Update - July 30, 2007
Smitty, Carolyn, Charlotte, Tom and Ida have returned
safely. Please continue to pray for safe travel for Scott, Ann
and Rebekah. They return later this week.
Update - July 26, 2007
Dear Bethany
Family,
This may be
our last update. Yesterday six of us went to Ilula, the other
training center run by ELI. Ilula is where they make the bread
ovens, have the windmill and many of the other projects we have
heard Don Rogers talk about. But Ilula is close to Eldoret, the
closet main city. We all voted and agreed that Kipkaren was a
better location for us. While the six of us were at Ilula, Ann and
Charlotte went with the Mobile Health Clinic. They treated tons of
kids. When the surrounding villages heard that there was someone
who could help with physical disabilities was coming, they came in
droves. Many came with severe disabilities and expected Charlotte
to perform miracles. Sounds like the ladies dished out tons of
compassion and did assist in the cases where they could. Today the
whole team walked to the “Jesus Bridge” that Don has shared about.
It was a neat feeling to see the simple bridge that has brought so
much of Jesus’ love to this area. David, the director at Kipkaren,
retold us the story of the bridge. About how they used to show the
Jesus film along the river and the people on the other side would
sing “build us a bridge to Jesus.” Tomorrow we leave for a one day
safari and then our time in Kenya is over. The others will fly out
of Nairobi on Sunday and arrive in Los Angeles on Monday. Ann,
Rebekah and I will go to Uganda to visit Ann’s sister and family.
We should arrive home Thursday. God has been so good. Everyone has
experienced good health.
Scott
(Just a little
story! Last night we were eating dinner at David, the director’s
home when Kierra, one of the missionaries walked to a darker section
of the living room and said, “I think there’s a spider on the floor,
a large spider! David walked over and stepped on a tarantula
walking towards our dinner party. The ladies decided they were
going to check their room well before going to sleep!)
Update - July 24, 2007
The beauty of
Kip Karen reminds me of Wisconsin…how awesome is our CREATOR….We
have had to get used to doing things in primitive ways….even as we
ready ourselves for the day…..and it seems to say to us all that the
people of Africa seem to look deep within our hearts and are more in
touch with who the LORD created us to be than we are ourselves our.
My heart still
seems to be with the Samaritan Women but much has transpired within
their group. Suzie lost her 18 year old son as he was riding his
bicycle ….the traffic on the streets between those riding their
bicycles and the cars and trucks make it amazing that so many of us
survived…The funeral was last week but because of their culture we
did not have the freedom to comfort her. Mary seems to be the only
one who has succeeded in her business of making jewelry; thus some
have gone back into their previous life. Please keep Mary, Rose,
Suzie, Phonice, Marizia and Gloria in your prayers for I am
convinced that our GOD can do the great and awesome things within
their lives for He is all powerful.
We have
visited those that are HIV positive. How they hunger just for the
touch of another human and are so grateful the Lord has sent us. We
have gone out with the men from the AA group and last week Peter
prayed to accept Christ as he prayed with Tom, Wilson and I. Only
the Lord knows the hearts of the people but He does promise us that
His Word will accomplish His purpose Please keep him in your prayers
and the others in the village who have such a huge struggle with
alcohol. Many, including the staff of ELI, have been delivered from
the deep spiritual darkness that surrounds Africa, but because of
the depth of where they have come from they seem to have a freedom
that we each long for as they praise God.
A great need
here seems to be to help finance the Nationals as they reach out to
the people of the villages and the surrounding area. Many make less
per day than it would cost us to buy a cup of coffee at Starbucks
and thus they cannot afford to send their children to the school at
ELI. My prayer also would be that Stone and Wilson who head up AA
would have bibles to give to those that make a decision for CHRIST.
In the early
evening a double rainbow appeared. Perhaps it is a reminder to us
that our GOD truly does keep his promises and has an awesome love
for His people throughout the world.
Ida
P.S. (this is
Rebekah, just adding a note!) My dad challenged us to try and
express our feelings in a poem because it touches people’s hearts
more, since we are relational beings. So I shared with my team and
they said I should share with you as well. Now I am no poet but I
think God blessed me with the words to express myself.
My Africa
by Rebekah Storey
I cry for you
my Africa,
I must shed a tear,
I have heard your tragic story,
And closed my heart in fear.
