So You Think You are Not Worthy to Go on A Mission Trip.

Think You Don't Have Skills?
...Well neither did I. I'm not a Doctor, Not a Dentist, Not a Preacher, Don't really like to Paint, Really don't like to sand,, and not real fond of hotel rooms without a minibar (just love $14 peanuts and KitKat bars). But you know that the Bible is FULL of occasions where "unskilled" folks like most of us are used for something special, just Go For It and God will do the Rest. I am absolute proof of that.

Think You Can't Go Right Now?
...Well sometimes certainly we can't always go.. but sometimes we just "won't" go. I struggled with this alot, as I worried; who would watch out for homework, who would watch out for "its 10:00... Do you know where your Children are", and I worried about spending 2 weeks of corporate vacation time on myself. Wait until you feel better?, Wait until the kids move out?, Wait until the political, military climate is better? I am a 2 year survivor of Breast Cancer and have learned.. don't Wait... Awesome chances don't come along all the time!!! We have homework catching up to do,, and the house is a mess, but those things will be forgotten, This trip will NOT.

Think You are not Christian or Spiritual Enough?
...oh man did I struggle with this one. I don't know how to "Share the Gospel". I wouldn't know what to say if someone asked me why we were in Kenya and not letting the Kenyans do it.. (which BTW actually happened to us and Sandy very, very ably answered this question). If pressed, and nervous, the only scripture I can remember is John 3:16, and that is because I watch too much TV Sports..... I didn't even know how to Blog 4 days before we left!! In fact the first day we were in Kenya, I disapeared to my room and Cried for quit a while over, not being worthy to be there (no it wasn't because there was no mini bar or because I had just blown up my printer and made a little boy sick, because we played too hard too soon after eating---well maybe a little). Around so many, very learned and spiritual folks, I just felt unworthy...

I suppose the answer to this is that none of us are worthy on our own.. But if you join a mission team you will not be on your own. God most certainly will be with you.. and remember "I Can Do Anything Through Christ who Strengthens Me!!" (Hey maybe I know 2 verses now).



See Ya Next Time.. Love you All,, DeAnn

We are Home and the trip is over,,, or could it be just beginning?

So now we are home, safe and sound (Thank you all for all the thoughts and prayers and communications). We all go back to our "regular" jobs, being moms, engineers, teachers, learning how to manage retirement, preaching and studying. So far it seems kind of boring, but I guess what we do here is also Gods work and equally important, as the sign (that was hanging in my front room when I came home) suggests. Now my house didn't really look "3rd World" when I left but it kinda did when I got home.....

Today, in church we were able to stand up and recap some of our experiences and emotions. Dr. Ralph talked about seeing diseases that he had never before seen, like leprosy. Diseases I thought didn't exist anymore. He conclude with a very moving statement of (I am paraphrasing best I can) of Never Seeing People Do So Much, With So little, For So Many!!!! I think that sums up alot about what we saw and about how we felt.

I was blessed to give the children's message this morning. At first I was mortified to do this. Children's messages are for preachers and preacherettes and other very spiritually (older folks--did I just say that outloud) trained folks. I think my only qualification for the kids message is that "it takes one to know one!!--yeah and I wear reading glasses now. I brought necklaces from the Samburu, the Swahili bible and some photos of the Kenyan kids. We talked about what was the same in the photos and what was different...Kenyan kids like to play soccer and volleyball and so do we.
Kenyan kids like to wear necklaces, and so do we-- but they look very different. We have dogs and cats in our backyards and Kenyans have Leopards in their's. We drink coke and Kenyan kids drink Stoney Tanagawisa. Rafiki, our Baboon friend from the Lion king, His name means Friend in Swahili. We looked at that pics and after all kinds of differences the subject of color never came up. (How Cool is That!). When we looked at the Swahili Bible and an English Bible we talked about how all the way around the world, Kenyan kids read the Bible, different language but same stories and as we were in Church on Sunday Morning, so were the kids from Kenya. We can be a good "Rafiki" to all the different kids of the world, who really aren't so different and who are just the same as God's Children. (pic below shows how we had to "hold them back" until time for mission school.. Amazing Even though we have many differences, We have many, many similarities including the most awesome similarity of all being Gods "kids".

