We're still here! All is going well here. We started some of our "duties" today and have decided that "Missionary support" may be the main reason that we are here. The weather has been good. Nice and not too hot during the day and then both yesterday and this afternoon we got heavy rains and thunderstorms with a Little flooding. It's very reminiscent of what we had in San Antonio. AS I write this I can still hear the winds and heavy rain falling, but is is now night time, so it doesn't matter too much.
Today I walked up the hill to the Private Christian Academy called Rift Valley Academy (RVA) it is where the missionary kids from all over Africa go to school. It is a private boarding school and very nice. The students just came in yesterday and started school today. It is a little crazy around there right now ans there is a ton of paper work, so I jumped in today and started sorting and organizing the new students various forms that they fill out. It was my first "Missionary support" duty. Everyone there is either a Missionary, or a child of a missionary. I hope to go up a couple hours each day and help them however I can. I am hoping to also go to the Children's Hospital tomorrow and serve there as well.
After working at RVA, I walked up to the market here called the Super Duka (Duka means Market) It is actually very small and had a limited supplies, but I was able to find a few things that I needed. Across the street from the Super Duka is a curio's market where the locals come and sell their various goods. I bought some pineapple and papaya and bananas to go with the mangoes and coconut that I bought in Nairobi...the fruit here is wonderful, very much like Hawaii, maybe even better, because it's so much cheaper! I met a beautiful women named Miriam in the Market, who was a dwarf. She didn't stand any higher that my knee. She was selling scarves and I sat on the ground next to her and looked through her scarves and visited with her. I told her that her name was the same as Moses sister form the bible--she was the song leader. She smiled so big and I just wanted to hug her right there, but I didn't want to scare her!! Of course I bought a couple of beautiful scarves from her and I plan to go back to the market and see her again. She touched my heart and was so lovely. I am going with one of the missionary wives to Nairobi on Friday to the large market, where tribes form all over Kenya come to sell there goods. I'm hoping to get some Christmas shopping done, and am looking forward to experiencing more of the culture.
I could go on and on about the day, but don't want to bore anyone. I will post again soon,
Love to all,
Amy
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Monday, September 1, 2008
In Africa
I can't believe I'm in Africa. It has been a long, but good journey here. As Mitch said earlier we arrived in Kijabe this morning. Our guest quarters are very nice and comfortable. I'm already planning how to bring our kids next time we come.
Kenya is absolutley beautiful. The people are beautiful and so kind. As we were at the shops today, all the locals were so helpful and friendly. I was out of my element, but they all made me feel at home. I'm looking forward to meeting more of these amazing people.
We had dinner tonight with a Missionary family from Canada. Two medical students from England that also arrived here today joined us. It was so fun to watch our three cultures meld into one common place and really enjoy each other. We shared many stories of our home lands and it was a special time.
I will be making my contacts tomorrow and will start to figure out where God wants to use me over the next few weeks. There is an Academy here for the missionary children throughout Africa that attend school here and they start this week. There is a huge need to be a support there, so I hope to offer a few hours a day supporting the staff there. I will also be checking out the children's hospital and hope to serve there as well. I'm looking forward to getting busy and helping where I can.
We love getting your comments, so please keep in touch with us. We do feel far away, but are enjoying the warmth of everyone here.
God Bless,
Amy
Kenya is absolutley beautiful. The people are beautiful and so kind. As we were at the shops today, all the locals were so helpful and friendly. I was out of my element, but they all made me feel at home. I'm looking forward to meeting more of these amazing people.
We had dinner tonight with a Missionary family from Canada. Two medical students from England that also arrived here today joined us. It was so fun to watch our three cultures meld into one common place and really enjoy each other. We shared many stories of our home lands and it was a special time.
I will be making my contacts tomorrow and will start to figure out where God wants to use me over the next few weeks. There is an Academy here for the missionary children throughout Africa that attend school here and they start this week. There is a huge need to be a support there, so I hope to offer a few hours a day supporting the staff there. I will also be checking out the children's hospital and hope to serve there as well. I'm looking forward to getting busy and helping where I can.
