Day 4 & 5 VBS etc

Day 4 was sacrafice.  Songs, skits, crafts, activities, memory verse games and illusions were all used to share the gospel message.  God was greately glorified through it.  There were 325+ kids.  There were many kids and even adults that raised their hands to accept Jesus. The angels are rejoicing. 
The afternoon we attended another orphanage.  That brought us great grief as the children were not cared for like the other orphanages.  We feel strongly we were placed there to pray over that place.  We also pray that Liston can interceed and bring it to proper standard. 
Day 5 VBS was on living for Christ.  There were close to 400 children there.  We continued to use songs, crafts, activities, memeory verse games, skits, and pupet shows.  The children loved the pupet show.  We completed our day with ministry staff that did all the work to make this VBS a success.  God is smiling down upon each and every one for sure.
We've arrived in Narok.  We will be venturing into the Masa Mara tomorrow.  It's a down day and time to debrief before we begin our venture home.
Thank you prayer warriors for your prayers.

Day 3 of VBS

The Lord has blessed us with no rain for VBS and then rain in the evenings.  This is necessary as we are running out of water.  We do not have running water so we bring in bucket loads (well mostly Seth has but we are now persuading him to allow us to help.  Please pray that we get a nice downpour to replenish some water as 9 people plus our extended team seems to take it's toll on the rain water tank. 
 Some of the schools are back in session.  VBS was about 275 kids. Today the lesson was on forgiveness.  The characters in our play, Tammy & Kip, processed how to forgive Smelly Shelly.  Shelly hasn't been receptive yet.  The kids review songs and learned new ones.  They also did some exciting activities such as the parachute and the over-under relay.  There is nothing like hearing the happy cheers of children. 
We continue to build relationships and encourage believers in their walk.  It is a huge blessing that the Lord allows us to be here.  We are also being stripped and humbled.  We will certainly come back changed from the inside out. 

Sunday

Today is Sunday.  We seperated into two different churches.  Four of us went to Victor's church.  He is part of Africa International Ministries.  His church is the host church for training and VBS.  The service was 3 hours.  It was saturated with worship music and dance.  A dear friend to us, Pastor John, who has driven for us 3 of the 4 years was the guest speaker for the church.  We left Rick to observe while Becky, Sharon, and I headed into Sunday School.  It was fascinating to see how a bigger church in Kenya runs. 
The rest of the team attended Liston's church (our host).  I collected stories which I will share to the best of my strained memory.  It's a beautiful humble church.  Here the team shared their testimonys.  From the pulpit Liston was on fire preaching.  There is nothing like attending a service and worshiping along side fellow believers in another country in their native tongue. 
I learned a new tradition today that fascinated me.  When a couple is engaged to be married they share with their pastor.  The pastor then announces it before the congregation.  If their are any objections they are to bring it before the pastor before the wedding versus at the ceremony.  The church also invests 10,000 shillings which is equivelant to about $8,500. They also assist in the planing.  The man also has to give a dowry for the bride.
We are taking a bit of down time to revive for the next few days of VBS.  I'm sorry the internet connection is so slow because I'd love to share some photos.  Rest assured that when we return I will share.  You will marvel at the beauty of the faces as I have done. 
Prayer is powerful and effective.  Tummies are better.  Please continue to pray that the numbers will increase and that unbelievers will turn their hearts towards Christ. 

Day 2 of VBS

We completed day 2 of VBS.  There was about 275 kids that learned about sin today.  They had review, new songs, skit, story telling, activities, and a handy craft.  Such bright faces. 
In the afternoon we were blessed to visit 2 orphanages.  The first was 35 kids and then the local children than came in to visit.   We were able to do a story and craft and watch them play games.  We toured the home and classroom.  This is started by Liston.  He has amazing vision for planting crops to support the orphans and also for purchase to support the orphanage long term.  It was a quite a treck to get there.  We were a bit spoiled with good roads so now we are reminded we are in Kenya and drove real back muddy mushy roads of Kenya.
We then traveled to another orphange of 100 children.  We arrived after traveling more back roads and then walking down a steep path.  The children performed a wonderful presentation and showed off there educational awards. We taught them a song and left them some crafts.  It's awesome to see these orphanges raise the children in the Lord so that when they are old they will not depart from it. 
Tomorrow is a day for church.
There are a couple of upset tummies so please pray.

