Monday, July 1, 2013

What do we do now?

It's a question we've all been asking ourselves, in different ways, since we arrived back on US soil.  What do we do now?  

What do we do with our thousands of uploaded pictures?

What do we do with the sweet voices in our heads, songs we heard sung to the Lord in dawnlit stairwells?

What do we do with the memory of the smell of a slum?

What do we do with our redefinitions?:  Poor isn't what we thought poor was.  And neither is rich. 

What do we do with handwritten notes from an orphan, who tells you she loves you and asks, please come back?  (Mine are still on my kitchen counter, in a little pile, competing for attention with school papers, and bills, and Liam's latest fingerpainting, and unread books).


And then there's the other question ... from all of you.  How was Kenya?  How do we answer that?

Please forgive us if we're doing a poor job.  If we can only stutter something paltry and short like, "Amazing" or  "Powerful."  Or even, "I'm not ready to talk about it." God bless you all for wanting the details.  And man, do we have details!  But they're just too many to choke through a five-second funnel, and trying to seems like an injustice.  But we will want to share — need to share — so please keep asking.  It's just that the stories may bubble up unexpectedly as we readjust.  We may suddenly need to tell you all about little Valentine and her hilarious telephone song, or the way to tell the difference between the 6 Marys at Tumaini.  And we may cry doing it. 

And then, one last thing.  I have a question for you:  Would you join us? 

Most, if not all, of our team now either sponsors a child through Kenya Connection or are monthly donors to Tumaini and Huruma Children's Homes.  Some were already sponsors before the trip.  Others committed to becoming monthly supporters upon seeing the power of these ministries in person — and meeting face to face the souls who have been rescued forever because of them.  Would you join us?

Would you join us in helping Grace and the other amazing kids at Tumaini? 

(That's Grace there with Lillian, who lost her parents just a few months back.  Grace has taken Lillian under her wing and they are nearly always together...)

Or would you join us in being a Kenya Connection sponsor to support one of the kids like these, who receive schooling and monthly support through the field program in Kirubia:


If your answer is 'Yes,' please post your name in the comment section and we promise to set you up. 

And we also promise it will be the best $40 a month you could ever spend.  You will never, ever regret it.

Yours in Christ,
Abigail



Saturday, June 29, 2013

Some final thoughts



Here are a couple of post-mission trip observations from one or the more experienced members of the team.
In several cases, the ladies on our team were moved to tears by what they saw, heard and experienced on the trip (ok, a couple of guys got sort of choked up a couple of times too).  My prayer is that everyone at Eastminster would shed a tear for the poor, defenseless and needy in our world.  There is so much suffering and so many people who need our help.  We can never be insensitive to these needs.

The children who live in the orphanages we visited are truly blessed and happy.  They have been removed from the tragic environments they were in and now have a safe, supportive and Christian setting in which to grow.  I was privileged one Sunday afternoon to be invited (they begged) by some of the young ladies from Tumaini to go to the secondary school to hear them sing.  I was not sure what I was going to experience, but it turned out to be a 48 voice, a capella choir lead by a coach with an operatic voice.  When they started to sing, I thought I was in a magnificent European cathedral.  But the point is that the singers came from all the school area and the Tumaini kids fit right in.  They were not second class members of the school or the choir.  Because of Tumaini, they are living “normal” lives.  Thanks to the support of Eastminster and many other congregations, the Riamukurwe Presbytery has been able to provide a place for these children.  Praise God for the actions of the Presbytery and for the love and support they have received.  The money and supplies we are able to provide them is vital, and the love we are able to bring them every couple of years confirms the love of Jesus to the leaders and to the children.  

Babu Tom

Friday, June 21, 2013

Post Mission Trip Ponderings

This blog post written by Beth Hartt

“But Mary treasured up these things, pondering them in her heart.” – Luke 2:19

Upon hearing what the shepherds were saying, Mary gathered their words in her heart to save and reflect upon.  I’m feeling a lot like Mary these days, treasuring up my memories from the mission trip like precious gems, so I can hold on tight and ponder them as time moves forward.  I don’t want to forget a single thing about Kenya.  I don’t want to forget one face, one name, one walk to school, one hug, one song, one tear, one laugh, one study hall, one team meal, one team meeting, one road trip, one prayer – I want to treasure it all.