We love getting your comments, so please keep in touch with us. We do feel far away, but are enjoying the warmth of everyone here.
God Bless,
Amy
Arrival in Kenya
We had a fascinating flight from Amsterdam to Kenya. It was almost all during the day. Initially we could see the snow tipped Alps out our window on the left side of the plane. We then made our way down the boot of Italy seeing coastal towns. It then opened up to the bright blue Mediterranean Sea. One of the most amazing images was the sharp white, uninhabited sands of the Sahara against the deep blue ocean of the Mediterranean as we crossed over and onto the African continent. Then as we flew over the Darfur region of Sudan I thought of all the stories and sorrow occurring to the people 37,000 feet below me. Next we crossed into the central part of Africa out of the dessert. The sun was setting and the land became darker with so few of the lights that one normally sees flying at night over the continental US. We then safely landed in Nairobi.
Our driver, Patrick, took us and another short term medical missionary to the Mennonite Guest house where we spent the evening in comfortable quarters. Both Amy and I woke up way to early (time change). We had a wonderful family style breakfast with several other people, mostly lifetime missionaries, that were staying at the guest house during their periodic trip to Nairobi for supplies. Our new driver, Jared, picked us up and took us to the local market where we bought two weeks worth of food. We then drove one hour to Kijabe, our home for the next two weeks. During the trip there were many new images: people walking everywhere, very primitive and crowded living quarters, shepherds with sheep, a pig, many donkeys (some pulling carts).
At Kijabe we were taken to our living quarters...a very spacious 3 bedroom apartment with more than enough room for Amy and I; it could easily accommodate a family a five. We have met a few neighbors, I ran to the Hospital to get this Internet connection going, and we are going to dinner at a full time missionary physician's home.
We trust that our kids are doing well...we talk about them often.
Mitch
Our driver, Patrick, took us and another short term medical missionary to the Mennonite Guest house where we spent the evening in comfortable quarters. Both Amy and I woke up way to early (time change). We had a wonderful family style breakfast with several other people, mostly lifetime missionaries, that were staying at the guest house during their periodic trip to Nairobi for supplies. Our new driver, Jared, picked us up and took us to the local market where we bought two weeks worth of food. We then drove one hour to Kijabe, our home for the next two weeks. During the trip there were many new images: people walking everywhere, very primitive and crowded living quarters, shepherds with sheep, a pig, many donkeys (some pulling carts).
At Kijabe we were taken to our living quarters...a very spacious 3 bedroom apartment with more than enough room for Amy and I; it could easily accommodate a family a five. We have met a few neighbors, I ran to the Hospital to get this Internet connection going, and we are going to dinner at a full time missionary physician's home.
We trust that our kids are doing well...we talk about them often.
Mitch
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Amsterdam
We are half way there!
After a 9 hour flight we have arrived in Amsterdam. It is 8:30 in the morning and we'll board our flight for Kenya in one hour. The trip has been easy so far. We miss our kids. We left them standing in the drive way with their Nanna and Pappa after tearful goodbyes. But we will try to focus on Kenya and for whatever God has for us there. We are thankful for your continued prayers...we can feel them following us here to Europe and know they will go on with us to Africa.
After a 9 hour flight we have arrived in Amsterdam. It is 8:30 in the morning and we'll board our flight for Kenya in one hour. The trip has been easy so far. We miss our kids. We left them standing in the drive way with their Nanna and Pappa after tearful goodbyes. But we will try to focus on Kenya and for whatever God has for us there. We are thankful for your continued prayers...we can feel them following us here to Europe and know they will go on with us to Africa.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Preparation Continues
We have found out that part of our purpose is to transport items to Kijabe that would be too expensive to ship or are too value to trust to shipping services to Africa.
