Hello All!
Currently the team is participating in a fast from speaking. It began last night after we had communion and will go until we say the blessing over breakfast this morning. It has been interesting to see how we interact with one another and find other forms of communication when we need to say something. It seemed as though as soon as I stopped talking, God completely took over my thoughts. I have felt him in the back of my mind last night and this morning as I woke up. So that has been really great to see that as we stop talking, God is able to begin. It is like a conversation I suppose.
Today we leave Hotel Panorama at 8am. I am sad to be leaving this place and Kiria, but I am excited for the future; hopefully it brings me back! Yesterday during the "going away" ceremony the school had for us, the community's council gave each one of us a special name. My name was Njoki, which means "the one who keeps coming back." As soon as I heard what the meaning was, I lost it! haha I can't imagine not coming back to Kiria and these kids. I love them very dearly and I can't wait to see them next. I was thinking about heaven and how I cannot wait until all the believers are there. There won't be any more air fares to pay for, excuses to give, or schedules to overcome just in order to visit with these wonderful people. That will truly be amazing!!
Faith
Team Kenya 2013: July 25, 2013 - August 3, 2013
Wednesday, July 31, 2013
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
Make Chipati and Rejoice!!
Hello All!
The team had a MARVELOUS time today!! We started the day off by arriving at the school to say hello to the children for a few minutes before we ha to leave to begin our home visits. The preschoolers my group and I had yesterday were the only ones out playing when we arrived because the older children were still in class. So we had a couple of minutes to give the little ones some attention before the bigger kids came out. It was so cute to watch their little faces light up when they recognized us from yesterday. Precious!
After playing with the older children for a few minutes and taking many more pictures, we all loaded into the bus to head out to our respective homes that we were going to visit. We stayed in the same three groups we had split into for church and each headed to a different home. My group went to the home of a woman we believe was in her 80's. She lived by herself because he husband died in 2000 and her sons were unable to live with her. A few other women in the community came to assist during our visit however. At the homes, we prepared chai tea and chipati to share with the families we visited. It was hilarious to see myself try to roll the dough into a flat circle and cook it on the cast iron skillet on an open flame. I think they only laughed at me a few times, haha. The time we had to spend with the families at their homes went by extremely fast; we all agreed that we could have stayed a few hours longer had time permitted. The experience to just be in their home cooking with them and to witness some of their daily activities was incredible.
After our home visits, we headed back to the school for the Rejoice Project. This project basically consisted of game time, crafts, and story time. Everybody split up to the different sections to help out. The kids had a great time listening to the story of the woman who touched Jesus' robe to be healed that I told. It was a great example of Initiative; the main message we were trying to teach the kids through the Rejoice Project.
It's really hard to believe that tomorrow is our last day in the village already. I know I will probably cry when I have to leave. It's just really hard to leave the people once you get to know their names, personalities, and really connect with them. I definitely see why Ros has come every year since New Hope began going to Kiria. Pray that we all handle tomorrow well; I believe this trip has really impacted each one of us tremendously and I think it will be hard for all of us to leave the people we have met here. Keep us in your prayers!
Faith
The team had a MARVELOUS time today!! We started the day off by arriving at the school to say hello to the children for a few minutes before we ha to leave to begin our home visits. The preschoolers my group and I had yesterday were the only ones out playing when we arrived because the older children were still in class. So we had a couple of minutes to give the little ones some attention before the bigger kids came out. It was so cute to watch their little faces light up when they recognized us from yesterday. Precious!
After playing with the older children for a few minutes and taking many more pictures, we all loaded into the bus to head out to our respective homes that we were going to visit. We stayed in the same three groups we had split into for church and each headed to a different home. My group went to the home of a woman we believe was in her 80's. She lived by herself because he husband died in 2000 and her sons were unable to live with her. A few other women in the community came to assist during our visit however. At the homes, we prepared chai tea and chipati to share with the families we visited. It was hilarious to see myself try to roll the dough into a flat circle and cook it on the cast iron skillet on an open flame. I think they only laughed at me a few times, haha. The time we had to spend with the families at their homes went by extremely fast; we all agreed that we could have stayed a few hours longer had time permitted. The experience to just be in their home cooking with them and to witness some of their daily activities was incredible.
