We have made it home, driven back to college station and again all have been touched by this trip. Thanks for all of you guys support! We are all truly blessed!
In Him,
Jenny
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Friday, July 22, 2011
In London, and so far so good
We have made it to London and will be leaving for Chicago in about 2 hours. As of right now, it is 8:25am here in London and around 2:25am your time. We will be arriving in Houston around 5:40pm today. There are many time changes, but we are almost home!
We love you all and will be home sooner than you know!
In Him,
Jenny
We love you all and will be home sooner than you know!
In Him,
Jenny
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Glorious Day
Today, we are leaving on a plane back to the states and going back to our realities. We all woke up knowing that we would not sleep another night in Mombasa until 2012, but we woke up with smiles knowing that we all have been forever touched. As we got to Mbewau Academy we were welcomed by the beautiful children singing and dancing. Tears flowed on everyones face and our hearts were filled with complete joy. After they welcomed us, we did a wonderful performance for the kids. They laughed and imitated us and it was glorious!
I hope you all enjoy the video, just as much as we enjoyed performing it for the kids! The video will be uploaded on Facebook as soon as we get to the states!
We love everyone and will be leaving at 8pm tonight (12pm your time). Keep us in your prayers and we will see you all at home soon!
In Him,
Jenny
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
The End
We have come to the end of this journey, but the dirt we kicked up won't settle any time soon. After an amazing two weeks, and a final few days of fellowship in the midst of Africa's wildest plains, we concluded our evening with a terrific family style meal. We have been on a grind for days, and even in those moments reserved for rest task orientation has kept us moving. Setting together tonight, at a long banquet style table, before a spread that could rival any family reunion, our team looked like a family. It has only been about two weeks, but we all feel as if it has been a month. Reflecting back on months of preparation, thousands of dollars raised, hours spent pouring ourselves into the Kenyans we were lucky enough to meet, I think everyone could agree that the twelve young Americans will leave this continent tomorrow altered the most. Our perspectives have been skewed out of the comfortable little American prescription we grew up on, and just when we've begun to embrace our new vision, we must return to the old blur. There is a surreal feeling creeping up on us, and leaving this place, and the love of our amazing hosts Chris and Lisa, doesn't seem possible. Yet tomorrow we will make one final stop at Mbewau to say goodbye to the students and faculty, and then we jet-set back to reality.
There will be many good things waiting for us back home, but hopefully when we unpack our suitcases, the nooks, and crannies, and the clothes, caked with this red dirt will remind us of what the Lord has done in our hearts.
Wednesday, July 20th, 2011
Austin Lewis
There will be many good things waiting for us back home, but hopefully when we unpack our suitcases, the nooks, and crannies, and the clothes, caked with this red dirt will remind us of what the Lord has done in our hearts.
Wednesday, July 20th, 2011
Austin Lewis
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
His Creation is Beautiful!
Gen 1:24 And God said, "Let the land produce living creatures according to their kinds: livestock, creatures that move along the ground, and wild animals, each according to its kind." And it was so.
Today our team woke up at 6am. This morning it was hard to wake up so early after having a day yesterday to sleep in! But, the reason we were waking up so early was because....we were going on Safari!!!
The drive was about 2.5hrs, I slept most of the way, even though it was pretty bumpy (Kenyan's don't play when driving!! They are everywhere, and lines on the road are only a suggestion! lol!).
As we pulled into the park we were immediately approached to buy the safari hats, Elyse was already prepared with her AWESOME hat that even had a spot for her hair to come out:) It was legit!
I wasn't really wanting one so I declined but Jaylyn is now sporting a new safari hat and looks pretty awesome in it!
We had to wait about 20min for all of the paperwork to get done and then we were off. As we started to drive thru the park we didn't really see much at first. It took about 30-45min before we saw our first big find...zebras!!! After that we started seeing all kinds of God's amazing creatures!! Elephants, Giraffes, Gazelles, Pumba's (you know, like from Lion King!), and Hippos. Then the most amazing thing happened! We saw a Lion!! Not just any lion, a male Lion! He was resting under a tree, and even looked straight at us when we were taking pictures!! It is apparently really rare to see a Lion, so we were very blessed by the Lord today! After at least an hour maybe more it was finally time to go to the hotel, but as we were about to go, our driver got called by another telling him there were two lioness' nearby! So we headed that way and got to see two more of God's amazing creatures hanging out on a rock ledge! It was so incredible! Seeing one lion is really rare but 3! Wow!!
