First, I want to thank the MANY people that have commented on my page and have sent me encouraging emails. I'm so thankful for the people in my life everyday! After a long hard day, it's so wonderful to be able to read everyone's encouragment.
Yesterday and today we visited several schools. Many of them several hours apart. Both Thursday and Friday were very long days. The schools seem to be doing well with what they have. Each school put on a show for us. The classes performed poems and songs for us...IN ENGLISH! They are pretty hard to understand, especially the younger children. But I can always pick out the words "Lord" and "God."
These schools are doing phenomenal with what they have. Education is not free here and it usually costs $4-$6 a month for a child to go to school. Most people cannot afford this. The ones that are able to attend school usually have sponsers. It is so sad everyday to watch the kids that cannot attend school stand outside the fence watching us with the other children. A few of us try to do little things for the other children that aren't as lucky.
There have been a few things that last few days that have really touched me. I've worked with the medical team several times this week. While I was visiting some peoples "houses (more like huts)," I have sent several people to see our doctor and they have been treated. Yesterday we visited a very established school in the morning. We were there to do a few activities but did not plan on doing medical treatment. One of our team members noticed a little boy who had something wrong with his ear, so we took a look at it. He had two VERY infected ears. One was oozing and the doctor thinks his ear drum burst. His glands and entire neck were swollen and he had the same ooz down his throat and a very high fever. We did what we could but we had to tell his teachers that if he did not get better and this illness was not treated, he would get worse and would be more likely to catch other illnesses.
The second half of today we returned to Mtepani. We helped clean up the church/classroom for the service we're having there on Sunday. All of the new believers are going to attend and we're expecting 500-750 people (including children) in a church that only seats MAYBE 100. It should be a good day of celebration on Sunday, though. The church has bought a cow to eat and will be serving lunch to those that attend.
Every day on the bus rides, I like to sit by myself and listen to my ipod. I love to watch everything out the window as we drive by. Sometimes it's still hard to believe that I'm in Africa and that this is reality for everyone that lives here.
Tomorrow is our "day off" and we will get to go shopping at the markets. I'm very excited about this. Thank you all again for your kind words. I will update tomorrow.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Another day at Mtepani
Hello everyone! Today is Wednesday. We spent today at the same village that we did on Monday and Tuesday, Mtepani. We walked the trails and visited people's homes and played with the children in the afternoon. All the while there was medical attention being given to people of the village. I have no news for you. Nothing different than yesterday. But, something very sad happened in the village. Yesterday, I met a young mother and her three year old child. They were walking when I stopped to talk to him. The mother is now a christian but her child was very sick. When I saw them, he was wrapped up in cloth and was very lathargic while his mother held him. We encouraged her to take him to see Joy Anne, our doctor that is on the trip with us. I found out this morning that they did come to see our doctor, but he was in the late stages of Malaria. She encouraged him to go to the hospital because he would die if he was not treated, and there's a good chance he may die even if he is treated. The mother told us that she would take him to the witch doctor. So now, we all know that he will not make it. It's very sad to see things like this.
While sad things have happened, even more joyous things have happened. We will visit two different schools tomorrow. I am excited to have a change of scenery. I hope everyone is well back in the USA!
While sad things have happened, even more joyous things have happened. We will visit two different schools tomorrow. I am excited to have a change of scenery. I hope everyone is well back in the USA!
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
I Can't Believe the Things I've Seen
It has been an exhausting two days in Kenya since the last time I posted. There are so many things to write about but I cannot begin to describe the things I've seen, heard, and done. For the past two days, we have been working in the village of Mtepani. Real4Christ has been helping this village for a while now. The nonprofit organization has built a school, church, bathroom facilities, and has dug a well for fresh water. Every morning we leave at 8:30am to head out to the village. It's about a thirty minute drive. We go through a small town (I cannot remember the name of it) that is one of the fastest growing cities on the coast of Kenya. I have never seen anything like it. They have open fires on the side of the road. Goats walk around through the streets. There is standing water that is filthy. There are piles of trash everywhere. The people mainly sell things out of tiny shops only big enough for 1 or 2 people. This is also where they sleep. After we go through this town, we turn left onto a dirt road with mud and huge ruts. After driving fifteen minutes, we arrive at Mtepani.
