Cypress Meadows Kenya Trip

It’s hard to believe that this is the 4th day of our trip.  The first two were kind of a blur of travel.  We stayed in Nairobi Friday night and drove to Nakuru the next morning – straight to Springs of Hope.  We had a wonderful time with the kids of SOHK Saturday afternoon and evening. We spent the Saturday night at the orphanage.  Church today (Sunday) was an all-day event.  There’s so much we’d love to tell you about it, but we’re pressed for time. We’re just doing a quick stop at Molly’s house so we could all get online.  Then it’s back to Springs of Hope for the night.  Amir, Korin, and Sandi posted some quick thoughts below…

Amir: This has been a good trip.  Kenya is a beautiful country.  The flights were good although Korin and I almost froze from Wash DC to Zurich, Switzerland – but we had extra legroom at the exit row.  At the orphanage today, we saw God be present for 130 kids (including the 40 from the orphanage). The kids were all engaged in the service (9am – 4pm) without all the “props and entertainment” that we see as common in the US.  So this tells me we can do more with less to reach our youth.  The kids in the orphanage are so loving and “energetic”.  I was really surprised how much they wanted me to hold them and then continue to climb all over me.  Our team is great!  This is such a good group to serve with here in Kenya.  We are learning and growing together while serving.  This team has a heart for God and a heart for people.  I am still not sure what to expect when we go visit with people at the landfill and the AIDS patients but I am open to what God wants me to do.  This experience will definitely give me a new perspective on life and how to serve God.  (And for Miss Donna – the Madea goes to Africa report:  much more rustic than I am used to, the outdoor toilet (cho) was interesting, people drive much faster than I do w/no rules, and I was mistaken for a driver the morning we were leaving the mission house in Nairobi, and I did not have to correct any children on the trip from the US to Africa.)

Korin: I can’t believe I am here in Kenya as I’ve been dreaming of this for a long time.   Today we had church outside of the orphanage with the community kids and it was amazing.   It was amazing to me that Sammy (16 years old) and Moses lead all these kids every Sunday – all day!  They have such passion for these kids to know the Lord.  I just loved to see those kids worship and dance (wished my Isabel could have been here to dance with them:)  They listened intently as we shared with them and it was awesome to hear their testimonies-a highlight for me.   I think the kids like Amir best – he is always a jungle gym with kids climbing all over him:)  Though we haven’t slept much God has blessed me so much through these kids.  The staff at the orphanage are super hard workers and are really blessing the kids too.  We have only been here a few days but we were so welcomed that they all feel like family (though when the kids were wearing their Springs of Hope t-shirts today, I have to admit that it was harder to tell them all apart and remember their names:)  I can’t wait for the rest of this journey…

Sandi: The idea that god sent Jesus for all of humankind and yet would have done the same if it were just for Sandi is overwhelming.  The reason I’m in Kenya is to encourage and share and love on everybody, but I would be here if it were just for Abdulah.  Abdulah is the Kenyan head of security at Springs of Hope Kenya’s orphanage.  He’s Muslim and has worked there since the opening of the orphanage and told me today that he appreciates the Christian environment most about working there.  God is working on his heart, and I got a front-row seat to see how the Father is gently pursuing his lost boy.

You can see live updates on Facebook and see more pics and updates from the first 4 days on Paul’s blog http://LiveIntentionally.org