Now the mission work begins at home.  Please don’t stop praying for the team as we work through everything we’ve seen and heard and experienced, and try to communicate it to everyone here at home.  Pray that the light and love of Jesus Christ shines through us as we adjust back to life at home.  Pray that God gives us adequate words to tell you about Kenya, about the children, and about the orphanages.  Pray that we can convey to you the hope that Christ brings those kids through the work of Humphrey at Chuka, and the board at Tumaini and Huruma.  Pray that we can stoke the fires of your heart, like ours have been, to help in whatever way you can to continue the work of God’s kingdom that is being done in Kenya.  And pray for the children; pray for those precious gifts from God that are thriving in the orphanages at Chuka, Tumaini, and Huruma, having been saved from circumstances that we can’t even begin to fathom.  Pray that they never take their eyes off the hope and light of the world, Jesus Christ.  Mungu Akubariki!

Saturday, June 15, 2013

Opening Huruma's new irrigation lines

A video glimpse of the inaugural filling of the new irrigation tanks at Huruma Children's Home. The new irrigation system will allow the home to grow its own vegetables and even sell some for profit. Isaiah 43:19

Friday, June 14, 2013

Kwaheri Kenya

Just returned to bustling Nairobi from a peaceful, two-night safari in Masai Mara, aka Eden! We now are repacking and tonight will board a red-eye to London, followed by an afternoon flight back to ATL. Our bodies are tired, hearts are full and we are ready to hug our loved ones. God is good, all the time ... All the time, God us good.

Bwana Asifiwe! (Praise the Lord!)

Monday, June 10, 2013

Goodbyes and Grace

(Submitted by Abigail McConnell.)

As the days pass here at Tumaini, we feel a growing sadness about the thought of saying goodbye to kids we've spent the last week with.  We've gone from exchanging shy smiles to sharing tight hugs, deep laughter, long talks.  Our time with the children here is less about a Program, and more about doing life together for a little while.  The day usually begins with a misty sunrise walk to school -- a 'date' sometimes arranged the night before in the study room -- and which often includes them walking us back to the gate again, just for a few more moments of talking.  Primary kids come home earlier in the afternoon, around 3:30 or 4.  Secondary kids go until 5:20.  Then there are chores, followed by their supper.  Late nights are spent in two large study rooms until 9 or 10, where we join in to help with math, or writing, or just some one-on-one time. 

As the days pass here, we've seen the Holy Spirit knit together special bonds.  Each one of us seems to have heart-connected with at least one child, many with more than that. Letters are starting to be exchanged (on what little paper the children have available to them).  And again and again, we're asked, when are you leaving?  Do you have to?

Many of you know that I have had a friendship with a girl here named Grace for a long time.  I first met her in 2008, during our very first visit to Tumaini.  This is now our third time here, and I've gotten to watch Grace grow from a sad 14-year-old to a wise young woman of God.  In fact, she is the one who delivered the sermon at Friday Night Fellowship that Mark wrote about in the last blog.  

On Thursday, after being here less than two days, children had already begun asking about when we have to leave.  "In five days? So soon?  Why not stay five weeks?  Or for a few months!" they said.  So later that night, as I sat in the dorm stairwell with Grace, I asked her, "Grace, do you really think it's good for us to come?  Is it worth us being here, if the thought of our leaving again makes everyone sad?"  This is what she told me: "Yes, we are sad to see you go.  But what we have learned is that God is faithful, and that He does not forget about us.  We know that sometimes God comes to us in the form of people.  We know it is actually God Himself who has come to us through you."  

So today is two things. 

One, it's our last day at Tumaini. Just after we walk the kids to school very early tomorrow morning, we'll say goodbye, and we'll pack up our vans, and we'll leave this home.

