Today was a very exciting day!
After a week of lifting concrete, building walls, and many other tasks, we have our free day. We left the seminary early at 7AM for a two hour trip to our destination, Pozo Azul, in the Costa Rican rainforest. There were a variety of activities that we participated in that included zip-lining, white water rafting, horseback riding, and a nature walk. All of these were great ways for us to see different parts of the country we are serving. Whether it was frogs, bullet ants, or toucans, it was very enjoyable to see many of God’s creatures in their natural habitat. After our exciting activities, we had lunch overlooking the river where we could sit outside and watch the butterflies and hummingbirds.
Back at what has become home for us, we had our last supper prepared by our marvelous cook Carla with our host missionaries Will and Ella. For dessert Ella prepared espresso frosted chocolate brownies in celebration of Doug’s birthday today and Emily’s tomorrow. Then we shared one last time of talking about all that has been accomplished this week and what the plans and dreams for the future are. A great end to a remarkable week!
Please keep us in your prayers as we make our way home to Michigan (hope you’ve saved us some snow : )
Can't wait to get home and see all our friends and family!
Monday, February 25, 2013
Costa Rica - Thursday Report
What a beautiful day!
This morning we had devotions before breakfast, led by Maxine and Tom who even included a dramatic skit. We were at the worksite bright and early for our last day at the worksite. We had finished much of the concrete work on Wednesday, so some of the team worked on tying rebar together while the rest of the team helped to build another wall. We have been very fortunate this week to have near perfect weather every day we’ve been on the site.
After lunch, we worked for a few more hours before we were invited to play with the children at the Methodist Home. We did our best to wear out the kids, but we’re pretty sure they did a better job of wearing us out! Since it was our last day, we gave the “ticos” (the Costa Rican workers at the site) some gifts before saying our goodbyes. It’s satisfying to see how much we accomplished in our four days of work.
After our work day, we took a trip to a shopping area to pick up some souvenirs before dinner. Costa Rica is famous for its intricate wood carvings. There are different woods specific to this country that have a distinctive look to them.
Once we had a delicious dinner made by our cook, Carla, we had visitors from the Spanish Language Institute in San Jose. Julie Chamberlain, a friend of Phoebe and Roger Vance, is the director of the school that specializes in teaching Spanish to missionaries and their families in order to prepare them to live in a Spanish speaking country. Julie has lived in Costa Rica for 20 years and knew Phoebe and Roger before she moved down here. It shows how small the world is!
We hope all is well with everyone back home! Many thank yous to our prayer partners in Michigan and elsewhere!
- Cathy and Emily
This morning we had devotions before breakfast, led by Maxine and Tom who even included a dramatic skit. We were at the worksite bright and early for our last day at the worksite. We had finished much of the concrete work on Wednesday, so some of the team worked on tying rebar together while the rest of the team helped to build another wall. We have been very fortunate this week to have near perfect weather every day we’ve been on the site.
After lunch, we worked for a few more hours before we were invited to play with the children at the Methodist Home. We did our best to wear out the kids, but we’re pretty sure they did a better job of wearing us out! Since it was our last day, we gave the “ticos” (the Costa Rican workers at the site) some gifts before saying our goodbyes. It’s satisfying to see how much we accomplished in our four days of work.
After our work day, we took a trip to a shopping area to pick up some souvenirs before dinner. Costa Rica is famous for its intricate wood carvings. There are different woods specific to this country that have a distinctive look to them.
Once we had a delicious dinner made by our cook, Carla, we had visitors from the Spanish Language Institute in San Jose. Julie Chamberlain, a friend of Phoebe and Roger Vance, is the director of the school that specializes in teaching Spanish to missionaries and their families in order to prepare them to live in a Spanish speaking country. Julie has lived in Costa Rica for 20 years and knew Phoebe and Roger before she moved down here. It shows how small the world is!
We hope all is well with everyone back home! Many thank yous to our prayer partners in Michigan and elsewhere!