Day 1 of VBS

Today was the first day of VBS.  We started the morning out with some one on one with kids.  It was amazing to see the kids connect with the adults.  The morning start came to about 80 but by the end of the day we were at about 250.  They were such great kids.  They loved the skit with the robot.  They really enjoyed singing!  They were very active in the activities and crafts.  It was a great day.
This afternoon we visited one of the Bishop's house.  It was a beautiful drive out into the lush countryside.  We were greated by the family and congregation.  We were greated on the way up the hill by his father that is 105 years old.  Such a sweet face.  We were blessed to go into his mud hut and pray.  We didn't get to stay long because the storm was coming in and it was going to make it impossible to get out of the mud roads.
In the afternoon Bishop Liston (our host) sat around with the team worshipping together. 
Tomorrow we are on the second day of VBS and are teaching on sin. Later in the day we are going to the soap stone factory and then to an orphanage.  Please pray as I am sure it will grip our hearts.

Final Teacher Trainer Day

     Today began with a heart wrenching testimony by Shem, our wonderful Team Coordinator.  He then belted out the most amazing version of 'It is well with my soul'.
     It was market day so attendance was down a bit.  We had a blessed time shaking hands of 80 graduates.
     It was amazing to see 3 Leaders of 3 different denominations pull together the conference. 
     Tomorrow beings VBS.  Please pray for prepared hearts.  It is also rainy season so we are praying that it holds out so the children can get to the church.

Teacher Training

We have been on a delay to post as it's not always easy to text or get on the internet. 

We left Nairobi on Monday and ventured about 8 hours to Kissii.  It was rather unadventurous compared to past travels.  We enjoyed the country side and the time to fellowship.  We arrived at the guest house.  It is not the original house planned.  We are staying in a guest that has no running water.  We may have lost a few recruits had we known in advance but God had a larger plan.  We have an amazing team with great unity.  God has richly blessed us.
This has been a great experience so far.  We watch as denominations come together to learn.  They embrace a oneness in Christ.  They have also invested in this ministry by providing the facility and feeding the people.  We are trued blessed to see such a great faith through Liston and the other Pastors have demonstrated. 
Day one was a great day at Teacher Training.  There was about 50 teachers.  They were very fast to respond.  Past trainings people do not warm up and participate for awhile.  These beautiful people immediately immulated Becky Joe. 
Day two was about 75 people.  They continue to enjoy the teaching and participate with great enthusiasm. 
Tomorrow wraps up Teacher Training. 
We continued to marvel at the beauty of the people and look forward to VBS as well.
Please continue to pray for prepared hearts as well as healthy bodies.

Team 2 safely in Nairobi. Team one to arrive in about 4 hours. We'll sleep a bit in Nairobi and then head out to Kissii

Landed and immediately aboard next plane.
Sharon had great ministry time with another passenger.

Team 2 Flight Details

My phone is blowing up with flight questions from amazing prayer warriors.  I thought I'd post our schedule here.  We appreciate your prayers and know without a doubt, they are the backbone of this mission trip!

Date	Flight	Departing	Arriving	Date
13APR	KL 9541	SACRAMENTO	SEATTLE TACOMA	13APR
10:20		SMF	SEA	12:05
13APR	KL 6032	SEATTLE TACOMA	AMSTERDAM	14APR
13:40		SEA	AMS	08:30
14APR	KL 0565	AMSTERDAM	NAIROBI KENYATTA	14APR
11:15		AMS	NBO	20:10
26APR	KL 0566	NAIROBI KENYATTA	AMSTERDAM	27APR
22:25		NBO	AMS	05:40
27APR	KL 6033	AMSTERDAM	SEATTLE TACOMA	27APR
10:35		AMS	SEA	11:45
27APR	KL 9530	SEATTLE TACOMA	SACRAMENTO	27APR
14:20		SEA	SMF	16:00

Team 1 meets us back in Nairobi technically in the wee hours of April 15.  Please keep them in prayer for some rest during their flights back to Nairobi from Malawi.  They arrive at 1:20am and have travel to the location.  The Mosque next door begins to sound at 5:30am. 

Malawi updates 4/8-4/10

From 4/8
30 teachers at training. Very receptive and lots of fun. Weather great, hot showers. Miss everyone.

From 4/10
Finished training. What a great bunch of people. So funny and loving. Tomorrow we do VBS but we're having the leaders we trained lead it. They learned so fast.

Team 1 in Malawi

Team 1 has been in Malawi for a couple of days doing Teacher Training.  Please keep them in pray for stamina and in tune to what the Holy Spirit has for them to deliver.

What time is it in Kenya?

Malawi 2013

Team 1 leaves for Malawi tomorrow morning.  Please keep Linda, Becky, and Kelsey in your prayers for safe travels and prepared hearts.