As we started to pull up to the lodge, I realized we were going on top of a hill, in a little Kenyan van, with a few sticks keeping us from falling off this mountain!! If you know me, then you know I have an incredible fear of heights, I was not very fond of the drive up!
However, as we pulled in and got out, we were offered a cool damp towel to clean up our faces (that had red African dirt all over them from sticking our heads out the roof of the vans), and then had a delicious lunch. The view from the dining room is breathtaking. Every where I turned I was reminded of the beauty of our Lord, and how He gives us wonderful things because He loves us. He created this view and blessed us with it, I am in awe of Him constantly.
When lunch was finished we headed to our rooms. Elyse and I are bunking together tonight. The rooms are beautiful. The best part is the french door going out onto the balcony, where you overlook the plains of Africa, with Elephants wandering in plain view, and a few baboons hanging out!
Once we got our things settled, we all met back at the dining room to hear Matt, Elyse, and Kaylene's testimonies. I love hearing about each other, not only the good but the bad. Every experience makes us who we are today and knowing these things helps us to understand what makes us tick. Each and every one of us on this team have a completely different story, but we all have one thing in common...Christ saved us. Saved us from whatever our pain was, took our burden and we accepted Him and haven't looked back. We have found friendship unexpectedly in each other, we have created a bond, and have become family. We now have more accountability partners than we probably know what to do with, but what a blessing. I love each and every one of my team members, and can honestly say I am having the time of my life!
We ended the day with one more safari tour, a 5 course dinner and a round of Mad Gab.
Today was wonderful:)
Rachel
Today our team woke up at 6am. This morning it was hard to wake up so early after having a day yesterday to sleep in! But, the reason we were waking up so early was because....we were going on Safari!!!
The drive was about 2.5hrs, I slept most of the way, even though it was pretty bumpy (Kenyan's don't play when driving!! They are everywhere, and lines on the road are only a suggestion! lol!).
As we pulled into the park we were immediately approached to buy the safari hats, Elyse was already prepared with her AWESOME hat that even had a spot for her hair to come out:) It was legit!
I wasn't really wanting one so I declined but Jaylyn is now sporting a new safari hat and looks pretty awesome in it!
We had to wait about 20min for all of the paperwork to get done and then we were off. As we started to drive thru the park we didn't really see much at first. It took about 30-45min before we saw our first big find...zebras!!! After that we started seeing all kinds of God's amazing creatures!! Elephants, Giraffes, Gazelles, Pumba's (you know, like from Lion King!), and Hippos. Then the most amazing thing happened! We saw a Lion!! Not just any lion, a male Lion! He was resting under a tree, and even looked straight at us when we were taking pictures!! It is apparently really rare to see a Lion, so we were very blessed by the Lord today! After at least an hour maybe more it was finally time to go to the hotel, but as we were about to go, our driver got called by another telling him there were two lioness' nearby! So we headed that way and got to see two more of God's amazing creatures hanging out on a rock ledge! It was so incredible! Seeing one lion is really rare but 3! Wow!!
As we started to pull up to the lodge, I realized we were going on top of a hill, in a little Kenyan van, with a few sticks keeping us from falling off this mountain!! If you know me, then you know I have an incredible fear of heights, I was not very fond of the drive up!
However, as we pulled in and got out, we were offered a cool damp towel to clean up our faces (that had red African dirt all over them from sticking our heads out the roof of the vans), and then had a delicious lunch. The view from the dining room is breathtaking. Every where I turned I was reminded of the beauty of our Lord, and how He gives us wonderful things because He loves us. He created this view and blessed us with it, I am in awe of Him constantly.
When lunch was finished we headed to our rooms. Elyse and I are bunking together tonight. The rooms are beautiful. The best part is the french door going out onto the balcony, where you overlook the plains of Africa, with Elephants wandering in plain view, and a few baboons hanging out!
Once we got our things settled, we all met back at the dining room to hear Matt, Elyse, and Kaylene's testimonies. I love hearing about each other, not only the good but the bad. Every experience makes us who we are today and knowing these things helps us to understand what makes us tick. Each and every one of us on this team have a completely different story, but we all have one thing in common...Christ saved us. Saved us from whatever our pain was, took our burden and we accepted Him and haven't looked back. We have found friendship unexpectedly in each other, we have created a bond, and have become family. We now have more accountability partners than we probably know what to do with, but what a blessing. I love each and every one of my team members, and can honestly say I am having the time of my life!
