STARS over Kisumu

The Stages of Reverse Culture Shock

2010-08-22T20:38:00.000-07:00

Hello friends...

1 year ago, I was in a complete state of loneliness and desperation for God and truth, but said 'yes' to God's plan and next adventure in my life... which led me to...

1 month ago, I was getting ready to wake up and go hold and feed orphan babies.

1 week ago, I was enjoying my last couple hours of Kenyan sleep.

1 hour ago, I was listening to music trying to process all that's happened since I've been home.

1 minute ago, I reread a debriefing article with the stages of reverse culture shock.

And that sums up my last week. Bwana Asifiwe- both Jessica and I got home safely. God was with us and working in our favor the whole trip.

Stage 1. The Ups & Downs of Preparing to Go Home

I was so ready to leave Kenya. I made myself be ready to leave Kenya. Too much hurt has come in the past when I've tried to avoid thinking about the end totally then it hits me like a brick wall. So I started to set "benchmarks" of things to look forward to when I got home: moving in with my best friends again, my dear friend's wedding, my Sr. French horn recital, visiting California, and of course graduation in December! Everything was getting me so excited to get home, and so ready to make the switch between cultures... except at the same time, I felt like I was trying to hold on to every moment of Kenya; every smell, every sound, every feel, every word, every accent, everything... but then, time was flying more quickly then I knew what to do. It became a game to hold on and let go. I would make some sort of fishing analogy now, that you have to release the line-thing at just the right moment when casting, but I'm a bit too frazzled. Work out the analogy yourself if you'd like :)

Stage 2. Yay Home!

Anticipation, Excitement, Happiness, Fascination... yep- textbook characteristics to my first few days home. I was so happy to finally get home. I was fascinated by every difference and every new change- driving on the right side of the road, cold milk, carpet, changing leaves, a new puppy, clean tap water, laundry machines, boxed cereal, sweet corn, and peaches. I still am so happy to be home- but this euphoric stage only lasted for Wednesday, Thursday, and part of Friday. I even told at least one of my friends that I experienced no jet lag and almost no culture shock. If I'd understood the stages more at the time, I'd know what was coming next...

Stage 3. :(

Frustration, Anger, Alienation, Loneliness, Disorientation, Helplessness, Irritated, Critical, Stranger... textbook characteristics of this weekend. I was so thrilled to have my sister and her boyfriend come home to NY for the weekend. I was anticipating a packed weekend of fun and relaxation. Friday evening, I started to feel unsettled. When they got home later at night, they brought with them an element that I was distant from- the American young people culture. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, just something I had yet to come in contact with since I returned home. No avoiding it now. American culture is right in my face again. And with the American culture is the trying to explain the Kenyan culture. I really felt prepared for this- I understand that when I have a Kenyan story to tell, odds are that people don't really want to hear... and if they do want to hear, it's difficult to explain the story in a way that they can understand the Kenyan culture and thereby understand the story. so, I'm still in this phase. I feel angry for no reason. This morning at church- I felt enraged and then a split second later like I needed to burst into tears, all brought on because I remembered that last week was the last time I worshiped in Kenya. It was a celebration of dancing and singing and praising the Risen King. I wasn't prepared to worship our Lord sitting in a pew singing hymns [no offense, hymns]. Forgive me and be patient with me. Be honest with me, bring me back to American reality. Speak truthfully and lovingly. And pray with me as I work my way toward stage 4.

Stage 4. Normalizing and Readjusting

This is a gradual process. I'm still thinking positively right now- and I have hope and knowledge that everything will normalize, while keeping in mind that I am absolutely not the same person I was the last time I was here 2.5 short months ago. I look forward to seeing the specific changes within me, and can't wait to see how this summer of ministry will play out in daily life. And beyond all the hope I have within- I have Jesus Christ. As I choose to dive into a deeper relationship with Him and the God of the universe, I'll see the person He has molded me into this summer. I pray that this new person is a truer and clearer reflection of my Savior.

So how can ya'll join me in this reverse culture shock process?

Pray for Me and For this Process: It's tough. I fully expected this. I prepared myself as best I could before I went to Kenya to deal with this. Now pray with me that God's presence will be stronger still and that I don't get tripped up by all the distractions I face daily. Also pray for creativity in coping with the change- I've already been able to dive back into my music and can see it being used as a healing tool already. Pray that as I process, God provides more/other outlets for healing as well.
Pray for Kenya: Pray for the government. Pray for the people. Pray for Christ's Hope. Pray for the staff and volunteers. Pray for the patients. Pray for the families. Pray for the children taught God's word daily. Pray for the Ministry Care Point children. Pray that miracles are experienced and that God is given ALL the glory.

Follow Me on this journey back to 'normalcy': I'm probably only going to be updating my own blog from now out, but feel free to follow me and join me in this new adventure: maryfugate.blogspot.com

Mungu Aku Bariki [that feels so out of place...],
Mary

Time to say Goodbye

2010-08-16T00:45:00.000-07:00

Hello friends,

Jessica and I are flying out to go back to the US tonight.

Below are our flight times so you can be praying through our trip... these times are in California time :)

Today, August 16th:

Nairobi to Dubai: leave at 1:35 pm, get there at 6:35 pm.

Then we wait at the airport for 3 hours.

Dubai to NY: leave at 9:35 pm, get there on the 17th at 11:15 am.

So then we hang out on Long Island until the 18th.

I leave at 12:30 pm for home (1 hour flight), and Jessica leaves at 3:30 pm and will get to California at 9:30pm

Thank you all so much for your support, prayers, and encouragement. We'll update when we get back to the US.

Mungu Aku Bariki,
Mary

Rich in Jesus

2010-08-11T10:29:00.000-07:00

We are praising the Lord. We are back home in Kenya and it is good to be home. As we are winding down our last days it really starting to get busy. Amongst all the chaos of trying to finish our last to-dos it has been a challenge to really focus on the Lord. The schools are on vacation the whole month of August so we are not currently teaching VBS. BUT the Lord is so good so he has provided other ministry opportunities. One of my favorite things to do here in Kenya is to just speak the Gospel to anyone I meet. It is such a blessing here, because people are so accepting of Jesus. In the past three days I have had three different boda boda drivers (bicycle drivers) and I have shared Jesus with all three. And all three of them were already saved. Praise the Lord. It has been my mission to spread the Gospel to anyone I meet, but most people I meet are already saved. God is so Good! This has been so common for me on my trip. The last boda driver I had really got into telling my about his salvation. "Jesus is my salvation. I am washed in his blood. I could sin 400 times today and still be forgiven. He took my sins on the cross and now I don't have the burden." Him and I continued back in forth taking about the Lord for about fifteen minutes. There love and passion is huge. This is the type of conversations I have DAILY with people here. Another memorable incidence was a boda driver who had five stitches on his eye because he was just jumped by a few men. Him and I talked about the Lord and he blessed me with his heart "I have nothing without Jesus. He is so good and loving. Life is painful and miserable without Jesus, but once we have him we are free." I can't get over how free the people are here. They are so happy and complete.

"I know your afflictions and your poverty- yet you are rich!" Revelation 2:9

This afternoon Mary and I made it to the market and I went to see Wills. He was standing with his two cousin. A few days earlier I saw him and he said that the trouble he has in evangelising is having the courage to ask people if they want to accept the Lord. He told me that he had been sharing the gospel with his cousins and I saw a pocket testament in his cousin's pocket. So I whispered to him if he had asked them the big question yet and he said he would do it tonight. I encourage him to do it then and there. Both his cousins said they wanted to be saved. Mary was at the other end of the market so I grabbed her and went back to the guys. When I got back I explained why we need salvation, what it will means, and that they need to believe it in their heart (Not just to please the Mzungu). It was clear they wanted to ask the Lord in their heart. So we all held hands and prayed and now we have TWO more brothers in Heaven! Bwana Asifiwe! (Praise the Lord)

Jessica

♫ Step-By-Step ♫

2010-08-11T03:46:00.001-07:00

♫ Oh God, You are my God
And I will ever praise You

I will seek You in the morning,
I will learn to walk in Your ways,
And Step-By-Step You lead me
And I will follow you ALL of my days. ♫

This was the song echoing in my mind for most of the bus ride home from this past week spent in Mwanza, Tanzania. Jessica, Marieke, Anne, and I all had to "relocate" out of Kisumu because of the potential violence associated with the recent Constitutional Referendum vote and count. Praise God that it was an overall peaceful vote and count.

Mwanza was beautiful and full of adventures, but we certainly missed our Kisumu home. Jessica and I tried to have the best time possible, but the best way I can describe it is that it felt like we were stuck in an airport on a very long layover. Our time here is quickly coming to an end, so since we left Kenya, we were suddenly in the mindset to go home, but we were still so very homesick for Kisumu. Thus, we were homesick for two places- while trying to adjust to a new culture.

BUT- Christ's Hope in Tanzania is a beautiful ministry, and I was grateful to get to check it out. The director, Assed, graciously allowed us "Referendum Refugees" to stay in the new office house that is in the process of being finished. Jos and Sylvia were also there doing the Choose to Wait training, so even though ministry during the week was not possible, we got to interact with the national volunteers who were all so welcoming and friendly to us. It was funny at times because unlike Kenyans who almost all speak English, most Tanzanians speak kswahili and very few speak English... which led to interesting communication situations, especially when trying to jump on a matatu to town, or buy simple necessities like water. At the end of the week, we got to do a hospital visit, and get to know some of the street boys that are housed by Christ Hope- and we for sure had a lot of fun singing, playing futbol, and eating delicious rice and beans :)

Now that we're back in Kisumu, we have just little less than a week left of our stay. So what does the ministry look like for the rest of this week?

-Thursday: A day spent with Rock Ministries... including taking them all swimming in the afternoon.
-Friday: The Raman Center children's prison
-Saturday: Nyahera kids are meeting up with Manyatta kids AND Mama Eunice's 65 orphans AND the Rock Ministries kids for a fun day of games, skits, and lunch. By combining all the Ministry Care Points and others, we hope that the children will feel a sense of community- that they are not alone in what they face daily.

Sunday and Monday will be our days to spend saying our goodbyes, finishing up last minute things, and of course packing.

And then Monday evening Jessica and I will jump on a plane to return to the US.

Where did this summer go???

Mungu Aku Bariki,
Mary

Ooops... I forgot to post this

2010-08-08T10:28:00.000-07:00

Pretend that I posted this on July 27th :)

♫It's gonna take A LOT to drag me away from you... ♫

Last week... well, Wednesday - Friday was a week of goodbyes even though we have about 3 weeks left in Africa. This is the last week of classes, and then the schools have the entire month of August off for holiday... and this week, the Christ's Hope founders, Jos and his wife Sylvia, are here doing a Choose to Wait training in Kisumu... which means our normal ministry is off-kilter.

So the sum of my last week:

Farewell Ramba: This was the first school we had the chance of doing OVC at. I will always remember the passion these kids had to learn the word of the Lord, and the amazing teachers to drilled it into their brains. Memory verses were always learned, and the children always remembered the previous Bible story. Minus the few little terrors who pinched me during the last closing prayer, all the children every week were so lovely, welcoming, and curious about who we were and who we served.

Farewell Mt. Carmel: So this week, we decided to take a picture with them... and I'm surprised no one got smushed to death. The kids were so friendly, and were so enthusiastic to be in front of the camera ALL THE TIME. I wanted pictures of them doing their color sheets, so I discreetly took out my camera... well, see how long that lasted. The kids immediately started jumping into every picture. So, I told them that I'd only take pictures if they were coloring. They then followed me around with their color sheets saying, "Take a picture- I'm coloring! Take a picture!" Needless to say, I got a lot of interesting pictures. But in the end, we got some good snaps- and we also found out that they thoroughly enjoy Mzungu hair- every time I put it up, it got taken down. I'll always remember Mt. Carmel for the great questions from the students, and for leading us in song and poetry.

Farewell Rock VBS and Bible Study: These 15 children were one of the highlights of my week- ALWAYS. Even from the first time I went, I connected to these kids and enjoyed them as part of their family unit. These kids are SO creative and can play for hours and hours. They really love each other and that's seen through the way they share, the way they include each other in games, and the way that they ultimately look out for one another. I'll miss their songs, games, smiles, and hugs. Since most of the kids live on-sight, we're praying that we can get just one more day with them to do a day long camp and go swimming and have more fun then we know what to do with.

The Bible Study was with the older students at Rock. Our group, "Team Jesus," has been so eager to learn God's word as we study it, and so eager to learn more about their leaders! After weeks of them begging, Jessica, Anne, and I sang them the Bubblegum song... but our group didn't allow us to get away that easily. They still made Jessica and I sing for just our team... but then every single song we sang wasn't good enough. I think eventually we ended up singing "Amazing Grace- My Chains are Gone!" and they were finally content. I'll miss their love for us, their eagerness for God, their hope for change, and their commitment to a better life for themselves and their future families.

Farewell Pandi Pieri: Celebrity status and phenomenal music! Those are the 2 things I'll always think of when I think of this school! The very last thing they told us was: Greet your mother, greet your father, greet your brother, greet your sister!!! Such sweethearts!!!

Farewell Lwala: This group was by far the most shy and skeptical of the Wazungu at first... but they certainly warmed up to us! It was the first week we got to have play time with them. Precious children with precious teachers who work so hard for the Lord! I just love them!

So even though it was a week of goodbyes- and processing it is tough- the life and ministry here are still continuing with power and might. The care point on Saturday was so special as ALL the children are really opening up to us more and more and more, and my heart for each of them grows bigger and bigger and bigger... and I didn't even think it was possible!

Like I mentioned, this week we're sitting under the teaching of Christ's Hope founders Jos and Sylvia as they teach us how to teach Choose to Wait. There are about 20 people in the training course every day- and about 5 Kenyans staying in the house with us. Mary Beth, and American who was working with the Masai all summer, has also joined us to check out the ministry for a short time. So we have a very full house with our normal ministries being run by Marieke and Anne and Mary Beth and our local volunteers, and the rest of us in training all day. Pray for a lovely week of fellowship and hospitality, and for peace as we're going and going and going from early morning till late at night.

Please also continue to pray for us and the ministries. I know from the past that I have a tenancy to "Check Out" early emotionally and begin to distance myself from people and the ministry. I refuse to do that here. I love it too much and my heart is so deeply rooted here. But- I still know that goodbyes will get more and more difficult and getting on that plane in 3 weeks will be nearly impossible. I don't want to think about leaving, but I do want to prepare myself and ask for prayer in advance for the hurt we'll feel when we leave this place.

This video is something Denise shared with the team on the 2nd afternoon we were here, just before our first official storm in Africa... and also happens to be a cool version of one of my favorite songs ever. Sunday night, Jessica and I were in a pavilion restaurant eating pizza after a wild Boda ride though the beginnings of an epic storm... which immediately brought me into a place of marveling God's presence... so enjoy this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjbpwlqp5Qw

Mungu Aku Bariki,
Mary

Off to Tanzania!

2010-07-31T06:49:00.000-07:00

Hello all,

Check out the press release to see what we're up to this week...
On Wednesday 4th August, 2010, the people of the Republic of Kenya will have the opportunity
to express their democratic right by voting in a national referendum to accept their proposed
new Constitution or not.

Recently there have been incidents leading to this historic event where various gatherings
ended in confusion and uncontrolled violence causing the death of some people at one such
gathering.

We have monitored the situation over a period of time, gathering information from a variety of
sources as to the safety and security of our international volunteers currently serving in the
Republic of Kenya.

The leadership of Christ’s Hope International in consultation with the Kenyan leadership
unanimously decided that for the sake of the safety and security of our international volunteers,
they will be relocated to Tanzania for a duration of time during and after the referendum. They
will be staying at the Christ’s Hope International – Tanzania office for this time.

For any further information or clarity, please feel free to contact the International Director at the
following contact details:

+49 (0)1 763 733 4351
Email: info@christshope.org

Shhhh, don't tell my momma!

2010-07-20T12:15:00.000-07:00

Tuesday at Nyahera. Ok, so I absolutely cannot contain my excitement about writing this blog. The only problem is, it may be difficult to explain the hilariousness of the day- or may not even be humorous outside of the Kenyan culture... but oh heck, here it goes:

First of all, even before the day began, we found out that our Care & Compassion volunteer, Dorine, came down with malaria, so she wasn't able to come with us to translate. But God provided along the way and we made it through the day quite swimmingly.

Our first stop was George's house. George was the patient we brought on last week and took to Masseno hospital and found out he had TB and thrush. Well, Praise God! He's doing so well!!! I hardly recognized him when we pulled up to his house. Last week he could barely walk and it was obvious that speaking was painful for him. This week, he's walking with strength and was speaking to us with a renewed voice and new energy. I just can't thank God enough for leading us to George last week, for a good hospital that can diagnose so accurately George's infections, and for the proper medications to strengthen and heal his body... and I'm so thankful for all of you readers who kept George and his wife Maureen in your prayers last week. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you.

The next stop was Joseph. This was my first week seeing Joseph- he was a patient of ours who despite only being 30 something, had a severe stroke. He spend about 1 1/2 months in the office where Robert is now so that he could get the proper physical therapy needed to recover from the stoke. Now, he can walk very far, and has almost full mobility, except with his left arm and hand... but it's for sure getting stronger slowly! His wife left him the moment she found out that he was very down with AIDs and moved to Nairobi with his children. However, he has decided to find a new wife... beginning with looking in the church... and have a real wedding! The majority of Kenyans here are not married. The benefits of not being married is that it costs much less and the bride's family doesn't have to worry about the dowry. The downside is that it has resulted in a culture in which the family unit is a complete mess. I remember Julie telling us a few weeks back that more and more people are having a real wedding, to make the commitment in front of friends and family and God. Even though Julie wasn't married when she had all her children, she and her husband had a church wedding with the hopes that her children will go through the formality and choose a wedding as well.

The hilarious moment of this visit was that besides the fact that Joseph and his momma were beyond thrilled to see us, the momma let Desmond know that some bananas were ready for us but we'd have to cut them down. Thinking nothing of it, we walked to the back of the house and there was a HUGE bunch of bananas in one tree. I never expected the momma to give us that many bananas, and then, instead of just cutting down the bunch- the whole tree needed to be cut down! So down went the banana tree with the machete and we'll probably be eating banana bread until we die.

The next stop was Kennedy and just as we were pulling up near his home, the car completely stopped- no power, no gas, nothing. So we lifted up the hood and figured it must be the battery because the Land Cruiser had been having battery issues. Anywho, we asked one of the mommas as the house we parked at if she had a "spanner"... which is a wrench... I think? She said she didn't so we decided to do the visit with Kennedy and then figure out the car. It turned out that he had to show us a potential new patient, so he came back to the car with us, but it still wasn't working. Kennedy didn't have a spanner either- so he sent someone off looking for one. We were at the broken down Land Cruiser for over 2 hours... in the hot African day. But we had bananas to eat :) I ended up reading my Bible for most of it and taking a nap, which was just so lovely. But in that 2+ hours there were many hilarious moments. Firstly, at one point before the mechanic crew got there, we thought about push starting the Land Cruiser. Honestly, I have no idea what that means... but in order to push start it, we had to push the Land Cruiser out of it's spot so it would have more room to start. So- Kennedy, the momma, some other guy, and I tried to push the Land Cruiser slightly uphill. It didn't go so well. We pushed it about 5 feet though! and I think all of us faceplanted at some point while we tried to push out. Secondly, when the mechanic crew got there, the head mechanic was slightly intoxicated. He tried to "clean off" the battery by pouring water on the fuses. The last time I heard- "Water and Electricity DON'T Mix!" Thirdly, we once again tried to push the Land Cruiser back to push start it... however this time it was a success! But after we sweated and pushed the Land Cruiser to the appropriate push starting location, we realized that if the battery isn't working whatsoever, that push starting the car will be useless. Fourthly, the mechanics had no idea how to fix the car so then we had to wait for the other mechanic to get back from his outing in Kisumu. Fifthly, before the mechanics got there, a random man came with several "spanners" and pliers. But the spanners were not the right size, and the pliers were frozen stuck... so the momma dumped oil on them and they were still stuck and no use to us. And Lastly, it turns out that the problem was the battery. A matatu driver came randomly and fixed the Land Cruiser in 2 minutes time... and he did the same thing to the battery that Desmond had done before we even went into Kennedy's home.

So back on the road, our next stop was "Potential New Patient" who was supposed to be very down. As we pulled up, a nearby school was releasing the children for lunch break, so it was an adventure getting through the mob of children screaming "Mzungu" and then trying to park the Land Cruiser away from the mob. Then, just as I was rolling up the window, a very old, very drunk Kenyan man came up to the car and greeted us and said "Mzungu, I'm so hungry"... so Desmond told me to give him a banana then he'd go away. Ok, well, he didn't go away. Instead, he said, "Oh I love you! OOOO AAAAAA OOOOO AAAAAA I love Mary" Creepy- he heard someone say my name. So we quickly walked into the patient's home. The patient looked very healthy and very well. Her only qualm was that sometimes her chest hurt. Desmond suggested she get an X-ray at the clinic... so she chimed in by saying that she didn't have the money. Well, we know that the X-rays at the clinic are completely free. So at that point we realized that she wouldn't be a good candidate to be a Christ's Hope patient... but also by this point, we'd attracted quite the crowd in the house... including creepy drunk Kenyan man. He sang us a song about the Bible, and then it was clearly time for us to leave. And yet, the drunk man followed us all the way back to the car. It was a very interesting visit...

After that crazy adventure, we were quite ready for a craziness break. So after we took our Coke and Mandazi lunch break, we went to see Julianna. I had been waiting for this moment all day! She is doing fine! She was walking around and playing with the children at her house. Steven was very helpful and was clearly looking after the other 6 or so children at the house. Pray for him, he has so much responsibility at home I'm just hoping and praying that he can learn at school and not have to stay home all the time to look after the younger children. We then walked down the lane to see Little George. His whole family have been patients of ours in the past, but now they are all stronger, except little George. George is 2 or 3 years old, but he barely looks 1. He's so tiny and so unhealthy looking. But, he's in a good home, with lots of love and care. It was nice to meet their family, even though they have a troubled past and a lot of burdens to share. I loved seeing these children :)

From the children's homes, we picked up Lydia to help us translate for the last 3 patients who speak nearly no English at all. We went to Marilyn's house... and that's when I almost fell out of the Land Cruiser... Shhhh, don't tell my momma! This is the 3rd consecutive week I've been to her home, and so every week I've wanted to take pictures of the "road" because it really is more like a walking path... and more like a leisurely hike that we take the Land Cruiser on. So this week, I took a video... which will be posted soon, I promise! Well, at one point, the most dismal point on the road, Desmond hit a bump and I don't really remember it, but stuff was flying off the dash, I was flying out of my seat and I didn't know which was up and which was down and that's when I almost fell out the window. We were all fine... but it's quite funny because since the video was running, everyone was trying to be quiet to not mess up the video... but really I was just cracking up that we got it on tape and then our reactions to the incident.