After our home visits, we headed back to the school for the Rejoice Project. This project basically consisted of game time, crafts, and story time. Everybody split up to the different sections to help out. The kids had a great time listening to the story of the woman who touched Jesus' robe to be healed that I told. It was a great example of Initiative; the main message we were trying to teach the kids through the Rejoice Project.
It's really hard to believe that tomorrow is our last day in the village already. I know I will probably cry when I have to leave. It's just really hard to leave the people once you get to know their names, personalities, and really connect with them. I definitely see why Ros has come every year since New Hope began going to Kiria. Pray that we all handle tomorrow well; I believe this trip has really impacted each one of us tremendously and I think it will be hard for all of us to leave the people we have met here. Keep us in your prayers!
Faith
Monday, July 29, 2013
Crayons, Water, and Zebras!
Hello again!
Today the team and I had a fantastic time at the village again. On our ride up to the community, we saw two zebras out in a field we were driving by! They were a bit too far off to get any good pictures, but they were really cool to see for the first time. When we arrived to the village, we split up into two groups - one to stay at the primary school to do an activity with the youngest kids, and the other group to go work on the village's water source. My dad, Amanda, and Dusti and I stayed at the school to work with the kids. We brought along coloring books and crayons for them to color with. They spent the entire time that afternoon coloring a single coloring sheet! They are the most well behaved little ones I have ever met! It was really neat to learn all of their names and to get to know them and their different personalities.
The other group hiked into the forest up a little ways on the mountain to the community's water source where they were going to lay pipe down. This piping would eventually bring water access to the school and surrounding area once the pipes were all connected. I snapped a few shots of Dana and Stephen as they were carrying the huge pipes!
When we had finished at the community, we took the bus up a mountain to hopefully spot some elephants. Although we did not find any, we saw places where they had broken down trees and foliage in the process of eating/fighting with other elephants/walking. We did see some really cool monkeys though! Today has gone very well; everyone is really enjoying their time spent with the kids in the community. I could
definitely come back to Kiria again!!
Faith
Today the team and I had a fantastic time at the village again. On our ride up to the community, we saw two zebras out in a field we were driving by! They were a bit too far off to get any good pictures, but they were really cool to see for the first time. When we arrived to the village, we split up into two groups - one to stay at the primary school to do an activity with the youngest kids, and the other group to go work on the village's water source. My dad, Amanda, and Dusti and I stayed at the school to work with the kids. We brought along coloring books and crayons for them to color with. They spent the entire time that afternoon coloring a single coloring sheet! They are the most well behaved little ones I have ever met! It was really neat to learn all of their names and to get to know them and their different personalities.
The other group hiked into the forest up a little ways on the mountain to the community's water source where they were going to lay pipe down. This piping would eventually bring water access to the school and surrounding area once the pipes were all connected. I snapped a few shots of Dana and Stephen as they were carrying the huge pipes!
When we had finished at the community, we took the bus up a mountain to hopefully spot some elephants. Although we did not find any, we saw places where they had broken down trees and foliage in the process of eating/fighting with other elephants/walking. We did see some really cool monkeys though! Today has gone very well; everyone is really enjoying their time spent with the kids in the community. I could
definitely come back to Kiria again!!
Faith
Sunday, July 28, 2013
Kuha-na Atia!
Hello again!
Yesterday the team and I visited the village for the first time at their primary school where we had the chance to meet a tonnnnn of kids. From the moment we stepped off the bus, the children were grabbing our hands and hugging us; they were just so glad to see us! They would ask us what are names were and then tell us their own names. We have a hard time remembering all of the children's names! There's just so many! The kids would take each one of us to a different part of their school, showing us where their classes were. When the little girls guided me to one of their school rooms, they tried teaching me some of Kikuyu, which is the language they speak in Kiria. Kuha-na atia, which is the post's title, means "Good afternoon!" They wrote down some words on a small piece of paper so I could remember them. Below are some more words they taught me! (Hopefully I'm reading their handwriting correctly, haha!)
mother - mami
father - fafa
friend - murata
what is your name? - wetagiatia
my name is .. - jitanguo..
how are you? - wemuenga
I am fine. - ndimuenga
finger - nduara
mouth - kanua
I have been trying very hard to pick up on some Kikuyu words as well as Swahili words; it would be great to learn! Many of the adults in the community are not able to speak English very well, so I would love to be able to learn some of their language so I could converse with them a bit better. The people here are all so welcoming; they definitely want us to think of Kiria as our second home!
