Off to the Mara

We have officially left for Masai Mara. We had a great day of shoppping the other day and really enjoyed being able to spend some time downtown and see the chaos that goes with the city. And of course Carnivore was amazing!

The whole team is extremely excited to go and see all the animals and God's beautiful creation. This is one of the real treats of the trip. It is an experience unlike any other and were all very excited to take part in it.

Thank you so much for your prayers and support throughout this amazing adventure. We'll be seeing you soon with wonderful stories to tell!

God Bless!

Day of Shopping

We have officially ended our ministry days. We had a great time in Rueben. Seeing all the kids was a great treat. One of the things that stuck out to our group the most, besides the Obama posters , stickers, and signs that are EVERYWHERE ( they sure do love Obama here), was when we asked all the kids what they wanted to be and how the majority of the kids replied with either Doctor, Pilot, and Engineer. It was amazing to see all those kids in some of the worst conditions aspire to professions that are going to change their community for the better.

Another thing that the group did was ask the kids if there was any type of prayer requests and the only responses we got were prayer for their exams, their family, their President, and their country. Some of the kids even replied that they wanted prayer for our President, President Obama. This was extremely humbling to see this kids in the middle of the slum only asking for their families and country to be blessed. Not one kid responded with a prayer request asking for something for themselfs, only the betterment of their country.

Today we'll be shopping in down town Nairobi and feasting at Carnivore. Carnivore is one of the biggest treats of the trip. Its a restaurant that serves game meat. You sit at the table and the waiters bring around all types of meats on huge swords and cut off pieces right to your plate. To most meat eaters Carnivore is heaven.

We'll try and give another update before we leave for Masai Mara tomorrow. Thanks to everybody for their prayers and we look forward to seeing some of God's most beautiful creations, the Mara.

Back to Langata

We had a great day yesterday in Nakuru and enjoyed fellowship at several churches in the area. In the afternoon we hung out with the Boys at the home and even had a dance contest. Skip Mercer even taught the boys a few moves they hadn't seen and 'danced like a 20 year old.'
Today we are heading back to Nairobi where we are going to do some shopping. We only have one day of ministry left tomorrow in the Ruben slum and back at the orphanage.
The team is feeling well and besides for a few sunburns, everyone is feeling well and in good spirits.
Please be praying for safety in travel and as our team begins to process all we have seen and heard.

Great times in Nakuru

Just want to give everyone an update on the events yesterday and what's in store for us today (Sunday).

Yesterday we had a great time in Nakuru playing with the boys. One thing that really stands out during our time with the boys was that a couple of yo yo's were giving to the boys and at first the older boys weren't too impressed but as soon as some tricks were taught, the yo yo's became a HUGE success. The title of "best yo yo'er" would have to be Ondeka by far. Almost immediately Ondeka was successfully "walking the dog."

Things are starting to get back to normal here in Nakuru. Last year during the election violence, Nakuru was hit pretty hard. But while the streets around the boys home were being ruined the compound where the boys live turned into an oasis, not only for the boys, but also for the surrounding community members. It became a place where people could stay without having to worry about their safety. God's hand was and IS still firmly on this compound and COTR-Nakuru.

Today we will be visiting three different church services. Skip, Rick, Joel, Julianne (sorry if the spelling is wrong) and Jean will be heading to Church on the Rock - N'guchura. This is a church about a 20 minute drive from the boys home and is made out of mud. We have brought teams here the last several years and they are always extremely welcoming.

Tori, Ellie, Shirley, Joyce, Vince, Karen, Lisa Greg and Sandra will be heading out to COTR-Bahati. This is always one of the automatic stops for teams that go to Nakuru. The church has been extremely faithful and always has a huge meal prepared for its visitors. Its put in a beautiful location about a half hour from the boys home. It sits on a steep hill and has an incredible view. The team will feel very much at home at Bahati.

The rest of the team will be staying at the boys home to expeience church there. This will be a great time for the group to get to see how the boys spend their Sundays.