When we arrived at Marilyn's house I was so excited to see all the kids- Esther, Emmanuel, and Geoffrey. Geoffrey's legs still weren't looking great, but today we had more bandages for them. Pray that they continue to heal. Emmanuel was very excited to see us as always. Marilyn was complaining of a headache... which if it's the back of the head/neck headache can be meningitis, which can be very dangerous and deadly. We warned her of this and told her that if her headache gets at all worse, she needs to go to the clinic immediately. She lamented that it's tough for her to get to the clinic, and I don't blame her... but pray that her headache does not worsen, that it goes away, and if need be, she'll take the steps necessary to get to the clinic and get proper treatment. What thrilled me from this visit the most was Esther. When we got there, she didn't scream or shrink away from us, but instead shook my hand confidently and smiled. Yes, this little girl who was terrified a few weeks back met us with a smile. Not only that, but she reminded Emmanuel to give me the gift they gathered just for me! The gift was a type of fruit, not to sure what it is, but it looks like a long grape but tastes like badly processed lunch meat. I was still grateful and so appreciative of this gift from the children. At the end of the visit, Geoffrey set her on top of a large rock and like a good big brother, he left her there. And I was so thrilled when she reached out for only me to help her off. I think it's safe to say that Esther and I are good friends now :)

Our last 2 patients were Arthur and Angeline (who I thought was named Evelyn in last weeks blog). Arthur made it to Chemotherapy last week, and was looking better than last weeks visit. He's still very weak but his hope is in the Lord for sure. When I read scripture to him, Lydia translated, and then he repeated out loud each word. It was a really special time. Angeline is pregnant and we have no idea when she is due. She is going to the clinic regularly, but in Kenyan culture, people don't acknowledge pregnancy until the baby is born. So she was very private and wouldn't even disclose when the baby should be due with us. So not only pray that Angeline opens up to us so that we can best help her, but pray for the culture to shift so that all babies get the proper care and mothers get the proper education before the baby is born.

After a long day, but a hilarious day, we made our way back to Kisumu. Last week, we had Roger (a previous volunteer from the Netherlands) and his 4 friends over for dinner while they're on holiday. So this week, they offered to cook for us, which of course none of us would ever pass up! Unfortunately, we ran out of gas for the stove... and Kisumu pretty much ran out of cooking gas entirely. Instead of figuring out the Jiko cooker (the grill type thing that most Kenyans use) like we did last night to make pancakes, the guys decided to bring us take out Chinese food. It was very nice- and it still boggles my mind to think that I'm in Kenya, in a house full of Dutch people, eating some of the best take out Chinese food I've ever had. Internationalness rocks.

And throughout the whole day- I just couldn't help but see how the prayers that you blog readers are praying are being answered weekly. Thank you for your faithfulness in reading the blog and praying. Thank you for remembering Jessica and I and the work we're doing for the Lord. And thank you for responding to the whisper of God to pray for Kisumu and Christ's Hope ministry.

Lala Salama,
Mary

Momma Bear Mode

2010-07-19T13:45:00.000-07:00

Saturday: I LOVE Saturdays. I adore the Nyahera children. Each child is so special and so unique and so lovable in their own way.

And if anything happens to them- apparently I have a mild to moderate emotional reaction... and it may be fierce. I call it my momma bear mode.

I never had this instinct before last summer- when I was the counselor to the female service staff at my camp... aka about 17 teenagers. They were all so amazing and were so inspirational. I learned so much through observing their work ethic and love of the Lord. And not gonna lie- I miss them all extremely--- but back to momma bear mode- I realized this weird reaction when one of them was going through boy issues. I just wanted to slap that boy across the face and say- "hey now, what are you doing?" For the rest of the summer I recognized the same reaction when I found out the crazy things they were doing--- which weren't even crazy. Like when they went on the zipline- I freaked out a lot on the inside... even though I had sent campers off the zipline hundreds of times and everyone was fine.

Back to this summer- On Saturday- my emotions hit Momma Bear Mode.

Last week, little precious Julianna was sick. We talked to her brother Steven and he said that she was doing well, she just wasn't feel too well. Kids get sick all the time, right? I didn't worry too much. Now for a little more info on Julianna- she is our care & compassion patient. A couple months back, she was very down. But now, she's running around with the other children and you can hardly tell the difference between her and the other 100% healthy children. So this week, she was again sick and missed the MCP. When I saw Steven without his sister, my stomach flipped and I hit Momma Bear Mode. I talked with him and he said that Julianna is still sick. She's laying in the bed. She is getting better. She's eating. She's still not strong... I just wanted to drop EVERYTHING and run to her house to make sure she was ok. I'm so thankful that I get to follow up with her tomorrow when I do care & compassion and I just pray that her sickness isn't serious again and that she'll soon be well.

Julianna wasn't my only Momma Bear Moment- Geoffrey [eldest son of our patient Marilyn and brother to Emmanuel and Esther] had pretty bad wounds on his shins a few weeks ago. We've given him bandages and cleaned the wounds out, and they were almost healed! At the beginning of the day, I checked the wounds again and they were really just looking very good... later in the day, he was nearly curled up and in tears because of the pain of something. I couldn't figure out what so I called Lillian to translate. He was hiding his legs, and when he showed me, I realized what happened. The wounds opened back up... blame it on the futbol. Unfortunately, there was not a whole lot I could do for him, except joke around with him, wipe away his tears, and get a smile out of him. Momma Bear Mode is not pleasant when there's nothing that can be immediately done to help these children.

The one child I was able to assist in any medical way on Saturday was Emmanuel. The whole group was playing an intense game of cat and mouse... which can get very violent very quickly... and at one point Emmanuel, Steven, and Evans collided. Steven jumped up like nothing happened, Evans screamed and so Lillian took him, and Emmanuel got up wincing in pain with a strawberry on his knee. Luckily, I happened to have a Bandaid in my wallet [thanks Dad for teaching me this trick!] I cleaned of his knee with a tissue and water, and put the Bandaid on. Nearly instantly, the Bandaid used it's special magical powers and Emmanuel's teary-eyed frown turned into a big grin.

Overall the MCP was nice this week. 2 of the guys from the Netherlands came with me to Nyahera, and the other 2 went to Manyatta with Jessica. It was so amazing to see both the reactions of the kids and our new friends. The boys were able to play futbol with the Dutch guys who can actually play futbol... unlike my awful attempts. And I think it was really important for the Dutch guys to be able to see the kids and connect with them as well.

Sunday: We skipped church. Yes, we did. Instead, Jessica and I stayed home and listened to a couple sermons from Francis Chan's series on Revelations. Learning to rest is a tool that is really keeping me going while we're here, and so that's exactly what Sunday was.

Monday: We held the babies. I love the babies so much! I know I've said it over and over again, but I just really do love them.

However, the most special moment from this visit to New Life was with a little toddler named Isaiah. Jessica and I were with the babies during their "outside time." I was sitting just on the edge of the play mat when I heard a scream from the direction of the sidewalk. Isaiah had faceplanted, and as soon as we made eye contact, he came running over to me and jumped in my arms and cried until he couldn't cry anymore. It was a profound "God moment" in so many ways. Briefly, God longs for us to make eye contact with him and run into His arms in any trial or struggle or bad day. Secondly, if I came to Kenya only to be there in that place at that exact moment to console Isaiah, it would have ALL been worth it. God's timing and plan is so perfect and I needed Isaiah to need me in that moment for me to really remember that.

So then tomorrow is Tuesday and I can only imagine what lies in front of us while we work in Care & Compassion. I look forward to specifically visiting Julianna and Geoffrey, and maybe that will put my Momma Bear Mode at ease.

Mungu Aku Bariki,
Mary

As cool as the Jo Bros

2010-07-16T03:59:00.001-07:00

What a week! [... I think I start off every blog entry like that...]

Monday: New Life

Oh the babies. I just love the babies. I love loving the babies. I love that I know many of the babies names and personalities. Next Monday I'll try to take some pictures of the babies so you all can know how adorable the babies are :)

And Praise God- little baby Aaron that I talked about last week is in the adoption process... he'll get to grow up with a loving family :) I'm so happy for him!

Tuesday: C & C

Emotional day from start to finish.

One of our patients, George, passed away Monday night, so we started off on Tuesday with his family. The mourning process here is so different than in the U.S. When we got to the house, there were many family members gathered, but no one was crying. In fact, no one even seemed sad. That really confused me and sent my emotions on a roller coaster ride. Sitting with the wife, praying with her, reading her Psalm 23... my heart was heavy with sorrow for the widow, and for the children... but the atmosphere just didn't align with the emotions of sorrow and sadness.

But as we've learned in the Kenya society, people rarely open up. People don't share their emotions. Ask anyone how they are, and they are always "fine." It's just not in the culture for people to share their struggles, their sorrows, their burdens... very unlike America.

Throughout the day we saw a lot of patients that were doing better than last week: Marilyn is looking well, Claudie is doing very well, and Samson was discharged from Christ's Hope services. And a couple patients who are still very down: Arthur underwent his first chemo round on Wednesday, and he could barely sit up to ride the Piki... pray for his treatment and his health, and Evelyn is pregnant but still malnurished, and Irene is a new patient who says she's 30 years old, but barely looks 16 years old. But we ended the day in a bittersweet way with a new patient... whose name is, can you guess it? George. He was very down and barely walking. So we took him to Masseno hospital. It turns out that he has thrush and TB. Praise God that we found him when we did and were able to get him the help he needed. But please continue to pray for George and his lovely wife Maureen as they continue to battle out the health crises that come their way, and pray that they will seek God and recognize His hand in their lives.

Wednesday: Ramba & Mount Carmel

Back to the kiddos.

Ramba is always a breath of fresh air. The small children always greet us and swarm the Tuk-Tuk. They LOVE being taught about God's word. They LOVE learning who Jesus was and is. They LOVE memorizing the Bible verses we give them. And they LOVE coloring and playing games with us. Even though communication isn't great, and more often then not I feel like I'm at a zoo as they stare at me, put their hands on my arms [and feet... sorta gross and I don't understand the fascination with my feet?], and play with my Mzungu hair... these children are just too precious for words and I feel so blessed to be able to spend time with them every week.

Mount Carmel is fun. I really can't describe it any other way. We sing with them, and this week they sang to us. The girls sang and did some dances, and the boys recited a poem. It was very sweet. What struck me this week was the amount of kids who swarm the outside of the building to see what's going on, to hear the lesson, to sing the songs, and to check out the crazy Mzungus.

It reminds me of the verse in Matthew 9:37 "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few." There are so many children who are eager for the gospel, but people power is needed. We see this over and over again here, the needs are so great but the amount of volunteers are so small. With prayer and people power, Christ's Hope would be able to expand VBS programming and add more ministry care points while still developing the existing ones. Pray for workers for the plentiful harvest.

Thursday: Rock & Pandi

We're connecting with people. We're making friends. At the Rock Bible Study with the teenagers, we all had a chance to share our testimony and why/how we first trusted the Lord and made Jesus our savior. The moment we ended this time- they all seemed to open up a lot more. And they even held me accountable to singing for them... which I promised them the first time we met... not only that, and I don't remember how exactly it happened... but they also convinced me to play guitar. Ok- so I am learning guitar, but I only know how to play a couple songs, and it's really bad... and I couldn't remember like any of the chords when I had the guitar in my lap anyway. I don't think they were that impressed... And now this week, they want Jessica and Anne to sing for them... so we're going to write a rap song for them :) I'm soooo looking forward to it!!! One of the girls, Whitney, joined our group this week, and man, can that girl sing! She also knows so many Christian artists and bands, her knowledge boggles my mind... and now we really have something in common which is a great place to start a good friendship. All the kids at Rock are so amazing and I can't wait to spend more and more time with them.

Pandi Pieri is just across the street (or opposite) from Christ's Hope. It's a HUGE school. When we walked in the gate, already in a joyful mood because of coming straight from Rock, I heard in the distance, "Mary!" Such a warm welcome! Kids line the halls to shake our hands and give us a high five. It's so much fun. And as I walked into the corridor our classroom is in, a group of girls grabbed my arms and led me the rest of the way.

The lesson was good- but the music was fabulous!!! These kids praise God with all their hearts and use their voices so LOUDLY. I'm pretty sure if you listen closely, you'll be able to hear them in California or New York or wherever you're at. Now, at some of the primary schools, the kids enjoy shouting more than singing- but these older kids SING. I get chills every time and it sets the mood for the rest of the week and I look forward to hearing them so much leading up to Thursday afternoon. Also- like Mt. Carmel, a crowd of students hangs outside the door to the classroom and outside the window. I love it.

So just as we were leaving the class- we got swarmed. I don't mean people hanging on to my arms... it became a mob. Am I Elvis? Since when did we become as cool as the Jonas Brothers? [is it ok to make an Elvis reference and Jo Bros reference in the same example?] It was crazy. People were pulling me in all directions and hanging on me and screaming and saying my name and eventually I made it out of the mob but oh man, I have no desire to ever become famous if this is what they have to go through.

I took some video of the group singing- and I'll post it as soon as I can find my camera chord... pray that I find it?

Friday: Nanga Primary

Not the most exciting day today- but satisfying none the less. Jessica, Lillian, and I went to Nanga Primary school at the crack of dawn, well, 8:00 this morning to do the lesson. It was nice and a great way to energetically begin the day. When we got back, I got to make banana bread- my first baking experience in Africa and it's another adventure entirely to figure out how the oven works and how to cook the food evenly in it. Right now, I'm off to buy some food for tomorrow's MCP at Nyahera... and then later tonight the rumor is that we're going to Simba Club for some amazing Indian food!

Thank you all for following and reading these blogs. It's so encouraging for us to read the comments and know that people are joining in prayer for our patients, the children, and us.

and tomorrow is the full day of Ministry Care Points in Nyahera and Manyatta. Pray that the children are spiritually (and literally) fed, and that we'll be able to recognize the needs of each child and have wisdom of how best to meet those needs. We also have 4 guys from the Netherlands here on holiday joining us tomorrow--- I'm sure it'll be something to write about within the next couple days :)

Kwa heri,
Mary

Speechless

2010-07-13T11:57:00.000-07:00

God is listening and answering prayers.

We have been praying for Fiona and her charcoal business. We were planning on getting her another bag of charcoal, but still trying to do it in a way that would really benefit her. As Marieke and I were discussing it more in depth today we approached her house and saw three bags of charcoal. When we went inside and Fiona told us that the people who sell the charcoal gave her the two extra bags and are allowing her to pay them back when she gets the money. Julie our national volunteer says that never happens because people are not trusting and she could just run off with it. I can't even believe how God answered that prayer. We COULD NOT have asked for a more perfect scenario to benefit her and her business. Praise God.

Marieke and I got the pleasure of going to Russia hospital to do visitations. Last time we were there Sharon said she wanted a Fanta orange (a favorite over here). I was very excited to go see her and bring her the soda. When we got there someone else was in her bed. We talked with other patients then checked in the other room. We didn't find her so we asked a nurse. Sharon finally got to go home. Last time we visited her all she wanted to do was go home. That was another one of our prayers and it was a big one, because no one was visiting her. It is likely that they waved the bill. Praise God! And the really awesome thing is that she is one of our patients in Manyatta so I will be able to visit her each week.

We couldn't leave without seeing Samuel. He was SO happy to see us as always and even more happy that we brought him milk. We prayed for healing for his leg. He was discharged, but his leg was still not in good shape. Now his leg is starting to heal to the bone and they are keeping him in the hospital to do a skin grapht. Praise the Lord. It is amazing HOW he is answering these prayers. I couldn't have asked for anything more. Praise Him!

Jessica

2010-07-11T07:33:00.000-07:00

Mt Carmel is one of our schools that we teach VBS to on Wednesday. It was our second week there as a team and my first week there personally. The kids are about 10-12 years old. I did the review from the week and then started our new subject, God is Never-Tiring. Instead of a story, Anna went through some passages with the kids about how God sustains us. (Psalm 3:5, Matthew 11:28, and Hebrews 1:3) That was our lesson but God had a much bigger lesson prepared. We then asked the kids if they had questioned. We normally teach nursery schools so we could not have even planned what happened next. All the kids started asking so many questions about the Bible. Almost every question had nothing to do with our lesson, but the kids completely opened up to us. The questions ranged from "How tall was Goliath?" to "Is God and Jesus the same person?" They were asking so many amazing questions. Teaching this age group really shows us the importance of VBS. The kids are at a crucial point in their life and I feel so honored to be able to answer these critical questions for them now. At the end of our time one kid came up to me and said in a timid voice, "I am black and you are white and there are people of different color, so what color is God?" It was so precious.

Each week we make a poster with the name of the lesson, the memory verse and the key points. When we were leaving one of the kids ran out and asked us if they could have the poster to hang in there classroom.
It is so amazing to me that these kids can't get enough of the Lord and they are the age of our middle-schoolers. After the teacher had thanked us multiple times he told us that other teachers in the school were wondering why HIS class gets to have us come teach VBS and none of the other classes get it. :) Enough Said

Oh and by the way we teach these kids during their recess/ break. This is how they would like to spend their time. As we say here: God is good all the time. And all the time, God is good. And that's his nature.

Sa Sa

2010-07-10T11:37:00.000-07:00

Tuesday
Tuesday was a blessed day because I got to and get to do Care and compassion. I went with Marieke one the Dutch volunteers and Julie a local volunteer. We went to Manyatta which is an area that is about 15 minutes away by Tuk Tuk. We did home check ups and brought patients their weekly food.
Moreen was our first patient. She is 4 years old. She is also in our ministry care point in Manyatta with her cousins Faith and Neema. When we got there she was outside washing her clothes. Moreen is a total orphan and lives with her aunt. There are 4 other children who live in the house and 2 more children who are away at boarding school. She is a very sweet silly girl. She has the funniest tendencies and she is the most unpredictable girl I have ever met, but absolutely unbelievably precious! I had a children's Bible with lots of pictures. I was trying to tell her a story but she loved the pictures so much she just wanted to look at the book. I brought her and her cousins crayons and color sheets and she was thrilled. The whole time we were there she played hand clapping games with Marieke and I. It was so great to see her sweet face more then once a week. It also opened her up to me more at the MCP this week.

Our next stop was Pamela. She used to be one of our patients, but she also has 5 children and 4 of them are in our Ministry Care Point. Pamela was not there but her oldest daughter Macerin was. She has been home from school because she has not been healthy. Macerin has epilepsy and her whole life has not been able to get the proper medicines to control it. She is extremely bright but does not have full function of her leg and arm. Macerin and I connected the first day that we met which is not always the case with our MCP kids. She got a huge smile when she saw us. Marieke was talking to her grandpa about her health so I pulled out a pocket mirror. Macerin loves to just stare at herself in the mirror. Most of the kids laugh and go crazy when they see their reflection. Something to think about....
We then went and saw Fiona. She is a current patient who is doing extremely well. She sells charcoal outside of her house. Her husband passed away and she has a two year old son. Her house is so beautiful and she has done an amazing job of decorating it and making it a home. She lives in a house with four other women. They have a merry-go-round with their money. Each week they put 100 shillings (about $1), which is what Fiona profits from her charcoal. The person who collects the money each week buys the groceries and the things for the house. They do this so no one spends money on things they don't need. It is really amazing how they all work together and rely on each other. While we were talking with Fiona she starting crying because she really wanted to buy another bag of charcoal so she could profit more. The only problem is she profits 100 shillings per bag and she puts that towards her merry-go-round. One bag of charcoal costs 800 shillings (about $8) It is so hard not to just give her the money to her then and there, but it is SO important here not to just give Kenyans things and also to have it be from a Muzungu. Markieke and I are talking about different ways that we can get Fiona another bag of charcoal. Pray that we will come up with something that will benefit Fiona in the best way possible.

Veronica was our next stop. She used to be our patient. We were just stopping by to check on her. She is no longer in our Care and Compassion program anymore, because Christ's Hope assisted her in recovery to the point that she is able to work and provide for her family. While we were there God sent us a new potential patient, Caroline's husband. Caroline was a friend of Veronica. She was there with her 9 month old son Trevor. She had not talked to her husband in over a week. He was visiting his family in the village. They are both positive. Marieke let Caroline use her phone to call her husband and see how he was doing. When she talked to him she found out that he was sick. He was supposed to go to the AIDS clinic in just a few days and she was really praying that he would make it home. Caroline was so excited that we were there and able to assist them. She even wanted to take us to their house right at that moment, so that when her husband came home we would know where they lived. Pray that Caroline's husband will make it to the clinic to get his ARV's and that we will be able to care for and encourage their family.

Jane was our last patient. She also has children in our Ministry Care Point. Two of them were home from school, so we were able to sit and pray with the three of them. Jane's health is doing great. She was having pain in her feet due to her TB meds, but after some vitamins she is doing much better. She has her own business selling candy and other different foods. It is so obvious by just being in there house that Jane takes such good care of her children. Her husband is not alive and has to take care of the girls on her own. They are all sweet precious people and Jane loves the Lord. Pray for Jane's health, her business, and her children's health and spiritual growth.
Russia (Hospital Visits)
One of my favorite things to do here is hospital visits. It is an experience that cannot be duplicated. It is almost as if you walk into one of the wards and immediately feel the presence of God. The patients hold on to every word of the Lord and are so encouraged by prayer. I cannot even fathom how strong, courageous, and tough these people are.

Our first patient that we saw was Sharon. MY Sharon. She has been discharged but cannot pay the bill. That is extremely common. She was sleeping when I walked up but opened her eyes and got a big smile on her face. She doesn't speak much English but she told me she missed me. I spent lots of time with her. I gave her some bananas, which she really enjoys. She told me over and over that she wanted to go home. That again is another circumstance cannot step in and pay the bill. Her bill is probably only about $75-$80 after being there for a month. She loved my scripture and prayer. She teared up. I told her Jesus loves her and is always with her. Then she said "I am very happy." Pray that Sharon will get out of the hospital. Pray that she will be encouraged even if she has to stay longer and she will continue to trust in the Lord.

