Monday, August 27, 2007
Diane's final thoughts the last day in Kenya
The last day of a mission trip is always an emotional day filled with mixed emotions. This was no exception. As much as we love being with the kids and hated to say goodbye, three of us ladies (Nancy, Missy and I) really wanted to have some special time with the AIDS widows at Homecare who meet on Friday. So we opted to spend the last day with them and left the rest of our teammates to finish out the camp with the teens.
Every Friday Homecare Fellowship has a special day with the AIDS widows in their ministry to come and spend time together cooking, praying, worshiping, and “just being” together. Despite the huge numbers suffering from HIV/AIDS, there is still great stigma placed on anyone found to be HIV positive, and these women have been ostracized by their community in many ways. It can be a very lonely existence for them, and having a place to come and be ministered to has brought new life for them.
These meals are especially important for these women; the antiretroviral drugs that many take are so powerful, and without food, can kill, as has happened to several of the women in the group. They found that if they had even one good meal a week, it could make all the difference in their survival and quality of life. Each of these women also cares for a number of children, and when food is scarce, they feed the children rather than themselves. Noble, but if they neglect themselves, the children will have no one to care for them, so these weekly meetings have brought physical, emotional and spiritual strength and healing to all of them.
As we met with them that day, we enjoyed just being with them, sharing our lives, and being encouragers. We got to help chop up greens and prepare food, exchanging “woman talk” as we worked in their outdoor tent/kitchen. Again, we are reminded that “women are women” around the world, no matter how different our circumstances and cultures may be. While the food simmered over the wood fire stove, Nancy shared a wonderful devotional with everyone about Jesus’ encounters with several women in the Bible, illustrating how He loves and cares for women. We then got to do something that I have never done before, but had wanted to do for some time: wash their feet. It was the most precious time!! The Lord had prompted me some time ago to do this for these women, and He had also given the same thought to Nancy and Missy, so we knew it was His plan. These women who are so shunned and ostracized are not used to being noticed, served, or loved. It was such an honor and a humbling experience to gently wash their feet and lovingly rub lotion over each one. We had the chance to pray specifically with each woman, and it was an experience none of us will forget. These are our sisters; they suffer greatly and persevere with such courage, and it is a joy to stand with them. We were saddened to learn that one of the ladies who was not there that day because she had been ill went to be with the Lord the next day. Unfortunately, this is an all too common experience and death comes so quickly here. But they could rejoice knowing that Millicent knew the Lord, and we can be confident that she is with Him, no longer ill and weak, but fully healed and alive!
This was a day to cherish; it drove home what really matters in life: loving, serving, connecting, just as the Lord intended for our time on earth because He first loved us. And that is what is such a privilege about ministering to others; we continue to learn more about loving, caring, serving, and experiencing Jesus in every aspect of life, for to know Him is life itself.
Every Friday Homecare Fellowship has a special day with the AIDS widows in their ministry to come and spend time together cooking, praying, worshiping, and “just being” together. Despite the huge numbers suffering from HIV/AIDS, there is still great stigma placed on anyone found to be HIV positive, and these women have been ostracized by their community in many ways. It can be a very lonely existence for them, and having a place to come and be ministered to has brought new life for them.
These meals are especially important for these women; the antiretroviral drugs that many take are so powerful, and without food, can kill, as has happened to several of the women in the group. They found that if they had even one good meal a week, it could make all the difference in their survival and quality of life. Each of these women also cares for a number of children, and when food is scarce, they feed the children rather than themselves. Noble, but if they neglect themselves, the children will have no one to care for them, so these weekly meetings have brought physical, emotional and spiritual strength and healing to all of them.
As we met with them that day, we enjoyed just being with them, sharing our lives, and being encouragers. We got to help chop up greens and prepare food, exchanging “woman talk” as we worked in their outdoor tent/kitchen. Again, we are reminded that “women are women” around the world, no matter how different our circumstances and cultures may be. While the food simmered over the wood fire stove, Nancy shared a wonderful devotional with everyone about Jesus’ encounters with several women in the Bible, illustrating how He loves and cares for women. We then got to do something that I have never done before, but had wanted to do for some time: wash their feet. It was the most precious time!! The Lord had prompted me some time ago to do this for these women, and He had also given the same thought to Nancy and Missy, so we knew it was His plan. These women who are so shunned and ostracized are not used to being noticed, served, or loved. It was such an honor and a humbling experience to gently wash their feet and lovingly rub lotion over each one. We had the chance to pray specifically with each woman, and it was an experience none of us will forget. These are our sisters; they suffer greatly and persevere with such courage, and it is a joy to stand with them. We were saddened to learn that one of the ladies who was not there that day because she had been ill went to be with the Lord the next day. Unfortunately, this is an all too common experience and death comes so quickly here. But they could rejoice knowing that Millicent knew the Lord, and we can be confident that she is with Him, no longer ill and weak, but fully healed and alive!
