A Note From Each of the Girls Continued

Wow...I don't even know how to put into words everything I have experienced while I have been here in Kenya. From teaching in the schools, playing with the children, door-to-door evangelism, and storying cloths; to safaris and sleeping under the stars, every experience has been AMAZING. You can truly see God's majesty in the simplest forms. Through a person coming to know Christ, a child's smile, or just sitting around a fire, in literally the middle of nowhere spending time with friends, both new and old. On the safari, God's creativity and humor could definitely be seen through the zebras, giraffes, elephants, and countless other unique creatures. The African sky is truly indescribable. The sunsets and sunrises both unimaginably beautiful, especially on the Masai Mara. We had the opportunity to sleep under the stars last Saturday night. The stars where more numerous than I have ever seen, and shooting stars went across the sky quite frequently. I have definitely been blessed to have had the opportunity to spend the majority of the summer in this amazing place, surrounded by amazing and encouraging people who truly live their lives to glorify God. It has been an amazing six weeks that has been filled with many experiences I will never forget.

-Rachel Haddon

My Misses:
Falling asleep on the couch with Melissa in my arms, Jeff's infamous yes's and no's with the raising of his eyebrows, Euti's laugh and "we'll talk about that later" quotes, Joe kicking me underneath the table during dinner and blaming Joab, Mama Christine's servants heart in EVERYTHING she does AND her sense of humor offering Rachel banana's knowing good and well she's allergic, monkey's, camels, and rhinos crossing the roads, teasing Deb about Bosco, sleeping under mosquito nets, WHEATABIX, walking into the classroom and having the children stand and greet, the children at the youth center in general, "How are you?!" sung in unison, Nakumatt, playing cards with the children in our apartment, a samosa and a cold coke, Jeff's drawings where he sign's them To: Chrisstin Judas - Love: Jeff Judas, Josaphine's Hiiiii, chicken in the dryer, the rooster who crows every 8.22 seconds, the Karina ENTIRE family: Jennifer, Bob, Shero, Kamau, Prince, Susan, Antony, and their oldest endearing celebrity daughter- Rena, Stephanie eating granola bars in church, speaking spanglish, PHILLIIIIPPPP!!! (thats for you Steph), all the teachers at the Youth Center, my teacher Eunice who wasn't just a colleague, but has become a dear friend, little Alvin coming to the apartment and asking where all the whites are, Saul's love for the Lord that was truly inspiring, ALL of the people of Baptist Chapel that know how to do worship right, African skies, and last but not least.....

Kenyans.
The adults. The youth. The children.
Every.
Single.
One of Them.

As we're coming to the end of our stay here, I don't know how to express my gratitude of the hospitality these people have shown us. I am forever grateful for them for they showed a generosity far beyond anything I could ever fathom. They showed who Jesus really was. They were the epitome of 2 Corninthians 8: 2-5...

"Out of the severe trial, there overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded for us with the privilege of sharing in their service to the saints. And they did not do as they expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God's will."

God has blessed me and changed me. I'm not the same... and I'm thankful for that. I challenge everyone that has come across this blog and read what we've written to take the time to serve others. Missions in your home town, missions to another state, or missions to another country. Jesus is calling you. Will you answer Him? Where is he telling you to go?

Will you be dangerous for the Kingdom?
Will you be Tireless?
Fearless?
Relentless?

We pray that you will...
Your life will be changed because of it.

Love in Christ,
Chrissy
(aka: Christine in kiswahili)

A Note From Each of the Girls...

The pictures above are of Baptist Chapel, where we attend church and where Euti is the pastor; a view of one of the local slums, Koragosho, where we worked at the Youth Center; an African sunset from our safari

From Britain:

Well, our days are winding down here in Kenya. It's Monday night, and we're leaving next Wednesday. My heart is a bit torn as our departure is creeping in on us...I have loved it here these last 2 months. I've experienced so much here...from seeing and working in the slums, to living in an apartment with some of my close friends, trying many different foods (some good, some bad!), going to 2 African weddings (which last ALL day), seeing some of God's incredible creations like zebras and giraffes and African sunsets, and making so many new friends in Christ. The people of Kenya have encouraged me so much in my faith just by seeing their passion and love for our God....they have no inhibitions and worship greatly even though some of them have little. As I have sat in the chairs of a few different churches here, one with dirt floors and mud walls, I couldn't help but take note of the heart of worship that happens each week. In Kamuwongo, where Euti is from, people walk for miles to come to church on Sunday. There's no electricity, no cushiony chairs, no sound system or microphones, no computers or powerpoints, etc. But there is more glory and praise and honor that is lifted up to God than I have experienced anywhere in America. We have so many distractions and complain about petty things: mispelled words on the screen, the music being too loud, the music being too quiet, the preaching being too long or too short, etc. How foolish we must be to let these things take away from our worship to God! I've realized my need to worship God unashamedly and without distractions. I hope and pray God will use this experience here to shape and mold me to be more like Jesus, and I hope that you will be encouraged by the many pictures and stories you all will see and hear when we return. Can't wait to see you all!!!!!!!

