Monday, August 13, 2012
Homeward Bound
Only two more hours until we end up back in Rochester with family and friends. It has been a great trip with God hands clearly present in our daily work and chance meetings along the way. Thank you for your continual prayer and support. Without the Lord this trip would be nothing, but with him it is a tool for his grace.
Saturday, August 11, 2012
The Final Countdown
Hello. My name is Andy McCaffrey. I am one of fifteen on this trip who had to endure the terrible pain of walking away from the longing gazes of roughly sixty children whom we had all grown to love dearly. Whether it was the wheelchain bound boy with the unwaivering spirit, or the groups of boys and girls hanging of your shoulders as you answered their questions, we had all been taken by surprise at how quickly the week had ended.
The week sped by quickly, and with all the work to do (and the masses of children to occupy) we were certainly kept busy. Waking today, we all knew what was ahead of us. As my fellow bunk mates rose from thier slumber, we all shared a knowing glance. There was alot of work to do, and we were certainly up to the task. or so we thought.
After the team ate breakfast we walked the now-familiar path to the Rehema Home. After a personally close call with a motercycle bound taxi-man, we finally made it and were able to begin our work. As the self described "team perfection" continued their tiling duties, other teams began to grout the floor tiles. I would be remiss to neglect to mention the fantastic floor tiling work of one Maddy and Becca. Other team members cleaned outside, cut tiles, or played with children. Electricity was run and cement was used to fill in holes.
Unfortunately, our team efforts would not result in the project being finished. At the end of the day, we would be short one row of floor tiles, as well as wall tiles and electricity still remaining to be done. while frustrating, the call was made to stop, though the workers all wanted to continue.
Our workday's end and cleaning of the worksite allowed for us to bid a sad farewell to the children. though warned against it, we all had our favorites, but that did not stop us from loving them all. shirts were signed, and gifts were exchanged. as we walked out the gate, some members could not hide the tears that flowed down thier faces. It was easy to see that leaving africa would not be easy for us all.
we had the pleasure of having a traditional kenyan meal tonight. It consisted of odd looking but good tasting dishes that really gave us a sense of the country we were occuping. sharing this meal with the hosts Irv and Ruth and Mark and Michelle allowed us to grow closer to them. It was a good end to a bittersweet day.
As we prepare to face our last day on african soil, we are forced to understand that these memories we have made here will be everlasting, and will form a heartache, a yearning to return and see those smiling faces. we have all made promises to write to the kids, and i am sure that all will feel the same dream of someday walking the dusty roads and paths to once again walk through the gates of the orphange, and to hear the shouts of the children as they run out to great us. It will be difficult to leave, and we shall forever have a love for that little slice of Nairobi, Kenya.
The week sped by quickly, and with all the work to do (and the masses of children to occupy) we were certainly kept busy. Waking today, we all knew what was ahead of us. As my fellow bunk mates rose from thier slumber, we all shared a knowing glance. There was alot of work to do, and we were certainly up to the task. or so we thought.
After the team ate breakfast we walked the now-familiar path to the Rehema Home. After a personally close call with a motercycle bound taxi-man, we finally made it and were able to begin our work. As the self described "team perfection" continued their tiling duties, other teams began to grout the floor tiles. I would be remiss to neglect to mention the fantastic floor tiling work of one Maddy and Becca. Other team members cleaned outside, cut tiles, or played with children. Electricity was run and cement was used to fill in holes.
Unfortunately, our team efforts would not result in the project being finished. At the end of the day, we would be short one row of floor tiles, as well as wall tiles and electricity still remaining to be done. while frustrating, the call was made to stop, though the workers all wanted to continue.
Our workday's end and cleaning of the worksite allowed for us to bid a sad farewell to the children. though warned against it, we all had our favorites, but that did not stop us from loving them all. shirts were signed, and gifts were exchanged. as we walked out the gate, some members could not hide the tears that flowed down thier faces. It was easy to see that leaving africa would not be easy for us all.
we had the pleasure of having a traditional kenyan meal tonight. It consisted of odd looking but good tasting dishes that really gave us a sense of the country we were occuping. sharing this meal with the hosts Irv and Ruth and Mark and Michelle allowed us to grow closer to them. It was a good end to a bittersweet day.
