tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10608314673989814222024-03-13T09:00:12.469-07:00Compelled By LoveFaithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06886523833447069643noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1060831467398981422.post-40786131021004190052011-09-07T16:57:00.001-07:002011-09-07T16:57:45.264-07:00mosaic designs items for sale<div style="padding: 0; overflow: hidden; margin: 0; width: 500px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/64995930@N02/6125591130/in/set-72157627619581284/" title="IMG_3936" style="display: block; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6064/6125591130_66e56b912d_s.jpg" alt="IMG_3936" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/64995930@N02/6125591362/in/set-72157627619581284/" title="IMG_3940" style="display: block; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6076/6125591362_c5103ee17e_s.jpg" alt="IMG_3940" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/64995930@N02/6125049893/in/set-72157627619581284/" title="IMG_3979" style="display: block; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6182/6125049893_c59173e7a1_s.jpg" alt="IMG_3979" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/64995930@N02/6125591624/in/set-72157627619581284/" title="IMG_3948" style="display: block; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6187/6125591624_d4fb46d9d1_s.jpg" alt="IMG_3948" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/64995930@N02/6125050151/in/set-72157627619581284/" title="IMG_3982" style="display: block; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6067/6125050151_4a4dc52f7b_s.jpg" alt="IMG_3982" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/64995930@N02/6125050471/in/set-72157627619581284/" title="IMG_3986" style="display: block; padding: 0 0 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6185/6125050471_53b5a05beb_s.jpg" alt="IMG_3986" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><br clear="all"/><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/64995930@N02/6125048627/in/set-72157627619581284/" title="IMG_3956" style="display: block; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6195/6125048627_2c83501dd5_s.jpg" alt="IMG_3956" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/64995930@N02/6125596256/in/set-72157627619581284/" title="IMG_3905" style="display: block; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6065/6125596256_4a9b4e8183_s.jpg" alt="IMG_3905" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/64995930@N02/6125052297/in/set-72157627619581284/" title="IMG_3902" style="display: block; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6063/6125052297_18e9e689d8_s.jpg" alt="IMG_3902" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/64995930@N02/6125595920/in/set-72157627619581284/" title="IMG_3910" style="display: block; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6198/6125595920_ff14e0b401_s.jpg" alt="IMG_3910" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/64995930@N02/6125051475/in/set-72157627619581284/" title="IMG_3887" style="display: block; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6182/6125051475_47a00daf8f_s.jpg" alt="IMG_3887" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/64995930@N02/6125594314/in/set-72157627619581284/" title="IMG_3883" style="display: block; padding: 0 0 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6185/6125594314_2a65162ea1_s.jpg" alt="IMG_3883" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><br clear="all"/><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/64995930@N02/6125595080/in/set-72157627619581284/" title="IMG_3901" style="display: block; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6195/6125595080_84cc71ee86_s.jpg" alt="IMG_3901" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/64995930@N02/6125052105/in/set-72157627619581284/" title="IMG_3891" style="display: block; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6185/6125052105_6a3884e835_s.jpg" alt="IMG_3891" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/64995930@N02/6125594036/in/set-72157627619581284/" title="IMG_3879" style="display: block; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6086/6125594036_176a09b149_s.jpg" alt="IMG_3879" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/64995930@N02/6125051253/in/set-72157627619581284/" title="IMG_3881" style="display: block; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6085/6125051253_4ebd27c445_s.jpg" alt="IMG_3881" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/64995930@N02/6125053077/in/set-72157627619581284/" title="IMG_3912" style="display: block; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6078/6125053077_79724060fc_s.jpg" alt="IMG_3912" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/64995930@N02/6125596828/in/set-72157627619581284/" title="IMG_3918" style="display: block; padding: 0 0 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6208/6125596828_4738b54656_s.jpg" alt="IMG_3918" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><br clear="all"/><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/64995930@N02/6125053659/in/set-72157627619581284/" title="IMG_3920" style="display: block; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6088/6125053659_e2bab43b9f_s.jpg" alt="IMG_3920" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/64995930@N02/6125597432/in/set-72157627619581284/" title="IMG_3924" style="display: block; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6197/6125597432_27af63f6c7_s.jpg" alt="IMG_3924" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/64995930@N02/6125054515/in/set-72157627619581284/" title="IMG_3930" style="display: block; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6190/6125054515_0d543b9040_s.jpg" alt="IMG_3930" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/64995930@N02/6125592250/in/set-72157627619581284/" title="IMG_3973" style="display: block; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6089/6125592250_56e6e142fe_s.jpg" alt="IMG_3973" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/64995930@N02/6125049233/in/set-72157627619581284/" title="IMG_3974" style="display: block; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6085/6125049233_6fd28e5d66_s.jpg" alt="IMG_3974" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/64995930@N02/6125592894/in/set-72157627619581284/" title="IMG_3978" style="display: block; padding: 0 0 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6082/6125592894_f21ddde0b1_s.jpg" alt="IMG_3978" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><br clear="all"/></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 5px"><p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/64995930@N02/sets/72157627619581284/">mosaic designs items</a>, a set on Flickr.</p></div><p>Here are just a few of the items that will be for sale at the Freedom Fest this weekend!</p>Faithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06886523833447069643noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1060831467398981422.post-20858273433733472152011-07-19T16:25:00.000-07:002011-07-19T16:34:35.297-07:00Home At LastThe Kenya team has arrived safely back in PA and hopefully we are all now in the comfort of our own homes spending time with family and friends. We left Kitale on Sunday and drove to Nairobi. We had a lovely Italian dinner out in town (thanks to the Roches for treating us all) and then headed to the hotel for one more night of rest before the big travels begin. Monday morning we headed out on a 5 hour safari at the Nairobi National Park where we saw monkeys, giraffes, zebras, lots of birds a rhino, gazelles, and more. <div>We began flying around 5:30 Monday night after a quick delay due to technical difficulties. I am always so thankful for those at home praying. It always makes me a little nervous when they say a plane has technical difficulties and then we are in the air in that plane a couple hours later. :| We made it safely to Dubai, and then boarded a 13 hour flight to JFK. There were some medical emergencies on the plane that caused some commotions and a bit of confusion. When we landed in NY they had us wait on the plane while a medic team came and removed the young boy who had a seizure on the plane. I am always so grateful for God's protection over our travels. </div><div>We all made it through immigration and headed out into the stifling HOT weather. It took about 3.5 hours to get back to PA but we were all excited to get back into town. Hopefully we are changed forever. I know it will look different for each one of us, but I truly hope that each one of us had an encounter with Christ that has drawn us closer to His heart. It was a privilege to serve together. We will post photos soon once we get them loaded onto computers.</div><div><br /></div><div>Bless you all. Thanks for praying and following our journey. </div>Faithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06886523833447069643noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1060831467398981422.post-63617231782173006622011-07-16T12:29:00.000-07:002011-07-16T12:47:59.824-07:00Not Goodbye....See You LaterThe past two days have been so busy wrapping things up with various work projects and saying our goodbyes. I have found myself more emotional than I anticipated. Having been coming here and investing in some of the same lives for the past 4 years, I have found that many of the girls and some of the staff have become like family. It is hard not knowing when I will get to share life again. I am so incredibly proud of the Neema girls and their staff. Yesterday late afternoon, the girls had finished working but they were still here waiting for their taxi. I was just returning form town and I heard their giggles in the back yard. Penny and Hayley were playing a game with them and they were loving it.....even mama janet joined in the fun. I decided that it was time to join the fun. When leading a team I often find my time is scattered between leading, directing, overseeing....I can sometimes miss out on some of the "fun" times. We spent the next 45 minutes playing "Big Booty". While the game itself is simple and silly, I loved seeing the girls personalities coming out as they got to be girls. It is such a difference from the shy girls I met 4 years ago. They are gaining confidence and feel safe enough to have fun. I find myself going from tears to smiles when I reflect on everything that has happened the past several days.