From Cheryl- Jambo, family and friends! We are all safe and very happy, almost rested up. Sarah and I have had some good rest, not so sure about the guys. This is an amazing place, so different than I had envisioned. My little round hut is awesome – electricity and running water! The people are so kind and anxious to please us. And, almost everyone speaks good English. Worship today was so wonderful! I got some great videos of the children singing. Please keep praying – there is much more to see and experience. Tuesday I get to go to the well baby clinic – I can’t wait. But it will be wonderful and heartbreaking! Thank you all for your love and support. Ps –Ray, Tim, Eric, Ken, and Kim, and Tara! I really miss you – being apart from you is the only bad part. I love you and am showing everyone your photos!
From Sarah- Chamgay, dear family and friends. Our team is getting ready to head to bed on the first full day here in Kipkaren, Kenya. It would be impossible to describe the beauty, majesty and wonders we’ve already seen here at this ELI site. Our accommodations are so lovely because we are staying in the newly built cottages, complete with running water and electricity (within feet of the Kipkaren River)…except Cheryl and I have missed out on having lights and warm showers. Hundreds of beautifully colored birds woke us up with their singing. I will never forget the reception we got when we stepped off of the matatu (small bus) when we arrived here. There were around 90 children with the rest of the staff standing out in the cold, muddy evening. They were singing songs about Jesus and wanted to shake all of our hands or give us hugs. In addition to the scenery, there is just so much that is going through my mind about these faithful children and people whose love for God is more obvious than most anything else about them. I am so thankful to have been given this opportunity, and very thankful to all of you for your prayers and financial support. I wish you could be here to see it all, but for now…we just wanted to let you know that we are safe and blessed here in Kenya.
From Barron- Hi Lovely Wife and Beautiful Daughters, I miss and love you guys very much and look forward to seeing your pretty faces again. God is showing us amazing things and preparing us with each step we take leading up to the Youth Camp which starts Wednesday. The Church service was unbelievable this morning; worship was great they love to sign and are very good at it. I have a lot of things to share with you when I get back also a lot of great pictures. Love You Guys So Much and will write back in a few days.
From Rock- o Jambo family and friends. How great is our God here in Kenya, Africa Kipkaren Training center GREAAAAAAAAT! God’s children and staff here big hearts and they love the Lord. I see Amy Carmichael every where I go and the things I see take me back to “A Chance to Die For” by Elisabeth Elliot. Thank you so very much my Jennifer Lynn for helping me get ready for this missions trip. I have seen the work of the Lord everywhere and how his love for the world is blessing the life’s of Kenya’s beautiful people. I will share with you everything I see here after I return. I will never be the same person after my return to the USA. I asked the Lord how much do you love me? His answer: John 3:16 and he brought me here to see this beautiful land of Africa. Keep praying for our team and the people here and the little children. My SSG I will forever and always keep you in my heart, my dreams, and memories! Take care and God Bless Semperfi! Rock Mambo Sawa, We will see who is dancing like hot shrimp fajitas Jenn!!!
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Update From Kit
I am just checking in with news from yet another exciting week in Kenya. This past week saw me partaking in my usual routine at the clinic: giving immunizations to babies and then watching those babies give me an utterly perturbed facial expression that seems to inquire as to why I would be so nice to them, and then a few minutes later stick them with a needle. Oh the quandaries and enigmas of early childhood . . . Last week I wrote of a mother who was stabbed seven times by her mentally handicapped son. I have since spoken to the ELI staff about this, and we have arranged for one of ELI's pastors and social workers to further investigate this situation and decide the next course of action. More on this story as it develops.
Yesterday, I had the opportunity to go with 100 of the children from Kipkaren Children's Home on an informal "Safari Sunday." We saw much of the countryside as we hiked to a local waterfall. The sights were incredible; I have never seen such beautiful land before. Our "Safari Sunday" ended with a moderate rainstorm as we all sought refuge in a local's barn. Life in Kenya has yet to be boring and lacking in surprises.
My Internet availability today is slightly less than normal, so I will close now in saying thank you again to all who have supported me in prayer through this time.