 And two, it's Grace's birthday.  She has had 6 birthdays here in Tumaini, and, because she is in Form 4 (a senior), it will be her last.  I don't know what she'll do next -- she hopes to be a lawyer, or a child advocate or an evangelist, if her grades allow.  But what I do know is that God is faithful, that He will not forget about her.  And that He will continue to come to other people in the form of Grace. 

Friday, June 7, 2013

Prayers of Thanks

Prayers of Thanks

Last night we joined the children in their large hall for a "Talent Show". However, it was more of a worship time than anything else. Joyous singing and dancing by all the children greeted us as we joined into the crowd of children from many tribes and even nations but of one mind and heart for God. I asked an older girl for translations as each group came on stage to do their song\dance.  The first song was about how excellent God is, Margaret said.  Group after group came up and they were all songs of faith. One particularly moving moment was when a single young boy stood on stage and sang "You Raise me Up" and the audience joined in.  Actually, all the children joined in for every song. However, they sometimes did not always understand the language of a different tribe or if they were Somalian.  The Somalian children knew how to sing the words, but even they have forgotten the meanings since they have been away from their families so long. The children are taught English and Swahili as the national Kenyan languages. This makes the mission trip much more enjoyable by being able to communicate with adults and children. Our team did our VBS song for the children on the stage too. Part of the night was a prayer of thanks by the children. All of them put their heads on the tables and grasped their hands in prayer. So, as I am praying, I noticed a murmur growing through the hall filling it with their thank you's to God. A older child finished with a corporate prayer of appreciation of all that God does for us.
My take from this is that no matter what our condition and circumstances, we can give thanks to God. The children and adults we meet say "God is good all the time. All the time, God is good." Reminding themselves that even in hard times, God is in control and good...all the time. Not just in the good times.
An older child (Grace) stood up and gave a sermon on Ruth and how the Word described in the bible is a lamp for our path, a mirror to show what we are, and a sword to remove what is wrong in our lives. The night ended with different children standing up and providing a favorite scripture and what it means.  God is indeed Good all the time and these children help me remember to always give thanks... always.  God bless you back home, we love and miss you all very much.
Mungu Aku Bariki  "God Bless You"
Mark Shreiner June 8,2013
Today we will do VBS for Tumaini and Huruma children
Friday, June 7, 2013

James 1:27 - "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."

There are not sufficient words to describe our experience at Huruma today.  We were able to complete the water line project as well as paint the children's dining hall!  Halleuliah! 

When we arrived this morning, we divided into two groups to finish our projects.  Some of us went to shovel the dirt back into the trenches that we dug yesterday, and the  rest of us began to paint.  Those of us who were shoveling heard a great commotion coming from the dining hall.  It seems that the resident rat was disturbed from his nest high in the rafters. As he fell to the floor, all the Presbyterian painters jumped up on the tables!  Unfortunately, the rat was not able to escape without losing his life.  It was for the common good.

Our farewell this afternoon from Huruma was very touching.  The daughter of Nancy, the director at Huruma, made purses for all us ladies.  Grace, the daughter, is starting a purse making business.  She gave us all the purses she had made so far, her first fruits, as a "thank you" for helping the orphanage.  It was such an humbling experience.  There wasn't a dry eye in the room.  They love us so much!

Tonight, we will be worshipping after dinner with the children at Tumaini.  This is going to be an amazing experience.  The children sing, present skits they have written, read scripture, and some will offer a short sermon, and there will be much praying.  We can hardly wait.

We continue to feel the power of your prayers.  Thanks so much for all of your support, and we can hardly wait to share our trip with you!

