2014 Mission Awareness Trip - Information Afternoon

Our next Mission Awareness Trip to Kenya is planned for January 2014.
Come along to our information afternoon on 2nd February 2013 to find out what is planned and how you can join us in seeing what God is doing in Kenya.

Current Fund Raising Events

This time of year there is always so much happening for everyone in the lead up to Christmas.

Last weekend Kenya Help had a stall at the local "Taste of Christmas" day. This annual day raises finds for SECET (Shoalhaven Employers of Christian Education Teachers). Kenya Help contributed to SECET by paying for our stall site. It was a very busy day for the whole event and sold many items from our stall including cards from Kibera Paper, jewellery from Heshima Children's Centre in Kenya and many packs of our Kenyan tea and coffee.

This Saturday we are holding another stall at the Playtime of Bomaderry fair day. If you are in the area call in and see us (Bomaderry Anglican Church) 10am - 2pm.

Later this month we are also having a fund raising move night. (See below for details)

Farewell day (Friday 20th January)

Today the team started departing Kenya. First to leave we're Andrew, Sam & Ryan. I dropped them at the airport about 5:30am. To the rest of the team, final packing was the morning priority.
With the packing complete, we headed to the Elephant Orphanage then lunch at Amani ya Juu. Amani ya Juu means peace from above and it is a ministry for marginalised women. They produce beautifully sewn items as well as running a cafe. We decided to lunch there.
After some last minute shopping, etc, it was time for the next split in the team. This time Joey & Louise were bundled into a private taxi to transfer to their next accommodation. Joey & Louise have now arranged to extend their Kenyan adventure by 12 days. I then transferred my belongings to my next accommodation (I'm stay until late Feb - more about that later).
I enjoyed one final Kenyan meal with the remainder of the team before saying goodbyes as they headed for the airport.
The whole trip has been an adventure for all of us in so many ways. We have been stretched physically, emotionally, culturally & spiritually. Thank you to everyone who has blanketed us in your prayers.
Joey & Louise might continue to blog here but I will blog my extended stay on my own blog - http://blog.ozcorners.net

Long Day...

We left the Mara today for the Sarova at Lake Nakuru. After a late start, 7am, then turning back to retrieve a forgotten phone, being held up by Joseph ( truck driver) buying charcoal, the truck stalling and being push started - unsuccessfully by the boys, then more successfully by a passing tractor, the truck window blowing in with Linda and Sam on the receiving end and slow service at the park gate - we finally arrived - about 9 hours later - missing lunch and afternoon tea.

Pete stayed with kids and Davie young ones for a swim while the rest of the team went for a twilight game drive around Lake Nakuru. We saw about a dozen rhino, including 3 babies and a rarely spotted black rhino.

We thought we could cross Leopard off the list and complete seeing the big 5 when Joey spotted one sleeping in a tree, but alas, it turned out to be a lioness. Further on up the road we saw a lioness with 4 young cubs (approx. 2 months old) and spent a good while watching her and her cubs.

Despite not seeing a leopard, it was up there in the top 10 safari experiences, for me anyway!

Safari - Masai Mara (Monday)

Today we were picked up at 6:30am for the long drive to the Masai Mara. After checking into our accommodation & having lunch, we head off for our first drive through the Masai Mara National Park. We saw so many animals for our first day. Camera were clicking non-stop!

Sunday

Since it was the last Sunday that the whole team would be in Kenya we decided to attend Nairobi Chapel which was the church that planted Lifespring Chapel. It is huge and a very vibrant and evangelistic church.

After the service Peter, Tom & I dropped Joey and Louise over to Lifespring Chapel to attend the Youth service. Meanwhile the rest of the team checked out the markets at Prestige Plaza and grabbed some lunch.

The home group that Linda & I attend in Australia sponsor a young girl (Merilah) through Kenya Help and so we arranged to visit her family on Sunday afternoon. Together with Stella (one of our Kenya Help staff in Kenya) we did some grocery shopping and then spend a couple hours visiting Merilah, her sister Julie & their mother.
It was as we expected but still an emotional time. This is a family that has really had a sad history and is in so much need. We thank God that we are able to assist them.

Compassion Project (Saturday)

Today we returned to Lifespring Chapel to join in their Compassion program. 350 children are registered to attend each Saturday although today it was more like about 250.
We ran a series of games with the children divided into smaller groups and then gathered all the children together to show them our puppet show. They loved it!

Kibera Paper (Friday)

Kibera Paper is an ingenious solution that offers a living wage for fulfilling work. Local offices donate waste printed matter and this is pulped down, dyed and dryed, and transformed into beautiful handmade paper. The paper is used to create exquisite greetings cards which are designed by three in-house artists and made by our team of 22 craftspeople. We also provide work for a manager and a book-keeper. Those with young babies bring them to work; the older children attend school, some for the first time, because their parents can now afford the fees.

