Tom and Karen Richardsonmissionaries serving with The Master's Mission since 2000
Tom and Karen spent the first years of their ministry in Loyangalani, acquiring the language and adjusting to their new lives in Kenya. Most recently, the Richardson's have been ministering in Ngurinit, a remote northern village in Kenya home to primarily those of the Samburu tribe. They recently have finished construction on their new home at the station. Tom and Karen minister in the Ngurinit AIC Church. They are pictured with their children (clockwise) Warner, Daniel, Ellie, Kristyn, Russell, and Joanna.
August 2011
Dear Friends,
Tom and I have been married for 21 years. Our first year
of marriage we spent in Haines, Alaska. We moved up there so I could run the
Summer Inn Bed and Breakfast. It was a historical house that overlooked the
Chilkoot Inlet (gorgeous) with 5 guest rooms. When I got the job I thought,
"How fun! I'll be able to sit and visit with guest from all over the world
while sipping tea and eating muffins." What was I thinking? There was no
time for sipping tea and eating muffins. I had to have rooms ready, cook, wash
dishes, shop for groceries, do banking, and greet guests at the ferry.
Because of road development here in Kenya, several
missionary families are passing through Ngurunit rather than going over Maralal
Mountain on their way to and from Nairobi.
Passing this way cuts the driving time down, is much easier on the
vehicles, and gives us a chance to show hospitality.
This weekend we had 20 guest come through to stay with
us. The Richardson B&B was open. The girls got the rooms ready, Russell
fixed the sink in the bathroom and hung up the toilet paper holder, Tom cleared
a tree out to make parking easier, and I made soup and bread. We enjoyed having
the house full and sharing a meal with other TMM families and their friends
from Texas and Alabama.
This might not seem like a big deal, but for us it has
been an opportunity to help. Traveling in Northern Kenya is difficult. Roads
are dusty, rutted, rocky, and corrugated. There isn't Cracker Barrel, Texaco,
or Motel Six along the way. So for us to have our home ready for travelers to
relax, eat, and share how life is on their station (or in general) is a small
way we can care for them.
So, if you're ever traveling by, don't forget to stop in.
The Richardson B&B is here and we'd love to have you!
Thank you for your support which helps us to keep going.
Love,
Tom, Karen and
kids
1 Peter 4:9,10 "Be hospitable to one another without
complaint. As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving
one another..."
Other Info:
****** We would appreciate prayer for the elders to
handle an issue in the church that has come up which I'm not at liberty to
share right now. Please pray that God would give them wisdom to know how to
proceed so in the end Jesus is glorified.
**** Escape, Kristyn's turtle, has finally escaped.
**** We are the only missionary family in Ngurunit so
having guests drop in has been an encouragement to us.
**** We have a furlough coming up next year. We are
starting to make our plans. We are not sure how the station will continue
without a missionary family here. We are asking the Lord to take care of the
details.
