hey, it's Laura! Kenya is absolutely incredible. I want to stay here forever. the kids are perfect little angels and I'm going to take all of them home. today is the first day we haven't gotten stuck. whoop whoop! tomorrow is our last day in the village and I'm going to cry the whole time. I've cried everyday I've been here. #emotionalgirlprobs. but this has been the best week of my life. I absolutely love it here.
It's Joanie...
"Trust and obey, trust and obey. For there's no other way to be happy in Jesus than to trust and obey."
I remember standing in the pew at church as a little girl and not really understanding what that song meant. But as I've grown I've come to better know what that song means. Trusting is a hard thing for me. Mostly because I'm a Type A, controlling, OCD neat freak who likes things her way thank you very much! But that's not what God calls us to do. He tells us to trust Him because his plan is better than ours and we will be blessed by obedience to Him. Africa has been on my heart for awhile and when I felt the call to come to Kenya this year I knew it would take a lot of trusting and obeying. First I had to trust I would even get here, I wasn't sure how I would pay for it. But God showed up in a big way and it all seemed to work out perfectly. Then, I had to continue to trust and obey when people were skeptical of me coming. My poor parents were terrified of me coming, fearing the worst. There were many times that I wanted to give in and just not come so they would be happy. But I knew that I couldn't do that, I would always regret it and that God had a purpose for me coming and would be my protector. And if you know me at all, you know I'm an indoor girl. I like my manicures and air conditioning, cable TV and my curling iron. I'm a girly girl through and through, not the type you would think to be trekking through the mud and dust of Kenya. More than once friends told me they were worried about me. Ummm yeah, I'm a little worried about me too. But I'm happy to report that I'm not doing that bad! Granted on the trip I've been dubbed the "survivor" because mostly I'm scrambling through and finding that a pretty smile and a hair flip doesn't really get you very far here like it does back home. I've been scratched, fallen in the mud and climbed into the mud huts just like everyone else. Maybe not with as much grit, but I do it. And while doing all the walking and falling and climbing, God has been continueing to teach me this important lesson: that when you trust and obey Him, He will bless you beyond your wildest dreams. So here I am in Kenya, still rocking my cute outfits and glitter Toms. I even found a way for my curling iron to work! See? Blessed by obedience once again. :-)
Hi this is Beth H. I have tried to blog 2 other times this week and it has been lost. Third times the charm, right?
I am very overwhelmed by the love that I feel from the children at the schools we visit. The joy that I see on their faces is enough to make your heart melt.
The afternoon was a wonderful experience. We went to a home and had chai. The amazing part is how honored the family was to have us as their guest and to be able to learn how she makes tea over a small fire in her mud house. We were able to pray with the family. Her request was to pray for everything.
I can not believe that we only have one more day at the schools. I am sure tomorrow will be an emotional day.
This is Kathryn. This morning my group sang songs and taught numbers and letters to the Kenyan kids. When one of the girls was having trouble with her alphabet another girl took my copy and helped her. It was so refreshing considering the kids usually fight each other over us. Then in the afternoon we went to Agnes's house and she made us some wonderful chai ( tea). No one is ready for our last day with the kids tomorrow.
Hi! It's Mary. It's been incredible watching our team work together this week. I have loved watching them through the lens of my camera and putting together their blogposts. Our evening share times have been very special. The relationship that BPF has built with this community has made a huge impact in the lives of our friends here in Kenya. Visiting Africa has been a dream of mine for a long time. I will never forget this trip. Sitting in a mud hut on a wooden bed and being served tea was overwhelming. How is it that I have been chosen to live in America and so comfortably? My heart is so full! ❤
Jambo!
It is such a blessing to be back in Kenya. It was really special to spend time with a little girl, Mercy, that I met last year. Last year she introduced me to her mother and had me take pictures. She made me promise to send them to her. On this trip I was able to fulfill my promise. Her face was filled with so much joy and happiness as she looked at the pictures of her with her mom, us together, and a picture of my family. She held onto those pictures as if it was her greatest possession.
Sunday my group and I walked 2km (1.3 miles) to church (one way). Reflecting on the journey it's hard to imagine that the people living in this community walk so far for water, school, and church. Sometimes even barefoot. I am honored to be apart of their lives.
Bwana asufewa! (God is Good)
-Beth Ullrich
Hi! It's Caitlin,
This Is my first Mission trip/visiting Kenya and its been amazing! I've made a few very special friends at the Mbogoini primary school. My favorite part of this experience is having the kids run up to me and hug me! can't wait to see what tomorrow brings!
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