<div><br /></div><div>Yesterday the team parted ways:</div><div><ul><li>AJ worked on the building project for the new NEEMA school</li><li>Seth and Nate went out on home deliveries with Anne (the TI social worker)</li><li>Eileen, Bob, Lori and I stayed here to work with the girls and watch the Shimo girls children</li><li>the rest spent the morning at In-Step hanging out with Jeff and Carla and all the kiddos</li></ul><div>It felt like a busy day. We spent the afternoon playing with the girls and their kids and then had a gathering with all the workers and paid them for their work. I was so excited to hand them the money they earned after working this week. I hope that we can somehow provide ongoing funds for these awesome girls.</div></div><div>Today, we headed out to the Veronica Home for one last day with Ben, Virginia, and all the children. We all took a walk up to where the school building for the Neema Project is going up. They completed so much this week. I am thrilled that the guys and some of the girls from the team got to help Adam and the Kenyan men build it. We spent alot of time raising funds for the school and now to see it with windows and doors......I can only imagine how it will feel when the classrooms are set up and the girls are sitting in their learning. We played, took photos, ate lunch, and then came more farewells. :(</div><div>We came home as the neema girls were finishing up their sewing projects. I could hardly believe everything they had gotten done. After they cleaned up I gathered them together and talked with them for a bit about how their life has changed since going through the neema project. I thanked them for all their hard work and as I went on to talk with them about how proud I am of them the tears began to fall. I am not ready to leave them so soon. Not yet, not now. Sharon (one of the girls) suggested that Rick (my husband) come here with me to buy land so that we can have a home here. She even said she would take care of our babies one day. :) Oh how I adore that fiesty gal. </div><div>I guess that's it for now. I will write more later and will be posting photos once we get home. Stay tuned for more information. We begin our journey home tomorrow morning with a drive across he country back to Nairobi. We will be back in the US, Tuesday at 7:45 and then we arrive back in West Chester around noon. We look forward to sharing so much more with you all in person.</div><div><br /></div><div>Faith</div>Faithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06886523833447069643noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1060831467398981422.post-91633264848031223332011-07-14T09:39:00.000-07:002011-07-14T09:41:02.434-07:00Bridges<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Helvetica">This afternoon a group of us walked with the Shimo girls to their village, a slum on the east side of Kitale. Every slum is known for something, and Shimo is known for a fairly potent beverage that many of the men drink. The village was set in a beautiful lush green valley with a river running through the it. Late afternoon rains caused our journey to be a rather muddy adventure. The Shimo girls helped us navigate a steep,treacherous rock stairway leading down to a wooden bridge that crossed the river. While passing we saw young girls and boys collecting muddied drinking water from the stream. We asked our guides about the water and were told that those who can afford clean water buy it in the town, but others must use the water from the river. On the other side of the bridge children lined the stairway and greeted us with shouts of “How are you? How are You?” which is a typical greeting Kenyan children use when they see white people. After greeting the children, we crossed back over the bridge and began walking through the village where, one by one, the girls left us to return home to their babies and extended family. Some walked off to cement block homes, yet many returned to houses made from mud and branches. As our group walked toward the compound, we fell silent each of us recalling the sounds of laughter and friendship we have built with these young women who face life’s challenges with grace and dignity. We have been blessed with the opportunity to build bridges of friendship and hope with these young mothers whom we will not soon forget.</p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Helvetica; min-height: 17.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"> </span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">Eileen & Penny</span></p>Faithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06886523833447069643noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1060831467398981422.post-73022980138077790812011-07-14T08:23:00.000-07:002011-07-14T08:29:04.415-07:00Questions asked by Nate<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">as a journalist, i love a good question. us guys here in kitale, kenya (and a few brave girls) have been constructing a school/office building at the veronica home the past week. and you can be sure there are just as many unspoken questions flying through the brains of the local kenyan workers as there are in our westernized thinkers. there’s a man in blue who doesn’t work too hard that is always staring at us and smirking. i can only imagine the questions running through his brain... “do these white people really glow in the dark?” “since when are women construction workers?” “why is there more hair coming out of the top of that burly white man’s shirt than from the bottom of his hat?” i am that burly man and i have some questions of my own... “why can’t the man in the blue shirt and all of his friends grow beards?” “why does that one guy wear work gloves but no shoes?” “why is no one in a hurry to do anything in this country except when they’re driving?” today during lunch i watched a malnurished puppy try to poop, but for whatever reason his excriment just would not break free from him. he scurried around the yard trying to dislodge it with incredible shame on his face during the whole process. it was hilarious and i think he knew we were laughing at him. but at the same time, i’m hoping this kenyan experience is like the turd that would not fall from my brain.... so to speak. i came here with questions and i leave with many more, but i think that’s a good thing. i will leave here in a few days inspired with both the first-hand realization that i’m a spoiled american and that i am blessed with far too much to just waste. and when i get home i will probably do my best to forget those convictions because i think i have everything i need there. and that’s not exactly the best place to be. so back to the dangling poo... i can only hope that what i’ve seen and what i’ve heard here will refuse to be shaken. i can only hope that the life i’ve lived for a short 10 days in africa will force me to ask questions to both myself, but especially God. i am blessed and i have far more than the people here, but too many times i smile and laugh and love far less. i guess the real question is... “why did i have to come all the way to kenya to figure that out?”</span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">Nate</span></p>Faithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06886523833447069643noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1060831467398981422.post-57112012231251543712011-07-12T07:59:00.000-07:002011-07-12T11:11:56.925-07:001 Selfless Couple + 103 Abandoned Children = In-StepHello Friends!<div>Today we had the privilege to visit In-Step. This is a children's home that houses 103 beautiful children, all of whom we got to play with. Jeff and Carla (who are the house parents that started In-Step) house about 25 babies and the rest mainly under the age of five. As soon as we pulled up into the children's home, all of the children were there waiting for us screaming in excitement and anticipation to play with us. As soon as we were given the okay to go play, there were already three children clinging to my legs lifting there arms up to be held. At one point we took out bubbles and as soon as the first ones were in the air, the children flocked over and the next thing I know was I was surrounded by 10 toddlers all yelling the same thing. "Na mimi! Na mimi!" Was being said out of the kids mouth which means 'even me' as I tried to give each one of them a turn to blow bubbles. One child that really struck me was Ronnie. Ronnie was about three years old and even though the other children would come and move on to the next person, Ronnie clung to my side the whole time. I would throw him up and spin him around just watching his face as it lit up with joy. Thats when I knew how much I loved these children and bringing smiles to their faces, even if for a short amount of time. Ronnie was abandoned at six months, and his grandmother who was the next relative to take care of him was dying herself, so that's when she contacted In-Step. This is just one story of a 103 children in this home, all of which tares at your heart. When I brought Ronnie in for lunch, I could see his big brown eyes start to well up and I promised him I would come back when he was done. I didn't know how hard that was until I walked away and felt like I was a mother dropping her child off in daycare for the first time and might of had a little separation anxiety as well.