We have been increasingly busy while here over the past couple of weeks. Ergo, I have had little time to document the course we are currently on. Nevertheless, know that life is grand, things are well and even though the times are demanding, we are soaring on the wings of eagles as Christ so allows. The ministries are going well and everyone has fallen back into the schedule that existed before Christmas, with a few alterations. I am teaching at the African Bible College once more and am one class away from ending the Preparing Biblical Messages and Pastoral Ministry course and beginning with Biblical Doctrine. This will certainly be a pleasant switch as Biblical Doctrine is far more exciting than planning catalog systems to track the attendance of members and visitors at church. Haha This, of course, is certainly necessary but is far from being my forte.

Having returned after the base’s closing over Christmas, of course we discovered that we were overrun with mice which now all seemed to depart with the appearance of the large rat. This rat no doubt bullied them out and had taken up permanent residence in our kitchen. After we found some partially eaten carrots a couple of days ago, I realized this was the last straw. I can’t quite understand the mind of a rat that would take a bite out of each one of the carrots instead of just eating one whole one. It is this sort of behavior that makes me realize the actions are out of spite and terrorism, not a selective diet.

With all this unfolding I realized it was time to take the rat hunt up a notch or two, especially since they were avoiding the traps that were set. I probably would have avoided them too if I had access to carrots and bananas. Nevertheless, I purchased some rat poison that guaranteed their rapid death. Having purchased this shortly after lunch time yesterday, I placed it in the perfect hidden corner in the kitchen and began the wait with a joyous heart. I didn’t prefer this method although it being swift and complete, it would send the rat into a tiny place to die and then I would have to fish out his rotting corpse days later. Regardless, I waited, hoping to see him with an inebriated sort of swagger, sauntering out of the kitchen and then collapsing in death at the threshold of the house.

Later in the evening I took one last trip into the community house to refill my water bottle and in looking down noticed a wriggling tail before my shoe, attached to the large body of a rat. Trying to think quickly, I alerted the other occupant in the room (who was peacefully reading a book) to bring something blunt that I may smash the rat’s head. Just as said occupant stood, halfway believing me, the rat made a run for the kitchen. Obviously the food it had consumed was weighing it down for I have never seen a creature laboring so vehemently yet gaining so little ground. With his lumbering gate I had ample time to reach for the narrow ended push broom, swing it over my head and bring it down in a firewood-splitting motion.

The noise was deafening as the broom struck the floor and I could hear my adrenaline induced heart beating quickly in my ringing ears. As the explosion of power dissipated and I regained my bearings, I saw that there upon the floor laid the stretched out body of the rat, giving a few last twitches before its life on this planet ended. The broom had caught it just above the shoulders in a guillotine style strike, rendering it in a deceased state immediately. I was still stunned by the outcome of the short but decisive conflict and by that time the noise had drawn a small crowd.

A few screams from shock and some from horror escaped the mouths of those standing around the carcass. Some, like myself, were so aghast that breathless silence was the only response. As an ease crept into the atmosphere, realizing our foe would berate us no longer, a celebration ensued. I almost had a glimpse into the army of Israel when Goliath had been dropped in one fell swoop. We rejoiced over the oppression that had been lifted from this rat’s tyrannical rule on the kitchen’s throne. I then carried his lifeless corpse behind the house, where it was left as a testimony to all who attempt to get the better of us. Worry not for we are now mouse AND rat free and will carry on with the work we were sent here to do. Bwana Asifiwe!

I am delighted to report that Christmas was everything I hoped it would be and more. Thank you all for all the kind words, prayers and fellowship. The time at home was indeed a blessing and I am grateful for that which the Lord allowed and provided. Nevertheless, we are back in business and continuing the work the Lord has for us here in Kenya.

The flight over here was a rather rough one and we were jostled about to no end. However, the same wind that tossed us around was the same wind that took us at near supersonic speeds to London. A tail wind of 150 mph ensured that we made it from Chicago to London in under 7 hours. With this monumental task taken care of, we had just enough time to catch a few breaths before boarding the British Airways flight to Nairobi.

The automatic landing in Nairobi was smooth and precise and we departed to gather our luggage. While there at the baggage claim, we discovered that the flight was full of missionaries, traveling to various locations throughout Kenya and East Africa. I sat beside a pastor from Oregon, going to minister in Western Kenya and met a team of twenty going down to Tanzania for ten days or so. It has become apparent the Lord is mobilizing His church to glean the harvest within these last days.

I was a bit surprised to see how overrun our house had grown with mice in our absence. Knowing the condition of the rodents here I knew they would be awaiting us, yet I did not plan on them being in such large droves. However, I planned for this moment and returned with four, foolproof mouse traps acquired from America. Although I do not wish to endorse any one brand, the traps I gathered are known as Tomcat traps. With a name like Tomcat, you are guaranteed not to miss a kill.

I set up the traps and found instant success as just hours later one furry creature had been ushered into his afterlife between the jaws of the Tomcat. The plan was going well until I was in my room and had a most harrowing encounter. As I was sitting there minding my own human business, a rat the size of the average American cat sauntered into my room as a pompous king would enter his throne room. He sat upon his haunches, oblivious to my presence, and looked about the room admiring his domain. While this is transpiring I, shocked beyond belief, stared wide-eyed at the beady-eyed monster.

I was frozen with unbelief at the mockery this creature was making of my room and I stomped my foot for lack of anything better to do. I looked around for something to strike the gargantuan giant with but found nothing suitable or large enough to inflict any damage. Nevertheless, at the sound of my foot against the floor, he fled. I assumed he left, not out of fear, but out of resolve to collect his rat buddies and all attack me at once.

At the moment I was a touch fearful, but when I gathered my wits I remembered a large rat trap that had been provided weeks before by Melissa. I located said trap, baited it with a piece of chocolate, as all rats delight in chocolate and began waiting for the magic to unfold. The trap was difficult to set and took nearly two of us, but once set it was an explosion just waiting to happen.

Due to jet lag I was unable to sleep last night and while completing a beginner’s level Sodoku puzzle at 3:00 in the morn I heard the night’s silence shattered with the sound of a thousand grenades. Knowing this was the trap being discharged, I cautiously tip toed my way into the communal room where the snare resided. Casting my light around the corner I saw the trap flipped upside down with no rat within. Instead I saw a wee little mouse, split nearly in half from the tremendous force of the heavy metal arm. The poor fellow stood no chance against the rat machine and quickly passed. However, there was no rat.

Disappointed I went back to bed. I wasn’t so disappointed over the catch, as that is one more mark to chalk up for the human victors, yet that mangy monolith is still at large. Will he appear tonight? I don’t know. Maybe tonight, maybe tomorrow, who knows? But of this I am sure, when he strikes it will be swift and with the force of rippling rat muscle. The most important consideration is that I get him before he gets me. The human race depends on it; the world depends on it; let the battle begin!