Kyle O shared why he went and then why he thinks God "sent him" to Africa. To renew his faith and to prepare him for something great. Something greater even than the experience of standing in the pulpit, witnessing to the congregation as he did today.. !!! Awesome

So I guess this is not the end of the trip.. its the beginning, at least for us, and I hope for more of you... its the beginning of a new and renewed spiritual journey.. So where will we go? What will happen next.. Don't know.. but should be fun..

"What's in Your Wallet?"

Where is your favorite place to go?

I have been asked that question a lot.. My favorite place to go is HOME!!! and we are in Nairobi waiting to go home. It has been a great trip but as always the greatest place to go is home. Today we drove by the Karen Blixen home and toured some of Nairobi and stopped to shop at some of the stores and a Nairobi coffee shop. No, Starbucks thankfully is not here. Our suitcases are full of Souvenirs and our hearts are full of hope for the Kenyan people and the Hospitality and the Passion with which they are living, working and developing their faith. Many of us talk about coming back.. After All we never saw Simba and there is always more work to do.

We left Sunday School Supplies, Construction Tools, Clothes, Shoes, books for the pediatric wards and other items, but we are taking home more than all of this and more than any suitcase could hold!!!!!!

Pray for Kenya! Pray for the work being done here! Pray for our safe Journey home!!!

..as Suzette makes us say and as Valerie makes us say "Praise the Lord Saints! Praise the Lord"

Post Script:
Kyle O says: It is 5:30 pm Wednesday, we are going to the airport after dinner, see you thursday evening.

DeAnn says: Guys I'm coming home, clean out the fridge, get the pizza boxes off the floor and "Is the Christmas tree still up?"

From the entire team: Guy, Paula, Roger, Scott, Merry, Jennifer, Kyle, Phyllis, Sandy, Dave, Suzette, TJ, Marion, Ralph, Me... Thanks for the notes and especially thanks for the Prayers We have many stories to tell when we see you

...Be the Shoeshine Man

If I Had My Life to Live Over Again--- ".... I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained and the sofa faded. I would have sat on the lawn with my children and not worried about grass stains. I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn't show soil or was guaranteed to last a lifetime. When my child kissed me impetuaously, I would never have said, "Later. Now get washed up for dinner." There would have been more I love yous, more I'm sorrys, but mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute, look at it and really see it, live it and never give it back.." Erma Bombeck

..Things I have learned and some I haven't and just some notes from the trip

In the middle of the muddy, garbage laden, rocky streets, which are criss-crossed by an open sewer there are shoe shine men. These men are right down in the mud and garbage shining shoes.. Why I wonder? The shoes will very likely be covered with mud, food waste or animal waste in just a few steps from the stall. Maybe this is the difference between Kenya and some other Africa nations, These people in spite of the hardships and squalor of their surroundings are trying as hard as they can to make a good life. To dress nicely, smile and be friendly to strangers, Love God with a passion and a public devotion not known in the US much anymore. I am amazed.

I wonder if God wants us all to be "Shoe Shine Men" (OK Shoe Shine Women too) in the middle of the World, and in our little part of it.

"Just when you thought it couldn't get any better it does!" a quote from Kyle O.. more than halfway into the trip.

When the numbers of kids increased so did the numbers of Swahili only speaking kids.. But there are some things that work in any language.

I will never forget the kids running down the rocky street to get to bible school!!!

I won't forget the Chapel Evangelist having to almost "make" them go home when our time was over.

The inflatable globes are the perfect "toy", We played soccer and volleyball outside w/them, feetball inside with them, Talked about where Kenya is and Oklahoma is and Israel, Even "held the whole world in our hands"

I will never forget the rock a women picked up as I tried to ask if I could take her picture. Was just a mis understanding, her son quickly straighten things out.

