I'm just going to go ahead and say for the foreseeable future, you are stuck with me writing the blogs because of the Internet haha.
Today was another tough day but for completely different reasons. We started the day with our normal breakfast and devotion time. Our devotion time consisted of mainly a share time with all of team members sharing what we have been learning and how we have been feeling about the trip. The responses ran the gamut. God is doing some awesome things in peoples' lives and really growing some! It's awesome to be able to sit back and watch it happen.
Once breakfast was over, we loaded the bus and van and headed to FOCUS. Once we got there we played with the kids for a little bit and then we set out to deliver some gifts to the families of the kids. We split into 5 or 6 different groups and went to multiple homes each. Now, you must realize that when I say home, I mean mainly a 5ft x 5ft shack. Most of the guardians of the FOCUS kids are just trying to put food on the table and pay rent where they live. That is a huge struggle for them. The second house that my group went to was the mother of 2 FOCUS kids (which she had two others of her own) and she also took care of 5 other children of her brother and sisters. So, all in all, she had 9 kids living in the space of a bedroom in the US. And in that bedroom was also the kitchen and the dining room.
When I say they are struggling to make rent and get food, most of us don't realize what that is like. We work jobs and even if we are unemployed, we still have a government that assists us for a while with money. Here, that is not the case by far. One of the groups found out that the amount of money this family needed for rent was 400ksh or 400 Kenyan Schillings. The exchange rate right now is about 85ksh to $1. That's about $4.71 for rent!! And they are struggling to earn that!! Do you see how difficult it is to see this and hear it as Americans?! $4.71 is about how much it is to buy a large coffee drink at Coffee Crossing! So for that ONE drink, you could pay a families rent for an entire month! What a perspective shift!
We had many of our team members just crumble when they heard this because we just don't realize how good off we have it in America. We are not only free to do whatever we want (within reason), but we are also not worried about the roof over our head or the food that we will eat. Before my wife and I came on this trip, we went to Olive Garden to eat dinner as our last American meal. The meal was about $35 total after tip. With that money, we could have paid a families rent for almost 7 months!
But there was something else that we learned from doing these home visits that was more indicting. As we went to their homes, we saw their joy for what they did have and their joy for a God who is protecting them. They didn't have a happiness that could be lost with their situation. They possessed a true joy in the Lord. I think in the US we get too caught up in being happy. There is a HUGE difference in being happy and being filled with joy. Joy comes from a relationship with Christ and happiness comes from a feeling. If we have no joy, I would ask where our relationship is. To see their joy reminded me of the necessity to find it within my Creator and not my circumstances. It is so pure here and it really gets you back to where you need to be when it comes to this relationship. They have no idea about how much they encourage Americans in our faith!
So, as you are sitting in your chair reading this blog and drinking your coffee or on your lunch break at work or at your computer at home after dinner, I want to ask where your joy comes from? Does it come from the fact that you have a nice house, a nice car, a huge TV on the wall? Or does it come from the fact that you have a real relationship with Christ that is based on His sacrifice for us? If you do not have that relationship, I really encourage you to think about it and pray about it! If you have never tasted true joy, then now is the time! There is none better!
After visiting the homes, we came back to FOCUS and started doing some repair work at the building. Then we loaded up and headed back shortly after that! It was an awesome day to be reminded of what, in this life, really matters- having a relationship with God the Father!!
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Wednesday, June 8th
It's Jameson again! Sorry you have to keep hearing from me but the Internet is always down at night so therefore, you are stuck with me in the mornings.
Today again was a very challenging yet very rewarding time for all of us. Today was one of two backpack days. We went to the FOCUS center this morning to begin the ceremonies. It is so awesome because every day we arrive, the kids come running out to greet us. Our bus and van come around the corner and there are 52 little smiling faces waiting for us! You can hear them when we turn the corner as well. They are yelling and you can tell the excitement they have to see us. What a greeting every morning!
We got off the bus and van and immediately began playing and loving on the kids. By the end of the day there would be about 800 kids at the FOCUS center to receive a backpack. The ceremony was supposed to start at 10:00am but that is American time. We actually started at about 12:30pm, which is Kenya time. There is a saying that the Kenyans have, "Kenyans have time and Americans have watches." This was a difficult two and a half hours because as more kids started arriving, they wanted to play and be loved on as well. If you can imagine 27 "Mzungus" (what they call white people) surrounded by 800 kids all starving for your attention, it got pretty intense. Plus, the sun was out and it was about 85-90 degrees as well. It was a bit overwhelming but in a very good way!
