Sunday, April 22, 2007
Video clips from Sudan
For video clips of the team's time in Sudan, check out Kevin Robertson's blog.
Saturday, April 21, 2007
Electricity in Kipkaren, AIDS campaign and more
I (Adele) just walked into my home after a marathon couple of days for all of us.
When the team got back from Sudan on Wednesday, they were happy to take showers and drink lots of fresh water. Wish you could see them devour the ice cold watermelon I gave them as they were heading to take showers... Later, we sat on my porch and chatted about their experiences. You'll want to ask them MANY questions when they get home. They have lots of stories to tell!
The team had both shrunk and grown. Micah, Kevin and Jen had gone straight to Nairobi, and Tammy joined the group from LA. She arrived on Wednesday night.
On Thursday morning, we headed to Kipkaren. They were welcomed by the Kipkaren children, after which they had tours of the centers. They were in Kipkaren on a historical night: The first night ever that there was electricity in the area! (Other than that from generators or solar panels.)
On Friday morning, we headed out bright and early to a nearby town for an AIDS campaign. It was in a small village where people are still very afraid of talking about HIV/AIDS, so the crowd was a bit smaller than usual (maybe 1500 as opposed to 3000+). More than 400 people got tested, of which 7 were HIV+.
The afternoon's events were interrupted by heavy rains, but about 30 minutes later, the soccer team was back on the field and the crowd back in their positions, cheering. Then followed the prize giving, after which we headed home. The Salvation Army Band from Kitale was still playing their hearts out by the time we pulled out and headed back to Kipkaren. (A band from Nairobi was also present, but not the usual band we have. They didn't play as much since it seemed like the very rural crowd enjoyed the Salvation Army guys more than they enjoyed the city boys!)
The band from Nairobi had a concert for the kids from the children's home after dinner (ask the team about it--I headed home for some down time), and then, BAM! there was a massive thunder storm and heavy downpour. It was wonderful! But the lightning hit something, and now there's no power in Kipkaren again... Power should be back soon!
Today, the team had some much-needed down time. They came to Eldoret to walk around the market, buy postcards, relax at Poa Place (poa means "cool"), the local hang-out for families. (It's a swimming pool and playground for kids.) I was not with them since I joined Laban and Angelina Rono's 25th wedding anniversary celebrations, followed by a birthday party for 35 of our kids in Ilula.
Tomorrow, the team will participate in church activities in Kipkaren, then go for some home visits. On Monday, they'll come to Ilula where they'll visit the ELI Drug and Alcohol Rehab Center. Jervaun leaves on Monday evening. The team will spend the night at Ilula and will try to connect via e-mail at that time.
On Tuesday, they'll head back to Kipkaren, see the ELI clinic, and on Wednesday, they'll get to be a part of a Children's Ministry event at Kipkaren.
Thursday's back to Ilula. They fly to Nairobi early Friday morning to spend the day in the city (shopping & seeing touristy things), and then they'll be off, home-bound!
Please keep them in your prayers this week. I'll upload photos to my Flickr account later this week. I just realized that the USB cable for my camera is in Kipkaren... Sorry you can't see photos right now.
When the team got back from Sudan on Wednesday, they were happy to take showers and drink lots of fresh water. Wish you could see them devour the ice cold watermelon I gave them as they were heading to take showers... Later, we sat on my porch and chatted about their experiences. You'll want to ask them MANY questions when they get home. They have lots of stories to tell!
The team had both shrunk and grown. Micah, Kevin and Jen had gone straight to Nairobi, and Tammy joined the group from LA. She arrived on Wednesday night.
On Thursday morning, we headed to Kipkaren. They were welcomed by the Kipkaren children, after which they had tours of the centers. They were in Kipkaren on a historical night: The first night ever that there was electricity in the area! (Other than that from generators or solar panels.)
