A Posting From Kisumu

A final posting and a couple of pictures before 11 of us start our journey home. Andy and Brad will be going north in Kenya to the Pokot Tribe and Ashley and Elizabeth will remain behind and be part of serving here in Kisumu until the end of April.

The pictures are from the continuing ministries this past week in Kisumu. A favorite activity is coloring pages that go with the story we have just shared. Andy was able to hold his camera over these children on the mat as they were intently coloring. We usually gave each child one crayon and it was amazing to see the colorful pictures as the children would share their different colors with each other.

The last picture for today is of the team that went to a secondary school with the local Choose To Wait teacher for their weekly lesson earlier this week. We led the students in some songs and taught them a couple of new ones too. See if you can find the mzungu in the picture!

It's early (the best time to use the Internet!) and it will be a long day for us. Please remember us as we travel back home and for the team members that remain behind and their time of service in the coming week and months.

Blessings and Thanks to you all!

Thursday updates!

It is late Thursday Afternoon in Kisumu and we haven't posted any updates for a day or so. We (in Kisumu) received the following from those on safari: On Tuesday nine of us left for the Tsavo game park. The landscape was beautiful and we were blessed to see all sorts of wildlife.
Many of us felt guilty enjoying such comfort and plenty, but Darlene said that she was enjoying it all since it was all part of God’s creation made for our enjoyment. I am amazed at the beauty here but my arms are empty and I miss the children that we played with in Kisumu. (Dave)

The pace has slowed down a bit here and we have been able to visit at least one school each day. Yesterday the remaining TC team and four of the five Dutch split into two groups and spent most of the day at one of two nursery schools. It is always a surprise to us when we encounter a little one that takes one look at us and then starts crying and crying - because they have never seen a mzungu (white person)! After a while they will stop and if there is enough time they will even let you shake their hand.....

It has been great to have some time at the secondary schools too. Today we presented the parable of the wise man and the foolish man to a group of students in their 7th and 8th years of school. There were at least 100 students at this particular school and we sat outside in the shade with a cool breeze blowing. The students willingly sang the songs with us, listened to everything we presented and clamoured to shake our hands as we left. We ended with everyone (students too!) singing "My God Is So Big" as fast we could and the laughter from the students was truly a highlight of our day!

The rest of our time is spent relaxing or going to the market or planning for the next school visit. In many ways this time has been one of renewal - in friendships, in purpose, and each of us in our own relationship with God. It is good! Tomorrow is the TC Team's last full day in Kisumu(at least 4 of us with Ashley and Elizabeth staying 3 months). We expect to go to the Remand Center for one final visit.

The time is going so quickly and soon 11 of us will be homeward bound! In addition to Ashley and Elizabeth staying until the end of April, Brad and Andy will spend one more week in Kenya. We have all had a time of reflection, renewing old friendships and creating very special new ones, and time to renew our personal relationships with God. It has been amazing…….. H

One More Picture - For Now!

Here is Team TC - one more time!
Back row: Rebecca, Amy, Becky, Dave, Andy, Nathan, Teresa, Elizabeth, and Ashley. Front Row: Kelly, Caleb, Olivia, Heidi, Brad and Darlene. Do we look like we've spent some time in the sun????

Kisumu Friends

The staff from the Kisumu Office have fast become our very special friends and we wanted to share a picture. From left to right starting with the bottom row:
John, Pastor Martin, Jacob, Mama Desmond (Jacob's wife), Mama Felista, Joshua. Back row - Desmond, George and Mama Joskey (Pastor Martin's wife).
Just another newsy item - Desmond, George and Jacob have white shirts on because - as a special treat - they served us our dinner! Jacob even wore a black bow tie!

These are awesome people and we would ask for you to keep them in your prayers as they are the ones that work very hard and continue Christ's Hope ministries in their respective ways as international volunteers come and go.... H

Team Kisumu

All the smiling faces (and even those not smiling!) are the entire team from Kisumu moments before the safari group departed. We have heard that they arrived safely back in Nairobi and are now taking their safari! The rest of us in Kisumu are working with the Dutch volunteers at the primary and secondary schools. During our first week here the secondary school teachers in the public schools were on strike and we were not able to go with the Choose to Wait instructors to any secondary schools. Fortunately the strike is over and we have now been able to go to three secondary schools in two days!