-Kit
Labels: intern
Yesterday, I had the opportunity to go with 100 of the children from Kipkaren Children's Home on an informal "Safari Sunday." We saw much of the countryside as we hiked to a local waterfall. The sights were incredible; I have never seen such beautiful land before. Our "Safari Sunday" ended with a moderate rainstorm as we all sought refuge in a local's barn. Life in Kenya has yet to be boring and lacking in surprises.
My Internet availability today is slightly less than normal, so I will close now in saying thank you again to all who have supported me in prayer through this time.
-Kit
Labels: intern
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Update from Kit
I am just checking in with news from yet another exciting week in Kenya. This past week saw me partaking in my usual routine at the clinic: giving immunizations to babies and then watching those babies give me an utterly perturbed facial expression that seems to inquire as to why I would be so nice to them, and then a few minutes later stick them with a needle. Oh the quandaries and enigmas of early childhood . . .
Last week I wrote of a mother who was stabbed seven times by her mentally handicapped son. I have since spoken to the ELI staff about this, and we have arranged for one of ELI's pastors and social workers to further investigate this situation and decide the next course of action. More on this story as it develops.
My Internet availability today is slightly less than normal, so I will close now in saying thank you again to all who have supported me in prayer through this time.
Monday, August 04, 2008
News from Kit: August 4, Week 3
Hey all,
I am just writing in with an update from my third week in Kenya. Thus far, life in the east is going really well. I attended another HIV/AIDS campaign this past weekend in which I participated in a 10k race. It was my goal to not get lapped three times, and it is safe to say that I did not meet that goal, in fact I wasn't even close. I believe that I was lapped around seven times. I did however finish the race (I would have rather died than quit), and while at the beginning of the race I heard my fair share of mzungu (white) comments, the end of the race held many encouraging comments from the crowd such as: "Do not surrender!" and "Don't worry, the Kalinjin are the world's best runners." Upon finishing the race, I felt as if I had been set on fire, and then promptly extinguished with a pitchfork. All in all, the race was a success and I will always remember the day I ran against some of the fastest runners in the world.
On a more serious note, my work at the clinic has been going quite well. Last Wednesday, some of the ELI health staff and I hosted a mobile antenatal and Maternal and Child Health clinic in a village a small distance away from our Chebaiywa clinic. I think that my favorite part of the day was when I administered an intradermal injection to a screaming six month old baby during a heavy rainstorm in which all of the mothers and their children packed into our small work station in order to seek refuge from the downpour. I guess you never know quite what to expect when working in the field, though you are however guaranteed that it will not be boring.
Perhaps one of the issues that has laid heavy upon my heart has been a patient that I had the privilege of meeting a couple days ago. She is a single mother who is only able to walk with the assistance of a cane. Her eldest son is mentally handicapped, and has frequent outbursts of rage. During his last outburst, he jumped upon his mother (who was unable to escape due to her walking condition) and stabbed her seven times with a stick, which consequently was the reason for her visit to our clinic. Fortunately, she will recover from her wounds, but in a town with an obsolete mental health system, this mother is left to live in fear of her first-born son. I am currently working with the ELI staff in order to determine the best method in which we will be able to assist this mother, which to me, further underlines the importance of the developmental work that ELI is conducting in Kenya. The value of having a local Kenyan staff who care about the condition of their community and are willing to invest themselves for the benefit of those who are suffering around them cannot be expressed in monetary terms.
It is now time for me to depart as my time slot for Internet availability is nearing a close. Thank you again to all who have continued to pray for me during my time in Kenya; your prayers are much appreciated.
-Kit
I am just writing in with an update from my third week in Kenya. Thus far, life in the east is going really well. I attended another HIV/AIDS campaign this past weekend in which I participated in a 10k race. It was my goal to not get lapped three times, and it is safe to say that I did not meet that goal, in fact I wasn't even close. I believe that I was lapped around seven times. I did however finish the race (I would have rather died than quit), and while at the beginning of the race I heard my fair share of mzungu (white) comments, the end of the race held many encouraging comments from the crowd such as: "Do not surrender!" and "Don't worry, the Kalinjin are the world's best runners." Upon finishing the race, I felt as if I had been set on fire, and then promptly extinguished with a pitchfork. All in all, the race was a success and I will always remember the day I ran against some of the fastest runners in the world.