I will never forget their beautiful singing.

I will never forget the desolation of the drive to the wildlife parks and of the incredible time warp of the Samburu.

Having Guy tell us that the hospital and Chapel staff was very moved and impressed by the bible school, turns out that noone has done that with the children here, and we are going to send them and the Maua church some of our thoughts/plans for sunday school/bible school.

Having some of our own group say that they were amazed at the bible school, as they first thought that there was no way you could manage with swahili speaking kids.

Understanding that the entire population of 20 - 35 or so men in Kenya is running the risk of disapearing due to HIV/AIDs. the population is apparently supposed to make a pyramid, with the top being the older and the larger base the younger. However, in Kenya, it doesn't make a pyramid anymore because the middle is "GONE" !

Blogs home

From Paula K. --We went to a Samburu Tribal village today. The men all did some kind of dance with our men; then our men were paired up with their women. They practice polygamy... so I'm pretty sure our guys all have extra wives now. The chief's son offered 6 cows, 3 camels and 2 donkeys for Merry Mc. but Jennifer would not consent. Love to Everyone.. Paula

From Guy A. -- Everything is great, see you Thursday nite (Actually he said Wednesday but the editor has corrected, We are coming home Thursday nite ) but none of us actually know what day it is anymore...

From Kyle O. --It is not true that a "interesting" women followed me nearly to the hotel from the Maua hospital (the editor says Yes it is--however we were finally able to ask her to leave). Kyle also says he enjoys jumping with the Samburu (OK I made that up) but he does say Hi!!!!!!

..and It Was Good

"Dear Lord, grant me the grace of wonder. Surprise me, amaze me, awe me in every crevice of Your universe. Delight me to see how Your Christ plays in ten thousand places, lovely in limbs, and lovely in eyes not His, to the Father through the features of men's faces. Each day enrapture me with Your marvelous things without number. I do not ask to see the reason for it all; I ask only to share the wonder of it all."..Brennan Manning The Ragamuffin Gospel

That says it all for today, a day of game drives, a Samburu tribal village visit and resting. The game drive was amazing. Sitting on top of the van surrounded at times by Elephants, Giraffes, Zebras, 8 pound vacuums (actually they were Oryx's), Grants Gazelles, Warthogs, and Impalas (I'll skip the car joke here) and the evasive, shy, smallest of the Gazelle family, bout the size of a jackrabbit, the Dik Dik, never did get a good Pic Pic, he was just to quick quick.. ok I'll stop.

(What price is Tradition?)
The Saburu tribal village visit was a little unsettling and I still don't know what to think or feel about this tribe. They are cousins/brothers to the Masai, they live in huts (small about 4x10 or so) made of sticks woven together with palm leaves and covered with animal dung (yup) for protection. They live off the land and from Cattle, Goats and Chickens (but they don't eat the eggs). The fences for the animal pens are stacks of Acacia branches, complete with very long thorns. They practice Polygamy and it is not unusual for even the single women to have many children. The continue to drink Cows blood and practice male circumcision at 12-15 years and Female circumcision (which is actually mutilation). Mainly, I guess, because of the drought in this area, they don't have a lot to eat, one boy about 2 or 3, had only a shirt on, and had flies in his eyes and was covered in dirt... So they show us their tribal dances, get us to join in (which just seemed wrong to me). Yes we paid a fee for the tour, but the whole thing was kind of surreal. Us standing there taking pictures, them dancing for us and with us, and a little boy watching with nothing. They showed us the children at school, actually just a spot under an Acacia tree. They sang for us in Swahili and then they sang "I'm a little teapot.." which furthered the Twilight Zone feel of all of these. The dresses and beads of the women are beautiful and many of us bought several, which I know is why they do all of this. but.. I cant help but wonder.

