The days here are very warm, and the nights are nice and cool. They say this is the most perfect climate in the world, and we are not going to argue with that. We’ve learned so much about Empowering Lives International (ELI) in the past few days and we are more excited about working here than ever. The men have torn out the old beds in the guesthouse and are building beautiful new beds. The women have put together crafts, bible studies, a birthday party and home visits to the house parents who each look after 25 children. We are still missing 3 suitcases. They are in Tanzania, go figure that. Wayne has worn the same slacks for 8 days, and no one will sit with him at dinner.
We all send our love.
Mama Brian, Baba Brian, Mama Matthew, Baba Matthew, Mama Tawni, Baba Tawni, and beautiful Sarah
Friday, July 31, 2009
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Kokomo Team - We made it!
Greetings from Kenya,
The team from Kokomo says hello from Kenya. We finally arrived, a day late but not in the least discouraged. Yesterday was a transition day from Nairobi to Ilula. We were met by the children with roses, singing and a wonderful dance. Once the tears cleared we made introductions and now we’re part of a whole new family. The story of our travels will need to be told by the individuals because the events are to numerous to list here….hopefully the rest of our luggage will arrive before leaving for Kipkaren.
The attached pictures are us at the Mayfield House in Nairobi, and the opening ceremony of the children at school in the morning. We will add more pictures as the weeks progresses.
Sarah says hi to mom and dad. She is having a wonderful time and is spending as much time with the children as she possibly can. This is a special experience in her life. Tony and Vickie are having fun working with the mosquito nets and the out door toilets. Dick and Diana are doing fine and food has not been an issue. Keep praying for this group of people as we are loving serving in the strong name of Jesus. Check in a couple days for another update. All our love from the Kokomo Team.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Kingsburg Pictures
Dr. Kemboi with a Patient and his new Glasses
Patients Lining up to be Seen for Eye Clinic
Emily and Ryan helping with Eye Screening
One of the Many Beautiful Kenyan People
Ryan working with the Painting Crew
Alistair with Children's Home House Parents
Kathy Assisting with the Initial Screening Process
Darol Treating a Patient
The Team having dinner with David and Allison Tarus and JuliKingsburg Team Update
Greetings from beautiful Kenya. Today finds us well and busy.
The clinic opened Monday, and as Dr. Darol will tell you, a variety of patients have been seen. The number of patients is somewhat fewer than anticipated, due to the on-going eye care that Julius Kemboi provides. The slower pace allowed the clinic staff time to visit and share with waiting patients, and Alistair was able to hep a family get urgent medical care for their child.
It has been such a blessing to witness the growth of Julius Kemboi. He is a true professional. In the eye clinic we refer to him as "Dr. Kemboi". Dr. Kemboi has demonstrated superb skills in diagnosing and treating near-sightedness, far-sightedness, astigmatisms and various reading prescriptions. He also makes glasses, edging the lenses with great precision. He is eager to add to his understanding and to take on the new challenges such as learning to diagnose and treat certain eye pathologies. What a privilege it is to be part of his mentoring process.
The eye clinic is now well on the path to being self-sustaining. A nominal fee is charged for the materials and services, enough to cover overhead and meaningful livelihoods for Dr. Kemboi and staff. The patients have been interesting and challenging. Cases are as varied from removing foreign bodies, droopy eyelids, cataracts, to very aggressive eye infections. The prescribing of glasses has been assigned to Julius Kemboi.
On Tuesday a baby boy, James, was born in the adjacent medical clinic. Kathy, Al and Ellen had the great honor of visiting and praying for him and his family. There really aren't words to describe the blessing this brought to us. Please pray for baby James and his health, as he had a difficult birth.
Ryan's birthday was the 20th and we celebrated 34 hours. Kenyan time, plus U.S. time. His birthday brought many blessings; newborn babies, calves, lambs, and kids and the needed rain.
Emily and Ryan have been painting with Isaac Odari and have developed a special relationship with him. When he injured his finger they were able to gently persuade him to come to the clinic for a tetanus shot, which he would not have done on his own. Kathy traveled to Ilulla for a short visit Wednesday. We look forward to her safe return. Once again, we thank for your prayers and support.
The clinic opened Monday, and as Dr. Darol will tell you, a variety of patients have been seen. The number of patients is somewhat fewer than anticipated, due to the on-going eye care that Julius Kemboi provides. The slower pace allowed the clinic staff time to visit and share with waiting patients, and Alistair was able to hep a family get urgent medical care for their child.
It has been such a blessing to witness the growth of Julius Kemboi. He is a true professional. In the eye clinic we refer to him as "Dr. Kemboi". Dr. Kemboi has demonstrated superb skills in diagnosing and treating near-sightedness, far-sightedness, astigmatisms and various reading prescriptions. He also makes glasses, edging the lenses with great precision. He is eager to add to his understanding and to take on the new challenges such as learning to diagnose and treat certain eye pathologies. What a privilege it is to be part of his mentoring process.