Every morning when our bus pulls up, there are tons of children (around the age of five) running to meet our bus and chanting something in swahili (something along the lines of "the white people are here")!!! It is a great way to start the day by seeing their happy smiles every morning. We can barely get off the bus before they swarm around us smiling and laughing and want to touch your hands.
After arriving, we break into groups and head out on the trails with our interpreters. We walk down dirt roads and tiny paths through tall grass for miles and miles. We go from hut to hut speaking with people and asking them about their faith. Most people are usually very welcoming. They sand up and offer you a seat in one of their homemade chairs. Some groups have experienced unwelcoming people and have been asked to leave. Their houses are tiny and are made of mud, clay, straw, etc. Some are a little more elaborate than others, but for the most part, they can only fit a few people inside. You see chickens and goats walking around freely. They sleep on straw mats. The babies lay on the ground by themselves with no diapers. Many people in the village have already been saved through the work Real4Christ has done. Many others have been saved this week.
After breaking for lunch, we spend the entire afternoon working with the kids. We have activities for them to do, candy to eat, and games to play. Today I face painted. I am no artist so most of the kids just had dots on their faces in a neat pattern! I took pictures, don't worry. I only face painted for a little bit because yesterday and today I have found that I love working with the medical team (we have three teams: crafts, sports, medical). All day yesterday I saw every child in the school and "de-wormed" all of them. We have a doctor and a few nurses that are members of our team and they are examining the sick people. Yesterday was children and today anyone could be seen. We have pills and medicine to give them and today I helped with distributing medicine according to what the doctor had recommended. I have seen cases of high fever, malaria, and epilepsy all in the last two days.
The bathroom situation is not good. While they have "bathroom facilities" now, this does not mean they have toilets. The bathroom at the school consists of three tiny rooms outside (only big enough to stand in), with a hole in the ground. It is dark when you shut the door and the heat makes it smell awful. No toilet paper so we bring our own. I could not bring myself to do this so for two days I have not gone to the bathroom until we return to the hotel. Many of our team members are just going behind the bathrooms because it's better with fresh air.
It is very sad, but some children have never seen white people before, especially toddlers. One toddler that was a baby last year, is now afraid of white people. Two of the girls on our team were very sad about this because they had played with her last year and now she cries when we get near her. I've seen a few other kids like this. We have to be careful taking pictures and ask permission first. Many fear that their soul is taken from them when their picture is taken. I've seen a few people get upset when we've taken pictures.
After we finished today, we came back to the hotel, showered, and went to bible study at the church we attended this past Sunday. Four of our girls shared their VERY touching testimonies and brought everyone to tears. To hear other people's stories is amazing. Several people came up to the girls after and told them they because of them, they had faith that things would change for them. We finished up about 8:00pm, came to the hotel and ate dinner, and now here I am! We do it all over again tomorrow in the same village and the end of the week we will be in different villages. Sunday we will have a church service in Mtepani to dedicate the church. We will entertain the children during the service. They are expecting anywhere from 500-750 people in this VERY small church. 18 people are waiting to be baptized this Sunday.
This only begins to describe what has been going on. Sometimes it's hard for me to believe that this is reality. I'm still shocked when I realize I am actually in Kenya. I miss you all and will update when I can!
Every morning when our bus pulls up, there are tons of children (around the age of five) running to meet our bus and chanting something in swahili (something along the lines of "the white people are here")!!! It is a great way to start the day by seeing their happy smiles every morning. We can barely get off the bus before they swarm around us smiling and laughing and want to touch your hands.
After arriving, we break into groups and head out on the trails with our interpreters. We walk down dirt roads and tiny paths through tall grass for miles and miles. We go from hut to hut speaking with people and asking them about their faith. Most people are usually very welcoming. They sand up and offer you a seat in one of their homemade chairs. Some groups have experienced unwelcoming people and have been asked to leave. Their houses are tiny and are made of mud, clay, straw, etc. Some are a little more elaborate than others, but for the most part, they can only fit a few people inside. You see chickens and goats walking around freely. They sleep on straw mats. The babies lay on the ground by themselves with no diapers. Many people in the village have already been saved through the work Real4Christ has done. Many others have been saved this week.
