One of the things God spoke into my heart while I was in Kenya was that I should see everything through His eyes.
We saw lots of rainbows over the mountains where it was raining. And of course lots of variety of wild animals. One thing God impressed on me was that I should not just say "Wow, look at the neat rainbow" but "Wow, what a faithful God!" The covenant of the rainbow was given to Noah 5, 6, 7000 years ago but God still keeps that covenant.
When I see the stripes of the zebra or the long neck of the giraffe or the trunk of the elephant, I shouldn't just think "What cool animals" but "What a creative God!"
I want to see God in the everyday things of life - not just in Kenya but in Spartanburg too. Open my eyes Lord that I may see you in the faces of people, in a sunset or sunrise, in the songs of birds or the colors and fragrance of flowers. Help me to worship You every day NOT just on Sunday!
Monday, June 29, 2009
Isaiah
I've just finished reading the book of Isaiah. I find this book to be filled with hope with all the passages that relate to Jesus and His coming. But I also find that God is very strong in His vengeance against those who do wrong.
A couple of passages that are really my favorites: Isaiah 49:15-16 and Isaiah 66:1-2. In the first passage God says I will never forget you. Why, He says, I have even engraved you on the palm of my hand. One of the guys on our trip to Kenya had an arm full of tattoos. I think of God like that when I read this passage...He has tattooed my name or my image or something on His hand. He couldn't forget me without that but I think He says that to reassure me. "Even if a mom could forget her child, I will never forget you!" How comforting that is especially when times are hard or things are just not going right or I don't "feel" God's presence. Even when I forget Him in the busyness of my life, when I fail to spend time in prayer or reading God's word, HE never forgets me!
The 2nd passage tells me that God esteems those who are humble and contrite of spirit and tremble at His word. I want to tremble...at the majesty, the holiness, the power, the creativity, the salvation, the faithfulness, and so much more. I want to be in awe of God. I don't ever want to take God for granted or bring Him down to my level. I want to KNOW that He is bigger and better and purer and higher and worthier than me. He is NOT my grandpa or Santa Claus or anyone I can compare Him to. Sometimes I have a tendency to "normalize" God and there is nothing about Him that is normal by human standards.
A couple of passages that are really my favorites: Isaiah 49:15-16 and Isaiah 66:1-2. In the first passage God says I will never forget you. Why, He says, I have even engraved you on the palm of my hand. One of the guys on our trip to Kenya had an arm full of tattoos. I think of God like that when I read this passage...He has tattooed my name or my image or something on His hand. He couldn't forget me without that but I think He says that to reassure me. "Even if a mom could forget her child, I will never forget you!" How comforting that is especially when times are hard or things are just not going right or I don't "feel" God's presence. Even when I forget Him in the busyness of my life, when I fail to spend time in prayer or reading God's word, HE never forgets me!
The 2nd passage tells me that God esteems those who are humble and contrite of spirit and tremble at His word. I want to tremble...at the majesty, the holiness, the power, the creativity, the salvation, the faithfulness, and so much more. I want to be in awe of God. I don't ever want to take God for granted or bring Him down to my level. I want to KNOW that He is bigger and better and purer and higher and worthier than me. He is NOT my grandpa or Santa Claus or anyone I can compare Him to. Sometimes I have a tendency to "normalize" God and there is nothing about Him that is normal by human standards.
What Do I Do Now?
Each day of our trip we had a morning devotion led by Jake Beatty and then an evening discussion time about what we saw and felt during the day.
One of the questions asked was what do we do now? How do we keep the missions spirit alive? How do we translate all the compassion for all the needs into practical things at home?
That is a really hard thing to do. Now, after a week, I'm back in my routines at work, at home, at church, with the grandkids. I do think a lot about the people I met and the lives they live. I hope that I will pray for them for a long time as God reminds me of them and their needs. But we have children here in America that also go to bed hungry at night; people that don't have jobs or homes or any of the things that most of us think of as essential.
How can I use my experiences in Kenya to help me be more compassionate toward those who live all around me? I have served at the soup kitchen in Spartanburg off and on for a couple of years but that is so irregular since I am in a different church now with different schedules. I have served some since going to NewSpring but I seem to be "on" with the production team when my friends are at the soup kitchen.
I still want to learn how to teach English as a second language and am looking into that. I guess the main thing is to stay prayed up and ask God to show me what He would have me do. He will direct me to opportunities to share His love and His salvation with those I come into contact with.
One of the questions asked was what do we do now? How do we keep the missions spirit alive? How do we translate all the compassion for all the needs into practical things at home?
That is a really hard thing to do. Now, after a week, I'm back in my routines at work, at home, at church, with the grandkids. I do think a lot about the people I met and the lives they live. I hope that I will pray for them for a long time as God reminds me of them and their needs. But we have children here in America that also go to bed hungry at night; people that don't have jobs or homes or any of the things that most of us think of as essential.
How can I use my experiences in Kenya to help me be more compassionate toward those who live all around me? I have served at the soup kitchen in Spartanburg off and on for a couple of years but that is so irregular since I am in a different church now with different schedules. I have served some since going to NewSpring but I seem to be "on" with the production team when my friends are at the soup kitchen.