From Jessica:

Well the trip to the bush went amazing! It was quite an interesting journey.... 3 1/2 hour drive just to get there and we had 9 people in Euti's car on the way there and 10 on the way home ... just use your imagination! As soon as we arrived we headed straight to the wedding. It was very different from what we would expect out of a wedding in America and like Brita said.... definately a lot longer! After the wedding we drove out to Euti's mothers house where we stayed the night. It was amazing out there... more of what you picture Africa to be like. Very simple lifestye and no city lights. That night Euti's brothers killed/cooked a goat for us to eat for supper and we also got to sleep under the stars that night! I think that had to be one of my favorite moments from this trip... I just love to look up at the stars... I think its an amazing reminder not only of how small I am but how big God is and how no matter where in the world I am He is always looking out for me and He definately has such bigger plans than I could ever imagine. This journey so far has made me realize more and more at what an amazing God we serve and how it is such a blessing to just be a part of His plan. The people here have truely blessed my heart with their amazing spirits and they have been such a great example of undignified worship! The past few weeks have completely flown by and I know that I am going to miss the people that I have met but it is a great feeling knowing that we are leaving this area into some amazing hands! I can see that God has great plans for Kenya, Nairobi, and especially for the people of Baptist Chapel! They are so outward focused and ready to serve and I can't wait to see what God has in store for them!

well.. its getting late but just check back tomorrow to hear from Christine, Rachel, and Euti!!

Home Sweet Home!

Hey Everybody! Sorry it's been so long since you have heard from us but we have been so busy with the 2week team! They have a blogspot that highlights everything that went on during their time here so you can all check that out on the northside website. It's http://www.northsidebapt.com/ and you should be able to find a link on there somewhere.. just look for Mission Kenya!

Well, as for me (Powell), Chrissy, Brita and Rachel... we have moved back to Lucky Summer in the appartment under Euti. We have absolutely loved our time here.... we miss having all of the other mzungu's (white people) here with us but it has been great to feel like a part of the Wambua family. Every afternoon we play with the kids and Moma Joe (or Moma Christine), Josephine and Grace fix supper. It's just like we are a part of the family! We even colored pictures last night with the kids... Melissa and I drew a picture of the whole Wambua family, which included me, christine, britain, rachel and we even squeezed stepha in there! It truely feels like our home away from home here!

Since the 2week team has left we have been working at an orphanage during the day. Its an orphanage called Good Hope that currently has 50 children ranging from kindergarden to 8th grade. They have a director who is 'over' the orphanage but the two ladies who truely run the show are Moma Nancy and Aunti Emelda! They are two of the most awesome ladies I have ever met. They have such a love for the children there and truely give them a feeling of what it is like to have a family. They know each child by name, exactly what bed is their's and so much more! The children at this orphanage are very special however... they are true orphans in a way because none of them have a mother or father that is living but they do still have other relatives that are still around and that they still have contact with. They have all come there because their relatives cannot afford or are not able to care for them but the children do go to visit them once a year and they must go back with their relatives after they have finished the 8th grade. Moma Nancy has made it her job to make sure that the children are able to care for themselves and not be a burdon on their relatives. She, along with the few volunteers, have truely done an amazing job with the children! They are so sweet and well-behaved and so loving! When I look at them they are so happy and joyful but it almost brings tears to my eyes just knowing that they are missing out on having parents to run home to and have them all to themselves and it worries me knowing that they will leave the orphanage just after grade 8 and who knows what kind of situation they will be entering but i know God is definately using Moma Nancy and the others to prepare them for life and for their jouney ahead! The three pictures above are from our last day at the orphanage... but we hope to see them maybe one more time before we leave kenya!

Tomorrow we are headed out to the Bush! Euti's hometown! The 2week team made visit out there... even slept under the stars! But we are headed out there for a wedding on satuday ... church on sunday... and then back to lucky summer on monday! It should be an interesting journey but i hope we get to sleep under the stars again!!! Maybe Euti will even have a bed built outside for him again! Well, we will let you know how it all goes and we will see you in 2 weeks!