Last evening we experienced a pretty wild thunderstorm - and as a result - the power went out! Thankfully the power came back on sometime during the night and we are all back-in-action! We will be returning to two primary schools today as we continue to share stories, songs, and other activities with the children.

I can't say enough how amazing it is here and even more - how amazing are the people of Kenya! Thank you all for your prayers and your encouragement. We see answers to those prayers constantly - God is so good!

H

From One Children's House to Another!

After our first trip to Kenya in 2007, the students and teachers from The Children's House Montessori School showed a great interest in our experience. When they learned that we were returning, they wanted to help in some way. It was decided that a new pair of shoes would be provided for each of the 24 children in the Chamah home. During December and early January, a pair of shoes was purchased for each child and many prayers were prayed that all the shoes would fit. In fact, every pair of shoes DID fit and here is the proof! - Brad

The team spent several hours at the Chamah house playing and spending time with the children Saturday afternoon. Most of these children are nieces and nephews that have come to live with Edith and Martin as a result of their parents having passed away. The Chamah's have also taken in other children when needed such as taking several children that had no place to go as a result of the riots last year. Martin is the Director of Christ's Hope Kenya and Edith is a certified Choose To Wait teacher among many other things!

The Dutch Volunteers!

At last! The Dutch volunteers that we all talked about in out previous posting... From left to right: Rogier (in the back), Riejanne, Annelien, Agaath, and Peter.

We would like to ask you all to keep each one of the Dutch volunteers in your prayers. They each came individually and are staying various lengths of time - but are doing wonderful things as part of the Christ's Hope ministry here in Kisumu.

Mid-trip thoughts

The first stage in our trip to Kenya is drawing to a close with nine of the US team leaving for Nairobi late this afternoon and then on to a safari tomorrow! The team members that are leaving have very mixed feelings - the excitement and anticipation of a safari and at the same time leaving behind overwhelming experiences. Dave, Becky, Caleb, Amy, Rebecca, Darlene, Teresa, Nathan and Kelly will have one final school visit this morning before they are on their way. It will seem very different once they leave.... we have really come together as a team - each of us recognizing each other's strengths and each person doing their part wherever we go. Brad, Andy, Olivia, Ashley, Elizabeth and Heidi will still be here until Saturday - then we split up even more! Andy and Brad will stay a third week to go to the Pokot tribe to see the well that was installed last year, Olivia and Heidi will return to Nairobi and meet with the rest of the team for our return trip home and Ashley and Elizabeth will be staying until late April! (As you can imagine - the logistics can be challenging!)

Knowing that last night was our last night here as the entire team in Kisumu we spent some time talking about how God had led us to come to Kenya and anything else we wanted to say. The following are a few of the comments shared:

• Darlene - came to Kenya as part of this team through Dave and Jen Bell. Darlene told us how much she appreciates her niece with all her help in getting ready to go and in taking care of her home while she is away - how grateful she is to her niece knowing she does not have to worry at all about anything back in Wisconsin while she is here.
• Becky - had hoped to be able to go to one school consistently to establish more familiar relationships - and when that did not happen Becky still was able to see how God was working as we visited several different schools.
• Kelly - This is the third time that Kelly tried to come to Kenya and finally made it after a 2-year wait! Kelly told us that once she determined she would go this time for sure - it was a long fight to finally make it - but what a huge blessing it has been!
• Elizabeth - As part of the 2007 team, Elizabeth returned home very ill and it took a long time for her recovery. The past year (since then) has been difficult but she also sees how the events of the past year have led her back to Kisumu - even as a lady just turned up interested in renting her apartment/home while she is away for three months!
• Peter - as one of the Dutch volunteers, Peter thanked the US team and has realized that maybe we cannot change things here but we all certainly can make an impact.
• Rebecca - a good friend (for many years!) of Becky Kase, Rebecca was visiting the Kases in Traverse City this past summer and learned about the team going to Kenya and decided to go! This is her first time that she has taken a vacation in at least 10 years! There have been many trials along the way such as illnesses with her parents and even having to have surgery herself early in December! Rebecca told us that all along the way and through everything that has happened God has been faithful and friends and family have helped provide so she can be here. Rebecca also thanked the Dutch team and how great it has been working with them!
• Rogier - As part of the Dutch volunteers, he told us that prior to us coming he was wondering what it would be like for 15 people from the USA to be here! He was not feeling well just before we came and told us that because of us and being part of what we have been doing he has found renewed motivation to keep going while he is here (for several months more) and that he especially enjoyed spending time with Caleb and Nathan.
• Riejanne - Also a Dutch volunteer, she has now spent her third week meeting with patients as part of Care and Compassion. She is a nurse and shared with us about one man in particular that she has seen that had a wound that he was not taking care of. The last time she saw him she was very discouraged and was wondering what could she do to make him do what he needed to to help the wound. She was able to visit the man again on Saturday and the wound was much better! Riejanne told us that she realized through this experience that that it is not what we do but what God does that is important. She shared that she is looking for God's will to see if she will come back to Africa after her time here with Christ's Hope - since that is what she is hoping to do.
• Olivia - last year was just a taste and she knew she would come back - even though Olivia was also very ill upon her return from the trip in 2007 - and God has been good and health has been restored. Olivia shared many of the thoughts that she has previously posted on this blog with the group here and believes that not many are willing to do this type of mission. But for those that do have a heart to come to do this then we need to do what God has placed on our hearts. The reality that God is here in so many ways is obvious to all of us.
• Andy - A team was being formed to go this past May but eventually that team was not able to go. Andy was asked by Dave Kase if he would consider returning to Kenya and help form another team??? Andy said yes and that was the start of the 2009 team! Andy shared that he knew that he and Olivia wanted to return but time and resources were the main consideration. Andy reflected on the many things that have happened since it was decided to form another team and how God has provided for all of us to be here. He also commented about his spiritual family (at home) and the importance of their prayers and encouragement.
• Desmond - our Christ's Hope coordinator in Kisumu! Desmond told us how much it means to Christ's Hope to see us, what what we brought and us being here. Desmond is committed to Care and Compassion and shared with us the privilege he believes it is to care for and share with people about God's love and caring with those that are HIV positive and have AIDS. Desmond shared some stories of his experiences especially the fact that 11 people have died that were part of those visited through Care and Compassion in just the past few months. He believes that while we cannot save the people that are part of Care and Compassion, we can show them God's love and do as much as we can to celebrate their lives while they are still here.
• Agaath - Another Dutch volunteer that was here only one week before we came - and was a bit apprehensive about all of us coming as well as what she would be doing too. The result has been that she told us how she has been able to share with us and the time has flown by since we arrived!
• Ashley - has experienced some struggles with planning - as part of the team and then thinking about being here after the team leaves. She thanked the Lord for being able to separate the two.
• Annelien - another Dutch volunteer - thanked the US team and shared that she believes we have given them an energy boost for the work they are doing here!
• Nathan - at first did not want to go - but on the way to church one morning decided that God was telling him he should go and so asked him mother if he could go.
• Teresa - (Nathan's mother!) had met Dave and Jen Bell at a conference and had also made two previous trips to Ghana with another mission organization and knew she wanted to return to Africa. Teresa had struggled with whether to go or not due to many reasons but when her son Nathan said he wanted to go she knew that moving forward with the trip was the only option!
• Brad - told us that he has been overwhelmed - in a good way! Brad was also part of the 2007 team and shared how much he loves it here and expressed his love for all of us - the US team, the Dutch volunteers and Desmond...
• Amy - (age 9!) told us that she wanted to go at first and then later was not so sure - but she is here! After visiting one of the schools Amy was able to be with very young children with one young girl in particular and is eagerly looking forward to returning to that school this morning and seeing that girl once again.
• Caleb - also was not eager to come but is glad he is here.
• Dave - As the USA Director of Christ's Hope, Dave has also been one of the leaders of this team. Dave shared that when he decided this was the time to go with his entire family it has been like riding a roller-coaster with many ups and downs including surgery in early December. He told us that up until two weeks before we were to leave he was still in quite a bit of pain and was not sure if he would be able to make the trip - and then the pain left and he felt ready to go!
• Heidi - my story is one of clearly seeing God's path for me to go. I also shared my appreciation for the members of our team that have come for the first time as well as for the Dutch volunteers and how quickly they became part of the team and part of what we are doing here.

As you can see - God has been working in and through all of us - but we are not done and there is another five days ahead - whether we are part of the team remaining in Kisumu or making the way to Nairobi and the safari - we remain committed to sharing God's love in Kenya. H

Will It Matter?