The ceremony lasted until about 3:00pm. During the ceremony, Scott presented the Gospel and did an amazing job. I am not quite sure how many responded but it was very clear and understandable (even with a translator). Government officials were there as well as TV stations and we actually made the news that night! After all the speaking had taken place we started giving out the backpacks.
All the kids came up one by one and we placed the backpacks on their backs. It was so awesome to see that we were supplying them with a years worth of school supplies and how much they appreciated it. Education here in Kenya is a big deal. It is much bigger than the US. So, giving them a backpack is really giving them hope for their future! What an amazing gift we had the chance to give! This was all because of the awesome giving body we have at Graceland Baptist Church too. Our goal was 500 backpacks and we brought 1,000 with us! That speaks volumes to who this church is!
After we gave all the backpacks out and then played with the kids a bit more, it was time to leave for the day. Exhausted was a good word to describe how we all felt (both emotionally and physically). Scott told us as we were leaving that we were going to get some gelato (Italian ice cream) on the way home as a surprise and it was really good!!
That was pretty much our day, but there is more to it than just that. Something I think we all faced yesterday was just being exhausted after the day we had. A couple of days ago in my quiet time, I learned this phrase, "The awareness of God's presence energizes us for our work." That was the summarizing statement for yesterdays events. It was sunny, hot and crazy with tons of people everywhere and tons of needs as well. But the one thing that got each of us through that afternoon was the fact that God was supplying all we needed. It was almost as if we were energized and feeling fine while with the kids and parents, and then when we got on the bus, we all realized how exhausted we were. That is the essence of God's power for His work. God really does supply us with great power and strength and energy when it comes to the things He wants us to do. He has not only supplied financially for this trip but also physically and emotionally.
I can't wait to see how He keeps on giving us what we need to step up to the challenges we will face here! But it also reminds me to have this same attitude in the States. A lot of times we can begin to do what we need to do and lose sight of what God wants us to do. Focus on what He has laid out for you (no matter how big it seems) and He will give you the power and energy to complete the task...you just have to accept it!!
With love to all our family, friends and others who are reading this!
Jameson and the team
Today again was a very challenging yet very rewarding time for all of us. Today was one of two backpack days. We went to the FOCUS center this morning to begin the ceremonies. It is so awesome because every day we arrive, the kids come running out to greet us. Our bus and van come around the corner and there are 52 little smiling faces waiting for us! You can hear them when we turn the corner as well. They are yelling and you can tell the excitement they have to see us. What a greeting every morning!
We got off the bus and van and immediately began playing and loving on the kids. By the end of the day there would be about 800 kids at the FOCUS center to receive a backpack. The ceremony was supposed to start at 10:00am but that is American time. We actually started at about 12:30pm, which is Kenya time. There is a saying that the Kenyans have, "Kenyans have time and Americans have watches." This was a difficult two and a half hours because as more kids started arriving, they wanted to play and be loved on as well. If you can imagine 27 "Mzungus" (what they call white people) surrounded by 800 kids all starving for your attention, it got pretty intense. Plus, the sun was out and it was about 85-90 degrees as well. It was a bit overwhelming but in a very good way!
The ceremony lasted until about 3:00pm. During the ceremony, Scott presented the Gospel and did an amazing job. I am not quite sure how many responded but it was very clear and understandable (even with a translator). Government officials were there as well as TV stations and we actually made the news that night! After all the speaking had taken place we started giving out the backpacks.
All the kids came up one by one and we placed the backpacks on their backs. It was so awesome to see that we were supplying them with a years worth of school supplies and how much they appreciated it. Education here in Kenya is a big deal. It is much bigger than the US. So, giving them a backpack is really giving them hope for their future! What an amazing gift we had the chance to give! This was all because of the awesome giving body we have at Graceland Baptist Church too. Our goal was 500 backpacks and we brought 1,000 with us! That speaks volumes to who this church is!
After we gave all the backpacks out and then played with the kids a bit more, it was time to leave for the day. Exhausted was a good word to describe how we all felt (both emotionally and physically). Scott told us as we were leaving that we were going to get some gelato (Italian ice cream) on the way home as a surprise and it was really good!!
