Kenya, day 3

Sun. 6/21 -- 11:09 a.m. (GA); 6:09 p.m. (Ngaamba)

So far today has been amazing - but more on that later!

        Animals we've seen already:
            giraffes!!!, zebras!, gazelles (they are literally everywhere), crested cranes, ostrich, vervet monkeys, antelope

(Giraffes standing on the side of the road. Pic obviously taken through the opposite window.)

(The giraffes ran off when we stopped the bus. Can you see what they were protecting? Such a cute baby!)

It's now "later" and time to continue:

We went to church in Ngaamba today. Such an amazing experience. The sounds of worship were incredible, and the love of the Lord through the eyes of the people in Ngaamba was indescribable.

We had an hour of prayer (singing and in words), and hour of worship (the roof was raised!), and an hour of preaching. Jamie Hardenbrook, the leader of our team, spoke of Moses and the burning bush. He reminded us that God has heard our cries; He has not forgotten our needs. It was humbling how such  a strong message could be so relevant to all of us there this morning.

At the end of the service, everyone in our team received a Ngaamba name. Mine was "Kanini" which means: the little one. (They thought I was hilarious. Apparently, they have never seen such a "small adult" before. This name stuck, and everyone called me "Kanini" for the rest of the week.)

After church we quickly ate lunch (I had a Luna bar from Jamie and Melissa); I wish I wasn't so picky, but it wasn't my time to try new things in Kenya!

Once lunch was over, 10 ladies (including me) spent time in a ladies Bible study/devotion with 14 ladies from Ngaamba South. It has been and probably will be (which I can say now that it was 100%) the greatest time I have spent in Kenya. The women sang with us -- we all sang "Amazing Grace" at the same time. Tears filled our eyes as we sang of God's love, mercy, and grace while they sang in Kaamba (their language) and we sang in English. We love the same God. He is a BIG God! Susan, one of the women who we grew close with, shared with us how her youngest brother (#11 in her family) is a theif and how she is praying for him to change. He has been a theif for many years, and despite severe consequences, he has still not turned his life around. Susan has not given up hope, and she prays for him daily. Amy led our devotion by reading the story from Matthew 8:23-37, of the diciples being afraid during a storm while Jesus slept on the boat. We were all reminded that God is controll. Always, and in all ways. Amy shared how her husband lost his job in April, and b/c she's a single mom, there have been times of stress wondering "where are provisions going to come from." However, they always do. Some come at the last moment, but they always come...God is in control. It was, again, such a relevant passage of scripture to all of us and a great reminder that our Creator is always in control. 

I feel my spirit lifted and made new by worshipping God together with the women of Ngaamba. They don't want us to forget them -- how could we? They want God to remember them -- how could He not?

It struck me that the people in Kenya (especially in the village of Ngaamba) are very close in circumstances to the people that Jesus interacted with while He was on this very earth. He worshipped with the poor, He ate with them, He prayed with them. I feel honored to have done the same today.

My take-away from today (and probably this entire trip) is this:
        To us, God has not given the people of Ngaamba very much; to them, He has given them everything.
That is quite a perspective, isn't it?

***
Oh yeah, I had HOT water for a shower this morning! I thanked God at least 10 times!!! Still no luggage, but we're all hanging in there. I mean, we all stink, so no one can tell that I do. :)

Kenya, day 2

Sat. 6/20 - 10:30 a.m. (GA); 5:30 p.m. (Ngaamba)

Morning entry:
We finally arrived in Nairobi, Kenya, around 6 a.m. this morning -- however, our luggage did not. I am trying to get my spirits up, but am struggling because I am FAR outside my comfort zone. The poverty here is oppressive; filth is everywhere. I long for home. (WOW...that was honesty, eh?)

(This picture is taken from our bus (window closed) of a market on the side of the road.)

I am really searching for what God is teaching me -- vanity, pride, disinterest, selfishness, all the above?