Sometimes I question the wisdom of coming all the way to Africa to minister to the poor, the sick, the hungry, the widows and the orphans. There's plenty wrong at home. It is an expensive trip in many ways. Some on our team came here only through the financial support of others. And we've all been saving for this for a long while. Should we have just sent this money to the organization here and prayed for these people?
I know that some would say - yes... For sure, prayer is the foundation for everything we're doing here. Prayers from home and prayers here.

But yesterday (Saturday) we talked about what we call the Ministry of Presence. When we visit people here - young and old - they are so appreciative, they grin from ear to ear! It seems clear to all of us that coming and listening and hugging and holding and helping these people sends a powerful message. And gives them hope. They begin to see the intrinsic value that they have simply because they are creqated by God. Everything we are doing here reinforces that to them. And it changes us too.

I told a sick 20-year-old man this week that I had come so far simply because I wanted him to understand completely how much God loves him. I quoted John 3:16 and he listened to loving words with tears in his eyes. It was a powerful moment for a dying man and for me.....

Will it matter? I think - yes....

He asked me to please come back, he wants to hear more of this hope... this man Jesus, who died in his place.
I'm going next Tuesday - and I can't wait.....
Olivia

Promised Pictures

Photos from the Remand Center!

Impact

I should not be surprised to feel overwhelmed at this popint. There are so many experiences that have bombarded my senses and emotions. The sights, sounds, smells are familiar now, yet they still assault me.



As does the heat.



I fall into bed each night exhausted - - but my mind rushes to images of the day. The smiles of the children, cattle and goats crossing the streets, the local people living with so little, the disparity of material wealth between our two cultures, this place is so familiar, and yet so "other-worldly".



I've noticed that my emotions are close to the surface - laughter and tears come so quickly. The team is bonding I think because this shared experience is one we know we can never fully explain to anyone outside our circle. I'm beginning to think that God has begun a mini-revival in each of our hearts.



With each day we are relying on the Lord more for direction and praying together and alone more often. With each day there is more trust in Him...it's a realization that He is truly all we need and all things are in His hands. With each day He opens our eyes a little more. It gives us the desire to relax into His loving arms a little more with each experience. I'm sure most of us must wonder - - Why don't I live this "connected" all the time?



I am giving thanks to God for helping me find my way back to Him after a long time away. So long that my prevous life and relationship felt real and acceptable. I'm praising Him for welcoming me home. I didn't realize what a prodigal I had become.

Olivia

Where Do We Start? - So much to tell!

Friday has come and gone and there is so much to tell! Last night during our "debriefing" a couple of us could only use the word "overwhelming" to describe the day. A portion of the team returned to Hodi Hodi School in the morning to share a story, crafts and games, some of the team were part of Care and Compassion visits, and the rest stayed at Christ's Hope office to practice the drama we had planned to present at the Remand Center later in the day. During the afternoon most of the team went to the Remand Center (youth jail) and then returned to the office for pizza, movies, ice cream and popcorn! I am really trying to not make this posting be a laundry list of activities - but you can probably see how a team of 15 people plus 5 Dutch volunteers plus full time Christ's Hope staff (Desmond!) can create a lot of activity!

A good place to start is to tell about our lunch for the day... Many places here have an allowance (or budget) of no more than 10 shillings per day per child for food. To show a comparison - about 75 shillings equals 1 US dollar. Our lunch was typical of what lunch would be based on that amount. It consisted of ugali and greens (primarily kale). Ugali is a food with consistency similar to corn meal mush and is eaten with the fingers. The portions of ugali can be large and it is filling. It is interesting to watch Kenyans eat ugali as they form a scoop and use it to eat the greens. It was also interesting to see our fellow team members eat this meal! I believe the experience gave us all something to think about and once again realize how fortunate and blessed we are.

Here is an update on the Care and Compassion patient that was reluctant to go to get medication and Darlene had urged him to do so - yesterday he went and got his medication!

What can I say about the Remand Center - or where do I start? If I could capture the sound of the voices of the children and youth when they sing and post it on this blog - then you would know why it is all overwhelming! And the smiles on their faces and the enthusiasm of all the children when they receive a crayon and a coloring page (even the 16 year-old youth!). And singing "Fishers of Men" and watching the boys and the girls do the actions - and of course goof-up and laugh and laugh. And passing out a bottle of Coke to each one (did I mention there were around 100 children and youth there...) and seeing a room full of kids enjoying this treat...