That was pretty much our day, but there is more to it than just that. Something I think we all faced yesterday was just being exhausted after the day we had. A couple of days ago in my quiet time, I learned this phrase, "The awareness of God's presence energizes us for our work." That was the summarizing statement for yesterdays events. It was sunny, hot and crazy with tons of people everywhere and tons of needs as well. But the one thing that got each of us through that afternoon was the fact that God was supplying all we needed. It was almost as if we were energized and feeling fine while with the kids and parents, and then when we got on the bus, we all realized how exhausted we were. That is the essence of God's power for His work. God really does supply us with great power and strength and energy when it comes to the things He wants us to do. He has not only supplied financially for this trip but also physically and emotionally.
I can't wait to see how He keeps on giving us what we need to step up to the challenges we will face here! But it also reminds me to have this same attitude in the States. A lot of times we can begin to do what we need to do and lose sight of what God wants us to do. Focus on what He has laid out for you (no matter how big it seems) and He will give you the power and energy to complete the task...you just have to accept it!!
With love to all our family, friends and others who are reading this!
Jameson and the team
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Pictures Thus Far
Check out our pictures thus far on Debbie Jo's Facebook page:
Days 1
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1602978094541.64757.1838770843&l=f6bc62252d
Day 2
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1602931893386.64750.1838770843&l=6c283e4660
Day 3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1605502877659.64899.1838770843&l=869a43d82b
Day 4
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1606433580926.64945.1838770843&l=72f583283d
Day 5
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1607793214916.65020.1838770843&l=d719b604fd
Days 1
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1602978094541.64757.1838770843&l=f6bc62252d
Day 2
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1602931893386.64750.1838770843&l=6c283e4660
Day 3
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1605502877659.64899.1838770843&l=869a43d82b
Day 4
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1606433580926.64945.1838770843&l=72f583283d
Day 5
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1607793214916.65020.1838770843&l=d719b604fd
Tuesday, June 7th
Jameson Barker (in place of Susan because there was no Internet last night)
Today was an amazing day! Today was the day that we hung out with all the kids at FOCUS for the entire day! This morning Scott opened the day with a devotion covering the last part of Matthew 25. Here is a little excerpt from those verses...
"Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.' They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’ He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’"
This was especially true of today! Christ commanded us to love the least, to clothe the naked, and feed the hungry. This is what this day was all about! We had the whole day to hug, play with, and love on these 52 kids that are in the FOCUS program. What a joy! In today's culture, especially in the US these kids would be viewed as the least. Many times, we would just walk by them on the streets and not think anything about them. What a travesty on our behalf! These kids are just the same as us in God's sight and they deserve no less love than we get as Americans.
Scott told us that most the kids only have one parent in the home or they live with close relatives. Those who are in charge of the household (i.e. mother, grandparents, etc.) spend over 10 hours in the day trying to find work or working to be able to provide for their kids. Can you imagine that? That is the very reason why these kids desire to be loved so much. When their parent or guardian gets home from working, they are exhausted and don't have the energy to love on their kids. Now, I know that seems crazy to us in America but it is the culture here. If you spent most of your day trying to find work to feed your kids and then came home with nothing because there was no work, you would be exhausted too (especially after doing that for multiple days in a row).
The kids at FOCUS are so incredibly grateful! We did a day full of VBS type activities. We started off the morning with just hanging out and playing with them. Then we played a game of 3-legged races which they loved! Debbie Jo lead a craft time after that where the kids made foam animals out of pieces of foam and Popsicle sticks. They loved it! They don't get these amenities very often (if ever) so when they do, it is awesome! After the craft, it was time for lunch. They ate and so did we. We have boxed lunches from Heart House everyday that we share with our FOCUS workers that we are partnered with. In the boxes is chicken which is a delicacy to them. After lunch we played a game of "Silly Mwhili" which means silly body (aka the hokey pokey). Then we had a time of sharing a Bible story.
The students and some of the team members acted out the story of David and Goliath. Isak Morehous was Goliath and one of the FOCUS kids was David (with the help of Christian). Part of the story was the five smooth stones which we used marshmallows for. They never get to taste or eat marshmallows so this was fun for them as well. Many of them put them in their pockets to take home to give to siblings. This broke my heart because even in their situations, they are still thinking of others and sharing what they only get a little of. What a challenge to us in America to share the wealth that we experience every day!
After the Bible story, we had time for one more craft and made little pipe cleaner people with beads and pipe cleaners. After this, it was playing time. We had about 45 minutes left so we just played with and loved on the kids.