Evening entry:
We went to the village of Ngaamba today and spent a few hours. the children chased down our bus, about 100 of them, because they were so excited to see us. The women of the village are precious! They served us a feast of topas (fried flour tortillas), fried pancakes, chicken, tea, and fruit. I tried not to be too picky, but I didn't eat much.

 

 

(Just a little tired after 3 days of traveling! Don't know why this is underlined...)

The children from the school within Ngaamba-West all sang to us by their grade levels. It was amazing to hear them sing of their faith - their belief in God and Jesus, their unwavering love for our creator. I was humbled. Could it be that their faith is so strong becasuse they rely on God for everything? My own faith is weak in comparisson.

I am looking forward to spending the day at church tomorrow with the people of Ngaamba. I expect my faith to grow.

Kenya, day 1

I thought that the best way to share my experience in Kenya would be to share my journal entries from my time there. Sorry this first entry isn't all that exciting...just keep coming back. Pictures will be included!

Fri. 6/19 - 5:30 p.m. (GA); Sat. 6/20 - 1:30 a.m. (Ngaamba)

I can't believe it's been little more than a day since I left home.
So far:
        Atl --> NYC = 4 hours delayed due to NY bad weather & plane over-heating on the tarmac.
        NYC --> London = barely made flight on red-eye; we arrived in London and got to our flight for Ngaamba 5 minutes late - they would not let us board the plane. Therefore, a 9 hr layover in London equals TOUR!

We got train tickets to Pattington station and saw Big Ben, Parliament, West Minister Abby, Buckingham Palace, The London Eye, the National Museum, and more as we (literally) ran thru London. It was awesome to take everything in, however, London is not somewhere I would choose to vacation.

We made our flight to Ngaamba in perfect time.
        London --> Niarobi = when we boarded the plane a man was screaming and fighting with police officers. Apparently, he was being deported and wanted to take one last stand. He was arrested and dragged off the plane. It was a bit unnerving to start the longest leg of our trip that way, but glad the situation was handled before take off!

We are now over the Mediterranean Sea, about to cover the continent of Africa. We have 5:05 to reach Niarobi. The flight (my seat especially) is quite uncomfortable. I was able to sleep the first 2 hours after take-off; now, I'm waiting for the movie Slumdog Millionnaire to begin. Once over, I hope to sleep the remainder of this flight so that I am emotionally and spiritually ready to enter Ngaamba.

I miss Scott and the kiddos tremendously. I got my tears out when we left NYC, but my heart justs longs to see them and hold them. Right now, that's my struggle b/c the trip has already seemed so long with all of the mishaps. 9 more days feels like forever. I pray for their safety and that Landon & Ella Beth will welcome me home with no hard feelings. Scott was brave and generous to let me go on this mission trip. I have such a wonderful husband!

 

And, I'm off!

Ngaamba, Kenya, here I come!

Woke up this morning to find that Ella Beth appears to have Hand/Foot/Mouth - which is just about right. Thankfully, HFM isn't too worrisome since I leave to travel the world. I suppose this is Satan's last attempt to keep me from going. It's not working. ;)

My travel itinerary goes like this:

GOING: Atl --> NYC --> London --> Nairobi --> Ngaamba

RETURNING: Ngaamba --> Cairo, Egypt --> Paris --> Atl.

I can't wait to see all of these places!!!

Please keep Scott, Ella Beth, and Landon in your prayers (health & safety) so I can keep that off my mind while I'm away. Please also keep my team in your prayers that we will get along, and do great things for the people of Kenya while we're there. I am sure they will do much more for us, though!

I look forward to sharing my experience and LOTS of pictures when I return!!!

I'm off!

MUST READ!

If you are a mother of a girl - of any age - I encourage you to read the book 5 Conversations You MUST Have With Your Daughter. I have put a blog image and link in the sidebar of my blog. I encourage you to add it to your own blogs. There is amazing wisdom, guidance, and information to be found!

http://5conversations.blogspot.com/   Click the top right photo where it says "If you are a first-time visitor, please read this welcome post from Vicki!" That will get you on the right start!

