"Habari?" That means both, "hello" and "how are you" in Swahili. This is how we greet those around us throughout each day. We send you warm greetings from beautiful Kenya. Again, we want to apologize that we have not been able to post updates with greater regularity. Until Wednesday evening, we have not had access to any electricity or running water. In fact, we traveled directly from the airport to Kip Karin River where we jumped right into projects of training and leadership development.
As of yet, we have not been able to download any pictures, because of their size and inability to access this blog-site directly. Thus, we will try to use words to express how amazing we have found our journey. We have already experienced so many valuable things, it will be hard to give you a taste of our true impressions. Certainly, the orphan children would be at the top of our list of meaningful relationships. The children's homes here are incredible. Each family of parents have taken in an average of 24 children (12 boys and 12 girls). All of the children in these homes are legitimate orphans with no living parents. Most, have lost their parents to diseases such as AIDS, Malaria, Cancer, etc. Families live so simply here that in most cases they do not have the means to seek proper health care in times of crisis. We wish we could describe to you the hope and joy that we have witnessed the homes are able to offer these children. For sure, they have been given a new lease on life to pursue their dreams without the worry of their daily needs being met.
Another special group of people that have touched our hearts are the "six-month students". Students from all over the country come to Kip Karin for education on how to bring skills in agriculture, health, livestock, and Christian education back to their communities where such things are not available. We have found the students to be highly motivated and talented learners, eager to share their learnings with others.
We are now in Illula, where we have been united/reunited with a whole other host of families and children. Each evening we sit around the supper table listening to stories of how the ELI ministry began. Most of the time, we have found ourselves on the edge of our seats in disbelief at how faithfully God has paved the way for such a dynamic program. Here in Illula they offer education from pre-school through 6th grade. Soon they plan to offer education through the 8th grade. Early on, the leadership realized that the children were the key to most effectively impact the broader community. Illula also offers training in agriculture, livestock, public-health, and a variety of small-business skills. Additionally, Illula also houses its own full-children's home facility with the same design as Kip Karin.
In order to allow each of us a better opportunity to express our individual thoughts and learnings, we have dedicated the next several paragraphs to each team member.
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Greetings from Duke:
I stand in awe of the love the locals give at every greeting - smiles from the smallest child to the oldest adult is filled with warmth and appreciation. My heart is broken over the depth of poverty yet the progress E.L.I. is making for hundreds of orphans, gives me great encouragement and hope.
I've enjoyed beyond what my words can express the time I've had with the children at the orphanages, as well as, their House Parents. The first Marriage Enrichment Session went well - 18 attended and today (Friday) is the second one ( anticipated 30).
This has been an amazing Adventure, and in the last 5 days an extra ordinary Journey - I have kidney stones - I spent time at a Africa medical clinic... Thanks to each of you who kept me in your thoughts and prayers. I know that yesterday I passed some ( and I think God "blasted" them smaller - for less pain and discomfort) - so I'm functioning at nearly normal ability now - I do "visit" the cho (restroom) more than most - but that will just allow more stories to tell once I'm home
Blessings and Love to all. I will see you in March.
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Greetings from Daren:
Hello loved ones! I hope you are all doing well. Personally, I am having the time of my life. I wish I could describe how wonderful it has been to reunite with so many old friends. Because Kenyans are such historians, they often dialogue about past memories. They have remembered many humorous and significant moments from the early days when I brought teams from APU. It has been strange to recall so many of the benchmark moments and realize that I had been here to share them. I don't feel old enough to have been here for so many of those things. I know what you are all thinking... I am 40 now! I realize that, but it is still strange to have taken part of such a rich heritage. I am blessed to be here again and testify to the incredible progress of God's faithfulness.
I have had the easiest time adjusting physically to the time, food and culture. It seems every day has been filled with new adventures and meaningful conversation. So much has changed in the last seven years-- and yet much remains the same. God has really grown and expanded the ELI ministry with greater vision, new facilities, and larger numbers of community impact. What hasn't changed is the wonderful hospitality, and generous hearts. Unfortunately, the farm animals are also as LOUD as I remembered (i.e. Did you know that roosters begin their morning revile at 4:45 am?). Isn't that precious. You can only imagine my excitement at that hour.