Once we were done, we went packed up and loaded up and headed for home. Last night we packed all 1000 Project Lucas backpacks. It took about 2 hours with everyone helping and then most of us crashed pretty hard. This day was a day of blessings for all of us on this team!
The daily verse reminds me of my responsibility (and our responsibility) as a Christian to love and cherish everyone I come in contact with. There is not one person on the face of this planet that does not deserve my love and care. That is hard to swallow when we think about people we don't like or people who we don't agree with, but it is very true. So, my question to you today is who do you need to love on today? How do you need to get out of your comfort zone and help those in need that you know? Do you need to stop and give food to the homeless man on the interstate ramp? Do you need to go to downtown New Albany and love on homeless kids? Do you need to work in a youth shelter? Where is God calling you to serve what culture would call "the least of these"?
Today was an amazing day! Today was the day that we hung out with all the kids at FOCUS for the entire day! This morning Scott opened the day with a devotion covering the last part of Matthew 25. Here is a little excerpt from those verses...
"Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.' They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’ He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’"
This was especially true of today! Christ commanded us to love the least, to clothe the naked, and feed the hungry. This is what this day was all about! We had the whole day to hug, play with, and love on these 52 kids that are in the FOCUS program. What a joy! In today's culture, especially in the US these kids would be viewed as the least. Many times, we would just walk by them on the streets and not think anything about them. What a travesty on our behalf! These kids are just the same as us in God's sight and they deserve no less love than we get as Americans.
Scott told us that most the kids only have one parent in the home or they live with close relatives. Those who are in charge of the household (i.e. mother, grandparents, etc.) spend over 10 hours in the day trying to find work or working to be able to provide for their kids. Can you imagine that? That is the very reason why these kids desire to be loved so much. When their parent or guardian gets home from working, they are exhausted and don't have the energy to love on their kids. Now, I know that seems crazy to us in America but it is the culture here. If you spent most of your day trying to find work to feed your kids and then came home with nothing because there was no work, you would be exhausted too (especially after doing that for multiple days in a row).
The kids at FOCUS are so incredibly grateful! We did a day full of VBS type activities. We started off the morning with just hanging out and playing with them. Then we played a game of 3-legged races which they loved! Debbie Jo lead a craft time after that where the kids made foam animals out of pieces of foam and Popsicle sticks. They loved it! They don't get these amenities very often (if ever) so when they do, it is awesome! After the craft, it was time for lunch. They ate and so did we. We have boxed lunches from Heart House everyday that we share with our FOCUS workers that we are partnered with. In the boxes is chicken which is a delicacy to them. After lunch we played a game of "Silly Mwhili" which means silly body (aka the hokey pokey). Then we had a time of sharing a Bible story.
The students and some of the team members acted out the story of David and Goliath. Isak Morehous was Goliath and one of the FOCUS kids was David (with the help of Christian). Part of the story was the five smooth stones which we used marshmallows for. They never get to taste or eat marshmallows so this was fun for them as well. Many of them put them in their pockets to take home to give to siblings. This broke my heart because even in their situations, they are still thinking of others and sharing what they only get a little of. What a challenge to us in America to share the wealth that we experience every day!
After the Bible story, we had time for one more craft and made little pipe cleaner people with beads and pipe cleaners. After this, it was playing time. We had about 45 minutes left so we just played with and loved on the kids.
Once we were done, we went packed up and loaded up and headed for home. Last night we packed all 1000 Project Lucas backpacks. It took about 2 hours with everyone helping and then most of us crashed pretty hard. This day was a day of blessings for all of us on this team!
The daily verse reminds me of my responsibility (and our responsibility) as a Christian to love and cherish everyone I come in contact with. There is not one person on the face of this planet that does not deserve my love and care. That is hard to swallow when we think about people we don't like or people who we don't agree with, but it is very true. So, my question to you today is who do you need to love on today? How do you need to get out of your comfort zone and help those in need that you know? Do you need to stop and give food to the homeless man on the interstate ramp? Do you need to go to downtown New Albany and love on homeless kids? Do you need to work in a youth shelter? Where is God calling you to serve what culture would call "the least of these"?
Monday, June 6, 2011
Monday, June 6th
Over the next two weeks, we will have almost everyone on our team post on this blog. There are individuals and families that will post each night we are here so that you can hear from a lot of different perspectives. Tonight we start the rotation! We hope you enjoy!
