Hey, hey!
We just got home from our last visit in Joska. After breakfast we went to the CCRC to get shovels and picks, and then we walked down a long dusty path to where we would dig ditches for the water pipes. It was more than a blessing to be a part of--the Joska community enthusiastically came with us, offering their help as we dug. The team work was awesome...seeing how excited the community was about this project. We worked hard! Still, no matter how hard we tried, even the smallest Kenyan children seemed to put us to shame with their strength and endurance! We made a lot of progress, and I know that when the water project is completed it will bring so much joy and happiness into the community. Hopefully many of us will get to come back and see it completed!
After a morning of digging, we ate lunch and then went to another new children's home that no 410 team has ever visited. It was called Stream Tree. We were greeted in the most incredible way--literally with songs, smiles, and BIG hugs from all of the women there. The children were singing and clapping, all smiling at these strange new visitors that were in front of them.
We received a tour of the campus--it is definitely a work in progress, and they have many needs; however, it is a beautiful place filled with so much love for the children and an inspirational focus on God. After the tour, some of us had the opportunity to receive a cooking lesson making chapates (not sure how to spell it...it's pronounced cha-PAH-teez). We helped make a few chapates and then served the children lunch. They had a chapate, slaw, and a spoon of beef stew. When it came time to say goodbye, the children of Stream Tree sang us a few praise songs and then some of the kids (who had walked a long distance to see us one more time at this new home...) sang "Who Am I". I believe it had almost every one of us in tears. Their songs seem to be the ultimate example of worship. When they sing, you know they are singing for Him--it's so beautiful.
We said goodbye to our new friends at Stream Tree, to the CCRC kids that came, and to the 410 Bridge council members from CCRC. It was an emotional day, saying goodbye to people that we have come to know and love dearly. They continue to tell us over and over what a blessing we are to them--they have no idea how big of a blessing they are to us. It's indescribable.
It's been an amazing week that each of us will remember forever. Each individual that we have met during our stay here will remain in our hearts. We will continue to carry them with us in our prayers, doing everything we can to support the work that God is doing to this nation. We can't wait to share stories and pictures with you, so that you can catch a glimpse of how God has moved in our lives while we were here.
Tomorrow we will have our safari (yay!!) and then spend the night in Lake Nakuru. Sunday morning we will go shopping (for many of you!) and then we fly out around 6 pm from the Nairobi airport. Thank you so much for checking these blogs and giving us your encouraging words. We'll see you Monday morning!!
In Him,
The 410 Bridge Team
Friday, January 2, 2009
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Our First Day in 2009
Hey friends and family!
Well, you never know how the schedule is going to work out....we were flexible this morning and changed things around a bit. Instead of digging today (we would only have gotten to dig for a couple of hours), we decided to delay that until tomorrow when we can give it more of our time. We arrived back at Heart Lodge not long ago from an amazing day on foot, doing more home visits around Joska. Similar to two days ago, we split into teams consisting of both US and Kenyan 410 team members as well as a few people from the community. We went into homes, talked with the families and prayed with them. We also had the pleasure of delivering more gifts of flour, sugar, cooking fat, and when children were a part of the home--backpacks with candy and crackers along with the cooking items. Again, our faiths were challenged and grown through these visits, hearing people speak of their trust in God to provide their needs when they are in such difficult circumstances. One beautiful lady who invited our team into her home almost instantly shouted out that she loves Jesus. I told her it was evident by the look on her face--her joy just couldn't be kept in! We can all definitely take away moments like that back home with us, remembering the joy and smiles on faces of those who don't even have clean water to drink or food to feed their children. They get it. Our joy in Him is never based on circumstance.
After a long day of walking home to home, we came together to visit a new children's home (I believe it was called Mercy Children's Home...). The 410 Bridge had never seen this home until today. We were greeted with open arms! The mother of the home and her daughter gave us a tour of the facility, and then the precious children sang for us and recited scripture. Most of the children were younger, but their ages range from the youngest at a 4 year old little boy, to the oldest which is a 16 year old boy. They have never been visited, and were quite excited to see us. Hopefully today was only the beginning of a growing relationship between the Mercy Center and 410 Bridge.
With pink noses from the hot Kenyan sun, we all were exhausted and ready to get back to Heart Lodge. We only have one more day of work before our Safari and Giraffe park adventure to complete our trip.
We hope each of you have had a wonderful New Year holiday, eating lots of greens and black eyed peas!