As of this time we have received or are expected to receive: orthopedic drill chargers from Tennessee, micro centrifuge tubes from Michigan, and lady Bible study books and materials.
We start taking our malaria prophylaxis medication tomorrow night and will continue that daily until 2 weeks after we return to the states.
As of this time we have received or are expected to receive: orthopedic drill chargers from Tennessee, micro centrifuge tubes from Michigan, and lady Bible study books and materials.
We start taking our malaria prophylaxis medication tomorrow night and will continue that daily until 2 weeks after we return to the states.
Monday, August 25, 2008
Brief History
I've been getting a lot of questions about our trip, so I thought I'd give everyone a brief history on how we chose to go to Kenya.
About 8-9 months ago, Mitch was doing some research and discovered that more people die in Kenya of cancer that any other cause. He also discovered that there are only 3 medical Oncologists in the entire country (we have 5 in our "small" town of Wenatchee). That was enough of a tug on his heart to consider a medical mission to that country to see how he could help. When he approached me about it I was totally on board. We have been long time supporters of Franklin Grahm's Samaritan's Purse and have participated in Operation Christmas Child for many years. Mitch contacted them and through their organization "World Medical Missions" the trip was arranged. We did have to wait awhile for the go ahead for Kenya as there was still some unrest in that country at the time.( that gave us some time to get all the vaccinations we needed for the trip!!) Since things have gotten better, we feel that this is where God is leading us.
Mitch will be filling in for one of the Internal Medicine missionary Docs, who will be taking some time off at Kijabe Hospital, a 200 bed mission hospital/compound located above the Great Rift Valley. There is also another Hospital-Bethany Children's for "special needs" children-burn victims, cleft lips, etc, etc. (you can guess where I will be serving!!). We will be staying in a guest home and will be fortunate to have running water and electricity through a generator. There will be many adjustments to what we have become accustomed (spoiled) but we are up for the change.
Mitch is already making contacts on bringing Oncology over there, so a future trip seems inevitable!
We are not going through our local church, nor going with a "group" it's just us! It's going to be quite a journey and experience and we are looking forward to it very much. We can't express enough how much your prayers mean to us. We are also praying that God use us to bring glory to Him.
I still don't know exactly what I'll be doing on a day to day basis, but I have NO doubt that God will show me and that the need will be apparent. That seems to be the way I work best anyway. We've been told by all who have gone to serve in Africa that the needs are so great that there is always something to do. God will put me exactly where he wants me!
I hope that this gives you an idea of how we came about this journey. We look forward to you joining us in prayer and blogs and will cherish your response and interaction, especially as we are half way around the world!
Love and Blessings,
Amy
About 8-9 months ago, Mitch was doing some research and discovered that more people die in Kenya of cancer that any other cause. He also discovered that there are only 3 medical Oncologists in the entire country (we have 5 in our "small" town of Wenatchee). That was enough of a tug on his heart to consider a medical mission to that country to see how he could help. When he approached me about it I was totally on board. We have been long time supporters of Franklin Grahm's Samaritan's Purse and have participated in Operation Christmas Child for many years. Mitch contacted them and through their organization "World Medical Missions" the trip was arranged. We did have to wait awhile for the go ahead for Kenya as there was still some unrest in that country at the time.( that gave us some time to get all the vaccinations we needed for the trip!!) Since things have gotten better, we feel that this is where God is leading us.
Mitch will be filling in for one of the Internal Medicine missionary Docs, who will be taking some time off at Kijabe Hospital, a 200 bed mission hospital/compound located above the Great Rift Valley. There is also another Hospital-Bethany Children's for "special needs" children-burn victims, cleft lips, etc, etc. (you can guess where I will be serving!!). We will be staying in a guest home and will be fortunate to have running water and electricity through a generator. There will be many adjustments to what we have become accustomed (spoiled) but we are up for the change.
Mitch is already making contacts on bringing Oncology over there, so a future trip seems inevitable!