I still want to learn how to teach English as a second language and am looking into that. I guess the main thing is to stay prayed up and ask God to show me what He would have me do. He will direct me to opportunities to share His love and His salvation with those I come into contact with.
Safari
One of the really fun things we did while in Kenya was go on a safari. The place we stayed was Sweetwater Tented Camp. We had large 2 room tents on platforms with nice twin beds, dressing table, armoire and a full bath with shower stall, sink, toilet and tile floors. The beds had real nice, fluffy pillows. (The pillows up to this point had been about an inch thick!)
One of the nicest things they did for us was put a hot water bottle in our beds to warm them up for us. Being at 6000' and winter to boot (yeah, I know the equator never gets real cold) it was in the 50's at night with pretty strong winds.
The resort was extremely nice with a great restaurant (linen tablecoths and napkins) that served a combination of European, Asian and African foods. We were able to have red snapper, herb crusted turkey and other goodies for dinner and then have waffles, bacon and omelets for breakfast. We had vultures join us for breakfast. A waiter told me they will actually come into the room if the sliding doors are left open. They would peck at the window if someone held up food.
The restaurant overlooks 2 watering holes. People were getting up and down all during dinner to go out the sliding doors to take pictures. There are spotlights to help everyone see the animals. We did find out that although the animals don't shy away from the light, they do shy away from too much noise from the watchers.
We took a ride around the preserve on Wednesday afternoon and again on Thursday morning. around the preserve and saw 4 of the big 5 - elephants, giraffes, rhinos and zebras. The only thing we didn't see was lions. Some of our group paid $95 extra to go on a night time safari. They did see lions and were absolutely thrilled by it. The lions were chasing an antelope but didn't actually kill it. The driver said the lions had already eaten and were just playing with the antelope because they were not making any attempt to actually catch it.
In addition to the 4 large animals, we also saw antelopes or gazelles or maybe both, chimps, baboons, monkeys, water buffalo, and long horned cows from Uganda.
This was a great way to end our trip; to give us time to unwind from the work and the emotional intensity of being around so much need. It's something I would love to do with my grandchildren but I don't think they could take the plane ride or the shots or not drinking the water. Who knows, though, I might be able to save up enough to take them one day when they are older.
One of the nicest things they did for us was put a hot water bottle in our beds to warm them up for us. Being at 6000' and winter to boot (yeah, I know the equator never gets real cold) it was in the 50's at night with pretty strong winds.
The resort was extremely nice with a great restaurant (linen tablecoths and napkins) that served a combination of European, Asian and African foods. We were able to have red snapper, herb crusted turkey and other goodies for dinner and then have waffles, bacon and omelets for breakfast. We had vultures join us for breakfast. A waiter told me they will actually come into the room if the sliding doors are left open. They would peck at the window if someone held up food.
The restaurant overlooks 2 watering holes. People were getting up and down all during dinner to go out the sliding doors to take pictures. There are spotlights to help everyone see the animals. We did find out that although the animals don't shy away from the light, they do shy away from too much noise from the watchers.
We took a ride around the preserve on Wednesday afternoon and again on Thursday morning. around the preserve and saw 4 of the big 5 - elephants, giraffes, rhinos and zebras. The only thing we didn't see was lions. Some of our group paid $95 extra to go on a night time safari. They did see lions and were absolutely thrilled by it. The lions were chasing an antelope but didn't actually kill it. The driver said the lions had already eaten and were just playing with the antelope because they were not making any attempt to actually catch it.
In addition to the 4 large animals, we also saw antelopes or gazelles or maybe both, chimps, baboons, monkeys, water buffalo, and long horned cows from Uganda.
This was a great way to end our trip; to give us time to unwind from the work and the emotional intensity of being around so much need. It's something I would love to do with my grandchildren but I don't think they could take the plane ride or the shots or not drinking the water. Who knows, though, I might be able to save up enough to take them one day when they are older.
Sunday at CFC
Yesterday was my first Sunday at NewSpring - Carolina First Center. I was REALLY impressed with what is being done with a portable church!
As part of the production team, I was able to see all the same equipment we had before, just now in cases with wheels that can be rolled around. The lights, sound, computer set up, KidSpring, all of it was WAY better than I imagined. What's really nice of the CFC is allowing us to set up early and not requiring us to tear down all the stuff in the ballroom if they don't have the room scheduled for use. That means that even though I got to church at 5:30 AM we didn't have a lot to do because most of it was set up on Friday. After church we only had a few TVs to move. I'm sure it will be a lot different when we have to set everything up on Sunday morning. I think that day is coming in a couple of weeks. Should be interesting.
KidSpring is another matter. I went to help them and I must say they are organized in a huge way. A place for everything and everything in it's place. I was surprised to still see inflatables and actors and games and all the things that make KidSpring so much fun. Teaching tools were just as well organized so that everything can put out again next week. The kids areas did have to be completely packed up and moved but it didn't take too long because of the number of people helping and someone knowing where everything went.
One of the things that I wondered about was the volume of the music. I couldn't hear the director and had to watch him so I could read his lips. Kinda freaked him out that I was staring at him so much. Kevin has ordered us all new headsets to help with the noise. The director will get one like they use for NASCAR that has a mic that won't pick up any peripheral noise. Everyone else will have noise cancelling headphones.
