Day 14 - Final Day

It's hard to say goodbye to everyone and everything here. We've made some incredible friends and we feel we've made a difference. 

Chris is sharing with the group how much has been accomplished. We are so glad to have been a part of this. We know God has brought us all together and we know we'll be back.

Brandon has started a chant with the children which started the first day we got here, "Jambo, jambo, jambo ... Jambo all the day" ... It's so cute to hear them all echo this when Brandon starts this.

Here the kids are ready to go. We asked that they wear their uniforms so we would recognize them and not lose anyone ... Little did we know there wouldn't be anyone else at the park besides us.

Here is teacher Gladys and her class, she has over 30 students in her class. Our hope is to limit the numbers in each class. We want each child to get a quality education as well as to learn about God and this can't happen if the classes are too large. Pray with us that this school will become a place where everyone wants to send their children.

Hellen is giving out the First Aid kits that were made. Thank you NACC for donating the items for these, the people were thrilled.

This was one of the rides at "Rock City". It's not really an amusement park per se, it's more like a carnival. 

This was another ride and we only had one child throw up! YAY!! And yes, that is metal lying really close to the swing but no one seemed to mind. :)

As you can see, the kids loved the merry-go-round. 

Trying to get the kids organized. 

Having fun on the bounce house ... This was one of the favorites of the kids.

We walked over to the grassy area and let the kids play with bouncy balls and then eat their lunches which consisted of a hotdog, French fries, juice boxes, and oranges. The kids really enjoyed their food.

Here the kids are in a huge circle and we played games with them. 

Here we all are ... What a great group of kids, teachers, and helpers. Thank you so much for supporting these wonderful kids!

Here the kids received their gift bags which they promptly put around their heads to carry. They were so tired from the days events but couldn't wait to see what they had been given. Thank you to everyone who sewed dresses, gave coloring books and crayons, donated toothbrushes and paste, and socks.

After a wonderful day with the kids, it was time to head out, us to Heart Lodge, and the kids back to Huruma. The ride on the bus was fun for the kids as well.

As we drove back to the lodge, there were some tears as we had to say goodbye to the teachers and kids. What a blessing they all are. Keep praying for Huruma Nursery School, their families, the teachers, and the community.

We had dinner early as we needed to get to the airport due to the fire the previous week. As we're finishing up it begins to pore down rain. David, who is from Huruma, says in Africa this is a sign from God that He is giving us a blessing. Thank you for the blessings to us Lord. You are great and greatly to be praised!

ASANTE SANA

Day 13 - Last day of work

Everyone felt good today and was glad to be able to go to our final day of work. We knew there was still some painting to be done. We arrived at the school and there were people there already busy putting primer on the tables and benches. We got busy as well, wanting to finish so we could start cleaning up. 

Each table got a fresh coat of blue paint as well as the benches. We had many hands so it didn't take too long. 

While painting, we sang songs to help pass the time and for a laugh. It's amazing how many songs we only knew one line too. Some of us were even told to not sing ... And it was hurtful so we sang louder!

Julie got the pleasure to paint the buildings as it took skill and the ability to stay below the yellow!

After completing the painting we had the pleasure of passing out food bags to all those who helped us. The women you see above worked very hard and wanted to be a part of making Huruma Nursery School a better place for their children. Helen explains to them what they will be receiving. After the ladies receive their bags, one mother steps forward and thanks us for all we are doing to help. They will miss us and want us to go back and tell our families thank you for allowing us to come. They also want to thank those who have help support them and their children. Thank You North Albany Community Church for caring, donating, praying, supporting, and allowing us to be apart of this wonderful ministry.

We left a little early as we had a meeting with Pastor Henry to discuss where we go from here with the school. It was hard to leave them but we are so thankful for all the time we have had together. Please continue to pray for the people here. 

ASANTE SANA

FaCeS

Day 12 - For God so loved the world ...

We have two who are staying at the lodge today, Andy and Julie. They both need to be near the bathroom if you know what I mean? Keep them in your prayers.

We arrive at the nursery school excited to see what was accomplished while we were away. We don't really know what to expect but we know they had plenty of hands on deck. We were pleasantly surprised!

Here are the renewed steps. The had taken out the top step to make it more level with the entry to the classroom. This same color was put on all the floors over the new cement to make it easier for cleaning. 

 This is one of the new sinks that was installed. They ran a line from their water tank down to the kitchen. They put a sink inside the cooking area as well as this sink. The plan is when the children arrive, they will wash their hands before they go into their classrooms. The also want them to take their shoes off and put on flip flops while in class. 

 Paul was wondering if he should grow his hair out ... What do you think? 

There wasn't much to do at first. This drove the men crazy as they wanted something to Get to work. So, they put a new seat in a chair, they put handles on two brooms that were broken, they put supports on a table, and we even saw Pastor Rob sweeping! 

