Hey guys! Well, thursday was our last day in Kenya...we have been in Amsterdam since then and will be heading home tomorrow morning....I can't believe how fast this trip has flown by! The rest of our time in Kenya went well....We were able to do some screenings for kids at a local school...it wasn't your typical health screening...some of them were so sick that we had to give them shots with antibiotics...I was amazed at how well they did for their shots too...they held still and didn't even squirm! It was amazing....being a pediatric nurse would be a lot easier if all kids were like that :) Anyway, it was neat to do something there to help out the community....we also got to work with a group called Grace and Mercy that works with children who are disabled or who have been affected by AIDS (either they have it, their parents have it, or they are orphans because their parents died from it)...it was hard being there, but it really touched my heart...I couldn't help but cry...I don't know how anyone could neglect these precious children, but the locals there told us that before they found the kids and connected them with Grace and Mercy, the kids would just wander door to door to try to get help and often be chased away....It was such an amazing experience being there with those kids and showing God's love to them...we did a puppet show for them about the Good Samaritan and sang songs and just played with them...That was probably one of my favorite experiences so far....
Anyway, we also got to see the Compassion International office in Kima (a city nearby where we were staying)...It was awesome for me to hear all about the work that Compassion is doing with those kids there and to meet all the people involved...Even though I sponsor a child through Compassion, I never knew all that they really do to advocate for children...It's amazing and God is really using that organization...they also have nurses for each project and one of my Kenya friends who was a nurse for Compassion was with us, but when I asked her who the nurse was for the Kima project, she was like: "Oh, they don't have one right now...So, then, I guess you can stay after all!" It was funny....I told her I'd have to pray about that one...when God leads, I'll go :)
Well, I have to say I have so many amazing experiences from Kenya! God really protected us and blessed us and our work with the people there! It was hard to leave, but I believe that God will take me back there someday if it's His will...
I don't think I've ever experienced culture shock quite like I have this trip...I told Molly that I felt like I went from rags to riches....everything is so poor in Kenya and Amsterdam is the total opposite of Kenya....things are more expensive here than they are in the US! I haven't seen any poverty and my Dutch friend even told me that it's very rare to see a homeless person here...it just doesn't happen! That just blew my mind! It's been fun being here and being able to see my Dutch friend Marieke from NAU but I have to say that even just walking around the shops in Amsterdam makes me feel a little sick...it reminds me a little of the story of Sodom and Gomorrah in the Bible....there is a lot of immorality and you see swear words and stuff about drugs and sex all over store windows wherever you are in town...It was cool though because yesterday this lady was passing out these papers and I took one and it was a Christian tract...It was in dutch of course, but I could understand a little bit of it and my Dutch friend told me that it was a Christian tract....It encouraged me to see that because I know that God has touched someone's heart to reach the people here for Christ...because just two minutes in Amsterdam and you realize that the city as a whole is very far from God....Anyway, I'm enjoying being here with Molly but excited to see everyone back home....Kwaheri rafiki! That's all for now!
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Friday, October 12, 2007
here in kenya
Hey guys! Well, i got a chance to use a computer so I was excited to let you guys know how things are going! We just got back from the bush...and it literally is the bush...we were out in the middle of nowhere for a week...it was kinda fun...we got to camp the whole time...and we were kinda roughing it but it was a fun experience...there is nothing out there...mud huts that are spaced out...I got to go in a few of the huts..they're so small...no running water...no air conditioning...makes me thankful for what I have! There is one school building out there....we set up our tents next to that and did the clinics in the school building...we were working among the Massai African people...they are really like the ancient Africans...so distant from society as we know it....It was funny because when we first got to Nairobi, I was like What? This is Africa? It's such a huge city and not at all what I expected of Kenya...but, once I got out there with the Massai, I really felt like I was in Africa We saw gazelles on the way out there too.. thankfully no snakes yet! The clinics went really well and lots of people came...some walked all day to come to the clinic...it was really awesome to be able to meet people from all over...One man prayed to receive Christ which was awesome and we were able to pray for many others which was really neat...
Anyway, I have so many stories and so much to write, but we only have a couple of minutes to use the internet.....they're closing at the school where they let us use the computers...besides the fact that we still have to go back to the Bible school in Sultan Hamad where we'll be staying this weekend and take showers...5 days without a shower out in the bush! Man, that's a record! I feel pretty gross right now, but I know we all do, so at least I'm not the only one :) It was totally worth every bit of dirt and sweat to be able to be there with the Massai people!
well tomorrow we are going on our safari! I"m so excited to see all the animals! Keep us in your prayers! God has definitely protected us! The only injury was me stepping on a thorny stick and having it cut through my shoe and into my foot....but it was minor....I'm fine now....God has been good to us and I am loving it here! I love and miss you all! Keep on praying!
