Bwana Asifiwe!

As we venture off into the great beyond in hopes of catching a glimpse of the "big five", we look back at the adventures, laughs and cries that have brought 8 people into the loving arms of Kenya. 

Today we had the pleasure of hearing the word from Pastor Tim at the Kosovo center in Mathare. As he spoke of the journey of life, with all it's turns and surprises, we were assured that God already knows the road we travel; all we need to do is trust Him. 

Bwana  asifiwe... Amen, BWANA ASIFIWE.... AAAAAMEN !

With every "praise God" the whole congregation young and old,  moved their feet, legs, hips, arms head, weaves... And hair, singing/shouting worshiping with their entire being. Our one step to the left- clap -one step to the right- clap, just didn't seem to cut it. Many of us were taken over by the Holy Spirit and joined in with our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, while others of us continued to rejoice inwardly. After much discussion tonight, we praise God for the opportunity to experience worship through the Kenyan spirit. As we are inspired to introduce some new worship techniques back home, we are reminded that our culture is very different from theirs. And what a joy it is to know that no matter where we are in our spiritual journey (mentally or physically) God will always rejoice when we rejoice, no matter how big or small, fast or slow, coordinated or uncoordinated, our steps are :)

 ( or if our accents inhibit others from understanding.. God can understand your heart LaSaundra) 

We close tonight by sending much love and prayers back home to our families and friends! This trip would not have been the same without all our support from home. We also encourage you to continue to pray for Missions of Hope and the work that God is doing in Mathare. 

Now into the wild we go!

Wedding day/90's throwback

(To the theme song from "Fresh Prince of Bell Air")

Now this is a story all about how our lives got flipped turned upside down,
and we'd like to take a minute, just sit right there, 

we'll tell you how we came To Kenya from a town called Nash-ua 

From east coast America, born and raised

In Nairobi is where we spend most of our days

Chilling out, teaching, acting all cool 

Preaching the gospel outside of the school

When a couple in love, they were up to some good

Decided to get married in the neighborhood

Phil got us to the church late, but we weren't scared 

We said " Hakuna matata, wazungo will get there" 

We waited for the bridesmaids, and when they came near

We were dancing and singing with our hands in the air

Looked at the wrist watch, she was finally here!

Only three hours late, in white, with big hair! 

We pulled out of the place about 4-4:30, 

And yelled to the couple, "God bless, and take care"

Looked at our team mates, it was finally clear,

Ron warned us about patience on the first of the year.....

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The wedding was beautiful! Lots of colors, music and dancing. Tim even got to sit on stage with many other men of God to pray for and support the mariage of Samuel and Eunice. If there is one thing we will take away from today, it is the spiritual celebration of two people, glorifying God in their vows with the love and support of their family and friends. From the worship music to the serman, as well as the numerous prayers, we strongly believe this is the right way to enter into a marriage; putting God in the center. As this is our first Kenyan wedding, we will also adopt a new custom and really grasp hold of what "Kenyan time" really means :) 

Samuel and Eunice we greatly appreciate your open arms in allowing us to take part in your special day. We pray God continues to bless and strengthen your love for one another! 

Reflections of our week and bloopers

We finished up our time in Area 2 with very mixed emotions, sad knowing that we are leaving but rejoicing in knowing that we will be back. Our friendships and relationships with the teachers, social workers and children have again been strengthened and deepened.
Once again we were blessed with an ending ceremony of children singing and dancing and their teachers and social workers speaking very kind and appreciative words of thanks and love. At the end we and the Area 2 staff  danced and sang together as the children watched, laughing and giggling, mostly at the Wazungu (white folks).
One of our team members received a wedding proposal and tomorrow we depart for a traditional Kenyan wedding at 10:00 AM. 
During the week we had some really funny moments. It all started when Joanne was so happy to see Josephat and asked him how he was and if he was still teaching first grade. We were surprised to hear he was not, because he was a social worker named Robert! Then, Maggie, the office assistant, asked Jen F. if Michael was her dad! Jen referred to Michael as her father for the rest of the week. Meanwhile, when out on a home visit LaSaundra was teaching about purifying water, when the Kenyan man, who easily understood the other team members in the group asked the social worker to translate because he couldn't understand her. During one of our walks in the community we were greeted by a familiar chorus of " Mzungu", "Mzungu" and it was noted that they were not talking to LaSaundra. One night at dinner at the Kamau's, their six year old son David entertained us with embellished stories, jokes and smooth dance moves. During one particular reenactment of how he single-handedly scored all the goals, passing every one of the opposing team members including the keeper,  his feet went out from under him and he came crashing down along with our belief in his stories. We shared a hearty laugh with him. He really is a sweet kid and a joy to be around. Oh, and finally one last funny thing... when in the 
Masai Marketplace, Jen F. asked if anyone could pick out LaSaundra in a sea of Kenyans. None of us could spot her but a nice Kenyan shopkeeper knew exactly who and where she was. 
As we wrap up the week we do so with hearts that are full of love and gratitude for the people of Kenya and God's work in this wonderful place!