Today we started the day by dividing into three different groups so that each group could attend a different church once we arrived in the village. My group consisted of my father, myself, Dusti, and Dana. The service was GREAT! They really bring the word like Pastor Benji! At each of the services, the team members were given the opportunity to introduces themselves and recite a Scripture verse that was meaningful to them. After the services, two out of the three groups were served lunch by the church members. My group was given chipati (delicious!) with boiled potatoes and lamb soup. It was all absolutely delicious! We ate so much that no one in my group was hungry for the lunch we had packed to eat on the bus.
After church, the three groups met together again for a crusade, where members of the community sang praise songs and a pastor preached again to everyone. When they were finished, our team presented a play we had prepared for the kids. Kimberly was in charge of organizing the skit and she did a great job! The kids were really intrigued with the story and our bad acting! haha.
Below are some pictures from today and yesterday; I hope you enjoy them!
Kwahari! (Goodbye in Swahili)
Yesterday the team and I visited the village for the first time at their primary school where we had the chance to meet a tonnnnn of kids. From the moment we stepped off the bus, the children were grabbing our hands and hugging us; they were just so glad to see us! They would ask us what are names were and then tell us their own names. We have a hard time remembering all of the children's names! There's just so many! The kids would take each one of us to a different part of their school, showing us where their classes were. When the little girls guided me to one of their school rooms, they tried teaching me some of Kikuyu, which is the language they speak in Kiria. Kuha-na atia, which is the post's title, means "Good afternoon!" They wrote down some words on a small piece of paper so I could remember them. Below are some more words they taught me! (Hopefully I'm reading their handwriting correctly, haha!)
mother - mami
father - fafa
friend - murata
what is your name? - wetagiatia
my name is .. - jitanguo..
how are you? - wemuenga
I am fine. - ndimuenga
finger - nduara
mouth - kanua
I have been trying very hard to pick up on some Kikuyu words as well as Swahili words; it would be great to learn! Many of the adults in the community are not able to speak English very well, so I would love to be able to learn some of their language so I could converse with them a bit better. The people here are all so welcoming; they definitely want us to think of Kiria as our second home!
Today we started the day by dividing into three different groups so that each group could attend a different church once we arrived in the village. My group consisted of my father, myself, Dusti, and Dana. The service was GREAT! They really bring the word like Pastor Benji! At each of the services, the team members were given the opportunity to introduces themselves and recite a Scripture verse that was meaningful to them. After the services, two out of the three groups were served lunch by the church members. My group was given chipati (delicious!) with boiled potatoes and lamb soup. It was all absolutely delicious! We ate so much that no one in my group was hungry for the lunch we had packed to eat on the bus.
After church, the three groups met together again for a crusade, where members of the community sang praise songs and a pastor preached again to everyone. When they were finished, our team presented a play we had prepared for the kids. Kimberly was in charge of organizing the skit and she did a great job! The kids were really intrigued with the story and our bad acting! haha.
Below are some pictures from today and yesterday; I hope you enjoy them!
Kwahari! (Goodbye in Swahili)
Friday, July 26, 2013
We Made It! Finally!
Greetings from Kenya!!
I am sooooo happy to say that all members of our team arrived safely to our destination at the Panorama Hotel in Kenya just a few hours ago. Our luggage even all made it here! All in all, the trip went smoothly and we did not have any problems on flights or in anything else. The trip was just extremely long (Dave calculated that we had traveled for a total of 32 hours for those who met up at 3am at New Hope the first morning). Jet lag was very real, but I believe we are all looking forward to a good night's rest tonight.
