Where We Live

You might remember this aerial of the Kibera slums from past posts – we didn’t know when we used it that we’d actually be living in this area of Nairobi! Our home is inside the pink circle. When I built the children’s rabbit hutch, I bought the lumber in Kibera and we carried it home on foot. The security is ok where we are, the very poor are not a major threat – organized thugs with cars and guns focus on other neighborhoods. Kibera is proving to be far less dangerous than was reported to me. I shouldn’t have been surprised by the relative security within the slums, misinformation is part of the barrier between rich and poor.

Those Who Come After Us

Veronica grew up at Spirit of Faith. Debra taught her music. Today Veronica has produced a gospel CD with all her own music. She teaches children in another orphanage to sing. She came to our house for a few days and blessed us so much. I wished you all could have heard her and Debra singing all the songs they shared together at Spirit of Faith when Veronica was a little girl.

Equator? Where's the Line?

We crossed the equator on our recent trip to Kitale to visit Mwangi, one of the graduates from Spirit of Faith Center. We visited International Christian Ministry’s campus (A seminary near the Ugandan boarder) where Rick was invited to teach sometime next year for a few weeks.

Time Capsule Tea Chests

When we left Kenya nearly 14 years ago, we left behind several tea chests filled with such things as Debra’s wedding dress, pictures, cards, curtains, kitchen things. We were surprised to find everything in good condition stored in a container at ICM’s seminary in Kitale! God answered our prayers with help from faithful friends! Thank you Bill & Teresia, Mwangi, and the good folks at ICM! Thank you Lord!

Back Yard Retreat

Slowly our garden is taking shape – if we can keep the rabbits from eating it! Anyone who comes to visit us will enjoy lovely afternoon English teas under our shade tree. Welcome (Karibuni)

God's Promise in the Neighborhood

“And the Streets of the City will be filled with boys and girls at play.”
Zechariah 8:5

Bethany caught this rainbow on film in front of our home with Josiah and Timothy in the background. Recently at a meeting with pastors in the Kibera slums, I shared this promise (Zec. 8:5) and we all agreed that this was God’s promise for them in the streets of Kibera.

Domestic Education

“Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive His approval.”
2 Timothy 2:15

Debra is thankful for the Sonlight curriculum and the children are thankful for a patient, compassionate teacher. What stories will they tell their children about a “one room school in Africa?” Time will tell.

Every Sunday is a ‘Tent Meeting’ at Nairobi Chapel

“And the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle” Exodus 40:34
Timothy’s on his way to children’s church at Nairobi Chapel. Nairobi Chapel has three praise bands that lead worship simultaneously in an adult, youth, and children’s service.

A fellow sojourner

“Encourage one another and build each other up”

1 Thes. 5:11

We met Leslie at Missionary Training Institute in Colorado Springs. We were the only folks there from Alabama. Debra met her again in the airport Lavatory at Heathrow in London. We flew together to Nairobi and chanced to meet up on several occasions before Leslie went on to her field assignment. God has amazing ways to remind us we are not alone when we answer His call.

Backyard Restoration

Who knew that our ministry of restoration would begin in the backyard? Well it is. Here Bethany caught Daddy in his morning devotions. It all begins with prayer doesn't it?

And this green space is a part of it all. To survive in a big dirty city like Nairobi, a little green space in your living space is essential. here you see the garden after the pruning and before the planting. Next blog will give you an update on this space -- (hint: there's a few critters to be added as well!)

Are You New to Kenya?

Girraffe Park -- these stately creatures will eat from the palm of your hands.

Welcome to our Home

Karibu numbani wako. Welcome to our home. Two stories, but only a little over 1,000 square feet, the kitchen and bed rooms are very small – so if you come to visit us, you won’t get lonely! Kathryn, a local college student lives in the servant quarters. Kibera is a short walk from our home, we’re near the airport, the church offices, and a Mosque that broadcasts the call to pray about 5:30 am -- I'm thankful for the help getting me up to my morning devotions!