Is tradition, worth the life of a child? Is it worth starving for? Is it worth dancing with tourists and Practicing Polygamy and other unhealthly customs, long after the rest of the world has moved on. I suppose it may be but I just don't know. I know it is good that the world is not all the same. I know that the Samburu who work in the hotel are wonderful people and that they walk many, many miles to get to work and the DO still sleep and live in the huts (It wasn't just a tourist attraction)... I just can't decide about all of it. As we go to sleep tonight in our homes, there are good people in this world sleeping on the dirt, on a goat skin, in a hut covered in dung,, by choice? Somebody help me with this one.

Heaven on Earth Again....

We Have finished our work here in Maua and Meru and are now in the Sarova Shava Safari Lodge.. .. Oh My in my book of Kenya accomodations so far this is a *********** , yes a "whole bunch of stars" hotel.. Hot water, screaming water pressure, clean bathrooms and (oh my gosh) a toilet seat even!! I'm in heaven,, I'm in heaven,, OK, OK, it is nowhere near the feeling as the first bible school day, or the Pew Top experience but a clean bathroom and water pressure that will get through my hair is very, spiritual..

This is a wonderful lodge,, grass and lumber structure, open air, just had dinner which was wonderful.. and it has a POOL,, and a gift shop.

yes, we have been on our first safari.. (the tops opened up on the vans we have been riding in) We took a quick look before we checked in this evening, saw water buffalo, water "buck", an Elephant, Giraffes and really ugly ostriches. .and an incredible sunset.. Our guide said we would see more tomorrow. We should also be able to see a local Masai village and meet some of the people.

The drive out here was unforgettable, Suddenly the green lush area of the Meru turned dry and dusty, The houses turned to grass huts and the trees to acacia, and the road, well road is not a good word for it. worse than wash board but similar except parts of the wash board has been "washed" out, the driver became part driver, part river raft guide as he navigated for 2-3 hours of this.. The children along the road turned thinner and looked much hungrier. Instead of smiling and wanting to shake our hands, they have begun to beg.. (yeah breaks your heart, this is desolate country, makes SW OKlahoma look like a jungle. ) In fact at one point our driver stopped our van and handed at very thin hungry looking boy some bananas. We are not that far from Somalia here and see a lot of Muslim Somalies. You can tell by the Muslim dress. Guide says that many refugees are coming into Kenya... We are also in the Masai tribal areas.

God I pray that I can keep the sense of Wonder you have given us. My what an incredible world!!!!

Take my Life Lord and Let It Be

Take my Life and Let it Be, Consecrated Lord to Thee
Take my moments and my days, Let them flow in ceaseless praise
Take my hands and let them move, at the impulse of Thy Love,
Take my feet and Let them be, swift and beautiful for Thee
(Hymn we sung today at the Kaaga (Meru) Methodist Church)

Today we attend the English Service at the Kaaga Methodist Church.. The fellowship hall building had been sponsored and built by the Bartlesville OK church. Very nice service, Suzette was asked to read one of the Lessons.

We visited the Methodist sponsored Orphanage which was a nice facility, 2 ladies houses, and 2 boys houses complete w/house moms and dads. Kids were very well taken care of, and there manners and English was awesome. According to the director, the kids there do very well in school. Kids were very happy and we enjoyed the visit.

We also visited the Kaaga Methodist School for the Deaf. Nichols Hill UMC is building a library there for the Deaf School and also for the community. There is a group from NH coming next week to finish the construction and stock the books.

At the Farm, we sanded and painted the kitchen building and some of the guys "cut sticks". Well "cutting sticks" was the description from John the director,, I heard the men say that we would describe the "sticks" as Timber. They were really about 12 inch diameter very rough trees that they had to cut with chainsaw.

We planted a tree for Chapel Hill, and since the Texas UMC group had named some things in honor of Texas heros, A former OK group named the goat Reba, and we named a new puppy Toby... (McIntire and Keith Respectively ) I don't know why DeAnn wasn't chosen.. well not for the goat thankfully.

