Even during downtime, they play music!

As we were getting ready to leave for the airport, the youth couldn't resist the piano! They don't know I recorded this, he he! :)

I love to hear them play and sing.

Walking on Water?

Hmm...could it really be that Trenton is walking on water? I'll let you figure it out. ;)

Ode to Matt S.

While listening to songs on the ride to the Safari, we decided to record a little message to Matt S. :)

"What Did Dan Do On The Mission Trip?" Parting funnies!

Sleeping at dinner at the Midland Hotel...

Sleeping in the van...

Sleeping at the Indian restaurant...

Sleeping at the Masai Market...

HAHA! We love you Dan!

Parting Thoughts

Wow! We're home. But my heart is still in Kenya.

I wanted to blog about our last service day in Kenya, couldn't get online before we left. After our day on the safari we stayed in Nakuru for another day and visited a school/orphanagechurch just outside a slum. The Bishop of the church gave us a tour around the property. There are 180 students that attend the school and about 150 of them live there as well. The other children live with the Bishop and other members of the church because they are already way over capacity at the orphanage.

The boys dormitory


The facility was pretty nice(by Kenyan standards). There was a two story building for the school and two dormitories for the children. they are hoping to build another dormitory for the boys. They showed us the kitchen and their store room. We found out that the family that supported them by buying the food for the entire school was unable to help them for the next few weeks, and they were down to their last few days of food. Before we arrived that day Mike suggested maybe we should see what their needs are and where we could help. Well of course we went out and purchased enough food to last a week or so, until their funding comes through. They were elated and praised God for bringing us at just the time we were needed.

Before

After! Praise God!

After our tour we began with a craft for the younger kids. It was our last time making the witness bracelets. They seemed to like them a lot and remembered what each bead stood for. Yeah! After that it was time for the concert! We also performed our drama for the last time, with only half our props, but God works with what you have. It was amazing! I'm so glad we made(or God made) the decision to do this particular drama. We have been told multiple times on this trip how much it has meant to the youth who have seen it.

Of course the concert went well and everyone loves "Every Move I Make" and "Everyday." I have videos and pics of our concert goers really getting into these songs, thanks to Steven energetic way of teaching them the moves. ;) And then there is Trenton's message-no matter how many times we have heard these messages, they never get old. Who could get tired of hearing how much we are loved and desired by such a good God? I do believe(as Mike has said) that T has the gift of evangelism.
I am so proud of how dedicated he has been in giving these messages(7!) throughout this trip. Of course I am bias, but shouldn't I be? :)

And now I will share with you the highlights of this last day, my two angels that sat(and slept) with me the entire visit. Their names are Anna and Angie. They are both 4 years old and adorable! Anna showed me her bed in the dormitory, she was very proud. And Angie jsut seemed to need a hand to hold and lap to nap in. They coughed and drooled and got sticky candy all over me, and I loved every minute of it!Angie and her sticky candy.

Angie(left) and Anna

God is good and worthy to be praised! My heart was broken for the children I saw and the life they are forced to lead, and filled with hope and awe for how they love the Lord and stand on his promise everyday in spite of the life they are forced to lead.

Erika

A Day Off

Saturday we enjoyed a day off. A day of rest, what a nice change of pace. We started our day with the adults going out for coffee in the city center, then we returned and worshipped with the the whole team before heading out to do some touristy stuff. :)
We went to a giraffe facility. I wasn't too excited about it at first, though Kristine was. But it ended up being a lot of fun. Steven and Kristine kissed a giraffe! There are pics!!!!
We also visited a bead shop that helps single moms. They make the beads out of clay by hand! It was amazing to see the operation.
It was a lazy, meandering kind of day. And now we are coffeeing up before our long worship day!

Brennen-have a blessed game today! We are proud of your hard work-BE AGGRESSIVE!
Gabe-big hugs and kisses from MOMMY.
Sydney-Thank you for all the emails, we miss you tons.

Happy Sunday everyone!

Erika

The promised pictures!

Little boy in the South B Slum
A little friend that joined me in the shower.

Trenton playing soccer with some neighborhood boys.

A little boy on the other side of the fence at the Comido School.

Our following at the Comido School.