Welcome to the Slingluff's "Numbani"

Nairobi Limo Serivce

Our Kenyan car – a 1992 Pajero, we purchased from a member of Nairobi Chapel. This faithful old vehicle can carry 9 passengers and will serve our family and ministry well on the very broken brutal roads around the city (some of the game parks have better roads than Nairobi!). We asked God to help us find an affordable road warrior – taxi tested tough. Cars are expensive in Africa because the roads punish them and taxes are high. We believe this vehicle is an answer to that prayer, but it will need an engine overhaul soon – please consider helping us with these costs ($5,500. for the vehicle; $2,000 for the engine overhaul).You can contribute to our ministry account on line; themissionsociety.org/missionaries/slingluff

Homecoming Spirit of Faith Children's Centre

Last week, we visited Spirit of Faith Orphanage where Debra and Rick met and married. Most of the children we knew have graduated from the center, but it was a joy to be there, to meet the children living there and see how faithful God has been to them since our leaving in 1994.

A New Friend in the Neighborhood

As Bethany befriends other girls in the neighborhood, she's getting "free" Swahili lessons and learning lots of new games. Bethany's been teaching them how to crochet.

Playing out of suitcases

All our luggage arrived with us safely. The boys are “playing out of suitcases while we wait for drawers and cabinets to be made for the toys that accompanied them to Kenya.

Welcome to Nairobi

Nairobi Chapel treated us to 5 days at this comfy guest house until we got our legs back under us. We've since left this home and moved to Ngummo Estates, into a town house. While we don't expect to be at this residence long -- we expect to live in this neighborhood. Rents are affordable, good access to the airport, good access to Kibera and to Nairobi Chapel's tents, where most our ministry will occur. God is Good.

Making New Friends

Making friends across culture is child’s play – Josiah started reaching out to people right away.

Timothy Tucked In Bed

Sleep tight and don’t let the bed bugs bite – thanks to mosquito nets.

Furniture Shopping with Marc Jeroge

We found some good carpenters to make our beds and dressers we’ll send photos when their in our home in a few days – for now, most of us are sleeping on our mattresses on the floor.

After School Play

There’s a local school near our home. When the children get home, they’re collecting at our house. Most of them don’t speak English at all and so Bethany, Timothy, and Josiah are getting their first taste of language learning up close. Lessons are a lot more fun with a little play.

Look Who's on the Fridge

Some of you are on our fridge – we have to filter our drinking water, the plumbing’s not good, but we have water everyday. The hot water heater doesn’t work yet, but we had garbage pick up today. Daily our lives are improving, but settling will take time. Meanwhile, we keep on praying and learning.

A tale of Two Cities

As partners and friends of Nairobi Chapel,
Our family will be living in the Nairobi you see in the upper portion...
But like many of our partners at Nairobi Chapel, we know that many of God's family lives in the portion of Nairobi you see in the lower portion...
This is the informal Nairobi --
It's huge --
There may be at least 2 million stories to be told in these neighborhoods. As we have opportunity to hear them, we will begin sharing them with you. As you pray for the Slingluff's, Remember the "other city."

Fun with our English Cousins

Crazy Couzin's having a little birthday fun. You should have seen what they did to Grandad!

Mad Hatters of Devon

The Brethren of Exeter know how to have a good time. Here's Uncle Pete (left) and Deb's Dad at a going away dinner Uncle Pete and Auntie Liz held for the Slingluff's.

Church where Debra grew up

Debra with "Uncle Pete," one of the elders who helped raise Debra's generation at Pennsylvania Hall, the Brethren Church in Exeter where Debra first learned of Jesus amazing love! We attended here most of our Sundays in England -- the Brethren in Exeter have been a big blessing to our whole family.

Debra's Home Turf

Beehive Cottage was originally a horse stable built in the 1700's, probably older than the USA. It was converted to a lovely cottage in the 1950's and Grandma and Grandad have been living here for over 30 years now.

Here is Mum & Debra. Debra grew up here and for the children and Rick, it's home while we are in England.

King Henry's II's 11th Century Bread Oven

Josiah peering out of oven

We suspect King Henry II's bread was baked in this oven out of which Josiah is beaming. Is he done? I don't think so -- but he's rising steadily!!!