We then went and saw Samuel who has a very bad leg injury. He has a wound all the way to the bone and the bone is dead in some parts, but he has been discharged. He also is not able to pay. We gave him some bananas. He speaks great English and is always SO happy to see us. No one could be in a bad mood around Samuel. I read him scripture and every time I would finish a sentence he would smile and say thank you. It was such a sweet time of worship. He is a new believe but he loves the Lord and the word so much. We had extra bananas so we gave them to all the men in the room. The man next to samuel did not have full function of his hands and he seemed to have a mental disorted. he tried to put the whole banana in his mouth and Samuel reached over and kept saying his name and was trying everything he could to help his friend out with his banana. It was so sweet. Pray that Samuel's Leg will heal. Pray that we will be able to visit him even when he leaves the hospital. Pray that he will continue to grow with the Lord even when he is out of the hospital.

The best part of the day was sharing scripture and praying with each patient/household. Even though most people did not understand me I made sure Julie translated even the prayer. I shared Joshua 1:9 "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go" and Isaiah 40:28-31"The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary,they will walk and not be faint." Giving encouragement through the word of God gave them hope and strength that we could not. We could literally see there body language attitude and face change after that special moment. That is why this is all worth it.

God is SO good and SO Faithful!

Jessica

Power Outage and Lil Beasties

2010-07-09T12:40:00.000-07:00

Laura prepared us very well for this trip. I didn't go through all the team meetings prior to the trip and I still felt very prepared for this trip. One thing she told us was "Make sure to take a flashlight to the shower with you, because you never know when the lights will shut off." Pretty sure I also recall reading in the volunteer manual how the power can be dicey.

We've been here in Kisumu for 33 days. No power outages... that is... until tonight.

Just as we sat down with an amazing treat of Mocha Chip ice cream, the power shut off. No one was caught suddenly without a light, but it was a nice transition into a nice evening.

Anne got the candles out and we began our debrief. As each of us shared about our days, the ups & downs, the funny stories- I just couldn't help but feel the peace in the room while my heart rested. Each of us in the house: Anne, Marieke, Jessica and Myself, we're all getting to know each other more and more and love each other more and more. We're building that sister bond that doesn't only connect us for this one summer, but for eternity. And that is such a beautiful thing that cannot be taken away by anyone or anything.

And then to seal the deal- we heard a strange noise from the kitchen. I half expected a raccoon to be in the kitchen [now that I think about it... Kenya doesn't have raccoons?]. Marieke is a brave soul and decided to take the flashlight and investigate. No raccoon. The noise we heard was our freezer opening up and a few things falling out. BUT- we did find another "animal" as Anne calls it, but I would call it more of a monster. A cockroach. After screams and lots of running away, Brave Marieke went got the cockroach-killer-spray and began to attack. She killed it... at least to a point of it twitching on it's back. After reassembling the freezer's contents and after I examined the dying cockroach body [the science kid in me], Marieke informed us that like spiders, there's always more than one. Peace out kitchen. I'll be more content at night hanging out on the couch without any of my body touching the floor. Ever again.

All to say- I love it here. I love my sisters. I love the laughter and screams. I laughed a lot today. I'm thrilled and so excited that I get to continue the special memories of candlelight debriefs, and hilarious memories of cockroach attacks.

Just thought I'd share a glimpse into our non-ministry lives.

Lala Salama,
Mary

This is why I'm in Africa

2010-07-09T07:52:00.001-07:00

Jambo Sana!

This has been a packed week. In every way shape and form. There's a lot I could say about the whole of the week, but I want to focus on...

Tuesday: Nyahera

My favorite day of the week. Hands down. I couldn't help but think as we walked into and out of each home, "This is why I'm in Africa." Walking through bushes, avoiding snakes. Sitting in homes made of sticks and clay. Digesting breathtaking views in any direction. Children chasing the Land Cruiser as we were driving on the most remote roads. Every experience was so special to my time in this lovely country.

Christ's Hope is setting up a community and child sponsorship program like that of Compassion International. So Jessica and I get to spend our time here connecting with the different families and really getting to know the children because at the end of this journey, we're writing their biographies. It is such a blessing to be able to really learn about the ins and outs of the lives. Their favorite colors. The chores they have to do- ranging from fetching water and firewood, to caring for all the children of the family. Their hope and dreams for the future. Their parental situation. Favorite animal. Everything.

So for part of the day, I was with Mama Joskey and Lillian going to each of the homes of the children involved in our Nyahera Ministry Carepoint. It was so neat to see where they live, and put the names and faces and homes all together. Most of the kids were in school, but we had the chance to speak with whomever they were living with- dad, mother, aunt, grandmother, and ask them how the children are responding to each Saturday spent together, and how they are progressing and changing at home. We got some really solid feedback. It seems like all the children really love coming every Saturday. They go home each week with full bellies smiling and sharing with their families what they learned, the Bible story, the memory verse, and of course proudly show off their color sheets. Character-wise, a few people that said that their children are more respectful around the home, and more punctual and motivated to go to school and get there on time. Those are all encouraging things to hear- but the comment that sank in the most was from Claire's father. Even though Claire lives with her grandmother who has dementia, Claire's father stays just a minutes walk away. He said that he's seen wonderful changes in Claire- but then he stopped and with all sincerity in his heart, he thanked us for what we're doing. He said that he didn't know how to raise a daughter, and it's great that we can come along side him and be a mother-figure to Claire, especially as she is quickly approaching her teenage years. I'm glad we can step along side Claire's father to guide her in this time.

Even though I was doing OVC stuffs most of the day, I did get several opportunities to go on Care & Compassion visits with Desmond and Dorine in Nyahera. It actually worked out quite nicely- we ALL went there in the Land Cruiser, then the OVC team would be dropped off to go to a few houses, while C & C went to do a couple visits... then we'd all meet back together and drive to another area of Nyahera. This was only my 2nd time out on C & C... and I just can't get enough of it. I love it so much. My heart is so in it. Walking in to these homes, praying with patients, checking in on their health, sharing an encouraging word from Scripture- I'll say it again, "This is why I'm in Africa."

I will share with you one story that's very dear to my heart, and on my mind constantly. At the Nyahera MCP, we have 3 children who've captured my attention; Geoffrey, Emmanuel, and Esther. I had the chance to go to their house without Mama and Lillian for Care and Compassion. Their mother, Marilyn, is not doing so well. She's one of our patients who is very physically weak, but her spirit is strong! She loves her children very much and I just want to see her healed and restored so she can just continue to be there to love and care for her precious children. She has 6 children total- the older three live with relatives. So Geoffrey has stepped into the role of the oldest child- responsible and makes sure to provide in any way he can for his family. He even makes sure Esther eats her lunch and has enough to eat before he eats. Emmanuel is such a happy boy. He is always one of the first to greet me each Saturday, and when we got out of the car at his house, he gave me a warm welcome. Esther is a different story- she is quiet and reserved... always aware of her surroundings and looking for ways to keep order. I've noticed that even though she is one of the youngest and smallest of the children at the MCP, she makes sure everyone is where they need to be and doing what they need to be doing. She even walked over to another boy whose pants were falling down and hoisted up his pants for him. It made me laugh for a long time. Even though Esther always warms up to us by the end of the day, she's very very shy and weary of our attention at first. I always thought this was her personality until we went to her home. After Emmanuel greeted us, I went to shake Esther's hand. She screamed and ran away. I was surprised at her reaction, because she's never acted as afraid of us as she did that day. We went inside and started our visit with her mother and Emmanuel and Esther came too. Esther was sitting with her mom and wouldn't make any eye contact while she stared at the ground. As our visit continued, I took my sunglasses, or "stunna shades", off my head and gave them to Emmanuel- as I always do on Saturdays. Esther walked outside with him and then returned my "stunna shades" to me. It was after that point that she relaxed and was friendly with us.

I didn't think much of this until Denise filled me on on her behavior. The very first time that "Mzungus" went to her house, they took her mother away to go to the hospital. So now, Esther associates "Mzungus" with the absence of her mother. She now has a lot of stress- and it is really displayed around us "Mzungus." Mama Joskey also told me that Esther was one of the most friendly and lively kids before her mother got very ill. Clearly the condition of her mother is having tremendous effects on little Esther. I later realized, after talking to my wise psychologist Dad, that when we did our sunglasses routine at her house, she recognized it was me, not just any "Mzungu" there to take her mother away again. That was encouraging because it means we are slowly building trust with her, and slowly warming her back up to us again.

Please continue to pray for Esther, Emmanuel, Geoffrey, and their mother Marilyn. My heart goes out to their family in this difficult time, and I know that with prayers, the Lord will continue to give them strength and provision.

And thank you for all the prayers going into this day of Care & Compassion. God really gave me words and scripture fore each patient, and was definitely leading all day.

Mungu yu Mwema!
Mary

MCPs and New Life

2010-07-05T07:48:00.001-07:00

Hello and Happy Belated 4th of July!!!

Oh this past week. This week left me exhausted. This week left me in need of God. This week was a good week.

With the team gone, we settled into our "regular" schedule. Tons of VBS and Bible Studies. We worked with all ages. The primary schools were a blast. Lots of singing and coloring... and only a few of them were scared of the Mzungus this time! Praise God! My personal favorite were the 10ish year olds... for several reasons. They understand enough English to not need a translator, which simplifies things a lot. They're also at an age where they can really begin to understand the Bible story and apply it to their lives. And... this age is a great age to just be goofy with and have a lot of fun with... and they all LOVED "Jesus Loves Me- NaNaNa remix"... mostly the jumping we incorporated with the song :) For more about the VBS and Bible Study ministry we did, check out Jessica's blogpost.

I'm going to talk more about the Ministry Care Points (MCPs) on Saturday at Nyahera and Manyatta.

We used a different approach to this week... instead of the normal play time-Bible story-song singing-color sheet routine, we mixed it up a bit. In an OVC meeting earlier this week, we all decided that we need to really get to know the kids now that they're beginning to open up to us. So, we focused on "emotional" well being this week. That meant no Bible story and no color sheets. Instead, we split into a few groups: older girls, older boys, and younger girls and boys. Jessica took the girls group, I took the boys group, and Anne took the younger group. In the older groups, we talked- about what they like to do for fun, who God is in their lives, what they want to be when they grow up, and their family situations. These kids blow me away. Completely. Most are living with one parent and several siblings... or with a grandparent or another relative. But, they are getting by. The older siblings take care of the younger ones. Every child helps in chores and work. Some carry water for the family. Others cook or babysit. And still, each child I talked to had such joy and longing to know the Lord more. Geoffrey from Nyahera even wants to be preacher! These children also have such a diverse ambitions: drivers, pilots, teachers, carpenters... the list goes on and on.

It's my prayer that the children will continue to open up to us. They each have hurt they need to share. They each have a story to tell. And they each have so much love from us here. It's a safe space. They can be kids. For just a few hours every Saturday, we can carry their burdens... and then continue carrying them through the week through prayer.

Today (Monday) is our day off... so Jessica and I decided we wanted to volunteer at an orphan home just a 10 minute walk from the CHI headquarters. This orphan home, New Life, houses babies, toddlers, and special needs children. Our task today was to attend to the needs of the babies and assist the staff with them. As soon as we began to walk up the stairs to their living area, we heard screams and cries from several children... feeding time! The living room had about 12 babies and small small toddlers in the arms of the staff women, or anxiously waiting their turn in the baby seats... I don't know how many children were actually in the room, because it is an intricate system of rotating the kids between feeding, waiting, and changing. Jessica and I jumped right in to help out. After we fed who knows how many babies, the youngest ones got put down for a morning nap while we took the older babies (the ones who could sit up) outside.

These babies have such personalities already! and some are just the biggest snuggle bugs... but don't get the snuggle time babies love. It's very interesting to work with children in another culture. Kenyan culture doesn't have as much emphasis on babies that America has... that is, their philosophy is seems to be if a baby is crying, leave him/her alone. If a baby wants to snuggle, distance yourself. Don't connect to these kids. Well, we found ourselves doing the exact opposite! With encouragement from Bev (an English women who seems to run the place), if the kids were crying, we played with them. If they were little snuggle bugs, we picked them up and held them. One little girl, Brianna, seemed to be only a couple months old. She only has two fingers on her right arm. I wonder what her story is? Anyways, one of the women put her in my lap. She was crying, and crying, and crying, and crying. So I walked with her... and walked... and walked... and walked. I sat--- she started crying again. So I continued to walk... and walk... and walk... and walk. At the point when I was the most discouraged, Bev came up to me and encouraged me to spend that time with just Brianna. These kids need alone time, mother time, 1-on-1 time... and because of the amount of children, and high demand of staff, these kids don't get that. Eventually, Brianna fell asleep so I continued to rock her. Such a precious little child.

The other two kids that really captured my heart and attention were Seth and Aaron. As we were feeding the kids at the beginning of the day, Seth was crawling around. He was so funny! The floor is real slippy tile, so he was sliding around and he was on his belly spinning circles and giggling... sounds like something I would have done as a kid :) He was maybe the biggest snuggle bug there was today. He loved to be picked up. He loved to play games with us... and make up games... and he eventually realized that if he fell backwards, someone would catch him before he hit his head on the ground... so he continued to fall backwards, again and again. He also kept trying to lay with his brother... so precious, but it was obvious that his brother wasn't feeling it. Such a funny kid which such personality! After outside time we went back upstairs to feed again... the older kids first so they could lay down for their afternoon nap, then the younger babies so that they could be awake for a bit before their afternoon nap. The first kid I got to feed was Aaron. He's such a little chunker baby. So adorable. And he was beyond thrilled that it was time to eat! I was feeding him some potato carrot mush stuff, and he would attack the spoon, then try to grab the food with his hands, and then do a happy-to-be-eating dance. It was a riot... messy too! When he finished the food and started to drink his bottle, he sat calmly and settled into my arms. His big eyes were interested in the entire room and he was so distracted by the noises and sights around him. When he finally finished, I took him in to lay him down for his nap... he wouldn't let go of my necklace, then wouldn't let go of my hand. Another precious child who stole my heart today.

So that's been our weekend and day today. Tomorrow Jessica and I are going out on Care & Compassion. Please pray that we can make the switch from kids to adults, that the Spirit will guide us and give us words, and that in all we do, we'll glorify our Holy God!

Mungu Aku Bariki,
Mary

A William Update

2010-07-04T11:31:00.000-07:00

William came to church again today. Praise the Lord! He told me that he just finished reading the book of John and thought it was great. He said he has starting reading more passages from his Bible. During the service the pastor said that one of the biggest blessings that God could give us is people. He told us to turn to the people next to us and tell them that they are a blessing. William turned to me and said that God sent us to him and blessed him with salvation. Praise God! Then after the service Mary was talking to him while I was talking to Catherine (the girl that Pam helped lead to the Lord). He was telling her that on his way home last Sunday from church he stopped and evangelised to a group and people and led some of them to Christ. William also said that he has been evangelising everyday all over Manyatta. A local area where he lives. It is so unbelievable how God is working in his life. There is no doubt that God is answering all our prayers for William. Praise the Lord!

Jessica

Babies, Kids, and Teens

2010-07-03T10:28:00.000-07:00

This week has been a busy week with OVC. We started a few of our new schools this week and continued with some of our old ones.

AIC Ramba
   It was my third time returning to this nursery school. The ages range from about 3-7 years old. The teachers at Ramba are so happy to see us every time we come.  We teach them a bible story. This week was God is Merciful. We told the story of the Prodigal Son and taught them a memory verse. One of my favorite things about Ramba is that the teachers go over the material each Friday, so every time we come back the kids actually remember some things we taught them. I love that the teachers care that much.
   After the lesson we went out and played with the kids. All of the kids went over behind one of the buildings into a huddle. Another kid came over and told us what was going on. There was a snake. By the time we got over there one of the kids chopped its head of with a stick. TIA (This is Africa)

   While some of us were at Ramba another group was at Mount Carmel, one of our new schools. They are Jr High and speak English. I am excited to report how that goes next week.

Riatt
   After a 15 minute matatu ride and a 25 minute walk we finally made it to our next nursery school. We taught the same lesson at Ramba due to their age. The kids at Riatt are so well behaved. It is a nursery school that is owned by a Kenyan pastor and his German wife. They opened it because their were so many young children where they lived and they would have to walk a long way to go to school. It is one of the cutest schools I have seen and it is located in one of the most gorgeous places in Kenya. It is such a blessing to walk through the hills and see this school. And to travel all that way just to speak the word of God.
   When we were done and the school day was over we were walking with the kids. (about 3 kids holding each hand) What might we find? A monkey that was killed then hung. The monkeys eat the corn so they killed them. They hung in the tree to warn off the other monkeys. At least the kids seemed to get to kick out of it. TIA

The Rock
   The Rock is an orphanage as well as a school that focus on taking in street boys. We started a VBS with the younger children (while I was at Riatt) and we also started a Bible study with some of the older kids. We have 17 kids/teens ranging from 10-17 years old. Since it was our first day we just wanted to get to know them a little bit better. We did a name game as a large group then split up into our small groups. Mary and I have a group that we will be with the rest of the time we are here. Our group named us Team Jesus. One of the greatest things about spending time with these kids is that they speak English. It sounds silly but it is amazing. The first thing they did before they would converse was tell us that we are welcome and that they are happy that we are there to teach them the word of God. ALL of them are so eager to learn. Anne and I went to The Rock Monday for a minute and talked to one of the boys who was going to be in our study. He told us that he was so excited that we were coming because he wanted to learn and grow in Jesus. The boy is only about 15. All of the kids are total orphans and all of them are so happy and loving. Everyone has huge dreams for the future. It was so amazing to sit and get to know these kids. We will need huge prayers for their spiritual growth.

Pandipieri
   It is a large catholic school across the street from us that has a couple thousand children. It was our first time teaching there. We again got to speak to students who understand English. When we go to nursery school we always us a translator, but we were able to teach and ask questions all on our own. The kids were 12-15 years old. We told the story of the prodigal son and asked more challenging questions. It was awesome to be able to really jump into the Bible with the kids. Although I think that was the first time I have been in a classroom where at least half the class already knew the story. Praise God for Kenyans love of the Lord! Mary also taught them a fun song that they loved. At the end when we had to leave they were almost tackling us to shake our hands good bye. They definitely enjoyed it.

New Life Orphanage
   There is an orphanage here that Mary and I will be going to on Mondays, our "days off." We just love the babies. On Friday we went there to set everything up with the orphanage. We got to feed the babies, hold, and play with them. New Life takes in abandoned children, HIV Positive children, and they have an amazing special needs program. We talked to the people running it and they were so excited that we were going to help, due to the fact that they have so many kids/babies. One other thing they were happy about was the fact that we as westerners play with the babies. Kenyans don't really play with the babies so they were hoping that we would be a good influence. I guess I can handle playing with babies. :)

Holy is the Lord God Almighty

Jessica

Dreaming of Africa

2010-06-30T18:46:00.000-07:00

Please forgive the length of this entry. I having been dreaming of Africa, both at night and during the day. Here are some of my reflections. **7-30-10 Updated with a few photos**

Back from Africa and yet not all here... I dream of Africa. Of the faces of the children; the patients; the nurses and doctors; the heat and humidity; the lack of running water...and soap.

I dream of green grams (“dengu”), chapati and talapia; half cakes and mandazi at the Daga Hotel; stealthy monkeys racing across tabletops to steal bread from your plate...

I dream of hippos gracefully maneuvering their enormous bodies outside the water; lion cubs and moms playfully rolling in the tall golden grass - then vigorously feasting on a newly killed wildebeest. I dream of giraffes slowly and gracefully walking through the savannah...babies hiding in the bushes...popping just their heads out to have a look around, safely covered by the foliage. I dream of elephants casually grazing on grass...families of them...communities.

I remember the zebras - strikingly beautiful in their contrasted stripes, wandering comfortably in the Masai Mara and then in an instant they break into a full sprint, running beside topi, wildebeest, gazelles and more. The wildebeest on their annual migration from Tanzania to the Masai Mara where grass is plentiful...thousands and thousands of them...lines in the distance like safari ants - until you get closer. I remember the warthogs with their babies...mom first, followed by two to three young: they march into the tall grasses where all you can see is the top of mom’s tail as it points skyward. The hyenas...more attractive than portrayed in the Lion King...mouths bloody from a recent meal and then a smile breaks out and you see their white teeth. It does look like they are about to laugh! Jackals small enough to hide in your backpack (but never get through customs!)... and tree tops filled with vultures waiting and watching for their next meal.

I am drawn back to the people. Children in white shirts with bright white teeth smiling against their dark brown skin running alongside our vehicle, pointing and smiling as they sing out, “Mzungu, mzungu - How are you?” It is very endearing. They are always happy to see us. Children carrying heavy loads of sticks or grain or gallons of water on their heads...walking long distances between home or market and school...yet never complaining. Always offering a smile and an enthusiastic greeting: “Mzungu, mzungu, how are you?”

There are so many orphans and vulnerable children. They don’t seem to know what they don’t have and so they are grateful for any act of kindness. We organized a birthday party for a group of 21 children around the theme, “You are Special”. Reading and acting out the story of the same name by Max Lucado, the children were completely attentive...not a sound was made aside from the occasional giggle when our acting seemed silly. We distributed colorful gift bags of clothes and shoes, handpicked with each child in mind. As the children went into a classroom and changed into their new clothes, they came out with new spirits as well as new clothes. Their smiles were ear to ear and they walked with their heads higher and their shoulders back. It was beautiful.

Esther, Juliana, Geoffrey, Steven, Little George, Agnes, Anna and her sister, Asha, Bob, Charles, Daniel, Elizabeth, Emmanuel, Evans, Faith, Fred, Geoffrey O, Gloria, Ida, Jeremiah, Kristine, Marvel, Maurine, Michael, Robert, Roselyne, Timothy, Vivian, Clare... and many more.

I go through my day...back to work at AT&T. I am grateful for my job as I know many who are unemployed, and yet my mind wanders with the seeming irrelevance of this world. Parallel universes...

I am constantly praying. Thinking of those I met and loved. The national volunteers are amazing. These are men and women, many of whom are former patients of Care & Compassion...risen from the bed, as we often say...who are now giving back the gift of life they received. They work very hard, for little or no compensation other than the knowledge that they are making a difference in the lives of their neighbors. I lift them up in prayer...

Julie, Lillian, Margaret, George, Don, another George, Paul, Lydia, Washington, another George, Eunice, Ruth, and more...

I think of Desmond, driving the Land Cruiser over pot-holed dirt roads (cow trails really) to get to the homes of patients and check on their well being. We nick-named the Land Cruiser, “Mr Toad’s Wild Ride” for good reason.

