Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Sunday, August 26, 2007
Friday, August 17, 2007
Northside - Loving the Youth Camp!
We have had an absolutely amazing youth camp. Doug has been sweating off 20 pounds playing Football (Soccer) with the kids and tonight he completely acted out the story of Jonah to the children at the Children’s Home. It was quite a show. Joe has been turning his years of Crown Ministry training into a Kenya relative message that teaches the glory of God through our work ethic. Karen has created a special bond with one of the Kenyan interpreters named Ruth. PS, she is an amazing Frisbee player. Tammy got to visit with Jen today and she sends her love to Linda and Liz. Cosmos misses all the teams from the past mentioning all of you by name. Kyoko and Kelly made bead necklaces with the children in the Children’s Home and they went absolutely crazy over this simple gift. Kyoko and Kelly are wondering if they are saved anymore because Kelly has a lip ring and Kyoko wears an anklet (they are still learning the culture). Tomorrow we finish up our teaching, which is going to be a nice conclusion after 9 times of teaching. This morning I was able to speak to the entire camp about Discipleship using many of my favorite illustrations. The Kenya students listen witch such intensity and take notes like I have never seen before. What a wonderful experience.
The youth camp is speeding by and soon we will be heading to Eldoret to visit another Empowering Lives children home. Thank you for your continued prayers and support. Nobody is sick, everyone is having huge moments of successful conversations about Christ and the team unity is strong.
-Hopper
Ps. Our new African Names:
Kelly Taylor: Kelly Chepkoech (born at noontime)
Kyoko Kamada: Kyoko Chebichii (difficult birth)
David Hopper: Arap Birir (Red Bull)
Joe Terrill: Arap Too (born when visitors are around)
Karen Terrill: Nebo Arap Too (Mrs. Visitors)
Doug Taylor: Arap Legat (Mr. Tonight)
Tammy Taylor: Nebo Arap Legat (Mrs. Tonight)
The youth camp is speeding by and soon we will be heading to Eldoret to visit another Empowering Lives children home. Thank you for your continued prayers and support. Nobody is sick, everyone is having huge moments of successful conversations about Christ and the team unity is strong.
-Hopper
Ps. Our new African Names:
Kelly Taylor: Kelly Chepkoech (born at noontime)
Kyoko Kamada: Kyoko Chebichii (difficult birth)
David Hopper: Arap Birir (Red Bull)
Joe Terrill: Arap Too (born when visitors are around)
Karen Terrill: Nebo Arap Too (Mrs. Visitors)
Doug Taylor: Arap Legat (Mr. Tonight)
Tammy Taylor: Nebo Arap Legat (Mrs. Tonight)
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Northside- An Amazing Journey!
Wow…what an amazing journey. On Monday we went to the Children’s Home with 90 plus children between the ages 3 to 12. They ran up to us, held us, loved us and wanted to spend every second with us. What an incredible feeling of love. It was unconditional and instant, something I have never felt so powerfully, so quick. I immediately wanted to be with them for as long as possible. I looked at their love and joy and wished the world could be just like this. Each day we have been able to be love to them as they have been so much love to us.
On Tuesday we met a missionary by the name of Ezekiel. He is from Kenya and he is here talking with Empowering Lives about a refugee camp in southern Sudan that they want to empower like what has been done here. It was overwhelming to see this Kenyan Missionary wanting to be a missionary to a place with 100’s of thousands of refugees desiring Christ and fighting against a Muslim force that is spreading fast. The Muslims have dedicated to turn Africa into an Islamic Continent and to do this they are really targeting Kenya right now. They just signed a treaty with Kenya’s president in which Lybia has agreed to supply Kenya with oil in exchange for the rights to build a mosque every 50 kilometers from Nairobi to Mombassa. We definitely need to be praying for this country. It was beautiful to see the full circle of a missionary program sending out people from the nation they are in to surrounding nations with the gospel. It is so tough to see the real battle going on between two religions with one side fully aware and sending mass amounts of money, energy, manpower and time to the battle while the Christians are sending little time, money, energy, and manpower to do the same. The Harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. The power of God uses our little bit to battle a huge enemy.
Today we went to the Medical Clinic and saw the new wing they have built. This is a diamond in the rough as the community looks to this clinic for medical, dental, and eye care, AIDS testing and treatment, and every other disease you can imagine. This beautiful dream is making a difference in this community and as we walk these dirt roads we talk to person after person whose life has been change by Empowering Lives’ dedication. This morning as I woke up at 4:30am for like the third day in a row I talked to the night watchman who had battled alcoholism his whole life until he met the Director David Taurus of Empowering Lives who showed him Jesus, walked with him for a year and then offered him a job. He spoke all morning about how many lives have been changed by Jesus in this place.