Blog written by Cathy DuBose

Thursday, June 6, 2013

What a day-Wednesday, June 5, 2013

Wow, what a day!!!!  We woke up around 5:30 to the sound of crowing roosters and children talking, laughing, and getting ready for school.  Those of us that had water, some hot and some cold, took showers, but some of us did not have any water.  We gathered at the front of the Home around 6:15 to walk the older kids to Secondary School (our High School).  During this walk to school, you really get to learn about the kids and their lives.  The stories are heart breaking.  These young people have experienced a lot of sadness and loss in their young lives, but they all have such a strong relationship with the Lord and the belief that God has a plan and purpose for their lives.  It is truly amazing.  After leaving the Secondary School, we came back to the Home and walked the kids to the Primary School (our elementary school).  When we got to the school, the kids mobbed us.  They just wanted to have contact with us.  Some were very shy, but some were outgoing and willing to talk to us.  They were so excited to have us there and they wanted to show us their classrooms.  When school started, we had to leave and begin our day.

We met for breakfast at 7:30 and afterwards, we had devotions led by the Parish Minister, Reverend Patrick.  He leads 8 Churches-can you imagine?  We then went on a tour of the Secondary School and the Primary School.  Both schools have seen some improvements over the past 2 years, but there is still so much the schools need.  At both schools, you could tell how the kids were so serious about education.  At the Secondary School, there was a new computer lab.  They also has a home economics class, that both girls and boys take.  Interestingly, the school has a agricultural class and the students are given a little plot of land on the school and are required to come up with a plan for what crops to plant, raise the crops, and then write a paper about it.  Both girls and boys take this class too.  The school has over 400 students, but only about 9 classrooms with wooden desks and black boards.  The Primary School has even more students, with  about 12 or 13 classrooms.  In the first grade class, there were 56 students and one teacher!!  The teacher  sharpened the pencils with a razor blade.  The amazing thing is that these students would sit still in class and none of them were disruptive or disrespectful in any way.  The Principal of the Primary School told us that he had recently given out 50 pairs of shoes to students.  He showed us the list of who got the shoes and believe it or not, the shoes were TOMS!!  Isn't it wonderful to know that shoes actually go to children in need.  Go buy some TOMS-these kids need shoes!!!

After the school tours, we toured the Tumaini facility.  Here the children are housed in dorm style rooms with bunk beds in each room and a bathroom down the hall.  There is tailor shop, where Beatrice makes the school uniforms and other things are made and sold.  The money goes to the Home.  The Home has a garden for food and cows for milk.  Recently, the Home partnered with Africian Presbyterian University to establish an E-Learning Center so students can take their college classes here and the Home recieves compensation for the use of the facilities.  It is a win/win for everyone.

When the tours ended, we ate lunch and then started our work project, which consisted of clearing an area in front of the Church, which is part of the Home, so a cement wall could be built.  We did a lot of shoveling of dirt and clearing of plants.  Before we started to work, Alice, who was in charge of the project, said a prayer.  She said that you have to pray before you work.  After we finished the job, we spent time with the children as they returned home from school.  The young ones get home around 4:00 and the older ones get home around 5:15.  We played games, talked, etc.  Of course, the children have assigned chores and they must complete those chores before they can play and all chores must be completed before they can eat their supper, which is usually between 6:30 and 7:00. We had a lot of fun spending time with the kids.  We then ate dinner and afterwards, met for group time.  When group time was over, some of us went to help the students in study hall.  At 9:00 study hall closes and the children must go to bed.  For those who did not get to take a shower, it was shower time, hopefully, with hot water, and then off to bed.  The next day will start again around 5:30 when the rooster crows and the children start moving about.   We will be going to the Heruma Children's Home tomorrow.  Please continue to pray that we will be a blessing to these children and will accomplish whatever God has planned for us.

Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Today is our last day in Chuka.  We are meeting more field children at Kirubia for a morning of VBS, crafts and recreation time.  Some of these children and their guardians walked more than 1 hour to get to Kirubia.  We had a great day with the children.  It was great seeing them smiling and hearing their laughter when we played the "over and under" game with a beach ball and when we played the "sitting game" and we all fell over on the ground.  The laughter of these children is music to your ears.  After our time with the children, they received their bag of food that will last them for 3 months.  They were truly grateful for the food.