Thursday at Elyon High School & Heshima

Today we started by dropping most of the team at Elyon High School while a few of us went shopping for supplies to perform a surprise for the girls dormitory (up to 11 girls board in a dormitory about 100 metres from the school. With the shopping completed the girls on our team transformed the dormitory; replacing the mattresses, adding sheets pillows and blankets, bedside mats, stools, posters and painting, and a few personal items for each girl. We also supplied a large quantity of food staples (rice, ugali, etc). We purchased stationary and equipment that is so vital in running a school. While the girls on our team revamped the dorm, some of the guys on team just hung out with the students and a few of us demonstrated how to make a solar powered light using water, bleach and an empty soft drink bottle. We even installed 2 in the school library. We also presented some of the funds raised in Australia to allow the school to purchase much needed science equipment and chemicals. We'd love to have spent more time with them (as with everywhere we have been). On our way home we stopped at Heshima Cente for Disabled Children. (www.heshima.org) Heshima is swahili for dignity. Disabled children and often their mothers are shunned by their families and community. This centre is an oasis in this harsh environment for these special people. Although the children had already gone for the day by the time we arrived we were still given a guided tour by the director (Tracy). While the children receive the occupational therapy each day the mums are employed in a jewellery business that is used to raise funds to both pay the mums and support the work of the centre. Of course the had to visit the centre's jewellery shop - Digity Designs. Individuals purchased items and we also purchased a quantity to sell back in Australia for fund raising. For dinner we visited Carnivore Restaurant. (others will write about that)

Wednesday at Elyon High School

On Wednesday we returned to Elyon High School to again run a series of rotating workshops. Of course, after joining them again for devotions and worship. This time the workshops were Health & Hygiene, Sex Education (abstinence) and also Relationships & Priorities. While these were happening a few team members did some much needed painting around the school. After lunch we all joined in the painting of the classroom desks and chairs.

Birthdays.......

Today has been a big day. Ryan had his birthday, but it started off with him feeling sick at about two this morning. I had to swap beds with mum. Ryan is better now.
Kenyans have this birthday tradition where you throw a bucket of water on the birthday boy or girl. We are planning to wet Ryan today.

Last night we were at Carnivore, a restaurant based around meat. There was three courses, first course was tomato soup then they got us to try lots of different meats for the main. The wiredest thing was ox balls! Makena asked if they were like meat balls, and we said they were but she didn't eat them! For dessert I had gelato. The staff came and sang happy birthday to Ryan and jumbo bwana (hello boss!) I'm so glad my birthdays not this month!

It was a very late night!

Hello everyone, at the moment I'm sitting in the tv room at f.p.f.k guest house.

Today is my birthday. I didnt have the best start to the day as I vomitted this morning. This morning we went to Lifespring and ran the games and did our puppet show for a compassion project at who use the church grounds.

I'm having a great time in Kenya kissing a giraffe!

Yesterday we went to Kibera papers and help make paper as well as giving ideas towards making cards. We also bought cards to sell when we get back so we can continue to support them. The day before yesterday we were at Elyon High school painting and redecorating the girls dorm.

Tuesday at Elyon High School

Tuesday we visited Elyon High School. For some it was a reunion with some familiar faces. For others, it was totally new experience. Upon arrival we joined the students for their daily morning devotion and worship time. WOW!!! Kenyan style with a little extra zest as they are students! In the morning we ran 3 workshops (Handwriting, Careers & Computing) in a rotation so that each student participated in all workshops. In the afternoon there were more workshops but this time they were more "interest groups" (sport, sewing, drama, dance, computing + 1 other I can't remember). This time the student chose their interest group. It was a great day for the students and all of our team!

Linda's blog for Monday

I'm blogging at the same time as Catherine about our time in Korogocho at a maternity clinic. What an interesting day we had. We were shown around the clinic by Ceri. I had hoped and said that I intended to hold a baby before we left and thought my hopes were dashed when we were outside preparing to leave, a lady walked out of the clinic with a baby in her arms and looked straight at me and said "do you want to hold the baby". Wow. Hadn't spoken to her previously, she hadn't said hello, just do you want to hold. Cedric was beautiful. Also almost saw a baby being born. However the the lady believed she was spiritually cursed to have a bad birth. We felt we needed to pray which we did. God has used us much whilst we've been here.

Better late than never??!!

It's been a full week with early mornings and late nights with limited chance to get on-line.

Monday was a day of firsts for me, personally.

We started early, with a van-load, and headed for Tumaini Clinic in in Korogocho slum - I'd never been to either place before, so thankfully we were following the lovely Ceri who manages the clinic. Traffic was nuts, and with all the new roads and roadworks going on I wasn't sure what was where and where was who! At one point there were 8 lanes of traffic going our way, 1 coming the other and people in the middle going every which-way. Added to the chaos were matatu touts who were directing traffic in order to let the matatus through. I decided to ignore their directions (because it would mean being separated from Ceri) and boy did I make them angry! I've never seen a Kenyan so angry, let alone 5 of them!They even tried to push us out of the way (while the car was in gear, with the brake on, and no-where for me to move to)!

At the clinic we were given a tour of the facilities and had the processes of the outpatient clinic and maternity clinic explained to us. We met a day-old baby and her mum and were able to 'pack drugs' for the pharmacy. We had a short walk through the slum, which was a quite confronting and heartbreaking experience for all involved. Just before we left we prayed for a lady who was struggling with her delivery. I think I can speak for everyone and say it was a morning of mixed emotion. For me personally, it was nice to finally see the clinic which I've heard about for years, it was, as always, difficult to see the conditions that some people live in day after day and it was wonderful to see brand new mums and bubs being cared for and supported in such a practical and life-saving way.

