Sorry I didn't post this sooner, but for those who haven't heard, we made it safely back from Kenya! It was definitely a long flight and a long trip home but it's been great to be home and to get to see friends and family. Again, thank you so much for your prayers and support. We couldn't have done it without you!

See You Soon!

We have had a good last few days but I think it is safe to say we are ready to come home and see all of you guys! We had another amazing time at St. Andrews church yesterday where we got a home cooked Kenyan meal for lunch and then got so spend some time in fellowship with some of the other young adults from the church. It is so great to get to see that despite the differences God's love lets us have so much in common with the young people at a church half way across the world.

Sunday night we had the amazing privilidge of eating at a place called the Carnivore. It is a restaurant where they bring around big kebabs of all different kinds of meat to your table, and then slice off a big slab of whatever it is. We had just about everything: pork, chicken, beef, steak, lamb, ribs, ostrich, and all of the different combinations and variations you could think of. It was definitely a great African experience.

Today (Monday 6th) we had the opportunity to help out with the VBS at St. Andrews. Although maybe a little bit different and less organized than we were used to, we still had a great time helping out and getting to play with the kids.

The rest of today and tomorrow we will be packing and debriefing about the trip, making sure that we realize how great of an opportunity it is to be here. We have learned a lot on this trip and so we want to remember it and let it affect the way we live our lives once we get home.

Parents, our flight leaves Nairobi late Tuesday night, and we are scheduled to get in at 1:10 pm at Lax on Wednesday, British Airways flight # 279. Please pray for us as we travel home and we'll see ya soon!

p.s. I tried to upload a new picture but the internet has been giving me fits here. See ya in 2 Days!

Only a Few Days Left!

It is Saturday afternoon and we are back from Mt. Kenya/Equator area. We were able to do a few fun things like go to the equator and stand on it with one foot in the northern hemisphere and one in the southern.

We also had a great opportunity to play some sports while we were there. We played volleyball with some a church where Solomon's brother is the pastor, and were able to see what God has been doing there and able to encourage them there. On Friday we played soccer against some girls and guys who are former street kids who have come to Christ and although we didn't win, it was a lot of fun. They were very encouraged to get to play with us and hang out with us.

We got back into Nairobi earlier this afternoon and headed to the Masai market (open air market) where we got to bargain for a few more souvenirs. Tomorrow we will go back to St. Andrews for church and help prepare for VBS that they are having this next week. Then on Monday we will help out with the VBS.

Thank you so much again for your prayers and love that you keep sending our way. We all can't wait to see you guys in a few days!

Asante sanna Yesu! (thank you Jesus in Swahili)

p.s. Jeramy has made it safely to Nairobi and it's been a great encouragement to have him here!

Heading to Mt. Kenya area and the Equator

The time going to the safari was amazing! We drove for 2.5 hours and got to spend a little time in a a small village in the Masai area, where we were able to encourage a small but growing church. We also got to play a game of football (soccer) with them, which was a lot of fun.

Next we went to the Kilaguni Lodge for the Safari. It was amazing! The hotel itself was super nice and a good change from the Y with hot showers and great food. Also the main eating and lobby area of the hotel faced a watering hole where all kinds of animals came and went, such as Elephants, zebra, baboons, wildabeasts, and more. Our safari time was great as well. We saw giraffes, gazelle, impala, and even a crocodile and some hippo. It was a great experience and we are thankful for having the chance to see it.

Today we are heading to Mt. Kenya area and the equator. We will be doing some sports ministry stuff there. Pray for that and for safe travel.

Kibera

Today, we finished our second day in the Kibera slum, one of the largest in Africa, with a population of 800,000 people. There was a certain stench to the place, with trash all over the ground along with the smell of something burning all the time as well. The homes are all packed together, some with mud sidings and others with tin, all of them having metal roofs.

On Saturday we got to see a center for teaching occupational skills, like sewing and tailoring, to girls in the slums, to give them an alternative to prostitution. After that we went to a type of sunday school for children, where we sang them a few songs and got to help pass out some food to them.

Today we went ot a service in a church that was about the size as most of our living rooms. We got to witness part of the service, experiencing the passion with which they worship and preach. We then had the chance to preach a little sermon, do our drama, and share a few songs with them. Overall it was a crazy experience, one that none of us will soon forget.

Some of us have been feeling a little sick lately, though nothing very serious, so we are taking tomorrow (Monday) off and relaxing a little bit. On Tuesday we head out to do some ministry to the Masai tribes, and then we will be in Kilaguni for a Safari on wednesday morning.

Nakuru

After a three hour ride on some bumpy roads, we arrived in Nakuru. We had an amazing time going to the schools and meeting and hanging out with the other students. We sang songs (one in English and one in Swahili), gave our testimonies, performed our drama and shared the gospel. The African students were so excited to see us and were very receptive to us being there. Our team also was deeply impacted it was always hard when we had to leave the schools.

We stayed at the Kunste Hotel along with a few other Mzungus (white people) who were there for safari. The team enjoyed it more as it was a bit nicer and had some better options for food. This morning (7-26) we left Nakuru and now are back in Nairobi.

Tomorrow we wake up early (very early) and drive to a home for street kids to be with them and walk with them to school. In the afternoon we will be going to visit a small orphanage where we will get to love on and spend time with kids who are infected with HIV. Please pray for our time there. I hope you enjoy the new picture of us with Lake Nakuru in the Background.

Leaving for Nakuru

Tomorrow (7-23) we leave for the town of Nakuru which is in the Great Rift Valley. We will spend three days there and will be going to high schools to do sports ministry, present dramas, and share our testimonies. Pray for a safe journey (it is a 3 hour drive) and for us to communicate effectively.

I'm not sure if we can get to internet there so I may not be able to communicate with anyone until we get back. I'm excited that the picture was able to upload but it took a long time so there may only be time for a few.
-Craig