1 Selfless Couple + 103 Abandoned Children = In-Step

Hello Friends!

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.

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.

For more information about IN-Step go to: http://www.rehemainstep.com/

In Christ,

Hayley Gerrard

The One Who Showed Mercy

What does it mean to love those who live in poverty?

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.

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.

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.

We had our daily, afternoon thunderstorm. The deep blue sky, rolled in, the thunder shook the ground as we laughed and embraced.

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.

Alison

Mazungus Go to Church

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.

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!

love! love! love!,

Lori

faithwise2010's photostream

faithwise2010's photostream on Flickr.

Some photos from our first day with the neema and shimo girls making jewelry and sewing bags.

A Day of Rest & Reflection

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Hope you each find rest and are able to delight in simple joys today!

Faith (for the team)

faithwise2010's photostream

faithwise2010's photostream on Flickr.

the ladies learned to cook from two kenyan mamas.

Our Day at the Veronica Home

Greetings from Kenya!

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.

In Christ,

Lauren Spiller