But I did wonder if the other 2 churches having services downstairs were drowned out by our music. Maybe with the doors closed the ballroom is pretty soundproof. Guess they will let us know if there is a problem.
As part of the production team, I was able to see all the same equipment we had before, just now in cases with wheels that can be rolled around. The lights, sound, computer set up, KidSpring, all of it was WAY better than I imagined. What's really nice of the CFC is allowing us to set up early and not requiring us to tear down all the stuff in the ballroom if they don't have the room scheduled for use. That means that even though I got to church at 5:30 AM we didn't have a lot to do because most of it was set up on Friday. After church we only had a few TVs to move. I'm sure it will be a lot different when we have to set everything up on Sunday morning. I think that day is coming in a couple of weeks. Should be interesting.
KidSpring is another matter. I went to help them and I must say they are organized in a huge way. A place for everything and everything in it's place. I was surprised to still see inflatables and actors and games and all the things that make KidSpring so much fun. Teaching tools were just as well organized so that everything can put out again next week. The kids areas did have to be completely packed up and moved but it didn't take too long because of the number of people helping and someone knowing where everything went.
One of the things that I wondered about was the volume of the music. I couldn't hear the director and had to watch him so I could read his lips. Kinda freaked him out that I was staring at him so much. Kevin has ordered us all new headsets to help with the noise. The director will get one like they use for NASCAR that has a mic that won't pick up any peripheral noise. Everyone else will have noise cancelling headphones.
But I did wonder if the other 2 churches having services downstairs were drowned out by our music. Maybe with the doors closed the ballroom is pretty soundproof. Guess they will let us know if there is a problem.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Random Thoughts on Kenya
The people we met out in the villages and the school were so poor. They literally had nothing and lived in stick and mud huts resembling igloos with 6 or 7 people living together. No water, no toilets, not much food.
The children walked for 2 hours to get to school and then walked 2 hours home. And that is 2 hours through the wilderness on a dusty foot path among lots of thorns; many had no shoes. On top of that most of them did not eat every day but they showed up for school. And mom didn't walk them there, they were sent on their own.
One of the Kenyan men, Alfred, told one of our guys that he might have a cup of water every 3 days. We were drinking water by the gallon but they did not eat or drink anything all day. I guess that is one of the things that made me kind of angry about all the complaints about our food - at least we HAD food! (And it included bananas, fresh pineapple & watermelon at every meal!)
We did see farms and sheep and goats and really skinny steer/cows but most of the people we encountered didn't have any of this. I really don't know how they managed to stay alive. This is the rainy season but there is no rain so the ground is dry and blowing away all around them. The creeks and rivers are getting very low. On top of that they have over cut the trees and shrubs. Some of those that do have sheep, etc had gone to Mt Kenya - a 5 day walk - to have better grazing land.
Every day we passed Sweetwater which is where we went for our safari on Wednesday night and Thursday. There is a well there that the people come to to get water but for many it is 2 or 3 hour walk there with empty buckets and the same time back home with full 5 gallon buckets of water and children and dust and heat. They do this every 3 days to have water at home.
A few people have bicycles but just about every one walks everywhere. Nearer the cities, people load their bicycles with so much stuff, they can not ride but have to push the bikes. City traffic in Nairobi was wild!! No one stopped for intersections or red lights. We saw one city bus driving on the wrong side of the road in the walking area, but he was making good time. Small vans would pass us on the left shoulder of the road that had ruts that were 2 - 3 feet deep. We were amazed that they could get through them.
This is actually winter in Kenya. Although the temp was around 75 during the day, almost everyone had on jackets and long sleeves because they were cold. All our group was in short sleeves and sweating. I guess when your summers are near 100 every day, 75 is pretty cool.
The children walked for 2 hours to get to school and then walked 2 hours home. And that is 2 hours through the wilderness on a dusty foot path among lots of thorns; many had no shoes. On top of that most of them did not eat every day but they showed up for school. And mom didn't walk them there, they were sent on their own.
One of the Kenyan men, Alfred, told one of our guys that he might have a cup of water every 3 days. We were drinking water by the gallon but they did not eat or drink anything all day. I guess that is one of the things that made me kind of angry about all the complaints about our food - at least we HAD food! (And it included bananas, fresh pineapple & watermelon at every meal!)
We did see farms and sheep and goats and really skinny steer/cows but most of the people we encountered didn't have any of this. I really don't know how they managed to stay alive. This is the rainy season but there is no rain so the ground is dry and blowing away all around them. The creeks and rivers are getting very low. On top of that they have over cut the trees and shrubs. Some of those that do have sheep, etc had gone to Mt Kenya - a 5 day walk - to have better grazing land.
Every day we passed Sweetwater which is where we went for our safari on Wednesday night and Thursday. There is a well there that the people come to to get water but for many it is 2 or 3 hour walk there with empty buckets and the same time back home with full 5 gallon buckets of water and children and dust and heat. They do this every 3 days to have water at home.
