By this time all of us have returned to our homes. It's 6 p.m. as I write this. According to our Kenyan body clocks it feels like 2 a.m. Yikes! We are tired, but so glad to be home with our loved ones!!
Our journey home began very slowly in Mombasa. Our tickets didn't show up in their computers so we gave them the e-ticket numbers and they re-entered all of our flights...4 different legs of the journey for each of our team members. It took a while, but they did a great job getting us ready to go. The theme for that visit: hakuna matata!
All flights were on time and we made all the connections without a problem. All the luggage returned as expected so we were thrilled!
Thank you all for following our journey through this blog. We appreciate your thoughts, your love and your prayers. It truly made a difference!
And now......you will get to hear the stories from each of who traveled to Kenya! Enjoy!
Thank you!
Denise
Friday, July 31, 2009
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Elephants at the Watering Hole
This is the view of the watering hole from our tent. It looks farther away in this picture. There were no barriers and one of the paths the elephants took to and from the watering hole was very close to us.
In the center of camp they had an observation deck from which we could see the water. There was a hippo family that lived in it.
When a guard escorted us back to our tent that night I asked if they ever had trouble with the animals. He said, "Yes, mainly with the elephants." I'm thinking, "That's a pretty big problem!" When asked what they did about it he said at night they would shine a flash light at them and they would leave. During the day it was not so easy. They had to blast some kind of gun that makes a loud noise and then they would leave.
No problems for us. :)
Monkeys, baboons, gazelles and other little critters roamed freely around the camp.
Giving Away Lunches
Each day we are working in the centers we take box lunches from Voyager. They consist of items like: bread, fruit, meat - like a piece of chicken, a small bottle of water and/or yogurt. When we are in the centers we eat with the children and the food is good. We usually leave the boxed lunches to be distributed among the staff. On the day we went to Tiwi we didn't have time to eat at the center, but ate snacks we had with us and gave away the lunches as we drove out of the area. I think the look on this little girl's face says it all......and she doesn't even know what's in the box yet! It was fun!!
Tiwi - Bubbles
Eventually the rain subsided in Tiwi and we were able to play and talk with the children. Joanne is blowing bubbles.
Wednesday - Back at Voyager
We're back from Safari and by now most of us have washed all the red dirt away. It's been very dry at the game park and the red dirt covers us from head to toe as we take the game drives.
We tried a different safari company in a different part of the park. It was a beautiful location. There was a watering hole on the property. With the dry spell there were always animals at the watering hole. I hope to be able to post some pictures to tell the story.
As for tonight, we will share our last dinner here at Voyager at the Italian restaurant. I think I speak for everyone when I say that if it were not for our loves ones that we long to see and hug we would stay in this place much longer. Pat commented on how hard it was to say goodbye to those we have come to love. Oh how true that is!
We will leave part of our hearts here, forever attached to these people whom God loves immensely and whom God has called us to reach out to with His HOPE, LOVE and FAITH. You have blessed us with your love and support. We cannot wait to hug each of you and try to tell you of our experiences in this far away land!
Denise
We tried a different safari company in a different part of the park. It was a beautiful location. There was a watering hole on the property. With the dry spell there were always animals at the watering hole. I hope to be able to post some pictures to tell the story.
As for tonight, we will share our last dinner here at Voyager at the Italian restaurant. I think I speak for everyone when I say that if it were not for our loves ones that we long to see and hug we would stay in this place much longer. Pat commented on how hard it was to say goodbye to those we have come to love. Oh how true that is!
We will leave part of our hearts here, forever attached to these people whom God loves immensely and whom God has called us to reach out to with His HOPE, LOVE and FAITH. You have blessed us with your love and support. We cannot wait to hug each of you and try to tell you of our experiences in this far away land!
Denise
Monday, July 27, 2009
Monday - Tiwi
Monday we had the opportunity to visit the center in Tiwi. Although we do not support that center it gives us a glimpse into the future of our centers. The school goes through grade 8. We had the privilege to hear the presentations of the children as they recited scripture, poems and sang for us.