As we prepare to face our last day on african soil, we are forced to understand that these memories we have made here will be everlasting, and will form a heartache, a yearning to return and see those smiling faces. we have all made promises to write to the kids, and i am sure that all will feel the same dream of someday walking the dusty roads and paths to once again walk through the gates of the orphange, and to hear the shouts of the children as they run out to great us. It will be difficult to leave, and we shall forever have a love for that little slice of Nairobi, Kenya.
Friday, August 10, 2012
Step by Step
With only two days left working at Rehema Home things have become very active. This morning we rose early as and all headed over so that we could get enough work done. Our early rising was rewarded when we managed to finish everything we have scheduled for the pantry and make leaps and bounds in the kitchen itself. More than half of the tiling on the walls was completed, we began tiling the floor, and got another set of lights to work today. For dinner we ate pizza so that we could stay later and work.
In the evening Myria and Dave had the chance to go to Rehema Home Youth Group, run by Mark.
Dave was given the opportunity to give a message, since he was Mark's youth pastor at LBC back in the day. Both Dave and Myria found the teens to be reserved and attentive, which they enjoyed ater a long day of work.
While those two were off at Youth Group the rest of the team was back at Rehema Home working late. During our last three hours at the home we managed to lose power twice, put even more tiling down, and have a large downpour start. Even though there were some set backs, we continued to press on and coninue to hope that by the end of the day tomorrow we will be at a place that we want to be.
This past week has flown by for me. I feel like only a few days ago we were flying into Nairobi. I know that I will miss the kids after this trip, but am glad God allowed this trip to possible. With only a few days left we hope to get as much done as possible. This trip has opened my eyes some needs in this world that I did not realize were so prevalent, and now I want to do something with this information.
In the evening Myria and Dave had the chance to go to Rehema Home Youth Group, run by Mark.
Dave was given the opportunity to give a message, since he was Mark's youth pastor at LBC back in the day. Both Dave and Myria found the teens to be reserved and attentive, which they enjoyed ater a long day of work.
While those two were off at Youth Group the rest of the team was back at Rehema Home working late. During our last three hours at the home we managed to lose power twice, put even more tiling down, and have a large downpour start. Even though there were some set backs, we continued to press on and coninue to hope that by the end of the day tomorrow we will be at a place that we want to be.
This past week has flown by for me. I feel like only a few days ago we were flying into Nairobi. I know that I will miss the kids after this trip, but am glad God allowed this trip to possible. With only a few days left we hope to get as much done as possible. This trip has opened my eyes some needs in this world that I did not realize were so prevalent, and now I want to do something with this information.
Thursday, August 9, 2012
I've Been Workin' On the Kitchin
Hi everybody! It's been one week since we've left for Kenya and it's crazy how fast the time is going by. All of the days are starting to run together! Our work on the kitchen at Rehema Home is going very well (in my opinion) despite some changes in our plans. And the kids here are incredible. My favorite part of each day is seeing those kids and talking with them. Well, since it's late, 11:03 pm here in Nairobi, I'm just going to write down some of the things we did yesterday and today. Here goes!
August 8th (yesterday)
Love,
Maddy Holtje
August 8th (yesterday)
- Picked up any tiles that fell down overnight in the pantry area
- Finished tiling the pantry
- Began tiling the kitchen area (lot's of tiling going on!)
- Painted the grates on the windows in the kitchen
- Made tamborines and moraccas with the kids as the daily craft
- Half the group walked back to the guest house in the Kenyan rain
- Everyone woke up at 6:00 am so we could leave the guest house around 7:00
- Started to grout the pantry area and finished!
- Continued to tile the kitchen area and paint the windows
- Started painting the ceiling in the kitchen
- Continued electrical work
- Went to Java House with Ruth and Irv and Mark and Michelle
Love,
Maddy Holtje
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Jehovah Has the Final Say
We started the day at a relative low point, since we had some setbacks relative to the project. We found out that several things had to be changed before we could proceed with the electric wiring as we planned. As the day progressed we started to see progress and several things got accomplished that encouraged us. One God thing that happened was that I was cutting a groove for an electric line in the wall and touched a water line with the drill I was using. I saw a small piece of the line before I cut through it. It would have been a huge amount of work to correct it. By noon I was feeling good. The morning group started the tiling and got the process down. By the end of the day we had the pantry almost complete and many of the electric circuits cut and ready to wire.
At lunch we heard that Kilunda, the boy who is having the surgery, was denied a Visa. We prayed for Kilunda and the government officials, that this trip would go forward.
I talked with Robin by phone midday from the ladies prayer breakfast. It was very good to hear her voice and the encouraging words.