Confusion
overtakes me,
As my emotions ebb and flow,
How can you say God is good?
Or what you reap is what you sow?
Pain fills
your life song,
A humble melody,
Yet with God as your refuge,
You sing harmony.
With a
rhythmic dance,
Your passion overflows,
For this God of compassion,
I hardly seem to know.
The notes of
your past,
Have left an open door,
To see the heart of God,
To serve and love Him more.
Can this be
envy,
That creeps inside of me?
For though my tune is sweet,
It seems somehow empty.
So my Africa,
I want to tell you this,
Though I came to help and serve,
You’ve shown me what I’ve missed.
Glory be to
God,
For how you’ve touched my life,
Teaching me to be filled with joy,
In the face of strife.
Asante, my
Africa
I’m just so overwhelmed.
Update - July 21, 2007
Jambo Rafiki,
This has been
a full week. Yesterday was the graduation of the 9 month students
from the ELI training center. It was their largest class ever, 33
young men and women. Many come from neighboring villages but some
come from as far away as Uganda. We were able to meet and give
support to Joshua, the Ugandan student that the Crocker’s had
sponsored. He was delighted to meet us and he told us we would be
his family. The students’ families came and celebrated with us.
The church was full to past-capacity, then there were many standing
outside. They had huge speakers and enjoyed the loud worship and
booming announcements so all could hear. The ceremony was to start
at 10:00am. The worship began but the women were still making food
in the nearby kitchen so they waited for us to finish. We (the
women) helped make traditional Chipatis (like tortillas) and when we
were finally finished cooking the ceremony started at 12:00pm. The
students were honored by the presence of dignitaries and their
teachers shared about them too. We enjoyed being a part of the 6th
graduation at ELI. Afterward they fed over 600 people. And we
thought our luncheon for 200 was a lot of work. Ha! Then we (the
women again) helped wash and rinse the dishes from all those
people. There was amazing fellowship with the women in the kitchen.
The men helped out with sweeping and moving tables and the like but
are not supposed to do dishes!! We were exhausted and slept well.
This morning we led kid’s club for over 200 children. Recreational
games with the equipment we brought and I share the wordless book
with them also. They are so well behaved but it was another
exhausting day. We are so thankful to God for all He is enabling us
to do while we are here. Thanks for your support and prayers. We
send many greetings from all of our new African friends.
Love in
Jesus, Ann
Update - July 19, 2007
Greetings from
Kipkaren, Kenya
Jambo, rafiki!
We are
enjoying another afternoon rain shower as I type. We do wish that
somehow we could bring the rain home to Southern California.
Our evenings
start with dinner at 7pm. Usually, some staff member shares his or
her story and our hearts are broken and encouraged by what we hear.
It is amazing how God is the same wherever in the world we are.
Tuesday night we had a special treat as Pastor Peter, his wife Ruth,
Pastor James, and Cosmas all came to play games after dinner.
Peter showed us his motorbike moves that he uses to encourage
people to be tested at the AIDS clinic. We laughed so hard and
can‘t wait to share them with all of you. He shared about some
traditions of the Nandi tribe to which all four of them belong. We
ended with singing praises to God in Kiswahili. What a blessing.
It wasn’t until Wednesday evening that we finally played “Pass the
Pigs” with Peter and some of the others. Although our mornings can
be filled with tears, our evenings here are filled with laughter.
Wednesday
morning Julie, the American nurse, gave us an update on the fight
against HIV/AIDS in this area. She quoted Mother Teresa, “Every
AIDS victim is Jesus in a distressing disguise.” I think that for
me, I am seeing Jesus in many disguises. Giving that cup of cold
water in His name has never been so real. We divided into two
groups and hiked out into the community to visit HIV/AIDS patients
in their homes. Our team stopped to talk with an old man in
tattered clothing who carries his Bible in his backpack and
ministers to whom ever he meets. We fellowshipped in the Word and
in prayer. When we arrived at the home of our visit, only an
eighteen-year old girl was there with the two young children. The
gogo (grandmother) had gone to Kipkaren to get rubber gloves. The
HIV patient is a 20 month old girl who had so little energy that she
just sat in Charlotte’s lap and leaned her head against her. Flovia
lost her mother to AIDS in December. Her gogo and aunt are now her
caregivers. Before we left, we prayed for the family, and the aunt
accepted Christ. Home visitation teams go out several times a week
and will do follow up with Prisca, the aunt. Please do pray for
both Prisca and Flovia. The other team had a good visit with an
adult man, David Kabet, who has been positive for a number of
years. His case is more encouraging as he can farm to support his
family. In the afternoon Char worked with Kipleget who has muscular
weakness and lives in the boarding home here on the compound. She
plans to give him therapy each day we are here. He, along with 71
other children, attends Brook of Faith Academy, but will go home to
their parents on July 29th when the school recesses for a
month.