We ended the day with one more safari tour, a 5 course dinner and a round of Mad Gab.
Today was wonderful:)
Rachel
Monday, July 18, 2011
Vision is Power
I am in awe that we only have three more days here in beautiful Mombasa. I do not even know where to begin when describing this trip. Being that this is my third time to Kenya and being the leader of this trip, I have had a different experience than my team members. Most of the time I am behind the scenes figuring out plans for the days to come and organizing the next thing on our list of "to do's". I have been amazed at how much the Lord has grown me over the years, and how he keeps working in me not only through the experiences I get through mission work, but also through the members on my team.
Today was a lot of shopping, we took the team down to Fort Jesus and I got to see Victor and his wife (who I met in 2009 and got to spend time with them last year as well). They see me as their daughter, so it is always a pleasure to see another set of parents! I enjoyed watching the team "bargain" and basically shopped till they dropped, so just so everyone knows, you will be getting great gifts! Every member had their list out and were checking off family and friends names as they bought their gifts. Of course, Elyse found a new habit of loving African goods, so she kept coming back for more. Let's just say this morning was eventful.
After Fort Jesus, we went to the beach so everyone could soak up more of the sun! Some of us went shopping some more, while others played soccer with the Kenyans. Then for dinner, we enjoyed some hamburgers with the team, Chris, Lisa and the Windell Family. I am truly blessed to be around such amazing people and it has been a delight to learn more and more about one another each day. This is a family that will not be forgotten and we will all forever be connected.
Today, Allison gave her testimony to the team and she did a beautiful job. She is a wonderful young lady and the Lord is doing amazing things in her life. She has great faith and the Lord shines through her and I cannot wait to see what the Lord has planned for her future. Also, with everyone else on the team, I cannot wait to see our future's and be able to watch one another grow stronger in Christ.
As the leader of this team, I have gotten a different perspective. I have gotten all the questions and the late night Skype calls. I have seen the letters from family members discouraging my team members not to go on this mission trip, and then I have seen the anonymous donations come in that made individuals fall to their knees and cry to the Lord, "thank you". I have been a part of 11 individuals lives and have gotten to walk beside them the past 9 months training them and preparing their hearts for these two weeks. So now with three days left I am beginning to finally sit and reflect. The Lord is doing great things in all of our lives, but it is now time to go back home and share that with everyone we see.
I shared a devotion yesterday morning from Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 and it talks about "two are better than one" I shared how accountability is very important and when we leave here we need to realize that we need to help one another stay strong in Christ. That is my prayer for this team, that this is not a mission trip, but that this is a trip will forever change every individual's heart. I pray that when they go home, they will not fall back into old habits, but turn their eyes to the Lord and want to make a difference in this world. I pray that the Lord rocks their world and and that everyday they yearn for the Lord even more. And I pray that they do not make prayer a ritual of everyday, but they realize that prayer is a life of a christian.
I will leave you with one more thing. On saturday when we were walking through the dirt trails of south coast, I was with Elyse and Austin and we ran into a couple men and sat down to tell them about Christ. They were already Christians, so Elyse gave her testimony and then they shared theirs and one thing that the man said really hit home with me. He said, "remember vision is power, but power is not vision."
So, I pray that the 11 wonderful individuals on my team, Rachel, Cayla, Jaylyn, Stephanie, Austin, Matthew, Allison, Tyler, Whitney, Elyse, and Kaylene strive for the Lord's vision in their lives. I pray that they do not lose sight of what the Lord wants for them, but they stand strong in that vision because with vision, the Lord will provide a path to walk and with vision the Lord will do powerful and mighty things in each one of their lives.
I love every one of them dearly and have truly been touched by my team and the hospitality of Chris, Lisa and the Windells.
In Him,
Jenny ("kiongozi": leader)
Today was a lot of shopping, we took the team down to Fort Jesus and I got to see Victor and his wife (who I met in 2009 and got to spend time with them last year as well). They see me as their daughter, so it is always a pleasure to see another set of parents! I enjoyed watching the team "bargain" and basically shopped till they dropped, so just so everyone knows, you will be getting great gifts! Every member had their list out and were checking off family and friends names as they bought their gifts. Of course, Elyse found a new habit of loving African goods, so she kept coming back for more. Let's just say this morning was eventful.
