Salem: Update 1

Dear friends and family,

We apologize for the delay in getting this out to you. We arrived safely in Kipkaren on Friday to an amazing ELI welcome. There were about 200 children and adults from the center waiting to welcome us with singing and dancing. It made us feel like royalty and we were all teary eyed by the end.

Since then we have settled in to our nice cottages – much better accommodations then we expected. The food has been good and we have been made to feel very welcome and appreciated.

For the most part, everyone is feeling well although Doug and Jenn have been dealing with upset stomachs and a little light headed, that we attribute to the higher elevation.

On Sunday, Tim and H gave the sermon and the rest of us participated in small ways including performing a team song (I know some of you are laughing at this!) We were treated to an amazing display of talented singing and dancing by the children, almost like the African Children’s Choir only from the Kipkaren village! The entire service lasted two and a half hours.

Today Fred and H taught the pastoral seminar to 24 pastors and it was well received. Tim and Deric went into town to hunt for what Ag supplies are available. Doug taught about cooperative to over 80 farmers which was well received. Both seminars will continue tomorrow and Wednesday.

Linda and Jenn met with Michelle from the medical clinic to plan the week’s schedule of teaching opportunities and then spent some time at the clinic this afternoon. Linda had an opportunity to accompany Kiptoo (an RN) and a few others to the public school up the road to invite some of the teachers to the First Aid training that will begin tomorrow.

Vickie spent the day taking pictures of the seminars and working with the cooks.

We are all enjoying being here and are learning much about the Kenyan culture. We are enjoying many opportunities to minister to and build relationships with the people and we are being ministered to also.

Please pray for health and stamina as we are keeping a busy schedule in a different culture and that our hearts and the Kenyan hearts remain open. We hope all is well with those of you back home and we are praying for you also.