After breaking for lunch, we spend the entire afternoon working with the kids. We have activities for them to do, candy to eat, and games to play. Today I face painted. I am no artist so most of the kids just had dots on their faces in a neat pattern! I took pictures, don't worry. I only face painted for a little bit because yesterday and today I have found that I love working with the medical team (we have three teams: crafts, sports, medical). All day yesterday I saw every child in the school and "de-wormed" all of them. We have a doctor and a few nurses that are members of our team and they are examining the sick people. Yesterday was children and today anyone could be seen. We have pills and medicine to give them and today I helped with distributing medicine according to what the doctor had recommended. I have seen cases of high fever, malaria, and epilepsy all in the last two days.
The bathroom situation is not good. While they have "bathroom facilities" now, this does not mean they have toilets. The bathroom at the school consists of three tiny rooms outside (only big enough to stand in), with a hole in the ground. It is dark when you shut the door and the heat makes it smell awful. No toilet paper so we bring our own. I could not bring myself to do this so for two days I have not gone to the bathroom until we return to the hotel. Many of our team members are just going behind the bathrooms because it's better with fresh air.
It is very sad, but some children have never seen white people before, especially toddlers. One toddler that was a baby last year, is now afraid of white people. Two of the girls on our team were very sad about this because they had played with her last year and now she cries when we get near her. I've seen a few other kids like this. We have to be careful taking pictures and ask permission first. Many fear that their soul is taken from them when their picture is taken. I've seen a few people get upset when we've taken pictures.
After we finished today, we came back to the hotel, showered, and went to bible study at the church we attended this past Sunday. Four of our girls shared their VERY touching testimonies and brought everyone to tears. To hear other people's stories is amazing. Several people came up to the girls after and told them they because of them, they had faith that things would change for them. We finished up about 8:00pm, came to the hotel and ate dinner, and now here I am! We do it all over again tomorrow in the same village and the end of the week we will be in different villages. Sunday we will have a church service in Mtepani to dedicate the church. We will entertain the children during the service. They are expecting anywhere from 500-750 people in this VERY small church. 18 people are waiting to be baptized this Sunday.
This only begins to describe what has been going on. Sometimes it's hard for me to believe that this is reality. I'm still shocked when I realize I am actually in Kenya. I miss you all and will update when I can!
Sunday, July 26, 2009
It's a rainy winter day...
Hello everyone! It's late Sunday afternoon here in Mombasa. Things have been going great. Yesterday was just a day to relax. Last night we all had dinner together at the hotel. I'm really enjoying the food! I've found that I LOVE yellow passion fruit. I've never even heard of it, but some of the ladies told me it's available in the US, it's just VERY expensive. They have EVERYTHING passion fruit here: juice, icecream, lip gloss! The staff put on a show for us after dinner. If you've never seen an African version of "Grease," you ought to...it's funny! A few of us took a taxi to a local grocery store to get a few things. I didn't need anything but went along for the ride. I was shocked to see how many American products they have over here.
This morning we walked to a local Christian church. We spent a good bit of time there considering it was their 7 year anniversary. Everyone was very welcoming. We did not sit as a group together but instead spread out to meet and talk with local people. EVERYONE was very nice. Before the sermon, Chris (our leader) asked us to get up and go stand in the back because so many people came for the anniversary service and there weren't enough chairs. It was amazing. I don't know how many hundreds of people were there. The children were out back having fun playing games, dancing, and getting their faces painted. They LOVE to take pictures and look at the picture on our digital cameras. I sat next to a girl named Daisy for a while. She was in town visiting and she lives in Nairobi. She's at the university there. She told me too look her up on facebook so we could be friends:) It started to rain while we were at church so another mission team let us ride on their bus so we didn't have to walk back.
After we ate lunch, we all broke into groups and prepared for tomorrow. We made bags for the kids with color sheets, crayons, balloons, and candy. The medical supplies has been sorted and packed, although we're STILL missing a suitcase that had medical supplies in it. (I forgot to mention that four of our bags didn't make it: three ministry bags and one personal bag...all have been found but one). We cut things out and traced shapes to use for crafts. I'm going to be on the medical team tomorrow.