- Cathy and Emily
Costa Rica - Wednesday Report
Costa Rica Wednesday report
What a day! Warm sunshine, good people, lovely children and enough concrete made and poured to sink a navy. Great progress is being made on the walls Leandro is pushing his team (Tom, Cathy, Jim, and Emily) to work faster and faster so the blocks are flying in place. Wendy, Maxine, and Doug are making and pouring concrete into forms that are topping off the walls. Mary is doing most of the shoveling to keep the buckets full of sand, and rock for the making of the concrete. Roger and Jack continue as our electricians (more like sculptors since they have to chisel the holes into the block to place the electrical boxes). And Phoebe continues to organize our lovely lunches and is known to have a shovel in her hand when needed.
It was actually an exhausting day. We cut off a little early to do Vacation Bible School with the kids at Mount of Olives Methodist Church. We had about 25 children, and they loved the crafts Wendy had planned.
Tomorrow it appears will be a day of more block laying and concrete pouring and electrical box placing. We are becoming quite professional. We are definitely sleeping well.
Blessings from Costa Rica,
Doug and Jack
Costa Rica - Tuesday Report
Costa Rica news (Tuesday)
Emily and Maxine led the group in devotions about how something good often comes out of something we don’t expect or something we consider unfortunate. Certainly our days have not gone completely as planned, but we have made spectacular progress in our construction efforts. The really hard workers have almost finished laying the block (and mortaring them in place) for the walls. The other workers (Emily, Wendy, and Mary with assistance from Phoebe), finished sifting the sand, removing the larger pebbles. Wendy led us in singing the hymn about ‘shifting sands’ as we worked. The food continues to be absolutely delicious – fresh strawberries today, bought from the strawberry farm next door to the Children’s Home. And we also have papaya, bananas, avocado, tomatoes, watermelon…
In spite of many suggestions to remember to wear sunscreen, 7 of the 11 members of the work team are suffering from sunburns – perhaps fooled by thinking they can’t get burned through cloudy skies at this elevation.
Several members of the group are working actively on improving their Spanish speaking skills, much to the entertainment of the ‘tico’ workers (we are the ‘gringos’). In fact, one of the children in the first Children’s Home (Casa Esperanza), told Maxine “I speak English – you can stop trying to speak Spanish”. This nine-year-old girl shared this in an attempt to be helpful – not to be snotty.
We are all having a great time and look forward to another productive day at the work site! Special greetings to all of our prayer partners. We loved your letters!
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Costa Rica - Monday Report
Costa Rica - Monday Report
The group seems to be working really well together we have had many highlights of the day. Tom has learned the magic touch when it comes to stuccoing along with Cathy and their assistant foreman Leandro. Doug and Maxine were busy working with Jr all day building the front hall wall! A large part of the women in the group--Wendy, Mary, Emily, and Phoebe--were busy sifting pebbles out of sand all day to prepare it for the mortar! A endless task it seems, however greatly needed!! We also got to meet our cook on the work site today we picked up Monica on our way to the work site and she makes some amazing mashed potatoes. Phoebe accompanied Monica to the store and was able to help her pick out the different items we ate for lunch today. The day ended in the best possible way. We hosted a VBS for the children of the home and made many different little crafts including a mosaic, a caterpillar, and a Holy Spirit (Spiritus Sanctus) mobile! After the children had made their mobiles they all ran outside on the soccer field running around with their streamer mobiles. After craft time was over a soccer game emerged on the soccer field with two balls and people switching teams back and forth! The children went home with smiles as did our crew, however our smiles may be a little more tired. We all sat around talking about our favorite parts of the day as we prepare for tomorrow's adventure!!