Marieke and Anne...two dear young women from Holland who stole my heart. They came to Kisumu to volunteer for CHI about ten months ago and are still at it. I was privileged to join Marieke, a registered nurse, on many visits to Russia Hospital and several homes in the village of Manyatta. She is a quiet, beautiful woman, whose heart for God and those who are sick radiates all around her.

Anne is Marieke’s cousin. Except for their love for God and passion to do His work, they are as different as night and day. Anne is playful and outgoing. She’s been working to add more schools to those in which CHI can minister to orphans and vulnerable children. Anne shares her love and bright spirit everywhere she goes, whether ministering to children or adults... We had great fun as she tried to teach us the Dutch way to say common phrases. This inevitably led to hilarious laughter as we failed hopelessly!

I pray for the patients, all of whom are HIV positive... Robert (teetering on the brink of life and death), Arthur (Kaposi’s Sarcoma throughout his body), Joseph (suffered a stroke; risen from the bed...and getting stronger by the day), Claudia (a new believer), Mildred (a young girl who could barely breathe...risen from the bed!), Maureen (four year old orphan living with her aunt), Fiona and her son, Robert, Jane (suffering from TB and neuropathy), Pamela (bed ridden with shingles when I saw her, now risen), Lawrence, Veronica, Frederick (now home with the Lord), Samuel, Christine (and her daughter, Lucy), Beatrice, Lillian (and her 2 year old son, Timothy), Rosemary (with huge bed sores that are down to the bone...risen from the bed!), David (risen from the bed!), Anna (Pamela’s mother), Eunice (a young girl and new believer), Elizabeth (a new believer), Mary (a new believer), another Pamela (a new believer), another David, Alice, Rosalyn (now home with the Lord), another Jane (now home with the Lord), Grace (now home with the Lord), Paul (arms covered with ulcerous spots), George (a young boy at Russia Hospital), Dennis, another David (at Maseno Hospital), another Rosemary, Salome, Kennedy (severely anemic...blessed with blood donated by a CHI volunteer - and amazingly turned out to be HIV negative!), another George (father of six; deceased since I came home...), Margaret, another Lillian, Rose and Little George, Richard (with a severe skin condition - also amazingly turned out to be HIV negative!), Phoebe and her son, Zedediah, another George (a new believer with Kaposi’s Sarcoma and debilitating neuropathy), another George (from Ohero...recently had his leg amputated), Mary Jocinta, and all their families...

I cannot forget Denise, Mama Joskey, Pastor Martin, Mama Phillister, and all the staff of CHI. Or the other new believers, like Edwin Omondi the tuk-tuk driver, or Catherine, a teenaged girl who accepted Christ after Sunday services at the Christ Church of Kisumu. And of course our special “stars”...Mary and Jessica who are staying in Kisumu through August. Bless and protect them all.

I love the way the names of the Luo tell something about their birth. Here are some examples... You will notice baby girls start with “A” and baby boys with “B”.

Amondi: Baby girl born in the morning

Achieng: Baby girl born in the day time

Adhiambo: Baby girl born in the evening

Atieno: Baby girl born at night

Awuor: Baby girl born to a glutton (who would admit to that?)

Awino: Baby girl born wrapped in cord

Omondi: Baby boy born in the morning

Ochieng: Baby boy born in the day time

Odhiambo: Baby boy born in the evening

Otieno: Baby boy born at night

Obilo: Baby boy born to craving

The children from the Manyatta Ministry Care Point...

Pamela is HIV positive and had a bad case of shingles on her leg when I saw her. She could hardly move. Her children are Macrine Adhiambo, Lavende Atieno, Christopher Ochieng, and Beckam Odhiambo. Thaddeus Otieno is an orphan who lives with his Aunt Pamela in Manyatta.

Lillian is HIV positive, with osteoporosis in her hip; she needs a hip replacement that she will never get and she is grateful for the crutches CHI provided so she can move about. Her children are Aphline Amondi and Brigit Awuor.

Jane is HIV positive and was suffering from TB when I met her. Worse than that, the medicine she was taking for TB resulted in severe neuropathy in her feet. Fortunately we were able to provide her with vitamin B-6, which relieved the neuropathy and the firey burning sensation in her feet. Now she can tend to her children: Jackline Achieng, Hilda Awino, and Diona Adhiambo.

Margaret is Aunt and “Mama” to Maurine Achieng, Faith Obilo, and Neema (which means grace) Angeline. Maurine is 4 years old and HIV positive.

Elizabeth’s children...Lamech Ochieng, and Emmanuel Ochieng.

Susan’s children... Jeremiah Otieno, and Agnes Adhiambo. Agnes is a sweet young girl who is HIV positive and a CHI Care & Compassion patient.

Joseph had a stroke. The mother ran away. The vulnerable children left behind are Stacy Atieno and George Omondi.

And Kevin Echagwe...parents / caregivers unknown.

I remember the rhythmic sound of whack, whack, whack, whack... as the gardener, folded at the waist, cut the grass each morning with a machete. And the crunch of gravel as the guard walked around the property at night...

I am so grateful...

Maseno Hospital - Women's Ward

Here are some photos that go along with these memories:

Pamela, Nathaniel & Kennedy

George and Rosemary

Nurses at Maseno Hospital

Transporting a patient

Laundry & garden at Maseno

In Christ's love,

Pamela

We are back

2010-06-28T12:57:00.000-07:00

Hello to all! On Saturday evening Laura, Pat, Tanea and Pamela arrived safely in Sacramento after about 33 hours of traveling. Needless to say it is good to be home. I know we all left part of our hearts in Kenya with our new friends...

Please continue to pray for Jessica and Mary who remain in Kisumu through mid-August. Pray also for Anne and Marieke, our dear friends and awesome missionaries from Holland; for Desmond, Denice, Pastor Martin, Mama Joskey and all the other regular CHI staff, along with the national volunteers, patients and children.

We love you all!

Blessings,
Pamela

Another Brother

2010-06-28T03:58:00.000-07:00

     Last week a few of us went to a local market. I met a man named William. I bought a few crosses from him to give to patients. Him and I made a connection, so when we went back to the market a few days later I wanted to go say hi to him even though I wasn't going to buy anything. He asked me what I was doing in Kisumu. I told him about our OVC program, CTW, and the HIV patients that we work with. I proceeded to tell him that our main focus is to spread the Gospel of Jesus. I then asked him if he was saved. As many Kenyans he said he was Christian but he was very unsure of his salvation. I asked him if he would like to accept Jesus into his heart and he said yes. Just as we were about to do the prayer Tanea walked up. William accepted the Lord with Tanea and I by his side. We told him that there was a party going on in Heaven. He was so happy and full of the Holy spirit. He kept saying how happy he was that he did not have to wonder or worry anymore about what was going to happen if he died. He said he did not have to fear anything anymore. Tanea then gave him her cross that she was wearing and I gave him a pocket testament. All three of us were on a high like no other.
     The Next Friday I went to see how William was doing. I brought him a New Testamate. He pulled out his pocket testamate and said, "I want to show you something." He pointed to John chapter 11. There was nothing written there but he was showing he how far he had read. William loved reading the word and was so excited to show me how far he had gotten. I wrote some verses in the front of the New Testamate bible and he also wanted me to write something, anything in the pocket testamate so he could refer to it. Another reason for my visit was to invite him to church. At our previous meeting he said he does really go to church and doesn't know of a good church to go to. The church we have been going to here is wonderful and reminds me a lot of Christ Community. I brought the form that the church gave us the week before with the name on it. I gave it to William and told him that we would be there and would love it if he came.
    Sunday...After much prayer William showed up at church. There was no address on the form so he called the number on the paper and found out where it was. While we were there he told us that he has been telling his friends about Jesus and everything that he is reading. He said he enjoyed himself at church and would like to come back again next week. At the end of the service he wanted to find the pastor's wife, the woman he talked to on the phone. He gave her one of his crosses that he sells in his shop and another one for the pastor. God is amazing. He answered this prayer in such a huge way. William is the first person that I have met here with such little biblical knowledge and he has such a large hunger for the Lord.

Pray that William will continue to seek the Lord. Pray that he will continue reading the word and continue growing in his understanding of Jesus. The impact that he can have on the community is TREMENDOUS! More then we can even imagine. I have yet to meet someone here who is not open to the word of God.

PRAISE THE LORD GOD!

Jessica

William Tanea and I right after he accepted the Lord.

Leaving Kisumu...

2010-06-21T21:11:00.000-07:00

It is bittersweet, writing this last blog from the living room of CHI-K in Kisumu. We have all had such an amazing time, serving the Lord and creating deep friendships (rafiki-ships!). Last Friday we had a dinner for many of the patients and yesterday we hosted a lunch for the local (National) volunteers. Here is a photo of our lunch table...it reminds us of the great feast we will have one day in heaven with all these precious people...

This is the Care & Compassion team in front of the Land Cruiser that takes them all over the region as they serve people with HIV-AIDS in their homes. (We've nicknamed the Land Cruiser, "Mr. Toad's Wild Ride", because it is ALWAYS a wild ride as we travel the roads of Kenya...)

And just so you know...we learned how to dress smart, which means "African". This is what we wore to Church on Sunday! Several of us had beautiful new dresses made here in Kisumu. (For more details on the great day we had in Church see the blog entitled, "Another new sister in Christ".)

Here is a video of the theme song for Choose To Wait. We LOVE this video and have lots more to share in the days and weeks to come...

Love & blessings to all from the STARS over Kisumu team!

Another new sister in Christ!

2010-06-20T22:06:00.000-07:00

Jambo!

Yesterday we attended Christ Church of Kisumu, which was fantastic. It has a very similar feel to CCC...very loving and welcoming; great praise and worship and solid biblical teaching. Near the end of the service they did an altar call. I had been looking all around at each face and praying for anyone who didn't yet call Jesus their Savior, while at the same time trying to remember the faces of all these brothers and sisters in Christ. I noticed a young woman near the back of the Church. She had a small baby sleeping against her chest. I saw that she barely raised her arm (not above her head) when the pastor asked if anyone wanted to be prayed for to receive Jesus. But she didn't go forward. So when the service ended I made a bee-line for her!

The pastor had just reminded everyone to greet the visitors (they had us on stage earlier...) so she was very happy to meet me when I went to see her. I drew close to her and asked her if I had correctly seen her raise her hand. She said yes so I asked her if she wanted to give her life to Jesus. She nodded her head, yes, so I suggested that we find a spot to sit down and talk. It was so beautiful! We went through a bunch of scripture in the bible...so she would see that these were God's words, not just mine. Then she repeated after me as we asked Jesus into her heart. I can't tell you how amazing it was! Her name is Catherine and she was SO excited! The Holy Spirit filled her up immediately. She was glowing! I asked her if she had a bible at home and she said, no, so I found the local pastor and introduced him to my new sister in Christ and asked him if he could find her a bible. We hugged all around and I introduced Catherine to Mary and Jessica so they can follow up with her over the next 7 weeks. Then Jessica gave her the cross from around her neck, making her smile even bigger. God is so good.

This is so real. Life and death. Eternal life and death... I feel incredibly privileged to be doing this work. God is so good. Mungu Aku Bariki! (God bless you!)

My love to all...
Pamela

Jambo from Punchinello (Tanea)

2010-06-19T22:51:00.000-07:00

Well, as I was processing most of this trip I have countlessly asked what God's purpose was for me here. I have seen his hand working constantly, but with me, I am finding my plans are not always God's.

God has been working hard in my heart. I can feel him mending heartstrings as well as tearing some apart that have been hardened by nature.

I am finding blessings here in moments I never would have thought to be where I would find them.

I knew coming here that this trip was going to be for me, but I have to humble myself and accept that God wanted me to change more than I knew.

"The grass is greener on the other side"
My heart was broken and my eyes were opened this week when talking to Omondi, the Tuk Tuk driver. He asked me if I was ready to go home. He went on to tell me about how America is next to heaven and he wishes to one day get to go to America. This broke my heart because if he could only see through my heart at that moment he would know how much I truly saw the effects of Sin on these people. The children here play on the most beautiful playgrounds (Trees, hills... etc.) The people are beyond welcoming and so beautiful that I could only think that this place is closer to heaven then anywhere I have ever been. It was then that I saw the similarities and the effect Sin has on us people... (America)

I went on to tell Omondi about homeless in america (the tenderloin, and skid row... where Jr. high at CCC ministers to) and he found it really hard to believe what I was saying.

"Ignorance is Bliss"
America believes our grass is greener, and we want to share our green grass with the dying fields. I, as an "American", had the thought that I was coming to share my green grass and I would be bringing back a clump of dry dead grass to encourage more people to come to this country to share more green grass.

I have now found that in the midst of our ignorance I will be bringing back rich lush GREEN grass.

There is nothing here that I can't have in America... There is nothing in American that someone can't have here... For HAVING is not something that is perishable... For the Lord is SO good that he has presented us ALL with the oportunity to accept Him and be presented to him in The TRUE land of Oportunity one day.... For this is the reason I love him...

I love the Lord for the people here that I have met... I can only pray that if I don't get to come back to Kenya they will be at the feast in Heaven one day... Until then, I will wait upon the Lord.

I finished my conversation with Omondi and by the end I asked Him if he was going to be focused on getting to America... His reply, "No, just Heaven..."

I invited Omondi (who would usually sit in his tuk tuk waiting) to come in and help us with VBS. I pulled out my bible and he reached for it. I asked him is He had one and he told me not an English version which he really wanted. I told him I would give him mine before I leave. He sat reading my bible the whole time and then joined us for some games with the kids.

**********************************************************************************

I wanted to touch on the "You Are Special" skit we did. I was SO blessed to get to play Punchinello. These pictures are from the rehearsal and Pam got to videotape the actual version. During practice, when ELI (Laura) propped Punchinello on the work bench to tell him that all his dot's don't matter... I thought about the idea of truly looking into my makers eyes and hearing the same words. ELI (Laura) had tears streaming down her face and I could tell that this is truly how God sees his Children. He weeps over the terrible things we feel because of the pain others cause us. I love my maker!!!!

And here is Lillian teaching... (What she does so great!) This is my new BFF... She has told me countless times that she will cry when I leave... I think she doesn't realize how much I will miss her... She is such a beautiful woman with a heart of love for the Lord. (She calls me her mentor, but I would love to be more like her!)

Here is Julie, I told her that God put me on 2 walks with her so that she could minister to me. I dound myself on a walk through the trees with her on the way to one of the schools. She reminded me that we are blessed to be able to walk to share what we love the most, the gospel. This woman is an AMAZING woman of God. She has 5 kids and I talked about her in my other blog.

Oh, Happy, happy birthdays!

2010-06-19T15:15:00.000-07:00

No, that was not a "typo"!

Today we all went to the Nyahera Ministry Carepoint. We celebrated birthdays with 21 children! These are the OVC (Orphans and Vulnerable Children) children that are ministered to regularly by Christ's Hope. And our Mary is twenty-one years old today!

Happy Birthday Mary! (taken the previous Saturday when she had her corn rows...but before Tanea got hers!)

Games were played by adults and children. Statue dodge ball is great fun! Then we gathered in one of the classrooms.

We had a wonderful time of singing led by volunteer Lillian. Introductions were made by Pastor Martin. The Stars Team acted out the story You Are Special from the book by Max Lucado read by Mary and interpreted by volunteer, Julie.

This is Tanea acting out Punchinello from the "You Are Special" story. She did a great job! You can also see her corn rows though here they are called, Obama Braids!

The children all received individual gifts of new clothes including shoes! They were very pleased and all of them put them on immediately! The clothes and shoes had all been selected by Mama Joskey and her helpers. And they all fit beautifully! Imagine the childrens' smiles and joy and pleasure in being made to feel special! And then we all shared a scrumptious meal of chapati, rice, kuku (chicken), pineapple and juice. This meal was also a gift to the children and was prepared on site by Mama Felista and some local women. Oh my! The smiles and full tummies were such a blessing to us! Blessed to be a blessing! Again! Below are photos of Mama Joskey with many of the children.

And after some of the team left for another Ministry Care Point in Manyatta, a suburb of Kisumu, the rest of us stayed behind to spend some sweet time with the children. Photo opportunities galore! Mama Joskey gathered them by family unit in all their finery. She has such a huge heart for OVC!

And now for one of the most remarkable updates about how God is working...

Remember R. that we told you about early on in our visit here? Well, talk about a faith builder! You will recall that she went to stay with Paul and Lydia at their lovely home. She was very "down" at the hospital in Maseno and I had helped Marieke care for her. Please look closely at the photo here taken by Pamela just in the last day or so. "A picture is worth a thousand words."

"I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD. Blessed is the man who makes the LORD his trust, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods. Many, O LORD, my God, are the wonders you have done. The things you planned for us no one can recount to you; were I to speak and tell of them, they would be too many to declare." Psalm 40:1-5

Mungu aku bariki

Pat

New Experiences -- Posted by Laura

2010-06-18T22:10:00.000-07:00

Where to Start???

|--Sharon--|

I met a woman in the hospital today, she’s about 30-years old. Her name is Sharon.

Like most others she’s quite ill and alone… no visitors… abandoned. We talked for a while about the emptiness she was feeling. I shared that there was a time in my life where I had felt empty, too… but, now I live with Christ in my heart and now I am full with the love of God.

I shared with her that God says in the Bible, "Behold I stand at the door and knock, if any man hears my voice and opens the door, that God will come in with him and dine with him and he with me." (Revelation 3:20).

She asked Jesus into her heart and her face changed from hope-less to hope-filled. It was a beautiful time! When we left, she was smiling and saying "Praise the Lord!” :)

Next to her is another women that we’re ministering to… she was eating on the floor between beds. It’s no longer allowed to bring meals in to the patients… the reason for this is that they are sometimes poisoned by the person bringing the food. Her dish had a chicken leg with the foot attached. Not the part of the leg with meet, but the part below that. Nothing is wasted here.

|--District Hospital--|

Yesterday afternoon I spent some time at District Hospital. There where prisoners cuffed to their beds. They were along side three patients that I sat with and ministered to.

|--Patrick--|

The first one was Patrick, and his sister Benta (who was caring for him). I’m not sure exactly what was wrong, but he was afraid of some kind of spirits around him. He was swinging his fists in the air to try and keep them away. His tongue was out and he kept making sounds and noises like something was inside him.

What do you do in a situation like this? Nothing different than with the other patients… pray! So I prayed the name of Jesus over him again and again, saying Psalm 23, Matthew 6, The Lord’s Prayer, and Romans 8:38-39, which says, "Nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Death can’t… life can’t… angels won’t… all the power of hell itself can not keep God’s love away… Our fears for today… our worries for tomorrow… no matter where we are, high above the sky or in the deepest ocean… Nothing can ever separate us from the love of God, which was demonstrated by our Lord Jesus Christ when he died for our sins."

At first he became more upset and his sister had to hold his arms and legs down. I asked her if I could give him a cross necklace, and she told me to put it around his neck while I was praying for him. So I did… and his tongue got further out of his mouth and he got even noisier.

Benta told me that just before I had done that, he had wanted me to leave. I couldn’t understand because it was not in my language… she just told me to keep praying. Then things calmed down some and I sat with and talked with her. I could have stayed all day, but it was time to see the next patient. I’m still not sure what to make of that whole thing; it was something new to me.

|--Austin--|

Austin was next on my “rounds.” His father. Lucas, was also needing to hold him down! Lucas’ wife was crying at the bed. Austin needed medicine to help him, which I was more than happy to help him with.

Austin was on his way to work one day and just collapsed. Ever since then, his mind and body are not working in coordination with each other and his mind is overcome with fear.

I prayed with Austin and his father, and during my prayer he was calm.

I often pray for patients with my eyes open… looking deep into their eyes and gently rubbing their head, face and arms. I’ve discovered that praying this way seems to make a connection for the patients here… Eyes meeting each other, and touch, helps bring peace and calm in the middle of the pain.

With Austin, I put a wooden cross necklace around his neck as I prayed for him.

Last year, I had given many of the same type of necklaces to patients as a reminder that God loves them, and is always with them, that they are valuable, and that they are never alone. I didn’t have as many this year to give away… I wish I had more.

|--Leonard--|

There was another thing that happened… I’m trying to understand.

There was a man named Leonard in another bed. His mother, Wilfred, and his father, Rofile, were sitting on the bed next to him. George (CHI worker) told me that Leonard was unable to walk and it was obvious that something was clearly wrong with his mind, too. He just kept saying numbers. 1 2 3… 1 2 3… 1 2 3… 3 4 5… 5 5 5… 5 6 7 8 9 10… 11 12… on and on he would go…

After watching him for a while… I went over and sat with his mother and father. I asked them if I could pray with him and give him a cross necklace. They were very happy for that.

I went and sat on his bed with him and looked him right in the eyes… he just kept repeating 1 2 3… 1 2 3… 1 2 3… And I thought to myself, what do I do now? All this guy does is say numbers… So, I decided I decided to speak “his language” … and I joined in… and together we kept saying 1 2 3… 1 2 3… 1 2 3…

At this, Leonard smiled… and so did I. Well… he got louder and louder… and we went on together to 4 5 6… etc.

Then I broke away from the counting and said, “God loves Leonard” …and he smiled even more… then he repeated to me, "God loves Leonard.”

I said, “Leonard is valuable” … he smiled even bigger… and got even louder as he repeated back, “Leonard is valuable.”

And on it went through all of Psalm 23, “The Lord is my Shepard” … “I shall not be in want...”

Then “Jesus loves me” … and he said it again and again. At this, he became more and more excited. I was pointing to the heavens as I said it… and Leonard pulled his arms out and did the same…

Then I crossed my arms… and he crossed his. Then I pointed to myself… and he pointed to himself.

Leonard and I became quite a scene… and quite the attraction… everyone in the ward was watching us at this point. And he was becoming more and more excited. At this point I took a step back because he began trying to move his legs and it was all becoming a bit much for me to be part of.

Suddenly, Leonard stood up and started walking around… saying "I am walkin’ in Jesus… I am walking in Jesus." He was so excited and moving around so much that I had to step back even further… a couple of beds away… and I sat down and watched.

My eyes were big… my mouth was hung open… and everyone in the ward was looking the same! To be honest, I didn’t know what to make of the whole thing… At this point I didn’t know what to do or what to say… I just sat there staring… and I was a little shaky, too, at this point… again, this was a totally new experience for me.

While I was sitting there staring, George (CHI) came and sent me to another man to pray for, Odero.

|--Odero--|

Odero’s daughter was sitting with him when I walked up to them… I began to pray for Odero's health and for his daughter Alice.

I was still in a bit of shock from the whole Leonard thing… and I wasn’t as focused on them as I usually am… but, it was a good time of prayer.