Now that it's almost the evening, we will just relax, eat dinner and get some sleep because we will start our first day of work in the villages tomorrow. Everyone on our team is getting along great and I have made good friends. I will update again tomorrow!
This morning we walked to a local Christian church. We spent a good bit of time there considering it was their 7 year anniversary. Everyone was very welcoming. We did not sit as a group together but instead spread out to meet and talk with local people. EVERYONE was very nice. Before the sermon, Chris (our leader) asked us to get up and go stand in the back because so many people came for the anniversary service and there weren't enough chairs. It was amazing. I don't know how many hundreds of people were there. The children were out back having fun playing games, dancing, and getting their faces painted. They LOVE to take pictures and look at the picture on our digital cameras. I sat next to a girl named Daisy for a while. She was in town visiting and she lives in Nairobi. She's at the university there. She told me too look her up on facebook so we could be friends:) It started to rain while we were at church so another mission team let us ride on their bus so we didn't have to walk back.
After we ate lunch, we all broke into groups and prepared for tomorrow. We made bags for the kids with color sheets, crayons, balloons, and candy. The medical supplies has been sorted and packed, although we're STILL missing a suitcase that had medical supplies in it. (I forgot to mention that four of our bags didn't make it: three ministry bags and one personal bag...all have been found but one). We cut things out and traced shapes to use for crafts. I'm going to be on the medical team tomorrow.
Now that it's almost the evening, we will just relax, eat dinner and get some sleep because we will start our first day of work in the villages tomorrow. Everyone on our team is getting along great and I have made good friends. I will update again tomorrow!
Saturday, July 25, 2009
JAMBO!
Jambo (hello)!!! We've made it to Kenya. Here's an update on what's going on...it has been a rocky start.
We met at the San Antonio airport at 6am Thursday morning. When we got there, we found out or flight to Detroit had been delayed 4 hours and we would miss our connecting flights. After much negotiating, we were able to get new flights but we had to fly to Houston, Atlanta, and then on to Amsterdam, Nairobi, and Mombassa. I became VERY sick on the flight to Amsterdam. I think it was either the medications I'm taking or the food on the plane. I ended up throwing up MANY times and was sick for several hours. The entire time we were traveling I felt horrible. We made it to the hotel in Mombassa after 1am on Friday night. My roomate (Amber) and I were left on the rooming list but that was resolved very quickly.
Today was just a day to relax and get on the right time. I slept late and then ate lunch with the team and had a meeting. After that I walked down to the beach with a team member but came back to the hotel very quickly. There are ALOT of local people on the villages trying to get you to buy things. They will follow you and not stop talking to you. It was pretty frustrating so we came back. After that I've just been laying around and took a nap. We're getting ready to have dinner as a team and then it will probably be time to go to bed.
The hotel is very nice for this area. The food is good and we have air conditioning and running water. We can't drink the water or brush our team with it, but we're so lucky that we have such nice accomadations.
Tomorrow morning we will be walking to a local church and then Monday starts our mission work in the villages.
That's all for now! I will post more in the next day or two.
We met at the San Antonio airport at 6am Thursday morning. When we got there, we found out or flight to Detroit had been delayed 4 hours and we would miss our connecting flights. After much negotiating, we were able to get new flights but we had to fly to Houston, Atlanta, and then on to Amsterdam, Nairobi, and Mombassa. I became VERY sick on the flight to Amsterdam. I think it was either the medications I'm taking or the food on the plane. I ended up throwing up MANY times and was sick for several hours. The entire time we were traveling I felt horrible. We made it to the hotel in Mombassa after 1am on Friday night. My roomate (Amber) and I were left on the rooming list but that was resolved very quickly.
Today was just a day to relax and get on the right time. I slept late and then ate lunch with the team and had a meeting. After that I walked down to the beach with a team member but came back to the hotel very quickly. There are ALOT of local people on the villages trying to get you to buy things. They will follow you and not stop talking to you. It was pretty frustrating so we came back. After that I've just been laying around and took a nap. We're getting ready to have dinner as a team and then it will probably be time to go to bed.