And then the team, through the presentation of the drama, was able to share the gospel and invite the children to accept Christ into their lives... After this special time there were several youth that asked if they could pray with someone and many of the team had the opportunity to pray one-on-one with the youth. We experienced so much in such a short time but our prayer is that whatever we shared was understood and would in some way - help them. The stories of why and how the children came to be at the jail are difficult for us to understand - such as one young boy was brought there by his step-mother because both his mother and father had died or young children that were just found wandering in the streets... But the smiles we saw when we were there were incredible and I know that we were all truly blessed by our experience!

Our busy schedule continues throughout the weekend - starting with a two-hour boat ride on Lake Victoria at sunrise this morning to see the many types of birds and the hippos! Eleven of us got up early this morning and were rewarded with a beautiful (and cool) morning, three hippo sitings, many birds, fishermen pulling in their catch, the engine on the boat stalling, and finally the boat getting hung-up on a rock! We made it back safe and sound - the motor started eventually and the driver had to get in the water to manipulate the boat off the rock! Although it was very early we all agreed it was well worth the experience!

I am planning on including some pictures but I think this posting is already long! Pictures for sure later!
Blessings to all!
H

Thursday Happenings!

Each evening we gather and share our high points and perhaps any low points from our day. The following are brief comments on the high points of our day that were given at our evening debriefing last night (Thursday):

• We walked one half hour each way in the mud to get to the school/orphanage!
• At Care and Compassion I was able to share the importance of getting medication that the person, at first, was unwilling but eventually said he would
• Spending time with the children
• Watching children play with the parachute game
• The children calling my braces "teeth decorations" (Go Nathan!)
• The mad rush with a change of plans - minutes before we were scheduled to leave - and how good the day went!
• How patient everyone is despite the heat
• Improvement in the children that were sick the week before (From one of our Dutch volunteers)
• Support between team members
• Learning more about one of the schools through the willingness of the director to share
• The honor of being invited into a Kenyan home and share a meal (part of the team that went to that particular school)
• Thankful for the team to be flexible and improvising when needed
• Going to Care and Compassion and the fellowship on the way to each home with the local staff
• The children and their big smiles as they washed their hands at the new hand-washing station
• The kids that followed the team back to their van the entire 1/2 hour walk in the mud!
• How every sense was impacted - the sights, sounds, smells, taste and touch - as part of all of our experiences - and taking it all in!
• Washing dishes from the evening meal with the day's kitchen-duty crew and two of the Dutch volunteers coming in to help - lots of laughter - like a party!

Today is another day of going to see children, sharing stories and sharing God's love with them. We go to the youth jail this afternoon and have planned to present a very meaningful drama - please pray that it goes well and that the meaning of the drama is understood.

One last thought - if you have anything to share with all of us - please enter a comment!

Blessings! H

Hello Everyone!

Today (Thursday), I was blessed to go on Care and Compassion visits to 3 homes. They were all HIV positive. I understand why I am in Africa - it was so wonderful talking to the people and they were excited that we were there. At the last home the man we were visiting had a fever and it was decided he was going to the hospital. I sincerely hope he pulls through. There are alot of fake doctors selling fake medicine for a lot of money. He's getting the help he needs.

Because of the work I do at home with the Emergency Shelter, I was able to put thoughts together that I think will help the first man we visited.

PS - It is now Friday morning and the man I metioned that needed to go to the hospital was taken by Christ's Hope staff. He was given medication and treated for pneumonia and was able to return to his home. We were glad to know that he could return to his home but our prayers for him continue.
Darlene

First Experiences

Caleb (13) was apprehensive about going to Africa, Amy (9) was out right scared. As they absorbed the strange surroundings, really rough roads and conditions they have never witnessed before, they were really wondering why we dragged them into this. As we stepped out of the van at Brydges Orphanage in Nairobi the singing children enveloped them and took them by their hands and welcomed all of us into their home. Caleb and Amy's apprehensions and fears melted and it was clear both Caleb and Amy began to understand. - Dave

Support Group

Yesterday Dave and Andy took time to meet with a support group that meets nearby. All of the people in the group are HIV positive and at one time most of these people in the picture were very sick. You see a sewing machine and if you look closely along the left side there are hair dryers. This has become a small skill center where people that are HIV positive can come and learn a skill so they can earn money. Dave and Andy shared that the the support group members shared their testimony and the importance of having God in their lives.