My third trip to Kenya

This is Andrea Pierce.  I am so excited and happy to be here for my third trip.  I came in 2009 and knew I had to return.  2010 left me again wanting to come back. This year, I have been amazed at how Mary and Wallace's visions have come to pass. The permanent Village 2 school is being built. In 2009, we arrived one week after the tin-walled temporary school opened for the first time. There is now a high school to attend following the previous top grade of 8, which allows the students to complete that education without returning long-term to Mathare Valley and probably stopping school.
The past 3 days, we have run a VBS which has been very successful.  The children have loved each section and it has been wonderful to see them so involved.  Nancy and I have done the crafts which without Melissa's planning would have been impossible; she had each detail arranged perfectly!
Yesterday afternoon, my half of the team made a visit to a man who is Muslim.  He lives with his wife and has grown children who do not live with him.  He was not interested in becoming Christian but was ready to teach his neighbors how to purify the water they drink and to know the true facts about HIV after we taught this man.  A lady we also saw on Tuesday had been taught the water purification by a neighbor we had seen on Monday.  This is part of the vision of the approach to the community members that the Mission of Hope is trying to create. Neighbor helping neighbor.
Today, we visited a shanty where a husband, wife, and 7 children live in a very small space. The only floor to walk on was less than a 6x8 foot rug.  In the middle of the room was a charcoal stove (size of a large pot) where chai tea was bubbling.  The fumes from the coal were strong as the 5month old twins slept on the bed.  Ezikiel  and his wife, Jacqueline sat on the same bed, 3 of us sat on a sofa, one on a stool, and 2 stood while we heard their story:  Soon after the first 2 children were born (now 14 and 12), they went to the home of Ezikiel's parents.  The two children already showed signs of cognitive disabilities. The grandparents said Ezzikiel could remain there but his wife and children would have to leave due to the disabilities.  If he wanted to stay with his wife and children, he would be disowned by his parents.  Because they loved each other so much (and still do) they left.  For the next 8 years, they lived in the woods  where they ate what they could find there.  Then, hoping to make a better life for the family, they moved to Nairobi.  Ezikiel found a job and rented a home where they stayed until they were thrown out in the middle of the night because the children were not toilet trained, and messed in the house due to the disabilities.  Another home was rented for awhile but Ezikiel was injured when he was beaten up and could no longer work.  Just about that time, the twins were born.  A person who owns one on the shanties in Mathare Valley has told the family they can live in this house while Ezikiel looks for work.  He has been looking since April and has found nothing yet. Unemployment is 45% so it does not look good. Ezikiel now has TB, his wife is doing laundry for the only income and one of the twins possibly has a medical problem as well.  Stories like these are frequent in the slums but even though some have given up and turned to drinking and drugs, people like these still try to hope things will change, and attempt what they can do to help that happen. For that reason and so many others, I know I shall leave here again counting the time until my next trip!