Katherine Ward :)
After a refreshing but short night we woke up to an awesome breakfast provided by the staff here at Heart Lodge! We then headed to the ABC Orphanage which partners with Feed The Children. The staff at the ABC Orphanage gave us a tour of the orphanage. This part of the day was difficult for me. For several years, I feel that God wants me to adopt when I'm married. Seeing these beautiful and happy children moved me so much.
We weren't allowed to pick the children up, but we were allowed to play with them. When we entered a room for toddlers I went over to a boy, Moses, who couldn't be much older than a year. Moses was separate from the rest of the children. He immediately wanted me to hold him and he hugged my knees and held my hands the entire time. Oh my goodness, my heart felt so much for this beautiful little boy. We were there for only about 10 minutes, but I will never forget him. I teared up as I left because I felt like I already loved him so much. Seeing these children made me appreciate the family God has so graciously blessed me with!
After touring the Orphanage, we toured the Feed The Children facility and storehouse. I was amazed at how much work goes into their organization! They put so much effort and time into serving others, something I'm still learning to put into action and not just in words. I cannot wait to see what else God has in store for the team and I during the next 2 weeks!
Well, I'll let Julie take over now. I could write so much more but I'm tired and I want sleep. Haha
<3 Julie Jackson
Jambo! That's hello in Swahili, in-case you didn't know :) After waking up this morning, the Heart House made the team and I a satisfyingly delicious breakfast that included foods like bacon and bread filled with chocolate, not a croissant, but close.
At 9:15, we left for the ABC orphanage. It was emotional to leave the children because they had no family. You just wanted to stick them in your pocket and take them all home, but sadly we had to wave goodbye for the first and last time. When we left the orphanage, we drove to a school that was associated with Feed the Children and located in the slums. Not only was it hard to just drive through the area, but to quickly say hello and goodbye to the kids we fed at the school was even harder.
Leaving that area, we drove a bumpy 45 minutes to an hour. Although, if it weren't bumpy, I wouldn't feel like we were in Kenya, so it was cool! This road led us to Focus, where we met all the adorable kids that are involved with Project Lucas. I don't even know how to explain how amazing these kids were. They were amused by the littlest things such as a clap or a tire. Not only were they grateful, but they were so loving. They would run up to you and give you hug, even if you didn't know them.
At the end of the day, we sadly had to give our goodbye high-fives and knuckle-touches to the children. Thankfully, it wasn't our last goodbye! We get to work with them for the next two weeks! :D Well, considering i have been writing this blog too long and Jameson is kicking me off... I should go! Have fun in the states! We will get back to you tomorrow!
Katherine Ward :)
After a refreshing but short night we woke up to an awesome breakfast provided by the staff here at Heart Lodge! We then headed to the ABC Orphanage which partners with Feed The Children. The staff at the ABC Orphanage gave us a tour of the orphanage. This part of the day was difficult for me. For several years, I feel that God wants me to adopt when I'm married. Seeing these beautiful and happy children moved me so much.
We weren't allowed to pick the children up, but we were allowed to play with them. When we entered a room for toddlers I went over to a boy, Moses, who couldn't be much older than a year. Moses was separate from the rest of the children. He immediately wanted me to hold him and he hugged my knees and held my hands the entire time. Oh my goodness, my heart felt so much for this beautiful little boy. We were there for only about 10 minutes, but I will never forget him. I teared up as I left because I felt like I already loved him so much. Seeing these children made me appreciate the family God has so graciously blessed me with!
After touring the Orphanage, we toured the Feed The Children facility and storehouse. I was amazed at how much work goes into their organization! They put so much effort and time into serving others, something I'm still learning to put into action and not just in words. I cannot wait to see what else God has in store for the team and I during the next 2 weeks!
Well, I'll let Julie take over now. I could write so much more but I'm tired and I want sleep. Haha
<3 Julie Jackson
Jambo! That's hello in Swahili, in-case you didn't know :) After waking up this morning, the Heart House made the team and I a satisfyingly delicious breakfast that included foods like bacon and bread filled with chocolate, not a croissant, but close.
At 9:15, we left for the ABC orphanage. It was emotional to leave the children because they had no family. You just wanted to stick them in your pocket and take them all home, but sadly we had to wave goodbye for the first and last time. When we left the orphanage, we drove to a school that was associated with Feed the Children and located in the slums. Not only was it hard to just drive through the area, but to quickly say hello and goodbye to the kids we fed at the school was even harder.