On a more serious note, my work at the clinic has been going quite well. Last Wednesday, some of the ELI health staff and I hosted a mobile antenatal and Maternal and Child Health clinic in a village a small distance away from our Chebaiywa clinic. I think that my favorite part of the day was when I administered an intradermal injection to a screaming six month old baby during a heavy rainstorm in which all of the mothers and their children packed into our small work station in order to seek refuge from the downpour. I guess you never know quite what to expect when working in the field, though you are however guaranteed that it will not be boring.
Perhaps one of the issues that has laid heavy upon my heart has been a patient that I had the privilege of meeting a couple days ago. She is a single mother who is only able to walk with the assistance of a cane. Her eldest son is mentally handicapped, and has frequent outbursts of rage. During his last outburst, he jumped upon his mother (who was unable to escape due to her walking condition) and stabbed her seven times with a stick, which consequently was the reason for her visit to our clinic. Fortunately, she will recover from her wounds, but in a town with an obsolete mental health system, this mother is left to live in fear of her first-born son. I am currently working with the ELI staff in order to determine the best method in which we will be able to assist this mother, which to me, further underlines the importance of the developmental work that ELI is conducting in Kenya. The value of having a local Kenyan staff who care about the condition of their community and are willing to invest themselves for the benefit of those who are suffering around them cannot be expressed in monetary terms.
It is now time for me to depart as my time slot for Internet availability is nearing a close. Thank you again to all who have continued to pray for me during my time in Kenya; your prayers are much appreciated.
-Kit
Saturday, August 02, 2008
Exciting Update
Well, in less than 24 hours I’ll be on a plane heading to my beloved Kenya! It’s been a whirlwind past month and I wanted to update you before I left to catch you up on some exciting things going on in my life and to ask for your prayers.
Michael Blaser: Yep, that’s right – I met someone! God has brought the most amazing man into my life and our past month and a half of dating have been a gift straight from heaven. Michael went to Kenya with ELI in May and I conveniently got to help plan his trip. Though I thought he was amazing before he left, God didn’t let the sparks start flying for either us until right as he returned. As I talked with him to debrief his trip the day after he returned, I found a kindred heart that I have never connected with in such a powerful way. Michael is such a man after God’s own heart! He is deeply in love with Jesus and loves His people so sincerely. He’s a lover through and through and he has definitely won my heart. He’s goofy, totally fun, extremely caring, gentle, deep, passionate, humble, a leader, and so much more. Everything about him and our relationship is beyond my wildest dreams and imagination and I have sensed God’s peace, leading, spirit, and favor over us in a way I’ve never experienced before. So needless to say, we’re really excited for what God has in store for us and the journey ahead.
Michael and I at the play Wicked. I highly reccomend it- such a powerful play!!!
Goofing off at a park with bubbles.
WOTH Retreat: What a joy to watch God refresh, heal, restore, and love on His precious daughters on this retreat. We had women attending who serve in 48 different countries around the world! Wow, talk about a powerful weekend to minister into the nations as we ministered to these mighty servants. I was amazed at how many women showed up to the retreat totally burned-out, depressed, depleted, hurting, lonely, and dry. But as we loved them throughout our time together, prayed with them, listened to them, pampered them, and asked God to minister to them, I watched Him breath hope, life, joy, peace, and energy back into his tired vessels.