The time the group has been in Nakuru they have been staying at a guest house called Jumuia Guest House. Its a nice gated guest house right in downtown Nakuru. It has an nice country feel, even though its right in the middle of the city. For all the family members and friends of the team you can rest assure that they are living the "high life" in Nakuru.

Also, another quick note, the unrest from last week as passed and everyone, including the team, feels relaxed and safe.

Tomorrow we'll be heading back to Nairobi. Please pray for safety on the roads as we travel back. Also a couple other prayer requests.

"Big" Moses at GCC - chest has been hurting and is being taken to get x-rays. So please pray wisdom of the dr.. And that things will go smoothly.

Johana from GCC-Nakuru - broke his arms a couple weeks ago and now is sporting a cast. He would like people to pray for proper healing so that he can get back to playing on the soccer field at full health.

Also please pray for Skip, Lisa, Joyce, Karen, and Dave as they will be speaking in their respective churches today.

(Also sorry if there are a lot of spelling and grammer mistakes.)

Off to Nakuru

Hi Everyone,

Jean here (in person). I have a couple of minutes computer access at David and Jennifer's house (I got a few hours off for a diet Coke on ice, those of you who know me know this is a definite highlight worth mentioning!!! j/k)

We had an amazing teachers lunch at the Church on the Rock in Langata today. Suzette did a great job encouraging and recognizing the teacher's great dedication here. We had a great lunch, special dessert, and gifts to all the teachers. 2009 school rankings just came out and it is consistently in the top three for every grade level. The parents in the community are impressed and sending more children each year......won't be long until we're having to add additional classes for each grade. We have an amazing group of teachers and being able to see them in action has been so much fun.

This afternoon the housemums are being to treated to pedicures and some special attention and gifts.....our team is serving those who so faithfully serve the children of GCC. Our team is getting a little rest this afternoon.....nothing like holding a baby in your arms while you take a little breather. ..... and we're excited that there are 6 NEW babies over the past few months!

Tomorrow we're heading for Nakuru to be with the churches and the boys of GCC. With the clashes of 2008 it's been a rough year and it will be great to be an encouragement to them. Martin and Jannekah (those of you from ECF will know who I'm talking about) will be joining us for the weekend for a concert and worship. We're looking forward to a great time and more than a little dancing!

We'll be back to Nairobi on Monday.....

Remember if you want to write to your loved one, please e-mail cmiacotr@wananchi.com and put their name in the subject line, when we get home on Monday Jennifer will print them out for us. We're doing great...everyone's healthy, happy and amazed at what God is doing here in this great country, but it's always fun getting e-mail from home.

Thanks for prayers for sleep...... I think we had 100% participation in the "sleep through the night program" last night! Three of us had a terrible time with the time zone change...but I think we're adjusted now!!!!!

OK....gotta run.....we'll try to get a message home for an update again soon.

Jean

Back From Makindu

We just got back from Makindu and had an amazing time with all the girls down there at GCC-Makindu. Thanks to everyone who was praying for our safe travels to a from Makindu. The trip went without a hitch. Pastor Ramadan was a little sick during our visit but seemed to be getting better as we left. Everyone had a great time being able to visit with the girls and see another part of CMIA.

Tomorrow were off to participate in the feeding program in Kibera, right between Karen (where were staying) and Nairobi. Kibera is the largest slum in East Africa and was one of the hardest hit areas during the political violence over a year ago. The food program has been a huge success and is currently feeding over 600 kids. We are so excited to be able to be a part of this specific program. After tomorrow we'll be heading up to Nakuru to spend a couple days with the boys at GCC-Nakuru.

Continue to keep us in your prayers as we begin our travels to Nakuru.

Sunday in Langata

News Update from Kenya... Today the team attended church and one of the team members preached. After church they hung out at Langata and got to play games with the kids. They had lots of fun! James came to meet the team today at Cooperative and had lunch. They had a great time preparing for their dance competition next week at Nakuru.
Tomorrow morning the team will leave early for Makindu. They are in great spirits and having so much fun although they are pretty tired. The weather is warm and when I spoke with them it was raining. More later!