Tomorrow morning we leave the hotel to head to the village in Kiria, Kenya, for the first time! We are all really excited to get to spend time with the people there. Not exactly sure what the agenda is for tomorrow, but I'll keep you posted! No worries, we're having a great time!
Faith
I am sooooo happy to say that all members of our team arrived safely to our destination at the Panorama Hotel in Kenya just a few hours ago. Our luggage even all made it here! All in all, the trip went smoothly and we did not have any problems on flights or in anything else. The trip was just extremely long (Dave calculated that we had traveled for a total of 32 hours for those who met up at 3am at New Hope the first morning). Jet lag was very real, but I believe we are all looking forward to a good night's rest tonight.
Tomorrow morning we leave the hotel to head to the village in Kiria, Kenya, for the first time! We are all really excited to get to spend time with the people there. Not exactly sure what the agenda is for tomorrow, but I'll keep you posted! No worries, we're having a great time!
Faith
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
Off We Go!
Starting at 6am tomorrow morning, the team and I will be finally beginning our travels to Kenya! Below is our planned itinerary -
6am-7:16am Depart RDU and arrive in
Washington DC.
10:15am-7:45am Depart DC and arrive in Addis
Ababa, Ethiopia
10:40am-12:45pm Depart Addis Ababa and
arrive in Nairobi, Kenya
Check back for future posts and updates! Keep us in your prayers as we begin this journey!
Faith
6am-7:16am Depart RDU and arrive in
Washington DC.
10:15am-7:45am Depart DC and arrive in Addis
Ababa, Ethiopia
10:40am-12:45pm Depart Addis Ababa and
arrive in Nairobi, Kenya
Check back for future posts and updates! Keep us in your prayers as we begin this journey!
Faith
Saturday, July 20, 2013
Team Kenya 2013 Travel Team and Their Prayer Requests
Hey, everyone...
Here's the team from newhope church (Durham, NC) that's heading to Kenya this coming week (July 25, 2013). Please keep all of us in your prayers as we travel and as we spend time in-country with our Kenyan friends. Also...please feel free to keep up with us as Faith Bauer, Team Kenya 2013 Blogmaster, blogs about our tip on this blog site: http://hmi-nc.blogspot.com.
We will be in Kenya from Thursday, July 25, 2013, thru Saturday, August 3, 2012.
God's peace to all of you!!
Dave
On Behalf of Team Kenya 2013
Roz Lloyd's Prayer Requests:
That our newhope team will have a safe and enjoyable flight.
Safe travels for our Kenya 2013 team.
A continued strengthened relationship with our Kenyan brothers and sisters.
For us to see what God wants to do IN and THROUGH us.
Here's the team from newhope church (Durham, NC) that's heading to Kenya this coming week (July 25, 2013). Please keep all of us in your prayers as we travel and as we spend time in-country with our Kenyan friends. Also...please feel free to keep up with us as Faith Bauer, Team Kenya 2013 Blogmaster, blogs about our tip on this blog site: http://hmi-nc.blogspot.com.
We will be in Kenya from Thursday, July 25, 2013, thru Saturday, August 3, 2012.
God's peace to all of you!!
Dave
On Behalf of Team Kenya 2013
Drew Bauer's Prayer Requests:
For God
to continue to prepare each of us on the team for whatever situation we might
find ourselves in.
That each
of us would be used to let God's glory shine through, and that there would be
many opened doors to share His love.
That each
of us would be kept safe, healthy, and energized
That each
of us would open our hearts and allow God to change us in only the ways He can
Keep my
son, Andrew in prayers for his safety and wisdom while he is in the Dominican
Republic
For my
wife, Donna, that she will be kept safe and have some great alone time while Faith
and I are gone.
That our
travels will go as planned and that ALL our luggage will arrive at the
same time we do!
Faith Bauer's Prayer Requests:
Safe
travels and good health for our team throughout the trip.
A heart and mind open enough to allow God to work to His fullest capacity during our time in Kenya.
Growth between my father and myself as we embark on this journey together.
A revitalized desire to work in the medical field via overseas ministry.
A heart and mind open enough to allow God to work to His fullest capacity during our time in Kenya.
Growth between my father and myself as we embark on this journey together.