This was a day to cherish; it drove home what really matters in life: loving, serving, connecting, just as the Lord intended for our time on earth because He first loved us. And that is what is such a privilege about ministering to others; we continue to learn more about loving, caring, serving, and experiencing Jesus in every aspect of life, for to know Him is life itself.
Rachel's thoughts on the trip
The 2 weeks I spent in Kenya changed my life. I have never met a group of people who are so joyful in the Lord, yet come from so little. They truly live out God's command "Seek Ye First..." and turn to Him FIRST, before anything else, to fill their basic needs. I started assessing my life and realized how many times I say I'm giving it all to God, but then take just a little piece back to try and control myself. The materialistic things in our culture can block our view of what's really important. Being a teacher, it was so encouraging to see how much the children desire to learn and how they value education and long for it to be completely free. If only we could instill those qualities in our children, who do receive a free education daily. I went on this trip, thinking I could make a small difference in the lives of these children, but came home realizing THEY made a huge difference in my life.
Saturday, August 25, 2007
Coke every where
Should I share this with my wonderful team mates???????No way this is mine......but I still love all of them.
Wonderful local leaders
Alice who heads up many of our programs especially the Saturday morning time with 300 kids in Kibera. they are hoping to increase that number to 0ver 1,000 next year as they are now working with 10 churches in the slums to reach the children and their families in Kibera. 
Hector and Joseph. Joseph volunteered at the 2nd camp and helped lead worship and share with the young boys.Last night of camp
Our last night of camp. It’s hard to believe that our two weeks are drawing to a close. Each day has been so full, and we see God at work! Today’s session with the girls was another impacting time as we focused on how God sees them and what He thinks about them. Then they were lead into a time of reflection on their hurts, past experiences, which for many, include rape and sexual abuse, and given the opportunity to lay it all at Jesus’ feet and receive the healing that only He can give. They then had the opportunity to make a commitment to remaining pure until marriage, or for those who have already been involved sexually, to begin anew and commit to abstinence until marriage. This has been such a powerful week with these girls, and we have seen how the Lord has been working in their hearts, freeing them from guilt and shame that they were not meant to carry, and to see themselves at His beautiful creation, created in His image, and the delight of His heart.
Tonight each group gave a presentation about what they had learned this week. They are so creative! One created a play, one a song, several poems, and they all recited all their memory verses. Adding to the excitement was losing electricity twice during the chapel time….it is REALLY dark here when there are no lights! We were thankful that the power returned so that we could get the kids back to the dorms and into their rooms, which would have been a challenge in pitch dark.
Last days are always hard; there are so many emotions surfacing. As a team, we have all been touched in incredible ways, blessed beyond measure, impacted by all the children, teens, and local workers. Our view of the world with its suffering, injustice, lack of essentials to sustain life, and the huge challenges of poverty and the pandemic of AIDS, has been challenged and changed. We know that we will never be the same, and we know that these children have heard truth repeatedly and expressed in a variety of ways, not only in word, but in deed. They’ve felt love in every smile, hug, and laugh, and even in a few tears. They’ve been prayed for and over. We have been sowers of seeds, His seeds, and we can rest in knowing that He will water, cultivate, and harvest them. What a privilege to be the messengers of Good News!
The team leaves tomorrow night, after what will probably be a long, tearful good bye. We may not be able to add any more updates after this, since we may not have internet access. Please pray for the team’s trip back home; I know there are a lot of you anxious to welcome them! And please continue to pray for the people of Kibera, the more than 500,000 children who live there, for the outreach of Homecare Fellowship as they minister to families there. Pray about how you might be involved in praying and supporting this strategic ministry. This is truly a meaningful, tangible, personal, impacting ministry that is truly meeting the needs of those suffering from extreme poverty, disease, and despair, bringing help and hope for physical, emotional, and spiritual needs, pointing them to Jesus, Who is the source of life and hope.
Tonight each group gave a presentation about what they had learned this week. They are so creative! One created a play, one a song, several poems, and they all recited all their memory verses. Adding to the excitement was losing electricity twice during the chapel time….it is REALLY dark here when there are no lights! We were thankful that the power returned so that we could get the kids back to the dorms and into their rooms, which would have been a challenge in pitch dark.