It was a rainy day with a down pour coming during the presentation. We were glad for shelter. After the presentations we had the opportunity to interact with the students. We played with them and talked with the older students. As long as we talked slow they didn't have trouble understanding us. It was fun to hear about their hopes and dreams and what they liked to do for fun.
In the group of students I spoke with there were dreams of becoming doctors, lawyers, pilots and even a judge. Oh that God would open the doors to make those dreams come true! It is our prayer that God would allow us the privilege of helping to shape the next generation of leaders in these communities and in this country.
The trip to Tiwi itself is an experience in culture and history. From the liberty bell (warning of an approaching slave trade ship) to crossing on the ferry to seeing the communities along the day it was very enlightening and we are thankful for the opportunity!
After returning to Voyager we took those who were interested to a couple of shopping areas and a brief visit to an orphanage. The woman who started the orphanage has an incredible story and God has used her to provide a home for 35 children who have lost parents or been abandoned by their parents. It was heart breaking and a blessing all at the same time. It was deeply moving to see them and interact with them just for a brief period of time.
Today we are off on Safari. We will see and experience a different side of Kenya as we travel along the country roads to the game park. This is our time to finally relax, process and spend some time getting to know the wonderful missionaries we are privileged to partner with in Kenya.
Thoughts are strongly turning toward home about now and we want you to know how very much we appreciate your love and prayers for us! Thank you for sacrificing to make this possible. We are all deeply touched by the opportunity to represent you in this place. God is at work and we cannot wait to tell you about all we have seen, heard and experienced!
My next post will be after we return on Safari some time on Wednesday....Kenya time, of course!
We love you!
Denise
It was a rainy day with a down pour coming during the presentation. We were glad for shelter. After the presentations we had the opportunity to interact with the students. We played with them and talked with the older students. As long as we talked slow they didn't have trouble understanding us. It was fun to hear about their hopes and dreams and what they liked to do for fun.
In the group of students I spoke with there were dreams of becoming doctors, lawyers, pilots and even a judge. Oh that God would open the doors to make those dreams come true! It is our prayer that God would allow us the privilege of helping to shape the next generation of leaders in these communities and in this country.
The trip to Tiwi itself is an experience in culture and history. From the liberty bell (warning of an approaching slave trade ship) to crossing on the ferry to seeing the communities along the day it was very enlightening and we are thankful for the opportunity!
After returning to Voyager we took those who were interested to a couple of shopping areas and a brief visit to an orphanage. The woman who started the orphanage has an incredible story and God has used her to provide a home for 35 children who have lost parents or been abandoned by their parents. It was heart breaking and a blessing all at the same time. It was deeply moving to see them and interact with them just for a brief period of time.
Today we are off on Safari. We will see and experience a different side of Kenya as we travel along the country roads to the game park. This is our time to finally relax, process and spend some time getting to know the wonderful missionaries we are privileged to partner with in Kenya.
Thoughts are strongly turning toward home about now and we want you to know how very much we appreciate your love and prayers for us! Thank you for sacrificing to make this possible. We are all deeply touched by the opportunity to represent you in this place. God is at work and we cannot wait to tell you about all we have seen, heard and experienced!
My next post will be after we return on Safari some time on Wednesday....Kenya time, of course!
We love you!
Denise
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Church Service
Because it was raining we were not able to hold the service outside. The church building was a sea of faces!
Crossroads Fellowship
Brian playing with the kids at the Crossroads Fellowship anniversary celebration.
Playing with Kids at Crossroads Fellowship
Luanne and Kristy playing Duck Duck Goose with the children during the Crossroads celebration.
Falling in Love with Kenyan Kids
Roger has become a kid magnet and is having trouble which one he wants to bring home!