A revitalized desire to work in the medical field via overseas ministry.
Stephen Bozzone's Prayer Requests:
For my wife Karen and son Nicholas
while I’m gone and that they will be safe while I’m away.
That God would open my eyes to see
others the way he does, and to have compassion.
I’ve been working on an idea for
non-profit organization called InnovatingHope.org and I want to move it from
the back burner and get going so I need courage and direction.
For everyone's health and
safety.
Ron Brooks' Prayer Requests:
Father, Open our hearts, and clear
our minds that we may feel Your presence.
Fill us with your spirit, let Your Words
flow through us, and let Your light shine through us.
Open our eyes to see the beauty that
surrounds us.
Let Jesus be show in us through our
actions, thoughts and deeds.
Have us plant a seed in the hearts
of the lost that You may work through them.
Keep us safe in our travels, healthy
and strong that we may do Your work.
Grant us wisdom that we may fulfill
our purpose.
Dave Brown's Prayer Requests:
Father,
bless our Kenyan brethren as they seek to follow Jesus and to create a
sustainable community devoted to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
Prepare
the heart of every travel team member to be an open conduit of Your loving
kindness to everyone they meet.
Erect
a high hedge of protection around every team member.
Bring
the team together as a family.
Help
Dave live a surrendered life.
Give
Him Your Mind and enable Him to feel Your Heart
Enable
him to humbly serve his team members.
Keith Fox's Prayer Requests:
Heavenly
Father, I pray...
That
our mission team has a safe passage to and from Kenya, is illness and injury
free during the duration of the trip and that your divine presence is felt the entire
mission.
That
the family and friends supporting our mission team come to terms that you are
with us and that worrying about what might or could happen to us is
unnecessary.
That
our time in Kenya is spiritually enriching to the mission members, the Kenyan
people and those supporting us from afar.
That
the Kenyan people are receptive and we find them in good health and spirits.
In your
son’s name, Amen.
Kimberley
Pierce Cartwright's Prayer Requests:
I pray that I can meet my financial
obligations for this trip.
I pray that God will use me, and
that I will be open to His call.
I pray that my family will be
protected while I'm away.
I pray for good health and that I
will be protected from disease.
I pray for good relationships for
our mission team.
I pray for time for devotion and
quiet time for meditation.
I pray for protection against enemy
warfare.
I pray for safe passage to Africa
and back home.
I pray that I will be able to
witness God's answers to my prayers and that I will be humble in accepting His
movements in my life.
Roz Lloyd's Prayer Requests:
That our newhope team will have a safe and enjoyable flight.
That we will experience the
joy of serving God.
That our Kirian brothers and sisters will experience God in a Grand Way.
That our friends and families will be well and that they will keep us in their daily prayers.
Amanda Mancuso's Prayer Requests:
That our Kirian brothers and sisters will experience God in a Grand Way.
That our friends and families will be well and that they will keep us in their daily prayers.
Amanda Mancuso's Prayer Requests:
God, help me to...
Reset: Help me turn off the demands of home and be
fully present.
Surrender: Open my heart and mind for this experience.
Serve: May I be a servant to everyone I encounter.
Connect: Help me build meaningful relationships with
those I encounter.
Dana Raines' Prayer Requests:
Safe travels for our Kenya 2013 team.
A continued strengthened relationship with our Kenyan brothers and sisters.
For us to see what God wants to do IN and THROUGH us.
Dusti
Sellers' Prayer Requests:
Father, take what each of us has to
share and multiply it to glorify your purposes.
Prepare our hearts, and the hearts
of all we come in contact with, to encounter You in each and every moment.
Open the eyes of each team member to
see how truly blessed we are to be able to serve alongside our Kenyan brothers
and sisters in Christ.
Work within each of us so that Your Son
is clearly seen in our actions, thoughts, and deeds.
Open the hearts of those who don't
know You, and use Your servants to lay seed on that fertile soil through the relationships
built.
Father, protect each and every team
member's safety, health, and strength of heart for what You have in store.
Help me, oh God, to serve, to
surrender, and to strive to be more Christ-like because of this experience.
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