~Powell

These Currents Pull Us Across the Border...

i'm sitting here listening to the decembrists and one song in particular that BRINGS ME BACK in full force to my life in nairobi. not only for the fact that i listened to this cd a good bit while i was there, but also for the words that the decembrists sing. they are hopeful and sad at the same time, desiring peace-security-a better life, but those people the song talks about haven't seen it yet. if i close my eyes while i'm listening to this song, i'm there again, standing on kenyan soil and under those same breath-taking clouds. whew how i want to be back. i've been home a week and a half now, but every day here i am thinking almost all day about what my friends and family in kenya are doing. we're 7 hours apart, but that doesn't stop euticauls from calling me and checking up on me to see how i'm doing being back...he wants to know do my parents think i lost weight (he must be joking because he knows how much food he gave me to try to fatten me up, as if i needed to be fattened up)...he wants to know how is it seeing my family and friends again...do i remember that i have to bake brittany a fun-fetti cake (not cupcakes) when the girls get back in august. i miss him and his family immensely.

okay so initial adjustment after being back in the states, for those of you who are curious: i automatically spit out any water from the tap that i might accidentally swallow when i'm finished brushing my teeth because i'm used to doing it. driving on the right side of the road threw me for a real loop and i feel like i just got a brand new car (it's definitely NOT brand new i assure you). i surely am enjoying the heck outta some sweets. the south carolina heat and humidity are about to kill me. i have a love for my family and friends that i never felt quite as strong as i do now. but overall it feels like, and this is the best way i know to describe it, like i'm on vacation because the roads are so smooth, there are trash cans, things are kept up, there is wealth and everything is so NICE-looking. i've never had eyes to see things like this before, and never REALLY imagined it was possible. when your eyes become so accustomed to waking up to a different world every day (because africa is a different world), you see your own world from a completely different angle. we are rich beyond belief. it's such an odd thing to talk about becoming "used to" the slums and the extreme poverty that i saw on a daily basis, if anyone can become "used to" it--i became i guess somewhat accustomed to it without ever desiring to become calloused to it. i want for the people of koragosho (the slum where i worked) SO MUCH BETTER than what they know.

you know when i want to talk about kenya it's exciting and frustrating at the same time. i'm so excited to talk, i can share stories and conversations and things i learned from my time there. but then at the same time it's hard to express in words a lot of what i know and more than that--there's just a lot that i DON'T KNOW. i know that god is sovereign and that he has a kingdom that has not yet come where there won't be any poverty, or murder, or suffering, or sickness. i also know that in the midst of hardship and suffering there is beauty because god is there in the slums, too, and he moves and blesses and surprises and amazes. the people i met are some of the most beautiful, eager to serve people i have ever met in my life. in my journals the best way that i could find to summarize my time and my experience in africa was that "it's tough but it is beautiful." last night when i should have been sleeping i was awake flipping through kelly's book with pictures and little short write-ups from africa. i stared at those pictures, lost my breath--i had a feeling i can't explain somewhere between homesickness and helplessness. homesick for no place that exists, and i felt helpless because now here i am, on my comfortable couch back home safe and sound while back in kenya remain my good good friends and what is supposed to happen next? people i came to know and love will think about me here and wonder what it's like for me and for all of us in america. was kenya just a field trip for me, because i hope not. going back to the idea of what i learned and how much i still don't know, i think in the days and months to come i will still be sorting out what i saw and what i learned. i choose to trust that god used me in nairobi and for the amount of time that i was there, and that things will not always make sense to me but they are what they are and god is who he is. there is sin and disappointment in africa and there is love and beauty in africa the same as there are here in the united states. we are two different worlds but yet very much the same human race.

so here i sit. currently i am in clemson taking a language immersion program for spanish and so everyday i am speaking spanish and really am loving it. i can't wait for the team to get home from nairobi so i can see pictures and hear stories and be connected back to my kenyan home. oh my goodness i don't know what to do with all the feelings i have about those wonderful africans but at the moment i will just ask for your prayers for them. euticauls oversees the ministry of the youth center, where i taught class 2 every day, and they are run by donation. pray that they would be provided for and continue to expand and touch lives. they just finished building a dining hall (right now the kids eat their lunch outside) and so that is exciting. and then please pray for those precious boys and girls that make up the youth center...pray against abuse and pray for sufficient food and clothes and a place to cover their head and love from parents and freedom from sickness and disease. pray that they would continue to learn and advance in their studies--even though i am not there brilliantly teaching them any longer and everyone knows i will one day win a teacher-of-the-year award (that is a joke because before this trip i had never taught a day in my life). i'm going to talk to euticauls about organizing things like paper, pencils, chalk, even backpacks, and BOOKS. they don't have any books to read. i'm sure you could help if you wanted to.

i loved this verse while i was in kenya: "for as the waters fill the sea, so the earth will be filled with an awareness of the glory of the lord." i saw his glory in africa and i see it here. there has to be a problem or two with the way the wealth of the world is distributed: there's for sure something wrong when we are living in exceptional wealth and they have barely enough food to eat. but god's glory cannot be hidden, in either place. i'm wrestling and coming to terms with the fact that i'll never be able to single-handedly combat the darkness in the world, the sin and injustice and pain. but i can deal with my own sin and then love like i'm supposed to love. i'm not very good at it, but i do it anyway.

euticauls, if you're reading this...
i'm used to the right "shift" key on your keyboard being broken, and so now i'm having to re-train myself to type with the left and right instead of just the left. tell jeff that i nod by raising my eyebrows now and squeeze him real hard for me!

hope.

stepha