-Maxine P
The group seems to be working really well together we have had many highlights of the day. Tom has learned the magic touch when it comes to stuccoing along with Cathy and their assistant foreman Leandro. Doug and Maxine were busy working with Jr all day building the front hall wall! A large part of the women in the group--Wendy, Mary, Emily, and Phoebe--were busy sifting pebbles out of sand all day to prepare it for the mortar! A endless task it seems, however greatly needed!! We also got to meet our cook on the work site today we picked up Monica on our way to the work site and she makes some amazing mashed potatoes. Phoebe accompanied Monica to the store and was able to help her pick out the different items we ate for lunch today. The day ended in the best possible way. We hosted a VBS for the children of the home and made many different little crafts including a mosaic, a caterpillar, and a Holy Spirit (Spiritus Sanctus) mobile! After the children had made their mobiles they all ran outside on the soccer field running around with their streamer mobiles. After craft time was over a soccer game emerged on the soccer field with two balls and people switching teams back and forth! The children went home with smiles as did our crew, however our smiles may be a little more tired. We all sat around talking about our favorite parts of the day as we prepare for tomorrow's adventure!!
-Maxine P
Greetings from Costa Rica!
Greetings from San Jose, Costa Rica!
We are relaxing after a big day. Most of us woke up very early today since we went to bed early last night. We had all been up around 3-4 am on Saturday morning to make it to the airport for 6 am flights. Fortunately travel was pretty smooth. We arrived at the Seminario Metodista in time for a delicious spaghetti dinner.
We started the day with devotions at 9am and off to church at 9:30. We visited a church (Monte de los Olivos) with a young pastor, Gustavo, who is a recent seminary graduate and student of Will Faircloth, our mission host. The service featured some very enthusiastic singing and dancing, including some songs we knew (We Want to See Jesus Lifted High and Trading My Sorrows), but sung in Spanish of course. The congregation was mostly made up of Nicaraguan immigrants and we especially enjoyed the child who twirled around in the aisles while we sang.
We enjoyed a delicious buffet lunch after a scenic drive up and down the mountain, with stops on the way home at a scenic overlook where we met "Captain Morgan", at least that's what he said his name was. He did take a lovely group photo for us in front of the scenic mountain overlook. We also stopped to visit the ruins of Iglesia Ujarras that was built in the 1500s. This was a popular destination for Costa Ricans as well, not to mention a lots of random dogs. Luckily, we got deals on mangoes, water apples, and tangerines to enjoy later in the day.
Tonite we had dinner at the seminary (our home for the week) and made kits of the crafts. (Portion control is a necessary part of crafts with large numbers of children!) We're relaxing now and one by one drifting to bed, since tomorrow we will be hard at work. Devotions are at 6:30, breakfast is at 7:00, and we depart for the worksite at 7:45.
Dios te bendiga! (God bless you!)
We are relaxing after a big day. Most of us woke up very early today since we went to bed early last night. We had all been up around 3-4 am on Saturday morning to make it to the airport for 6 am flights. Fortunately travel was pretty smooth. We arrived at the Seminario Metodista in time for a delicious spaghetti dinner.
We started the day with devotions at 9am and off to church at 9:30. We visited a church (Monte de los Olivos) with a young pastor, Gustavo, who is a recent seminary graduate and student of Will Faircloth, our mission host. The service featured some very enthusiastic singing and dancing, including some songs we knew (We Want to See Jesus Lifted High and Trading My Sorrows), but sung in Spanish of course. The congregation was mostly made up of Nicaraguan immigrants and we especially enjoyed the child who twirled around in the aisles while we sang.
We enjoyed a delicious buffet lunch after a scenic drive up and down the mountain, with stops on the way home at a scenic overlook where we met "Captain Morgan", at least that's what he said his name was. He did take a lovely group photo for us in front of the scenic mountain overlook. We also stopped to visit the ruins of Iglesia Ujarras that was built in the 1500s. This was a popular destination for Costa Ricans as well, not to mention a lots of random dogs. Luckily, we got deals on mangoes, water apples, and tangerines to enjoy later in the day.
Tonite we had dinner at the seminary (our home for the week) and made kits of the crafts. (Portion control is a necessary part of crafts with large numbers of children!) We're relaxing now and one by one drifting to bed, since tomorrow we will be hard at work. Devotions are at 6:30, breakfast is at 7:00, and we depart for the worksite at 7:45.
Dios te bendiga! (God bless you!)