At this point I was suffering from “experience overload” and my head was still trying to take in my earlier interactions with patients.

It’s been a strange day for me. I feel a little funny talking about today’s happenings because it’s so outside of my "norm.” I even feel a little strange sharing the day with people here because what had happened was so different from anything I have known.

But, I feel like if I don’t say anything, I’m not being very true to God… and if I do say something, well, it could be very difficult for people to understand… (which I get, because I’m still trying to make sense of it all myself).

Soooo… I guess as we say… "it is what it is" and I thank God for the blessing of being a part of such things… even if they’re a bit overwhelming.

Thank you, God… thank you, God… that you are good. Thank you, God… that you are faithful even in ways that I don’t understand. Thank you, God… that you are awesome… huge… powerful… and amazing. Thank you God, thank you...

xoxo Laura

A Blessed day of ministry

2010-06-18T01:31:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was a pure blessing. I was able to go and so hospital visitations with Laura, Marieke one of the Dutch volunteers, and a national volunteer.

FIRST VISITATION
During the morning visitation we got to see Mildred who has been one for CHI's patients for a while. She is a 15 year old girl with a heart problem. The first time I saw her she could hardly breath. She couldn't talk to us and she did not want anything to eat or drink. When we went in she loved the gatorade that Laura brought her and was not only sitting up in bed but holding herself up by the elbow. Then Laura played thumb wars with her. She was wearing a special cross that Laura had given her before and loved our prayer time.

In the next room was sweet Lillian. She is extremely thin and a very high fever. Even her arms were on fire. Once we held her hand and brushed her face she gave us a big smile. Her mother was there with her and was so happy that we prayed with Lillian. Lillian loved our company and was so calm by us being there with her.

When we were about to go see another one of our patients and elderly man asked us to come see his wife. She looks as if she may have had a stroke. She was drooling a lot, but as soon as we prayed and talked with her and would smile a lot. Offering love and affection to the patients means the world to them.

After that we saw Sharon. Sharon is going to be in my heart forever. She is 20 but looks about 15 years old. She is HIV positive. Sharon got saved yesterday. Praise the Lord! Laura walked her through the Prayer. Even though Sharon barely speaks English she kept saying Praise the Lord! Sharon was so full of the Lord and filled with the spirt in that moment. That morning Pam had given me a wooden cross to give out to someone when the moment felt right. So I told Sharon that this cross is special and that she is special. I told her that it means she is forgiven and she is free and that she will know that god is always with her. Sharon was overjoyed.

We then saw Beatrice who has been in the hospital for a while but is getting much healthier. She was there with her mother and Beatrice was sitting on the floor eating Ungali (tradition African food similar to corn meal) and chicken feet. I found out that she was on the floor because cooked food is not allowed in, because people have been poisoned before. Once we talk with her I knelt down and prayed with Beatrice. Her English is very good she during my prayer she was very into it and feeling God's presence.

SECOND VISITATION
After that visitation we wanted to get more crossed hand out so we went and bought about 15 each.

Once we got there we went to see Mildred but her bed was empty. It is always a nervous feeling, because you never know if they have passed away. After talking to a doctor we found out that she had been discharged. That was such a blessing because some patients can be discharged but in there for weeks because they cannot pay their bill. That is a praise that Mildred is out of the hospital.

When we came back and saw Lillian she was much more excited than before. We gave her a cross and her and her mother kept saying God bless you. I read her some scripture and Dawn our National would translate. I would tell her how much God loves her and He will keep His promises to her. She loved listening to the word.

When I went and saw Beatrice she was looking healthy and sitting on the edge of her bed. I told her about the special cross I was wearing and asked if she would like to have it. When it put it on her she said she would never take it off. I also gave her a pocket testimate which thrilled her.

Then I saw Sharon. When we found out that no one comes to see her Laura told her that she would be leaving to go home but that I was going to come bug her all that time. She got the bigger smile on her face. Sharon was so happy we came back to see her again. I also read her some verses that we translated and I told her how special and loved she was. I cannot get her huge gorgeous smile out of my mind. It was amazing to see her face light up with the word of God. The importance of his love and faithfulness spoken to her.

The most blessed part of this is to build the relationships with the patients. Even to come back twice in one day made them understand that we did not forget them and that we care about them. Laura is so gifted in ministry and her heart for the Lord and his people is so huge. It was so awesome to learn from her yesterday. I hope I can carry some of that with me the rest of the Summer.

Praise God we have another sister with us in Heaven, Sharon

Jessica

Full Circle -- Posted by Laura

2010-06-17T09:49:00.000-07:00

Here are some updates on some people I’ve written about earlier.

|--Feebe and Zeddidiah--|

Okay... yesterday was another God-filled amazing day... I was able to go back and see little Zeddidiah and his mother Feebe at Maseno hospital again. (I first introduced you to them in one of my previous blogs: Saturday, June 12, 2010).

As a reminder... Zeddidiah is the little boy that I bathed outside of the hospital in a little tub of water. He’s 3-years old, but can’t stand or walk due to malnutrition.

Today... His ear and nose are still oozing and his cough is still there. Just like the last time I visited he was sitting on the edge of his mom’s (Feebe) hospital bed... pants wet... bed wet.

His mother was struggling to reach for a banana to give him because it was too far away from him to get on his own... I set him up with the banana. They had no water to drink so I gave the bottle of Gatorade that I had brought with me for the day. It was good to be with Zeddidiah and Feebe again.

|--Rosemary and Paul--|

Rosemary was able to go home! Very exciting! She was going home with Lydia (a woman who had been caring for her at the hospital).

It wasn’t until we reached Lydia’s home that I realized who Lydia was. She is married to a man named Paul... a patient that I had been visiting last year on my trip here. At that time he was very ill and their marriage was in a difficult place.

To drive up and see that Lydia’s husband was Paul... and that he was doing well... and even more... that they were now having patients in their home to care for... this was an overwhelming moment and gift for me to see!

This is a great testimony to the work and difference that CHI is making here in Kisumu! Not just caring for people, but modeling for people that all of us should care for others.

|--Mary--|

Later in the day we drove to a woman’s home... her name is Mary. I had spent time with Mary last year, as well.

Mary is unable to use her legs... she sleeps and stays on the floor of a small home. I remember that last year she was suffering from terrible bed sores. This year they were healed, but I could see that a new one was beginning.

I asked if I could sit with her for a minute... she smiled very big and said she would like that. So I sat on the dirt floor next to her and we talked.

The sun had already set, so it was very difficult to see anything because of the darkness. But I could see her eyes and her teeth when she smiled. And she smiled a lot.

Together, we played "thumb wars" ... and laughed... and held hands... and talked about Jesus... and prayed. It was a beautiful reunion!

I can’t even describe the feeling of how thankful I am to see some of the people I had visited last year still alive! Nearly all I had seen and spent time with last year had died.

After my special time with Mary I went back to the truck... I sat in the back and sobbed... my face drenched in tears... my thoughts conflicted...

Picture it... for 6-years now... year after year... month after month... day after day... hour after hour... second after second... Mary has laid there in that small space... on that dirt floor...

And she’s content. In that situation... she’s content?! And more than that... she’s actually full of joy and peace!

It’s so far beyond me and my strength to imagine being in her situation.

I’m amazed... I’m humbled... I’m broken... And I sobbed.

|--Jane--|

I also shared with you about Jane in a previous blog (Saturday, June 10, 2010). If you remember, I visited her in the hospital... and she had asked Jesus into her life as I sat by her bedside. What a moment for her, and me!

I just learned that Jane has passed away.

At first... the news of her death took my breath away. I had to concentrate on breathing in... then out... then in again.

Jane was still so young and beautiful... she was one of the many who just didn’t have a chance! The battle was too great.

I remember the pain she was in and the sweet conversation we had about Jesus... and I picture her now, in heaven... where her pain is gone... her sorrow is gone... her tears are gone... and I breathe a sigh of thankfulness for the time I had with her.

My heart is blessed to know where she is, and to know that I will be with her again... and with all those that I had fallen in love here who have gone on to be with our Father in Heaven. There is great joy for me in this. What a day of celebration that will be!

|--Rosalyn--|

Rosalyn has also died. She was another sweet woman in Russia Hospital was quite ill.

I didn’t really “know” her... as she lay in her hospital bed I wasn’t sure if she could hear me or even understand me... there was no response to my words of comfort. It was clear that she had no one... all alone.

Even so... I sat with her for a minute, and prayed for her... I ended my brief time with her by praying Psalm 23 into her ear... and then it came... after my “Amen” ... she quietly whispered... "Thank you” ... and my heart was pierced.

|--Our Team--|

There is so much emotion in this place... but, it’s not all tragic.

On the lighter side... the Team is doing great! God has really blessed us, and I am very thankful.

Two of the gals now have "corn rows" in their hair, and one with extensions! We’re all enjoying the work here and getting on well together as a Team.

The Kisumu Team (the missionaries that live here) is really great, both National and International workers.

I am thankful for the opportunity for these two Teams to work together to serve the Lord together in Kenya. Thank you to both Teams!!!

xoxo Laura

George, George and George

2010-06-16T13:41:00.000-07:00

Three Georges...

I have discovered here that if you can't quite remember someone's name, but you guess it is "George", you will be right about 75% of the time! It is funny how many George's we meet! They are volunteers here, previous patients, new patients and each of them have become very dear.

One of the most wonderful parts of this ministry I've observed is the way God is still performing miracles right before our eyes. There are people here who we thought for sure were going to die over the last weekend...and they are alive and well...sitting up in bed, eating full meals; we even took one of them home today.

Then there are others who, a year ago, were so sick with AIDS and other illnesses (TB, malaria, deep bed sores, cancer...) no one knew if they would survive. Yet in the last 2 days I have met 3 of these people, and they are healthy, active and giving back to their community by serving with CHI.

One example is a man named Washington. His smile is completely contagious. He has faced death and risen from the grave. Yesterday I did ministry with him and it was amazing! We told him about a new patient who is currently in a state very similar to how Washington was a year ago. Immediately, Washington's response was to say, "I am going to visit this man and tell him my story. I am going to tell him he can rise up from that bed and be well. He must take his medicine and he must believe he can get well. Look at me! I am healthy now and fat like a pig!" Then he laughed very hard.

Then there is Paul. Paul was so "down" a year ago I don't believe many thought he would live. Today he is healthy and strong, farming sorghum and beans, and seeking out those in his community that are sick and in need of CHI's care and compassion ministry. He brought us two or three new patients yesterday...including, you guessed it...another George! Today, Paul and his lovely wife, Lydia, opened their home to a woman we brought home from the hospital. This was a woman Pat referred to as "R." in an earlier blog, who we did not expect to live through the weekend. God is so good! Sadly, R. does not have anyone in her family willing to take care of her deep wounds (bed sores), so Paul and Lydia opened their hearts and home...giving back the gift of life they themselves received.

And of course there is George, the newest volunteer at CHI. He went out with us yesterday doing Care and Compassion visits. I really saw him shine when we visited a man who is HIV positive (just recently tested) but not yet on ARV drugs. This man, another George (!), listened intently as George (the volunteer) passionately described how he had been worse than this man 5 years ago but was determined to live. He told him, "You must sign up with a clinic and start your ARV drugs! You must take them everyday and do everything you are directed to do! Look at me. I am now healthy and strong and able to work!" Today we saw the new patient George at a clinic while we were there with someone else. He had taken George's advice to heart and was following through. I predict one day he, too, will be encouraging others to take control of this disease.

There are SO many other stories and I have SO many beautiful pictures, but I will stop here. The days are long and fulfilling. This country is beautiful and the people are even more so. It is hard to be away from family and friends, but I can hardly imagine not coming back here. Maybe I can bring a bunch of you with me next time!!!

Love & prayers...
Lala salama (sleep with peace)
Pamela (pronounced in Kenya as "Pa-MEL-a")

Habri Yako

2010-06-16T09:03:00.000-07:00

My past week here has been spent mostly with the kids working in OVC (Orphans and Valuable Children). There is too much to even put in words let alone a blog. All the people are so happy that we are able to teach the word of God to their children.

The program that we have been teaching is the ABC's of God. Last week we taught that "God is Jealous" and this week we are teaching that Jesus is King. We teach the kids a song, memory verse and bible story. Last week I taught from 1 Samuel 5 as an example of idols.

The first school that we visited was very welcoming. The kids were so excited that we were there. They basically fought over who was going to hold our hands. Even though they only had a bench to sit on or two to a chair they were so well behaved. Once we were done with the lesson we got to play with the kids for about an hour. They loved learning songs and games and just being in our presences.

The next day we vistited a school that was about thirty minutes away, which seemed to be in the middle of no where. It was in the hill side of the most beautiful part Kenya that I had been yet. The school was started by a pastor and his wife. They started the school because they had so many children from their neighborhood at their house all the time. The school had Noah's Arc paintings on the wall. It was such a nice Kenyan school. When we got there they sang us two welcome songs including this little light of mine. These children were very welcoming and open to us. They loved one of our main OVC songs. "Jesus loves me, Jesus loves all of us"

Saturday we did two ministry care points. The second one was in Manyatta at a school. We got there early so we had extra time to play with the kids before the lesson. I got to know the kids and let them get comfortable with me. Then we played drums and I danced around with some of the kids. I also brought a mirror and some of the kids laughed and were amazed at looking at themselves. Once we starting teaching the lesson and singing some kids from outside came up to the window to watch and listen. Eventually they came in and sat with us. The kids from the ministry care point are either orphans or have parents who are patients in our care and compassion program. It was so fun to love on these kids and hang out with them. When we were leaving they just stood with us until we got on our matatu to leave. They didn't want to go home. They just wanted to be around us.

Yesterday and today along with teaching VBS we have been trying to find new schools to teach our Bible lessons. That has been such a blessing for my faith. Every school that I have been to so far (about 8) have been desiring to have the word of God spoken to their kids. They want us to preach in their classes, and the only issue they have is making time for us to come in. It is such a contrast to the way it would be in the states. The people here want and need Jesus and are so much happier because of it. It is so refreshing to see the lifestyle they live.

Pray that we get more schools to teach Bible study!

God is Good!

Jessica

Little Juliana, Mildred and Robert -- Posted by Laura

2010-06-16T00:48:00.000-07:00

We're not exaclty sure how old Juliana is. When she came to Christ's Hope International (CHI) she was malnutritioned and quite ill. Our best guess is that we think she's about three... although she is unbelievably small for a three year old.

When I first met Juliana the first thing I noticed was that she was the opposite of what you'd expect a 3-year old to be... happy, giggly, bouncing around, and curious about everything in sight. Not Juliana... she was distant and lost in an expression that never never changed.

In my attempt to engage with her I picked up a small ball and sat down in front of her to play catch... She was very good at the game, but her expression never changed... it was as if she was just going through the motions. We played for a long time. I smiled... and laughed... giving it all I had... but still... no expression from Juliana.

I wasn't giving up! I pulled out a bag of finger puppets that we had brought here with us... and a small mirror.

The first finger puppet was a beautiful butterfly... and I slipped it onto my finger... finally something... I could see that Juliana really liked that! So, I loaded up my fingers with more puppets... and soon all the children were captivated at my impromtu show... they all gathered around as if the puppets were real, live characters... then they'd run away from the puppet that looked like a snake... :) It was so amazing watching their little faces as they "listened" to the puppets...

And with the mirror... the happy expressions they made when they looked at themselves in the mirror was an incredible gift... Joy! Joy! Joy!

But... still not much with Juliana.

At this point she became my "mission." I pulled her up on my lap... face-to-face... and slowly started to bounce her on my knee... and kiss her hands and cheeks. Then... it happened... there it was... the connection!!! A huge smile!!! :)

I laughed with her... while at the same time my eyes welled up with tears. You know what it's like... I'm guessing you've been at this place before, too... experiencing a release of great joy, but sadness at the same time. I wasn't done yet!

I started to do a small tickle... and Juliana's giggle became contagous... and we were overcome with the kind of smiles and laughs that come from deep inside the gut.

Then... there was "peak-a-boo" ... and she now became the instigater and I was playing along! She would hide behind my chair and come around front and laugh... then run away... and come back again... then do it all again... and again... and again... never getting tired of it... as if each time was the very first time for her.

And for this brief moment in her life, Juliana had escaped from her shell... without a care in the world... feeling completely safe... completely cared for... just living in the moment... finally, she was a 3-year old little girl!

After our play time she clutched on to my leg for the longest time as I gently stroked her face and arms.

And the tables were unexpectedly turned. Now... I was the one without expression... lost in my thoughts... withdrawn into my own kind of shell... and I was deflated as I thought about where and what Juliana was going back to when our time would come to say good-bye.

Juliana is burned into my mind and will be in my heart and prayers always...

|--Mildred--|

Mildred is a young girl of about thirteen, I would guess. Although she, like Lillian, also looks much smaller than a thirteen year old. Others on my Team have shared about her in their blogs.

Mildred was so sick... I can't even tell you... so sick that we wondered if she would even survive. We prayed and prayed.

I sat with her in the hospital... her breathing was so labored. Because of the language barrier I couldn't communicate with her verbally, so I tryed to play a game of "thumb wars" with her... but, there was very little response.

I left the hospital that day wondering what she made of the whole thing... "who is this crazy stranger, a "mazungo" (white person) no less... sitting at my bedside... taking my hand and doing some goofy thing with my thumbs?"

A couple of days passed and I went to see her again. This time she was sitting up on the hospital bed in a beautiful yellow dress. :) I was floored!

I sat on the bed with her... and prayed for her... and then... reached over and picked up her hand... clasping it with mine. One more attempt at a game of thumb wars. This time... she smiled... and went right to it! She not only played, but she beat me both times, ha! :) It was as if she had been practicing for two days... and her smile stole my heart as we played that silly little game...

I found and interpreter... and I told Mildred about the small wooden cross with a small silver ring on it that I was wearing around my neck.

I told her that this particular cross was very dear to me... because my husband had given it to me before I left to remind me how much he loves me... and that he would be with me while I was in Africa.... and it was also to remind me that God loves me... and is always with me wherever I go.

I asked Mildred if I could give her this very special gift... to remind her that God is always with her... and that she is very valuable... and that God knows her name... and loves her very much. This became another God-moment and a sweet, sweet time with Mildred.

|--Robert--|

There are so many, many stories, but, I'll close my time with you today by telling you about a young man named Robert.

I stayed "home" at the CHI house yesterday to help care for a patient who is staying with us. His name is Robert... and it's likely he wont make it... but our prayers are hopeful.

Robert's bed sores are so deep and large... one with absolutely no skin remaining is on his hip and joint. Trying to desribe it to you... it looks like the exhibit that's in the States on the human body... the one showing the inside of the body with no skin. As he moves his leg... I can see every thing working inside of his leg.

He has three large, deep bed sores... one on each hip and one very large one on his tail bone. His wounds need to be cleaned and bandaged each day, which is an excruciatingly painful process for him... my stomach and my head sometimes swirl and I get hot as we help him... I believe from seeing him in such pain.

The Kisumu missionaries who live here are so good with him... as they are with all the patients! I spent a long time with Robert yesterday... we bathed him and I worked on his feet (they're so bad) for a very long time... soaking them... scrubbing them... trimming his toe nails, then covering them with Vaseline. Then I would share lots of memory verses with him as I rubbed the back of his neck, arms and head. He can be a little ornery at times... I guess I would be too... but, he would often hold my hand as I sat with him. Again, I am blessed with another sweet, sweet time.

Blessings, Laura
Psalm 23

Simba, Simba, PUMBA!

2010-06-15T08:00:00.000-07:00

Jambo Sana!

So far, my work in Kisumu has been primarily in the Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) ministry. Last week the team visited 3 nursery schools and 2 Saturday ministry care points. At each place, we have the opportunity to teach a Bible lesson, sing songs, color, and play games. My favorite "new" game that we played was "Simba, Simba, PUMBA!"... more commonly known to us as "Duck, Duck, GOOSE!" As the week progressed, I couldn't help but realize more and more how kids, no matter what culture they are a part of, are kids. Their giggles, smiles, and love are the same no matter where in the world they may be.

Working with children here is of course also very different then my previous children ministry in the U.S... and in particular, ~The Language Barrier~

Even though most people here speak enough English to communicate, their primary languages are their tribal language (mostly Luo here)... and then Kiswahili. Some children speak English pretty well, but a lot of them speak very very little. The first school we went to was quite the experience! The kids immediately rushed our Tuk-Tuk (3 wheeled golf cart vehicle) yelling "Mzungu!" and each swarmed us for a handshake and greeting. They fooled me when they said, "Hi. How are you? I am fine" which led me to think that they spoke a descent amount of English. But, with this group, I quickly realized that this phrase was nearly the extent of their English. There was a breakthrough with this group tho when one of the boys came up to me stomping and saying "Feet! Feet!" I jumped on the opportunity to teach them more words and even taught some of them ♫Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes♫. To me, the most precious moment of the visit was when I was sitting on the porch stoop surrounded by between 10-15 children and we were going over colors. One of the boys pointed to someone's collar and said "white"... and then a little girl crawled on my lap and ran her little hands from my forehead to my chin and said in the softest most little voice "...white..." I'm not exactly sure why, but it just really struck a chord with me. Children are so eager to learn about others and are curious about what is different. In the same way, they are so eager to hear about God and curious to understand His ways. *Lord, Give me a childlike heart!*

On Saturday, most of the team went to the ministry care points. These are the programs run by Christ's Hope (most of the places OVC goes are existing schools). These places have a slightly different feel than the others. We have the opportunity to really invest in the lives of the children we meet every Saturday. And these "kid loaded" days are full of joy! Playing with the children and teaching them the love of God and sharing a meal with them is so special! One little girl, Christine, really captured my attention. In the beginning of the day, she was shyly sitting under a tree alone with a ball. I went over and began to play catch with her... which turned into bouncing the ball... which turned into me making goofy faces when I dropped it... which eventually turned into a smile from her. When we played with animal finger puppets, she stood back and let the others play while she watched, and when I gave her a butterfly puppet, she held it and looked dazed until I showed her how to play with it. By the end of the day, this shy little girl who wouldn't smile was laughing and running around with the other children and even caught on to my keep away game I was playing with a lot of kids... when she caught the ball, she would giggle and run from me until I could catch her and scoop her up in my arms to get the ball back. This is not an uncommon story. Many children have a difficult time letting go and laughing and running freely and being the kids they are supposed to be. In a culture plagued by HIV, many of these children are left with a single parent, or are living with relatives or neighbors or are being raised by older siblings. To give these children a safe place for them to feel loved, valued, and cared for is so meaningful... even if it is only for a few hours each week.