The eye clinic is now well on the path to being self-sustaining. A nominal fee is charged for the materials and services, enough to cover overhead and meaningful livelihoods for Dr. Kemboi and staff. The patients have been interesting and challenging. Cases are as varied from removing foreign bodies, droopy eyelids, cataracts, to very aggressive eye infections. The prescribing of glasses has been assigned to Julius Kemboi.
On Tuesday a baby boy, James, was born in the adjacent medical clinic. Kathy, Al and Ellen had the great honor of visiting and praying for him and his family. There really aren't words to describe the blessing this brought to us. Please pray for baby James and his health, as he had a difficult birth.
Ryan's birthday was the 20th and we celebrated 34 hours. Kenyan time, plus U.S. time. His birthday brought many blessings; newborn babies, calves, lambs, and kids and the needed rain.
Emily and Ryan have been painting with Isaac Odari and have developed a special relationship with him. When he injured his finger they were able to gently persuade him to come to the clinic for a tetanus shot, which he would not have done on his own. Kathy traveled to Ilulla for a short visit Wednesday. We look forward to her safe return. Once again, we thank for your prayers and support.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Our Team with David Tarus ELI Co-Founder
Al and Ellen assisting with Eye Exams
Al and Ryan getting their Kenyan Groove on at the Harambee
Children Praising and Dancing at the Harambee
Kathy getting HER Kenyan Groove On!!
Ellen with a New Friend
Ryan having some Down time with the Kids
Emily Enjoying a Secret from a New Friend
Darol Enjoying some Non-Eye-Time with the Kids
Alistair is also really enjoying the Children
Kingsburg Team Update
Jambo from Kenya! Friday was a busy, productive day for us. Dr. Darol and Alistair began organizing for the eye clinic opening Monday and the rest of us painted dormitory rooms. Saturday, we continued with our work. Al took time to play Goliath in a skit for the children's devotion time. ALthough he had a very convincing death scene, he was advised not to quit his day job.
Dr. Darol saw his first patients on Saturday also. The Children's Home and Brook of Faith Academy brought some students. Several staff members were seen as well as a few "early birds" from the community.
On Sunday we attended a harambee. "Harambee" means pulling together, and this one was a fund-raiser to build a church. We were treated to several songs and dances by the children, who are wonderful singers and dancers to begin the festivities. They truly make a joyful noise unto the Lord. The community gave us a warm welcome and even asked us to sing. A fter the sermon, several local leaders and visiting dignitaries spoke. The day concluded with the offering collection and a delicious dinner. The church was thrilled to find that they actually raised more than the projected goal. Later that evening we visted for devotions with the children at the Children's Home.
Today is Monday and we are busy working at the clinic. Things are going well. Part of our team is continuing with the painting project which is also going well. Everyone remains healthy and our spirits are high.
We are so blessed to be in this beautiful coutnry where the people are filled with the joy of the Lord. Thank yo ufor your support encouragement and prayers.
Dr. Darol saw his first patients on Saturday also. The Children's Home and Brook of Faith Academy brought some students. Several staff members were seen as well as a few "early birds" from the community.
On Sunday we attended a harambee. "Harambee" means pulling together, and this one was a fund-raiser to build a church. We were treated to several songs and dances by the children, who are wonderful singers and dancers to begin the festivities. They truly make a joyful noise unto the Lord. The community gave us a warm welcome and even asked us to sing. A fter the sermon, several local leaders and visiting dignitaries spoke. The day concluded with the offering collection and a delicious dinner. The church was thrilled to find that they actually raised more than the projected goal. Later that evening we visted for devotions with the children at the Children's Home.
Today is Monday and we are busy working at the clinic. Things are going well. Part of our team is continuing with the painting project which is also going well. Everyone remains healthy and our spirits are high.
We are so blessed to be in this beautiful coutnry where the people are filled with the joy of the Lord. Thank yo ufor your support encouragement and prayers.
Friday, July 17, 2009
Kingsburg Team Upate
Kathy and Pastor Peter at our Welcome Ceremony
Children at the ELI Center
Devotional Time at the Mayfield Guest House in Nairobi
Tour of the Training Center Gardens
Darol and Alistair with the Medical Team at the Clinic
Devotion Time at the Children's Home
Darol Training Julius on New Equipment
Alistair giving hemophiliac medication to a specialty doctor
Kingsburg Team Upate
Jambo Marafike na Nyumbaini (Hello Friends and Family),
Yes, we finally made it here. We are sorry for not posting an update earlier, but life has been a whirlwind since we arrived. We Arrived in Nairobi Tuesday night with not too much incident. We praised God that all 14 pieces of our luggage arrived safely and cleared customs smoothly. We spent the night at the Mayfield House in Nairobi and Alistair was able to connect and give hemophilia medicine and supplies to the doctor and staff at the National Hemophilia Treatment Center in Nairobi. We then flew out to KipKaren the next day – what an experience! The people had a very warm welcoming ceremony for us when we arrived.
Yesterday, Thursday, was our first full day in KipKaren. We got a tour of the ELI facilities and learned of all the ways they are “empowering” the lives of people in this area through sustainable agriculture training and changing their lives for the better along with sharing the love of God with them. Next we got a tour of the Children’s Home/Orphanage and the Brook of Faith Academy School. This was especially exciting for our 3 teachers on our team. The school is facing its own set of challenges and our teachers have all taken these issues to heart and we prayed with the Headmaster and several teachers.