A few people have bicycles but just about every one walks everywhere. Nearer the cities, people load their bicycles with so much stuff, they can not ride but have to push the bikes. City traffic in Nairobi was wild!! No one stopped for intersections or red lights. We saw one city bus driving on the wrong side of the road in the walking area, but he was making good time. Small vans would pass us on the left shoulder of the road that had ruts that were 2 - 3 feet deep. We were amazed that they could get through them.
This is actually winter in Kenya. Although the temp was around 75 during the day, almost everyone had on jackets and long sleeves because they were cold. All our group was in short sleeves and sweating. I guess when your summers are near 100 every day, 75 is pretty cool.
The Work Begins - Monday June 15
Saturday afternoon we had scouted out the work sites and divided into 2 teams, one to work at the school at Iriree and one to work at Black Tank. I chose the school.
This school has about 100 students with 2 or 3 teachers. The main building is tin with a tin roof and dirt floors. The windows are covered with chicken wire. Our job was to dig up the dirt floors, haul out the dirt, lay large stones on the remaining dirt, knock off the points of the big rocks so they are all the same height, fill the spaces with gravel, lay plastic and wire over that, then mix concrete the old fashioned way - sand, gravel and lime, turning it with shovels - then hauling it in wheel barrows to the room for the finisher to work. After the concrete dried, the floor had to be swept and a finishing mix was put on. When that dried a red colored sulfuric acid was put on.
We were able to accomplish much more that we expected, finishing 3 rooms completely, room 4 ready for concrete and room 5 dug out. We didn't get anything done in room 6 but we expecting to get only 2 or 3 rooms done. The finished rooms looked wonderful! Many moms showed up each day to help with the work. They wanted very much to participate in helping their children.
The issue with the dirt floors is jiggers - a parasite that lives in the soil and gets into the feet primarily but also in the hands of the children and causes lots of health problems. The moms and Kenyan workers were so proud of this great looking floor. The finishing was all them - well, one of our guys helped - but they are the ones who really knew what they were doing!
This school has about 100 students with 2 or 3 teachers. The main building is tin with a tin roof and dirt floors. The windows are covered with chicken wire. Our job was to dig up the dirt floors, haul out the dirt, lay large stones on the remaining dirt, knock off the points of the big rocks so they are all the same height, fill the spaces with gravel, lay plastic and wire over that, then mix concrete the old fashioned way - sand, gravel and lime, turning it with shovels - then hauling it in wheel barrows to the room for the finisher to work. After the concrete dried, the floor had to be swept and a finishing mix was put on. When that dried a red colored sulfuric acid was put on.
We were able to accomplish much more that we expected, finishing 3 rooms completely, room 4 ready for concrete and room 5 dug out. We didn't get anything done in room 6 but we expecting to get only 2 or 3 rooms done. The finished rooms looked wonderful! Many moms showed up each day to help with the work. They wanted very much to participate in helping their children.
The issue with the dirt floors is jiggers - a parasite that lives in the soil and gets into the feet primarily but also in the hands of the children and causes lots of health problems. The moms and Kenyan workers were so proud of this great looking floor. The finishing was all them - well, one of our guys helped - but they are the ones who really knew what they were doing!
Worship - God's Way, Sunday, June 14
We headed back to Segera Mission for Sunday services. About half our group stayed at Segera; the other half walked about an hour through the countryside to another small church. I stayed at the mission.
To say the service was different is, I think, a compliment to the Kenyans. One of the first things I think we all noticed was the attitude of prayer. Even though the service had started and we were standing and singing, late comers - men and women - sat down and prayed before joining in the music. There was prayer and singing, testimonies by elders, more singing and prayer and testimonies by our group, scripture reading and more singing. An offering was taken and people with absolutely nothing found something to give. Everyone was smiling and singing and dancing and having a great time.
What was even more remarkable was that some of these people had walked for over an hour to get there...with small children on their backs, or crippled legs, or bare feet. They wanted more than anything to come to church to worship God.
We had been told in advance to be prepared to share our favorite verse. Mine is Romans 15:13 which I did share - "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust is Him, so that you might overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." But before we got up to speak God overwhelmed me with the verses in Revelation 7. So I shared that too. I really believe I got to see a glimpse of heaven...every nation and tribe and people and language worshiping God together. Here I was in a service being spoken in 3 languages with people vastly different than me in color and dress and tradition but we were all worshiping the same God because of Jesus! I was overcome with the greatness of our God, the omnipresence of God, the majesty of God. It was without a doubt one of the most meaningful worship services I have been in.
To say the service was different is, I think, a compliment to the Kenyans. One of the first things I think we all noticed was the attitude of prayer. Even though the service had started and we were standing and singing, late comers - men and women - sat down and prayed before joining in the music. There was prayer and singing, testimonies by elders, more singing and prayer and testimonies by our group, scripture reading and more singing. An offering was taken and people with absolutely nothing found something to give. Everyone was smiling and singing and dancing and having a great time.
What was even more remarkable was that some of these people had walked for over an hour to get there...with small children on their backs, or crippled legs, or bare feet. They wanted more than anything to come to church to worship God.
