heading to Kenya again soon!

I am almost ready to start packing for my next trip to Kenya! This time a small group of women are going to minister and serve the people in Kenya in Jesus’ name. Our main focus, and most of our time, will be spent in Sakwa at Hope Educational Centre, a primary school that we help support. We will be providing music, games, Bible stories with arts/crafts, and a chapel time for four days. Then, we will be going to Nairobi and visit our good friends at Joysprings Educational Centre in the Kibera slum and to visit some HIV+ clients with a home based care ministry. We are all excited–some to be returning and some for the first time. Our prayer is to bring glory and honor to our God through our support and encouragement and to introduce more to his kingdom.

Update on Edinah

Edinah, a little girl at Hope Educational Center, has been examined and was found to be deaf. She was brought to my attention while there in the summer and I was able to meet her and her grandparents, with whom she lives. A boarding school for deaf children has been located for her and a request was put out for donations for the supplies needed and tuition for one term. I am most happy–in fact–in awe to report that funds have been donated over and above what is needed at this time! God is so good to use his people to provide for the needy. I am blessed to be in ministry and partnership with such wonderful people who listen to their God and give generously.

Edinah at Hope Educational Centre, Sakwa, Kenya.

home in the US

I’m back home in NC. It was a great trip from start to finish. I was able to accomplish all God had set before me and got the bonus of visiting Nairobi National Park to see some of God’s created animals. Visited some good friends in Nairobi and remembered how to get around the city! Now the ministry continues while I am here and progress goes on over there. Again, I am humbled and in awe of what the Lord does. What an awesome God is he!!!

Nairobi

Sorry I haven’t written lately.  Sakwa was incredible and so much was accomplished, I am truly blessed to be a part of what God is doing for that school and community.  I was able to help provide clothing, textbooks, blackboards, desks and uniforms for the students of Hope Educational Centre.  I also did three Bible stories and art projects with all the students.  Their homes are now decorated with flowers, fish and crowns!  It was hard to leave, but they know a medical camp team will be visiting and serving there in November.  Just a few last visits and some shopping and sightseeing and then I head home.  It has been good.  I am thankful for this calling.

Hope Educational Centre

I finally got to go to the school–Hope Educational Centre–yesterday.  I walked down the dirt road by myself and greeted the locals with one of just a few phrases I know in Kisii!  One lady tried to carry on a conversation, but of course, I didn’t know what she was saying.  The kids were excited to see me and I was to see them!  They sang and touched my hand and we played jumprope.  I met the new teachers and visited all the classes.  Later was a board meeting for the school which I was invited to join.  It lasted from ~4:30 until 9 PM, with only a break for tea!  We ended with beautiful singing with harmony only they know how to do!  It was a great meeting; lots of progress has been made with the school and we are anticipating more good things to come.  I am blessed to be a part of this school and community and for this calling.  Mungu ni mwema/God is good!

Ministries in Kitale

The past two days have been incredible as I have visited two ministries that are founded and run by women from tha states–Oasis of Hope and Challenge Farm.  Both are big operations with many projects, but both began with a vision to help the street kids in this area.  Kitale has a large number of street kids–1500 possibly–that roam around begging, sniffing glue, trying to stay out of the rain, getting no schooling, sleeping wherever they can and eating what they can find.  They receive no medical help when ill and have no permanent home or family support.  These ministries are taking in some of these kids and are providing schooling, food, homes (sometimes) and love.  They also have vocational programs, counseling,  provide social work and much more.  These programs and others I have seen are helping me with the vision for Hope Africa Ministries and our work in Sakwa, especially at the school we support there.  God is doing great things in Kitale through these programs and we want to do great things for the children and community of Sakwa.  This time has excited and energized me to get to Sakwa and get to work!  We’ll be on the road traveling there tomorrow.

Kitale

Made it to Kitale over some very rough and bumpy roads. This is the breadbasket of Kenya–miles and miles of corn fields. On the way here we met up with a young friend, Sean, from my church back home. It’s pretty neat that we are both doing mission work in Kenya and could actually see each other here. Tomorrow we will see the Oasis center and learn about and meet some of the street kids they minister to. Looking forward to that.

Monday

Great day of worship and fellowship yesterday! Gotta love the singing and dancing! True delighting in the Lord!!! I’m off to Kitale later this morning with a stopover in Naivasha to meet up with a young man from my church back home who is leading a mission team in Kenya this summer.) It’s a small world…after all.

I made it! After long hours of traveling, I’m in Nairobi! It’s good to be here. The wireless at the guesthouse is having issues, so I had to buy a modem today. That’s okay, it will go to Kitale, Migori and Sakwa with me. Looking forward to worship tomorrow at Hope Worship Centre with Pastor Henry preaching. Expecially looking forward to the singing and fellowship!

bags are almost packed

My bags are almost packed. Just a few more things to add and I will be off in a few days. Can’t wait to check my luggage and sit back and relax on the flights to JFK, Heathrow and then Nairobi. All the plans have come together and I have received an overwhelming amount of donations for Hope Educational Centre. Thank you, everyone, for your help and support. Mungu akubariki/God bless!