With Much Love,
The 410 Bridge Team
Well, you never know how the schedule is going to work out....we were flexible this morning and changed things around a bit. Instead of digging today (we would only have gotten to dig for a couple of hours), we decided to delay that until tomorrow when we can give it more of our time. We arrived back at Heart Lodge not long ago from an amazing day on foot, doing more home visits around Joska. Similar to two days ago, we split into teams consisting of both US and Kenyan 410 team members as well as a few people from the community. We went into homes, talked with the families and prayed with them. We also had the pleasure of delivering more gifts of flour, sugar, cooking fat, and when children were a part of the home--backpacks with candy and crackers along with the cooking items. Again, our faiths were challenged and grown through these visits, hearing people speak of their trust in God to provide their needs when they are in such difficult circumstances. One beautiful lady who invited our team into her home almost instantly shouted out that she loves Jesus. I told her it was evident by the look on her face--her joy just couldn't be kept in! We can all definitely take away moments like that back home with us, remembering the joy and smiles on faces of those who don't even have clean water to drink or food to feed their children. They get it. Our joy in Him is never based on circumstance.
After a long day of walking home to home, we came together to visit a new children's home (I believe it was called Mercy Children's Home...). The 410 Bridge had never seen this home until today. We were greeted with open arms! The mother of the home and her daughter gave us a tour of the facility, and then the precious children sang for us and recited scripture. Most of the children were younger, but their ages range from the youngest at a 4 year old little boy, to the oldest which is a 16 year old boy. They have never been visited, and were quite excited to see us. Hopefully today was only the beginning of a growing relationship between the Mercy Center and 410 Bridge.
With pink noses from the hot Kenyan sun, we all were exhausted and ready to get back to Heart Lodge. We only have one more day of work before our Safari and Giraffe park adventure to complete our trip.
We hope each of you have had a wonderful New Year holiday, eating lots of greens and black eyed peas!
With Much Love,
The 410 Bridge Team
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Happy New Year!
Well....it's almost time to celebrate back in the states. We've already passed our midnight mark and have begun a new year. We talked about how amazing it is to have the opportunity to begin 2009 serving God and His beautiful nation of Africa.
Yesterday we helped facilitate a youth conference at the CCRC in Joska. The conference was broken into sessions. When we arrived, we started the conference with praise and worship led by a youth choir of kids from the CCRC. We then did brief introductions and moved into the first session. The first session was a devotional led by a US team member, focusing on the topic of Love--we are created to be loved; a love that is inescapable and inseparable. After the devotional and prayer over the day, we all had the amazing opportunity to hear first hand Jack's testimony. Many of us have only seen his testimony on video...or even not at all...so to hear his story, right in the same room, was awesome. I know that I personally will never forget the words, ''Though your mother and father reject you, God will never leave you alone. God will NEVER leave you alone." The emotion in his voice and sincerity in his expressions...the raw honesty of his story has had, and will continue to impact so many around the world. God isn't through with our friend Jack yet---we're going to continue to see Him use Jack in a mighty way.
After Jack's testimony, Jarm led a motivational talk on living a life with purpose--God's purpose. Then, a female leader spoke on the "Bridge to Adulthood" and what that entails and looks like as many of the youth are in that process. We took a quick lunch break and then quickly rejoined the conference, hearing a gentleman speak on drug and substance abuse, followed by Cat and Liz leading a session educating the room on HIV/AIDS.
While some of us stayed in the conference all day, others used their gifts outside with the younger children when they were dismissed after the devotional. They were able to share a familiar Bible story with the children and play with them while the older youth received important information so crucial to each of their lives.
We very much enjoyed being a part of the conference, and always, getting the opportunity to develop deeper relationships with both the children and the leaders at CCRC and in the surrounding areas of Joska.
Right about the time the peach will be dropping and ya'll will be screaming "Happy New Year's!", we'll be loading up a bus to head back into Joska for some manual labor! We are so excited to see that fresh water will be coming, and we get to start digging the ditches for the pipes to be laid. This afternoon we will also get the chance to visit a new children's home. Hopefully later tonight we will be able to update you on the activities of our day--the first day in 2009.
Happy New Year to our friends and family...across a continent and an ocean!!
In Him,
The 410Bridge Team
Yesterday we helped facilitate a youth conference at the CCRC in Joska. The conference was broken into sessions. When we arrived, we started the conference with praise and worship led by a youth choir of kids from the CCRC. We then did brief introductions and moved into the first session. The first session was a devotional led by a US team member, focusing on the topic of Love--we are created to be loved; a love that is inescapable and inseparable. After the devotional and prayer over the day, we all had the amazing opportunity to hear first hand Jack's testimony. Many of us have only seen his testimony on video...or even not at all...so to hear his story, right in the same room, was awesome. I know that I personally will never forget the words, ''Though your mother and father reject you, God will never leave you alone. God will NEVER leave you alone." The emotion in his voice and sincerity in his expressions...the raw honesty of his story has had, and will continue to impact so many around the world. God isn't through with our friend Jack yet---we're going to continue to see Him use Jack in a mighty way.