Thankfully we got home without much incident (unless you count getting slightly lost in the city - it's not my fault they took away a roundabout and replaced it with new roads!)

Sunday 8th January

Early this morning we packed our bags and said goodbye to the beautiful Lukenya Getaway. We had an early start as we had to be at Lifespring Chapel early to set up the puppet show. The team performed a puppet show for the Sunday school children at Lifespring. The church service was amazing. Singing, fellowship and the sermon were fantastic. Pastor Bob spoke from Numbers 23:13ff. After church we travelled to Parkside Community Church (a plant from Lifespring) for a thank you lunch for our host families, the Lifespring staff and our helpers. From there we dropped most of the team off at the markets at Yaya to shop while Peter and I returned to Lifespring to transfer all our luggage to our new accommodation at Kijiji Guest House.

Saturday 7th January Lukenya

Today i woke up with pen all over me from the night before, Joey and Louise tagged me up. It was a bit funny cause I got pink ink all over ther pillow.then went to the table to have a little meeting .we missed breakfast so we just went and played pool with Joey,Andrew and Louise . Became a pool wepon, swam heaps and had lunch. In the arvo we hired out 4wheelers and 7 of us raced around the countryside near Lukenya . We drove them around the plains drifting corners and generally fizzed out . Saw zebras, gazelles, antelopes, giraffes, and a secretary bird. Was so cool and had heaps of fun. Cant wait for Church tomorrow at Lifespiring and lunch with mates afterwards! Quad Biking in Kenya

Kitui visit

Last night we arrived in the rural town of Kitui. We stayed at a nice hotel called Talents Hotel. It was only built in 2009 and so everything is still fresh. The owner, Michael (a Christian) was extremely helpful. Our purpose for visiting Kitui was to meet Enoch & Eunice who run a children's home. Actually, a better description is that they have 2 children of their own, they have adopted 3 more and then have also taken in 8 street kids. By any standard they are extremely poor but God has given them both a generous heart to share what little they have with these children in so much need. We were able to present them each with a gift pack containing various age appropriate items such as clothing, toys, lollies, etc. We also hosted the entire family for lunch at the hotel. While some of our team joined the children for games after lunch on the soccer field behind the hotel, a few of us met with Enoch, Eunice and their pastor (Ps. Reuben) to discuss their needs and explore possible ways to assist them to be more self sufficient. I wish I could share with you the joy expressed on their faces when we said that we would pay the school fees for all the children for one year - pure joy! To finish off the day a few ladies from our team took Eunice grocery shopping. To say that our team was impacted by this family would be an understatement. Kenya Help will continue to keep in contact with Enoch & Eunice and also seek God's guidance as to other ways that we might assist them to better provide for the extended family. Please pray for Enoch & Eunice as they continue to answer God's call to nurture these children.

It is great to be back here again! God has been faithful in providing all our needs to be able to get here. It has been great weather to do soon maintenance work as well as painting the Sunday school rooms. Today we will be going to kitui to see a lady who has been looking after about 13 street kids. We hopefully will be able to build a chicken pen for her.

Feels like home!

It's so nice to be back in Kenya again (for Linda & me, it's our 3rd visit in 3 years). Everyone is so friendly and hospitable. As I came thought the airport visa entry, upon seeing my multiple previous visas, I was greeted with "welcome back". This first week Linda & I have been staying with Smiler & Mercy & ofcourse their 3 beautiful children. We have welcomed into their home as though we we're memmbers of their family. Tonight, as we prepare to have dinner we were visited by Mercy' sister, Pauline asking when we would visit them for coffee saying that Smiler & Mercy were hogging the guests. Tomorrow we leave their home heading to remote town of Kitui to visit a children's home. Leaving will be hard.

Finally!!

Finally I can write on the blog! We had some tecnical difficulties. Today we finished painting and finished fixing the building. Louise is feeling a bit sick and tired, but hopefully will be well soon. Joey had a case of food poisening but is sleeping and slowly recovering. All of us are a bit tired and hot and getting frustrated at some point. Luckily we are having a rest day on saturday, which means swimming, reading, cards and other games, sleep and just having fun. The people are very friendly. Already we have several friends helping us, some who we meet last time. They are Ben, Stella, Victor, Kelly, Maish and others.

And so the adventure begins!

The team arrived bright and early Saturday morning - it was great to see them 'bright-eyed' (well....red-eyed might be a better description?!) and bushy-tailed and ready to go.

After dropping all the luggage at Lifespring we headed to Java House (where else?!) for breakfast, then it was off around the city on Pete's 'Magical Mystery Tour'! Really just an attempt to keep everyone awake! Everyone survived day 1, albeit under a fog of exhaustion!

A lack of access to reliable internet has limited blog posts, but hopefully some of the others can give their take on the last couple of days soon!

The 'real' work starts tomorrow, with painting and plagyground repairs on the agenda....