We know that many of you have heard about the Remand Center or the youth jail here in Kisumu. It might be easier to call it a youth detention center but it really is a youth jail. The good thing is the jail allows Christ's Hope to come in and share lessons and spend time with the youth there. Most importantly, the gospel is shared and many of the youth have accepted Christ into their lives and hearts. Last spring, Laura (from Traverse City) spent one month here in Kisumu with much of her time at the Remand Center. Larua brought back pictures of the youth and passed them out with requests for prayers. Elizabeth received a picture card of a girl also named Elizabeth! At the time that Laura was here Elizabeth did not know Christ or have a personal relationship and the prayer request on the card was for her salvation. Our Elizabeth found out from one of the local Christ's Hope staff that the Elizabeth that she had been praying for accepted Christ!

We all have been praying for the youth at the Remand Center and when Andy had the opportunity to go the other day he shared that he was able to meet one young man he had been praying for. He was impressed with the leadership this young man showed and how his faith was so obvious!

Just wanted to share these stories to let you know how all of our prayers - yours and the team! - are being answered!

God is soooo BIG!

h

Wash your hands!

Good Morning Thursday!

Today we are planning a full day at a school with at least 50 children - although we expect there will be more! We are ready with the story about Zaccheus (remember the song???).

This picture was taken yesterday at a near-by orphanage. Part of the ministry during our time here is to teach children the importance of washing your hands. The picture is two of the Dutch volunteers that teach the children about the germs that are on their hands and why they need to wash. To go along with the lesson we brought a hand-washing station so the children actually have a place to wash!

The picture also shows Ashley holding a small boy - this is the same boy that Ashley met on her last trip that was very sick with malaria. It was exciting to see him there and how he had grown in the past year!

Here is another picture of the school and a better view of the school room and some of the children. We enjoyed looking at all the pictures the children had made and the teaching pictures that were hung on the walls and around the room. John, the man in this picture, is the director of this school and the woman in the pink dress is the teacher. Edith Chamah is the woman next to Olivia and helps us with interpreting to the children. Edith is also very involved in the ministry here and is the wife of Martin Chamah, Christ's Hope Kisumu Director.

Since there are so many of us - a portion of the team visited another school and shared a story with the younger children and a lesson based on the Choose To Wait curriculum with the older youth. After our morning visits we decided it was a good time to just take the afternoon to relax and plan for the next few days. Planning is a huge part of what we are doing. Although we have stories ready to go, we take the time to think (and pray!) about the school we will be visiting and what activities we can do based on the numbers and the ages of the children. Our planning is well worth the time as each person knows their assigned task and the "team" effort kicks-in!

I know we are all anxious to share more with you about these experiences. It is a challenge to try and share the emotions that pass through each of us on a blog posting....

Otherwise - we have had rain each night we have been here - which we understand is a blessing since it has been very dry. It is warm but not excessively hot - I really don't know what the temperature is and maybe that's a good thing! The water usually is not working in the late afternoon and early evening but eventually comes back on later. When we look around and learn about how many people here have to walk each day to get water - our incovenience is a non-issue!

I just took an informal poll of the entire team and we are in 100% agreement - WE DO NOT MISS the snow and the cold! :)

I believe it's time to end this posting and know that we miss you all!

H

From one of our youth!

1/28/09 Today was fun and enjoying. It's always cool to see the joy on the kids' faces for skits and singing and washing hands. Today we did the story of how the children came to Jesus and how the disciples thought that Jesus didn't care about little children. It was very successful and a fun day!
Nathan

Reflection

It's January 28th and we've been to a couple of schools and an orphanage and are looking forward to so much more. The children are beautiful and through their smiling faces and curiosity your presence is so keenly felt here. I don't know if it's the poverty, the dirt, or the heat but in this beautiful place of need and want - a sense of hope and determination and appreciation is very strong - and I feel weak. My muscle of reliance on God is atrophied. I so often "muddle through" in life on my own strength. Right now, here in Kenya, I am very aware of the pride in that and I confess my sin of self-reliance and look to God anew as my only hope, my very next breath, my provider of all things.
Teresa

Some words from the Team!

Hi Family and Friends,
I wanted to write a short note to all of you. I am being so blessed by the Kenyans. I am so amazed at what the Lord is doing here and I am so thrilled to have this opportunity to serve with this Traverse City team! As I told so many friends "my cup runneth over". Tears of joy run down my face. Thank you for your continued prayers for our team and for the people we are serving.
Love to you all,
Darlene

I have seen so much and my heart yearns for each one. If I remember anything it will be the "BIG" smiles on each and every face!