Scott shared
devotions about Jesus being a cook rather than an engineer with the
staff at the Children’s Home at 4 pm, Ann gave her testimony to the
children for their devotions at 6, and we all enjoyed singing with
the kids. Boy, can they sing loudly!! Tonight we plan to eat ugali
and veggies with the children in their homes. Hugs and smiles will
be our dessert.
Today we met
Betty who is HIV positive. She met the Lord in 2004 and knows Him
more intimately because of being rejected and living through the
pain of being positive than most who have known Him much longer.
Our time here has been filled with stories, more than we can ever
recount. After breakfast everyone split up. Ann and Charlotte
walked to the clinic to work with the babies and sick. Tom and
Scott planned to do woodworking. Smitty helped Daniel fix a very
important generator (Will we have electricity tonight?). Becky
washed clothes and assisted the teacher of the Baby Class at the
Children’s Home. Ida took pictures (she has taken more than 600
since we’ve been here!). I wanted to visit with the headmaster of
the school, but taught a social studies lesson instead. God is using
all of us.
Tomorrow
brings the graduation of a number of agricultural students, one of
whom is a friend of the Crockers. The busyness and excitement fill
the air. Right now the men are slaughtering a cow with the
assistance of Scott and Smitty. This place is empowering lives one
by one to change the world for Christ. Thanks for praying for us
and with us as we continue on this journey!
Update - July 17, 2007
Jambo rafikis!
We have had such an awesome experience so far,
and are so excited for what God still has in store! Sunday we were
able to experience a genuine Kenyan church service where we sang and
clapped for about an hour before Scott gave a great message on fear.
The people were very welcoming and we got to share some of our songs
with them too, although ours were not so lively! Carolyn also taught
Sunday school for the kids and we had tons of fun making fingerprint
animal bookmarks with over two hundred kids! After church we went to
the children’s home to join in their devotion time for the second
time. Saturday night we were able to give the kids the bibles we
bought for them with the money from all our AWANA kids at home. They
were so happy to each have their own bible and they send their
thanks! Our dinner was quite special that night, as we had to eat by
candle light! It rains about every evening and the electricity goes
in and out. I thought it was fun! After dinner we usually get to
hear a testimony of a staff member, which is always a treat because
they have such amazing stories! Then it is off to bed because
everyone is pretty wiped out at the end of each day. We are still
getting used to the time change and most of us get up at about two
or three in the morning! But God is good and has lavishly given us
enough energy to keep going.
Monday we got to visit the medical clinic and
the school. The clinic is about a ten minute walk through beautiful
terrain where people are welcome to come anytime of day to get
treatment, and they won’t ever be turned away. At the school we
visited every classroom where we were greeted by endless smiles. We
at some lunch and then went back to the children’s home for
devotions. They were so excited that we were there that they took
each of us by hand and led us to different homes to eat dinner with
them! Unfortunately we had dinner waiting for us so we promised to
join them another night. I wish you could see these kids worship
God! It made my heart overflow with joy to get to join them! We also
played dodge ball with the kids during their P.E. time and they
loved it.
Today we went on house visits, with the leaders
of E.L.I.’s A.A. program, to encourage people who are recovering
from alcoholism. It was a great experience and a nice hike! We
prayed with many people who have finally seen how alcohol has hurt
them and their families and turned to Jesus for help. We were even
able to pray with one man as he accepted Jesus as his personal
savior! It was awesome!
Thank you for your prayers, and continue to lift us up as we go
tomorrow on house visits with AIDS victims and start our carpentry
projects.