We left Chuka and headed to Tumaini.  We went around Mount Kenya and stopped at Spinners and Weavers, a place established to help battered women.  Basically, the women are taught spinning and weaving skills so that they can better their lives.  It was amazing watching these women spin the yarn, dye it, and then weave the yarn into beautiful scarves, rugs, shawls, place mats, sweaters, etc.  We got to shop and boy, did we buy!!!  After leaving Spinners and Weavers, we crossed the Equator.  Group picture time there.  An hour later, we finally made it to The Tumaini Children's Home.  It was late when we arrived and supper was ready for us, so we did not get to spend a lot of time with the children.  However, we knew that tomorrow would be a big day with them.  We have the opportunity to walk to school with them, but have to get up early because they leave for school around 6:15 to 6:30.  Hopefully, we will get a good nights rest......

Connection day at Tharaka

Gathering with 30 sponsored children and guardians in rural Tharaka on Monday. Many kids walked 1-2 hours to join us.

A Kenyan Birthday- June 3, 2013

Blog written by Leanne Chesser



What a blessed and wonderful way to spend a 24th birthday!
After a peaceful nights rest and some more eggs and sausage for breakfast, we started on our journey to visit the “field children” in the town of Tharaka which is the poorest area in Kenya. As we drove, you could tell the vegetation was changing, it was becoming drier and drier the further we drove out. During this hour drive, we drove by Kenyans picking tea leaves from these green, luscious bushes on the sides on the mountains. We arrived at the school house field where we were meeting the children. As we walked down the tall grassy land behind the school, the children were singing and their guardians were up dancing and doing this amazing trill sound! “We are as happy as receiving a calf" said the women! Once introductions were made we went straight into story time, crafts, and recreation. These children lit up at the sight of their pencil bags filled with supplies. They especially loved the cross necklace in which we put on their necks expressing that Jesus loves them! How great is it that though miles apart and such different cultures that we still pray and worship God and except Jesus as our Lord and Savior?
Once we finished with the VBS portion of the day, we handed out bags of food for the children and their guardians in which they only receive every 3 months. Could you imagine only receiving food for you and your family every 3 months? After the food was given to every child, all the children gave their sponsors a hand-made gift. These gifts consisted of hand-woven bags, a horn, a walking stick, and other various items. This completed our time with the children and we were off to have lunch in the school house. Before doing so, we were given a tour of the primary school. This school house contained only a few classrooms and these rooms only had a chalk board and wooden, benched desks. There were no windows, there was no electricity, and the materials they were using had been handed down. This was a difficult thing to take in for the teachers in the group. Before we left for our ride back, we used an outhouse in which we had to go in a hole…yes a hole! We are no longer in Marietta, GA!  

We ended our day at The KCK house in which we had to say our tearful goodbyes. These were not sad tears for we know we will see each other again someday and that the Lord has blessed us with this wonderful time together. This was also a joyful time for which some of our team members were introduced to the children they were called by God to sponsor during this trip. Before we went back to Thuchi Lodge, Humphry had us stop at his home. As we walked into his backyard, he presented us with a beautiful gift…each members name painted on a rock! This was so special as we already feel that we will be leaving a piece of us here in Kenya with all the children and their caregivers but now we can truly say we have a piece of us in Kenya! We headed back for our Kenyan meal and group time to collect our thoughts on the day. God is doing amazing things with each of the team members and the children here in Kenya. Keep us in your prayers continually!  Bwana Asifewe!

Team at Chuka home

Ending our wonderful time at KCK home on Monday evening.

Monday, June 3, 2013

Jambo Y'all



This blog post is written by Beth Hartt

After spending what seems like an eternity traveling by plane and van from Atlanta to London to Nairobi to Chuka, Sunday brought our first full day as missionaries.  We spent the morning in worship with Humphrey Kanga and his lovely wife, Helen, at their home church in Chuka.  What a blessing it was to worship with fellow believers in another part of the world!  Our elders sat at the front of the church with their Kenyan counterparts, our team sang a song to the congregation in Swahili and in English, we shared communion with our Kenyan brothers and sisters in Christ, and Dr. Tim preached a good word with Humphrey translating in Swahili.  Although the three hour service stretched our ability to sit still, all of us were moved by the deep, abiding faith and fervor of the Kenyans.  Perhaps the most moving part of the service for many of us was the offering.  If you don’t have money for the offering, you bring your firstfruits – sugar cane, papayas, bananas, beans, milk from their cow in an empty oil jug, eggs from their chicken.  Then an auction is held and members of the congregation bid on the items with the proceeds going to the offering plate.  It was amazing to witness people giving generously from their meager means, not because they had to or it was expected of them, but because they want to give God glory and thanks.  To witness this sort of selfless giving, the kind of giving God desires of all of us, was breathtaking .