After Fort Jesus, we went to the beach so everyone could soak up more of the sun! Some of us went shopping some more, while others played soccer with the Kenyans. Then for dinner, we enjoyed some hamburgers with the team, Chris, Lisa and the Windell Family. I am truly blessed to be around such amazing people and it has been a delight to learn more and more about one another each day. This is a family that will not be forgotten and we will all forever be connected.
Today, Allison gave her testimony to the team and she did a beautiful job. She is a wonderful young lady and the Lord is doing amazing things in her life. She has great faith and the Lord shines through her and I cannot wait to see what the Lord has planned for her future. Also, with everyone else on the team, I cannot wait to see our future's and be able to watch one another grow stronger in Christ.
As the leader of this team, I have gotten a different perspective. I have gotten all the questions and the late night Skype calls. I have seen the letters from family members discouraging my team members not to go on this mission trip, and then I have seen the anonymous donations come in that made individuals fall to their knees and cry to the Lord, "thank you". I have been a part of 11 individuals lives and have gotten to walk beside them the past 9 months training them and preparing their hearts for these two weeks. So now with three days left I am beginning to finally sit and reflect. The Lord is doing great things in all of our lives, but it is now time to go back home and share that with everyone we see.
I shared a devotion yesterday morning from Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 and it talks about "two are better than one" I shared how accountability is very important and when we leave here we need to realize that we need to help one another stay strong in Christ. That is my prayer for this team, that this is not a mission trip, but that this is a trip will forever change every individual's heart. I pray that when they go home, they will not fall back into old habits, but turn their eyes to the Lord and want to make a difference in this world. I pray that the Lord rocks their world and and that everyday they yearn for the Lord even more. And I pray that they do not make prayer a ritual of everyday, but they realize that prayer is a life of a christian.
I will leave you with one more thing. On saturday when we were walking through the dirt trails of south coast, I was with Elyse and Austin and we ran into a couple men and sat down to tell them about Christ. They were already Christians, so Elyse gave her testimony and then they shared theirs and one thing that the man said really hit home with me. He said, "remember vision is power, but power is not vision."
So, I pray that the 11 wonderful individuals on my team, Rachel, Cayla, Jaylyn, Stephanie, Austin, Matthew, Allison, Tyler, Whitney, Elyse, and Kaylene strive for the Lord's vision in their lives. I pray that they do not lose sight of what the Lord wants for them, but they stand strong in that vision because with vision, the Lord will provide a path to walk and with vision the Lord will do powerful and mighty things in each one of their lives.
I love every one of them dearly and have truly been touched by my team and the hospitality of Chris, Lisa and the Windells.
In Him,
Jenny ("kiongozi": leader)
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Sunday Service under the Mango Tree
The pastor speaks, "Praise God!" The conjuration answers, "Amen!"
That is how we began church this morning. We started this beautiful Sunday morning with a church service underneath the mango tree. The people of Massai Church had built a shed type covering made out of wood and a tarp laid vertically across on top to provide more shade. Pastor Eric greeted the church and the visitors, allowing us to introduce ourselves. Then he moved on to allow the members of the church to introduce themselves. There was one lady in particular who stuck out to me. It was the same lady from yesterday that was on my team during some of the games we were playing with the kids. Picture this, "a lady shorter than me (For those of you that don't know me, I am 4'11''.) She was about 4'7'', a smile running from cheek to cheek, and more energy than any adult I have ever met." She introduced herself and told us how happy she was to have us there, continued on to tell us bout how good God was. She told of the story about how she at times has nothing, but still praises God or about the time when she was extremely sick, but still praised God. This woman was on fire. I thought her energy level was high; Her love for Christ was even higher. The coolest thing about her giving this testimony is that she was speaking it in Swahili. Even if we had not of had a translator, just watching her facial expressions and hand movements were enough for me to see how full of life she was.
Part of the group took the children out to another tree for a Sunday school lesson, while Pastor Eric preached a sermon about taking off the old and putting on the new. Once church was over, the ladies of the church brought out food for everyone. It is called, "The hand to mouth ministry." We had rice with some flavor, meat, and potatoes (In my opinion the rice tasted like mexican rice, which was still yummy.) Next we moved on to the clinic and game time.