After lunch we were invited over to Cosmas’ home (dear friend of Kathy’s) and his wife Helen served us chai tea and hotcakes and we enjoyed their 3 month old son Jotham and good fellowship.
In the afternoon, we had a quick tour of the clinic where we saw the facilities where we will be assisting with eye care next week. We also learned about how the clinic works on a normal daily basis. In the evening we got to join the kids at the Children’s Home for their daily evening devotions. Wow! We got to sing and share Bible verses and stories with them before they went to dinner. We were all so impressed and blessed.
Today, Friday, Darol and Alistair are at the clinic to start setting things up for clinic which begins tomorrow. The medical staff at the Cheboiywa Clinic are amazing and wonderful people providing such a valuable ministry of health and healing to the people in the area with a Community Health Center and Home Care Visitation program. The rest of the team is doing a marathon painting project back at the Training Center.
We will get to share in the graduating ceremony of 31 students at the ELI Sustainable Agriculture Community Development Training Program and we will also attend a big fundraising and worship service on Sunday for the building on a new church right next to the health clinic.
We think of you all every day. We miss you lots and so appreciate your prayers. We definitely feel them here and they have truly been sustaining us. Everyone is healthy and doing well. Our daily team devotions and worship have been powerful and we appreciate the personal family devotions very much. We have been praying for each of you and thanking God for your support and prayers. We will post an entry every three days or so.
Love to all,
Kathy, Darol, Alistair, Ryan, Emily, Al and Ellen
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Kipkaren Intern: Kayte Kerr Update
While preparing to come to Kenya, I was given pictures of all the kids that are living in the Children's Home. I can remember looking through them and telling people that I wanted to bring them home with me. I would like to share with you now that I don't want to take any of these children home, not because they aren't incredible children that have touched my heart but because they are so happy and well cared for here. I would like to share a brief description of the everyday things that I witness and appreciate about what this organization is doing for these children.
First of all, the parents are so hard working. They are putting everything into these children and truly are making a difference in their lives. They are teaching them not only responsibilities that come with being a family but also love and faith. They lead by example, showing these children how to live right and think of others which can be seen clearly in the actions being repeated by the children. These parents deal with sickness, school struggles, and everyday problems that come up when you are raising two dozen children. It amazes me when I see them mending clothes, going over school work, and cleaning up a scraped knee that they never seem to complain or just want a break and if we comment on their hard work and care that they show for these children they will simply say that they are parents and that's part of the job.
Secondly, the emphasis on education and furthering yourself through school is so strongly ingrained in these kids. They have such a strong work ethic. Starting school at 6 in the morning and continuing all day and then going back again after dinner seemed like a lot of me but for them they see it as more time to learn. They study hard, have big ambitions and have a strong, supportive staff that I know will help them to achieve their dreams. These teachers daily go above and beyond to make sure that the students are understanding the material and most know all the students by name and have formed close relationships with the students. It is neat to see teachers and students committed to learning together and progressing together at Brook of Faith. I am honored to get to see these students and teachers in action a few days a week and continue to be impressed with the dedication that they all have for education.
I have truly been blessed to get to be a part of all that goes on here in Kipkaren. The staff is so hardworking and is really making a difference in not just the kids lives but they are a blessing to the whole community. These kids are happy, healthy, full of hope and joy. I will be leaving them shortly but know that I am leaving them in excellent hands and I know that they will continue to grow, learn and be loved.
First of all, the parents are so hard working. They are putting everything into these children and truly are making a difference in their lives. They are teaching them not only responsibilities that come with being a family but also love and faith. They lead by example, showing these children how to live right and think of others which can be seen clearly in the actions being repeated by the children. These parents deal with sickness, school struggles, and everyday problems that come up when you are raising two dozen children. It amazes me when I see them mending clothes, going over school work, and cleaning up a scraped knee that they never seem to complain or just want a break and if we comment on their hard work and care that they show for these children they will simply say that they are parents and that's part of the job.
Secondly, the emphasis on education and furthering yourself through school is so strongly ingrained in these kids. They have such a strong work ethic. Starting school at 6 in the morning and continuing all day and then going back again after dinner seemed like a lot of me but for them they see it as more time to learn. They study hard, have big ambitions and have a strong, supportive staff that I know will help them to achieve their dreams. These teachers daily go above and beyond to make sure that the students are understanding the material and most know all the students by name and have formed close relationships with the students. It is neat to see teachers and students committed to learning together and progressing together at Brook of Faith. I am honored to get to see these students and teachers in action a few days a week and continue to be impressed with the dedication that they all have for education.
I have truly been blessed to get to be a part of all that goes on here in Kipkaren. The staff is so hardworking and is really making a difference in not just the kids lives but they are a blessing to the whole community. These kids are happy, healthy, full of hope and joy. I will be leaving them shortly but know that I am leaving them in excellent hands and I know that they will continue to grow, learn and be loved.
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