After Jack's testimony, Jarm led a motivational talk on living a life with purpose--God's purpose. Then, a female leader spoke on the "Bridge to Adulthood" and what that entails and looks like as many of the youth are in that process. We took a quick lunch break and then quickly rejoined the conference, hearing a gentleman speak on drug and substance abuse, followed by Cat and Liz leading a session educating the room on HIV/AIDS.
While some of us stayed in the conference all day, others used their gifts outside with the younger children when they were dismissed after the devotional. They were able to share a familiar Bible story with the children and play with them while the older youth received important information so crucial to each of their lives.
We very much enjoyed being a part of the conference, and always, getting the opportunity to develop deeper relationships with both the children and the leaders at CCRC and in the surrounding areas of Joska.
Right about the time the peach will be dropping and ya'll will be screaming "Happy New Year's!", we'll be loading up a bus to head back into Joska for some manual labor! We are so excited to see that fresh water will be coming, and we get to start digging the ditches for the pipes to be laid. This afternoon we will also get the chance to visit a new children's home. Hopefully later tonight we will be able to update you on the activities of our day--the first day in 2009.
Happy New Year to our friends and family...across a continent and an ocean!!
In Him,
The 410Bridge Team
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Tuesday, December 30--Joska!
Jambo!
We woke up this morning to another amazing Heart Lodge breakfast (we even have coffee for those of us who MUST have it!) After eating, we had our team morning devotional...this morning led by Hayden and Lisa. We all loaded onto the bus and headed to Joska for our first time. It took us about an hour and a half to get there, and the ride to Joska held indescribable images of some of the slums in Kenya. When we got to the CCRC (a children's home...where Jack lives!), we all packed more back packs with food to distribute later in the day. All of the children and community leaders helped our team pack over 80 bags. It was amazing to see everyone pull together to accomplish such an exciting task.
We then split up into smaller teams to go out into the community to distribute the gifts and visit with people in their homes. It was a beautiful picture, watching teams of American and Kenyan brothers and sisters in Christ setting out on foot to share Christ's love. Although we had different experiences during the home visits, we all noticed that although these families are under extremely difficult circumstances they have big faiths that shake and challenge ours--inspiring and changing our lives from the brief interactions we had with them. A home visit consisted of being welcomed in, sitting and getting to know the family (almost always a mother with children), and then praying over the family and the home. We would then give the family the bag with food. The home visits were truly something we will carry with us forever, remembering our new friends in our prayers and sharing their stories with all of you when we return home.
After all of the smaller teams reunited back at the CCRC, we took a quick lunch break and then had an incredible time of worship and praise with the CCRC kids and Joska community. We were able to distribute many gifts to children and adults in the surrounding area. It was a celebration--much love, thankfulness, and joy was felt in that room by everyone.
We said goodbye to our new friends and enthusiastically told them we would be back tomorrow! Tomorrow will be a great day--we are participating in a youth program, filled with all kinds of activities and opportunities to love and minister to these children. We definitely pray that the Lord open the hearts and speak to all who will be there, hopefully even calling some of them by name to receive Him as Lord.
Right now things are winding down around the Heart Lodge as we get ready to go to sleep and prepare for the last day of 2008. We are all continually in awe with how amazing this opportunity is and how thankful we are to be here. Thank you all for your prayers and your encouraging words in the comments. Know that each of you are definitely just as much a part of what God is doing here in Kenya as we are. We love you and will update again tomorrow!
In Him,
The 410 Bridge Team
We woke up this morning to another amazing Heart Lodge breakfast (we even have coffee for those of us who MUST have it!) After eating, we had our team morning devotional...this morning led by Hayden and Lisa. We all loaded onto the bus and headed to Joska for our first time. It took us about an hour and a half to get there, and the ride to Joska held indescribable images of some of the slums in Kenya. When we got to the CCRC (a children's home...where Jack lives!), we all packed more back packs with food to distribute later in the day. All of the children and community leaders helped our team pack over 80 bags. It was amazing to see everyone pull together to accomplish such an exciting task.
