wheel drive with all the extra heavy equipment (the bull bar alone weighs about 1,000 lbs and we carry two full-size spare tires) and increased drag (from the bull bar, extra headlights, and roof rack). To us, it never really mattered what the mileage is - it just is what it is. The truck and the equipment are necessary for my work so it's not like we have a lot of choice! The truck is a 6-cylinder diesel with a turbo, so that definitely works in our favor with diesel gas a little cheaper than petrol. I did the mileage on a trip I just returned from yesterday - mostly highway miles with limited off-road work and with just me in the car most of the time: 18.8mpg or 12.5 liters/100km (in the rest of the world, we use the helpful metric of liters per 100km to measure fuel economy). So 19mpg is probably the highest we'll ever get between Nairobi traffic at home and "normal" trips upcountry involving considerable off-road use. But 19mpg isn't bad considering the truck's capabilities!

-Shauen

Cherish This Time

It's nights like these about which everyone says, "Oh, just cherish this time - it goes so quickly." Krista Trump's homemade butternut squash soup in its last few minutes simmering, children quietly playing in the playroom... Until you go to get the kids and find that Elijah has removed his dirty diaper and both kids have smeared, squished, and packed the "payload" into a variety of places, including the Lego Duplos. Ah, yes. Cherish these days. You can come over and cherish them for me this evening if you'd like.

-Shauen

Josiah makes friends

Playing with some new friends while we wait for the bride to come out so we can take her to the wedding. Beautiful day!

Josiah Masters the Bicycle

Last month we bought Josiah a bike. We took the pedals off and let him cruise around for a while balance-bike style. Today we put the pedals on. Josiah, 3 and a half years, is master of the bicycle! Yay, Josiah!

A land of contrasts

Kenya is a land of contrasts. Within about a half-mile of our house are slums, million-dollar homes, and this beauty for hire. There's also a Chrysler 300C limo in this area - just about as long as this one. I have no idea where they can drive it around here. I don't know how it gets over the speed bumps!

April-July Field Notes Published

Field Notes for April-July 2013 has been published. This issue of Field Notes included the following articles:

• Summer Interns Kelly and Alyssa
• Bishop Emmanuel Makala's Consecration
• Preparing for Baby Trump
• Photos in Focus: Trump Boys

Our prayer requests this month include:

• For continued good health for Krista and Baby Trump
• For all our staff as we wrap up a very busy season of short-term teams and start the new fiscal year

In Praise

• For God's blessing in children
• For a good experience for our summer interns Kelly and Alyssa
• For finally receiving a waiver of all outstanding penalties and interest on a back-tax issue our Field Office has been struggling with since 2007
• For the joyous consecration of Bishop Emmanuel Makala

If you haven't seen it yet, download Field Notes - April-July 2013 (PDF format) from thetrumps.org now!

Making an Impact in East Africa

This video conveys some of the things God is doing in East Africa as recorded at the LCMS headquarters in St. Louis last year.