Some thoughts

This is Jenn B.  I just wanted to take some time to post some of my thoughts and things that I have seen in my third visit.  First of all, this is an amazing team.  I am so thrilled to be leading such a wonderful group of people.  Crossway should be very proud!
Second, VBS has been amazing.  Melissa Roth has done a wonderful job of putting together an ocean theme for us.  Not only the students, but the teachers, were amazed at all of the facts that Jen F and I told them about sea creatures.  We also had some shells that we showed and a sand dollar that we got many ooh's and aah's over.  The starfish was the hit.  They loved seeing it and feeling it and smelling it.  It was so amazing.  We taught them about the Blue Whale and they were stunned.  The teachers didn't believe what we had to say.  But they listened and loved it.  Thank you Melissa....
Third, I went into a home yesterday for one of our home visits.  This is a God thing because this woman's home was not on our agenda or homes to do Bring in the Light.  But they found us and asked us to come into their home.  So we did.  I took a seat and the woman, Nancy, just stared at me.  They she said, "You are Jenn and you were here two years ago to put this light in my home.  I was dying.  You prayed for me that day and I am alive because of your prayers."  Well, I was speechless.  Everyone was amazed that she would remember that.  I asked Robert, our interpreter, if she could have been mistaking me for someone else, he said no, that she was definitely sure and they don't forget.  This is why I come.  This is why God keeps calling me.  This woman needed me at that time and I listened to God's voice.  I will continue to listen to that voice.  I was amazed that she remembered my name and when I came.  I am so encouraged by this and know that I am making a difference when I visit.  Sometimes, it is very discouraging when you still see the poverty.  But then you go into a home and someone says something like this, it is refreshing.  They say that we are a blessing to these people, that our visiting from so far away is a blessing to them, that we would take time from our lives and just be with them.
I went into the home of a man today who is disable two years now.  He is paralyzed from the waist down. His name is John Kiamani.  Lois knows who he is.  He is an amazing man of faith.  He was a blessing to us to hear how he is so thankful to God everyday.  He has a home and food provided to him everyday.  He has an amazing wife who works for them to be able to have food and a home.  He goes to church every Sunday and does not miss a day.  He is just amazing to see.  He has an infectious smile that would light up any room.  We visited the home of Gift a 6 year old down's boy who is so loved by his mother.  We visited Irene a developmentally challenged child.  She took to Tim and wouldn't let go of his hand.  They loved that we were there to love on them and pray with them.  I am encouraged by what MOHI is doing.  They are amazing. 

October 9,2012

Day 2

Our second day in Area 2 for VBS was great. It's such a joy to see the children's smiles and excitment when they heard the stories, played the games and had craft time.  Also to see these precious children praise and worship Christ is something to behold.
We also went out into the community for home vists. There is a program called "Bring the Light" where a hole is cut into the tin roof and is replaced with plexy glass. It represents the light of Jesus. Between the two teams 5 homes were done and what a transformation is, just as Christ when he's in our life. In a home we were in yesterday we taught a simple way to purify water. A home we were today the women told us that her neighbor taught her this process. Her neighbor happened to be the home we were in yesterday. How encouraging.
Tonight the Kamau's opened their home to us for dinner which was wonderful. We also had entertainment by David.  We had time to spend with Mary. She talked about the impact Lois' work has had and will continue to have for years to come. She updated us on the boys dormitory at Joska and future plans for Missons of Hope. They have such great faith.
Oh, I almost forgot. We had great conversations at lunch at Area 2.  We will be going to wedding on Saturday...guess who?
God is Great!

Somehow in the midst of fecal filled sidewalks, glue sniffing zombies, and mobs of tiny children in "how are you" choruses, we had the pleasure of meeting an 87 year old gem!
During the community health evangelism this afternoon Joyce, a mother of 8 and grandmother of many, shared with us her faith in Christ. You can imagine when the woman, who had been jumping up and down in her house, arms flailing from side to side with strength and agility, told us her age! Being that the average lifespan in Mathare is 55, a woman that is "well lived" and physically fit is remarkable. What was even more crazy was her faith in Christ which started in the 60's.
Translated through her expressive arm gestures, and our interpreter, we understood she was not one to keep quiet. With every sentence, she said "it is by God's grace that I am here, he has cleansed me and I put my faith and trust in him always." Joyce's age, health, and happiness make her a walking testimony in a drug, infested hopeless community.
Now, we are prepared to go into these homes witnessing to non-Christians while incorporating HIV, malaria, and clean water education. However, we were blessed with such hope and encouragement for the work that God has been doing in the slums of Nairobi far before we started coming here. We can only pray and look forward to the transformations in which God has planned for Mathare.
Tim spent the afternoon at the Pangani Center meeting with the pastors of the Hope Outreach Churches throughout the Mathare Valley.  The pastors get together two afternoons each week for encouragement, study and prayer.  They are currently studying "The Foundations of Christian Leadership" which is offered through The Urban Ministry Institute.  It was a great encouragement for Tim to spend time with the 9 pastors that participated today.  The pastors were very interested to hear about all that God is doing at CrossWay and they send their greetings and blessings to the CrossWay community.  It is great to hear their stories of how God is at work through the Missions of Hope churches in Mathare.  Let's continue to pray for these pastors as they boldly proclaim the gospel and shine the light of Christ throughout the Mathare Valley.