Kenya Day Five

Day Five:

I keep telling myself, “Take it in, take it in.” I feel I need to take in as much of this experience as possible in order to do justice to my purpose of being here. As was stated in this mornings devotion, this experience is not just about building relationships with the people of Kiria Kenya but also about loving one another in general. 

Today we visited and worked in the village (we helped build the floor and held an information session with the older students). The towns on the way to Kiria would, from an outsiders perspective, look like something from a movie representing the ends of the earth.  But, when you speak to the people in the towns there is love and community more evident than I have ever seen. The Kenyas may been lacking education, resource, technology, and medical care but they are not lacking in the area of love and community. Our team leader, Dave, put it well when he said, “Our joy is found in relationships and community.” Through this mission not only the team is inspired to live out this thought process but we are also called to teach others to love one another. How might we do this? We befriend our neighbor, we do unto others as we would have them do unto us, we love one another, and we give grace when needed. 

Today in my personal journal I wrote, “Today I had the most fun that I have ever had in my life.” The reason I wrote this is because a simple thing such as learning a new song and dance with the students of the primary school was truly the only thing in the world that I wanted to be doing. I know that many other team members felt the same way during their work and activities. 

These moments are so touching because the people of Kiria are conscious of the moments we spend together that makes the moments priceless. They value the time tht we spend with them. NewHope continues to support this loving community and priceless moments. Due to the financial and relational support brought to this community through NewHope their is a working water system at the school. The water is used for drinking, washing, and today we used it to help with the construction of the school. Thank God for these blessings and the people that are in our lives. Remember to cherish the small moments. 

Tomorrow is our last day in the village so please keep us in your prayers. Saying goodbye to our Kiria friends is going to require strength and faith in God’s purpose for us all. 

God Bless, 

Amy Lineberry, on behalf of Team Kenya 2011