This is exactly the work I came here to do... and little Christine's smile spoke into my passion for this ministry so much.

Mungu Aku Bariki,
Mary

Falling in Love

2010-06-15T00:06:00.000-07:00

Okay, so many people joke about the idea of me coming home with a little African baby in my suitcase. I know deep down that behind the jokes most people realize I am quite serious with the matter.

A few days ago we had what they call ministry care point. It is a ministry they do on Saturday's with the children of the HIV Patients.

As we got there, we brought our bag of goodies out (Balls, puppets, frisby's etc.) and the kids went to town. It wasn't long before we were all playing soccer in the yard with most the little boys. The boys here are so good and can run for endless moments with bare feet.

We went on to teach the lesson and eat lunch with the kids. I had my camera out and a little boy names Emmanuel would follow me around just begging for his picture. I couldn't help but wonder what his story was as I continued to capture his face in my memory and on camera.

After Lunch I spent some time with all the kids when Emmanuel kicked a ball right at my ankles from about 10 feet away. I turned to look and saw in his face the anticipation that I would kick it back. Not even fazing me that I was in a skirt, I kicked the ball at him and without surprise the ball was right back in my direction. I ran the ball passed him and once again he was beside me kicking the ball away from me. We battled for the ball back and forth on the field at least for 15 minutes falling over each other and laughing. I finally kicked it passed him and yelled with my arms wide in the air... "GOAL!" He fell to the ground in hysterics from how funny he thought I looked.

When we were done and ready for the trip back, we piled some kids in the van with us to take them closer to their homes. One of the boys was Emanuel and his brother and sister. Esther (his sister) is 3 and was sitting in a single seat. I instantly took the opportunity to scoop her into my arms and sit with her which now will continue to be an image I will never forget. By they time we were about 10 minutes down the road Esther was fast asleep in my arms. I was in love with this family... and still had not known their story...

Their Story: Emmanuel's older brother is thought to have HIV. Their father is passed and their mother is in stage 3 of HIV refusing to eat in order to keep her children fed. Since their mother refuses to be given the her late husbands brother as a second or third wife, she is considered a curse as well as her children. A family will not take in children when they are in this position... I asked what would happen to the children, the response was far from what I wanted to hear.

"Esther might be taken in by a neighbor because she is cute, but most likely be sold as a house servant. The boys would most likely end up street kids (Homeless beggars)."

I instantly asked how we could help and what we can do, they truth is our hands are completely tied. I am in continual prayer for this family and in an instant would scoop them up and take them home. I have to remember that God's will is at play and these kids can be cycle breakers. Continue to pray for them and the other children who are in their position.

The Past Three Days -- Posted by Laura

2010-06-12T13:01:00.000-07:00

So much has happened in the past three days...

|--Jane--|

I was able to share the hope of Jesus with Jane, a young woman from Russia Hospital.

It's hard to find words to explain the transformation that takes place in the life of someone who is lost and separated from God... who has been abandoned by all family and friends... who is ill and knowing that their time here on earth will soon be over.

Lying (often alone) in bed, day after day, week after week, sometimes longer. The pain, physical, emotional, mental...

Once strong and able bodies, now frail and deteriorating... beyond help. And in this place, dying with very little dignity... or value... or honor... and certainly without any legacy at all. Just gone and forgotten.

I shared with Jane that I was here at this very moment in time to be with her and to let her know about Jesus... that she was not alone... that she was not forgotten... that it's never to late to put her trust in Him.

Jane gave her life to Christ and will soon experience the things we talked about at her bedside.

|--Death--|

Dying is something we'll all face one day... but, to experience it this way? I can't even imagine!

After I'm with those (like Jane) who are in an extreme condition, I sometimes wonder what time must be like for them? Being at the end... knowing that they're at the end... and just waiting for it to happen.

Most often they have no one to "process" with or to "remember the good things in life" with. These outcast and abandoned ones have no one to even help them get through the fear of death.

So, I wonder... what's it like for them to be in this situation? Dying for sure... completely alone... with seconds, minutes, hours, days... all passing by with no activity but their own thoughts.

And then I wonder... what will it be like for me, and for those I love, when we are at that place? Will we be at peace? Will we reflect on how we've lived-out our time here? Will we be afraid?

|--Are We Ready?--|

On the way home from the Hospital today we saw three accidents. One likely fatal. A pair of dark blue, warn flip flops lying in the middle of the road and a windshield smashed.

I wonder... Are we ready? Are we ready today to meet our Maker? Whatever it is we believe, that day will come. Just as we are all born, we will all surly die.

Romans 3:23 says "For all have sinned (blown it) and fall short of the glory of God."

Romans 6:23 says "For the wages of sin (blowing it) are death, but the FREE GIFT OF GOD is eternal life with Jesus Christ our Lord."

Revelation 3:20 says "Behold, I stand at the door and knock, if any man hears My voice, and opens the door, I will come into him and stay with him and he with Me."

If we're trying to fill ourselves with anything other than God---sex, porn, drinking, over-eating, drugs... and even "less obvious" ones like success, wealth, fame, admiration, self-sufficiency---in the end... we will always find ourselves coming up empty.

I wonder... could it be that the thing that would fill us, fill us to overflowing, would be the Maker that made us?

John 3:16 says "For God so love the world that He have his one and only son, that whoever believes in him would not perish but would have eternal life with Him."

1 John 1:9 says "If we confess our sins (wrong doings), he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

Yesterday, I was able to share this good news, the news that God is waiting for each and every one of us with open arms... That he loves us... that we are valuable... that he knows our name... and that we are never alone.

The message of Jesus is that it doesn't matter what mistakes, or even horrible things we've done in our past... there is hope for all of us... everyone. Everyone can have a place... everyone can belong. When we tell God that we're sorry, God takes our mistakes, and puts them behind us. He tells us that "today is a new day, and our mistakes are forgiven" ... and we move on... Thank you God for your grace and mercy!

|--Arthur--|

Yesterday I was able to share the message of Jesus with a young man named Arthur. Arthur is also in the hospital... in pain... alone... and will be soon coming to his end.

Again, it's hard to describe seeing hopelessness turn into hope... darkness to light... lost to found... but, it happens in an instant!

|--Feebe and Zeddidiah--|

For those of you who know me, you know that I love to meet new people! (Surprise, surprise).

Well... yesterday... I had the great joy of "finding" a woman named Feebe, and her child Zeddidiah in the hospital. Feebe is 30, her son is three... although he looks like he's two (at most)... his legs are bowed... he can't walk or stand because of severe malnutrition... his little ears and nose were oozing from illness... and he was sitting naked on the hospital bed in a puddle of his own urine. I found out later that he is incontinent (never potty trained). The children will often sit for days or longer on the beds of their mothers as they are ill.

His mother is very ill with AIDS and soon Zeddidiah will be an orphan.

I spent some good time with Zeddidiah. We went outside to be in the sun. George (a fantastic local worker here) pumped some water from the well for us and we sat out on the grass in the sun... he in a small basin of water. He seemed to really enjoy the sun, the water, and the crazy mazungu (white person) laughing and playing with him! In a place like this I didn't know I could actually beam with joy...but, if there were such a thing, I think I was "beaming"... after a while I brought him back inside... it was hard to put him back there on that bed... his little naked body... and his mama so ill...

|--The Slums--|

I have seen many, many other patients in the past three days... in hospitals, mud huts, and slums. Wow, the slums!

Our final stop last night was to a slum area where a bulldozer had gone through an area and had knocked down home after home, "business" after business... levelled it all and left the rubble behind. As if it were a playground, children were climbing in, around, and through the piles. I was told that all these structures where knocked down because they were not in the building zone. I don't know about all that, I just wonder how that has impacted so many lively-hoods and lives.

I was thankful to be able to buy clothes for some children in the slums in a mud home that we visited... the need is great, as it is in so much of this area of Kenya.

For the next couple of days the Team is going to get "out of town" to a retreat center... we'll process how we're all doing, rejuvenate a bit, and get back to it when we come back to Kisumu.

xoxo Laura

Building Relationships

2010-06-11T06:57:00.000-07:00

Hello to all!

Just a quick update on the way God is blessing our team. I have been privileged to go to the Russia Hospital and Maseno Hospital several times this week. The first time out was a bit awkward but now when I go to the hospital I see the people I have seen before and they know me. I love the way we are building relationships with these people.

There is a little girl named Mildred, who on my first visit was very "down". She was having a difficult time breathing and could hardly speak or eat. Today when I went to see her she was sitting up in bed eating rice and beans! She smiled when she saw us coming and it was great to be with her.

The same is true with Christine, who's daughter is Lucy. I continue to see her whenever I visit Russia Hospital and I am always blessed by our time together.

I can clearly see how the long term volunteers here love the work they are doing. It is a blessing and a privilege to be with each of these precious people.

Until next time,
Pamela

Care and Compassion

2010-06-11T06:28:00.000-07:00

Greetings from Kisumu, Kenya

To the church of God in Carmichael, together with all the saints, family and friends following our journey.

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

The God of All Comfort

So begins the second letter of Paul to the Corinthians.

It is Friday here in the Yellow House on Ring Road. Lots of activity after a wonderful time of praise, worship and prayer. Teams going out for ministry, people preparing the needed supplies for the patients that will be visited, anticipation for bringing Robert here to live in Desmond's cottage, housekeeping chores, and a quiet moment and an open block of time to share my heart with all of you!

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of Compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort that we ourselves have received from God."

These words have always been precious to me. After the last three days they have become more alive, more vibrant, stunning and very, very sweet. I would like to tell you all of the details. However, I realize that you are very busy and as you check in here I want to share just a few stories. I pray that they whet your appetite to hear more when I see you face to face.

I have been blessed to be assigned to go out the last three days to participate in the Care and Compassion ministry of Christ's Hope. I will tell you three stories.

Tuesday Desmond, a new volunteer named George and I, went to Nyahera up in the hills above Kisumu. There are several patients that Desmond visits every Tuesday. He also checks on new contacts to see about their medical needs.

So this particular day Desmond had two "newbies" with him! Can you imagine! Well, the Lord is gracious and has been preparing George and myself all of our lives to meet each other and to partner with Desmond and Christ.

A patient named Joseph was our first contact of the day. He had been paralyzed from a stroke and was very "down" (sick). He lives with his mama Millicent and a sister. When we walked up to his home he was walking with assistance from his "stick" (three-pronged cane) and is doing very well! We sat outside his home with mama under a huge avocado tree in the cooling shade. We visited and talked about his family and how far he has come. I was privileged to read Scripture and George translated. Desmond prayed and we were off to find the next patient. Not finding her close by we walked back by Joseph's home and he gifted us with two of the biggest avocados I have ever seen! George told me that was a very unusual thing. Remind me to tell you about George someday. Besides being a wonderful man of God and very articulate he is also a farmer! We talked and talked and talked of God's creation and provision and blessing.

Wednesday brought us again to the hospital in Maseno. We had been there the previous day dropping off new patients and checking on others. I want to tell you about a patient named R. I cannot give you her full name as you will see her picture in this posting.

R. is in the hospice room of the hospital. She was all alone Tuesday evening. Her family has abandoned her. This particular morning, Wednesday, Marieke and I were assigned to the Maseno Hospital to care for patients. I will tell you about the care of R.

When we arrived in R's room she looked much better than she had the previous evening. R needed a bath, wound care and help with medicine and her meal. Three hours after beginning that process, R was resting quietly on clean bedding, with a catheter installed and clean dressings for her wound. I will spare you the details as I am still amazed how God worked during that time. I will tell you that time stood still.
And God is good and He is faithful!

Yesterday was another day of C and C ministry. Desmond, another George, Laura and I went in another direction out of Kisumu to check on patients. We were also trying to locate R's husband, Juma. Family has the responsibility of burial when someone dies here. Usually the body is buried somewhere near the home on family land. As Juma and the rest of the family has abandoned R I would ask you to pray that God changes Juma's heart and that Juma would do the right thing for his wife. A miracle is needed!

2 Corinthians 1:5-11 talks about what I am experiencing here as I come along side the patients in Care and Compassion. I want you to know that I know that God ordained this time long before I was born. He knew who I would meet. He knows each of us intimately and He longs for us to know Him.

I would encourage each of you to look for your own "divine appointments" as you live and work and breathe. You don't have to come to Africa. Just keep the eyes of your heart open and ask Him to give you ears to hear and the words to say.

God is good. God is faithful.

"May the Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace." Numbers 6:24-26

I love you all dearly!

Pat

Great Teams! -- Posted by Laura

2010-06-09T06:41:00.000-07:00

Hi All! This blog-entry is from Laura... and it's a long one... sorry!

First off... I just have to share with you how dearly I love our Teams--our Team coming from America and our Team here in Kisumu. WOW! I am blessed by these two great Teams.
Okay… let me get right to it and share with you some of what’s been happening...

Mud Hut
Monday I met in a home (small mud hut, very small, with a short opening for a door). We went there with two men who smelled very strong like they had been drinking. They brought us to meet with three women, Elizabeth, Mary, Pamela and a guy named David. They didn’t know the Lord. They all seemed to be HIV positive, but all needed to be tested before CHI (Christ’s Hope International) can come along side them.

After we had talked with them about CHI, I went over to them and sat on the dirt floor at their feet. They were all sitting, lined up on a broken-down bed. I shared with them that God loves them and knows them… and that he has a plan for their life…. that the hurting place inside of them that they were trying to fill with alcohol, could be filled with something that would last forever: the Lord Jesus Christ.

The three women asked Jesus into their hearts. I stood up and did a little dance, shaking my skirt from side to side and told them that right now there was a party going on in heaven. (I don't know how culturally appropriate this was, but I couldn’t hold my joy inside!)

David had a harder time. He had accepted the Lord into his life ten years earlier but had fallen back into a life filled with sex and drinking. He said that the people in his life made it difficult to live with the Lord. I told him that God loves him and forgives him, and wants him to come home again. I told him I wanted to give him something very valuable to me. The most precious material thing to me in this world. I gave him my Bible and told him that I believed in him.

That Bible I gave David is, for sure, precious to me. Along with being God’s Word, it has all my notes from Africa from when I was here last year and those I’ve entered from this year. But, I wanted him to understand that even though this Bible was precious to me… it was important to me that he would use it to find his way back home to God…. and that God was waiting for him with open arms.

I believe this is true for all of us…. God is waiting… expectantly… patiently.

I shared John 3:16 with them: “For God so loved the world that he gave His only son. That who ever believes in him would not perish but have eternal life.” … and Revelation 3:20: “Behold I stand at the door and knock, if any one hears my voice and opens the door I will come into him and dine with him and he with me.”

As you can imagine, it was a very rich morning, filled with blessing...

Morris' Home
We went from there to the home of another woman, also named Pamela. I remembered the home from last year… Morris was a young man (early 20’s) that we were ministering to who has since passed away from AIDS. Pamela is his sister. When we got there we could see that she was in a lot of pain, so much that we needed to get her more help than we could provide… we needed to get her to a hospital. Morris' mother was also there, and also in a great deal of pain.

We ended up having both of them laying down in the back of our van… both of them holding onto my arms and legs… crying out in excruciating pain.

On the way to the hospital we picked up a young man who had broken his elbow. He had a cast on his arm, but they didn’t “set it” before they put it in a cast. Now he has to have surgery. (Flashback: This is the same hospital that I struggled with so much last year because of their poor conditions and lack of care and compassion for the patients)... After a one hour, very bumpy, tear-filled van ride, we finally got everyone to the hospital.

We had two patients that we were caring for already at the hospital, Rosemary and Robert. Robert is a young man dying of AIDS. Rosemary is also very ill. (I believe Pamela (from our Team) wrote about them earlier today on our BLOG).

School
On Tuesday, Tanea (from our Team) and I went to a school to teach “Choose to Wait.” Choose to Wait is about biblically-based, sexual purity. We were told ahead of time that the kids were "tuff"… They were distant and not connecting at all with their regular teachers.

Tanea and I were asked to share about our lives and about our relationship with God. The students (ages 14-25 or so) were, at first, just like we’d been told: tuff and distant... But, our time with them ended very differently… love… hugs… kisses… holding hands… even tears.

I learned that most of these "tuff" girls had no mother, no father, and had been raising their siblings by themselves for many years. Some had been raped… others enduring unwanted pregnancies. One thing they all had in common was that they were all poor and have suffered deeply in some way and were now struggling in a way far more difficult than any of us could ever begin to understand.

Tanea and I had started sharing the story of our lives with them outside, but a heavy rain came that sent us inside under a tin roof. This only filled me with more joy and a greater passion to continue to connect with these young men and women. I was shouting as loudly as I could because the chicken/rooster was very busy in the back of the room making tons of noise.

This school…with its rocky, dirt floors… and rain pounding on the tin roof… was suddenly filled with faces… and it became an amazing place! Tanea and I shared the gospel and explained to them how to receive Jesus Christ as their personal Savior.

We broke up into groups and I told the girls in my group how proud I was of each of them… how much I respect them for their courage and strength, not only to survive, but to care for their other siblings…. I told them that each one of them was deeply loved, valuable and known by God. Now… all the “tuff” walls had been broken down… culture, age, everything. And there was a connection made that I can’t explain any other way but… only God.

To see all those (40) “tuff” little faces turn so tender and soft was truly a “moment.” They just wanted to be loved… to feel safe… to be heard.

Thank You
I find myself again saying “Thank you, God.” Thank you that you are good! Thank you that you are faithful, not because of what you do or do not do for us, or because of our circumstances, but because you are God and you are good and you are faithful.

I realize that this is a long blog, but it’s so difficult for me to get to the computer this year. With ministry and leading a team I find myself struggling to get here. So, I will probably write less often this year, but longer. We’ll see how it goes.

As we were leaving the school yesterday, one of the girls came and told us that she had accepted Christ into her heart. We asked her “when?” She said, “today, as we were hearing the Word of God!
And, once again I did my "Happy Dance"... JOY!

Thank you to all of you who are praying for our team! Thank you to all of you who were so generous financially to make this trip a reality! Thanks to all of you! Know that your gifts of love, prayer, and support have touched the lives of many here, and it is only day 5!!! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

Much love, Laura :)

Choose to wait, and my new Bff's

2010-06-09T03:32:00.001-07:00

Julie and Lilian are 2 girls who have intensely touched my heart while I have been going out to do ministry.

A couple days ago Julie walked into the house and it wasn't long before we knew it was her birthday. We sang to her and eventually got to go on a walk with her. She is a volunteer for Christ's Hope and she is wonderful! She has 5 kids and raises them all to fear the Lord. She was very glad to hear I had kids and instantly wanted to see pictures of them. I also learned today that she got to take a camera home so she can take picture of hers for me. This touched me to know she was thinking of me after she went home.

Yesterday a girl named Lilian came to the house before we went out to do ministry... She was very shy but after morning devotionals she prayed and brought the word of God to life. I was so excited to learn that she would be going out to Choose to Wait ministry with her and Mama Joskey (A wonderful woman!). We got on the tuk tuk and road out to the matatu (See Pat's blog for the definition). From there we had an hour long ride where Laura and I were squished in the back.

When we got to the school we were in awe of the beauty in the hills of Africa... Rich green plants in contrast with the bright red soil. We walked down a long path past mud huts tucked quietly between different type of wildlife. We were accompanied by kids walking to and from school, it was so beautiful that I couldn't even take a picture, I feel like it would ruin the perfection of God's work.

When we got to the school we were asked to share our testimonies with about 40 kids ages 16-25 although most were 16. I shared my testimony and for the first time I was living out my thoughts that I wanted to bring my story to Africa. How perfect God's timing is to know when I needed to be in this country to share my story. The speaking setting was literally under a beautiful African tree, the wind was gracefully dancing through the area between me and the students reminding me that God was with me. As I did math problems in my head (A new technique we learned to keep from crying) God let me vulnerability pass onto the children in Africa.

We were told after school was over that our story had taken one of the girls life to the Lord... We partied with the angels on the red path back to the matatu praising God and taking in the moment. The students we met were told to be the "tough" kids, but after talking to them we realized they were in need of someone like Laura and I to share our stories. We then leaned that 9 of the girls were pregnant. I can only hope my story saves those babies lives.

We road the matatu home with so much laughter with Lilian we were falling off our seats not just from the wild ride... She shared her story with us that made me realize no matter how much I fit in here, I am not in America anymore. The words with a smile, "My mother died when I was 2, and my father when I was in grade 2... but that's life."

Lilian is one of the most beautiful women I have met in and out. She told me I can post her picture so I am going to take one with her and put it up...

LOVE, Tanea

How much is too much to share?

2010-06-09T03:29:00.000-07:00

Jambo! Greetings in the name of Jesus!

Before I begin let me say asante sana (thank you very much!) to all who have supported our team, and continue to do so with prayer, so that we are able to be here in Kisumu to share God's love. Your thoughtful gifts and contributions are making a definite impact to the people here.

It has been a learning process to determine how much to share of our daily ministry. We've discovered that sometimes it takes a while to process what we do in a day before we can find the words to share.

That said, here is what I have been doing...

Yesterday I went to the village of Manyatta and visited five families who are part of the Care and Compassion ministry. I was accompanied by Marieke, a long term volunteer from the Netherlands and Julie, an African national volunteer who works for CHI. The first patient I saw was a 4 year old girl named Melinda. She lost both her mother and father to AIDS. She now lives with her aunt and is not unlike many four year olds. When we arrived she was playing outside with her best friend. Melinda is HIV positive but her aunt does not believe in using medicine. We were disappointed to find Melinda had a bad ear infection (this was Tuesday) and her aunt did not plan to take her to the hospital for (free) antibiotics until Friday. Please pray for this little girl that God would continue to cover and protect her.

Melinda is sitting on Marieke's lap with her Aunt and best friend standing next to them.

We also visited Pamela, Fiona and Jane...3 other single women who are HIV positive. Each of them have children to care for and work very hard. I read scripture from the bible for each of the families we visited and Julie translated into the local language of Luo. Then we prayed for each one and always left food for them.

The last family we saw was Lawrence and Veronica. They are both HIV positive and have a 2 month old baby (see picture). Like all the others they work very hard and appreciate being cared for by this ministry. They will not know if the baby is HIV positive until after the mother has stopped breastfeeding (usually at 6 months). They will continue to test the child periodically until they are sure she is free of the disease.