Tonight the youth begin to arrive (15-25 year olds) as we begin a youth camp. It is funny to me that I am leading a youth camp…you try to get out but they pull you back in…lol We are so excited to begin teaching, singing, playing and showing the love of Jesus for the next 5 days.
Continue to pray for us, it has been working. No one is sick, no one is complaining, we are seeing Jesus move and every hour that passes is more joyful than the one before. Thank you for your prayers.
-Hopper
On Tuesday we met a missionary by the name of Ezekiel. He is from Kenya and he is here talking with Empowering Lives about a refugee camp in southern Sudan that they want to empower like what has been done here. It was overwhelming to see this Kenyan Missionary wanting to be a missionary to a place with 100’s of thousands of refugees desiring Christ and fighting against a Muslim force that is spreading fast. The Muslims have dedicated to turn Africa into an Islamic Continent and to do this they are really targeting Kenya right now. They just signed a treaty with Kenya’s president in which Lybia has agreed to supply Kenya with oil in exchange for the rights to build a mosque every 50 kilometers from Nairobi to Mombassa. We definitely need to be praying for this country. It was beautiful to see the full circle of a missionary program sending out people from the nation they are in to surrounding nations with the gospel. It is so tough to see the real battle going on between two religions with one side fully aware and sending mass amounts of money, energy, manpower and time to the battle while the Christians are sending little time, money, energy, and manpower to do the same. The Harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. The power of God uses our little bit to battle a huge enemy.
Today we went to the Medical Clinic and saw the new wing they have built. This is a diamond in the rough as the community looks to this clinic for medical, dental, and eye care, AIDS testing and treatment, and every other disease you can imagine. This beautiful dream is making a difference in this community and as we walk these dirt roads we talk to person after person whose life has been change by Empowering Lives’ dedication. This morning as I woke up at 4:30am for like the third day in a row I talked to the night watchman who had battled alcoholism his whole life until he met the Director David Taurus of Empowering Lives who showed him Jesus, walked with him for a year and then offered him a job. He spoke all morning about how many lives have been changed by Jesus in this place.
Tonight the youth begin to arrive (15-25 year olds) as we begin a youth camp. It is funny to me that I am leading a youth camp…you try to get out but they pull you back in…lol We are so excited to begin teaching, singing, playing and showing the love of Jesus for the next 5 days.
Continue to pray for us, it has been working. No one is sick, no one is complaining, we are seeing Jesus move and every hour that passes is more joyful than the one before. Thank you for your prayers.
-Hopper
Monday, August 13, 2007
Northside - We Made It!
WOW! We just arrived at the Kipkaren site it is 1pm Monday Aug. 13th. That is a very long journey indeed...5 flights and 1 long drive but what an amazing place. We were greeted by 92 plus children singing and welcoming us to the camp. Wednesday we are expecting 500 students to be at the youth camp. The compound itself is something quite unique helping surrounding communities grow food and make a living off the land and resources that surround them. This last weekend they also tested over 700 people for Aids and are helping in the fight against this global killer. The flights are long and annoying but to see God using this place and us in sharing Christ through word and action is truly a joy and honor indeed. Thank you for your continued support and prayer. -Hopper
Wednesday, August 08, 2007
Orange Coast: Let the children come...
Bwana asifiwe! (Praise the Lord!) We hear these words many times a day and truly they are ringing praises to our amazing God. I just don’t have the time to write down every blessing that has been poured upon us during this leg of our trip. We arrived in Ilula on Monday and spent today with the kids camp. It will go from Tuesday – Friday and our team will be doing the teaching Wednesday and Thursday.
When we prepared for this trip, we thought 200-250 children would arrive… possibly 300. We brought supplies for a little over 300 in each of the training centers. You can’t imagine our surprise when 420 children showed up yesterday! What a praise that God has called so many kids to join us. Now they are expecting even more (possibly 500) kids today and the following days.
When we were in Kipkaren, we thought there would be 250 – 300 kids but we ended up only doing a program for the 96 kids in the children’s home. That means we had 200 craft items and tooth brushes left over that we brought to Ilula. That makes 500!! God is SOOOOOO good.
This is just a glimpse of the blessings we are experiencing ministering here with ELI. We’ve had the opportunity to spend time with the kids in the home after dinner as well. Some of the kids have such a sad past, but there is so much love and unity within the homes. You can definitely see the love of Christ! If you haven’t ever been here, you should really pray about coming. I know you will be blessed.
Please pray for our time Wed and Thursday. We will be splitting into 5 groups. (about 100 kids per group). Pray that we will allow the Holy Spirit to direct our time and that we will be able to work in harmony with one another.
God bless you all!!