Friday, February 15, 2013
Greetings from Kenya #5
Hello, Friends!
It's hard to believe how quickly our time here in Meru is passing. It's Friday afternoon, and we are beginning to wrap up our activities here.
Yesterday, we started our day at Bishop Primary School where we gave the morning devotions. Dixie shared some lovely thoughts about Valentine's Day and the meaning of Christian love. Once again, we were blessed with the singing of the children - a sound so full of joy that it touches us every time!
After devotions, we split up into our work teams though we mixed things up a bit. Ted, Dixie and Dave took a break from the computer lab and BLISS and went to Gichunge Primary School while Gary, Al B. and Nancy met with the local committee that is helping to facilitate the feeding program at the primary schools. Meanwhile, Julie went to the Amani Children's Home to work with the women there on a sewing project. The rest of the team spent time teaching either at BLISS or Gichunge - building on the lessons that they have been teaching.
In the afternoon, we had the opportunity to visit Meru University and see the major building projects they are working on there. It is clearly a growing school, and we enjoyed experiencing the excitement in the air there. Afterward, we went to the Amani Children's Home where we had the opportunity to see the wonderful work being done by its director, Karambu. Karambu joined us for dinner here at the Thiiri Center. We were having a delightful conversation when, once again, the power went out. That's why you didn't hear from us yesterday!
Today started with giving devotions at Kithoka Primary School - the other school, besides Gichunge, that has a new feeding program. After a tour at Kithoka, we split up for our last day of teaching. We will see the students and staff of BLISS again tomorrow, but we had to say good-bye to all of our new friends at Gichunge. It was a joy-filled, tear-filled morning!
We are looking forward to dinner this evening with Bishop Imathiu and his wife, Florence. All week, we have been witnessing the good work of this man. It will be an honor to spend some time in conversation with him.
We will be in touch with you again as time and power supply allow. For now, we are healthy, full of love for this place and its people, and excited to see what tomorrow will bring!
Blessings to each of you,
Nancy Lynn (for the whole Kenya mission team)
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Greetings from Kenya # 4
Jambo Friends,
It's Tuesday evening here in Meru, a little after 9:00, the end of another very full day.
After breakfast, we left for Guchunge Primary school for morning devotions at 7:30. When we got there, we were enthusiastically met by the students at Guchunge - a large group of starndard 1 through 8 students - about the same as 1 through 8 grade. Julie let a very good devotion based on the 66th Psalm. The students sang songs for us and gave us a welcoming clap - where they clap their hands in rythym as greeting. We also sang for them - Seek ye First and Sanctuary. We were also introduced to the teaching staff of the school. As is almost always true, the warmth and sincerity of the greeting boardered on te overwheling. We also learned about the maize crop that has been planted for Guchunge for food. During some informal moments afterwards, I was reminded how much fun you can have with a handful of Kenyan first graders and a digital camera - they love to have their pictures taken, and then see the picture on the camera - especially when you let them know how beautiful they are.
Some of the team stayed at Guchunge and taught special education and standards 1 and 2, while the rest of the team returned to BLISS to teach biology, sit in on history and english classes (I believe those were the classes) and teach some biology about crops and computer skills. We left BLISS a litle after noon, and after lunch at Thiiri, went on an extended sightseeing trip of Meru. We drove through Kenya Methodist University (called KEMU for short), and observed classes at the school for the deaf in Kagaa (a section of Meu). Merilyn gave us a history lesson as we visited Kagaa Methodist Church, briefly covering the inroduction and spread of Christianity in what is now Kenya, and a history of the various schools in the Meru area. We visited the Kagaa Boy's school, one of the first schools in the area, and the Agricultural school, also in the Kagaa area. We then went through downtown Meru on our way to visit Makena Textiles. Makena is very similar to the Spinners and Weavers in Nanyuku that we visited on Saturday, in that it offers employement to women in the area, and they spin yard and weave mostly rugs, but also make tie die fabrics. Most of us took the opprotunity to purchase something, both because they have some really nice things for sale, but, I suspect, also to support the women employed there. Some of us in one of our two vans, chose to stop at that other tourist destination in Meru - the NAKUMATT - think Meijers, Kenyan style. They did not sell much to us, just a few little necessities, but I personally enjoyed a COLD diet Coke and some popcorn, a bit of a treat in Meru (for me at least), and I was not the only one!