Can't believe our time is winding down here in Kenya! We visited out last slum yesterday. It was the worst one we have walked through. The conditions were much worse and it can be hard at times to keep smiling to the kids as we see the depravity of life in a slum. But no matter how bad things may be for them, they smile, laugh, and desire to see these Mzungus that have come to visit with them. Our worship concerts are always amazing, no matter what glitches we face. Anna and Bekah are wonderful leaders. Today we visited an AIDS orphanage and Amani Ya Juu. WOW! What an amazing operation they have become, and one worker shared how her job there has taken her out of the slums and into a much better place. Praise God! And Praise God Again!!!! :)

Enjoy the pics!!!!!!!!!!

Erika

Our little dance partner at the Mcedo School concert.

Another day, another adventure. We went to the Christian Life Worship Center in a lower income neighborhood, not a slum. It was an easy day for me, it was just a concert day. We had an opportunity to invite the neighborhood to a free lunch, free dental clinic, and then the concert. Most of the people were eager to go to the free lunch and the concert. Again, the little kids were precious and so excited to see us. The difference was, these kids looked healthy and well fed, a far cry from the slum children.

The concert was acoustic this time, since we had problems with the generator. The audience didn't care, they loved the worship time. Bekah kept playing afterwards with a few girls that just wanted to sing. It was a great thing to witness.

Too much to mention-a great day!

Erika

"Let the Little Children come To Me"

Jesus never shooed the children away like the other adults around him. He valued them and spoke often of their faith and how us adults need to emulate that faith. I see that everyday here in Kenya! Though their conditions are, well horrible, they have such joy in their hearts. and when they see us, they have hope, that is what Mike tells us.

Yesterday we visited the Made on the Streets community center. They have a tremendous ministry to those on the street. We helped with the children while the mothers were involved in a bible study. There were 43 kids! Glad I had enought craft supplies. We helped them make necklaces and noise makers with paper plates and beans(this was the hit!). A lady told me later that we probably just fed them dinner with their craft. Never thought of the craft that way before, God works in amazing ways!

After we served them lunch, I went out to meet some of the mothers. I met Irene who had two daughters in the class with me, Linda and Maureen. She told me that they have tumors in their stomachs and one is positive for AIDS. She doesn't know if they will survive. It broke my heart, but I told her I would pray for her and her girls. I also met another mother who was waiting paiently to meet us. She was holding a cute little baby. This baby is dying of starvation, Anna told me it will probably not make it. That is a hard reality for me to swallow. More and more I have this increasing desire to just gather all these kids up and bring them home with me! I know this is not possible, so I will pray for God to guide me in what he desires for me in this situation.

Erika

A struggling heart

Today is only day two, of Kenya that is. I can't believe it. Today was our first VBS at The Nest Orphanage. I was very nervous last night thinking and preparing for this day. I did not feel equipped to handle the task. I woke up at 5am, feeling restless, so I got up and continued to work on my story and practice the songs. I had this overwhelming feeling of emptiness and aloneness. It took me to tears all morning, I couldn't keep the tears from streaming down my face. Trenton prayed over me and my dear friends Heather and Anna as well. I knew it was a spiritual attack, I've been having them since we left on this trip. I didn't want anyone on the team to know, I didn't want to be a distraction from the mission, but when you are constantly crying, people tend to notice. It ended up being a good thing, as we unite together and give eachother strength. VBS went well and the children are precious. I know God will use whatever I am capable of giving, I just have to show up. That's what I did today, I showed up.
I still feel the enemy attacking, but I am praying through this. God is good and I hold to his truths. And when I look into those children's eyes and they are just so happy to see us, I know that whatever I give, God blesses that.
Until next time,
Erika

What time is it and what day is it?

Well we are safe and well in Kenya. It was a long journey, as you heard already, and full of interesting moments. We have felt God's hand on us as we travelled and as Bekah said, many prayers already answered. Trenton got very sleep deprived and motion sickness got the better of him for our day in London. I was very worried about him and kept saying prayers to myself on his behalf most of the day. Then before we boarded the plane for Kenya, Daniel asked to pray as a group for him, what a blessing! It did the trick and by the time we reached the baggage claim in Kenya he was almost back to his old self! Is that good? ;)

We have a wonderful guest house to stay in and have already visited the halfway house. The babies were so adorable. Trenton and I were ready to take them all home! One little girl in particular caught my heart. Her name was Betti, she's about a year and a half. I will pray for her, as her mom gave her up, but kept her baby brother. So sad.

Hopefully pics are coming soon. God Bless you all and keep praying, VBS tomm. AHHHH!