We made it back! It has been a wonderful trip and I will write more later. But just wanted to let everyone know that we have made it back safe and sound. We didn't have an internet connection when we are in the Masa Mara - so this is the 1st that I have had time to update the blog.
If you would like to see more about our missions trip - come to Cornerstone on Saturday or Sunday - we will have a video and people sharing their experiences on the trip. Hope to see you there!
Thanks for your prayers.
Saturday, September 22, 2007
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Slums and Orphanage
Hello Family and Friends! We had an eye-opening day on Friday. We visited the slum area and an orphanage. Our entire group is extremely grateful for all of the things that we have in the states - a very humbling experience.
The slum area in Nairobi houses over 700,000 people in a small valley in the city. They live in huts made of tin and spare lumber which are only 12' X 12' - and they even have to pay rent - $10 a month. We were able to visit a woman that lives in one of these "houses". She has just recently accepted Jesus into her heart and continues to have hope even with the environment that she is living in and being positive with HIV. I'm afraid that I won't be able to accurately portray this area and the poverty involved. There is no running water, no electricity, dirt pathways and floors and the smell was not pleasant. The paths are filled with children. There is a local church that brings in children into a daycare. They try to bring in children where their mother are out trying to find jobs. They recently started doing this because they became aware that mothers were locking their children in their slum homes. This same place also has a school. We were able to visit the children here and also gave them books, pencils, pencil sharpeners, cookies and candy. Reverend & Mrs. Jepson Karau have been doing this service for over 25 years in this area. A service that is definitely needed and deserved.
After our visit to this area, we went to Rev. & Mrs. Jepson Karau's home where they are fostering 10 children from the slums. They are teaching them about Jesus and his love for them. Their wish is to raise children that are warriors for Christ and they also hope that some of these kids will want to minister to the slum area. Juliette had fun giving the kids candy and they of course loved her!
On a contrasting note, at the end of the day, we went to Carnivore - a 5 start restaurant. They specialize in meat (imagine that!). We had everything from lamb chops to ostrich and crocodile. It was a fun experience and we were thankful for our time together!
Today (Sat), we are going to Joy Christian Fellowship. There will be a leadership conference this morning and a marriage conference in the afternoon. Pastor Matthew and Paul will be going to another church in the afternoon to minister to Youth.
It has been raining everyday and only about 70 degrees. This is not normal for this time of year - but at least we are not hot!
Enjoy the photos and we will have another update tomorrow! Thanks for your comments and prayers!
The slum area in Nairobi houses over 700,000 people in a small valley in the city. They live in huts made of tin and spare lumber which are only 12' X 12' - and they even have to pay rent - $10 a month. We were able to visit a woman that lives in one of these "houses". She has just recently accepted Jesus into her heart and continues to have hope even with the environment that she is living in and being positive with HIV. I'm afraid that I won't be able to accurately portray this area and the poverty involved. There is no running water, no electricity, dirt pathways and floors and the smell was not pleasant. The paths are filled with children. There is a local church that brings in children into a daycare. They try to bring in children where their mother are out trying to find jobs. They recently started doing this because they became aware that mothers were locking their children in their slum homes. This same place also has a school. We were able to visit the children here and also gave them books, pencils, pencil sharpeners, cookies and candy. Reverend & Mrs. Jepson Karau have been doing this service for over 25 years in this area. A service that is definitely needed and deserved.
After our visit to this area, we went to Rev. & Mrs. Jepson Karau's home where they are fostering 10 children from the slums. They are teaching them about Jesus and his love for them. Their wish is to raise children that are warriors for Christ and they also hope that some of these kids will want to minister to the slum area. Juliette had fun giving the kids candy and they of course loved her!
On a contrasting note, at the end of the day, we went to Carnivore - a 5 start restaurant. They specialize in meat (imagine that!). We had everything from lamb chops to ostrich and crocodile. It was a fun experience and we were thankful for our time together!
Today (Sat), we are going to Joy Christian Fellowship. There will be a leadership conference this morning and a marriage conference in the afternoon. Pastor Matthew and Paul will be going to another church in the afternoon to minister to Youth.
It has been raining everyday and only about 70 degrees. This is not normal for this time of year - but at least we are not hot!