</div><div>We left In-Step around two when all of the children were taking their naps and myself as well as two other teammates and Faith went into town to get a few things. Not too long after we got there and three street boys were already following us asking for money and food. Even though none of us had the money of food to give them at the time, we showed them love by asking their names and ages as well as where they stay. From then on they continued to walk with us until we left knowing we couldn't meet their physical needs but were able to spend time with them and acknowledge their presence. This trip has been such a blessing to all of us and it has been awesome to put what we've learned here into practice and I can't wait to bring this home. </div><div>For more information about IN-Step go to: <a href="http://www.rehemainstep.com/">http://www.rehemainstep.com/</a></div><div>In Christ,</div><div>Hayley Gerrard</div>Faithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06886523833447069643noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1060831467398981422.post-23632476516351039862011-07-11T07:45:00.002-07:002011-07-11T08:24:57.028-07:00The One Who Showed MercyWhat does it mean to love those who live in poverty?<div>We started our morning talking about how we are to love people who are the poor in our community and in our world. There are children who are starving and people who have no home. We are to love them, but how? Acknowledge them personally, comfort their broken spirits, and give wisely.</div><div><br /></div><div>The ladies spent our day working with the girls sewing and beading. It seems so simple, we sit, we string beads onto a string, but this small task saves the girls from a life of selling themselves. Seeing one girl with her son Darlington, knowing that he will not go hungry and she can live with dignity. Knowing that he will have another option than life on the street.</div><div><br /></div><div>The girls and their teachers work so hard each day they have come here. They serve, they work, they care. They struggle to let us serve them in almost any way. It was a beautiful picture to see these women finally allowing us to serve them. Weathered skin, relaxing, and soothed. Some girls massaged aged hands, others painted nails. Such a blessing to serve.</div><div><br /></div><div>We had our daily, afternoon thunderstorm. The deep blue sky, rolled in, the thunder shook the ground as we laughed and embraced. </div><div><br /></div><div>We are allowing these snapshots to change our hearts and create room to love more and to love deeply. Seth reminded us this morning to carry these snapshots with us when we return home and these snapshots we have to share with you. I can only hope that they change your heart, opening it up to love more and more.</div><div><br /></div><div>Alison</div>Faithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06886523833447069643noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1060831467398981422.post-88193144474274416452011-07-10T12:32:00.000-07:002011-07-10T12:37:02.528-07:00Mazungus Go to Church<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>So, if anyone in America-land has any fear about riding on the back of a bicycle taxi (or as Kenyans call it: Boda Boda) driven by a Kenyan..fear no longer; 6 of us ladies chose this mode of transportation as we were about to experience a legit Kenyan church service. The ride on the Boda Boda was exceptionally amazing. I wish everyone could have this (among others) experience in this beautiful place. It seems like something that should cause some nerves to stir but surprisingly I trusted this taxi driver (rider?) so the only thing left to do was enjoy the ride. </span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Eventually, we arrived to the Kitale Christian Worship Center bright eyed and excited to be a part of this unique cultural experience. First things first, as anyone can imagine..these Kenyans can certainly dance. The worship music I have to admit I was not sure how well we would be received at church but that quickly subsided as we were greeted immediately upon entering. The church body was extremely welcoming and took the time to allow our friend Mark (a TI staff member) to introduce each of us. The services are much longer than what we are used to (close to 4 hours!) but you hardly notice the time because the room is full of such a unique energy and people who love the Lord. We are all so grateful to have had this opportunity to experience the Holy Spirit in an entirely different culture with our Kenyan brothers and sisters. It is difficult to put this experience into words but I can tell you if anyone is interested in learning some new dance moves I am willing to give lessons. We miss you all and have taken about 4,000 pictures already and can’t wait to share them! Until next time, my friends!</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">love! love! love!,</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">Lori</span></p>Faithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06886523833447069643noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1060831467398981422.post-90520287976440762902011-07-10T01:09:00.001-07:002011-07-10T01:09:01.108-07:00faithwise2010's photostream<div style="padding: 0; overflow: hidden; margin: 0; width: 500px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/64995930@N02/5920848813/in/photostream/" title="lillian and her lovely smile" style="display: block; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6146/5920848813_d18a50d7d6_s.jpg" alt="lillian and her lovely smile" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/64995930@N02/5921388130/in/photostream/" title="teaching the girls to string beads" style="display: block; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6024/5921388130_5e3cab26d6_s.jpg" alt="teaching the girls to string beads" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/64995930@N02/5919137357/in/photostream/" title="shimo girls" style="display: block; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6128/5919137357_dda9655cd5_s.jpg" alt="shimo girls" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/64995930@N02/5919670860/in/photostream/" title="moureen" style="display: block; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6008/5919670860_814cc0ef19_s.jpg" alt="moureen" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/64995930@N02/5918945901/in/photostream/" title="janet" style="display: block; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6149/5918945901_60f89409fd_s.jpg" alt="janet" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/64995930@N02/5918906293/in/photostream/" title="janet, melinda, joann, eileen" style="display: block; padding: 0 0 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6122/5918906293_2928586ec6_s.jpg" alt="janet, melinda, joann, eileen" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><br clear="all"/></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 5px"><p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/64995930@N02/">faithwise2010's photostream</a> on Flickr.</p></div><p>Some photos from our first day with the neema and shimo girls making jewelry and sewing bags.</p>Faithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06886523833447069643noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1060831467398981422.post-8398022423397427452011-07-10T00:19:00.002-07:002011-07-10T01:04:38.119-07:00A Day of Rest & Reflection<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHBxav5_C_eHu8FldovLf3rfdFPbjktyDyYoRGDu6Zdj_LeozQKOoyQcbpTY1JpOsmL5SXBaSPk1bYczZmQ0EQl-AHA_1SEkENYzeSuyYH3elpGb13M9BeMOA1SKUS4KL-jYrbD66n4oum/s1600/DSCN3818.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHBxav5_C_eHu8FldovLf3rfdFPbjktyDyYoRGDu6Zdj_LeozQKOoyQcbpTY1JpOsmL5SXBaSPk1bYczZmQ0EQl-AHA_1SEkENYzeSuyYH3elpGb13M9BeMOA1SKUS4KL-jYrbD66n4oum/s320/DSCN3818.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627630960559802386" /></a><br />So, it is Sunday morning in Kenya. Some of the team are off to visit a traditional Kenyan church and some have stayed behind at the compound for a day of rest and quiet. I chose to stay behind and sit in silence because I don't have a voice. I am so disappointed! I was hoping to wake up this morning with the ability to speak, but it has only gotten worse. It is hard to lead a team when you can't speak, but the team is doing great and people are stepping up where they need to.