Anyway, I have so many stories and so much to write, but we only have a couple of minutes to use the internet.....they're closing at the school where they let us use the computers...besides the fact that we still have to go back to the Bible school in Sultan Hamad where we'll be staying this weekend and take showers...5 days without a shower out in the bush! Man, that's a record! I feel pretty gross right now, but I know we all do, so at least I'm not the only one :) It was totally worth every bit of dirt and sweat to be able to be there with the Massai people!
well tomorrow we are going on our safari! I"m so excited to see all the animals! Keep us in your prayers! God has definitely protected us! The only injury was me stepping on a thorny stick and having it cut through my shoe and into my foot....but it was minor....I'm fine now....God has been good to us and I am loving it here! I love and miss you all! Keep on praying!
here in kenya
Hey guys! Well, i got a chance to use a computer so I was excited to let you guys know how things are going! We just got back from the bush...and it literally is the bush...we were out in the middle of nowhere for a week...it was kinda fun...we got to camp the whole time...and we were kinda roughing it but it was a fun experience...there is nothing out there...mud huts that are spaced out...I got to go in a few of the huts..they're so small...no running water...no air conditioning...makes me thankful for what I have! There is one school building out there....we set up our tents next to that and did the clinics in the school building...we were working among the Massai African people...they are really like the ancient Africans...so distant from society as we know it....It was funny because when we first got to Nairobi, I was like What? This is Africa? It's such a huge city and not at all what I expected of Kenya...but, once I got out there with the Massai, I really felt like I was in Africa We saw gazelles on the way out there too.. thankfully no snakes yet! The clinics went really well and lots of people came...some walked all day to come to the clinic...it was really awesome to be able to meet people from all over...One man prayed to receive Christ which was awesome and we were able to pray for many others which was really neat...
Anyway, I have so many stories and so much to write, but we only have a couple of minutes to use the internet.....they're closing at the school where they let us use the computers...besides the fact that we still have to go back to the Bible school in Sultan Hamad where we'll be staying this weekend and take showers...5 days without a shower out in the bush! Man, that's a record! I feel pretty gross right now, but I know we all do, so at least I'm not the only one :) It was totally worth every bit of dirt and sweat to be able to be there with the Massai people!
well tomorrow we are going on our safari! I"m so excited to see all the animals! Keep us in your prayers! God has definitely protected us! The only injury was me stepping on a thorny stick and having it cut through my shoe and into my foot....but it was minor....I'm fine now....God has been good to us and I am loving it here! I love and miss you all! Keep on praying!
Anyway, I have so many stories and so much to write, but we only have a couple of minutes to use the internet.....they're closing at the school where they let us use the computers...besides the fact that we still have to go back to the Bible school in Sultan Hamad where we'll be staying this weekend and take showers...5 days without a shower out in the bush! Man, that's a record! I feel pretty gross right now, but I know we all do, so at least I'm not the only one :) It was totally worth every bit of dirt and sweat to be able to be there with the Massai people!
well tomorrow we are going on our safari! I"m so excited to see all the animals! Keep us in your prayers! God has definitely protected us! The only injury was me stepping on a thorny stick and having it cut through my shoe and into my foot....but it was minor....I'm fine now....God has been good to us and I am loving it here! I love and miss you all! Keep on praying!
Thursday, October 4, 2007
Almost there!
Well, we made it to Amsterdam! I am at the airport right now waiting for my flight...we have a couple hours for our layover here... I haven't adjusted to the time change yet...we arrived around 10pm Phoenix time, but it's really 6am here....so, I'm definitely having some jet lag already...the flight went well though...
We had an interesting time getting our medical supplies checked in Phoenix... all but one of our bags was too heavy so we had to rearrange a bunch of things but we ended up only having to take out a few small things...the people were really nice and patient with us and we got to talk to a lot of people on our flight about the trip...they were all very curious about our huge bins of medical supplies! So, thanks so much for your prayers for that! We were so caught up in getting all the bags readjusted to 50 pounds each that they didn't say anything about our bins being 10 inches too big (I had measured them in advance and was a little worried about that)...
So, God is good and has taken care of us and I know He'll continue to do so! Molly and I were excited to meet up with the other 3 on our team too! The leader (Edna) and her boyfriend definitely have a great sense of humor...they kept taking advantage of the fact that Molly and I are gullable and telling us about what to expect in Kenya...we were having lunch at the Detroit airport and Edna asked me if I had found a good tent...I didn't know what to say...what? a tent? I was like "Edna, are you serious? You never said anything about bringing a tent!"....you have to know that Edna has been forgetful in the past...so, I was like "What in the world are we going to do?"...Molly and I were like "What do we do?"...then we realized it was a mean trick and Edna had actually brought a tent for us...so, now we're more on guard for the jokes...they are gonna be a fun group though...I can already tell...
Well, please continue to pray for the trip...for health, protection, and that all our luggage would make it without problems! Pray for the hearts of the people to be open as well!
I love you all and appreciate your prayers! I probably won't have internet access in Kenya, but I'll update you all again as soon as I get a chance! Asante sana!
