The team is fast asleep and didn't get to writing an update this evening. They had a full day, starting with teaching a Bible class and the school, doing a construction project much of the morning, and going on a home visit after lunch. (Read about this visit on Adele's blog.)
After planning some of the children's ministry events for the rest of the week, they joined the children to welcome more visitors, after which we had dinner. Zach and Diana had us all in stitches as they told the story of how they met. The Kenyans were blown away by the story, since dating/courtship is very different in this culture.
After dinner, they went to spend time reading to the children.
Tomorrow morning, Diana's teaching an aerobic exercise class to all the ladies while Zach is taking the men out for some exercise. Then it's back to construction and time with the children. They'll write an update sometime on Saturday.
They're all doing wonderfully! Though they've only been here two days, they've found a way into the hearts of this community, and vice versa. And they've brought laughter, which has been a tremendous blessing.
Please pray for them as they sleep tonight, that they'd sleep through the jet-lag-induced-waking-up-at-3-am.
Friday, June 22, 2007
Chelsea Bentley: Bwana asifiwe!
Bwana asifiwe! (Praise the Lord!) I think this is my new favorite Kiswahili phrase. I have had so much to praise the Lord for over the past week and a half since I departed from the US for Kenya. I don't think I have even fully recognized all the wonderful ways that God has blessed me since leaving home. I was so scared when I left last Wednesday, but God has given me so much peace and provision that I simply cannot be afraid anymore.
The blessings began as soon as I set foot in the airport in Rochester. My suitcases were too heavy and were going to cost over $1,000 to get to Kenya, so I had to take some things out of them to get the weight down. The requirement was 50lbs. but the man at the check in desk allowed me to check both of my suitcases at 5 lbs. over the limit. On top of that blessing, my mom explained to a lady that I was leaving for Africa for the summer, and since she didn't want to see my mom cry, she gave her a pass to get her and my grandma all the way to my gate to say goodbye to me.
Flying was completely insane, and God must have been carrying the planes the whole way. I think my flight into DC went right through the middle of a big storm cloud! In spite of delays and rerouting, God provided me with traveling companions so that I wasn't stranded alone in an airport in Zurich as I waited to be rerouted to Amsterdam and then to Nairobi.
When I arrived in Nairobi, my luggage was all lost, including the carry-on that I had to check in Zurich, which had all of my medicines in it. I could not find the person who was supposed to be meeting me, but some nice man at the information desk called the ELI office and managed to put me in contact with Alex so that I could get out of the airport. The most important two pieces of my luggage (the carry-on and the big one with my clothes and personal items in it) arrived that night, so I could take them with me to Eldoret and then to Ilula the next day.
In the week that I have been in Ilula, the children, parents, and staff have been such a blessing to me. They are so patient with my shortcomings and understanding of the fact that I was really missing my home and feeling somewhat lost in this strange new place. God has been with me every step of the way, and his Word and his Holy Spirit have been my constant comfort and companion as I take each step on this journey that God has set out for me. I can do nothing but stand in awe and praise God when I look at the children and their joy in the simplest things in life.
The Kenyans have a custom of thanking God for everything in their lives and recognizing each blessing that they have been given, and I have learned much from this and from each of them. God is so good, and I praise him because he created these people and this land and sent me here to be a blessing and to be blessed by them. Bwana asifiwe!
The blessings began as soon as I set foot in the airport in Rochester. My suitcases were too heavy and were going to cost over $1,000 to get to Kenya, so I had to take some things out of them to get the weight down. The requirement was 50lbs. but the man at the check in desk allowed me to check both of my suitcases at 5 lbs. over the limit. On top of that blessing, my mom explained to a lady that I was leaving for Africa for the summer, and since she didn't want to see my mom cry, she gave her a pass to get her and my grandma all the way to my gate to say goodbye to me.
Flying was completely insane, and God must have been carrying the planes the whole way. I think my flight into DC went right through the middle of a big storm cloud! In spite of delays and rerouting, God provided me with traveling companions so that I wasn't stranded alone in an airport in Zurich as I waited to be rerouted to Amsterdam and then to Nairobi.
When I arrived in Nairobi, my luggage was all lost, including the carry-on that I had to check in Zurich, which had all of my medicines in it. I could not find the person who was supposed to be meeting me, but some nice man at the information desk called the ELI office and managed to put me in contact with Alex so that I could get out of the airport. The most important two pieces of my luggage (the carry-on and the big one with my clothes and personal items in it) arrived that night, so I could take them with me to Eldoret and then to Ilula the next day.
In the week that I have been in Ilula, the children, parents, and staff have been such a blessing to me. They are so patient with my shortcomings and understanding of the fact that I was really missing my home and feeling somewhat lost in this strange new place. God has been with me every step of the way, and his Word and his Holy Spirit have been my constant comfort and companion as I take each step on this journey that God has set out for me. I can do nothing but stand in awe and praise God when I look at the children and their joy in the simplest things in life.
The Kenyans have a custom of thanking God for everything in their lives and recognizing each blessing that they have been given, and I have learned much from this and from each of them. God is so good, and I praise him because he created these people and this land and sent me here to be a blessing and to be blessed by them. Bwana asifiwe!
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Megan Hoffman- More from the KK Children's Home
It has been quite a long time since my last blog entry! So much has been happening here that it is hard to believe I only have about 3 weeks left before returning home to California. One of my favorite moments with the kids has been to go into their rooms at night and say goodnight to them. Usually this entails answering tons of questions about what life is like in America. I have noticed that the boys here are especially curious. They have lots of questions and are so eager to learn! These kids amaze me with their desire to learn new things.
On another topic, I am constantly being challenged in my faith here. I feel like every day is a new instance where I am in awe of God. He has brought up so many amazing conversations, and He has challenged me through scripture and time spent listening to Him. I feel like each day the scripture I read is brought up in conversation, or is applicable to a situation I am going through. God is certainly preparing me, and challenging me to take my faith to a deeper level.
I feel so blessed to be here. My main prayer request is that I will make the most of the rest of my time here. That I will be able to discern what God would like me to accomplish each day, and that I will have the strength and the courage to follow through.
On another topic, I am constantly being challenged in my faith here. I feel like every day is a new instance where I am in awe of God. He has brought up so many amazing conversations, and He has challenged me through scripture and time spent listening to Him. I feel like each day the scripture I read is brought up in conversation, or is applicable to a situation I am going through. God is certainly preparing me, and challenging me to take my faith to a deeper level.
I feel so blessed to be here. My main prayer request is that I will make the most of the rest of my time here. That I will be able to discern what God would like me to accomplish each day, and that I will have the strength and the courage to follow through.
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
APU: Safe and Sound
I'll have to team write a post tomorrow, but just wanted to let everyone know that they had made it safely to Kenya. All their luggage came, too. After about 40 hours of traveling (including nine hours on a very bumpy road) they were VERY tired tonight, but still in great spirits. Zach was saying how proud he was of them for not complaining about the road even once today.
Right now, they're all in bed and hopefully already fast asleep.
More from them tomorrow.
Right now, they're all in bed and hopefully already fast asleep.
More from them tomorrow.
Sunday, June 10, 2007
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