Down on the Farm

We sadly leave Maua and head for Meru and the Methodist Church, bio-Intensive Farm. The farm is run by a permanent Missionary, who happens to live in the house built in 1919. The first missionary home in Kenya. The farm is a teaching place, to help develop gardening, Farm skills for the area. The people here don't have much land, so they are learning, which plants to plant, how to manage cattle and/or goats in small places and which grasses are best to feed the animals.. This is a very, very nice, garden of Eden kind of place.. Even has a fish pond, for managing, raising, selling Tilapia (No, I tried to catch one, to have it pecan crusted,, but no luck). This outreach is awesome as it trains people to manage for themselves. We met a peace corps member who is also working in the area.

Unfortunately, we have traded the Bird (Found out it is called a "weaver" bird and lives in the Acacia Trees) for a COW.. yes a COW wakes us up now,, and then the goats start yelling (a strangely evil sound early in the morning) and then the rooster.. I prefer the not-so-giant bird..... The bathrooms are just past the cow and you turn left and the showers are just before the cow.. and are outside.. but the water is heated so all is OK.

We visited a Meru family whose daughter attends our church in OKC. They were very gracious had an incredible house (I tried to get Rev. Ames to let me stay with them instead of at the farm.. but alas......). They took us to see some of the sites. We went to St. Pauls Methodist Church, and Yes, Yes,, Yes, it is true girlfriends!!!! I have been to the Meru Kenya Country Club..!!! (now I could really stay here!! I tried my number but it didn't work--they had a TV and everything!!! wow!!!) (They call it a "sports club" . Then on the way back to the farm we had a flat tire, and took a taxi.. Rev. Ames watch had stopped at 6:15, we were supposed to eat dinner with the group at 6:30, He thought we were in good shape until we told him what time it was.... we didn't get back till 7:30 or so.. we used the flat tire as our excuse.... ( I tool a digi pic so we had evidence).

Hey it was Saturday night in the Meru town,, had to see the sites.

a "Pew Top" Experience

Sorry no pics, .using dial up.....will catch up later.

Last day in the Maua hospital area. TJ still seeing patients with Marion as his assistant. Ralph working with the staff Dr. and having his life changed by working with AIDs patients who have no hope but the mass grave behind the hospital.

Scott B, David C and Kyle O have finished the work on the staff qtrs. Awesome job, they even started work on the next one. All that work done with hammers and handsaws,, not a power tool in site,, (well there was one is site, but was not highly regarded by the local foreman..) They even put up crown molding, without a mitre box. What sharp eyes these men have.

Several team members (Mary and Jennifer Mc. and Scott) visited some of the Maua area outreach sites, including an AIDS testing facility. They were able to sit with a counselor and a patient as she held his life within her hands - as his test results- Before she told him, she asked him how he would change his life... He was negative,, and she gave him quite a lecture.

And the final day of the mission bible school was beyond our wildest dreams... They came more than a hour early and there were 150+ of them... they were running down the path to get to the chapel. We played relay races w/the inflatable globes.. Yeah!!! figured out how to manage the group and have fun.. Phyllis told the Good Samaritan story and we made hand prints to bring back to Chapel Hill, We also did leaf rubbings, Kids are just awesome.

but here is the most amazing thing of the week and of entire Spiritual life.. We end each day with them teaching us, singing native Swahili songs. Today was an especially happy, dancing song.. I jumped with the older kids (if you are familiar with the Masai,, you know these kids can jump).. Then all the kids came up to the front to sing, dance, jump and play the bongo drums Suzette borrowed from the Methodist church.. They were singing and dancing and there were so many, that I jumped up on top of a pew, and then up on the back of the pew to take their pics... The music from the kids, and all the joy coming from the 150 kids singing was so awesome, that I took a couple of pics, put my camera down and my arms out and just soaked up the feeling.

Truly Heaven on Earth and I will never forget the feeling..

Had to get down, when some of the kids started climbing up.. Hey, I wonder if I had jumped down into the "mosh pit" if they would have surfed me along...

