This just in! Team Kenya was somehow able to get internet access and sent along a few blog posts for us to have a look into what the trip has been like for them so far. Take a look at their stories and stay tuned as we hope to have even more to share later in the week!
December 28: Team is on its way to Kenya.
By Phil
Nine members of David’s Hope are en route to continue the service to the people of Eburru Kenya. As we write we are in the Paris airport resting from a long flight in from Dulles and resting up for 2 weeks of loving kids. We have taken over a small section of gate F55 with bags strewn on the seats and sound asleep bodies covering the floor. Monty has been traveling the longest, her journey began early Sunday morning as she flew from her home in Augusta, GA to Atlanta to DC and then met up with the rest of the team for our 7 hour flight to Paris. In a few hours Monty will get on another plane headed to Nairobi, Kenya. Angela has already been putting her photography skills and brand new camera to good use snapping pics of John as he sleeps seemingly lifeless on the floor. Fortunately John, one of our co-leaders did awake and is currently doing some pre-trip bible study. Brother and sister Nathan and Becca are sitting side by side trying to stay warm and hydrated, not a cheap task given that bottles of water cost $7.50. Always organized and encouraging Jillian has passed out little bags of goodies to everyone, which people pull out from time to time to much on. Denise made our trip through security more fun by quoting verses from James with a hilarious accent. Francis, no stranger to travel, growing up in Brazil, Canada and the U.S., now working for the World Bank, found a delicious pastry shop here in the airport with delightful ham and cheese sandwiches. Phil, who cannot figure out why he is not tired, has been spending some time coming up with activities for the business seminar.
December 29: We’re Here!
By Denise
Wow! We are only a few days into the trip, but yet there is already so much to share. First off, our journey to Eburru has been long and quite eventful. Three days after we stepped foot in Dulles Airport, we are finally settled in our cozy mud huts in the beautiful, green land and spotting zebras, baboons, and screeching large birds overhead. What an answer to prayer to see a green Kenya! After 10 months of drought, Kenya has been blessed with a few months of rain. Things that I will remember from the last few days include: walking through the slums of Kibera and seeing the most beautiful children living in absolute filth, meeting a dentist from NC who has lived 23 years of his adult life in Kenya and considering it “without sacrifice”, singing songs in Swahili with children, and sleeping in every airport and van ride that I could. It’s been full. It’s been blessed. And I can’t wait to see what lies ahead.
December 30: No Regrets
By Francis
Today we visited the hospital in Kijabe founded by Africa Inland Missions. It was quite an amazing experience to be stepping into one of the mission agencies that I studied in Perspectives class. While in that hospital, we met a missionary dentist. Dr Richard shared with us his story of how he came to Kenya with his family. I was strongly touched by something by his words: “I have no regrets”. I could see his conviction of his words in his eyes. This man came to serve in Kenya and lived a life with no regrets. How can you live such a life without regrets yourself?
Command those who are rich in the present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, to be generous and willing to share. First Timothy 6:17-18 Evidently u guys have already learned this lesson which so many have not. Praying for u.