Friday, August 28, 2009
Friday, August 28, 2009
We are home once again. We are waiting for our minds and bodies to reconnect to the right time zones and are slowly reintroducing rich American food to our systems. The last several days of the trip we were unable to update the blog as we were travelling and in areas that had no online connections. So here is a summary of the last days:
Massai Baptisms
Felix, Deni, and Darlene drove out to Engikaret with Emmanuel from the YWAM base to pick up those Massai that were ready to participate in the first baptisms in the village. Between a small van, a very old jeep, and a feed truck we transported 17 Massai women and young women to a small church that allowed us to use their outside baptism tank. Once we arrived, the women were eager to check out the tank - with about 8 inches of murky water.
A local pastor taught on the meaning of baptism and the importance of the day. I (Deni) gave my testimony regarding my own baptism at the age of 16. Felix gave a blessing to the group. The women gathered around the tank and began to sing Massai songs as Deni and a local Bishop stepped into the 8 inches of murky water and began to baptism women who have NEVER sat in a any depth of water, NEVER had their faces under water, and NEVER seen a baptism performed. It was so awesome to be apart of these firsts. Each women stepped into the water in their ceremonial dresses and beaded jewelry - beautiful reflections of young Christians trusting in their new relationship with God.
This is only the first of many more baptisms to come. The men will follow in time. God is moving amoung this group of people.
Love Feast
Our last night on the YWAM base, we had a Love Feast: great food (everyone pitched in help), signing, laughing, and opportunities for to give appreciation. The YWAM team thanked Bob and Linda Gist for their many weeks of serving on the base, the CTK Team was thanked and prayed over, the base children performed for us, Felix and Deni washed the feet of John and Jacinta for their ministry on the base and then everyone hugged and sang as good-byes were said. Wonderful way to end our time there.
Drive to Nairobi, Kenya
Long. Dusty. Bumpy. One flat tire (only to put a spare on that was missing a hulk of tread). And in the midst of all of this the team stayed happy along the way. We stopped just inside of Kenya at at tourist rest stop. Some of the team ate a lunch, while others did a little more shopping. Tom made friends with one of the local storekeepers. Finding out that he was a Christian and looking for an English Bible - Tom gave him is Bible. The look of delight in the eyes of this young man will stay in our minds forever. As we left he was sitting on the ground thumbing through his new NIV Bible with a huge smile on this face.
Kibera Slums - Kenya
Inside Niarobi is a ten-square mile nieghborhood of shacks made of tin sheets, mud and dung. Over one-million people live here. 70% of those people are children. No running water, open sewage, crowded pathways between "homes", laundry hanging, hundreds of dirty children running the roads yelling out: "How are you. How are you." to the Mzungus (foriegners) walking through their roads. These are images that will stick with us forever.
With our guides and missionaries, Thomas and Beatrice Omolo, we made our way through the neighborhood to the Savior King Academy. It is here that some 200 plus children receive one meal a day, schooling and wonderfully solid teaching about Jesus Christ.
These children sang for us, greeted us warmly with smiles and were eager to play, do crafts and just sit with us. About half of the team went to visit several homes to hear the stories from single mothers, two parent families, and widows that are doing their best keep a family while living on nothing. Heartbreaking. At first we wanted to throw money at the issues - but quickly realized that all the money we had would not fix these issues long term. It will be people like Thomas and Beatrice, the long term support of CTK, and reaching the children that will someday make a dent in these issues.
We were only there for about 8 hours. The memories will stay forever.
Casting Vision
After attending their church, Thomas and Beatrice took us to their home for a wonderful lunch. Later in the afternoon we drove out to their recently purchased 5-acres of land just outside the city. It is here that Thomas casted the vision of a future children's home, school and farm, and church. We walked the land with them and prayed over it. God has a plan - there will be a day when this land will hear the sounds of orphaned children laughing and singing praise to God.
The long flights home
It took about 2 days of flying and hanging around various airports to make it home. Everyone made it, all the luggage got here, and as we placed our feet on American soil again we realized that this trip was life-changing. There will be many days and weeks of sorting through feeling, memories and thousands of pictures. Decisions will be made about the future for some, for everyone we will look at life differently than we did 3 weeks ago.
Thanks to each of you for your prayers as we travelled and served some many people. Thanks to those of you who financially supported team members, covered for them while they were gone, and for listening to team members as they process this trip with you.
Pictures will continue to be added to this blogspot over the next several weeks - so keeping checking in.
God bless you. Maybe you will be on the next mission trip!
Massai Baptisms
Felix, Deni, and Darlene drove out to Engikaret with Emmanuel from the YWAM base to pick up those Massai that were ready to participate in the first baptisms in the village. Between a small van, a very old jeep, and a feed truck we transported 17 Massai women and young women to a small church that allowed us to use their outside baptism tank. Once we arrived, the women were eager to check out the tank - with about 8 inches of murky water.