Leaving that area, we drove a bumpy 45 minutes to an hour. Although, if it weren't bumpy, I wouldn't feel like we were in Kenya, so it was cool! This road led us to Focus, where we met all the adorable kids that are involved with Project Lucas. I don't even know how to explain how amazing these kids were. They were amused by the littlest things such as a clap or a tire. Not only were they grateful, but they were so loving. They would run up to you and give you hug, even if you didn't know them.
At the end of the day, we sadly had to give our goodbye high-fives and knuckle-touches to the children. Thankfully, it wasn't our last goodbye! We get to work with them for the next two weeks! :D Well, considering i have been writing this blog too long and Jameson is kicking me off... I should go! Have fun in the states! We will get back to you tomorrow!
Sunday, June 5th
We are here!! It was a long and incredible journey! Here's the low down...
We started off at the church at 6:30am. From there we left and drove to Cincinnati to start our flights. Checking our luggage went amazingly smooth and we had an awesome American Airlines attendant. Once we checked all our bags and bins, we went to the gate to wait for our flights. 7 members of the group took an earlier flight to Chicago and got there ahead of the other group, so we just hung out there in the food court and played games.
Once the second half of the group got there, we went to our international gate to wait for our flight. We waited for about an hour and then our flight came. We boarded our Boeing 767 and got ready to travel for over 8 hours. We didn't have screens in the back of our seats but we did have movies and music to listen too. Most of us slept the whole way but there were a few who didn't. The food was pretty good as well (for airplane food)!
Once we landed in Belgium, we headed to our next gate and had about an hour til we boarded our final flight. Some of us took what I call "airport showers". That's when you bring all your travel size toiletries and go to the bathroom and take a shower. It was great! Wash your hair, brush your teeth, wipe off your face, and reapply some deodorant. You feel SO much better.
We boarded our flight to Nairobi and we were on our way. Another almost 11 hours later we landed here in Kenya. At this point we went to get our Visas and then get our luggage and bins. After we got all of them (praise God), we started to load the vans and buses. Then we left to head to Heart House and get settled and go to bed. We ended up laying down at about 1:30am local time.
Katherine and Julie are posting tomorrow so be sure to check it out!!
Jameson
We started off at the church at 6:30am. From there we left and drove to Cincinnati to start our flights. Checking our luggage went amazingly smooth and we had an awesome American Airlines attendant. Once we checked all our bags and bins, we went to the gate to wait for our flights. 7 members of the group took an earlier flight to Chicago and got there ahead of the other group, so we just hung out there in the food court and played games.
Once the second half of the group got there, we went to our international gate to wait for our flight. We waited for about an hour and then our flight came. We boarded our Boeing 767 and got ready to travel for over 8 hours. We didn't have screens in the back of our seats but we did have movies and music to listen too. Most of us slept the whole way but there were a few who didn't. The food was pretty good as well (for airplane food)!
Once we landed in Belgium, we headed to our next gate and had about an hour til we boarded our final flight. Some of us took what I call "airport showers". That's when you bring all your travel size toiletries and go to the bathroom and take a shower. It was great! Wash your hair, brush your teeth, wipe off your face, and reapply some deodorant. You feel SO much better.
We boarded our flight to Nairobi and we were on our way. Another almost 11 hours later we landed here in Kenya. At this point we went to get our Visas and then get our luggage and bins. After we got all of them (praise God), we started to load the vans and buses. Then we left to head to Heart House and get settled and go to bed. We ended up laying down at about 1:30am local time.
Katherine and Julie are posting tomorrow so be sure to check it out!!
Jameson
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
**CHANGE IN SCHEDULE**
This is a VERY important update!! Please read!!
Due to the amount of luggage and bins we will be transporting with us, we have had a change in the time that we need to arrive at the Cincinnati Airport. We will be meeting at church Saturday morning June 4th at 6:30am instead of 9:30am. Everything else is the same!
Again, we are meeting at the church Saturday morning June 4th at 6:30am!! Please be on time!!
See you in 3 days!!!
Due to the amount of luggage and bins we will be transporting with us, we have had a change in the time that we need to arrive at the Cincinnati Airport. We will be meeting at church Saturday morning June 4th at 6:30am instead of 9:30am. Everything else is the same!
Again, we are meeting at the church Saturday morning June 4th at 6:30am!! Please be on time!!
See you in 3 days!!!
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