Things I have Learned

---Little birds can have really loud scary cries
---Mission Trips are awesome, if you haven't been on one. "Just do it!"
---Stoney Tanagawisa (coca cola product) is Very good to drink! Better even than champagne (oh well if you imagine hard enough)
--- You can take a goat to water here, but if it drinks it, it will probably be sick.
--Internet cafes are the place locals come to ask Americans for grant money,, Have been approached twice, once from a minister supporting a school, and once from couple of guys developing a rural well site, and a female circumcision elimination program... Is it me? Is it the camera.... hmmmm how do they know I am not from here....
--Those weren't fireworks we heard
--Even though you are petrified to try and teach a game, and play games with 100 kids (some speak english, some don't) if you jump in and give it a try, it works!!! or rather GOD WORKS.
--OK, that wasn't a mouse
--A ward of HIV/AIDS patients in a poverty hospital,,, is more than you can take,,,
--HIV/AIDS kids are in our mission school..
--We must DO SOMETHING about HIV/AIDS.
--Where are the "men"? you see the women carrying bundles of sticks are their backs, bananas, very heavy,, walking.
--100 kids singing "Jesus loves Me" together or dancing to one of their songs is Heaven on Earth.
--Coffee is amazing in Kenya.. could be the beans, or could be sleeping under a mosquito net, with a wierd bathroom, and a shower that shoots out into the floor of the bathroom.
-- A 120V little printer from Kodak is one of the few modern appliances that I have that doesn't auto switch to 240v... OOPS so whats a little smoke!!!! (don't say it... I know... thought you were an engr)
--I will NOT "use" the "hole in the floor"
--Even tho the new Christian music is great, the old classics bring the "world" together... we must keep them.
--Seeing as mortuary with a "common grave"(pit actually) on a hospital site is ..more than you can sleep with. (seeing a paper hanging in the materinity ward with death certificate for new baby and instructions to bury in common grave... is well you can imagine.
--Seeing kids running down a dirt path to get to bible school, Having them smile and shake hands is awesome
--Walking back to your room at the end of a long school and work day, though mud, rocks, around an open sewer, past drug dealers and others, being stared at, and trying to not stare back. ..and seeing a young girl, whom you remember from bible school--and that remembers you come out from a shack,, run to you and shake your hand and smile.... Priceless.
--throwing frisbees in a chapel is cool
--Watching a 70 year old Kenyan pastor do the Hokey Pokey is cool.
********** And these wonderful people are thanking us?????***************

Preachin', Paintin', Plasterin', Playin', and Prayin'

A little of everything is going on here now. Part of the group is finishing staff housing at the hospital. Putting up ceiling boards (Man is it hard to hammer upside down), Painting windows, and plastering the walls. The scaffolding is very "interesting" couple of the guys have fallen through. They determined that the ceiling job, scaffolding job was off limits to any of the "women".. my oh my.. I guess you can imaging what happened next, and yes, I can manage the scaffolding, I didn't fall through and I can hammer upside down (although I prefer hanging out at the internet cafe, giving gum to the kids).. You should have seen the face of the local helper when I hopped up on the scaffolding next to him.

TJ is working in the dentist office. Sadly, most of the work they do is pulling teeth, not alot of preventative care. Ralph has been making rounds and seeing patients with the staff Dr, DR. Paul from the UK. Again there is no surgery, except what is absolutely needed. This morning he saw an example of the Female Circumcision complications. Female Circumcision is illegal here, but is still practiced as a "right of passage" in some tribes. Guy has been making pastoral visits talking to and praying with the patients. You can't get released from the hospital until you pay.. One woman, whose husband abandoned her and the new baby, has been in the materity ward for 5 months. (we are considering taking a collection to send her home--turns out I have spent more on a bottle of wine, than what it will take to get her home).

The bible school has been heaven for the 4 of us... first day 86, next day it rained hard, we figured the numbers would be small, because these kids walk and walk and walk to get here, and they come in there best clothes. 70+ came.. Yesterday 100 + and today 120+,,, AND THEY CAME 1 HOUR EARLY!!!!!!)

