Pictures - finally got some wifi :)

Heading Home

As I write this we’re heading back from Samburu National Park where we spent 18 hours relaxing and enjoying God’s amazing creation.  We serve a God of unbelievable creativity.  We saw dozens of different species of animals with highlights including watching four lions stalk zebra and almost witnessing the birth of a giraffe. It’s about an 8-hour drive back to Nairobi where we’ll catch an airplane home late tonight. On our long layover in Istanbul we’ll try to post many pictures on this blog representative of our past 10-days. Unfortunately our slow internet has not allowed us to do so up to this point.

Besides seeing animals in Samburu and eating great food, three of our team-mates (Allie, Grace, and Tricia) were baptized in the pool next to a river with big crocodiles.  We also studied God’s word with monkeys lurking nearby. We specifically looked at James 1:27 and Acts 1:8.  We’ve been serving orphans in Kenya but that service doesn’t need to end when we get back home.  We are commanded to be ambassadors for Christ in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the uttermost parts of the earth. The last 10 days we’ve focused on the uttermost parts of the earth, but now we’re headed back to West Michigan, our Jerusalem, to continue being bold for Christ.  Incidentally, while we served orphans in Kenya, the word “orphan” in the Bible is synonymous with the phrase “father-less.”  There are certainly father-less children along with widows we can serve back at home. 

Thanks again for your support and prayers.  You haven't been the only ones praying for us.  While our driver was filling up our bus with diesel a pastor jumped on-board and prayed for our team.  Kenyan believers are big into praying a blessing upon you.  I've personally needed that blessing lately as I've been struggling deeply with the loss of my mother-in-law and my inability to be there for my wife.  

We appreciate you following our journey.  Several of us sponsored Kids Alive children while here.  $39 a month can accomplish so much in the life of a child at-risk.  You can do the same at www.kidsalive.org.  Be careful though – Ruth Henningham sponsored Anomat in 2002, met him in 2007, and began serving with Kids Alive as a missionary in 2008.  She never expected she’d spend her “retirement” as a missionary after being a school teacher but God can use us all in marvelous ways if we’ll let Him.

-Rich  

Last Day in Karundus

Wow. What an amazing trip. This morning our team had the opportunity to view some of the conditions that children of the Karundus school live in. We visited two homes that were very well kept, but very small. The "kitchens" (which is basically a small fire and a pot) were usually located outside of the house. Both homes belonged to single mothers with several children, who fit into single-roomed, tin houses. These houses were about a mile/mile and a half walking distance away from the school, which children as young as 3 years old would travel by themselves sometimes. Quite amazing what these children were capable of. We were so thankful to the mothers to allow us the privilege of visiting their personal space and gave each family a gift of a blanket and various types of food that would last them a while. What a blessing to be a part of that!
In the afternoon, we dedicated the playground at the boys home. The boys (and pastors as well as some church members and staff) used the playground facility for the first time! It was a blast to see their enthusiasm. We were approached by several kids and adults alike saying what a blessing this was to them and they wished God's blessings on us. How special. We then did many similar things with these kids that we did yesterday as we operated a "carnival" of sorts. We had a blast doing relays, painting faces, coloring/drawing, tug-of-war, and puppet skits! The kids really loved it, and said we were welcome back anytime.
I'm exhausted right now, so I'm sorry if this doesn't flow well or make much sense. As a team tonight we talked about spiritual gifts of each member here and how each of us played an important role on this trip. It will be sad to leave here, but we hope to never forget the people, children, places, and experiences. Thank you for your support. Please pray for Kids Alive in Kenya (and around the world) that God may continue to bless the staff and children they support. God is good all the time, and all the time God is good. Seriously. :)
Sawa! Lala Salama,
Ann Smit

Asante sana rafiki!