The hotel is very nice for this area. The food is good and we have air conditioning and running water. We can't drink the water or brush our team with it, but we're so lucky that we have such nice accomadations.
Tomorrow morning we will be walking to a local church and then Monday starts our mission work in the villages.
That's all for now! I will post more in the next day or two.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Send Off Party
Last night was our "Send Off Party." It was held at the home of the CBC director of missions. Everyone invited their support team, friends, and family. There were 50+ people there last night! Everyone brought great food and there was plenty to go around (thank goodness since I was the one in charge of organizing the food)! Jessie came down from Houston to attend the party, as well as my parents, and three ladies that I work with. It was SO nice of them to take time out of their evening to come support me. We ate, socialized, went over a few last minute things, and had prayer time. It was such a fun night!
Tomorrow is the big day! We're meeting at the airport tomorrow morning at 6am! I have everything packed and am very excited, but nervous! I'm glad all I have to do tonight is relax. Well, that's all for now! I guess my next post will be in Africa!
Tomorrow is the big day! We're meeting at the airport tomorrow morning at 6am! I have everything packed and am very excited, but nervous! I'm glad all I have to do tonight is relax. Well, that's all for now! I guess my next post will be in Africa!
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Keep us in your thoughts!
Here are the members of our team. Please keeps us in your thoughts throughout the next several weeks:
Laura Angelo
Karla Ball
Amber Bernhardt
Natalie Canales
Vicki Collier
Lora DeWolfe
Grace Flato
David Flores
Jaimi Flores
Medina Gribble
Ann Hefflinger
Jenny Jenkins
Tori McFadden
Lisa Moore
Chris Moore
Craig Moyer
Joy Anne Rodriguez
Emily Voss
Laura Angelo
Karla Ball
Amber Bernhardt
Natalie Canales
Vicki Collier
Lora DeWolfe
Grace Flato
David Flores
Jaimi Flores
Medina Gribble
Ann Hefflinger
Jenny Jenkins
Tori McFadden
Lisa Moore
Chris Moore
Craig Moyer
Joy Anne Rodriguez
Emily Voss
One week and counting!
Hello everyone! Welcome to my Kenya blog! I meant to start this several months ago, but better late than never!
In exactly one week from today my teammates and I will be on our way to Kenya! As most of you know already, I'm traveling with about 20 people for two weeks through a none profit organization, Real4Christ, and my church, Community Bible Church. So much has been going on these last few months since I decided to take this trip back in February. I signed up not knowing one person going and have been so happy that I made this decision.
We've had several training sessions over the last few months. We meet at the church or at some one's house, eat good food, and review or training manuals that were provided to us. While most of the group is girls, I really like everyone that is going!
I got a lot of shots in the last few weeks. I was already up to date on some of my shots like Hepatitis A & B, and recently received Polio, Yellow Fever, and Typhoid. I am taking a Malaria medication once a week for the next seven weeks. I've heard from several people that this medication will give you very vivid dreams and sometimes nightmares! Today I took my first dose so I'm praying for no scary dreams! Especially while I'm gone, as I don't want to have scary things in my head while I'm on this adventure! I will definitely take the medicine though, considering I've heard through friends about three people that just traveled there and got malaria even though they were taking the pills, too!
Sunday afternoon we will meet at the home of one of the ladies that is going with us. She has been collecting all of the supplies at her house the last couple of months. On the trip we will each be taking a back pack, and two large suitcases, one of which will be filled with supplies for our trip. Sunday we are going to finish organizing and packing these bags! I hope I'm able to keep up with all my luggage as we change flights and wander through unfamiliar airports!
Tuesday night is our "send-off party." Our families, friends, and supporters will gather together at one of the team member's home to pray, visit, and eat good food! I think we're expecting around 65 people! I've been in charge of coordinating with everyone on who is bringing what food. It's been a little bit more time consuming than I had originally imagined...my phone has been ringing off the hook for the last few days! Everything has come together nicely, thank goodness!