A Few Kenyan Adventures

Life in Maua, Kenya (I thought we were going to Maui??) is a little different, so far...

-We have had Geckos in the room (he knew nothing about Car insurance..I asked him)
-Yeah and we had a rather large, very large mouse (I refuse to say rat) in the courtyard,, luckily all the room doors were shut.
-OK (mom don't freak) when we were visiting with the Maua Methodist church staff, we heard gun shots and yelling. Turns out couple of locals robbed (gunless) a cigarette store and then since they had so much luck they tried the bank.. The police arrived and shot their guns into the air, and a little tear gas, and all is well.
-was walking back from the internet cafe, when a younger member of our team with me, was patted on the "back" very quickly by a "Mirra" addict, You wouldve thought he wouldve be attracted to me, hmmmmmmm
-two days ago the internet cafe lost power and i lost my blog.
-yesterday no internet service .. It is kenya and rural after all.
-Hey, if you leave your clothes on the floor, in your hotel room, they will launder them for you.. Just like home...
-Sadly, last night thought my halo had at last fallen and nearly suffocated me .. turns out it was my mosquito net ring.

Our Work has Begun

Today we started the Mission Bible School . All of our music, stories, crafts and games were ready. At first there were only 3 kids... we were a little worried that noone was coming.. (what were we thinking!) they came. the last time we counted Monday, there were 86 and I know many more came after that. All smiling and in their very best clothes. Phyllis told an amazing creation story that even had the local Chaplain joining in the answers. (He was especially happy when we gave him a smiley face sticker).

We made Creation puppets. How awesome it is to have a little child ask you in the sweetest British-English "Would you please help me cut" . Some of the kids had never held scissors... We had relay races with inflatable globes and once, for a moment, a soccer riot nearly broke out, but the happy screams and voices of the kids,, only brought more kids. If there was any doubt about whether I was supposed to be here, there is none any longer. Our group of 4 is awesome, turns out we have a storyteller, a songster, a craft and organizer supreme, and me,, the village joker who they let play games with the kids.

Today, Tuesday it has rained nearly all day. We weren't sure anyone would come, as they all walk, some very great distances. But, once again, they trickled in until we had almost 70. We learned the 10 commandments, threw frisbees in the church (yeah that was my idea) and had two young girls lead the group in a Swahili song, accompanied with drums. The kids all knew the song, and have wonderful voices.

Letters Home from the Team

From Roger and Paula to Hester: Hi! were having a great ime. Notice the picture of Roger working. ..as you requested. Roger is painting a ceiling today and Paula is helping install a ceiling. We Love You.

From Kyle: June ... having a Great time,, miss you and Daizy

From Dave and Sandy to family and friends: Dave is puting in ceilings and only broke he scaffold 3 times and hit his thumb once. He is OK and making progres. Sandy has lots of kids in the mission school and is learning a song is Swahili. It is an awesome time!!!!!

From Me: Carp and Mer, go to School and finish your homework. and Clean out the refrigerator. Have spears will travel.

Happy New Year

Happy New Year!!!! From Maua, Kenya !!


"Everyone is given a gift from God,, if you don't use it, you may lose it"
--Maua Hospital Chaplain - Jan 2 service

Nairobi to Maua
Drive from Nairobi to Maua took about 8 hours. Three Vans drove from the plains of Nairobi to the green, lush mountains of the Maua area. We saw tea growing along the hillside and lots of people walking, and walking and walking. We stopped at a Curio shop and had our first look at Kenyan art and artwork and carvings (yes I have the spears!). We even traded some things. Scott B. traded a Blue shirt for a Zebra carving, and I traded my Livestrong bracelet for a discount. Guy traded a hat for a discount on a Ebony nativity scene. We are staying at the Maua Basin Hotel (looks alot like the Ritz in Aspen- ok maybe just the door knobs). We are sleeping under Mosquito Netting (you can pretend it is a beautiful, lace, canopy, falling gently from the ceiling--you can if you really try).. The rooms are very comfortable and the food is very good.