The massage time was powerful for me! I massaged for 5 hours straight each day and was amazed at how much strength God gave me to persevere and finish strong. Thank you for your prayers – He definitely answered! One interaction stands out to me that I want to share with you as an encouragement. As I massaged one woman, I asked the Lord what His heart was for her. This is what He said to me:
“Kierra, you know how your heart has overflowed with love for Michael so much that it’s gotten to the point where you feel like it’s going to burst? Where the love you feel for him is too much to contain inside you and you feel like you might explode and it almost hurts? Well, that’s only the tip of the iceburg of what I feel for this daughter of mine. My heart is overflowing with more love for her than I can contain. And this is how it’s felt since the day she was born and how it will continue to feel into all eternity. For though human love comes and goes and has heights and lows, my love remains constant. I never fall out of love with my children and the intensity of my love never changes.”
Wow, I was blown away as I heard that. And the amazing thing is that this is how he feels about you and me and every other person in this world. Now if that’s not enough to put a smile in your heart today, I don’t know what is J.
Hope Walks: I’ve mentioned in past updates that we’re holding an event called Hope Walks on November 1st to raise money for our kids in D.R. Congo. Basically, it’s an opportunity for kids here to raise money and walk on behalf of orphans and vulnerable children affected by the AIDS crisis in Africa. It’s a fundraising and awareness building day that we’re hoping will also unite churches and the community of Brea. I encourage you to read more about it at www.hopewalks.org/brea. And I also encourage you to be involved! If you live near the Brea area (Southern California), you can register to walk online and join us for a fun day! Or, if you’re unable to attend, you can sponsor me to walk at www.active.com/donate/hopewalksbrea/KHiggin16. Or, if you work for a company that might be interested in sponsoring the walk, you can give them the attached letter. We are looking for event sponsors right now to help us cover the cost of the event so that all money raised by the kids and other walkers can go straight to Africa without paying for any overhead. We’re hoping to raise about $9000 from event sponsors, so please talk to your companies, or pass this info on to others who might be interested. Let me know if you have any other questions, and feel free to pass my contact info to others. Thanks so much!
Kenya and D.R. Congo: As I leave for Africa tomorrow, I have a sense that God is inviting me on a 6-week honeymoon with him (others have told me this as well as they’ve been praying for me). I am excited to go and dive into depths of a friendship with him that I have yet to enter. I have such a deep desire to grow in my friendship and intimacy with Him right now and am excited to have six weeks away to do just that. I’m also excited to serve, love on our staff and kids, host the team coming, etc, but mostly I’m looking forward to soaking in God. I’ve felt Him say that this trip isn’t so much about going to “do” for Him, but to go and “be” with him. In John 15, Jesus says to His disciples, “I no longer call you servants, but friends.” In the past, I’ve always gone to Africa with the mindset of a servant, but this time I hear God inviting me to come as a friend. Jesus’ ministry flowed out of an intimate friendship with God – not just trying to do a bunch of things FOR God. That’s my desire as well. So please pray for me as He leads you in this! I would also love prayers for my health and protection (especially as I travel to D.R. Congo in Sept).
Thanks friends- I treasure you so much and truly love walking this journey with you!
p.s. My recent trip to Hawaii with our SuDance team was awesome as well! We had great conversations with people, sparked quite a bit of interest in our ministry in Sudan, and had great fellowship time in God’s creation! I think my highlight was swimming with sea turtles one morning as we snorkeled!
Diana and I at the beach in front of our hotel.
Michael Blaser: Yep, that’s right – I met someone! God has brought the most amazing man into my life and our past month and a half of dating have been a gift straight from heaven. Michael went to Kenya with ELI in May and I conveniently got to help plan his trip. Though I thought he was amazing before he left, God didn’t let the sparks start flying for either us until right as he returned. As I talked with him to debrief his trip the day after he returned, I found a kindred heart that I have never connected with in such a powerful way. Michael is such a man after God’s own heart! He is deeply in love with Jesus and loves His people so sincerely. He’s a lover through and through and he has definitely won my heart. He’s goofy, totally fun, extremely caring, gentle, deep, passionate, humble, a leader, and so much more. Everything about him and our relationship is beyond my wildest dreams and imagination and I have sensed God’s peace, leading, spirit, and favor over us in a way I’ve never experienced before. So needless to say, we’re really excited for what God has in store for us and the journey ahead.
Michael and I at the play Wicked. I highly reccomend it- such a powerful play!!!