We are not going through our local church, nor going with a "group" it's just us! It's going to be quite a journey and experience and we are looking forward to it very much. We can't express enough how much your prayers mean to us. We are also praying that God use us to bring glory to Him.
I still don't know exactly what I'll be doing on a day to day basis, but I have NO doubt that God will show me and that the need will be apparent. That seems to be the way I work best anyway. We've been told by all who have gone to serve in Africa that the needs are so great that there is always something to do. God will put me exactly where he wants me!
I hope that this gives you an idea of how we came about this journey. We look forward to you joining us in prayer and blogs and will cherish your response and interaction, especially as we are half way around the world!
Love and Blessings,
Amy
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Amy's Addition
Hi all,
I agree with Mitch that your prayers are SO appreciated this week as we plan and get ready for our trip. We are so excited and encouraged about our experience in church this morning and it is definitely evidence from God that He is present in our plans and lives.
My concerns of course, are the kids as we leave. Please pray for them as we prepare them and us for the separation. They will be starting school while we are gone, so there will be some changes and challenges while we are gone. We know that they will be in capable hands while we are away, so that is reassuring.
We will enjoy being able to communicate this way with you all. Isn't technology great?!!
Love to all,
Amy
I agree with Mitch that your prayers are SO appreciated this week as we plan and get ready for our trip. We are so excited and encouraged about our experience in church this morning and it is definitely evidence from God that He is present in our plans and lives.
My concerns of course, are the kids as we leave. Please pray for them as we prepare them and us for the separation. They will be starting school while we are gone, so there will be some changes and challenges while we are gone. We know that they will be in capable hands while we are away, so that is reassuring.
We will enjoy being able to communicate this way with you all. Isn't technology great?!!
Love to all,
Amy
Getting Ready to Go
Hello,
It is six days until Amy and I head off to Kenya. At the advice of Aunt Di we have created this blog to post to (?daily) while we are in Africa to allow our loved ones in the US to know how God is using us and changing us.
We had a wonderful experience at church this morning. We visited a local church (our third time) and were amazed at the blessing we received in so many ways. Unbenowst to us, a small mission team of young adults sent from the church to Uganda returned last Sunday and was reporting back to the church their experiences. It was encouraging and inspiring. Afterwards we spoke with one of the young women who gave such practical and timely advice. This was all truly from God.
During the service we felt that our trip was not "bathed" in prayer as it should be. As we were talking with some new friends we met this morning the senior pastor approached us and introduced himself to us. We spoke briefly then he led our small group in prayer for our trip. He then asked to have the trip shared with the congregation next Sunday as we will be arriving in Kenya. What an amazing blessing, to have our trip prayed for by the body of Christ!
We appreciate everyone's prayers...especially this week as we know there will be great spiritual warfare to hinder our plans and desire to go.
Thank you for following along with us on this journey through this blog.
MG
It is six days until Amy and I head off to Kenya. At the advice of Aunt Di we have created this blog to post to (?daily) while we are in Africa to allow our loved ones in the US to know how God is using us and changing us.
We had a wonderful experience at church this morning. We visited a local church (our third time) and were amazed at the blessing we received in so many ways. Unbenowst to us, a small mission team of young adults sent from the church to Uganda returned last Sunday and was reporting back to the church their experiences. It was encouraging and inspiring. Afterwards we spoke with one of the young women who gave such practical and timely advice. This was all truly from God.
During the service we felt that our trip was not "bathed" in prayer as it should be. As we were talking with some new friends we met this morning the senior pastor approached us and introduced himself to us. We spoke briefly then he led our small group in prayer for our trip. He then asked to have the trip shared with the congregation next Sunday as we will be arriving in Kenya. What an amazing blessing, to have our trip prayed for by the body of Christ!
We appreciate everyone's prayers...especially this week as we know there will be great spiritual warfare to hinder our plans and desire to go.
Thank you for following along with us on this journey through this blog.
MG
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)