We had been told in advance to be prepared to share our favorite verse. Mine is Romans 15:13 which I did share - "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust is Him, so that you might overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." But before we got up to speak God overwhelmed me with the verses in Revelation 7. So I shared that too. I really believe I got to see a glimpse of heaven...every nation and tribe and people and language worshiping God together. Here I was in a service being spoken in 3 languages with people vastly different than me in color and dress and tradition but we were all worshiping the same God because of Jesus! I was overcome with the greatness of our God, the omnipresence of God, the majesty of God. It was without a doubt one of the most meaningful worship services I have been in.
Out in the Country, Saturday June 13
Saturday morning was a day with sunshine and high spirits. We had a breakfast buffet at the PCEA in Nairobi which most people didn't eat. One of my only dislikes on this trip was the very vocal, very consistent dislike of the food. I actually tried things I'd never tried before; some I liked, some I didn't but I didn't have anything that I thought was awful.
After loading our luggage on top of the buses, we headed out into the country. Once outside Nairobi, a city of almost 3 million people, we found the landscape pretty desolate and roads pretty bad. Kennedy's bus broke down - water hose burst. Our bus came up on them stopped on the side of the road. One of our guys had a pocket knife which Kennedy used to trim the hose. Fortunately we were close to a house (there were very few in the countryside) so Kennedy and Richard were able to get a bucket of water to put back in the bus to get us to a service station. The service stations were pretty modern looking and were in the most unexpected places.
After an hour or so we ran out of paved roads and began to rattle along on dusty, rocky roads that had lots of ruts. Being under British influence for so long, driving is on the left side of the road, sort of. When the roads got too bad, Richard would drive on the right side or in the ditch or sometimes off the road completely.
We finally reached Segera Mission, about 4 hours north of Nairobi. The building that houses the mission is really very nice and roomy - 2 story cement block with a bathroom. There is also a health clinic, a school and a chapel. Water for the toilets is pumped straight from the river so it is rather muddy looking. We met Lucy who is a nurse and leads the mission; Faith who is Josephine's mother and helps with the children and cooking and other chores; Chrisbo who is the mission pastor and a pretty young girl who hopes to go to college to study nursing. For the life of me I can't remember her name and I hate that. She has a beautiful voice and sings in the youth choir and also serves as a translator for the church services.
After some time at the mission we headed to Nanyuki to the Sportsman's Arms Hotel where we would spend the next 4 nights. The hotel was about an hour and a half from the mission. It was an attractive hotel with the same hard mattresses and pillows. Every hotel, school, church, organization is behind gated walls. Our hotel had barbed wire on top of the fence.
Once again no one liked the food. We had eggs, cereal, some kind of sausage (more like polish than our traditional breakfast sausage), potatoes, liver and onions, coffee, hot tea, and cocoa for breakfast. Lunch each day was a "take away" box with fruit juice, a sandwich, crackers, cheese and whatever was left over from breakfast. Dinner was rice, potatoes, lamb, soup, veggie stews, fried noodles and other things like meatballs in a tomato-ey sauce; steamed cabbage, spinach, steamed carrots, and desserts. I ate more in Kenya than I normally eat at home. My roommate didn't like anything they offered and lived almost exclusively on boiled eggs. The food was pretty bland but quite edible especially for the hard work we would be doing.
After loading our luggage on top of the buses, we headed out into the country. Once outside Nairobi, a city of almost 3 million people, we found the landscape pretty desolate and roads pretty bad. Kennedy's bus broke down - water hose burst. Our bus came up on them stopped on the side of the road. One of our guys had a pocket knife which Kennedy used to trim the hose. Fortunately we were close to a house (there were very few in the countryside) so Kennedy and Richard were able to get a bucket of water to put back in the bus to get us to a service station. The service stations were pretty modern looking and were in the most unexpected places.
After an hour or so we ran out of paved roads and began to rattle along on dusty, rocky roads that had lots of ruts. Being under British influence for so long, driving is on the left side of the road, sort of. When the roads got too bad, Richard would drive on the right side or in the ditch or sometimes off the road completely.
We finally reached Segera Mission, about 4 hours north of Nairobi. The building that houses the mission is really very nice and roomy - 2 story cement block with a bathroom. There is also a health clinic, a school and a chapel. Water for the toilets is pumped straight from the river so it is rather muddy looking. We met Lucy who is a nurse and leads the mission; Faith who is Josephine's mother and helps with the children and cooking and other chores; Chrisbo who is the mission pastor and a pretty young girl who hopes to go to college to study nursing. For the life of me I can't remember her name and I hate that. She has a beautiful voice and sings in the youth choir and also serves as a translator for the church services.
After some time at the mission we headed to Nanyuki to the Sportsman's Arms Hotel where we would spend the next 4 nights. The hotel was about an hour and a half from the mission. It was an attractive hotel with the same hard mattresses and pillows. Every hotel, school, church, organization is behind gated walls. Our hotel had barbed wire on top of the fence.