<div>As I sit here, I realize this trip has only just begun and the work the Lord is doing is far from finished. Having been here many times, I see some distinct differences this year. For several months I have been waiting for Friday to arrive, the ay when I would greet my Kenya girls from the Shimo project and the Neema Project. I adore them and the women who teach them and love them. I could barely stay in my seat during devotions when I heard some of them laughing outside waiting for us. They all responded so well to the team. I was sick and losing my voice, but I was not going to miss a second of time with them. The team rallied around them and played games and learned names. I met with Joyce (the seamstress teacher) to figure out a work plan for the week. </div><div>During my walk to town with Joyce, we had an opportunity to talk about life and family. She told me that I feel like a real friend because I keep coming back when I say I will come back. She said at first she always wondered if I would really return, but now she knows I mean what I say. Those were kind words coming from her. We shared about our families, she asked me about my new marriage....it was a time of chatting and sharing about life more than we ever have before. She asked me why I wanted the girls to make more bags and I told her that we sold out of all the ones we made before. I shared with her that we gave the money we made from the bags toward the construction project for the new school for the neema/shimo project. She began to share with that God will honor the work of the hands of those who have right intentions. She said that it would be hard to sell the bags to people if we didn't have right motives. I was able to talk with her about all of us being partners and each having a role to play. We talked about our love for the girls and the way their lives are changing as they choose a different path. </div><div>Those conversations with Joyce were a highlight for me. I am beginning to really feel like I have friends here in Kenya. I received bigger hugs than ever before. I saw pride and dignity on the faces of these young women who are given a name, who are taught respect, and who are learning to receive love. What an honor to be a part of all of this! It is a privilege to serve here with Transformed International. They are an incredible staff of men and women! They serve us well and allow us to partner with them in the work the Lord has placed before them.</div><div>Thanks to all of you at home who make this possible for me. I do not take a single day for granted! Thanks to all of you who have offered up your spouses, children, friends, family members to serve here and to those of you who provide funding and prayers to make it all possible. You are just as much a part of this work as those of us who are here in Kenya.</div><div>Hope you each find rest and are able to delight in simple joys today!</div><div><br /></div><div>Faith (for the team)</div>Faithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06886523833447069643noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1060831467398981422.post-8948845591493052162011-07-09T11:55:00.001-07:002011-07-09T11:55:29.360-07:00faithwise2010's photostream<div style="padding: 0; overflow: hidden; margin: 0; width: 500px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/64995930@N02/5918945901/in/photostream/" title="janet" style="display: block; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6149/5918945901_60f89409fd_s.jpg" alt="janet" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/64995930@N02/5918906293/in/photostream/" title="janet, melinda, joann, eileen" style="display: block; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6122/5918906293_2928586ec6_s.jpg" alt="janet, melinda, joann, eileen" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><div style="padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://l.yimg.com/g/images/gallery-empty-icon.gif" style="margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"></div><div style="padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://l.yimg.com/g/images/gallery-empty-icon.gif" style="margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"></div><div style="padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://l.yimg.com/g/images/gallery-empty-icon.gif" style="margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"></div><div style="padding: 0 0 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://l.yimg.com/g/images/gallery-empty-icon.gif" style="margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"></div><br clear="all"/></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 5px"><p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/64995930@N02/">faithwise2010's photostream</a> on Flickr.</p></div><p>the ladies learned to cook from two kenyan mamas.</p>Faithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06886523833447069643noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1060831467398981422.post-91460059939685601752011-07-09T10:59:00.000-07:002011-07-09T11:04:42.163-07:00Our Day at the Veronica HomeGreetings from Kenya! <div>Let me start off by thanking everyone for all of your prayers and support, we're all so appreciative. Everyone working with Transformed International is so nice and are making us all feel at home. We started off our day by loading into a few taxis and headed out to the Veronica Home. The Veronica Home is a house that invites HIV positive orphans to live there. Ben and Virginia are the house parents who care for 9 children along with 4 of their own. Before today's visit to the home, I was beginning to become a little discouraged. I started to question whether I was really supposed to be here or whether I chose to come on this trip out of simply just wanting to. I had expected to experience all of these amazing things the second I arrived in Africa. Don't get me wrong, it has definitely been a totally new and cool experience but it just wasn't that 'life-changing-Africa-experience' that everyone always talks about. As soon as we arrived at the Veronica Home, I knew this day was going to be a little different than expected. Before we knew it, our cars were surrounded by little children, waiting as patiently as they could, for us to get out. Once out of the taxis, the children ran towards us with big smiles and outstretched arms. I could barely even walk a step without having a child cling to me. Talk about feeling welcome! We were then given a tour of the home and they proudly showed us where their bedrooms, kitchen and area that the guys from our group are working on were. Throughout this tour, Joyce, one of the little girls who lives at the home, kept her arms wrapped around my waist, hugging me. Virginia generously cooked us a delicious Kenyan lunch consisting of rice, beans, potatoes and cabbage (yes Mom, I ate cabbage and enjoyed it!) and the day was spent playing with the mazungu's (white people) hair, getting owned in soccer, painting nails and just hanging out. Towards the end of the day, the children all began to line up on the side of the house. I thought that they were doing this so we could take a group picture of them but before I could really tell what was going on, they all began to sing. Right then, I knew for a fact that this is where God wanted me to be, He wanted me to witness this. I had so much emotion inside of my that the only thing I could do was just cry. As the children were singing, I was able to study each of their faces (I had time because they sang about 4 songs and each gave a little presentation). I noticed one thing about each of them; they all had so much joy in them. This was the joy I was searching for. I could tell by their faces they were so loved and cared for by their two parents. In Kenyan culture, it is common that children are mistreated and fathers rarely ever show any type of affection towards their children. Ben, on the other hand, stood beside his children as they proudly sang their songs and danced with them. Throughout the day, you could see how much he loves and cares for these children. Ben and Virginia are two amazing parents who are clearly living servant lives for the Lord. I was blown away by the way God reminded me of why I'm here in Kenya. I keep replaying a line from one of the songs that seems to be stuck in my head which says, "we are so happy to be with you...life is so happy,". Little do these children know that they are the reason for my current joy and sense of peace. They have no idea how just being in their presence is an amazing, unexplainable feeling that nothing could ever replace. The memories I have of these beautiful children with their contagious smiles will always be in my mind. The experience I had today was the life changing experience I wanted so badly, the kind I will never be able to forget. I'm so blessed to have this opportunity, God is so good. </div><div><br /></div><div>In Christ,</div><div>Lauren Spiller</div>Faithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06886523833447069643noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1060831467398981422.post-9388637500700027362011-07-09T08:31:00.001-07:002011-07-09T08:49:06.976-07:00First Days from Steph's Perspective<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 18px; font-family:'Courier New', Courier, FreeMono, monospace;font-size:13px;"><h3 class="post-title entry-title" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; position: relative; font: normal normal normal 24px/normal Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 18.0px; font: 10.0px Times; color: #000099"><span style="text-decoration: underline ; letter-spacing: 0.0px"><a href="http://steph-in-kenya.blogspot.com/2011/07/day-1-2.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Day 1-2.</span></span></a></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 18.0px; font: 10.0px Courier New"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">I realize I'm starting this blog on the 3rd day, but given I've been in transit for over thirty of the last fifty-something hours, I think I get a free pass out of internet obligations.</span></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 18.0px; font: 10.0px Courier New"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">After a three hour drive to JFK Airport in New York City, we boarded an airplane to Mumbai, India. We then waited two hours, only to board a flight to Nairobi, Kenya, followed by a short stay in the city.</span></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 18.0px; font: 10.0px Courier New"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">The unmitigated hell of airborne transit was softened only slightly by my access to a few hundred movies, none of which seemed engaging enough to keep me awake.</span></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 18.0px; font: 10.0px Courier New"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">In the end, I survived on pretzel goldfish and World War Z, a novel documenting the oral history of the zombie war.