I finished my day of ministry at a Russia hospital in Kisumu. Again with Marieke and Julie we visited several wards of patients. We read the bible and prayed for many. Perhaps the most meaningful to me was when we went to the men's surgery ward. There was a 28 year old man, named Frederick, whose bed sores were so bad his hip bone was now fully exposed. He was very thin and in a lot of pain but he knows Jesus and loves him! When I read from the bible for this man, even though he understood English quite well, Julie translated into Luo for the benefit of the other men in the room (about 6 men in a room approximately 12x25 feet). It was a beautiful and powerful experience. Each man listed intently and the Spirit of God was noticeably present in the room with us.

I could say so much more but I know my team-mates have a lot to share also, so I will stop here. Just know that we are being blessed to be a blessing in ways you cannot imagine! I am overflowing with the love of God. He is so good!

Until next time... kwaheri! (good bye!)
Love,
Pamela

A day of rest

2010-06-08T11:33:00.000-07:00

Today I was on house duty with Mary. Her and I made sure the house was clean and the dishes were done. We also got to go shopping at the Nakumatt which is similar to a Walmart. We took Boda Bodas there, which are bicycles with seats on the back. It is one of the cheapest modes of transportation here in Kisumu. The prices are always higher for Mzungus, and the more Mzungus there are at one time the higher the price is.

It is so fun and exciting to go around see all different parts of the town. Just outside of the compound is various businesses. From the outside they look like the slums or broken down shacks, but the people here can be very innovative and do amazing things with what they have. I went with one of the local volunteers to make copies at a business near the compound today. From the outside it looks old and broken down, but on the inside it had a copy machine and about eight decent computers. It was a really nice business. It was so awesome to see how these Kenyans had created a successful business even from what we would deem unusable. God has provided for them is so many ways. I am being greatly blessed by their strength and intelligence.

Jessica

Glory to God

2010-06-07T07:23:00.000-07:00

It has been only been two days since we have been in Kisumu and I feel like I already have 100 stories to share. When we walk down the street the Kenyans tell us that we are welcome here. Some children haven even asked us for a fist pound. The pigs, goats, and cows wander free on the side of the roads (outside the compound). We just went swimming and got caught in our first thunder storm. Every moment here has been so welcoming and inviting.

I went on my first hospital visit today. Due to my anticipation for the visit I was emotional before I got in the building, but calmed down once we saw a few patients. The smells were overwhelming and the state of the patients was heart wrenching. The first patient was 14 years old but I thought she was only 8. She was unbelievably tiny and in so much pain. The worst part about it was that she had no one to come visit her. It was just a blessing to look in her eyes, hold her hand and pray with her. All the patients that we visited knew Jesus and wanted the prayers. God is more evident in Africa then anywhere I have ever seen. I am already greatly humbled by being here.

God is SO Good!

Jessica

My first day of work...yesterday!

2010-06-07T04:43:00.000-07:00

I tried to write this last night and simply had to sleep first. I fell deeply into a great night of sleep in my freshly made bunk, beneath the protection of a mosquito net with an oscillating fan keeping the air moving...

Yesterday was amazing... Arriving in Kisumu at 8:45am we found rich red dirt, blooming hibiscus and so much more. Flying over the massive Lake Victoria was spectacular! Once we got our bags, we began the transportation adventure! First up...we rode home from the airport in a "matatu". This is a van...minus all the extras including padded seats! I believe these vans are intended to carry a maximum of 15, but I have seen them with 20-25! Then there are boda-bodas... a very common form of inexpensive transportation. This is a bicycle with a slightly padded rectangle on the back side for a rider such as me; and Tuk-tuks, which are a 3 wheeled, motorized, contraption with a driver in the front and a bench seat in the back.

Just a few hours after arriving at the CHI headquarters I learned that two of the long-term volunteers from the Netherlands were going to be visiting a couple of hospital patients. We were asked if anyone wanted to go along and I volunteered. Getting to the hospital took about 2-1/2 hours, a tuk-tuk, an Acacia Shuttle (bigger than a van; smaller than a bus), a boda-boda and a beautiful walk through a cool forest. I was blessed to meet a young man whose body was ravaged by HIV. He was too weak to speak and could barely lift his head - but when I asked him if he would like me to share some scripture from the bible he opened his eyes and blinked several times. I prayed over "John" and shared Psalm 23 and Numbers 6:24-26. The peace that came over his face was visible.

Next we visited the women's ward. The first lady I saw asked me if I would take her baby girl home to America... More prayers, more scripture and lots of love. Words cannot describe.

When we left the hospital to return to CHI it was nearing sundown and the sky was filled with lightning and thunder and God delivered us safely home. There is so much more to share but I imagine I've already lost a lot of you so I will stop for now.

Thank you for your prayers.

In Christ alone...

Pamela

Stop and Breathe and Praise God!

2010-06-06T11:21:00.000-07:00

Jambo!

I think I speak for us all when I say how thrilled we are to be here in Africa. It is so beautiful! The team has been comparing the greenery to that of Hawaii... and the birds sing songs that my heart has never heard before!

The Christ's Hope staff has welcomed us with open arms, and I can already tell that this is most definitely home! The people outside the gates are so welcoming as well! While walking down the street, we're greeted with "Jambo!" and "Mzungu!"... and a whole lot of smiles.

On this casual day in Kisumu, I just can't help but stop and Praise God and Thank Him for all he's done for us on this journey. I'm so thankful to be blessed with the opportunity to come here and bless others and share the LOVE and COMPASSION of Christ with them!

Lala Salama,
Mary

Sunday in Kisumu

2010-06-06T11:05:00.000-07:00

Greetings from the Yellow House on Ring Road, Kisumu, Kenya!

The Kenya team has assembled in Kisumu. The night sky is dark and soft as velvet. When the clouds are not blocking the stars we will be able to see the Southern Cross!

What a wild and wonderful journey we have all had in the past few days! We all have our separate stories and you will get several right now.

It is 8:45 pm Kenya time. People are just getting out of the second church service at Christ Community Church. I miss you all and am looking forward to seeing you face to face. Right now I am living in the moment and savoring the adventure.

The garden here on Ring Road is so different. This afternoon we sat out under the jacaranda trees in the back and had a lot of good food and fellowship and laughter. I have been identifying the plants that are familiar to me and asking many questions about the trees and birdlife I that are so different and unusual.

We took an afternoon walk in our neighborhood and what an experience! I loved the African sun shining down on my head and the people walking home from church and the children playing amid the goats, and pigs and chickens and the people just living their lives.

Some of the Team want to jump in to share their day with you!

Lala salama (sleep in peace)

Pat

We are in Nairobi!

2010-06-05T14:57:00.000-07:00

We flew in about an hour ago and need to get to bed because we fly out to Kisumu in the AM. We made it safely, and are exhausted. Here is where we are staying... (THE HEART LODGE)

http://67.199.32.150/about.html

Look out for our blogs to come...

Just had some yummy cake and hand squeezed applejuice from Desmond.

Love you all, thanks for the prayers!

3:30 AM Friday, On our way to Kenya....

2010-06-04T04:05:00.000-07:00

Good Morning! It is 3:30 AM Friday, I will be leaving my home in an hour to head to Christ Community Church to get a few things done before the team arrives at 5:30 AM. Then Roger will load us up in the church van, drive us to the Sacramento airport, and we will be off and running, well, sitting actually for the next 26 hours (if there are no delays) on flights that will take us from Sacramento to Dallas, then on to London, then to Nairobi Kenya. Here we will meet up with Mary, Jessica, and Desmond. We will stay a short night in Nairobi, and then catch an early AM short flight on to Kisumu in a bit smaller plane. :)

My mind and body are already remembering the different sounds and smells, sights and faces of last years trip to Africa.

What a beautiful couple of weeks I have had with family and friends. I love you dearly Michelle, Melissa and Roger. I am so blessed. I am reminded as I spend time with my incredible family how many children that we will be with who have lost most, if not all of their families.

I am asking one thing of God on this trip, that somehow He could use me, us, to be His hands and feet, to love the lost and hurting, abandoned and those that have been left behind. Not for our sakes, but for His sake. I pray that we could be His Ambassadors in such a way that He would be glorified. I remind myself that this trip is not for me, or about me, it is for Him and it is about Him. It is not about my experience or about what I am doing, but about what God is doing, behind the experience.

Thank you God, in all things. Thank you that we can trust you and that you are good and you are faithful, not because of what you do or do not do for us, but because you are God, and you are good, and you are faithful.

Time to go...Much love to family and friends. I keep you close in my heart, prayers, and thoughts all thru my travels. xoxoxo Laura

PS I curled my hair for the last time last night for a whole month, how cool is that!

The journey begins!

2010-06-02T23:43:00.000-07:00

Tonight our group met for the last official time before we begin this adventure. Our families joined us for dinner at Roger and Laura's house and we had a great time of fellowship and prayer. We also got to hear more of the details of how God showed himself in Tanea's life as she lost all her luggage (including her passport) on Monday and by today, Wednesday, had everything she needed for the trip. He is SO good!

Then Laura started telling us about the BUGS! All I can say is it is a good thing she didn't tell us these particular details earlier in the process... Lord help us!

After dinner, Jessica's parents took her to the Sacramento airport where she boarded a JetBlue aircraft bound for New York where she will meet up with Mary Fugate. They'll spend Thursday in the city and then we will all depart on Friday (4 from Sacramento and 2 from New York) to meet up in Nairobi Saturday evening at 9pm. (It will be 11am Saturday here...) So the journey begins. The next time we see Jessica and Mary will be in Africa! Praise God.

Thank you again for all your prayers and support. We cannot do this alone. Lala Salama (sleep with peace).

In Christ,
Pamela

Being Tested

2010-05-31T23:06:00.000-07:00

God can turn ALL things into good! Today I started my day beautifully as my top priority was to finish Dustin's cards for each day I am gone. After I had finished this, I listened to Franchesca Batistelli and stood in amazement of the words in her songs as I praised God with my beautiful little girls. Nothing else to start my day would have prepared me for what was coming next.

As I went to my car to take off for some arrends, I noticed my Africa picture had been left in the car, I then realized I had not brought my bags in either and didn't see them. I wasn't sure if the car had been locked because I had already pressed the button to unlock it and didn't see before hand. I instantly called Dustin and asked if he had taken them out. I think we know the answer.

I called my fearless leader and broke down. Amen for the beginning of the prayer chain... Prayers from this moment on were needed and 100% there. Talked with the police and was told there was nothing we could do about it.

T minus 4 hours until my family was showing up for our BBQ in honor of my trip and NOTHING was done. Including the packing that had taken me over 4 weeks to get together.

What was a girl to do? This isn't any girl... This is a girl who is SURROUNDED by LOVE! God is LOVE and I saw Him EVERYWHERE today! Good ol' technology... Text messages to everyone, and facebook helped a ton!

I slowly pulled, at moments what felt like a fully inflated hot air balloon, back to earth. It passed through my head that God did not want me to go on this trip... My quick prayer... "God if this is not your will, make this IMPOSSIBLE to get to Africa!"

NOTHING got in my way today! God was SO evident and floored me to the point that by the time my family was showing up to my door and asking what else they could help me with I was saying, "nothing."

Thank God for the wonderful people He has placed in my life! My AWESOME team, my beautiful friends and family... My husband, who is an instant dropped EVERYTHING to do what he could...

Ended the night in a circle of prayer around our camp fire with family at ease with what God is doing in my life. My tears of fear where engulfed by tears of humbleness and love! SO loved, and blessed! God is SO good, I want to shout it from the roof tops! I am now not on earth as what I have seen today is only that of what God can do...

This day is being signed with Jesus Christ at the end of it... Onto tomorrow, and 3 days til we leave!

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

2010-05-31T20:48:00.000-07:00

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18... "Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in ALL circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

This verse has become very precious to me as our team prepares for Africa. Yesterday, at Church, we were prayed over by our entire congregation at 3 different services and by other groups throughout the day. The feeling was indescribable! Afterwards we were blessed to have training by a gifted man of God who works with hostage negotiations... Prepare for the worst - anticipate the best!

I do believe we are ready to walk hand in hand with God through whatever He brings our way. I am so blessed to be a part of this team! I love these women!!

Here is a photo of Mary Fugate...our New York sister, taken with Laura Anderson when Mary was here in April... Can't wait to be with you, Mary!

And this was taken at CCC yesterday as we "manned" an information table between services...

Love and blessings to all... Pamela

Lala Salama (sleep in peace)

Who is that sitting with you?

2010-05-29T20:47:00.000-07:00

Greetings!

Big day tomorrow for the Kenya Team, a.k.a. Stars over Kisumu! We would love to see friends and family at one of the three Sunday services at Christ Community Church (8:45 am, 9:15 am or 11:00 am). The team will be commissioned as Christ's ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:20) and as representatives of CCC.
The team will also be out at a table on the lower patio and will be available to meet everyone and answer questions. We would love to meet you and tell you about our upcoming trip.

"Oh my gosh, look, seriously, stop whatever it is that you are doing and look and see who it is that is sitting right there with you. Our Lord. Just thought I would point that out! I think it is just the greatest thing ever when I just stop to think about it…"

I received this message earlier today and thought I would share it with all of you. Amazing to think about, isn't it?

Blessings from the garden,
Pat

Encouraged!

2010-05-28T13:12:00.000-07:00

Jambo!

The time of preparation is coming to and end- my suitcase is nearly packed, my room is ready to be vacant for the summer yet again, and my momma is increasingly concerned for me :)

As I think about this summer, I realize that I would have signed up to go to Kenya for the summer if just for this season of preparation! I've learned and grown so much in these last few months- through prayer, the fast, scripture, sharing my testimony with friends and family and strangers, and fundraising. And in each stage of preparation, God has remained faithful and good and stronger than anything that has tried to discourage me. And oh how it's been too easy to be discouraged as of late.

God has worked so mightily at home, both in my life and in the lives of my friends and family. Prayer requests that have been prayed for years have been answered and I've gotten chills so many times lately when I think about the faithfulness of God, His plan, and His love for ALL His children. Yet somehow, I've found it so difficult to be free of distraction and have been so discouraged- I'm discouraged by failures of the past, doubt of the future, and the chaos of the present. But like I've witnessed countless times- God is such an encourager. He's put people in my life to give an encouraging word, and layed in on the hearts of many to pray for me- sometimes at random times (but not so random for God!). One scripture verse that is on my heart that is always so encouraging to me is:

"The Lord your God is with you,
he is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you,
he will quiet you with his love,
he will rejoice over you with singing."
-Zephaniah 3:17

I think we all have those verses that the Spirit uses to quiet us and redirect us to God- and this is certainly one that is nearly always on my heart in times of chaos.

So now as we are in the final stretch of preparation- keep praying!!! I know that Satan is and will continue to try to discourage us and distract us from what God has in store for us. But in this season, we'll choose to continue to look toward the author and perfecter of our faith and rely on His strength to see us through.

With love for all,
Mary

Grateful Hearts!

2010-05-26T22:58:00.000-07:00

Tonight at Church our team was honored to be a part of our weekly Prayer Meeting (every Wednesday...5:30pm at CCC!). We have been so blessed by our friends, family, and even strangers that have supported us (and continue to do so!) as we prepare for our journey to Africa.

One of the many blessings came from a small group at Church who blessed us beyond belief with gifts too numerous to list! When we began our preparations, we were given a list of items the Kisumu office was in need of to support their ministry programs. Through the generous efforts of a small group of women, we have art supplies, teaching aids, alarm clocks (to help AIDS patients remember to take their medications), toothbrushes, clothes, wash cloths and SO much more! In fact, though I wasn't able to be a part of this job, it took several of our team members more than 4 hours just to sort through all the donations.

As we joined together in prayer, we offered thanks for the generous support of so many...

Knowing there is a group of people here at home who will be covering us in prayer, as we travel across the world, means so much!

We also prayed for Mary, our "sister from another mother"! Mary is a dear part of our team who we were privileged to meet about a month ago when she visited Sacramento from her home state of New York. Unbeknownst to us (but well known to God!) Mary had contacted Christ's Hope International about serving in Africa for 10 weeks this summer. Jessica had also committed to 10 weeks, so CHI put them together and we all became a team! We instantly bonded with Mary when we met her and we miss her terribly. Soon...we will all converge in Nairobi - and then on to Kisumu.

So there you have it. Grateful hearts. Our cup overflows...

In the precious name of Jesus,
Pamela

Is this real?

2010-05-24T19:36:00.000-07:00

11 Days until we leave for Africa! There are times I sit and think, Oh my... I am going to Africa! It hit me that I could be traveling through time and not know the difference. What I see in Africa is only what I know from Movies, Television, Pictures, and Stories. I see myself stepping into a land that was once classified on the same level as the Titanic, or Niel Armstrong's famous words as he landed on the moon. These stories are very much real but impossible to step into.

As I walk on African soil I wonder if what I feel will be similar to what it would be like to step into a storybook. Will it be what I expect? Probably not. I will and may not know what God has in store for our page in the story of Kisumu until long after we return to our territory. I can only trust that God knows our purpose for the people we meet in Kisumu and that we will not only fix our eyes on Jesus, but let his light shine brighter than we could even imagine.

Prayers for our team as we get closer!
♥ Tanea

We are SO excited!

2010-05-23T21:48:00.000-07:00

Today our team met and excitedly discussed many of the remaining details for our trip. To say we are excited about the adventure we are on with God would be an understatement! I'm sure I speak for everyone when I say that we are so blessed! God has really woven our hearts together and we can hardly wait to watch His plan unfold. Next Sunday, May 30th, we will be commissioned and "sent off" by our Church family at Christ Community. This will happen during each of our 3 services (8:45am, 9:15am and 11:00am) and we would love to have you join us if you are able! Thank you for your continued support and prayers.

From left to right...Laura Anderson, Tanea DeVriend, Jessica Fuller, Pamela McClanahan and Pat Swarm

A Day of Rest

2010-05-23T19:54:00.000-07:00

Greetings from the garden!

I trust you all have had a blessed restful Lord's Day. Praise, worship, fellowship with friends and family.
Maybe even an afternoon nap?

Well, our visa applications to enter Kenya have been filled out; our passports are in order; our immunizations have been completed; funds are still coming in.

The days are flying by! In all the busyness I want to live in the moment and savor every part of the daily routine and rhythm of life here. I want to rest in the Lord and trust that he holds the future securely. I believe he is preparing the entire team as we trust in and lean on him for everything.

I will be spending as much time as I can in the garden before we go. There are many places to sit and rest and contemplate and remember:

"He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust." Psalm 91:1-2

Blessings from the garden,
Pat

What was Paradise?

2010-05-22T16:48:00.000-07:00

Greetings from the garden!

"What was Paradise but a garden? An orchard of trees and herbs, full of pleasure and nothing there but delights." William Lawson

Just in from the garden... The bluebird babies are loud and hungry. Mom and Dad Bluebird are so busy finding food for their little ones. Thomas (husband of 28 years yesterday!) and I are their assistants, finding earthworms, beetles and providing meal worms from the pet store. It is lots of fun to watch their forays in and out of the old birdhouse they decided to nest in.

The vegetables are all planted. Tomatoes, squash, beans, potatoes, peppers. The herbs are lush and tasty.

I am reminded that God planted the first garden. I am amazed at all the different shades of green there are!

Gardening has taught me many things; faith that a tiny seed will grow; patience in that process; wonder at how that mysterious life unfolds and provides nourishment; perseverance when the crop has failed or the yield is small; delight in the harvest of the season.

One of my favorite hymns is about coming to the garden alone, while the dew is still on the roses...

                         "and He walks with me and He talks with me and He tells me I am His own
                           and the joy we share as we tarry there, none other has ever known"
                           C. W. Austin

Well, I know I am passionate about gardening and watching how God provides for all the birds. And that reminds me of another favorite Scripture:

                        "Therefore, I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink: or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes: Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?"     Matthew 6:25-27

So, no worries here in the garden! Africa is waiting...

Pat

Two weeks from today...

2010-05-21T23:32:00.000-07:00

Jesus said, I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. In Me you have everything you need, both for this life and the life yet to come. Don't let the impact of the world shatter your thinking or draw you away from focusing on Me. The ultimate challenge is to keep fixing your eyes on Me no matter what is going on around you. When I am central in your thinking, you are able to view circumstances from My perspective...
Jesus Calling, by Sarah Young

I love our team of 6 women, each of them are incredible. I am so blessed and thankful that God has given us each other to walk arm in arm in our upcoming journey to Kenya. Thank you God.

My daughter Michelle is home for the week, what a tremendous gift, Melissa comes home next week, I can hardly wait. I am so proud of both our daughters and love them dearly. Roger continues to be a tremendous support, I am extremely thankful for the 28 years of marriage that we have shared, I love and treasure him...

Well, its late, and I am off to bed!
Blessings, Laura

Stars over Alfred

2010-05-20T01:35:00.000-07:00

Hi Friends,

Finals are over. The semester is done. I moved out of my tiny dorm suite, said goodbye to my suitemates. Drove to Colorado with my roomate, Spent a couple days in Boulder. Flew back to NY. Now I'm home.

I love home. I never truly appreciated it until I moved to Long Island for college. At my house in Upstate NY (Alfred, to be exact), I can look out my window almost any night and see a sky full of stars. It's normal to see deer (and plenty of other animals) grazing through our yard. On summer nights, the lightning bugs illuminate the wood line behind our house and right now I can hear crickets singing (quite loudly too!) in the field below my house.

This is the picture of home I long for when all I can see are the city lights around me, when I'm weary from stress and pressures of life, and when I need to think of what seeing God's beauty really means...

I couldn't help but think of this picture of home when I was descending Bear Peak in Colorado just a few days ago. The hike up was one of the most difficult experiences physically that I think I've ever had. It was a really steep hike, and our bodies weren't used to the altitude, or the dryness, or the heat, or any sort of uphill walks (my campus is very very flat), or any physical activity at all as we'd been sitting in the car for 3 days prior. After hours of pressing through the pain and discomfort and singing The David Crowder Band song, "God of Creation"- "God of Creation, Take my breath away" (literally), we made it to the top. The views were stunning. I couldn't help but praise our Creator for such a beautiful place! I just wanted to sit and dwell in the beauty of the nature, but it was time to descend the mountain, and boy was I in for a treat! In other hikes I've done, the hike down is always so much more relaxing and enjoyable then the hike up... but not this time. Scaling down between huge slabs of rock and boulders, bouncing in and out of a creek, and trying to get a footing in the steep slope in the midst of shifting stones while searching for a small tree or branch to grab on to for stability was enormously difficult. We also weren't so wise and forgot to bring a snack with us and so our bodies began to give out slowly. After my concentration could let up a little bit, I couldn't help but think of home- the comfort of my own bed, the simple beauty of the valley, and the smiling faces that make it such a loving and inviting place.