Once again no one liked the food. We had eggs, cereal, some kind of sausage (more like polish than our traditional breakfast sausage), potatoes, liver and onions, coffee, hot tea, and cocoa for breakfast. Lunch each day was a "take away" box with fruit juice, a sandwich, crackers, cheese and whatever was left over from breakfast. Dinner was rice, potatoes, lamb, soup, veggie stews, fried noodles and other things like meatballs in a tomato-ey sauce; steamed cabbage, spinach, steamed carrots, and desserts. I ate more in Kenya than I normally eat at home. My roommate didn't like anything they offered and lived almost exclusively on boiled eggs. The food was pretty bland but quite edible especially for the hard work we would be doing.
Off to Kenya Thursday June 11
There were lots of hindrances and distractions but the day finally arrived to be off to the airport and head for Kenya. The group met at GSP to fly to Atlanta and then head to Paris before departing for our final destination.
Little did we know as we sat in the waiting area that we would be delayed even more along the way. Our original direct flight had been canceled so we were rescheduled with a stop in Paris. When we got to Atlanta, they called our flight to board for a 4:35 PM departure. Once we were on board we sat until 7:30. It seems this was a new flight scheduled to accommodate the 70 or so 410 Bridge people from NewSpring, North Point and a church in Iowa. In addition another 40 had been sold tickets. The reason we sat around so long was the airline kept selling tickets but no one informed the catering service. When they brought the 110 meals to the plane, they were told they need another 35 or 40 so we had to wait while the meals were prepared.
Instead of the 110 we expected on the plane - with lots of room for us to sleep on the overnight to Paris - the plane was rapidly filling up. But finally we were able to take off and arrived safely in Paris to have lost all our "down" time. So we scurried through the airport, boarded our next plane and took off for Kenya.
When we arrived on Friday evening, we were met by Josephine, our 410 Bridge Kenyan leader, and 2 buses and drivers named Richard and Kennedy. The trip to the hotel in Nairobi was uneventful and we prepared for sleep.
Josephine is a young woman, very attractive and personable. She served as trouble shooter, translator and question answerer. One of the first things I think most of the women noticed was that she had on jeans. We had been told not to wear jeans except in the hotel and on the plane and never in the communities. Later in the week I learned that she also serves as a climbing guide for trips up 17,000 foot Mt Kenya.
Our hotel was adequate but the beds and pillows were hard. But sleep does come to the weary! Just remember - don't use the tap water for anything except hand washing.
Little did we know as we sat in the waiting area that we would be delayed even more along the way. Our original direct flight had been canceled so we were rescheduled with a stop in Paris. When we got to Atlanta, they called our flight to board for a 4:35 PM departure. Once we were on board we sat until 7:30. It seems this was a new flight scheduled to accommodate the 70 or so 410 Bridge people from NewSpring, North Point and a church in Iowa. In addition another 40 had been sold tickets. The reason we sat around so long was the airline kept selling tickets but no one informed the catering service. When they brought the 110 meals to the plane, they were told they need another 35 or 40 so we had to wait while the meals were prepared.
Instead of the 110 we expected on the plane - with lots of room for us to sleep on the overnight to Paris - the plane was rapidly filling up. But finally we were able to take off and arrived safely in Paris to have lost all our "down" time. So we scurried through the airport, boarded our next plane and took off for Kenya.
When we arrived on Friday evening, we were met by Josephine, our 410 Bridge Kenyan leader, and 2 buses and drivers named Richard and Kennedy. The trip to the hotel in Nairobi was uneventful and we prepared for sleep.
Josephine is a young woman, very attractive and personable. She served as trouble shooter, translator and question answerer. One of the first things I think most of the women noticed was that she had on jeans. We had been told not to wear jeans except in the hotel and on the plane and never in the communities. Later in the week I learned that she also serves as a climbing guide for trips up 17,000 foot Mt Kenya.
Our hotel was adequate but the beds and pillows were hard. But sleep does come to the weary! Just remember - don't use the tap water for anything except hand washing.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Coincidence or the enemy
As I lead up to my trip to Kenya lots of things have been happening. I've been trying to get sick...but I refuse. I have a cold but it seems to be getting much better. We certainly don't want the airline to quarantine me.
Our direct flight to Kenya got canceled on Tuesday of last week so someone had to scramble to get seats for 34 people on other flights. Now we are flying through Amsterdam and will have longer lay overs so we get to Kenya later. And coming home we are taking a bus from Atlanta to Anderson because no flight to Greenville was available without a 6 or 7 hour lay over there. That means my son is driving to Anderson to pick me up instead of me hopping in my car at the airport and going home. Since the airport is 15 minutes from home and Anderson about 50 that is a big difference.
Then, today a young lady who was speeding down the road, talking on her cell phone tried to make a turn by my office, hit the curb, got airborne and got my car airborne. Fortunately she was not hurt but my car may be seriously hurt. It doesn't look too bad but the front passenger side wheel is at an angle. It may cost more to fix than the old car is worth but I probably won't know until I get back from Kenya whether or not I will have a car. My car is very reliable and worth much more than the insurance company will give me. I certainly can't replace it for what they would give me. Maybe the damage is not serious and it will be all better when I get back!
Of course I don't believe in coincidence! Does all this going on in my life mean something spectacular is going to happen in Kenya that will include me?! Is the enemy trying to stop me from going or take my focus off Jesus during these days? Is God allowing all this to see if He really is my first priority and not all the "stuff" of life that can be so distracting?