</span></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 18.0px; font: 10.0px Courier New"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">The city of Nairobi proved as potentially dangerous as it was awe-inspiring. Filled with gorgeous buildings from a smattering of eras, the large city featured a unique traffic system, unprecedented in confidence.</span></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 18.0px; font: 10.0px Courier New"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">In short: Cars do not stop.</span></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 18.0px; font: 10.0px Courier New"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Not for one another.</span></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 18.0px; font: 10.0px Courier New"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Not for reckless bike messengers.</span></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 18.0px; font: 10.0px Courier New"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Not for two-ton buses.</span></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 18.0px; font: 10.0px Courier New"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Not for clueless American pedestrians who may happen to stray </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">directly into their path</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">.</span></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 18.0px; font: 10.0px Courier New"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">The chaos of the traffic system was rivaled only by the steel-gutted bravado of our mercenary cab drivers. While charming and entirely personable, every driver who were happily acquainted with proved as willing to usher us into their vehicles as they were to risk our lives among the screeching tires and blaring horns of the immense city.</span></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 18.0px; font: 10.0px Courier New; min-height: 11.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; line-height: 67.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><img src="webkit-fake-url://E9A02168-2A7B-452A-9C2C-B27BA663A063/pastedGraphic.pdf" alt="pastedGraphic.pdf" /></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 18.0px; font: 10.0px Courier New; min-height: 11.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 18.0px; font: 10.0px Courier New; min-height: 11.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 18.0px; font: 10.0px Courier New"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Our resident lodgings, The Parkside Hotel, featured glamorous drapings about each bed known as Malaria-preventative Mosquito Nets. All the same, there was much talk of the princess-worthy effect they added to each room.</span></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 18.0px; font: 10.0px Courier New"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">We dined that night at the Nairobi Java House, which, contrary to popular belief, had little to do with actual </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">java</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">.</span></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 18.0px; font: 10.0px Courier New"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">My entire table, including myself, ordered Mexican food.</span></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 18.0px; font: 10.0px Courier New"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">It was pretty spectacular.</span></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 18.0px; font: 10.0px Courier New"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">So much, in fact, that I didn't even think to snap a photo beforehand. The following image documents the surviving remnants of our dinnertime rampage.</span></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 18.0px; font: 10.0px Courier New; min-height: 11.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; line-height: 67.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><img src="webkit-fake-url://E9A02168-2A7B-452A-9C2C-B27BA663A063/pastedGraphic_1.pdf" alt="pastedGraphic_1.pdf" /></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 18.0px; font: 10.0px Courier New; min-height: 11.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 18.0px; font: 10.0px Courier New; min-height: 11.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"></span><br /></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 18.0px; font: 10.0px Courier New"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">After a pleasant night's sleep, interrupted only by a siren suspiciously similar to the hotel's fire alarm and the wailings of a phantom woman, we boarded a bus.</span></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 18.0px; font: 10.0px Courier New"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">We were going to ride eight hours to the village of Kitali.</span></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 18.0px; font: 10.0px Courier New"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">I was given the delightful opportunity of sitting next to our team leader, Faith, a veteran to both Kenya and Senegal. Her knowledge of Africa was rivaled by her lucklessness with seat partnering.</span></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 18.0px; font: 10.0px Courier New"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">I proceeded to coo over sightings of baby sheep and pester her about the lack of pet dogs in the city for the next six hours.</span></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 18.0px; font: 10.0px Courier New"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">She was saved from my incessant querying only by my swift, jetlag-induced, coma-like sleep and my desire to capture a music video moment by listening to folk music while staring at the countryside flying past.</span></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 18.0px; font: 10.0px Courier New"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">The following are my three favorite sights:</span></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 18.0px; font: 10.0px Courier New"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">-A four-year old boy, hot on the heels of an 800-pound cow</span></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 18.0px; font: 10.0px Courier New"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">-An entire vanful of local travelers, all joyously drinking strawberry milk</span></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 18.0px; font: 10.0px Courier New"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">-A group of Kenyan preschoolers, excited and overjoyed beyond comprehension, playing with a pile of tires.</span></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 18.0px; font: 10.0px Courier New"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">I couldn't fathom the happiness I saw on so many faces as we passed them on the road. So many local people faced both work, road, and each other with smiles and peace the likes of which is unseen in American cities. I understand the impoverished status of this country, but when confronted by the attitudes of the people I have watched, I can't help but feel a sense admiration: amidst chaos, corruption, and need, they encounter joy in every day.</span></span></span></p></span></h3></span>Faithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06886523833447069643noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1060831467398981422.post-30262082741714403002011-07-09T08:26:00.000-07:002011-07-09T08:29:42.931-07:00Team PerspectivesThere are a few others keeping blogs while we are here in Kenya. Feel free to check out their blogs:<div><br /></div><div>Stephanie: <a href="http://steph-in-kenya.blogspot.com/2011/07/day-1-2.html">http://steph-in-kenya.blogspot.com/2011/07/day-1-2.html</a></div><div><br /></div><div>AJ & Tina: <a href="http://mountainmovers.blogspot.com/">http://mountainmovers.blogspot.com/</a></div>Faithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06886523833447069643noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1060831467398981422.post-11349117704821301422011-07-08T09:32:00.000-07:002011-07-08T10:09:55.707-07:00Schooled in the kitchenWe were schooled in Kenyan culinary arts today! Peeling, chopping and shredding take on new meaning when cooking Kenyan style with large knives outside over an open flame. Rachel Ray could take a few tips from our talented teachers. We truly experienced the "Joy of Cooking" with our beautiful warm, kind and extremely patient Kenyan friends, Janet and JoAnn. While we were preparing lunch for the group the rest of the team were making new friends with the Neema and Shimo girls playing frisbee, kickball and Kenyan style hide-n-seek. After play work began. All were impressed with our Kenyan friend's mutual respect, discipline and extreme professionalism which resulted in 70 unique beaded necklaces and over 15 beautifully sewn shoulder strap bags. All that has been invested in these girls over the years is very obvious and extremely rewarding to observe. Our guys spent the day working hard at the construction site of the new Neema girls school house. The evening ended with an amazing meal made by Ashley, Daniel's wife, who skillfully handled feeding a crew our size while dealing with a 7 hour power outage. Good day! May God be praised and may He receive all the glory. <div>Thanks for your prayers.