A local pastor taught on the meaning of baptism and the importance of the day. I (Deni) gave my testimony regarding my own baptism at the age of 16. Felix gave a blessing to the group. The women gathered around the tank and began to sing Massai songs as Deni and a local Bishop stepped into the 8 inches of murky water and began to baptism women who have NEVER sat in a any depth of water, NEVER had their faces under water, and NEVER seen a baptism performed. It was so awesome to be apart of these firsts. Each women stepped into the water in their ceremonial dresses and beaded jewelry - beautiful reflections of young Christians trusting in their new relationship with God.
This is only the first of many more baptisms to come. The men will follow in time. God is moving amoung this group of people.
Love Feast
Our last night on the YWAM base, we had a Love Feast: great food (everyone pitched in help), signing, laughing, and opportunities for to give appreciation. The YWAM team thanked Bob and Linda Gist for their many weeks of serving on the base, the CTK Team was thanked and prayed over, the base children performed for us, Felix and Deni washed the feet of John and Jacinta for their ministry on the base and then everyone hugged and sang as good-byes were said. Wonderful way to end our time there.
Drive to Nairobi, Kenya
Long. Dusty. Bumpy. One flat tire (only to put a spare on that was missing a hulk of tread). And in the midst of all of this the team stayed happy along the way. We stopped just inside of Kenya at at tourist rest stop. Some of the team ate a lunch, while others did a little more shopping. Tom made friends with one of the local storekeepers. Finding out that he was a Christian and looking for an English Bible - Tom gave him is Bible. The look of delight in the eyes of this young man will stay in our minds forever. As we left he was sitting on the ground thumbing through his new NIV Bible with a huge smile on this face.
Kibera Slums - Kenya
Inside Niarobi is a ten-square mile nieghborhood of shacks made of tin sheets, mud and dung. Over one-million people live here. 70% of those people are children. No running water, open sewage, crowded pathways between "homes", laundry hanging, hundreds of dirty children running the roads yelling out: "How are you. How are you." to the Mzungus (foriegners) walking through their roads. These are images that will stick with us forever.
With our guides and missionaries, Thomas and Beatrice Omolo, we made our way through the neighborhood to the Savior King Academy. It is here that some 200 plus children receive one meal a day, schooling and wonderfully solid teaching about Jesus Christ.
These children sang for us, greeted us warmly with smiles and were eager to play, do crafts and just sit with us. About half of the team went to visit several homes to hear the stories from single mothers, two parent families, and widows that are doing their best keep a family while living on nothing. Heartbreaking. At first we wanted to throw money at the issues - but quickly realized that all the money we had would not fix these issues long term. It will be people like Thomas and Beatrice, the long term support of CTK, and reaching the children that will someday make a dent in these issues.
We were only there for about 8 hours. The memories will stay forever.
Casting Vision
After attending their church, Thomas and Beatrice took us to their home for a wonderful lunch. Later in the afternoon we drove out to their recently purchased 5-acres of land just outside the city. It is here that Thomas casted the vision of a future children's home, school and farm, and church. We walked the land with them and prayed over it. God has a plan - there will be a day when this land will hear the sounds of orphaned children laughing and singing praise to God.
The long flights home
It took about 2 days of flying and hanging around various airports to make it home. Everyone made it, all the luggage got here, and as we placed our feet on American soil again we realized that this trip was life-changing. There will be many days and weeks of sorting through feeling, memories and thousands of pictures. Decisions will be made about the future for some, for everyone we will look at life differently than we did 3 weeks ago.
Thanks to each of you for your prayers as we travelled and served some many people. Thanks to those of you who financially supported team members, covered for them while they were gone, and for listening to team members as they process this trip with you.
Pictures will continue to be added to this blogspot over the next several weeks - so keeping checking in.
God bless you. Maybe you will be on the next mission trip!
Monday, August 24, 2009
Soccer 2
As I sit in my room tonight. . .our last night in Africa. . .i think again why we came here.
Was it to build a soccer field? No, not really. It is just the icing on the cake. Well, the soccer field did not get finished (mostly because it never rained). But I do not care, because it will. We got the goalposts finished and the land is just too dry to do anything else to it. We spread the cow manure (by hand . .yuk) but not by ourselves. All the soccer boys who could make it last Saturday (and there were about 63 of them all arriving from different areas on time at 9:30 am) helped out. They helped spread the manure and then afterwards we came back to the base and they washed their uniforms. Then we talked with them for about an hour and then treated them to lunch. After lunch was over they were asked to clean their plates. Well, they didn't stop there. They cleaned the entire dining hall and the kitchen. Swept and mopped the floors and everything. They just jumped right in and took over. It was amazing to watch. These are good boys. They deserve this field.