I don't really know but I do know that I am EXCITED about getting on that plane on Thursday. I can't wait to see what God is going to do for all of us - those going and those in Kenya next week.
Our direct flight to Kenya got canceled on Tuesday of last week so someone had to scramble to get seats for 34 people on other flights. Now we are flying through Amsterdam and will have longer lay overs so we get to Kenya later. And coming home we are taking a bus from Atlanta to Anderson because no flight to Greenville was available without a 6 or 7 hour lay over there. That means my son is driving to Anderson to pick me up instead of me hopping in my car at the airport and going home. Since the airport is 15 minutes from home and Anderson about 50 that is a big difference.
Then, today a young lady who was speeding down the road, talking on her cell phone tried to make a turn by my office, hit the curb, got airborne and got my car airborne. Fortunately she was not hurt but my car may be seriously hurt. It doesn't look too bad but the front passenger side wheel is at an angle. It may cost more to fix than the old car is worth but I probably won't know until I get back from Kenya whether or not I will have a car. My car is very reliable and worth much more than the insurance company will give me. I certainly can't replace it for what they would give me. Maybe the damage is not serious and it will be all better when I get back!
Of course I don't believe in coincidence! Does all this going on in my life mean something spectacular is going to happen in Kenya that will include me?! Is the enemy trying to stop me from going or take my focus off Jesus during these days? Is God allowing all this to see if He really is my first priority and not all the "stuff" of life that can be so distracting?
I don't really know but I do know that I am EXCITED about getting on that plane on Thursday. I can't wait to see what God is going to do for all of us - those going and those in Kenya next week.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Internet Troubles - AGAIN
Well, seems my miracle of a week ago wasn't much of a miracle after all. Someone has something that is interfering with my internet at home. From Friday night to Wed AM I had great service. I could get online whenever I wanted and stay as long as I wanted, no drop, no blips.
But Wed night when I got home, my service was gone again. I guess someone went on vacation and didn't access their internet so I could access mine. Now that they are back - or whatever - I can't access again at home. So here I am again at Barnes & Noble.
I really do need to find some other truly free Wi-Fi places on the westside. I know Panera on the eastside is available but that's just too far from home. Of course it is near the grandchildren so that might work for the summer.
After I get back from Kenya I'm going to look seriously at all sorts of options for changing my internet. I'm going to look at Netbooks because they are so small and talk to Verison about their service. I'm going to look into those broadband connect things that plug into a USB slot. And I am going to ask lots of questions to see what the very best way to get the most reliable services for the least amount of money.
But Wed night when I got home, my service was gone again. I guess someone went on vacation and didn't access their internet so I could access mine. Now that they are back - or whatever - I can't access again at home. So here I am again at Barnes & Noble.
I really do need to find some other truly free Wi-Fi places on the westside. I know Panera on the eastside is available but that's just too far from home. Of course it is near the grandchildren so that might work for the summer.
After I get back from Kenya I'm going to look seriously at all sorts of options for changing my internet. I'm going to look at Netbooks because they are so small and talk to Verison about their service. I'm going to look into those broadband connect things that plug into a USB slot. And I am going to ask lots of questions to see what the very best way to get the most reliable services for the least amount of money.
Be Flexible
One of the things David Nimmons told us at our last Kenya meeting was to be flexible. We got an email on Tuesday night that our flight for next Thursday, June 11 has been canceled by Delta. I guess I could have checked the Atlanta paper but decided to read the Daily Nation from Kenya.
Seems this direct flight from Atlanta to Nairobi, Kenya with one stop in Senegal was a brand new flight just added by Delta. They recently opened an office in Kenya in anticipation of this new venture. A government official from Kenya had come to the US and met with the Kenyan ambassador to the US in Washington DC. They were about to board a plane for Atlanta on Tuesday, June 2, for a big to do to launch the very first flight when Homeland Security told them the flight had to be canceled. It was so sudden that neither the US Ambassador in Kenya nor the Kenya government was notified of the cancellation. It actually showed up on Twitter first, I think.
Seems there had been a terrorist threat by someone who said he would shoot the plane down with a shoulder mount missile launcher. About 7 years ago some al Qaeda (sp?) guy tried to shoot down an Israeli airliner in Mombasa in southern Kenya. Although he was not successful, a building or something got hit and 15 people died.
So now Delta is working to reroute us through somewhere so we can still go to Kenya next week. We are BELIEVING it WILL happen. This is God's trip and He will work it all out as He sees best. So I am still preparing, packing, getting ready for one of the most adventurous trips of my life. Can't wait to see what God will do.
Seems this direct flight from Atlanta to Nairobi, Kenya with one stop in Senegal was a brand new flight just added by Delta. They recently opened an office in Kenya in anticipation of this new venture. A government official from Kenya had come to the US and met with the Kenyan ambassador to the US in Washington DC. They were about to board a plane for Atlanta on Tuesday, June 2, for a big to do to launch the very first flight when Homeland Security told them the flight had to be canceled. It was so sudden that neither the US Ambassador in Kenya nor the Kenya government was notified of the cancellation. It actually showed up on Twitter first, I think.