We then split up into smaller teams to go out into the community to distribute the gifts and visit with people in their homes. It was a beautiful picture, watching teams of American and Kenyan brothers and sisters in Christ setting out on foot to share Christ's love. Although we had different experiences during the home visits, we all noticed that although these families are under extremely difficult circumstances they have big faiths that shake and challenge ours--inspiring and changing our lives from the brief interactions we had with them. A home visit consisted of being welcomed in, sitting and getting to know the family (almost always a mother with children), and then praying over the family and the home. We would then give the family the bag with food. The home visits were truly something we will carry with us forever, remembering our new friends in our prayers and sharing their stories with all of you when we return home.
After all of the smaller teams reunited back at the CCRC, we took a quick lunch break and then had an incredible time of worship and praise with the CCRC kids and Joska community. We were able to distribute many gifts to children and adults in the surrounding area. It was a celebration--much love, thankfulness, and joy was felt in that room by everyone.
We said goodbye to our new friends and enthusiastically told them we would be back tomorrow! Tomorrow will be a great day--we are participating in a youth program, filled with all kinds of activities and opportunities to love and minister to these children. We definitely pray that the Lord open the hearts and speak to all who will be there, hopefully even calling some of them by name to receive Him as Lord.
Right now things are winding down around the Heart Lodge as we get ready to go to sleep and prepare for the last day of 2008. We are all continually in awe with how amazing this opportunity is and how thankful we are to be here. Thank you all for your prayers and your encouraging words in the comments. Know that each of you are definitely just as much a part of what God is doing here in Kenya as we are. We love you and will update again tomorrow!
In Him,
The 410 Bridge Team
Hey everyone! Sorry I didn't get to update the blog yesterday, but I was really sick. I have stayed back the last 2 days to try and regain my strength back. Please just pray that I will heal quickly so I can go out and help with the team. Thanks for all your love and support. and Thanks to Katie for updating for me while I was stuck in bed.
-Caitlyn Carson
-Caitlyn Carson
Monday, December 29, 2008
Family Reunion
This morning we stopped at the store one last time to get the rest of the candy that needed to go into the book bags, which were the Christmas presents for the Havilla children. Once all bags were filled we were on our way for our last day with Joseph and his AMAZING family of 47 kids that all call him Dad. It's been such an honor for each of us to have met them along our way on this incredible journey. We all agree that Joesph is truly one of a kind. He is the most spirit filled person - full of joy, grace, and hope.
While at the home we helped them with their everyday chores; washing dishes, landscaping/leveling, fixing dinner. We then had the privilege to serve dinner to all that were there. One huge eye opener was that there were 10 year old children with knifes cutting up the meat for dinner and using a machete to remove tree trunks from the ground. That's just not something we see at home. Don't get me wrong, we have all witnessed many new and wonderful things in these past couple days. In order for the meal to be cooked the kids had to start a fire - children...a fire...that's just something that you don't see at home. Here it is for them, just day in Havilla; wake up and making breakfast for50, wash clothes for 50, clean up the house, and help wtih the completion of their new home. They hope to be moved in by March 2009. It was a very emotional day for us, witnessing these things, loving on the children and then leaving knowing that this might very well be the last time that we would see them, and being blessed once again with songs from all.
It was so amazing to have a few of the aunts, uncles, and grandparents there to share our time with the children. Some of these family members walked for miles/hours to come and see the children and meet us. It's such a loving environment that kids from the community are welcomed and flock to Havilla. The elder ladies blessed us with a few songs and we even got up and then joined in while they sang. What amazing memories we are all going to be able to take home! After the songs from the elders, the children got up and told us their favorite Bible verse and then what it means to them. They are filled with God's love and it exudes from them in everything they do.
After serving an early dinner to everyone it was time for our team to leave Havilla. That might have been the longest good-bye that any of us have ever had. They have all touched our lives in so many different ways. The kids from Havilla greeted us with open arms and didn't stop hugging us from time we walked through their gates til we got back on the bus to leave. To be so blessed to have met them, how do you even put that into words?
Tomorrow we are going to Joska, which from what we've heard is completely different from Havilla. In Joska we will be going to a youth camp where most of the youth are former street kids. Since our luggage finally arrive (that's right!!!! it finally arrived!!) will be able to play soccer with them. Well it's late here and time to rest up for the soccer game tomorrow. Thanks for checking in on us and again we LOVE your comments that you leave.