Bonding with the Children
Carrie is getting to know a group of children at the Vipingo outreach. She brought pads of paper and pens for them to write with. It didn't take long for this little group to grow into a large one!
Vipingo Outreach
There were somewhere around 800 children at the Vipingo outreach. This is how they ate. Wow!
Jackson - Masai Warrior
Jackson became a believer during last year's trip. It was so good to see his smiling face again and to hear that he is faithfully following God!
Sunday Outreach in Bomani
We began the day attending church at Crossroads Fellowship in Mombasa. They were celebrating their 7th anniversary and had just over 1000 people in attendance. It was pure joy to worship with these believers. There were so many people in the auditorium that our team gave up their seats and most of them went to help with the children's celebration. It was a good morning.
After lunch at Voyager we headed off to the community outreach in Bomani. The property was filled with people from the community when we arrived. They had already had lunch and were waiting for us to arrive to play in the volleyball tournament. There were 4 teams. We were one of them. With about 5 minutes to organize we put together a pretty good team, but in the end couldn't win over the Kenyans. We didn't make it out of the first round. There's always next year! :)
During that time we enjoyed reconnecting with the teachers, staff and children we met on Friday. It began to rain before the championship game so we moved to the church building for the service they planned. The adult choirs sang, presentations were made and Guy had the opportunity to talk about the hope found only in God for this life and eternity. I'll try to upload a picture, but that little church had over 600 Kenyans in it. It was a wall to wall sea of faces! That didn't include all the people outside the church and on the property.
We took pictures with the team of Kenyans and Americans and shared a meal before leaving. It was 7 p.m. and completely dark when we left. It's the latest we've ever left a center, but all was well and we made it back to Voyager just fine. Some of the teachers from Vipingo came to enjoy the day as well. It was so hard to say good bye to all of our friends at the end of the day. We have come to love them dearly and appreciate all they do as our teammates - our hands and feet of hope, love and faith in Kenya!
Tomorrow we visit one more center. It isn't one we support, but it is a glimpse into our future, Lord willing. The school in Tiwi goes up to 8th grade. We will hear their presentations, feed them lunch and then spend time with the children. The older children are fluent in English and it's fun to talk to them. The trip itself is a lesson in Kenya history and geography.
Thank you again for praying for us! We are all well and soaking in all that God presents us each day!
Denise
After lunch at Voyager we headed off to the community outreach in Bomani. The property was filled with people from the community when we arrived. They had already had lunch and were waiting for us to arrive to play in the volleyball tournament. There were 4 teams. We were one of them. With about 5 minutes to organize we put together a pretty good team, but in the end couldn't win over the Kenyans. We didn't make it out of the first round. There's always next year! :)
During that time we enjoyed reconnecting with the teachers, staff and children we met on Friday. It began to rain before the championship game so we moved to the church building for the service they planned. The adult choirs sang, presentations were made and Guy had the opportunity to talk about the hope found only in God for this life and eternity. I'll try to upload a picture, but that little church had over 600 Kenyans in it. It was a wall to wall sea of faces! That didn't include all the people outside the church and on the property.
We took pictures with the team of Kenyans and Americans and shared a meal before leaving. It was 7 p.m. and completely dark when we left. It's the latest we've ever left a center, but all was well and we made it back to Voyager just fine. Some of the teachers from Vipingo came to enjoy the day as well. It was so hard to say good bye to all of our friends at the end of the day. We have come to love them dearly and appreciate all they do as our teammates - our hands and feet of hope, love and faith in Kenya!
Tomorrow we visit one more center. It isn't one we support, but it is a glimpse into our future, Lord willing. The school in Tiwi goes up to 8th grade. We will hear their presentations, feed them lunch and then spend time with the children. The older children are fluent in English and it's fun to talk to them. The trip itself is a lesson in Kenya history and geography.
Thank you again for praying for us! We are all well and soaking in all that God presents us each day!
Denise
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
.jpg)
.JPG)
.jpg)