On Friday morning, we headed out bright and early to a nearby town for an AIDS campaign. It was in a small village where people are still very afraid of talking about HIV/AIDS, so the crowd was a bit smaller than usual (maybe 1500 as opposed to 3000+). More than 400 people got tested, of which 7 were HIV+.
The afternoon's events were interrupted by heavy rains, but about 30 minutes later, the soccer team was back on the field and the crowd back in their positions, cheering. Then followed the prize giving, after which we headed home. The Salvation Army Band from Kitale was still playing their hearts out by the time we pulled out and headed back to Kipkaren. (A band from Nairobi was also present, but not the usual band we have. They didn't play as much since it seemed like the very rural crowd enjoyed the Salvation Army guys more than they enjoyed the city boys!)
The band from Nairobi had a concert for the kids from the children's home after dinner (ask the team about it--I headed home for some down time), and then, BAM! there was a massive thunder storm and heavy downpour. It was wonderful! But the lightning hit something, and now there's no power in Kipkaren again... Power should be back soon!
Today, the team had some much-needed down time. They came to Eldoret to walk around the market, buy postcards, relax at Poa Place (poa means "cool"), the local hang-out for families. (It's a swimming pool and playground for kids.) I was not with them since I joined Laban and Angelina Rono's 25th wedding anniversary celebrations, followed by a birthday party for 35 of our kids in Ilula.
Tomorrow, the team will participate in church activities in Kipkaren, then go for some home visits. On Monday, they'll come to Ilula where they'll visit the ELI Drug and Alcohol Rehab Center. Jervaun leaves on Monday evening. The team will spend the night at Ilula and will try to connect via e-mail at that time.
On Tuesday, they'll head back to Kipkaren, see the ELI clinic, and on Wednesday, they'll get to be a part of a Children's Ministry event at Kipkaren.
Thursday's back to Ilula. They fly to Nairobi early Friday morning to spend the day in the city (shopping & seeing touristy things), and then they'll be off, home-bound!
Please keep them in your prayers this week. I'll upload photos to my Flickr account later this week. I just realized that the USB cable for my camera is in Kipkaren... Sorry you can't see photos right now.
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Sudan Update: Finishing Up
Today was another great day in Sudan. The team is doing well.
Today held a day full of activities at the Empowering Lives School. If you can, imagine all of the children meeting under a large roof, no walls, no desks, no classrooms separating the children... The teachers have separated the children into groups then the teachers walk around the large area with chalk boards teaching the children. There was a segment of time that ELI staff Dan Davis took the teachers to another area and had discussions with them and a time of encouragement.
The rest of the team had all of the children during this time playing jump rope, games and using parachutes. They loved the parachutes! To end the team's time at the school they had a great time of prayer with the teachers.
After lunch there was a break for anyone who needed some rest time to rest. A few joined in on the construction at the children's home. Tomorrow (Tuesday) will be the team's last full day in Sudan. We will be getting up early to hike to the local cattle camp. Some of our children that attend the school live in the cattle camp. The team will be able to gather some of the stories and see the reality of these children's lives.
Today held a day full of activities at the Empowering Lives School. If you can, imagine all of the children meeting under a large roof, no walls, no desks, no classrooms separating the children... The teachers have separated the children into groups then the teachers walk around the large area with chalk boards teaching the children. There was a segment of time that ELI staff Dan Davis took the teachers to another area and had discussions with them and a time of encouragement.
The rest of the team had all of the children during this time playing jump rope, games and using parachutes. They loved the parachutes! To end the team's time at the school they had a great time of prayer with the teachers.
After lunch there was a break for anyone who needed some rest time to rest. A few joined in on the construction at the children's home. Tomorrow (Tuesday) will be the team's last full day in Sudan. We will be getting up early to hike to the local cattle camp. Some of our children that attend the school live in the cattle camp. The team will be able to gather some of the stories and see the reality of these children's lives.
