First Days from Steph's Perspective

Day 1-2.

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.

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.

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.

In the end, I survived on pretzel goldfish and World War Z, a novel documenting the oral history of the zombie war.

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.

In short: Cars do not stop.

Not for one another.

Not for reckless bike messengers.

Not for two-ton buses.

Not for clueless American pedestrians who may happen to stray directly into their path.

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.

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.

We dined that night at the Nairobi Java House, which, contrary to popular belief, had little to do with actual java.

My entire table, including myself, ordered Mexican food.

It was pretty spectacular.

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.

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.

We were going to ride eight hours to the village of Kitali.

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.

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.

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.

The following are my three favorite sights:

-A four-year old boy, hot on the heels of an 800-pound cow

-An entire vanful of local travelers, all joyously drinking strawberry milk

-A group of Kenyan preschoolers, excited and overjoyed beyond comprehension, playing with a pile of tires.

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.

Team Perspectives

There are a few others keeping blogs while we are here in Kenya. Feel free to check out their blogs:

Stephanie: http://steph-in-kenya.blogspot.com/2011/07/day-1-2.html

AJ & Tina: http://mountainmovers.blogspot.com/

Schooled in the kitchen

We 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.

Thanks for your prayers.

Blessings,

Eileen and Melinda (for the team)

Honey, 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 :)

We made it to NYC and have boarded the plane to Dubai!

Travel 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.

Here is a general timeline for our travel until Thursday.

JULY 5th

• 5am: leave west chester, pa to head to nyc
• 11 am: 13 hour flight to Dubai with a 2 1/2 hour layover

**we jump ahead 7 hours here

JULY 6th

• 10:45 am (Dubai time) leave for 5 hour flight to Nairobi
• 2:45 pm arrive in Nairobi
• spend the night in Nairobi

JULY 7th

• spend the day traveling across the country by bus and arrive in Kitale around dinner time

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)!

Faith

Meet the Team

On JULY 5th, we will be heading to KENYA.............together, just the 16 of us!

Here we are:

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.

I am Penny. I have a great family: wife to David and mom of Jeremy and Hayley.
I work for the West Chester Area School district.
I love working with kids and teens of all ages.
I follow Jesus.

This is Hayley. She is the daughter of Penny.

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.

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!

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.

This is Seth. This will be his 3rd trip to Kenya.

This is Lori. This will be her first time in Kenya. She is happy!

I'm Lauren. I am currently studying Early Childhood and Special Education at Bloomsburg University. This is my first time traveling to

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!

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.
And most importantly, a daughter of the King and servant to all.

Bob: Child of God, Husband, Father, Brother, Servant.

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.

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.

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!

**NOT PICTURED**

My name is Steph, I'm eighteen years old, and I graduated from highschool five days ago.
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.

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:)