leaving on a jet plane . . . don't know when we'll be back again . . .

The team is getting ready to leave this beautiful country. We thought we would share a photo gallery containing photos from our last day in Kenya. Thank you everyone for your support!
Daisy the Giraffe

Sarah & Daisy

Sarah dropping gifts off for her sponsored child at the Compassion International office

Jason kissing Daisy... he really misses his wife.

Roadside scene - Mark bought three of the large pots to bring home... okay... not really.

A photo of the annular eclipse that occurred yesterday

Missi with Chipo at New Life Home

Missi with Daphne at New Life Home

A morning visitor during breakfast

Mark fighting for a deal at the Masai Market

Goats in Nairobi

Cyndi reading in Kiswahili to three Kenyan boys.
Lorna, a Kenyan I-Teams missionary working with refugee women.

Hope & Heartache

As the team spent their time in different locations yet again we were reminded of many of the challenges that are faced by the people we came to serve.  We were also reminded of the presence of hope in the sometimes dark circumstances. 

Cyndi is bubbling over with joy at the completion of her three days of literacy training which is her passion.  Her enthusiasm was contagious and those she was teaching have really grasped the teaching method and are running with it and she could not be more pleased and she feels about it. 

By contrast, the most distinct reminder of hopelessness was Sarah’s opportunity to counsel a young woman today who is having thoughts of suicide.  Amidst the young woman’s despair there was a wonderful time of Christian fellowship as Sarah led the women’s Bible study and delved into Ephesians 2:8-10. 

Luke had a chance to visit 3 of the schools where I-Teams provides scholarships for students.  He was struck by the contrast as slums were separated from suburbs by little more than a hedge.  It was a long day with miles and miles of walking and half a dozen matatu rides (caravans crammed with people) but ultimately his favorite part was reconnecting with many of the youth and adults he had befriended at the refugee retreat.  Seeing them in their home communities was a reminder of the great hardships they face but their giant and genuine smiles were an even greater reminder of the hope that Christ brings. 

Mark, Jason & Missi went to the orphanage today that is run through Mathare Community Outreach.  Each of them chose a class to work with today.  Mark was with the 7-9 year olds, class 3, Jason was with the 10-12 year olds, class 6 and Missi was with the 5-6 year olds, pre-class.  The school has a choir that won the National award last year and we had the honor of listening to them sing 5 songs for us today.  It. Was. Amazing.  Their voices were absolutely beautiful, stunning and surprising.  We took video that we can’t wait to share with you.  It was a highlight for all three today. 

Mark had the opportunity to teach the kids about the environment, asking them questions and writing on the chalk board.  Jason and Missi graded homework.  It was a great day. 

Thank you for your continued prayers, they have been especially needed recently as we are winding up the trip and all the emotions that go along with that.  Below are our specific prayer requests. 

*Please pray for the young woman Sarah spoke with today, for healing in her heart and mind. 

*Please continue to pray for the food shipment, that all the hurdles will be cleared and it can arrive soon to Mathare Valley.

*Please pray for our last 2 days in Kenya as we continue to process all that we’ve seen, heard and experienced. 

We appreciate you and thank you for your comments, prayers and support.  Until tomorrow…..

Wednesday in Kenya

Jambo!
It's been another busy day and we're delighted to share it with all of you! We again were traveling different paths this morning as we left our "home away from home" at Brackenhurst and headed into Nairobi.



First stop, we dropped Luke off at a bus stop to be picked up by a member of the I-Teams Nairobi Youth Ministry Team where he spent the day encouraging and being encouraged. As he puts it, "No matter where you go in the world, youth workers are some of the craziest, coolest and most encouraging people around." He returned energized and laughing at being singled out as the "muzungu" all day long.

Sarah had a wonderful day with her missionary peers in what she tells us is a pretty typical day on the field. First, fixing a problem with a computer; then a team meeting to discuss last weekend's retreat: highs, lows, and recommendations for nex time. Then off to lunch, a ride on a matatu, and an afternoon training one of the local team in Excel. She, too, returned energized, happy and feeling blessed by her day.

(editor's note: this is not literacy training but a good picture of Luke and Cyndi none-the-less)

Cyndi continued with the literacy project and is encouraged by how well all is progressing. She believes she is leaving it in the very capable hands of the I-Teams missionary she has been working with and God will accomplish His will in and through this work.