After church, we headed to Chuka where our gracious hosts fed us a delicious lunch.  Then the fun began!  The afternoon was spent doing a VBS with the children, including a story, decorating their pencil bags, and playing games outside.  I can honestly say there wasn’t one team member who didn’t have a huge smile on their face the whole time!  This was what we came for, and I think I can speak for everyone when I say it did not disappoint.

I could write a tome on just this first day of our actual mission work.  Sharing worship this morning with our Kenyan brothers and sisters in Christ was incredible.  Beyond incredible.  There aren’t sufficient words.  The part that struck me most was the unabandoned praise and prayer.  I watched a deacon sitting in front of me drop to his knees on the hard floor in prayer to his Savior.  I want that kind of relationship with my Savior, the kind of where you don’t care who’s watching and what they may think because your love for the Lord is so deep and so wide that nothing else matters.  The Old Testament lesson today was from Ezekiel 36.  “And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.”  Lord, please use this mission trip to create a heart of flesh in me, in my teammates, in the people we meet, and everyone else who might be touched by our work here.  Bwana Asifewe!

A sponsor update - Timothy, Nessie and Martin received their sponsor gifts today.  Nessie and Martin have limited English, but through a translator and loving arms, they understood  the gift of love they received from their sponsors a world away.  Timothy’s English has improved quite a bit and was able to read his letters, and express gratitude and appreciation for his sponsor family.

Friday, May 31, 2013

Arrived!

About to lay our heads down to sleep in Nairobi... Yes, we made it, as did EVERY SINGLE piece of baggage! Half the team was even upgraded to business class. Humphrey and eife Helen were there welcoming us with smiles and hugs after we got through customs. God has been very good to us.

Yesterday was a fun, full day in London, where we met up with Tim and Abigail's friends, Rev. Andrew and Elizabeth Alden, who gave us a tour from a local's perspective and prayed over us before we said goodbye.

Pray for credit cards to work better!

Tomorrow, on to Chuka.

Photo: obligatory pose with Big Ben.

Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Intrepid travelers

This is an incredible team. Seriously.

Ready for liftoff!

Made it to the airport, checked bags all the way thru to Nairobi (surprise bonus -- thank you Lord!) and we're waiting to board. Feeling blessed and a little giddy :)

Monday, May 27, 2013

Being sent.

Yesterday was Commissioning Day.  A moment to remember we are not a little band of do-gooders, but a piece of the Big Body stretching out in one direction for the whole -- backed up, prayed for, sent -- to make much of Jesus. 
Keep those prayers coming.  We leave in 48 hours.  

Monday, May 20, 2013

Tub Packing Day!


Yesterday we sorted, packed, addressed, numbered, weighed and stacked our tubs bound for Kenya.  It was a bit of a puzzle, but we did it! 

What are we taking?  Tons!  School supplies, medical supplies, team uniforms and sports clothes, socks, underwear, balls, recreational stuff like pingpong sets and volleyball nets, linens, towels, sewing supplies, 400 pencil pouches filled with goodies for the kids ... on and on.  What a generous outpouring of love from our congregation.  We can't thank you enough!

And thank you British Air for offering missionary fares with extra baggage allowances.  We couldn't take so many needed supplies otherwise. 

Just 8 days and we're on our way!






Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Filling Tub Mountain


Packing day is coming!  Tub Mountain is 3/4 full!  Thanks to everyone who's been bringing donations — we're going to be able to bring almost 1 ton of supplies to the homes! 

Thank you!