Goofing off at a park with bubbles.
WOTH Retreat: What a joy to watch God refresh, heal, restore, and love on His precious daughters on this retreat. We had women attending who serve in 48 different countries around the world! Wow, talk about a powerful weekend to minister into the nations as we ministered to these mighty servants. I was amazed at how many women showed up to the retreat totally burned-out, depressed, depleted, hurting, lonely, and dry. But as we loved them throughout our time together, prayed with them, listened to them, pampered them, and asked God to minister to them, I watched Him breath hope, life, joy, peace, and energy back into his tired vessels.
The massage time was powerful for me! I massaged for 5 hours straight each day and was amazed at how much strength God gave me to persevere and finish strong. Thank you for your prayers – He definitely answered! One interaction stands out to me that I want to share with you as an encouragement. As I massaged one woman, I asked the Lord what His heart was for her. This is what He said to me:
“Kierra, you know how your heart has overflowed with love for Michael so much that it’s gotten to the point where you feel like it’s going to burst? Where the love you feel for him is too much to contain inside you and you feel like you might explode and it almost hurts? Well, that’s only the tip of the iceburg of what I feel for this daughter of mine. My heart is overflowing with more love for her than I can contain. And this is how it’s felt since the day she was born and how it will continue to feel into all eternity. For though human love comes and goes and has heights and lows, my love remains constant. I never fall out of love with my children and the intensity of my love never changes.”
Wow, I was blown away as I heard that. And the amazing thing is that this is how he feels about you and me and every other person in this world. Now if that’s not enough to put a smile in your heart today, I don’t know what is J.
Hope Walks: I’ve mentioned in past updates that we’re holding an event called Hope Walks on November 1st to raise money for our kids in D.R. Congo. Basically, it’s an opportunity for kids here to raise money and walk on behalf of orphans and vulnerable children affected by the AIDS crisis in Africa. It’s a fundraising and awareness building day that we’re hoping will also unite churches and the community of Brea. I encourage you to read more about it at www.hopewalks.org/brea. And I also encourage you to be involved! If you live near the Brea area (Southern California), you can register to walk online and join us for a fun day! Or, if you’re unable to attend, you can sponsor me to walk at www.active.com/donate/hopewalksbrea/KHiggin16. Or, if you work for a company that might be interested in sponsoring the walk, you can give them the attached letter. We are looking for event sponsors right now to help us cover the cost of the event so that all money raised by the kids and other walkers can go straight to Africa without paying for any overhead. We’re hoping to raise about $9000 from event sponsors, so please talk to your companies, or pass this info on to others who might be interested. Let me know if you have any other questions, and feel free to pass my contact info to others. Thanks so much!
Kenya and D.R. Congo: As I leave for Africa tomorrow, I have a sense that God is inviting me on a 6-week honeymoon with him (others have told me this as well as they’ve been praying for me). I am excited to go and dive into depths of a friendship with him that I have yet to enter. I have such a deep desire to grow in my friendship and intimacy with Him right now and am excited to have six weeks away to do just that. I’m also excited to serve, love on our staff and kids, host the team coming, etc, but mostly I’m looking forward to soaking in God. I’ve felt Him say that this trip isn’t so much about going to “do” for Him, but to go and “be” with him. In John 15, Jesus says to His disciples, “I no longer call you servants, but friends.” In the past, I’ve always gone to Africa with the mindset of a servant, but this time I hear God inviting me to come as a friend. Jesus’ ministry flowed out of an intimate friendship with God – not just trying to do a bunch of things FOR God. That’s my desire as well. So please pray for me as He leads you in this! I would also love prayers for my health and protection (especially as I travel to D.R. Congo in Sept).
Thanks friends- I treasure you so much and truly love walking this journey with you!
p.s. My recent trip to Hawaii with our SuDance team was awesome as well! We had great conversations with people, sparked quite a bit of interest in our ministry in Sudan, and had great fellowship time in God’s creation! I think my highlight was swimming with sea turtles one morning as we snorkeled!
Diana and I at the beach in front of our hotel.
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