Linda Endo
For the Orange Coast Free Methodist Church team
(Brenda, Zack, Kaylee, Donna and Linda)
When we prepared for this trip, we thought 200-250 children would arrive… possibly 300. We brought supplies for a little over 300 in each of the training centers. You can’t imagine our surprise when 420 children showed up yesterday! What a praise that God has called so many kids to join us. Now they are expecting even more (possibly 500) kids today and the following days.
When we were in Kipkaren, we thought there would be 250 – 300 kids but we ended up only doing a program for the 96 kids in the children’s home. That means we had 200 craft items and tooth brushes left over that we brought to Ilula. That makes 500!! God is SOOOOOO good.
This is just a glimpse of the blessings we are experiencing ministering here with ELI. We’ve had the opportunity to spend time with the kids in the home after dinner as well. Some of the kids have such a sad past, but there is so much love and unity within the homes. You can definitely see the love of Christ! If you haven’t ever been here, you should really pray about coming. I know you will be blessed.
Please pray for our time Wed and Thursday. We will be splitting into 5 groups. (about 100 kids per group). Pray that we will allow the Holy Spirit to direct our time and that we will be able to work in harmony with one another.
God bless you all!!
Linda Endo
For the Orange Coast Free Methodist Church team
(Brenda, Zack, Kaylee, Donna and Linda)
Sunday, August 05, 2007
Orange Coast Team- Greetings from Kipkaren!
Hello from Kipkaren!!
We are praising God that we are having a safe journey and are feeling so warmly welcomed by the staff. The children, parents and staff welcomed us with singing and flowers. We have been going on home visits and enjoying walking the Kenyan roads and meeting people along the way. The people have been so kind and welcomed us into their homes. We are all doing well and have been busy being part of the ministry here in Kenya. We have limited access to the internet so I am passing on a message from the team.
Zack says he’s having fun and Kaylee and Zack are both enjoying the rain. We all agree that the food is good!! Kaylee is enjoying playing “Down by the Banks” with the girls at the children’s home and Zack (aka Dr. Doolittle) has made friends with the guard dogs and has even rescued a baby chick from the mud.
The children at the homes have such a tragic past. Many are AIDS orphans while others are victims of war, poverty or abuse. Today, these children are happy and surrounded by loving parents and ELI staff.
It’s so hard to explain how amazing the staff is here at ELI. The apostle Paul said “Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 2:1-5).” The staff here serve with such joy. Even those who have very little themselves give unselfishly and work tirelessly for others.
Prayer Requests:
• Please pray for the children here to get new clothes. Their current ones are thread-bare.
• They are having another AIDS campaign. These campaigns have brought awareness of the disease to the community. They have encouraged people to be tested and to speak openly if they are affected. They are given treatment and loved on by the local churches. They are already seeing a decrease in the area as more and more people are understanding the disease and willing to accept their situation.
• We will be having a special program for the children tomorrow. We are each leading a different part of the program.
God bless you and thank you all for your prayer and support.
Mungu awabariki (God bless you all),
Linda, Brenda, Zack, Kaylee and Donna
We are praising God that we are having a safe journey and are feeling so warmly welcomed by the staff. The children, parents and staff welcomed us with singing and flowers. We have been going on home visits and enjoying walking the Kenyan roads and meeting people along the way. The people have been so kind and welcomed us into their homes. We are all doing well and have been busy being part of the ministry here in Kenya. We have limited access to the internet so I am passing on a message from the team.
Zack says he’s having fun and Kaylee and Zack are both enjoying the rain. We all agree that the food is good!! Kaylee is enjoying playing “Down by the Banks” with the girls at the children’s home and Zack (aka Dr. Doolittle) has made friends with the guard dogs and has even rescued a baby chick from the mud.
The children at the homes have such a tragic past. Many are AIDS orphans while others are victims of war, poverty or abuse. Today, these children are happy and surrounded by loving parents and ELI staff.
It’s so hard to explain how amazing the staff is here at ELI. The apostle Paul said “Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 2:1-5).” The staff here serve with such joy. Even those who have very little themselves give unselfishly and work tirelessly for others.
Prayer Requests:
• Please pray for the children here to get new clothes. Their current ones are thread-bare.
• They are having another AIDS campaign. These campaigns have brought awareness of the disease to the community. They have encouraged people to be tested and to speak openly if they are affected. They are given treatment and loved on by the local churches. They are already seeing a decrease in the area as more and more people are understanding the disease and willing to accept their situation.
• We will be having a special program for the children tomorrow. We are each leading a different part of the program.
God bless you and thank you all for your prayer and support.
Mungu awabariki (God bless you all),
Linda, Brenda, Zack, Kaylee and Donna
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