After our return to Thiiri, we had dinner and devotions, and made some plans for tomorrow, which mostly include classroom activities and both BLISS and Guchunge, devotions and the Polytechnic school (a vocational school very close to BLISS), and Ash Wednesday services at Mwanika in the late afternoon.
All of us continue to be in good health, and it seems to me, at least, have adjusted to our new place and time zone well! I know of no complaints!
More tomorrow. Until then,
Peace be with you.
Ted Brokaw for the 2013 Kenya Mission Team
Monday, February 11, 2013
Greetings from Kenya #3
Jambo, friends!
Our first day at the schools has come to an end, and many of us are taking a few minutes to send emails before dinnertime. It was another good day - full of adventures and new experiences!
This morning, we got up for an early breakfast and left for BLISS (the secondary school) at 7:30. We were warmly greeted by the students and faculty alike. Morning devotions started at 7:45 with the raising of the Kenyan flag. The students then led a prayer time, and Ted Brokaw did a lovely job of sharing his reflections on Psalm 150. We were asked to introduce ourselves individually and tell the students what our occupation is in the US.
After devotions, half of the team stayed at BLISS to visit secondary classes while the rest of us went to Gichunge Primary School for the morning. Those of us at Gichunge were deeply moved by the between and warmth of the children as well as the poor conditions in which they go to school. The principal and teachers were very generous in introducing us to each class and giving us some time to interact with the children. We will go back tomorrow to begin some English lessons and activities with the youngest classes.
At BLISS, some of our team visited classes while others talked about lesson plan ideas with the teachers. This afternoon, a few of us met with the school counselor to talk about the needs of the students and how we can best support them. They face any number of challenges, but when you talk with them, it's clear how much they love school.
As you may know, Kenya has a presidential election coming up in a few weeks. Tonight they will have their first-ever presidential debate. We expect to join the staff here at the Thiiri Center as we all gather around the one television to watch the debate. It should be a fascinating experience!
Last evening after our devotion time, Gary handed out letters from our prayer partners at church. I think we all felt touched and supported by the letters we received. They were good reminders of the many people back home that we know are thinking of us, praying for us, and holding us in the light of God's love while we are gone. Thank you!
God's peace to you,
Nancy Lynn for the whole mission team
Our first day at the schools has come to an end, and many of us are taking a few minutes to send emails before dinnertime. It was another good day - full of adventures and new experiences!
This morning, we got up for an early breakfast and left for BLISS (the secondary school) at 7:30. We were warmly greeted by the students and faculty alike. Morning devotions started at 7:45 with the raising of the Kenyan flag. The students then led a prayer time, and Ted Brokaw did a lovely job of sharing his reflections on Psalm 150. We were asked to introduce ourselves individually and tell the students what our occupation is in the US.
After devotions, half of the team stayed at BLISS to visit secondary classes while the rest of us went to Gichunge Primary School for the morning. Those of us at Gichunge were deeply moved by the between and warmth of the children as well as the poor conditions in which they go to school. The principal and teachers were very generous in introducing us to each class and giving us some time to interact with the children. We will go back tomorrow to begin some English lessons and activities with the youngest classes.
At BLISS, some of our team visited classes while others talked about lesson plan ideas with the teachers. This afternoon, a few of us met with the school counselor to talk about the needs of the students and how we can best support them. They face any number of challenges, but when you talk with them, it's clear how much they love school.
As you may know, Kenya has a presidential election coming up in a few weeks. Tonight they will have their first-ever presidential debate. We expect to join the staff here at the Thiiri Center as we all gather around the one television to watch the debate. It should be a fascinating experience!