Our leader, Chris, gave each of us a book to read prior to going on our trip. It's called "Crazy Love." It is SO good! I'm not done with it yet but I have definitely been impressed so far. I'll let you know if I recommend it or not after I finish!
And then it will be THURSDAY! We are meeting at the airport at 6am. We will be traveling for 31 hours! We don't arrive in Mombassa until Friday night. We are flying to Detroit, Amsterdam, Nairobi, and finally Mombassa. This is the only part of the trip that I have been not looking forward to. Hopefully it won't be as bad as expected. I have books to read, my ipod, and a neck pillow! So, I think I will be okay:)
I think that really sums up what has been going on the last few months and what will be going on for the next week. The amount of support and encouragement that I have received from you all has been such a blessing and so overwhelming! From friends and family sending words of encouragement and helping financially to coworkers donating school and medical supplies, everyone has been so great! I would never be able to do this without y'all!
I'm so excited and can't wait to keep you updated on what is going on. While it will be hard to call home, I will be able to check my email and update this site every day (hopefully).
Our team also has a blog if you're interested in reading that one as well. http://www.missionmombasa.blogspot.com/
Well, that's all for now! Keep us in your thoughts as a lot will be going on for the next several weeks!
In exactly one week from today my teammates and I will be on our way to Kenya! As most of you know already, I'm traveling with about 20 people for two weeks through a none profit organization, Real4Christ, and my church, Community Bible Church. So much has been going on these last few months since I decided to take this trip back in February. I signed up not knowing one person going and have been so happy that I made this decision.
We've had several training sessions over the last few months. We meet at the church or at some one's house, eat good food, and review or training manuals that were provided to us. While most of the group is girls, I really like everyone that is going!
I got a lot of shots in the last few weeks. I was already up to date on some of my shots like Hepatitis A & B, and recently received Polio, Yellow Fever, and Typhoid. I am taking a Malaria medication once a week for the next seven weeks. I've heard from several people that this medication will give you very vivid dreams and sometimes nightmares! Today I took my first dose so I'm praying for no scary dreams! Especially while I'm gone, as I don't want to have scary things in my head while I'm on this adventure! I will definitely take the medicine though, considering I've heard through friends about three people that just traveled there and got malaria even though they were taking the pills, too!
Sunday afternoon we will meet at the home of one of the ladies that is going with us. She has been collecting all of the supplies at her house the last couple of months. On the trip we will each be taking a back pack, and two large suitcases, one of which will be filled with supplies for our trip. Sunday we are going to finish organizing and packing these bags! I hope I'm able to keep up with all my luggage as we change flights and wander through unfamiliar airports!
Tuesday night is our "send-off party." Our families, friends, and supporters will gather together at one of the team member's home to pray, visit, and eat good food! I think we're expecting around 65 people! I've been in charge of coordinating with everyone on who is bringing what food. It's been a little bit more time consuming than I had originally imagined...my phone has been ringing off the hook for the last few days! Everything has come together nicely, thank goodness!
Our leader, Chris, gave each of us a book to read prior to going on our trip. It's called "Crazy Love." It is SO good! I'm not done with it yet but I have definitely been impressed so far. I'll let you know if I recommend it or not after I finish!
And then it will be THURSDAY! We are meeting at the airport at 6am. We will be traveling for 31 hours! We don't arrive in Mombassa until Friday night. We are flying to Detroit, Amsterdam, Nairobi, and finally Mombassa. This is the only part of the trip that I have been not looking forward to. Hopefully it won't be as bad as expected. I have books to read, my ipod, and a neck pillow! So, I think I will be okay:)
I think that really sums up what has been going on the last few months and what will be going on for the next week. The amount of support and encouragement that I have received from you all has been such a blessing and so overwhelming! From friends and family sending words of encouragement and helping financially to coworkers donating school and medical supplies, everyone has been so great! I would never be able to do this without y'all!
I'm so excited and can't wait to keep you updated on what is going on. While it will be hard to call home, I will be able to check my email and update this site every day (hopefully).
Our team also has a blog if you're interested in reading that one as well. http://www.missionmombasa.blogspot.com/
Well, that's all for now! Keep us in your thoughts as a lot will be going on for the next several weeks!
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