Enjoy the photos and we will have another update tomorrow! Thanks for your comments and prayers!
Friday, September 14, 2007
Message from PDan
Dear Family,
This has been a great trip with much fruit...The team has been doing wonderful and are a joy to have along...we have all been connecting with the people in an incredible way...
We miss all of you and are looking forward to our return to you...
Keep up the prayers they are workingj...PDan
This has been a great trip with much fruit...The team has been doing wonderful and are a joy to have along...we have all been connecting with the people in an incredible way...
We miss all of you and are looking forward to our return to you...
Keep up the prayers they are workingj...PDan
Thursday, September 13, 2007
We are officially Masai! Yesterday was awesome! We began the day traveling about 1.5 hrs to our destination - Hot Water. The town is called Hot Water because it is beside a volcano (which is no longer active) but sometimes when they dig a well the water actually comes out of the ground Hot!
We met with 2 groups in the morning - HIV/AIDS survivors and Foster Parents. Each group shared their story. The foster parents all have taken in up to 10 kids per household. Most are elderly and have children already at home but still have volunteered to give love and guidance to these orphans. World Vision has helped set up this organization and continues to support them financially. They have over 450 orphans that they are taking care of. There are still around 340 kids that need homes. This is only one of several orphanages throughout Kenya.
The HIV/AIDS survivors also shared their story of surviving AIDS. The United States is sending HIV drugs to this area which has substantially helped with the problem. But the ongoing problem continues to be a lack of education on this subject. The nurses travel from house to house giving the medicine as needed. They also shared that TB is a growing problem - for if one gets this disease then the rest of the house will also be infected. The TB that is in this area is not responding to the drugs that are available. They are following a 3 year regiment of drugs and medication to try to rid each person of this disease.
Pastor Francis has reached out to this group to provide counseling and direction. He and his church have definitely had an impact on these groups. Even though there is some financial support - their is a LARGE need for emotional support that only God can provide. Pastor Francis has taken in these groups to counsel and encourage as much as possible.
In the afternoon, we had a church service in which the people provided us Masai presents. The men each received a Masai tribal shirt and the ladies received a Masai tribal neckwear and purse. They are beautiful! Later on we found out that receiving these types of gifts from the Masai is uncommon. The gifts definitely showed that they had connected with us and we had with them. Their Love and Warm hearts were apparent as we gave hugs and spoke about our different worlds but yet same God. God's love definitely brought our groups together. We all feel so blessed to have the Masai as our friends.
Today - we will be going to a slum area and orphanage. Thanks for your prayers, support and comments.
God Bless!
We met with 2 groups in the morning - HIV/AIDS survivors and Foster Parents. Each group shared their story. The foster parents all have taken in up to 10 kids per household. Most are elderly and have children already at home but still have volunteered to give love and guidance to these orphans. World Vision has helped set up this organization and continues to support them financially. They have over 450 orphans that they are taking care of. There are still around 340 kids that need homes. This is only one of several orphanages throughout Kenya.
The HIV/AIDS survivors also shared their story of surviving AIDS. The United States is sending HIV drugs to this area which has substantially helped with the problem. But the ongoing problem continues to be a lack of education on this subject. The nurses travel from house to house giving the medicine as needed. They also shared that TB is a growing problem - for if one gets this disease then the rest of the house will also be infected. The TB that is in this area is not responding to the drugs that are available. They are following a 3 year regiment of drugs and medication to try to rid each person of this disease.
Pastor Francis has reached out to this group to provide counseling and direction. He and his church have definitely had an impact on these groups. Even though there is some financial support - their is a LARGE need for emotional support that only God can provide. Pastor Francis has taken in these groups to counsel and encourage as much as possible.
In the afternoon, we had a church service in which the people provided us Masai presents. The men each received a Masai tribal shirt and the ladies received a Masai tribal neckwear and purse. They are beautiful! Later on we found out that receiving these types of gifts from the Masai is uncommon. The gifts definitely showed that they had connected with us and we had with them. Their Love and Warm hearts were apparent as we gave hugs and spoke about our different worlds but yet same God. God's love definitely brought our groups together. We all feel so blessed to have the Masai as our friends.
Today - we will be going to a slum area and orphanage. Thanks for your prayers, support and comments.
God Bless!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