Communion Table in Orford Castle

Medieval Alter


I’m kneeling beside an ancient alter in Orford Castle. Here is the tiny chapel where King Henry worshipped when he visited Orford. Behind me was the basin where the communion wine and bread were kept.

Visiting Orford Castle in Suffolk England

Orford Castle in Sufolk England

We went to Orford, a lovely little English village, for our immunizations to go to Africa. While we were there, we visited this 12th century castle built by King Henry II to gain control of the rebel elements on the Eastern shore of Great Briton.

Learning Crickett

Learning Cricket, lessons in cross-cultural ministry

Even though Debra grew up in England, in this picture she’s batting in the first game of cricket she ever played. Her sister Caroline whose family hosted us for a week, is behind Debra. Days after her 40th birthday, Debra’s defending the wickett, the little pegs perched atop the three posts behind her. If the bowler can knock the bales off the wickett, the batter is out.

For many years I watched this game with little interest – I thought it a sad alternative to baseball. Not until I actually got to play with the Hambly’s, members of our British family, did I gain any meaningful understanding of the game.

For missionaries serving in a foreign culture, this was a good lesson to me. As we share and experience God's family around the world, we learn from each other and develop a heart to heart sharing that goes beyound culture. I love England, Crickett, but mostly the Humbly's our family that hosted us for our first week in the UK. thank you God for

Peter, Caroline, Victoria, and Charlotte.

On our way

Sold our car AND got to use it to get us to the airport. Yea!

Accross Statten Island during rush hour to JFK.

Yea!

14 bags of overweight luggage successfully checked in. Yea!

A few phone calls while the cell phone still works. Yea!

We're on our way to England thanks to lots of prayers from you all -- without a hitch!

Every yea is Praise to God!!!

Packin Up

July 11, 2007

We've sorted and stowed away our "time capsule" treasures in long term storage....

Our Mission house in Atlanta

Thank you to Rev Richard & Elaine Davis who donated a lovely home for Missionaries from the Mission Society to use while itinerating or on furlough.

Here we are in "the Mission House in Atlanta, enjoying a lovely African meal of ...

Nyama Choma -- grilled ribs

ugali -- boiled corn meal

sakuma -- collard greens

Mandazi -- fried flat bread (Indian style)

The children are being home schooled and studying up on their Swahili.

Our patners in Nairobi -- "The Nairobi Chapel" are ready to help us find a home and used car when we are able to give them a definite date for arrival.

While we have the cash to begin our ministry, we do not have the long term pledge support needed to support us in the ministry and so we remain available to visit churches, small groups, or other intreseted folks. If you know churches or individuals who may be interested in making a faith promise of continuous support to our ministry, please refer them to this blog or our web site:

http://www.missionaryhome.org/slingluff/

And of course you can contact us at...

the Slingluff's

6044 Prestige Valley Road

Morrow Ga 30260

404-608-3990

251-225-0986

ruslingluff@hotmail.com

http://missionsociety.org

The Slingluff Family
Answering the Nairobi Call
The Slingluff family began when Debra and Rick met and married at Spirit of Faith Children’s Center near Nairobi in 1992. Rick and Debra managed the K-8th grade elementary school, taught, and house parented 70 orphans. Rick graduated from Asbury Seminary in Wilmore Kentucky and began pastoring in the United Methodist Church in 1999. After 7 years in local parish ministry, Josiah (7), Timothy (10), and Bethany (13) along with Mom and Dad, have completed their missionary training and are prepared to launch into their new ministry in the shanty towns of Nairobi.

The Nairobi Call
The Slingluffs Church Planting Among the Urban Poor January 2007

Get in Touch
Debra & Rick Slingluff
Cell: 011-254-721-687-631
Email: ruslingluff@gmail.com
Website:
www.misionaryhome.org/slingluff

Tax-deductible Contributions can be marked for the Ministry of Rick & Debra Slingluff
Checks made payable to “The Mission Society”
289/SP
And sent to:
MSUM
P.O. Box 922637
Norcross, Ga.
30010-2637
USA

themissionsociety.org