We had an interesting time getting our medical supplies checked in Phoenix... all but one of our bags was too heavy so we had to rearrange a bunch of things but we ended up only having to take out a few small things...the people were really nice and patient with us and we got to talk to a lot of people on our flight about the trip...they were all very curious about our huge bins of medical supplies! So, thanks so much for your prayers for that! We were so caught up in getting all the bags readjusted to 50 pounds each that they didn't say anything about our bins being 10 inches too big (I had measured them in advance and was a little worried about that)...
So, God is good and has taken care of us and I know He'll continue to do so! Molly and I were excited to meet up with the other 3 on our team too! The leader (Edna) and her boyfriend definitely have a great sense of humor...they kept taking advantage of the fact that Molly and I are gullable and telling us about what to expect in Kenya...we were having lunch at the Detroit airport and Edna asked me if I had found a good tent...I didn't know what to say...what? a tent? I was like "Edna, are you serious? You never said anything about bringing a tent!"....you have to know that Edna has been forgetful in the past...so, I was like "What in the world are we going to do?"...Molly and I were like "What do we do?"...then we realized it was a mean trick and Edna had actually brought a tent for us...so, now we're more on guard for the jokes...they are gonna be a fun group though...I can already tell...
Well, please continue to pray for the trip...for health, protection, and that all our luggage would make it without problems! Pray for the hearts of the people to be open as well!
I love you all and appreciate your prayers! I probably won't have internet access in Kenya, but I'll update you all again as soon as I get a chance! Asante sana!
off to kenya
Hi guys! Well, I'm officially on my way to Kenya...well, 4 hours to go anyway, but today is the big day! I am so excited! Our trip has gotten smaller due to lots of different reasons....a lot of them have actually been health reasons...the most recent one was that one lady who was going to come with us found out that her son has a brain tumor....so, now there are actually only going to be 5 of us...me, Molly, David, Edna, and one other person I haven't met yet...but, even though I feel like there has been some spiritual warfare, I know that God definitely wants us there and I'm so excited to see all he does! There will also be 12 Kenyans there working with us, including a few Kenyan nurses, so I'm really excited for that!
Well, God always does provide for us! I have to say that I fall short in many ways...one of those is procrastination...Since this trip is a medical trip, each person is responsible for bringing their own medical supplies which we then group together and share when we get to Kenya....I had a bunch of donations from Mayo clinic that my friend had been given for medical missions and I thought I had enough...but, as I was unwrapping a lot of the supplies (the packaging usually is unnecessary and takes up a lot of extra space) and packing it all in last week, I realized that I was still in need of more supplies....so, I was praying that God would provide for me in that area....and a few days later, my friend Justin called me to tell me that he had some supplies for me! So, that was definitely a blessing! The Diabetes educator at my work also offered to give me some blood sugar check machines and supplies for that when I mentioned it to her! But, I was still in need of some more...so, I mentioned it to my boss on monday and she gave me the contact info for another lady who I had to call...So, today, the lady called me and asked me if I could pick up the supplies! There was quite a bit and once I packed it, I had just enough! So, God definitely came through for me on that! Now my prayer is that we won't have any difficulties getting through the airport with all the supplies because the bins are pretty big and all the medical supplies can sometimes cause problems...so please pray for that!
The other day I heard from my friend Marieke who lives in Holland and she is going to be able to meet up with us in Amsterdam during our debriefing there after we leave Kenya! So, I'm really excited for that! I went to NAU with her and haven't seen her for about 3 years so it will be a fun reunion!
Well, that's all for now...I'll try to write again tomorrow to let you all know that I made it there safely! I love you all and appreciate your prayers!
Well, God always does provide for us! I have to say that I fall short in many ways...one of those is procrastination...Since this trip is a medical trip, each person is responsible for bringing their own medical supplies which we then group together and share when we get to Kenya....I had a bunch of donations from Mayo clinic that my friend had been given for medical missions and I thought I had enough...but, as I was unwrapping a lot of the supplies (the packaging usually is unnecessary and takes up a lot of extra space) and packing it all in last week, I realized that I was still in need of more supplies....so, I was praying that God would provide for me in that area....and a few days later, my friend Justin called me to tell me that he had some supplies for me! So, that was definitely a blessing! The Diabetes educator at my work also offered to give me some blood sugar check machines and supplies for that when I mentioned it to her! But, I was still in need of some more...so, I mentioned it to my boss on monday and she gave me the contact info for another lady who I had to call...So, today, the lady called me and asked me if I could pick up the supplies! There was quite a bit and once I packed it, I had just enough! So, God definitely came through for me on that! Now my prayer is that we won't have any difficulties getting through the airport with all the supplies because the bins are pretty big and all the medical supplies can sometimes cause problems...so please pray for that!
The other day I heard from my friend Marieke who lives in Holland and she is going to be able to meet up with us in Amsterdam during our debriefing there after we leave Kenya! So, I'm really excited for that! I went to NAU with her and haven't seen her for about 3 years so it will be a fun reunion!
Well, that's all for now...I'll try to write again tomorrow to let you all know that I made it there safely! I love you all and appreciate your prayers!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)