We came here to build a soccer field mostly to meet a boy named Juma. Juma is 12 years old. He has been on this team since it started two years ago. We have an immediate connection with this kid. Must be a God thing. He stops by the base to tell us his "life story". He is only 12 and he has a "life story". He proceeds to tell us that his dad died when he was two. His mom died this April from HIV. As he tells us this the tears stream down his face. They stream down mine and Nathan's as well. When we asked him who he lived with, he told us his uncle. We asked him if he was a nice guy and he says "yes". "Where does he work?", we ask. "He is a student", he replies. We then ask him how old his uncle is and he replies "17". This kid needs a family. How can a 17-year-old possibly raise a 12-year-old? We cannot adopt this kid, or we would. Instead we arrange with Jacinta to make sure he is taken care of. He will come to the base and we will make sure his education is taken care of. Jacinta will make sure he gets a "momma" hug once in a while. This is what this ministry was started for. . .not just soccer, but to give these kids a fighting chance and a family. The picture above has Juma in it. He is the one with the biggest smile :) . . .my prayer is that he keeps smiling.
So off we go tomorrow to see our own kids. There will be a few extra hugs in it for them. I thank God for the fact that he has blessed my kids with two loving parents. . .for the family that they have, and for the "easy" life they have been given. And now thank Him for the "brother" they have in Africa.
My life is always changed when I come to Africa. . .hopefully a few other lives are changed as well. . . there's no place like home, but there's absolutely no place like Africa.
Until next time. . .
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Pictures
Thanks to the women of CTK,
toothbrushes for everyone!
toothbrushes for everyone!
Children at Kyogoa
Pushing the van up the hill
to Kyogoa.
to Kyogoa.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
The day started early, as we loaded medical supplies, crafts and lots of people into two mini vans and a couple of cars for the hour and half drive to Engikaret. Both vans had 14 -16 people packed in the four rows of seats; which is good because being that packed helps you from being bounced around too much. The road to Engikaret is dusty, bumpy, and dry. The drive consists of navigating donkeys, goats, holes in the roles, Massai riding bikes or walking, and passing at incredible speeds (and some risk!) other vehicles. We have bruised heads, arms and legs from the Tanzania roads. But, you really get to know those sitting around you!
We first visited the boma (village) where several of the Massai come for medical assistance. A tour of the boma was given by the Chief's son. We were all invited to enter (one by one) a mud hut and see how they lived. After about 300 pictures with kids we headed back to the clinic. Today we served 125 people. It was a comfortable day of helping meet the needs of those who are ill, meeting many women at watering hole, and giving the children Hot Wheel cars.
CTK paid for sixty 200 lb. bags of corn which was delivered today while we were there. The elders of the various villages will distribute the much needed food as they see fit. A community director came out and thanked us for the donation. The Maasai will grind the corn for food and to sell. Unloading the bags nearly killed the men on our team - while the Maasai men made it look easy.
We loaded up for home about 4:30 PM and made the dusty trip home - waving to the children walking home from school, weaving from one side of the road to the other to void huge pot holes, donkeys, cows and goats. What an adventure!
Please pray for the base director's (John) father who is ill. John is trying to get a bus ticket for him to come from Kenya and stay here. John will work this arrangement out tomorrow (Thursday).
Tomorrow is our last day here in Arusha. There are already tears that come with saying good-bye to old and new friends. Several of us will make one more trip to Engikaret to watch the village's first baptism ceremony. They estimate 20 - 40 people getting baptised tomorrow. A great way to close this chapter of our trip.
We leave for Kenya at 8:30 AM Friday to see new needs and be of help where we can. Please pray for travelling mercy and the ability to keep being the hands and feet of Jesus. Thanks!
We first visited the boma (village) where several of the Massai come for medical assistance. A tour of the boma was given by the Chief's son. We were all invited to enter (one by one) a mud hut and see how they lived. After about 300 pictures with kids we headed back to the clinic. Today we served 125 people. It was a comfortable day of helping meet the needs of those who are ill, meeting many women at watering hole, and giving the children Hot Wheel cars.
CTK paid for sixty 200 lb. bags of corn which was delivered today while we were there. The elders of the various villages will distribute the much needed food as they see fit. A community director came out and thanked us for the donation. The Maasai will grind the corn for food and to sell. Unloading the bags nearly killed the men on our team - while the Maasai men made it look easy.
We loaded up for home about 4:30 PM and made the dusty trip home - waving to the children walking home from school, weaving from one side of the road to the other to void huge pot holes, donkeys, cows and goats. What an adventure!
Please pray for the base director's (John) father who is ill. John is trying to get a bus ticket for him to come from Kenya and stay here. John will work this arrangement out tomorrow (Thursday).
Tomorrow is our last day here in Arusha. There are already tears that come with saying good-bye to old and new friends. Several of us will make one more trip to Engikaret to watch the village's first baptism ceremony. They estimate 20 - 40 people getting baptised tomorrow. A great way to close this chapter of our trip.
We leave for Kenya at 8:30 AM Friday to see new needs and be of help where we can. Please pray for travelling mercy and the ability to keep being the hands and feet of Jesus. Thanks!
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