Last days are always hard; there are so many emotions surfacing. As a team, we have all been touched in incredible ways, blessed beyond measure, impacted by all the children, teens, and local workers. Our view of the world with its suffering, injustice, lack of essentials to sustain life, and the huge challenges of poverty and the pandemic of AIDS, has been challenged and changed. We know that we will never be the same, and we know that these children have heard truth repeatedly and expressed in a variety of ways, not only in word, but in deed. They’ve felt love in every smile, hug, and laugh, and even in a few tears. They’ve been prayed for and over. We have been sowers of seeds, His seeds, and we can rest in knowing that He will water, cultivate, and harvest them. What a privilege to be the messengers of Good News!
The team leaves tomorrow night, after what will probably be a long, tearful good bye. We may not be able to add any more updates after this, since we may not have internet access. Please pray for the team’s trip back home; I know there are a lot of you anxious to welcome them! And please continue to pray for the people of Kibera, the more than 500,000 children who live there, for the outreach of Homecare Fellowship as they minister to families there. Pray about how you might be involved in praying and supporting this strategic ministry. This is truly a meaningful, tangible, personal, impacting ministry that is truly meeting the needs of those suffering from extreme poverty, disease, and despair, bringing help and hope for physical, emotional, and spiritual needs, pointing them to Jesus, Who is the source of life and hope.
Cultural night
Each tribe (44 in Kenya) shared some of their songs and dance for us. Great time. 
Of course the U.S. team had to do our culture stuff so they danced to a country song and 2 stepped. Later we sang our National Anthem.Great leaders
Kendra
Laurie, Alice, Beatriz and Diane
Beatriz sharing about the boys being gentlemen during the day and showing respect for the girls.
Chris sharingSome of the families of local students
Just sitting thinking of life
Good football game in progress
All of these guys got new bikes this week and learned to ride, I never saw them getting off of them. Other children would just run behind them for the fun of it.
Hector putting on his moves for the youth.There is always time to hang out with new friends
Kendra and her girls
Laura, David and James
Kendra and Terry
The girls all hanging togetherWork project at PAC
Each monring for an hour at PAC the teams volunteered to do a service porject which we really a neat thing to do. We cleaned the grounds and mopped the sidewalks and the staff really appreciated our efforts.
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Wednesday at Camp
Another great day! The sun actually came out some today and took the chill off. Yes, I said chill! It's been very cool here. It's early spring here, but the winter has seemed to be extended longer than usual. We have been able to see our breath most mornings...how's that for mid August! Everyone has been scrambling for blankets; quite a switch from what we're used to.
These kids continue to amaze us! Bright, articulate, gifted, so creative....in spite of limited education and training, these young people persevere. Our afternoon sessions for the guys and gals remain the highlight of our day. Today, one of the girls gave two recitations, one on abstinence and the other on the African woman. Both were so powerful and eloquently presented! We tried to capture it on video. I wish you could all see and hear it.
Tonight was the "cultural show" where the kids share dances and songs from their various tribes. It's interesting to see how central one's tribe is to most everything in this culture. It's really fascinating to learn about the diversity and history of these groups.
It's hard to believe that tomorrow is our last full day. Friday camp will end after lunch so the team can prepare to return to the US. We have all been impacted so greatly. The local partners are thrilled with what has taken place The kids seem to be soaking everything in and sharing more of their thoughts and questions. We have had some very deep questions during the sessions that let us know they are truly seeking to know and understand.
Our hope and prayer is that this will not be just a "camp experience" for them. We want them to have fun, and they have, but most of all, we hope that they realize how much Jesus loves them and wants them to know Him. The solutions to the overwhelming challenges here are in endless debate, but the core issue is still a heart issue; they, like everyone, need the Lord.
These kids continue to amaze us! Bright, articulate, gifted, so creative....in spite of limited education and training, these young people persevere. Our afternoon sessions for the guys and gals remain the highlight of our day. Today, one of the girls gave two recitations, one on abstinence and the other on the African woman. Both were so powerful and eloquently presented! We tried to capture it on video. I wish you could all see and hear it.
Tonight was the "cultural show" where the kids share dances and songs from their various tribes. It's interesting to see how central one's tribe is to most everything in this culture. It's really fascinating to learn about the diversity and history of these groups.
It's hard to believe that tomorrow is our last full day. Friday camp will end after lunch so the team can prepare to return to the US. We have all been impacted so greatly. The local partners are thrilled with what has taken place The kids seem to be soaking everything in and sharing more of their thoughts and questions. We have had some very deep questions during the sessions that let us know they are truly seeking to know and understand.
Our hope and prayer is that this will not be just a "camp experience" for them. We want them to have fun, and they have, but most of all, we hope that they realize how much Jesus loves them and wants them to know Him. The solutions to the overwhelming challenges here are in endless debate, but the core issue is still a heart issue; they, like everyone, need the Lord.
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