Hello Northside Family & Friends, What a day we've had. We made our way to Fair Oaks school at Redeemed church and were welcomed by a large group of children singing and waving. We felt like celebrities, getting royal treatment. The kids put on a program for us and then we went to have chai (tea) and cookies. Sandy brought suckers to give the students, so we went to each classroom and learned a little about what they are learning and then Andrew and Jacob passed out a sucker to each student and the teacher. The children are so beautiful and very smart. Then we had lunch and a meeting with the school staff. Went home for a nap and then back to Redeemed for a revival service. Some of us didn't get there until the end of the service because the traffic was very heavy and the evening train took a long time to unload passengers and get started again. Hopefully we'll be able to send pictures soon. Thanks for all the prayers and love on our behalf.
Jun 10, 2009
From Customs to Tea
When we arrived in Kenya we had no problems in customs… although getting our visa was a very long ordeal. As we came out of the airport we were greeted with big smiles and warm hugs by Brown, Josephine, Adam (the director of 10/10) and Fred, another pastor here in Kenya. The welcome was incredible, wonderful and exactly what we needed after a 20 hour trip. They took us to the hotel, fed us dinner and we crashed. This morning we had breakfast together and a meeting with Adam as he outlined the itinerary for the next two weeks. They are planning to keep us very busy! After breakfast we met as a team and had devotions. Everyone is positive and eager to see what God is going to do in and through this trip. Vicki is doing a great job of leading and keeping us focused. After lunch at the hotel we rested for a bit then Brown came, along with some our host families, and they brought us to the houses where we are staying this week. The team, along with all of our host families shared a huge Kenyan meal together at Brown and Josephine. I can’t begin to describe how sweet the food and fellowship were in this house. It is so incredible to see how God can connect his people… even in spite of cultural differences, miles of separation, and even native languages. These are truly wonderful godly people who love Christ! I should also tell you about a young man I met named Nelson. He runs the feeding program in the slums and they feed 250 children every day. It broke my heart as Brown and Nelson shared that because of the food shortages there are days when they have no food to give the kids. Please pray for that need to be met abundantly. On a much lighter note… One of my goals is to be fluent in Swahili by the end of the trip! No one has any hope that I’ll get there but I already know how to say, “The food is delicious” and “This is a cup!” I’m well on my way! Tomorrow Pastor Brown has a very full day planned for us. We’re going to visit the school, the computer training and embroidery program, the feeding program of the children, plant some trees at the church and hold services at Redeemed Gospel Church. I’ll be preaching with an interpreter… by the end of the trip I’m hoping not to need one! Ha! Please continue to pray for us and the work here. Everyone is healthy and excited. More tomorrow! David
Just got a detailed email in from Pastor Dave
Tuesday 10:20pm (Kenya time) 2:20 (Texas time) The flight here was long but uneventful… except for some people we met in Amsterdam during our layover. We met some grad students who were coming to Kenya on a medical mission trip. They were pharmacy students and were going to do a month long internship delivering medicines to remote villages. They were very bright and eager. We also met a young lady from Boston, also a grad student, who was coming to Kenya to help a tribe made up entirely of women. These women had left abusive marriages and formed their own village. Because they only had a primary education this young woman was going to come and work with them in education. She wasn’t sure how long she was going to be here but at the least it would be 3 months. I’m amazed how God will use those who make themselves available when they see a need to serve. David
The team's itinerary Wednesday and Thursday.
On Wednesday and Thursday this week (June 10 and 11) they will be visiting the school run by Pastor Brown and Redeemed Gospel Church as well as visiting people in the Quarry Slums. Pray for the people they will be staying with, for the host church and Pastor Brown, and for the African people they will be meeting in the Quarry Slums. Pray that hearts and minds of these people will be open and receptive to Jesus' love, mercy, and saving grace.
Pictures
Rose crushing ginger with a wooden pestle and mortar to make them the first ginger tea - chai ya tangawizi, at her house.