Sunday, April 15, 2007
Team Sudan: Saturday's update
Thank you so much for your prayers. We have had a great day! The team is doing great, everyone is in good spirits and feeling well. We held the Pastor's meeting today from early morning until about 4pm. Don, Dan Davis and Julius shared in the teaching times, the team did a drama for the pastors. There were about 40 pastors in attendance. They are so very hungry for teaching and have requested please for more. They would love to have a week long seminar several times throughout the year. The worship times throughout the day during the meeting were incredible.
After the pastors' meeting Micah, Ellie & Dan Davis took a two-mile hike to the cattle camp. It was hard to take in all that they saw - you enter a different world. (Click here to see pictures of the cattle camp taken last year.)
Don, the Robertsons, Triers & Steven met with three orphans and were able to hear more of their story. Each of their parents were killed by militia.
Tomorrow, the team will attend two church services in the area and then after lead meetings with the women and the youth. It will be a full day! Thank you for your continued prayers. God is so good!
After the pastors' meeting Micah, Ellie & Dan Davis took a two-mile hike to the cattle camp. It was hard to take in all that they saw - you enter a different world. (Click here to see pictures of the cattle camp taken last year.)
Don, the Robertsons, Triers & Steven met with three orphans and were able to hear more of their story. Each of their parents were killed by militia.
Tomorrow, the team will attend two church services in the area and then after lead meetings with the women and the youth. It will be a full day! Thank you for your continued prayers. God is so good!
Saturday, April 14, 2007
Team Sudan
The team, praying before heading to the airport in Eldoret on Friday. The team consists of Don Rogers, Tim & Jervaun Trier, Micah Albert, Kevin & Jen Robertson, Ellie (sorry, I don't know her last name), Dan Davis (ELI Kipkaren), Bernard Kiptoo (ELI Kipkaren), Julius Toroitich (ELI Director of Operations).
Please continue to lift the team up in prayer during their time in Sudan.
Please continue to lift the team up in prayer during their time in Sudan.
Sudan Team: Safely in Kolmarek
Due to technical issues, the team didn't leave directly for Sudan on Wednesday morning. They first came to Ilula, Kenya, and left for Sudan on Friday morning.
This update has arrived via satellite phone to Amy, from Don:
The team has safely arrived to their final destination of Kolmerak, Sudan. Due to weather challenges the pilot was not able to land in Kolmerak. The plane was diverted to the town of Werkok. They were welcomed by a family and had chai while they waited for Steven Reech to come with a truck to pick them up and take them to Kolmerak. When I talked with Don everyone was in their tents sleeping.
Tomorrow, Don will be facilitating seminars with some of the local pastors.
Kevin & Jen will be meeting and dialoging with some of the orphan children.
Ellie, Tim & Jervaun will be making some home visits in the area and visiting with some of the local women.
On Sunday, the team will be attending and participating in the Sunday church service. Following the service, the team will meet with the men, women & youth for meetings and discussions.
On Monday, the team will be at the school, meeting with the children & encouraging the teachers and staff.
Please continue to pray for strength & endurance for the team along with God's wisdom and direction as they share God's love in these next few days.
This update has arrived via satellite phone to Amy, from Don:
The team has safely arrived to their final destination of Kolmerak, Sudan. Due to weather challenges the pilot was not able to land in Kolmerak. The plane was diverted to the town of Werkok. They were welcomed by a family and had chai while they waited for Steven Reech to come with a truck to pick them up and take them to Kolmerak. When I talked with Don everyone was in their tents sleeping.
Tomorrow, Don will be facilitating seminars with some of the local pastors.
Kevin & Jen will be meeting and dialoging with some of the orphan children.
Ellie, Tim & Jervaun will be making some home visits in the area and visiting with some of the local women.
On Sunday, the team will be attending and participating in the Sunday church service. Following the service, the team will meet with the men, women & youth for meetings and discussions.
On Monday, the team will be at the school, meeting with the children & encouraging the teachers and staff.
Please continue to pray for strength & endurance for the team along with God's wisdom and direction as they share God's love in these next few days.
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