<div>Blessings,</div><div>Eileen and Melinda (for the team) </div></div>Faithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06886523833447069643noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1060831467398981422.post-19852656960202991162011-07-07T09:57:00.000-07:002011-07-07T10:16:50.724-07:00Honey, We're Home!!!After 31 hours of planes, buses, taxis and more buses ( very bumpy bus rides I might add) we FINALLY made it to home sweet home in Kitale, Kenya!!! On our bus ride here we experienced some interesting things....going to the bathroom in holes in the ground, especially. As we rode along we saw villages and tons and tons of people, lots of livestock, zebras, monkeys, baboons, sheep, donkey, antelope, flamingos and gazelles! One of the super cool things we also got to see was the Rift Valley...it was ah-mazing! As a team we are all bonding quickly and are super excited for what is to come :)Faithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06886523833447069643noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1060831467398981422.post-33015736633546906722011-07-05T08:08:00.000-07:002011-07-05T08:25:09.675-07:00We made it to NYC and have boarded the plane to Dubai!Faithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06886523833447069643noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1060831467398981422.post-46917637154152323022011-07-04T17:16:00.000-07:002011-07-04T17:37:08.151-07:00Travel time.....For those of you checking in on us, here's the scoop for our travel over the next few days. We will be 7 hours ahead of you once we arrive in Nairobi for those of you that were curious. Keep that in mind once you see our timeline. If you are a family member and want specific flight info we can email that to you.<div><br /></div><div>Here is a general timeline for our travel until Thursday. <br /><div><br /></div><div>JULY 5th<br /><div><ul><li>5am: leave west chester, pa to head to nyc</li><li>11 am: 13 hour flight to Dubai with a 2 1/2 hour layover</li></ul><div>**we jump ahead 7 hours here</div><div>JULY 6th</div></div></div><div><ul><li>10:45 am (Dubai time) leave for 5 hour flight to Nairobi</li><li>2:45 pm arrive in Nairobi</li><li>spend the night in Nairobi</li></ul><div>JULY 7th</div></div><div><ul><li>spend the day traveling across the country by bus and arrive in Kitale around dinner time</li></ul><div>Pray for us over these days of travel. Pray for safety, health, and REST. It is often exhausting, yet sometimes still challenging to sleep. You will hear from us once we get to Kitale on Thursday evening. We can't wait to be reunited with our Kenyan friends (and our american and canadian friends who live in kenya)!</div></div></div><div><br /></div><div>Faith</div>Faithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06886523833447069643noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1060831467398981422.post-66408045240823366572011-06-25T06:02:00.000-07:002011-06-27T05:36:26.829-07:00Meet the Team<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">On JULY 5th, we will be heading to KENYA.............together, just the 16 of us! </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Here we are:</span></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf0ahb2c800lLnFI3iHIFeGM3ANNcsJ-qkcD0PaEBxZhxue9X7n05bwmIfXxo6BqAEWqznoUpB0BVvsjB0z4Cm1UakO_N58Xyzgj6mfnfQIgLpgtFC5g-DXBjyjHW1fQ_pzspj3v-Sxskz/s1600/DSCN3814.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf0ahb2c800lLnFI3iHIFeGM3ANNcsJ-qkcD0PaEBxZhxue9X7n05bwmIfXxo6BqAEWqznoUpB0BVvsjB0z4Cm1UakO_N58Xyzgj6mfnfQIgLpgtFC5g-DXBjyjHW1fQ_pzspj3v-Sxskz/s320/DSCN3814.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622135875385650546" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">I am Faith. Married to Rick for 9 of my favorite months in life so far! This will be the 3rd time team leading a team to Kenya, my 8th time traveling to Kenya since 2005. This place has stolen a piece of my heart and is a "second home" of sorts. I can't wait to see my friends.</span></span><div><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLR7PbGeSxRZrdQ3WG-UNz8hmMCJrXU4gNqDieHGSixhKralUTIjYCtvVuCGxWzOUrYu9vueWeUcNUzdc_3wqvP9b8KxH3pOGRwbN-099r8glav5xKZb7CYiU6m_2NKg0_f_EjmJIDR2le/s1600/IMG_2585.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLR7PbGeSxRZrdQ3WG-UNz8hmMCJrXU4gNqDieHGSixhKralUTIjYCtvVuCGxWzOUrYu9vueWeUcNUzdc_3wqvP9b8KxH3pOGRwbN-099r8glav5xKZb7CYiU6m_2NKg0_f_EjmJIDR2le/s320/IMG_2585.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622133493238727058" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I am Penny. I have a great family: wife to David and mom of Jeremy and Hayley.<br />I work for the West Chester Area School district.<br />I love working with kids and teens of all ages.<br />I follow Jesus. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; font-family: Georgia, serif; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTQ-R_7c4T2m9sx6LwkXiyj2Og_8-DZnNbD6XwvF7qMINvW8yQHm3drrh22xP0sQTQqfvSA13QK3PwMXE998vqMU2twQmx-aWfkKnkO0xMdkkMKmOZzW-RdPJ9C4BESUuT5HsapSYejTL6/s1600/IMG_2571.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTQ-R_7c4T2m9sx6LwkXiyj2Og_8-DZnNbD6XwvF7qMINvW8yQHm3drrh22xP0sQTQqfvSA13QK3PwMXE998vqMU2twQmx-aWfkKnkO0xMdkkMKmOZzW-RdPJ9C4BESUuT5HsapSYejTL6/s320/IMG_2571.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622132671279527666" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">This is Hayley. She is the daughter of Penny.</span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size:small;"><br /></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5e9BL4gF1d3cUiYuK50r4trHBq1qQBe8cTsq1wgjMazeEIBhn-nPnVxUw5-cMHhv3ngeZcHFsl0BTBIshJl27sTgdkH-HF7L1L_rxDk2kI0BPi9Pn7mTDtuXOqq_lnC2Cb6JTTOnDkdOl/s1600/IMG_2583.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5e9BL4gF1d3cUiYuK50r4trHBq1qQBe8cTsq1wgjMazeEIBhn-nPnVxUw5-cMHhv3ngeZcHFsl0BTBIshJl27sTgdkH-HF7L1L_rxDk2kI0BPi9Pn7mTDtuXOqq_lnC2Cb6JTTOnDkdOl/s320/IMG_2583.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622133316708961890" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">My name is Rebekah, a.k.a. Becka. I'm a senior at Elco High school. I'm a part of the ELCO Bowling and Softball teams. I am a part of The Fireplace Christian Fellowship, which also has an amazing Youth Group, my youth leader is Mosel. She is an awesome women of God, and a great example to us youth. I am planning on going to College to become an Engineer. I have two very weird younger brothers and one beautiful younger sister. I have amazing parents that are always there for me no matter what. My grandma passed away in February. A few months back when I told her about me going to Africa, she asked me to bring her back a wooden elephant. Even though she's no longer with us, I'm still going to bring her back a wooden elephant. I just want Gods will for my life.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size:small;"><br /></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU3L3LIMw4JWDEsRccogW2kUhDnxoyp-Hw7FPAkrPDc5Tx5veNUyUuMbu-MsD71ViCn54OGWPf-WSUpB5nCB2SlygOs_kOFuXu_Y3EJssreS0fNBA55LhgFaoUwI0ADqRj4KH5qED6JLDP/s1600/IMG_2582.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU3L3LIMw4JWDEsRccogW2kUhDnxoyp-Hw7FPAkrPDc5Tx5veNUyUuMbu-MsD71ViCn54OGWPf-WSUpB5nCB2SlygOs_kOFuXu_Y3EJssreS0fNBA55LhgFaoUwI0ADqRj4KH5qED6JLDP/s320/IMG_2582.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622133311428692626" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I'm Alison McKenica. I'm really excited to be going to Kenya for the first time! I love travel adventures and experiencing new things. I know God is going to provide lots of unique experiences to serve and love people. The presence of God will be with us, ensuring no ordinary moments! Can't wait to share some great stories about it all!</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhngGPX09bJ8piG7wh9uHzhorLVqCx6J2FWV65WB02RgK8re7RJyy5OYpdorlvBDMl6gzxAP9lZGzUimUugye_9MOk3eEUUSAa44P0TyWd_unhyphenhyphenmU1NuLCGaEcxvK1nqKr7TCVWK2N8GTk0/s1600/IMG_2577.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhngGPX09bJ8piG7wh9uHzhorLVqCx6J2FWV65WB02RgK8re7RJyy5OYpdorlvBDMl6gzxAP9lZGzUimUugye_9MOk3eEUUSAa44P0TyWd_unhyphenhyphenmU1NuLCGaEcxvK1nqKr7TCVWK2N8GTk0/s320/IMG_2577.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622133043182314450" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">My name is Nate. I'm just your typical house painter-journalist combo. I love football and playing games with Seth Windle. I've recorded two musical albums, and I prefer bathing suits that allow me to get a little sun on my thighs. This is my first trip to Africa, and I'm excited experience the different culture and see how God uses it in my life.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size:small;"><br /></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7mtofi5m3dfG9ryDq8vnpk6eD-aWF-9wztkh4Ku1GrgVlRFVmmjsZq7PWtksNKYUHGSgnazLsY8TPeVG7FxlfddOjocVE2sfwiSKohZ1o_ZPZ44LeVIO21adHAsPchuBtLSmcibDjMZO9/s1600/IMG_2574.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7mtofi5m3dfG9ryDq8vnpk6eD-aWF-9wztkh4Ku1GrgVlRFVmmjsZq7PWtksNKYUHGSgnazLsY8TPeVG7FxlfddOjocVE2sfwiSKohZ1o_ZPZ44LeVIO21adHAsPchuBtLSmcibDjMZO9/s320/IMG_2574.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622133040738978242" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">This is Seth. This will be his 3rd trip to Kenya. </span></div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><u><br /></u></span></div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMuCZWT2Padj937oZTzTxNIEUzqcvRyv_35HpZNmyFzBwLSCkTv1nt28AbDpp9SO1gn8m5-T8m_tovpDyXLCRaks-Whc2CwTfBzrHyVE0GJzVVlD1eC9sC4nIOUEyhGVEPTiEnD74kmfBJ/s1600/IMG_2568.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMuCZWT2Padj937oZTzTxNIEUzqcvRyv_35HpZNmyFzBwLSCkTv1nt28AbDpp9SO1gn8m5-T8m_tovpDyXLCRaks-Whc2CwTfBzrHyVE0GJzVVlD1eC9sC4nIOUEyhGVEPTiEnD74kmfBJ/s320/IMG_2568.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622132665140826594" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">This is Lori. This will be her first time in Kenya. She is happy!