Last evening after our devotion time, Gary handed out letters from our prayer partners at church. I think we all felt touched and supported by the letters we received. They were good reminders of the many people back home that we know are thinking of us, praying for us, and holding us in the light of God's love while we are gone. Thank you!
God's peace to you,
Nancy Lynn for the whole mission team
Sunday, February 10, 2013
Greetings from Kenya #2
Good Friends,
Jambo! Greetings from Meru!
I know Gary emailed all of you to let you know we all arrived safe and sound in Nairobi Friday evening.
After Gary e mailed you and we had some breakfast at the Methodist Guest House, we departed for Meru at about 8:30. Our two vans traveled north and then went around Mt. Kenya on the west side of the mountain. We stopped at a gift shop to stretch our legs, and took a second stop because there were no clouds surrounding Mt. Kenya, which is a little rare, so we had the opportunity to take some pictures of the mountain. At about 12:30, we stopped at a restaurant called the Trout Tree just south of Nanyuki. The restaurant is build in an open air deck supported by a huge tree - there are Columnbus Monkeys in the surrounding trees, which are pretty funny to watch - they like to get to the food, of course, if they can. The restaurant also is on the banks of a river and has tanks where they farm trout, hence the name. The primary dish is smoked whole trout, but there are other things for those who don't like fish. Afterwards, we went through Nanyuki and stopped at a women's ministry called Spinners and Weavers. It provides employment to women and was started in 1977 (I think that's when it was - I may be off a year or two either way). The women get raw wool from the surrounding area, sort it, make yarn from it on spinning wheels, and then it is weighed for market. The yarn is then cleaned several times in water and finally in soap. Some of it is dyed, and may either be sold as yarn, or woven into rugs, scarves, place mats or wall hangings. We were, of course, given the opportunity to purchase some of their products, and most of us did!
The other thing about the drive is to watch the scenery and the people who are walking along the side of the road - even out in the country. The many roadside stands selling everything from produce - potatoes, mangos, pineapple - to things I normally don't think of as coming from a stand - furniture, clothes, even a coffin! The people attending the open air markets in the towns, and on this trip the politicians were campaigning for the upcoming elections here in Kenya.
We arrived at Thiiri Center in Meru at about 5:00, where we will stay until next Monday morning. We took a little time to settle in to our rooms, and then had dinner at about 7:00, followed by a little meeting for devotions, but we were all so tired that it was pretty short lived, so we retired a little early.
This morning, we gathered for breakfast at 8:00 and left for Mwanika Methodist Church at a little after 9:00 for the 9:30 English speaking service. As in the past, we were very warmly received, and enjoyed the music - Kenyan style versions of some hymns we sing in Ann Arbor as well as Kenya, as well as some Kenyan pieces. Nancy preached the sermon. We were all invited to the front of the sanctuary to introduce ourselves, and were referred to as the Ann Arbor chapter of the church (as in prior visits). The service was over at about 10:45 and we were invited for some tea and biscuits at their social hour. We all chose to go back and attend the Kimeru language service - Nancy again preached, and Moses translated the service into Kimeru. The women of the church had prepared us a wonderful lunch after the second service - mashed potatoes with carrots, seasoned rice with meat and vegetables, and a black beans with a mixture of other vegetables and some Kenyan flat bread - I should remember the name for it, but can't at the moment. I always find the warmth and sincerity of our hosts to be absolutely moving - they welcome us so graciously. We got back here to Thiiri at a little to 3:00 this afternoon. Later today, we will prepare for our first day at the schools tomorrow - BLISS, and then the two primary schools where we will be - Kithoka and Guchuge - and have some dinner.
Everyone seems to be in good health and we are all fine. The weather is nice and sunny and in the low to mid eighties (hard to take, Denise Leonard), and is projected to stay that way for our entire stay.
Another update will be coming soon!
Until then, Peace be with you.
Ted Brokaw for the 2013 Kenya Mission Team.
Jambo! Greetings from Meru!
I know Gary emailed all of you to let you know we all arrived safe and sound in Nairobi Friday evening.