Yes, I was descending one of the most beautiful mountains in the region, but somehow I was still missing the beauty of home. (below is a picture 2/3 of the way to the top)

I guess that's one thing I'm guilty of all too often- not staying in the present moment and enjoying whatever circumstance I may be in. I'm the type of person who's always looking for the next step in life, the next adventure, and the next goal to accomplish. But when I can stop where I'm at and reexamine where I am, I can appreciate how God is still at work although I'm ready for the next thing. When I realized this on my hike down, I was able to continue to see the beauty of nature around me.

So now as I sit and look at the Stars over Alfred NY, I'm ready to watch God work mightily during these last couple weeks of preparation and rest. I look forward to seeing how God will use me here before I leave for Kenya, and I pray that in all I do, His name will be Glorified!

Meeting God in the present,
Mary

Obstacles or Opportunities?

2010-05-19T17:40:00.000-07:00

Jambo!

As our departure date draws near, we find an Icelandic volcano threatening to stop air traffic through London, while flights are being canceled due to a British Airways strike. (British Airways is our connection from London to Nairobi...) While these seem like potentially enormous obstacles, I choose to look at these situations as opportunities to draw nearer to God. I do not claim to know God's plan, but I trust Him in all things and this is no different. God is bigger than volcanoes and strikes!

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:4-9

As we pray about these things, we cannot help but notice both issues center on London. Therefore, we will look into changing our flights and trust God for the results.

Thank you for your prayers and thank you for following our blog! Until next time, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6

XOXO Pamela

Peace and rest in the Lord

2010-05-18T23:13:00.000-07:00

The Lord has been so faithful and awesome in answering my prayers on trust. This trip requires nothing but trust in order to feel ready and secure. In my weak areas the Lord has come through full force to show me how mighty and faithful he his. It has been easy for me to trust certain things in him, but when it comes to others areas I start to have my doubts and insecurities. Praise the Lord for his nurturing ways. He continues to shine through and prove himself to me in only ways that HE could.

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9

My prayer is that I will continually be able to trust in the Lord in ALL things, and have peace and rest in him no matter the scenario.

Smile because the Lord loves you!

Jessica

Baby Jackson

2010-05-18T22:24:00.000-07:00

With going to Africa and leaving my hubby and girlies for 3 weeks I have been doing a lot of different types of planning... One of my things on my to do list was to get all my pictures transferred over to my online albums to make some space on my memory cards for all the memories I will be making in Africa.

One of the 1st calls I ever had to Africa was by a little boy named Jackson. He came into my life when I worked at Cal Fit and was by far my favorite little boy there! I came across his picture as I was cleaning up the folders and my heart instantly skipped a beat. He has been on my mind a lot and all I can remember when looking into his face was wanting to go to Africa and meet more kids just like him.

Interesting tid bit: Forgot to blog yesterday and I found these pics about 5 mins ago... Dustin came in and asked me if I blogged about 4 mins ago :). God is so good!

Here he is when he was 2.

Mathew 18:5 And whoever welcomes a child like this in my name welcomes me.

Desmond was here!

2010-05-16T19:57:00.000-07:00

Jambo! Greetings!

It happened today! The cultural collision that was mentioned in an earlier post was actually a pleasant event.
Desmond just happened to be in the neighborhood and spent time with us after church today. We have been welcomed to Kisumu before we even arrive there!

Desmond works in Kisumu with Christ's Hope International. What a delightful man who very much loves God and the people he ministers to. We were blessed to spend some time getting to know each other and to share a meal. (He likes Canadian bacon and pineapple pizza.)

We also got to see where we will be staying and some of the people we will be meeting and working with through a photo presentation Desmond had prepared. Here are some of the words to the song that began
the piece:
                     "Rescue the perishing, care for the dying
                       Snatch them in pity from sin and the grave:
                       Weep o'er the erring one, lift up the fallen
                       Tell them of Jesus, the Mighty to Save."

Until next time...
Blessings from the garden,
Pat

Satisfaction in a Sun-scorched Land

2010-05-15T08:39:00.000-07:00

Jambo! Greetings!
I am looking out of my window at a profuse garden of delights. Bluebirds are feeding their babies, roses are in full bloom and the sweetpeas are so fragrant! The watering is done. I think often of Kisumu and the people we will be meeting. I think of the ancient land they live in and what they might be waking up to in the morning. What does their day look like? Do they have enough food and water? Do they have shelter and safety? Health? Family and friends? All the many blessings I sometimes take for granted? Then I look at a little verse I love that says

"The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail." Isaiah 58:11

Satisfaction in a "sun-scorched" land. I am trusting you, Lord, for allowing our team to be a blessing to your people in Kisumu. May we offer Living Water to parched souls!

Blessings from the garden,
Pat

Two Worlds Colliding!!!

2010-05-15T06:41:00.000-07:00

Today Desmond comes, too fun!

Desmond is from Ireland, he lives in Kisumu and oversees the Missionaries there. He (and George, a local Missionary) are the ones I spent most of my time with while I was working there with AIDS patients. Now he is here, in the States, coming to my home! My head is still trying to wrap around this.

Then, my dear friends here in the States, (our team) is going to be going to Africa together, and I will be seeing them, their actual faces, IN AFRICA. This has been two totally different worlds, experiences, parts of my life. I can not describe what it is like to have the "two worlds colliding"!

Tomorrow our team will meet Desmond, what a great opportunity all the way around! Thank you God...

Laura :)

Trusting God in ALL things!

2010-05-13T06:51:00.000-07:00

Jambo! Thank you for following our blog!!

It has been an exciting week for me as I listen to God and respond with obedience. Before I was a Christian I used to think obeying God meant giving up my personal freedom. I was so wrong. The more I learn to discern God's gentle promptings...and follow them...the more I experience His amazing love and His perfect plan. Jeremiah 29:11 says, "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you; plans to give you hope and a future." I am now 100% convinced that God does know best and He wants so much for us!

That is the easy part: knowing He is good. The hard part is following... And yet everytime I do, I am blessed beyond comprehension. So here is my confession: Sometimes I don't trust God enough to say, "Yes", because I am more focused on the details of my life that would be impacted...and without knowing how those will all be worked out...I am afraid to move ahead.

Forgive me, Father, for not trusting you completely. You are so good; and I love you so much. Please give me strength and courage to stop questioning your promptings when I can't see how it all works out.

In the precious name of Jesus...
Kwaheri (goodbye)
Kwa-ku-onana (see you later)

XOXO Pamela

Monday? Sunday? What day is it again?

2010-05-12T09:44:00.000-07:00

Well, I must say, Time is flying! It was just yesterday I was meeting these ladies as my team and now we have 23 days until we leave! I am so excited to have been chosen to take this journey and feel so blessed to have such a great handpicked team!

While time passes I can slowly see new light to what God has in plan for what he wants me to focus on in my lifetime. I can't help to notice God laying a passion in my heart for teaching girls the importance of sexual purity. I have been surrounded by a great group of young ladies at CCC to help spread this message but now get the chance to go to where something like premarital sex is not only "the thing" but in most cases fatal.

God has blessed me with the tools and resources to be used as a vessel to help spread the message of the gift sex can be. I can only see what I have already experianced here with the youth helping me more in Kisumu and know that what I experiance in Kisumu will help me with what I have to offer here even more.

Love, Tanea

"Do not withhold your mercy from me, O Lord"

2010-05-11T19:16:00.000-07:00

"I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God." Psalm 40: 1-3

This week God has shown me his unfathomable love, righteousness, and mercy. In my time of need he listened and answered my prayers. He was always making his presence know. Even though I am undeserving of his love, he is so faithful. It can be so difficult to wait patiently for the Lord in times of need, but no matter what he always listens to our cries, even if cries are all we can manage. God will always be there to pick us up out of the pit and lift us up like wings on eagles. I praise God's Holy name! He is Good and Faithful! HOLY IS THE LORD GOD ALMIGHTY!

Jessica

Friday - Back in town...

2010-05-08T15:38:00.000-07:00

Thank you God that you are good, thank you God that you are faithful. Not because of what you do or do not do for me, but because you are God... and you are good and you are faithful.

I find myself stopping whatever it is that I am doing lately to be still and to listen to what ever it is the Lord may be saying. It seems to be easier to hear him speaking through the day when I have started the day setting aside time to sit with him.

I seem to be more aware these days... aware of Him walking the halls here at Christ Community. His presence here in my office, the silent listener to every conversation. More aware of him as I come and as I go...

Again, I thank you God in all things, thank you.
Laura

To Know Him

2010-05-08T07:59:00.000-07:00

Greetings!
Jeremiah had an interesting thing to say this morning

                        He defended the cause of the poor and needy,
                        and so all went well.
                        "Is that not what it means to know me?"
                         declares the LORD.        Jeremiah 22:16

Hmmm. Something to meditate on.

Blessings,
Pat

Broken is Good!

2010-05-06T21:30:00.000-07:00

Hello friends,

I think last week, this week, and the next few weeks leading up to the journey to Kisumu are so important in preparation and God is shaping each of us so much.

This doesn't always feel good. This doesn't always make sense to us. The clay never knows what it is to be until the Potter works at it and works with it for an extended amount of time- shaping it and reshaping it until He is delighted.

All to say, this week I've felt very malleable. The last couple weeks for any student is inevitably difficult. On top of that- there were challenges and obstacles added to this semester's end that I've never been confronted with. Not all of it was bad, but it was certainly not a walk in the park. But God has been good and God has been faithful, and I've found so much rest and comfort and joy in His presence this week.

It all came into perspective for me today as I was reading Psalm 51... and verse 17 really stood out to me: "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise." As we surrender a broken spirit and contrite heart to God (which is oftentimes more easily said then done), we allow Him to take over and create us anew, restore us, and sustain us.

I'd rather be broken and shaped by God than be content with the status quo any day.

Broken is good!

Until next Thursday,
Mary :)

Blessed with family and friends!

2010-05-05T09:39:00.000-07:00

The last six days I have been visiting my son, Nick, daughter-in-law, Nicole, and grandchildren (Lucy, age 4 and Riley, age 2). It has been a blessed time full of special memories and lots of laughs! They are newly stationed in Charleston, South Carolina with Nick working as a Navy Corpsman at a family practice clinic. I am very proud of all he has accomplished. They have a beautiful home with lots of other young families in the neighborhood. I am so blessed to have been able to have this time with them before going to Africa. I will take sweet memories of these precious ones in my heart.

I echo Jessica's comments about our team. I completely agree we have been put together intentionally. As great as my time has been here in SC, I look forward to getting home and continuing to prepare for the work we will be doing in Kisumu.

Love and blessings until my next entry!
Pamela

Friendship

2010-05-04T22:19:00.000-07:00

I am so thankful for this amazing group of women! This week has been trying for everyone and it has shown me how loving, caring, supportive, and Christian these STARS are. God is Good and God is Faithful (Laura) and it is so amazing how he has woven our hearts and friendships together! There is no doubt that we will do great works for the Lord in Kenya, because we have such a perfectly hand picked team going.

"A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity." Proverbs 17:17

Jessica

Falling Stars? I think not!

2010-05-03T09:16:00.000-07:00

With a little blow to our team, we embraced the idea that God has different plans for some of us, Our team now consists of 5 rather than 6, with the news that Brooke will not be joining us on our trip.

We will continue to pray that Brookes light as a star will no longer shine over Kisumu but here this summer. She added so much to our team and will be missed tremendously. We are glad we got to bond with her the way we did and know God has plans for her in Africa in the future...

Well, although our team hit a little bump, it has pushed us into overdrive in the prayer category... something that was being a little forgotten due to all our team preparation. It is apparent that God has amazing plans for this team and Satan is working hard at trying to pull us down.

Greg's message this Sunday hit home with a lot of us and we are working hard at fixing our eyes on Jesus. We ask that everyone keep our team in their prayers!

Love, Tanea
(The theme for this week) 1 Corinthians 15:33 (pray that our bad company will not take our eyes off what God has in plan for this team)

Friday - A day late! Laura

2010-05-01T13:45:00.000-07:00

Wow! 33 Days until Kenya Departure. Going BACK to Kenya, my heart is pounding...Lots of love and prayers to anyone who may be following this. We sure do appreciate your love, prayers and support. xoxo Laura Lou :)

Happy May Day

2010-05-01T09:34:00.000-07:00

Jambo from Fair Oaks, California!

I would like to share with you all just one of the ways God is working in the "daily" of my life.

Yesterday, I was on an errand to get some bird food for the resident bluebirds that have decided to nest in an old birdhouse in the back garden. I had purchased the meal worms and was exiting the parking lot. Waiting to turn right to go home I saw directly across the street the residence of a retired missionary from Africa. I remembered that she had recently moved back to her residence from a month-long stay at a local
physical rehabilitation facility. She had fallen and broken her right femur (thigh) in two places.

So, I crossed the street and decided to take a "chance" and see if Lois was accepting visitors. At the front desk I was told that indeed she was in her room and her caregiver was with her. Not knowing what to expect I knocked on her door and was welcomed in.

We renewed our acquaintance. I told her I had met her on a Sunday when she helped our STARS group with the Swahili language and had given us a book she had written about her days as a missionary to Congo. She and I shared how good God is all the time, even when there is pain and suffering. She told me "when you are flat on your back the only place to look is up".

Well, she was waiting for her physical therapist's first visit and she was concerned about her kneecap being unstable. I waited with her until the therapist arrived and we hoped he would have an Ace bandage for her to use. Lois was a nurse in Congo and shared how she had stitched people up but was amazed that today staples "do the trick" quite well. Her healing has been rapid and we were praising God for that when the therapist arrived. Sadly, he had just given his last Ace bandage to another client.

So, off I went to the local RiteAid and in fifteen minutes they had what they needed. When I came back in the room Lois was walking with the aid of a walker and Mike, the therapist! The bandage will be used another time. I believe it will last longer than flowers and candy!

I also believe God has connected us all to each other in amazing ways. As I watch and wait for Him daily, I see the proof of I John4: 9-10 "This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son..." and I John 4:11 "Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another."

Blessings,
Pat

Eastcoast Remix

2010-04-29T03:21:00.000-07:00

Jambo from New York!

God is good and faithful and providing and knows every step we ever took in life and every step we'll ever take hereafter.

You may be wondering how someone from NY ended up on CCC's trip to Kisumu this summer. My journey toward this summer and being part of the STARS really began last summer.

I worked at a Christian summer camp in Pennsylvania and while other people felt called to missions so clearly, I didn't feel such a calling. In fact, I felt the absence of a calling. I knew God was preparing me for all that was before me, and chose to respond willingly with a "Ndiyo" [yes] as His plan unfolded step by step.

I go to Hofstra University on Long Island and am really involved with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. Every 3 years they have a missions conference called Urbana. This past December in St. Louis, I joined more than 17,000 college students and young adults to worship God, learn about how God is working all around the world, and meet hundreds of mission organizations eagerly seeking young people [no joke, there was an exhibit hall with all the organizations table after table after table and the room stretches for forever, and there was no way to not feel overwhelmed!]

On the very last day [after I felt like I met every organization out there], I met Christ's Hope. As the conference ended, I made a commitment to serve for at least 2 years in a mission setting, whether home or abroad, though I didn't know when or where or how. I was still talking with some other organizations as the new year began, but after several phone conversations and lots of time in prayer, I realized my heart was already in Kenya loving God's children.

It's incredible what God will do when we offer ourselves to be used as He chooses. This time last year [even 3 months ago!] it would have never even crossed my mind that I could potentially be working in Kenya all summer. I'm constantly reflecting on Proverbs 16:9- "In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps." How true! When we offer ourselves to be used by God, He'll respond to our desire to serve Him and lead us in life as a part of His good and loving plan, step by step.

Mungu Yu Mwema [God is Good!],
Mary

Habari gani! (How's it going?)

2010-04-28T20:23:00.000-07:00

Blessed to be a blessing! As I write this entry I am filled up to overflowing with the knowledge of God's immense love for each of us. Like Jessica, I can hardly wait to tell those we meet in Africa of this great love.

Even though many of the people we will meet in Kenya speak English, we are doing our best to learn some key words and phrases in Swahili. Here are a few of my favorites:

Jambo! (Hello)
Nafurahi kukuona (it's nice to meet you)
Tutaonana (see you later)
Asante Sana (thank you very much)
Ndiyo (Yes)
Hapana (No)
Lala Salama (sleep with peace)

So there you have it.

Mungu aku bariki! (God bless you!)

Pamela

Love each other

2010-04-27T22:46:00.000-07:00

As Pat had mentioned we are doing a continuous Bible study. While preparing for my entry I was drawn to scripture from our study yesterday.
"My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. This is my command: Love each other." John 15: 12-17
This resonates with me in so many ways. It is such a privilege to be able to serve the Lord and his people in Africa, and at the same time unfathomable to be chosen by God to spread the light of Christ. There is no doubt that we will all change and be changed by this experience. It is humbling to be able to just go and LOVE these people who don't think they have any value in this world, and to let them know that there is a God who LOVES them no matter what they have done or what they will do. I cannot wait to LOVE LOVE LOVE God's people and show them the LOVE I have so graciously received from the Lord.

Praise God!
Jessica

Jambo!

2010-04-25T16:00:00.000-07:00

Sundays = Tanea :)

I figure Sunday is a busy day for a lot of us Church goers, and decided I would take it on to lift a little load from the wonderful ladies on my team...

1st off: HAPPY BIRTHDAY to 2 of our Stars Team mates!
Brooke = 24 TODAY!
Jessica = 21 TODAY!
We celebrated with a beautiful cake shaped of Africa made by Jessica and some great balloons and 20 year old bubbles stolen from a wedding!

Sundays are our days we gals get together to prepare for our trip! I also promised them I would have a video blog of a song we will be teaching the children in Africa up, but it will have to wait til next Sunday to make the cut. :)

I want to thank everyone who is taking the time to follow our blog and support us with prayer or financially. We weighed our bags today and it looks like we will be getting to take a lot of needed supplies for the missionaries living in Kisumu and some of the HIV/Aids Patients. If there is anyway you feel lead to help please find one of us and let us know.

I feel beyond honored to be representing CCC on this trip and can't wait to see who God touches to come next time! :)

Thanks Again!
Through Christ (who strengthens...

Me, Tanea (Philippians 4:13)

Forty-two days and counting!

2010-04-24T14:50:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone,
Thank you for your prayers and contributions! I just received my assignment for blogging and Saturday will be the day I share our adventure with you. As I am writing this I am thinking about all of the things that still need to be accomplished before we leave on June 4th for Kisumu. When we fly into Kisumu, Kenya we will be allowed one checked bag that can only weigh 33 pounds! This Sunday afternoon we will be doing a "weigh-in" of our luggage. I anticipate some very creative packing and re-prioritizing as we begin to fine-tune our needs versus wants. We also want to take the items that have been requested by our Kisumu hosts as well as the items donated to our team from our Christ Community Church family. And we have to have room for peanut butter! It is a much-requested favorite!
As you can probably tell there are a lot of details that must be considered when undertaking a journey like this. There are immunizations, medications, visas, passports, work schedules, care-providing schedules, monies, etc. that must be in place before we even set foot on the plane.
Most importantly, we have been preparing as a team to go forward and offer Christ's hope to the people we will meet in Kisumu. We have asked Christ to be at the center of our team. We have completed a 40 day progressive fast together; we have had a team retreat and shared our testimonies with each other; we have participated in a team-building exercise together that really stretched all of us physically and mentally; we are all on day 62 of a four-month long Bible study; we continue to meet weekly to iron out details and have additional training to prepare us for what lies ahead. We are also praying for the people we will be working with and praying that we will all have "servant hearts".
I would like to share with you what we are all studying today as a team.
Today's Bible study was "Be Holy" referencing I Peter 1:13-25. It begins with "Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: Be holy, because I am holy."
What a great reminder that all this preparation is pointing us to Jesus and the grace he will give to us all!
Until next time, may God bless you all richly
Pat Swarm

We're going to Africa!

2010-04-22T16:48:00.000-07:00

Hello all!

Here begins the journey of the BLOG...

As many of you know there is a team of 6 women from Christ Community Church in Carmichael, CA, and 1 woman from New York, that are headed to Kisumu in Kenya, Africa. We leave June 4, 2010 and 5 of us will return on June 26th. Here is the team: Laura Anderson, our leader - who went solo on this mission last year, paving the way for the rest of us; Brooke Culverhouse, Tanea DeVriend, Pat Swarm, Pamela McClanahan, Jessica Fuller and Mary Fugate - from New York! Jessica and Mary will be staying in Kisumu for a full 10 weeks.

Recently someone asked me, "So....WHY are you going?" I told him we are going to support the missionaries from Christ's Hope International who are working towards an AIDS Free World. Specifically, we will be providing care and compassion to those who are dying of AIDS, and to the children who are left behind when their parents are gone. (NOTE: It is estimated there are 14 MILLION children orphaned because of AIDS in Sub-Saharan Africa.) We will also be teaching a program called Choose To Wait, which stresses the inherent value of each person and the importance of purity.

After all that, he asked again, "So....WHY are you going?" This time I answered, "I am going to make sure these people know that they are loved and not forgotten."

As our team has gathered together weekly for the last 2+ months, preparing for this trip, we have learned that in the culture we are going to, people with HIV/AIDS are often cast aside. Many times they are shunned by their families and neighbors. I told my friend, "That is no way to live and it is no way to die."

We are honored and privileged to carry the life-giving news of Jesus Christ to those we will meet. God loves each and every one of us and wishes that none would be left behind. That is why we are going.

It is the prayer of our team that those of you following this BLOG would join us, as we join God in this work. There are 3 tangible ways you can join us (and we'll probably think of more as we go on...):

You can pray for us. Pray for our health and our families. Pray that nothing would interfere with God's plan for us. Pray that we would have strength and courage in all circumstances. Pray that we would SHINE with God's love over every person we meet.
You can support us financially. Click on the Christ Community Church - Africa Missions link above and you will find all of our photos. Just click on the DONATE tab beneath any of our pictures to make a tax deductible contribution. As a team we still need to raise about $8000.
You can follow our BLOG and send us notes of encouragement!

Ahhh...a couple more important items.

You might be wondering where we came up with the name, "STARS over Kisumu". As we pondered a name, one of our members found a passage of scripture in Philippians 2. In verses 15-16 it says, "...shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life...". So we will be Serving God and those we meet; Thanking God for the privilege of working beside Him; Abiding in Him continually; Rejoicing in all things; and Shining like STARS in the universe!

This BLOG will have multiple contributors as each of us share our perspective on this journey. Thanks for coming along! (Pamela)