I can hardly believe we are on our final stretch, with only a week left to soak it all in. I wish you could all be here to share in this awesome experience. I have thought of all of you often and imagined different ones of you in various situations. Please know that you are in my daily thoughts and prayers. Please continue to pray for safe travel and meaningful conversations. God has provided us with the energy and wisdom to handle each circumstance as they have come our way. I am particularly thankful that God has kept us healthy and supplied us energy to push through the long days (many lasting late into the night). I am also grateful that Duke is feeling so much better. We are thrilled to end our time with a brief overnight safari where we hope to celebrate God's creation. It will be nice to have a chance to relax and go at a slower pace.
I look forward to sitting with each of you and sharing more detail later. God bless each and everyone of you and I will see you in a week.
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Greetings from Annie:
Habari. I still cannot believe I'm in Africa. God works in mighty ways because, I never thought I'd ever live in Southern California. I will be there 10 years in July. I never would have ever dreamed of going to Africa on a mission, and now I've been here 2 weeks.
It's hard to explain how I feel... I now understand why people love Africa. The landscape is beautiful, the people are friendly, and when the children smile it breaks your heart. Africa is in a period of it's history where it is not as advanced as the US. Technology isn't as accessible, medication isn't as accessible, so people are forced to live simply. And simply means they eat meals together morning, noon and night. They have devotions at the Children's Home every night, where the children sing songs, a story is told and then a few more songs before dinner. (30 minutes spent developing these children in ways that will carry them for life.)
Some of the house parents have given up lucrative job to raise the next generation of Kenyans. Amazing. I may have gotten the courage to go to Africa, but these people have the courage to make the world a better place one child at a time. For that, every person I've met so far has my utter respect and admiration.
Thanks to everyone who wrote me letters. They have been invaluable as I've gotten a little homesick this weekend. Please pray for my family as my great Uncle Chris passed away this week. I with I could be with them. Additionally your continued prayers for my mom (Susan) are very much appreciated. She completed her latest round of chemotherapy like the trooper she is but it looks like we will need to change to yet another drug right after I return to the states. Modern technology (cell phones) has allowed me to be able to reach her continually so I can check on her progress.
Hope to see everyone soon. I love and miss you all.
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Greetings from Dan and Myra:
This has been an incredible time of connections for us. We have been able to have significant times of conversations with so many - the directors, house parents, and teachers of the children's homes and schools; the training center and office management teams; many of the 6-month students; and our American staff. Special have been the times we have spent hugging the children in the children's homes while telling them Bible stories and teaching them songs. We have walked the dirt paths to the homes of those who are HIV positive but are also part of the program to bring awareness and medicine to communities who have traditionally shunned those with this disease. We are amazed at the growth of empowerment - children's homes where there use to be corn fields, an expanding health clinic which will soon have a full eye care office, schools now with over 200 students who are receiving quality education from teachers who love the Lord. This has been both an exciting and an exhausting time as Myra has done several seminars on Abiding in the Vine and Child Attachment Theory, and Dan has led leadership development workshops for the 6-month students and the ELI management team as well as preached in two village churches; all well received by people hungry to learn and grow in the Lord. We have also had personal times of prayer, counseling, and coaching with many individuals as we have heard stories of struggle and success. Our New Song team is working well with one another enjoying each opportunity to minister together and supporting each other in times of challenge as we are stretched physically and emotionally. Thank you to all those who are covering us in prayer. Our strength comes from the Lord. Please continue this prayer support as the days ahead hold travel to Kisumu to visit a missionary couple there, more connections with the orphans, counseling time with house parents, time observing classes in the Ilula school, and important team preparation for our return to the US.
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Thank you all for your love and prayers. We look forward to sharing our experience with you soon.
We love you!!!
The NewSong 2007 Kenya Team
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