Steve’s Travel Diary

There is an African proverb that says every day a gazelle awakens and realizes that if he does not outrun the lion, he will not survive the day. Every day a lion awakens and realizes that if he does not outrun the gazelle, he will not survive the day. Therefore, every morning, whether you are […]

I’ve always loved flying. While navigating strange airports and sitting in a narrow uncomfortable airplane seat for hours on end can stretch the limits of my endurance, it has never quenched my love for flying and adventure. I’m always reminded when I fly that the things that seem so big to us on the ground

There are times in life when God comes through in remarkable ways that both humble and amaze you. As my team and I made our connection in Washington, D. C. in route to Malawi, where we are conducting our very first ITEM training in Malawi, I was reminded in a fresh way that God is

Dear ITEM Friends,

I had to write the one last note because it completes the circle. In one of my first posts, I commented on how difficult it was for me to find my way around the Paris airport. If you missed it, go back and check out the post with the title: 2E OR NOT 2E.
Today I am happy to announce that 2E and I are now at peace with one another. Click READ MORE for the details.

Dear ITEM Prayer Partners,
I’m on my way home! My flight from Nairobi, Kenya leaves around noon Pacific time USA on Friday and my touchdown in Portland, OR is 8:52pm Saturday. Today (Friday) was a casual day and the manager at the Biblica Guest House blessed me.

Dear ITEM Partner,
I was quite concerned when I received the result of my Covid test when it came back positive and the doctor apologized and said it was an in-house mistake and that he would write a note on the report letting airport authorities know it was a “false” positive report and that I was really negative towards Covid. I told him quite forcefully that the airport and airline authorities would not accept a hand written note on the printed lab report. And as he and I went back and forth, I woke up from my dream. Yes, I actually had that dream last night! To read the true story plus a what I learned about apologetics needs in Kenya and Africa, click on READ MORE.

Hi Everyone,
I am back in Nairobi. Two more nights here (in the same bed two nights in a row!!!!) and I head for home. ETA at Portland airport is just before 9pm Saturday. Today was moving day. Nathan and I got up in Kisumu, Kenya. Left Melvic Hotel at 9. Our flight was at 11 and we arrived in Nairobi less than an hour later. Nathan and I went in different directions when we left the airport.
It took me longer to get from the airport to the guest house than it did to fly from Kisumu to Nairobi. But on the way to the guest house, I made a stop at the South Nairobi Airport.
Click Read More to hear the reason why, to get a preview of a strategic meeting tomorrow, and to see new pictures I added today,

Dear ITEM Partner,
A verse often quoted in a discipleship context is 2 Timothy 2:2, “And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, commit to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” It is noted that there are four generations of disciples in this one verse: Paul (the author, “me”), Timothy (the recipient, “you”), faithful men, and others. Sitting at the lunch table today was a prime example of 2 Timothy 2:2 in action. It was a gratifying moment for me

Dear Friends and Family,
My first title for this post was “NEVER A DOUBT.” That would have been tongue in cheek. We began the day with a car that would not start. Next, the car kept stalling as we moved towards our destination. Then Google Maps took us the LONG way around and we found ourselves in a small compact on a dirt road under construction (see pictures) and I was beginning if we would escape without having to be pulled out of impossibly tight quarters. But once we did actually arrive the title changed dramatically to “A FISH IN WATER.”

Dear ITEM Partner,

A couple of days ago, Pastor Tom Ogalo, ITEM team member, asked me to preach/talk at his church. I had no sermons prepared. Nathan suggested something to encourage them in the midst of the pandemic. I was having a hard time finding the motivation to “dig in” and “just do it.” But nothing was coming to mind and I didn’t want to stand up and ad lib.

That lasted until I completed my phone call with my wife, Brenda, Sunday morning here. She was trying to give some suggestions but I just couldn’t get into it. Then God rescued me