Jason and Mark spent the day at the Mathare Orphanage which is home to 114 children ages 3-18 who are HIV/AIDS orphans and another 300+ who attend the orphanage school. The school runs pre-K to 8th grade. We had an amazing time hearing from all the classes - songs and memory verses. We were led around by headmaster Dorris who is a remarkable woman of God who the kids all have utter respect for. We had lunch with the kids and then visited with Bishop Ogutu who leads all of the ministries and programs along with 15 church plants of Mathare's Outreach Community Center. We heard wonderful dreams and ideas that the Bishop and his team have to help these ministries become self-sufficient. He also expressed his deepest appreciation to all of you who have helped pack and send the container full of food for the kids. By the way, it is making progress and should be released from the port in Mombassa very soon. Pray.

Missi spent the day recovering from being sick but is feeling much better now thankyouverymuch, and should be ready to join us at the orphanage tomorrow!

The I-Teams Missionary Team sends it's deep appreciation for the gift of "Safari" day. It was all of your support which allowed for us to treat them to this special day. They told us that they had a wonderful time and were completley refreshed by our day in the park. It was our joy to spend it with them.

Eyes to See...Ears to Hear

Today we diverged to participate in various ministries.

Jason, Missi and Mark visited Mathare Valley and found it overwhelming. There are no words to describe all that they saw. The poverty and living conditions they saw are hard to express with words or even pictures. They are still processing and hope to better be able to share with you in a few days or upon their return from Kenya. In the midst of the darkness Mathare Community Outreach is a bright shining light. Please pray that this light will continue to shine and grow. www.matharevalley.org Please keep praying for the Mathare food shipment which waits in Mombassa for exemption paperwork.

Sarah led a Bible study with several East African refugee women. They read and talked about Mary and the example she set in trusting God in the midst of confusing circumstances with potential dangerous repercussions. These women meet with Sarah's Kenyan I-Teams missionary colleague for weekly discipleship and to work on various sewing projects in order to earn a livelihood. "Today I hugged a woman who has been beaten and stabbed for her faith," says Sarah. "I am burdened to continue praying for these women regularly." Please pray for these women whose faith puts their lives in danger on a regular basis.

Cyndi has the following to share: I am excited, hopeful and feeling blessed beyond measure. Today began the first of three days of teaching a local, East-African missionary the reading approach which I have found so helpful in teaching adult non-readers in my work at home. Much was accomplished. It became clear that today was the beginning of answer to prayers on both sides of the world...from those who have known of my heart's desire to see this accomplished...and from those who have known of the missionary's heart's desire to meet the reading needs of the refugee women she teaches. God is good. Pray that all continues smoothly.

Luke had a chance to spend the day in downtown Nairobi with the I-Teams missionary who leads the Nairobi team's refugee youth ministry. It was a great conversation and it's exciting to see this budding youth group rapidly developing into a mature ministry. They are already starting to make a positive impact on their East African refugee community. Aside from the encouraging conversation, Luke had a chance to see yet another part of Kenya from the mosque to the meat market. It was an experience few tourists have.

Safari Day

Today we learned that baboons are aggressive. We took a trip to Nakuru for a Safari with the I-Teams. We got out of the vehicles to view the valley where we had been driving and watched a baboon enter three different vehicles, including ours, looking for snacks. We took a picture of him licking the inside of one of Missi's nature valley granola bar wrappers.


We saw lots of animals, but listing them is boring, so we made a game for you to play, with your kids if you're so inclined. So without further adieu, we bring to you, “Guess That Bakre Mwisho!”

Can you name the animal that goes with each bakre mwisho?

1)

2)

3)

4)
















5)

6)

7)

8)

How'd you do? (The answers are below)

Safari is the swahili word for journey, and a great journey it has been so far. At one point yesterday we were learning Swedish from an Australian while sitting near a Norwegian family and German couple as we all served refugees in Kenya. A wonderful journey indeed.

Please continue to pray for the food shipment as the final details and paperwork are worked out. It sound like they are getting closer to releasing it from the dock and sending it towards Mathare Valley. Mark, Missi, and Jason will be in Mathare tomorrow visiting the school.

You could also pray for our team this next week as we will be splitting us up a bit more. Luke, Sarah, and Cyndi will all be on their own doing ministry in specific areas over the next few days. Cyndi with teaching, Sarah with regufee women, and Luke with youth ministry.

Thanks for the comments (keep 'em coming) and for the prayers and thoughts as we being the second half of our time here. They are truly encouraging! Love you all!

Answers from the Quiz:

1) Water Buffalo

2) Gazelle

3) Warthog

4) Tortoise

5) Rhino

6) Impala

7) Zebra

8) Worshipus Pastorus

Bonus: bakre mwisho means "rear end" in Swahili