Seems there had been a terrorist threat by someone who said he would shoot the plane down with a shoulder mount missile launcher. About 7 years ago some al Qaeda (sp?) guy tried to shoot down an Israeli airliner in Mombasa in southern Kenya. Although he was not successful, a building or something got hit and 15 people died.
So now Delta is working to reroute us through somewhere so we can still go to Kenya next week. We are BELIEVING it WILL happen. This is God's trip and He will work it all out as He sees best. So I am still preparing, packing, getting ready for one of the most adventurous trips of my life. Can't wait to see what God will do.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
I Saw the Lord
Isaiah 6 is one of my favorite passages in all the Bible. In vs 1-8, Isaiah tells how God allowed him to have a vision of the throne room of God where God is sitting on the throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple.
I like the fact that God is sitting; suggests to me that He certainly isn't worried about anything. He's not pacing the courts of Heaven wondering what to do next. If I have issues surrounding me, I have a tendency not to sit still; maybe not pacing exactly but distraction, wandering around the house. Makes me also wonder how great He is if just the TRAIN of his robe fills the whole temple.
Then Isaiah sees the seraphim, or the burning ones, whose only purpose is to fulfill God's every command. As they fly ceaselessly around the throne room, they constantly call to one another, "Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, the whole earth is full of His glory." I imagine this to be said sort of like a round, where one group says the 1st half and as they start the 2nd half, another group starts the 1st half. Or maybe one group echoes the other. However it is, it is constant. Every time I hear someone say they don't like songs that repeat the verse or chorus over and over, I wonder if they will be ready for this continual song of Heaven.
Then there is "Woe is me!" ANY time I am confronted by God, I should say woe is me because I too am a person of unclean lips, a sinner who can not stand in the presence of a holy God. EXCEPT that just as God cleansed the sin of Isaiah with the burning coal, He cleansed my sin with the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross of Calvary.
And once his sin was forgiven, what was Isaiah's response to God's call to action? "Here am I, send me." That also should be my response to God - send me. Send me out into the world to speak His name, His love, His salvation, His grace, His mercy, His judgment. How many times do I know what God wants me to do but let the busyness of life or fear or laziness or whatever keep me from doing it?
I like the fact that God is sitting; suggests to me that He certainly isn't worried about anything. He's not pacing the courts of Heaven wondering what to do next. If I have issues surrounding me, I have a tendency not to sit still; maybe not pacing exactly but distraction, wandering around the house. Makes me also wonder how great He is if just the TRAIN of his robe fills the whole temple.
Then Isaiah sees the seraphim, or the burning ones, whose only purpose is to fulfill God's every command. As they fly ceaselessly around the throne room, they constantly call to one another, "Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, the whole earth is full of His glory." I imagine this to be said sort of like a round, where one group says the 1st half and as they start the 2nd half, another group starts the 1st half. Or maybe one group echoes the other. However it is, it is constant. Every time I hear someone say they don't like songs that repeat the verse or chorus over and over, I wonder if they will be ready for this continual song of Heaven.
Then there is "Woe is me!" ANY time I am confronted by God, I should say woe is me because I too am a person of unclean lips, a sinner who can not stand in the presence of a holy God. EXCEPT that just as God cleansed the sin of Isaiah with the burning coal, He cleansed my sin with the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross of Calvary.
And once his sin was forgiven, what was Isaiah's response to God's call to action? "Here am I, send me." That also should be my response to God - send me. Send me out into the world to speak His name, His love, His salvation, His grace, His mercy, His judgment. How many times do I know what God wants me to do but let the busyness of life or fear or laziness or whatever keep me from doing it?
Woe to...
I've just finished reading the first 12 chapters of Isaiah. What rich words the Lord spoke through Isaiah.
In chapter 5, there is a list of woe to... Although these exact words are not used, God says woe to the selfish. Hmm, am I ever selfish? Woe to those who seek only pleasure. Woe to those who call evil good and good evil. That reminds me of a lot of people today who are vocal on many issues such as gay marriage. But it also makes me think of times when I may have said one thing and done another - not walking the walk I am talking about. Woe to those who are proud. Do I ever walk or talk or live with pride? We're told in Proverbs that pride goes before the fall. Woe to those who drink too much and pervert justice.
But what I like is that right in the middle of this we are told, "But the Lord of hosts is exalted in justice, and the Holy God shows Himself holy in righteousness." Even as God is speaking judgment we are reminded of His perfection, goodness and holiness.
In chapter 5, there is a list of woe to... Although these exact words are not used, God says woe to the selfish. Hmm, am I ever selfish? Woe to those who seek only pleasure. Woe to those who call evil good and good evil. That reminds me of a lot of people today who are vocal on many issues such as gay marriage. But it also makes me think of times when I may have said one thing and done another - not walking the walk I am talking about. Woe to those who are proud. Do I ever walk or talk or live with pride? We're told in Proverbs that pride goes before the fall. Woe to those who drink too much and pervert justice.
But what I like is that right in the middle of this we are told, "But the Lord of hosts is exalted in justice, and the Holy God shows Himself holy in righteousness." Even as God is speaking judgment we are reminded of His perfection, goodness and holiness.
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