Here is Tom with Samuel and some of the young men who have come to help. There really has been a bond that has developed between the men. Samuel is such a hard working man and loves helping with our project. He always has a smile on his face. 

Joy has a baby on her back, Kenyan style. This is baby Mary who has come to the school most days. She is so sweet ...

Even Pastor Rob couldn't resist a cuddle with baby Mary. She is just 3 months old.

This was suppose to be a trash box but as you can see, it became the latest toy to play with ... Just like home, right!

Our day ended a little early as we were invited to go to Irene and Dennis Tongoi's home for dinner. We were being picked up at 5 whichever became 5:30 because our taxi got a flat. The ride took us almost an hour because of traffic. We got to see more of Nairobi which was nice. 

Our hosts served us an amazing dinner. After finishing our meal, Irene told us her story of how God humbled her to change the way she thought about the poor and her journey to start New Dawn, which is the High School in the Huruma slum. Her husband told us how he was raised in a wealthy home but attended school with the poorest of the poor. He had always had a heart for he poor. They both attended a conference that changed their lives and which helped Irene to challenge her faith and beliefs. Through her changed life, Irene decided she needed to hp the children of Huruma succeed and she opened New Dawn. 

Dennis concluded by saying, "For God so loved the world that he ... Wrote a check!" So many people would say, why come to Africa when you can just send the money it took to come but that's not what Christ did. He built relationships and walked with the people. He took time to listen, and to teach, and to pray with, and to die for. 

We have built relationships here in Kenya and we're glad ... Some of you reading may want to come and build your own relationships. You won't regret it, it's worth the time, the effort, the money, ... It's worth far more than you'll ever realize.

Just so you know, the ride home took 10 minutes. Traffic!!

Good Night everyone ... God Bless

Day 11 - Worship at Karura Community Chapel

We've had a few of us come down with sour stomachs so keep us in your prayers. Paul stayed at the lodge today as he was feeling so bad. 

We headed out for church and what a wonderful service it was. The music brought us to the throne so we could worship and the speaker spoke words to help us see how we can change ourselves to better serve those in our community. Dennis Tongoi spoke on "Business as Mission". His wife is the director of New Dawn High School, an amazing woman. After church we took Hellen and her children to lunch. We can't thank her enough for all she is doing for the nursery school. She works 54 hours a week at her job plus makes sure the school has all that is needed.

 Here is Hellen, her son, Simon, older daughter Ann, and youngest Sarah.

Each night after dinner we meet to discuss the day. We also have been getting to know one another better by giving our testimony. This has been wonderful. For some, it's been a challenge but everyone has participated and glad they did. It's amazing how telling your God story can bring people together but it does.

Please pray for us as we head into the final days of work and taking the kids to the rock city. Our time here has been so overwhelming in so many ways. 

Mission is what God does, not us. God invites us to join Him in what He is doing.

Day 9-10 - Excursion

We were very fortunate to be able to get out of the city and experience the beauty of Africa. We slept in tents and got to see wonderful animals that God made. How majestic are His wonders and ways. We had a wonderful driver who could explain the difference between a black and white rhino and why god made the giraffes so tall and long necked. 

Here is one of the first animals we saw, the warthog. How could you not just smile when you see this animal and break into song .... Okay, maybe not break into song but if you know the movie The Lion King it makes perfect sense!

 We got to go on an early morning ride to see more animals and the way the sun was shining on this tree was so beautiful. 

Here is a gorilla doing his afternoon yoga poise. 

 And who can resist a lion and her cubs ... This made our day. So amazing!

Thank you Lord for allowing us to get away for a day to regroup and enjoy the wonders you created.

Day 8 - Exhaustion kicks in

We've been blessed with some wonderful people to work with. Each day when we get to the Huruma Nursery school, we are greeted by smiling faces from the teachers and workers. We have made friends with the people here and it shows by how they help us get things done. 

Today we ladies decide we're going o wash all the benches and tables. We set up a washing station outside the school as we don't want to be in the way of the men's work. They are mixing sand and cement to spread on the floor of the classroom. Some of the men are putting extra thick plywood in the office/storage room for security reasons. If you remember, the office was broken into last year and the teachers salary money was stolen. 

Here Pastor Rob is sawing the plywood for the office/storage room. Brandon, along with some of the young men from the area are helping.

The floor looks so beautiful with the cement and the paint. It will make a huge difference in trying to keep it clean.

After lunch today we decide to head out a little early as we have a few folks who don't feel well. There are lots of young men available to finish the work. It's always hard leaving because we've made some wonderful friends here. They look forward to us coming and we look forward to seeing them. 

Pray for this community that they will continue to work together for the good of the school.