After Gary e mailed you and we had some breakfast at the Methodist Guest House, we departed for Meru at about 8:30. Our two vans traveled north and then went around Mt. Kenya on the west side of the mountain. We stopped at a gift shop to stretch our legs, and took a second stop because there were no clouds surrounding Mt. Kenya, which is a little rare, so we had the opportunity to take some pictures of the mountain. At about 12:30, we stopped at a restaurant called the Trout Tree just south of Nanyuki. The restaurant is build in an open air deck supported by a huge tree - there are Columnbus Monkeys in the surrounding trees, which are pretty funny to watch - they like to get to the food, of course, if they can. The restaurant also is on the banks of a river and has tanks where they farm trout, hence the name. The primary dish is smoked whole trout, but there are other things for those who don't like fish. Afterwards, we went through Nanyuki and stopped at a women's ministry called Spinners and Weavers. It provides employment to women and was started in 1977 (I think that's when it was - I may be off a year or two either way). The women get raw wool from the surrounding area, sort it, make yarn from it on spinning wheels, and then it is weighed for market. The yarn is then cleaned several times in water and finally in soap. Some of it is dyed, and may either be sold as yarn, or woven into rugs, scarves, place mats or wall hangings. We were, of course, given the opportunity to purchase some of their products, and most of us did!
The other thing about the drive is to watch the scenery and the people who are walking along the side of the road - even out in the country. The many roadside stands selling everything from produce - potatoes, mangos, pineapple - to things I normally don't think of as coming from a stand - furniture, clothes, even a coffin! The people attending the open air markets in the towns, and on this trip the politicians were campaigning for the upcoming elections here in Kenya.
We arrived at Thiiri Center in Meru at about 5:00, where we will stay until next Monday morning. We took a little time to settle in to our rooms, and then had dinner at about 7:00, followed by a little meeting for devotions, but we were all so tired that it was pretty short lived, so we retired a little early.
This morning, we gathered for breakfast at 8:00 and left for Mwanika Methodist Church at a little after 9:00 for the 9:30 English speaking service. As in the past, we were very warmly received, and enjoyed the music - Kenyan style versions of some hymns we sing in Ann Arbor as well as Kenya, as well as some Kenyan pieces. Nancy preached the sermon. We were all invited to the front of the sanctuary to introduce ourselves, and were referred to as the Ann Arbor chapter of the church (as in prior visits). The service was over at about 10:45 and we were invited for some tea and biscuits at their social hour. We all chose to go back and attend the Kimeru language service - Nancy again preached, and Moses translated the service into Kimeru. The women of the church had prepared us a wonderful lunch after the second service - mashed potatoes with carrots, seasoned rice with meat and vegetables, and a black beans with a mixture of other vegetables and some Kenyan flat bread - I should remember the name for it, but can't at the moment. I always find the warmth and sincerity of our hosts to be absolutely moving - they welcome us so graciously. We got back here to Thiiri at a little to 3:00 this afternoon. Later today, we will prepare for our first day at the schools tomorrow - BLISS, and then the two primary schools where we will be - Kithoka and Guchuge - and have some dinner.
Everyone seems to be in good health and we are all fine. The weather is nice and sunny and in the low to mid eighties (hard to take, Denise Leonard), and is projected to stay that way for our entire stay.
Another update will be coming soon!
Until then, Peace be with you.
Ted Brokaw for the 2013 Kenya Mission Team.
Friday, February 8, 2013
Greetings from Kenya
Greetings from Kenya! We arrived safely last night in Nairobi. Our flight arrived in Amsterdam early and left about an hour late due to deicing. All went smoothly at the Nairobi airport. We arrived at the Methodist Guest House at about 11 PM. We've had breakfast this morning and will meet with Charles, our travel agent, before departing for Meru at 8:30 am. The weather is pleasant and everyone is doing fine. We are all excited to be in Africa. We are in great spirits and so excited.
We are thrilled to be starting our adventure!
More later.
Gary
We are thrilled to be starting our adventure!
More later.
Gary
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