In Him,
410 Bridge Team
While at the home we helped them with their everyday chores; washing dishes, landscaping/leveling, fixing dinner. We then had the privilege to serve dinner to all that were there. One huge eye opener was that there were 10 year old children with knifes cutting up the meat for dinner and using a machete to remove tree trunks from the ground. That's just not something we see at home. Don't get me wrong, we have all witnessed many new and wonderful things in these past couple days. In order for the meal to be cooked the kids had to start a fire - children...a fire...that's just something that you don't see at home. Here it is for them, just day in Havilla; wake up and making breakfast for50, wash clothes for 50, clean up the house, and help wtih the completion of their new home. They hope to be moved in by March 2009. It was a very emotional day for us, witnessing these things, loving on the children and then leaving knowing that this might very well be the last time that we would see them, and being blessed once again with songs from all.
It was so amazing to have a few of the aunts, uncles, and grandparents there to share our time with the children. Some of these family members walked for miles/hours to come and see the children and meet us. It's such a loving environment that kids from the community are welcomed and flock to Havilla. The elder ladies blessed us with a few songs and we even got up and then joined in while they sang. What amazing memories we are all going to be able to take home! After the songs from the elders, the children got up and told us their favorite Bible verse and then what it means to them. They are filled with God's love and it exudes from them in everything they do.
After serving an early dinner to everyone it was time for our team to leave Havilla. That might have been the longest good-bye that any of us have ever had. They have all touched our lives in so many different ways. The kids from Havilla greeted us with open arms and didn't stop hugging us from time we walked through their gates til we got back on the bus to leave. To be so blessed to have met them, how do you even put that into words?
Tomorrow we are going to Joska, which from what we've heard is completely different from Havilla. In Joska we will be going to a youth camp where most of the youth are former street kids. Since our luggage finally arrive (that's right!!!! it finally arrived!!) will be able to play soccer with them. Well it's late here and time to rest up for the soccer game tomorrow. Thanks for checking in on us and again we LOVE your comments that you leave.
In Him,
410 Bridge Team
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Church and Havilla!
Sorry we didn't update yesterday, but we are having internet issues...some would like to call dial-up. We were all able to go to bed early helping to get rid of jet lag. We woke to the rooster at 4 AM and you know how we are all morning people :) All the food at Heart Lodge is safe for us to eat so we have had a variety of good foods. We all got to try passion fruit, which was actually scrumptious.
We went to a local church and were able to worship with the people of Kenya-absolutely incredible! How crazy happy is God having the people of Kenya lift their hands up in worship to our Heavenly Father?! It was an emotional entrance into the church to witness this, but once there we were completely at peace and filled with joy. The service lasted 3 hours and 30 minutes, but whose counting these days anyway? It's all on "Kenyan time". When the service ended, we were able to meet the children and the people of the community before heading to Havilla Children's home.
The children's home was definitely an eye-opener for all, but the kids were filled with joy to show us their bedrooms and living accommodations. This home might not have much, but we all know for one thing they have the most joy filled hearts of anyone we have ever met. One thing we have learned is to work your hugging muscles out because these kids love to hug :)
We came back after a short time at the children's home to prepare for dinner and debriefing. The group is bonding in such a way that we all know that this is the group that God placed together. We are about to leave for our second and last day at Havilla (still all wearing the same clothes, but the luggage that never left D.C. comes today at noon, we hope!) Please pray as this will be an emotional day of leaving all these kids. We want to touch their lives as much as they have touched ours. Ok, we are off to play field day games and will update tonight if the internet works. Thanks for the comments, it was a little piece of home here for us.
-410 Bridge team
We went to a local church and were able to worship with the people of Kenya-absolutely incredible! How crazy happy is God having the people of Kenya lift their hands up in worship to our Heavenly Father?! It was an emotional entrance into the church to witness this, but once there we were completely at peace and filled with joy. The service lasted 3 hours and 30 minutes, but whose counting these days anyway? It's all on "Kenyan time". When the service ended, we were able to meet the children and the people of the community before heading to Havilla Children's home.
The children's home was definitely an eye-opener for all, but the kids were filled with joy to show us their bedrooms and living accommodations. This home might not have much, but we all know for one thing they have the most joy filled hearts of anyone we have ever met. One thing we have learned is to work your hugging muscles out because these kids love to hug :)
We came back after a short time at the children's home to prepare for dinner and debriefing. The group is bonding in such a way that we all know that this is the group that God placed together. We are about to leave for our second and last day at Havilla (still all wearing the same clothes, but the luggage that never left D.C. comes today at noon, we hope!) Please pray as this will be an emotional day of leaving all these kids. We want to touch their lives as much as they have touched ours. Ok, we are off to play field day games and will update tonight if the internet works. Thanks for the comments, it was a little piece of home here for us.
-410 Bridge team
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