Special time with some One Life graduates

We have just finished a few days in Mombasa. We have had a great time. One of the highlights has been taking some of our graduates, Nuru and Jackline, from the sponsorship program and one of our main Kenya contacts, Stella, with us. They actually have been serving with us since the beginning of our trip and have been a huge asset in understanding the culture, relating to students as well as getting better deals on souveniers! But best of all we have gotten to know these young ladies very well. They are wonderful people and the time with them has made our time even more special. They are planning to continue traveling and ministering with our team for the remainder of our trip. We are getting ready to leave on a 9 hour ride in a hot bus on a bumpy road to our next ministry location in and aroun Athi River. -Chad

Safari!

Tsavo National park was our great adventure today! We took the sponsored girls on a field trip to see the wild animals in their natural habitat. Before we entered the park, we got off the buses for a bathroom break and a baboon tried to steal one of the girls' bags out of a tree that she set it in. Our brave Dana chased after the primate and scared it off, rescuing the bag and giving us a great reason to blog! We saw an amazing array of wildlife including two kinds of elephants, zebras, water buffalo (aka cape buffalo) several species of deer like creatures such as gazelles, dik diks, and impallas. We also spotted some wild boars and a lucky few saw lions. We stopped at a beauiful hotel to see the scenic view of the park and the watering hole they had there. I took several pictures of a creature called a rock hydrax, known as the nearest living relatve of the elephant, all be it that they are the size of beavers. We had a snack lunch in the campgrounds and on out way home had some intesting bus troubles, the tailpipe separated at the manifold and we had to wire it back into place in order to make it home. it was a loud and stuffy ride because the bus was getting CO in it. We finally made it safely back to the school. We came back to the farm and had supper. Afterwards, we had a special presentation to present gifts and to say goodbye to Grace and her staff.

Kendra and Samuel

We've had an amazing week at Moi Girls. We finished our seminars yesterday and went to church this morning at the Africa Inland Church in Kiunduani. Chad preached and one of the church elders translated. This afternoon we took the sponsored girls to a local squatter's village to deliver maize, beans, water and candy to the children. Our team was deeply moved and devastated by the living conditions. The huts were made of tree limbs, mud and various scraps that the villagers can piece together. The children were precious...smiling little faces that lit up when they each received a piece of hard candy. I hope to post pictures soon.
Later this evening, we met with the sponsored students (there are over 40) and presented them with care packages. Tomorrow, we will take them to Tsavo National Park for a game drive. The students are very excited...most have never done anything like this before.
Chad and I have sponsored a girl since 2004. She graduated from Moi Girls School in 06. The really cool part is that we got a hold of her and she came to see us 2 days ago. She will stay with us the entire time we're here, and we're having so much fun getting reaquainted.
Well, I'd better go for now. Other team members are waiting to use the internet, and it's getting late.
Until next time...

Jambo!

Sorry for taking so long to write. We've had trouble getting our computers to work and getting an internet connection. So if you're reading this, it worked!! We safely arrived yesterday morning at 6am (we're 8 hours ahead of you so that was 10pm CST on Tuesday). We drove to Moi Girls School yesterday afternoon and spent our first full day with the girls today. Our hosts are extremely hospitable and attend to our every need. The girls are very excited that we're here, and we've already had the opportunity to record them singing. Hopefully some day soon, we can post one of the videos on youtube. Tomorrow will be another full day at the school. We will have a worship service at 8am, lead seminars on topics such as USA 101, Teen Culture in the US, Spiritual Discipline of Service, ABC's of Salvation, Modesty, Women of the Bible, etc., and then lead the girls in team-building activities in the afternoon.
I think I can speak for everyone on the team in that, we are so excited to be here. We are looking forward to ministering for and with the girls over the next few days.
I'd better go for now. The battery is about to die, and I don't have a working charger. :) Thanks for your prayers.
Until next time...

The Beauty of Technology

I have a new World Blackberry phone which I got for our mission trip. It's got lots of features, one of which is being internet capable. This post is actually from my new phone! I hope this will allow for more regular posts, even when we're away from internet connections. More to follow.

One week and one day from now, we will be arriving in Chicago, IL, which is the first stop on our way to Kenya. We just had our final team meeting, and things are shaping up for our trip. I have to admit that I'm experiencing mixed emotions. I'm beyond words excited about our trip, but simultaneously worried about getting everything done this week (nothing like having to write a research paper and take an exam the morning of your flight!). But more than that, it pains me to think of being away from my son for 3 weeks. I'm sure I'll be an emotional basketcase at least some of the time while we're gone.

I plan to use this blog as a way to communicate to family and friends while we're in Kenya...to share our ups and downs and everything in between. I probably won't have internet access every day, but hopefully I'll be able to write often enough to give you a glimpse of our experience there. Also, I'll ask a fellow team member to write a note along the way to give you variety in perspectives. :)

Until next time...
Kristin