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPI7ymXO4IvRK0Ew69txLhiio7av3EpC3enRhhRvVfVJfvJKdD7DO8kbAy_Nrjii-UPQhfR0U0-6aki-PSzzh1Bn_STA8r3md0QFaTJBCdWSScrOIhMivPZM3BZCG04Cbu0ebDJjLd6bQK/s1600/IMG_2564.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPI7ymXO4IvRK0Ew69txLhiio7av3EpC3enRhhRvVfVJfvJKdD7DO8kbAy_Nrjii-UPQhfR0U0-6aki-PSzzh1Bn_STA8r3md0QFaTJBCdWSScrOIhMivPZM3BZCG04Cbu0ebDJjLd6bQK/s320/IMG_2564.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622132322060827490" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">I'm Lauren. I am currently studying Early Childhood and Special Education at Bloomsburg University. This is my first time traveling to</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> Kenya but something tells me it won't be my last. Helping people is my passion and I'm so excited to see what God has planned for this trip!</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhYpMtk2LCNwCM26HmtAw2hLp5M8exCyjB7_Rqt4QP4R9l-jF5_tQp3wOoaX2QK4hZWXzUKyOK5w89fKnUAatd4ygntrwtUFL3cLByT8Ym4FpZUIbhQOf76YtZ-2FLTgDqk6-cy5FwQwX6/s1600/IMG_2562.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhYpMtk2LCNwCM26HmtAw2hLp5M8exCyjB7_Rqt4QP4R9l-jF5_tQp3wOoaX2QK4hZWXzUKyOK5w89fKnUAatd4ygntrwtUFL3cLByT8Ym4FpZUIbhQOf76YtZ-2FLTgDqk6-cy5FwQwX6/s320/IMG_2562.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622132318437523762" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">I am Melinda. Wife to David for 24 years, mother of four fabulous daughters, owner of (some times) way too many dogs. Puppy Educator for the Seeing Eye, recently involved with Canine Search and Rescue and currently training a dog for therapy work.<br />And most importantly, a daughter of the King and servant to all.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAnzAnjvef17n56OWj5eBncRAZvVJK_AYpvR4OUriAyjRrvRhxYBpTje5_Yfi4Fj-pGTuWx2sN1pbkjU_ESta4JhK7aApbFHSBWvBdgTn5B8xJMD65wEP-woNB3zauq7en6ubps6HkWsDY/s1600/IMG_2560.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAnzAnjvef17n56OWj5eBncRAZvVJK_AYpvR4OUriAyjRrvRhxYBpTje5_Yfi4Fj-pGTuWx2sN1pbkjU_ESta4JhK7aApbFHSBWvBdgTn5B8xJMD65wEP-woNB3zauq7en6ubps6HkWsDY/s320/IMG_2560.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622131687439206482" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Bob: Child of God, Husband, Father, Brother, Servant.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Eileen: Married to Bob for 28 years. Fifth grade teacher with the Springfield School District for 26 years. Mother of two grown children, Jillian and Scott. This is my second trip ro Kenya with Providence. I'm looking forward to sharing the experience with my husband and visiting with the TI staff and Kenyan folks I met in 2009.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><br /></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUJwiPk6zsu6-FdhAfKfW9__bkmoYrD2cM55W0kCVoxaqudLyPoHVoODrSa7F-s1rx1d9ywIZKzCbP-UUOxtV_l2h2m8wIAQlHWJGuiaO5Pt-5-T4aQTD-9izwBkKfNLMCoKquv5n_abEz/s1600/IMG_2557.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUJwiPk6zsu6-FdhAfKfW9__bkmoYrD2cM55W0kCVoxaqudLyPoHVoODrSa7F-s1rx1d9ywIZKzCbP-UUOxtV_l2h2m8wIAQlHWJGuiaO5Pt-5-T4aQTD-9izwBkKfNLMCoKquv5n_abEz/s320/IMG_2557.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622131683953757778" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">My name is A.J. and I am 28 years old. I have been happily married for over 4 years to Tina (who is also on the Kenya trip) but no children just yet. I am currently the production manager for an electronic design and manufacturing company called Nth Solutions. Some of my hobbies include snowboarding, fishing, and woodworking. I managed a pizza shop after college for about 6 years before deciding that the food business was not for me.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">My name is Tina, and I am the proud wife to AJ, my high school sweetheart (the ridiculously good-looking man that's standing next to me in this picture). Whenever I find a moment to relax from the hub-bub of life, you can typically find me spending time with AJ or the Lord, lost in a really intense book, behind the lens of a camera, fishing on Marsh Creek Lake, baking unhealthy delicious goodies, or playing 'Scattergories-clean' over Skype with my sister in Florida (play a round of Scattergories, clean for five minutes fast,...repeat!). What? Who said playing games can't be a motivator to clean! </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">**NOT PICTURED**</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">My name is Steph, I'm eighteen years old, and I graduated from highschool five days ago.<br />I'm an illustrator and writer, and I will be spending next semester in Europe at Calvary Chapel Bible College. I plan to attend the Rhode Island School of Design, majoring in Illustration or Animation the following year. This trip to Kenya will likely be one of the highlights of my summer, and I'm looking forward to the service, the people, and cultural beauty.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">My name is Jules Englund. I'm 20 years old and I am about to finish cosmetology school. I currently work as a makeup artist and at Avante Salon at Main Street Exton. And I love life:) </span></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"> </span></div></span></div>Faithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06886523833447069643noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1060831467398981422.post-83313724418289552902011-06-20T04:25:00.000-07:002011-06-20T04:31:53.770-07:00TEAM 2011 is gearing up to take flight......A team from Providence Church is heading back to Kenya!!!<div>DATES: July 5-19 </div><div>I am thrilled that 15 other individuals have decided to join me on this adventure! We are excited to once again be serving alongside our friends at <a href="http://transformedinternational.org">Transformed International</a>. </div><div><br /></div><div>Stay tuned to meet the team and travel with us as we make our journey from West Chester, PENNSYLVANIA to Kitale, KENYA. </div>Faithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06886523833447069643noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1060831467398981422.post-38397916067998107152010-06-08T11:54:00.000-07:002011-03-06T09:19:57.721-08:00Update from SethAt the end of last years trip, Meredith, staff of Transformed International, asked the team if any of us would be interested in supporting a child through one of their food/school programs. Because I had spent the entire week seeing how much kids truly needed food, I quickly agreed and was given the chance to choose the child I would support. I chose Maron, at the time he was 7 years old. I was given the opportunity to go and meet Maron the following day. Marons mother had died a few years earlier due to sickness. However his father, Maron has never met. Now Maron lives with his grandmother, with his sister Selil and an older brother. <div>Fast forward one year and yesterday I was given the opportunity to go and see Maron. (Keep in mind the majority of those who sponsor kids rarely get to actually see the kid. So I have really considered this a blessing.) </div><div>Faith, Kristy, Brenna, Mark and myself went and visited Maron, Selil, and their grandmother. When we arrived Maron was out playing so his grandmother went to find him and we were left with Selil. Selil has a form of mental retardation where it has limited her ability to hear, see, and have proper use of her limbs. As the team was sitting observing her I had to hold back tears. I questioned over and over again why God would allow such a beautiful and innocent child to be born with such deficiencies. To me it just doesn't add up and has been something that I have continued to wrestle with.</div><div>Those tears quickly turned to joy once Maron and his grandmother returned. In came a boy, just 8 years old, who has maybe just the clothes on his back, with the biggest smile I have ever seen. And that smile quickly disappeared when he realized four "mazungoo"(white person) were staring right at him. You would be freaked out too!</div><div><br /></div><div><div>We were able to ask Maron a few questions through Mark translating. He looked very healthy and is doing great in school. I truly have considered it a blessing be able to meet Maron face to face. </div><div><br /></div><div>I really hope you that have followed out trip via this blog have felt like a part of this experience in Kenya. We really wouldn't be hear without your support both financially and through PRAYER. Thank you so much!!</div><div><br /></div><div>In Him,</div><div>Seth</div></div>Faithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06886523833447069643noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1060831467398981422.post-58879145120344912632010-06-08T07:12:00.000-07:002010-06-08T13:46:03.551-07:00snapshotsi haven't pulled my camera out of my bag but once or twice in the last week since i set foot once again on african soil. i didn't want to experience things through any sort of lens or barrier. i wanted to simply take snapshots in my mind's eye and hope that the most important things would be so impressed on my heart that i wouldn't need a photograph to remember them. since i won't have any pictures to show (except for the ones that the rest of the team will inevitable post on the fb) i thought i could use this post to share some of my mental pictures with you.