It's Wednesday in Kenya!

We are in Kisumu! We all arrived safely - even the luggage! Ten of us flew from Nairobi (it took us about 30 minutes of flight time!) and the rest traveled by minibus (it took them nearly 7 hours!) But - we are all here and settled in after two very full days...

Our time with Dave and Jen Bell was a perfect way to start - the orientation gave us insight as to what to expect during our time here. We also had the opportunity to visit an orphange/school where we were treated to our own personal tours of the school by the children and youth and then a presentation of songs and skits - with the skits and most of the music written by the youth! Our ride to the school was also eventful with giraffe, ostrich, gazelle, sheep, goats, and cattle sightings along the way! Then it was back to the Bell's and getting ready for our next step towards Kisumu. We were all up the next morning and on our way by 5:30 am!

Our first day in Kisumu was non-stop - starting with meeting the five Dutch volunteers who were already here, meeting the local Christs Hope staff and renewing old friendships. We have already had the opprotunity for one team member to be part of the Care and Compassion ministry (visting with people that are known to be HIV positive), part of the team helping with a Choose To Wait lesson at the local youth jail (Remand Center), and many of the team sharing a story and being with children at a near-by orphanage. The team has grown in numbers as the Dutch volunteers are now part of what we are doing and it has already been good to have them help guide us through these first few days. One of the activities that we were able to do at the orphange was to bring a hand-washing station and then talk to the children about how important it is to wash your hands followed up by each of the children there having a chance to wash their hands. After a brief time of sharing and an evening meal we then finished the day with planning for today!

It's hard to share all about what we are experiencing without sounding like an activity-log! But please know that we are being blessed with each thing we do and each place we go. We pray that we are able to bring the message of God's love and caring each place we go and with each person we encounter. We also are learning that it's okay to slow down and share more with each other. We know that God has great things in store for us but even more important - that God will use us as His servants to minister to the pepole here.

All I can say is - Kenya is amazing! The sights, the sounds and even the smells! But what is most amazing is the people here.... Until next time!

H

Here is the group that gathered in Traverse City to send us on our way. Thank you everyone for coming to be with us and your good thoughts and best wishes!

We also want to thank everyone who is praying for us while we are here. We are so thankful for your support and we treasure every prayer!

More later!

We Have Arrived!

We are here in Nairobi! What a LONG day - but we made it! It's morning in Nairobi (about 8:10) and everyone is slowly emerging from their beds and a good night's sleep. I really don't want to rub it in - but there is abslolutely NO SNOW here!

We are thanking God that we all arrived in Detroit (that's us in the picture from Detroit!) from Traverse City, Wisconsin, Canada and southern MI - that we made every flight connection, and every piece of luggage arrived in Nairobi! Today we are taking it easy with time for devotions, orientation, organizing our luggage and later a visit to an orphanage. The reality of actually being here is sinking in.... We look forward to future postings to share what God is doing here in Kenya! - Heidi

Getting Ready!

The bags are packed - well almost... The Traverse City team gathered tonight to pack all the special treasures that have been donated or purchased for us to share in Kenya. Andy is the ruler of the scale and I believe every bag hovers dangerously close to a full 50 pounds! We discovered that Amy is over the 50 pound limit when her brother Caleb tried to pack her in a suitcase!

It was great to be together this one last time for preparation and also a time to pray together. I chose to just listen to all the prayers and I thought about how much we have grown in our love and caring for each other over these past few months. A scripture that we read yesterday (Wednesday) was John 13:34-35. Please excuse my rough paraphrase but it is about loving one another as Jesus has loved us and that if we do this then all men will know that we are his disciples. Ashley commented on that passage today:

"Notice that it talks of the love that is between disciples. I think sometimes I think the only way to show God's love to a person, is to love that person directly, but here it says if I love the people I am with, they will see it as God's love. As we travel, and work in Kenya, may we remember to show love to each other."

I believe that we are truly a team (including our Wisconsin, southern Michigan and Canadian team members too!) and are ready to go! Now if we can only get some sleep.....

4 Days to Departure

Our team is just 4 days away from D-day, that is Departure day, and God has already blessed us with His Word, faithfulness in provision, and so much more. We have many friends, (you may be one of them), that are praying for us daily, and we are truly excited about joining God's work in Kenya.