Our Work.

"I complained so often because I had no shoes until I saw a man who had no feet" - quoted on the trip from Nairobi.


Everyone is well and happy, rested and ready to start work. We have toured the hospital. An amazing facility. Started very, very small in 1928 and is now serving many, many people (254 Beds and all are full). HIV, Malaria, TB, Diabetes as well as Maternity and infant care. The tour was a sobering look at the state of healthcare, education and poverty of this area. They do miracles with very, very, very little. They need very, very, very, much.

New Years Party

..and yes, several of us toasted in the New Year under the Kenyan stars (Orion was right above--but I think he was upside down)... with sparkling bottled water (at least it sparkled when you shook it up!!!)

Hey Mom !!! we Made it

the Extra Dollar:
we have arrived safe and sound into Nairobi. we arrived last night about 11:00 pm into Nairobi and spent the night at the Methodist Guest House. A very nice facility. Had a wonderful dinner in the Detroit airport (no really!) and as our group paid the tab, we realized we a 1 dollar extra.. Ah yes... Chapel Hill community we are traveling with "The Extra Dollar". We will let you know what blessings the dollar brings.

Politicians should fly coach:
flights were all very nice. To Amsterdam (home of the most incredible food known to man- stroopwaffels--- Yes I bought "some". The Flight to Nairobi was a very international group of people. People from all over the world. Every religion, every age and everyone smiling, laughing helping the ladies with the babies, taking turns in line.. If people together are like that, why can't it always be like that,, everywhere. The power of a smile in any language. Somehow we are missing something , somewhere. Politicians should fly coach, stand in line with 30 people (very close together) maybe wars would stop.

Good Morning, you are not in OKC anymore.
You DONT need an alarm clock here.. you will NOT sleep past the break of dawn.. I must find out about the bird that woke us up (OK, OK thought I was about to be eaten) this morning. I could never see it, but am sure it must have weighed at least 50 lbs. tried to record it ,, want to use that sound as my ring tone....

everyone is well and all are happy. It is New Years Eve!! Will let you know of our New Years resolutions!

(from The Ragamuffin Gospel - Manning)

The Gospel of Grace calls us to sing of the everyday mystery of intimacy with God instead of always seeking for miracles or visions! It calls us to sing of the spiritual roots of such commonplace experiences as falling in love, telling the truth, raising a child, teaching a class, forgiving each other after we have hut each other, standing together in the bad weather of life, of surprize and the radiance of existence!!!!!
and being awoken by a "huge" bird with big claws I am sure..

at last

and we are off..pic is from a phone...

Merry CHRISTmas

Preparation and Anticipation

 

I have found that there has already been an amazing Heart change.. and I haven't even left yet.

Preparing for Christmas and Preparing to be so far away from home for two weeks at the same time, I almost backed out, too much going on, I thought.

Oh my was I wrong...The preparations for Christmas and the Mission trip have complimented each other in ways I never imagined. The Christmas Spirit is real

this year. What I thought would be too stressful has become the happiest and most peaceful Christmas time ever!

 

God has incredible timing !

We are traveling

To Meru in Central Kenya

Welcome

Jambo!!!!

Hello and Welcome to the Blog Spot for the Dec 29, 2005 to Jan 12, 2006 Kenyan Mission Trip. This mission team is a group of 16 people from Chapel Hill United Methodist Church in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma , traveling to Meru, Kenya as part of the United Methodist "Volunteers In Mission" Program. We hope to provide Medical and Dental Care, as well as a Mission School in the Meru, Kenya area, and assistance at the Bio-Intensive Agriculture center.

Oh! , but our Ultimate Mission is that by working together as Christians, we can share Christ's Love. When we are faithful in our purpose, the difference that Christ Intends WILL BE MADE.

Travel with us as we experience Kenya....

"I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.” Matthew 25:35-36