<div><br /></div><div>a few days ago, when we went to the veronica home to <i>mud the hut</i>, there was one little girl who left an imprint on my heart. when i exited our matatu the first girl to grab my hands after the traditional kenyan handshake, and not let go, was something special. she told me her name was lina. her head was shorn. her smile was white and brilliant. she had more eyebrows than a girl her age usually has. and, to top it off, she had sparkly eyes. i'm such a sucker for sparkly eyes. lina was wearing a white dress with a gold sash that was could have been some eight year old american girl's flower girl dress in its previous life- before it was worn and torn and discarded, only to be treasured by this lovely girl in the africa. lina's chin came up to my belly button and she held my hands tightly. but not too tightly. and our fingers were interlaced. the warmth of her hands in mine, the warmth of her eyes and her smile... that is a moment i treasured. i wish you could have held lina's hands.</div><div><br /></div><div>this afternoon we went to the in step house, the baby house, the miracle house. after the tour, and the traditional chai we were unleashed on the children, or i should say that the children were unleashed on us. right now there are 81 children living under the care of jeff, carla and a handful of aunties. i had the opportunity to hold baby gloria today. gloria is probably four weeks old, but there is no way to know for sure because she was found abandoned in a maize field. gloria has some significant scarring on her hands, arms and neck because by the time she was discovered, abandoned and alone in a field, the insects had descended upon her. gloria slept in my arms the entire time i held her. she smelled like warm oatmeal, chocolate lip gloss and diaper. her hair was soft and curly, and her fingernails were the smallest fingernails i have ever seen. i honestly didn't know that fingernails could be that small. although she was sleeping i made her hold my fingers, because you can do that with babies. i wish you could have held her fingers.</div><div><br /></div><div>it's late now. and i'm exhausted. i will try to get on here one more time to get a few more snapshots posted... but i just can't do it tonight :) thanks for understanding.</div><div><br /></div><div>xoxo</div><div>janell</div>Faithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06886523833447069643noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1060831467398981422.post-82610707855419621822010-06-07T10:24:00.000-07:002010-06-07T11:21:18.206-07:00From Kenya With LoveLove has changed my heart in Kenya. Specifically, the love that radiates from the children that Transformed International sponsors. To see a child with so little, embrace life with such joy is an inspiration for how I want to live my life. I did not know what to expect as I arrived in Kenya and by the grace of God have gained a valuable perspective on how living simply can enrich your relationship with our creator. Away from all the "noise" of my <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">American</span> lifestyle, God's direction has been much more clear and he has been challenging me to listen to him more and more. For instance, this morning, it was his will to have me travel to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Matunda</span> and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Eldoret</span>, but I really wanted to go with another group to visit a few children's homes. I decided to listen to God and I had wonderful Kenyan experience. First was a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">boda</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">boda</span> ride (which is a bike with a seat attached to the back) to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Kitale</span> to shop for one of Transformed <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Internationals</span> families. It is not every day that I am one of two white people in an entire town, which is a little intimidating. Then, off to the farm land of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Matunda</span> on a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Piky</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Piky</span> (motorcycle). For those who have never been to this area of the world, most of the roads that we traveled on are dirt and filled with holes. It makes for a wild motorcycle ride. The countryside of Kenya is breathtaking, unlike the cluttered towns and cities. After we made our delivery, we got into a van and were overstuffed for a long bumpy ride to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Eldoret</span>. Out of the country into the city. I thought <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Kitale</span> was intimidating. In <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Eldoret</span> we had lunch and picked up a van full of scarfs to bring back to the states, where they will be sold to raise money for a home and school for a group called the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Neema</span> girls. I not only got to experience Kenya in a whole other level, but also got to get to know one of our Kenyan friend's, Derek, much better. Simplicity and listening to God are just a few things that I gained from this trip to <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Kenya</span> that I hope to integrate into my life from now until our Father in Heaven welcomes me home. <div><br /></div><div>May you all walk with God today and everyday, John</div>Faithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06886523833447069643noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1060831467398981422.post-7683549024453875702010-06-07T10:07:00.000-07:002010-06-07T10:23:42.228-07:00Priceless SmilesHello All!<div>Today several of us went in the villages with Ann, TI's social worker, to visit some of the children they sponsor and to deliver more of the clothes that we purchased the other day. I personally was looking forward to stepping into peoples' lives and seeing them in their homes with their families. It was such a joy to see how excited the children and their families were and to see the pride that they had in sharing their homes with us. Most of the homes were made of mud and had floors made from cow dung, but they were so clean and well kept (they were also warned that we would be visiting so I imagine that they put a little more into their homes for the occasion). The children each received a new church outfit and some second-hand clothes which they modeled for us. For the majority of the kids these were the first new clothes they had ever received and they were very shy about modeling them for us, but were obviously excited too! At each home we prayed with the families and that was such a moving experience for me. To be among people who live in such desperation, yet to know that our God is a God of love, compassion, peace, provision and joy brought such hope to my heart and reminded me of his continued faithfulness. At the times when I have felt so broken and hopeless for these people He has shown up in a smile or a story of redemption and has made it so evident to me that He reigns and is redeeming His people! What a blessing and honor it has been to be able to tangibly share His love!</div><div>Tomorrow is our last day here with TI and I think that we all are feeling a bit sad at the prospect of leaving, but I know that I will leave with renewed knowledge that our God is truly a faithful God and that His love brings hope and joy!</div><div>Joy to you all,</div><div>Kristi</div>Faithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06886523833447069643noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1060831467398981422.post-66598886416800359752010-06-03T08:07:00.000-07:002010-06-03T09:13:36.330-07:00Update from SethBeing able to return to Kenya for another trip has been such an awesome experience. Everything seems the same...we are continually stared at, everyone wants to marry one of the girls, the kids hang on you like a jungle gym, and the food is amazing. This trip has been somewhat different then last years in that the guys and girls have not spent as much time together. <div>Yesterday the guys( John, Luke, Seth ) had the opportunity to help construct two mud huts out at the Veronica Home; where there are 14 kids and 2 parents, Ben and Veronica. </div><div>Doing construction in PA and doing construction in Kenya are two totally different experiences. For instance, to dig the footers for the two huts we used our hands. That is just one of the many differences in our cultures.</div><div>Then today(Thursday) we returned to finish working on the huts. Saturday the entire team will go and "mud" the huts. I am not really sure what consists of mudding, so I am sure that it will be and adventure as well.</div><div>I think one of the greatest experiences of this trip has been watching my little brother interact with the kids, my friends, and the culture. I remember when he called me about a month prior to us leaving for Kenya asking if there was still room go. I was a little nervous and anxious about him coming mainly because I didn't know how he would react to some of the everyday experiences here...Much to surprise he has loved every minute of it. And it truly has been a blessing being able to serve alongside with him. </div><div>And lastly but certainly not least is seeing how the Lord has answered so many prayers, even within a few days of us being here. Martin, one of the kids at Veronica Home was on the verge of dying last year when our team left Kenya. He had contracted TB, Menongitis, Chicken Pox and on top of that was just told he had HIV. Honestly, I, along with others did not think he was going to survive. Thank goodness my faith didn't decide his life because he Jesus healed him and is now one of the healthiest looking kids at the home. He is full of life, smiles and energy.</div><div><br /></div><div>That is all for now. Hope you all are doing well!</div><div>Seth</div>Faithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06886523833447069643noreply@blogger.com1