Today was quite a day.  We had an early breakfast since we had  a lot of things to accomplish.  The group was split up trying to take care of a lot of loose ends.  Corby and Ann stayed at the Karundus site, getting everything set up for the carnival and dedication for this afternoon. Julie and Allie stayed behind as well; Julie went to teach some music at the Christian School, and Allie helped out at the clinic.  The rest of us went back to the Boys Home to finish up the playground there.  We were able to finish things there and get tools and things left from the site back to Karundus by 12:30.  We had lunch, and then headed for the playground by the Christian School to have the dedication.  It was an amazing time.  We had a program put on by the school kids, they sang us songs, had poems for us, several teachers talked to thank us for our work on the playground, and the computers we brought which Don set up in the computer lab.  There were many parents who came out to take part in the festivities, since alot of the kids that go to the Christian school are from the nearby community along with the orphans that live in the orphanage on the grounds here.  The parents actually sang a thank you song to us, which Rich and Bruce said they had never had before in the different dedications they have been a part of.  It was very touching for all of us.  Then the kids played on the playground (and some of the adults, too).  We also had face painting, made balloon animals, did some crafts with the kids, played games, did a puppet show, and just had a great time playing with the kids.  It was a great day, but quite exhausting, so I'm sure we will all enjoy climbing into our bunks tonight.
Deb

P.S. If you were wondering, the title means "Thank you very much, friend!"

Singing with voices of angels!

Today was Sunday, a day I have been looking forward to since I found out I was able to come on this trip.   The service started at 11:00 with at least a half hour of singing with the boys from the Boy's Home leading us in their songs that they have been preparing.  I was shocked to see a Yamaha electric keyboard set up!  14 year old Joseph has been learning how to play just by listening to the songs programmed on the keyboard and copying the notes.  Incredible!  The singers just start to sing and he hits the transposing feature until he matches the pitch, and then finds the best rhythm selection to match the song.  Love it, love it.  The sermon was awesome - dynamic and loud - with our favorite translator, Isaac, helping everyone out.  We continued our worship until a little after 1:00,  a little disappointing when we were promised a 4 hour service!  (didn't know this included before and after Bible studies/Sunday school) 
After supper tonight we all walked over to the kids' meeting place and had a "surprise" birthday cake for Ann and Bryce with the kids.  They sang "Happy Birthday" and many other songs that we requested, including the one that we taught them just yesterday.  They sang it SO well... "King of kings and Lord of lords, Glory (clap) Hallelujah!"  I can't wait to get the recordings posted - you will be amazed!  Tomorrow comes The Cup Song routine.  How long do you think it will take for them to catch on?   :)  My guess is not long!
Blessing from Kenya!!!
Julie

Great Day!

What an amazing day.  I saw all the children enjoy the playground for the 1st time.  They were laughing and playing and did not want to get off the playground.  They could not stop laughing at sight of their teachers go down the slides and falling on the ground.  FUN WAS THE WORD OF THE DAY!!!!  It was very emotional for me to think that the hard work our team did for the past several days was so appreciated. 

Today was another full day of work at the boys home starting to build our second playground.  When we returned home to eat, we went go the children's chapel next door.  We heard children singing in the evening, however I did not understand that that every evening the children attended a devotional time of worship, singing and learning more about Jesus.  When we arrived the children were singing loud praises to Jesus.  They could not wait to teach us songs in English and they wanted us to teach them songs as well, which we did.  It was so powerful to hear children singing, laughing and praising God for all their blessing.  The children were thankful to be alive, to be around people that love them, and enjoy the day that God has given us. 

Children have so much to teach us if we are willing to listen to them and see their hearts for Jesus and love for others.

God has truly allowed me to participate and share in this experience.  Thank you almight God.

Corby

Best BEST day ever!!

 I have to say that today was the best BEST day ever. After waking up and having some breakfast we finished up all of the final touches to the playground in Karundas. Once all of the bolts were tightened and everything we let the kids enjoy their new playground. I have to say it was one of the best feelings in the world. Even though majority of the kids had never seen or played on a playground before they figured it out very fast. Seeing their eyes sparkle and huge smiles just made all of the hole digging and prep worth it! I couldn't be happier with our team. We've come together and made everything happen in just 4 days! I'm so thankful to be able to experience something like this. Everyone makes you feel so comfortable and at home. Thanks to Mama Winnie and Mama Joy we've had some of the most delicious meals too. We've also been fortunate to work with such hardworking Kenyan men who are so eager to help us and also teach us some Swahili! Tomorrow we're going back to work at the boys home where we started at today. All of the posts have been put into place and it's starting to look like a playground. =) Thanks for all of the thoughts and prayers. Lala salama!

                   -Des