Asante sana,
Rebekah
Update - July 16, 2007
Yesterday,
Sunday, included teaching Sunday school, I preached (church went 2½
hours, beat you Chuck!) and then an afternoon of rest. Everyone is
still feeling the jet lag. I don’t think I told you on the first
day but all our bins and luggage made it. Everyone is in good
health.
Scott
Update - July 14, 2007
Jambo, This
has already been so amazing. No troubles traveling on any of the
flights. We got to make a little stop at the town of Windsor in
England during our stopover. We were greeted in Nairobi and taken to
Mayfield house and took a needed nap. We estimated the each one of
us averaged 4 hours sleep in the first 48 hours of travel. The last
bit of our traveling was by car and it was an adventure on the dirt
roads. The scenery is more beautiful than we could imagine. It is
very green and lush with lots of grass and crops, especially corn.
We were all in tears with our greeting by the orphans and staff.
They sang in Swahili and it was incredible. Each one wanted to shake
our hands. They said we were family. Today we took a tour of the
compound. We got to see the agriculture center and all the projects
they are doing. We got to go to the orphanage and it is really not
an orphanage. Each family has four round houses, one for the
parents, one for the 12 girls, and one for the 12 boys, and one for
studying. They love each and every child and count them as their
own. We went back to see the kids and played with the children this
afternoon. We were surrounded by children giving us hugs and holding
our hands. Everyone is so loving and welcoming. It pours and
thunders every afternoon and we almost got caught in the storm, and
we were running back to the compound from the orphanage. The food is
different but very very good. Our showers are with a cup and a
bucket of water. We have been able to meet, and eat with David Tarus
the other director of Empowering Lives with Don Rogers. He has such
a vision for the people here. He is a national and has a big
booming voice and a great laugh. All of our luggage arrived and the
bins made it. Some of them were broken in the travel but made it.
Thank you for everyone that gave children’s clothes. They need them
so badly. For everyone that wants to blog us a short comment or read
our updates (because we can’t check emails) please go to
http://www.eliteams.blogspot.com
God bless all
of you.
Charlotte
Update - July 13, 2007
Dear Prayer
Partners,
Just a quick note to let you know we made it safe and sound. We
have been traveling for 2 days and most of us probably grabbed 2-4
hrs sleep total. When we arrived at Kipkaren we were greeted by a
crowd of over 150 people, mostly children, singing and and
presenting us with roses. I have to say it is the most spectacular
welcoming I have ever been a part of. We will write more tomorrow
but now its time to sleep.
In His Grace,
Kenya Team
Update - July 11, 2007
Off to Africa! This picture was taken just prior to
their departure to LAX. Several of the BBF Staff and the Bethany
Family were on hand to help send them on their way. They held hands
with them in a circle and Pastor Leckie prayed asking for a safe and
effective trip for them. Update - June 26, 2007
How do we pack for a
three-week visit on a continent and in a country where we have never
been before? What issues should be considered when choosing the
right anti-malarial medication? How do we commit to memory words in
a language that seems to have no semblance to anything we have ever
heard before? When should we begin to pack both materials and
suitcases? All these questions and hundreds more bombard us as the
Kenya Team meets weekly to prepare for our trip.
Recently we received twenty-five
colorful prayer cards, each one featuring a Kenyan national, his or
her biography and prayer requests. These cards give us a greater
sense of comradeship for those with whom we will be working. These
peoples’ smiling faces belie their astounding stories of how Christ
has changed their lives. We long, even more, to be in Kipkaren,
Kenya with these hard-working folks.
Sunday, June 24th, the
team will prepare and pack crafts for the activities with both the
children and women of Kipkaren. Those interested in joining us
should bring a lunch and meet in the fellowship hall at Bethany
Bible Fellowship, 13431 Edwards Street, Westminster.
Beginning this Sunday, the team
plans to fill several action packers with children’s clothing. Kipkaren Children’s Home is desperately in need of clothing for
children age three to eleven. The clothing drive will continue
through July 8th. The clothing can be dropped off at
Bethany Bible Fellowship.
As time to leave draws close, all
eight of the team members are amazed at how God has continued to
change our hearts and make us a bonded team. That Christ came to
save the world has been something we have always believed. This
important principle of our faith has become our hearts’ song.
For God
loved the world so much that He gave His only Son so that anyone
who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.
~ John 3:16
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