I am so encouraged by Vicki Courtney for sharing truth through her book and her blog. I hope you will be, too!

My fella, and a few other things

Landon turned 15 months a couple of weeks ago. He is growing up so fast. What am I going to do when my baby is no longer a baby??? Scott says we're "done" - so I'm trying hard to soak up all I can these days!
note: Landon weighs 19 lbs (not on the chart), and is 30 in (20 %).

It is so fun to watch Landon learn new things. His best teacher is Ella Beth - that is fortunate, and unfortunate, just depends on what her lesson plan covers. For instance, when she likes to make this awful horrible pain-inducing screeching noise in the car and Landon copies her...very unfortunate. But, then there are sweet things like learning to clean up toys (l-o-v-e this!), put his water cup up, asking for "more" food...quite fortunate. :)

One of Ella Beth's favorite past times is playing with sidewalk chalk. Of course, that is now one of Landon's favorite past times. Sometimes his idea of playing with sidewalk chalk is a little different...

:)

Scott's mom also dug out some old photos of Scott when he was little. Umm, who do you think Landon favors?

Scott at 3 months (with his parents).

Landon at 3 months:

Scott at 8 months:

Landon at 8 months:

Have you ever seen two babies look more alike?!?! Even as I was uploading these pictures, I started typing in "Landon" instead of Scott for the first picture!!! I love it!

===
Other news...I leave in 5 days, 19 hours for my mission trip to Kenya. Right now, I can't even begin to think about packing because both of my kiddos are sick. Ella Beth has had many of the same symptoms of the "whatever in the world she had" in March. She has eaten (maybe) 10 crackers and 3 pieces of watermelon in the last 4 days. We have had to keep her on Zofran 24/7 just so she can stop throwing up/dry heaving. I've been scared; wondering if we are going to be back at the hospital. So far, it hasn't gotten that bad, but it's been close a few nights.

Landon also has a horrible bronchitis episode going on. We are having to give him breathing treatments just to help him function - especially when he's lying down. He has woken up numerous times because he can't catch his breath with all of the gunk in his chest.

I feel under attack by Satan, knowing that he doesn't want me to go and do God's work. It really ticks me off that he would attack me by attacking my children. When they got sick in March, it was right after I signed up for the trip. Now, only days from leaving, and they are sick again. Coincidence? I think not. I have thought about staying home, trying to switch out my slot for one on a different team later this year, trying to allow someone else to go in my place. However, I signed up for this trip because I want to go, and I really love my team. My heart yearns to travel and experience the newness of God's greatness with people who have never known of Him. Right now, I am committed to go, but I am praying for my kids to get healthy (and stay healthy) before I leave. I have lots of people praying, so I'm counting on Satan to find his place...way behind the Will of God!

On turning 30...

I had much anticipation about turning 30. I wasn't necessarily excited about it, seeing as how I was starting a new decade in my life. However, I would turn 30 again any day!

Scott surprised me with a Surprise Dinner Party! He went way out of his natural "non-planning" personality, and really did it up well for my birthday. I felt so loved! He invited all of my closest friends and our small group (only the ladies made it) to the Kani House for a great Japanese meal. Japanese is my favorite food, so it wasn't too out of the ordinary for him to take me there; I did mention going somewhere else on the way, but then I changed my mind - good news for Scott, eh!!!

Here's a picture from the embarrassing lamp shade ensemble that I had to wear. Too bad we couldn't capture the loud drum, clapping, and singing in the photo for the full effect!

Scott also made me the BEST gift I've ever received! It's a swing in our backyard that hangs from a 40-foot tree limb! AWESOME!!! (I love you, honey!!!) I can't wait to post pictures of me on the swing; I love going as high as Scott can get me - I lose my stomach every time! Of course, I share it. I'll have pictures of others having a thrilling time, too!

Thanks to everyone who helped make my birthday the best! Turning 30 wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be! In fact, I'm enjoying my maturity more and more these days. Ha! ;)