Whitney, Matt, Rachel, Jaylyn, Kaylene, and I helped in the clinic. Matt and Whiteny played "doctor" diagnosing people while I assisted with temperature and other minor help outs. I got to practice my Swahili as I called out the number for people to stand in line. Jaylyn, Rachel, and Kaylene helped distribute medicine. Jenny, Elise, Allison, and Stephanie were playing all sorts of games with the kids, passing out hand made dresses, and "sweets." Austin and Tyler spent countless hours trying to keep up with the boys in soccer.
We said our good-byes and head back to Mombasa to eat pizza, YES PIZZA, at one of our host homes, the Windells. On the bus back, Rachel bravely gave her testimony. It is never easy to tell people about your past, but it is truly a blessing to have her on the trip. I feel she held nothing back telling the team about her lowest of lows and giving God the glory for her highest of highs. After dinner we shared stories with Windells about our day and played catch phrase. Allison told her story about how her camera was stollen from the tree she left it in. However, a boy remembered a man taking it and ran down the road to find him. When the boy found the man, he asked the man to take his picture. As the man was taking the boy's picture, the boy grabbed the camera and ran back. YAY! Allison's camera was returned.
It truly was a blessed day. There was a few bumps in the road and chaotic times, but it all ended nicely with a warm shower. I feel that I have only covered half of what really happened. The views here are jaw-dropping, our team is getting along, and this has been a life changing experience.
We serve a God that will be praised; the language does not matter.
Psalm 100: 1-2 Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
Cayla
P.S. Hi mom, dad, and Colton, I love you and miss you!
That is how we began church this morning. We started this beautiful Sunday morning with a church service underneath the mango tree. The people of Massai Church had built a shed type covering made out of wood and a tarp laid vertically across on top to provide more shade. Pastor Eric greeted the church and the visitors, allowing us to introduce ourselves. Then he moved on to allow the members of the church to introduce themselves. There was one lady in particular who stuck out to me. It was the same lady from yesterday that was on my team during some of the games we were playing with the kids. Picture this, "a lady shorter than me (For those of you that don't know me, I am 4'11''.) She was about 4'7'', a smile running from cheek to cheek, and more energy than any adult I have ever met." She introduced herself and told us how happy she was to have us there, continued on to tell us bout how good God was. She told of the story about how she at times has nothing, but still praises God or about the time when she was extremely sick, but still praised God. This woman was on fire. I thought her energy level was high; Her love for Christ was even higher. The coolest thing about her giving this testimony is that she was speaking it in Swahili. Even if we had not of had a translator, just watching her facial expressions and hand movements were enough for me to see how full of life she was.
Part of the group took the children out to another tree for a Sunday school lesson, while Pastor Eric preached a sermon about taking off the old and putting on the new. Once church was over, the ladies of the church brought out food for everyone. It is called, "The hand to mouth ministry." We had rice with some flavor, meat, and potatoes (In my opinion the rice tasted like mexican rice, which was still yummy.) Next we moved on to the clinic and game time.
Whitney, Matt, Rachel, Jaylyn, Kaylene, and I helped in the clinic. Matt and Whiteny played "doctor" diagnosing people while I assisted with temperature and other minor help outs. I got to practice my Swahili as I called out the number for people to stand in line. Jaylyn, Rachel, and Kaylene helped distribute medicine. Jenny, Elise, Allison, and Stephanie were playing all sorts of games with the kids, passing out hand made dresses, and "sweets." Austin and Tyler spent countless hours trying to keep up with the boys in soccer.
We said our good-byes and head back to Mombasa to eat pizza, YES PIZZA, at one of our host homes, the Windells. On the bus back, Rachel bravely gave her testimony. It is never easy to tell people about your past, but it is truly a blessing to have her on the trip. I feel she held nothing back telling the team about her lowest of lows and giving God the glory for her highest of highs. After dinner we shared stories with Windells about our day and played catch phrase. Allison told her story about how her camera was stollen from the tree she left it in. However, a boy remembered a man taking it and ran down the road to find him. When the boy found the man, he asked the man to take his picture. As the man was taking the boy's picture, the boy grabbed the camera and ran back. YAY! Allison's camera was returned.
It truly was a blessed day. There was a few bumps in the road and chaotic times, but it all ended nicely with a warm shower. I feel that I have only covered half of what really happened. The views here are jaw-dropping, our team is getting along, and this has been a life changing experience.
We serve a God that will be praised; the language does not matter.
Psalm 100: 1-2 Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
Cayla
P.S. Hi mom, dad, and Colton, I love you and miss you!
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