I do not spend exstensive time with the kids like other team members but I greatly enjoy playing with them. They seem to enjoy it too.
We heard a great song on Sunday which went "Jehovah has the final say" This has become a theme for me on this trip. Whatever comes I am confident he will accomplish just what he has planned for us and I'm confident that it is completion of this project.
At lunch we heard that Kilunda, the boy who is having the surgery, was denied a Visa. We prayed for Kilunda and the government officials, that this trip would go forward.
I talked with Robin by phone midday from the ladies prayer breakfast. It was very good to hear her voice and the encouraging words.
I do not spend exstensive time with the kids like other team members but I greatly enjoy playing with them. They seem to enjoy it too.
We heard a great song on Sunday which went "Jehovah has the final say" This has become a theme for me on this trip. Whatever comes I am confident he will accomplish just what he has planned for us and I'm confident that it is completion of this project.
Monday, August 6, 2012
Jambo!
Jambo everyone! That is our daily greeting to everyone as we walk back and forth to Rehema Home. It means hello. I think we like saying it more than the locals. It's about the only word we know in Swahili.
Today was our first full true day of work. We divided into two groups. The first leaving early
in the morning to begin work on the kitchen and the second coming later to work with the children. The children were enthusiastic about their bible story time and crafts and playing organized games with us. We wore some of them out, but they recovered quickly to ask for more play time. We cut, glued, colored , drew on the tiles with chalk. We kicked balls, ran, sat and then ran some more. The children are having fun with asking us if we remember their names. Some of them exchanging names to try and fool us. I don't feel too bad as they are having a little difficulty remembering my name.
After lunch we had a little hiccough with the kitchen project. Things hadn't been quite communicated to the builders and installers of the kitchen islands. The work team had to make some quick decisions about rerouting some things and kind of start over. By 1:30 a new plan was in place and work began to move forward again. Dave says "Jehovah has he final say!"
The first morning crew headed back to our guesthouse around 4pm. After a brief time of rest and a snack, we prepared dinner. The second team arriving around 5:45. We had a great spaghetti dinner together and now are winding down for the evening.
To our church family a big THANK YOU for the food items that you showered us with. We have not had to go without. Right now the "youngsters" are enjoying the popcorn.
Tomorrow we repeat the process with the teams switching roles. We have all been excited about beginning the work and are ready to move onward and forward.
We are doing well. We have become fond of this place already, but we do have our hearts with all of you at home. Thank you so much for your continued prayers. We love you all!
Can't help it, but a special hello to my wonderful Bob and guys!
Submitted by Gisela for the entire KP Team
PS - to the team that was here before - they have paved the road in front of the guest house. No dirt road until you arrive at the little gate that leads to Rehema.
Today was our first full true day of work. We divided into two groups. The first leaving early
in the morning to begin work on the kitchen and the second coming later to work with the children. The children were enthusiastic about their bible story time and crafts and playing organized games with us. We wore some of them out, but they recovered quickly to ask for more play time. We cut, glued, colored , drew on the tiles with chalk. We kicked balls, ran, sat and then ran some more. The children are having fun with asking us if we remember their names. Some of them exchanging names to try and fool us. I don't feel too bad as they are having a little difficulty remembering my name.
After lunch we had a little hiccough with the kitchen project. Things hadn't been quite communicated to the builders and installers of the kitchen islands. The work team had to make some quick decisions about rerouting some things and kind of start over. By 1:30 a new plan was in place and work began to move forward again. Dave says "Jehovah has he final say!"
The first morning crew headed back to our guesthouse around 4pm. After a brief time of rest and a snack, we prepared dinner. The second team arriving around 5:45. We had a great spaghetti dinner together and now are winding down for the evening.
To our church family a big THANK YOU for the food items that you showered us with. We have not had to go without. Right now the "youngsters" are enjoying the popcorn.
Tomorrow we repeat the process with the teams switching roles. We have all been excited about beginning the work and are ready to move onward and forward.
We are doing well. We have become fond of this place already, but we do have our hearts with all of you at home. Thank you so much for your continued prayers. We love you all!
Can't help it, but a special hello to my wonderful Bob and guys!
Submitted by Gisela for the entire KP Team
PS - to the team that was here before - they have paved the road in front of the guest house. No dirt road until you arrive at the little gate that leads to Rehema.
Sunday, August 5, 2012
Standing On the Promises
(Our Sunday Bests)
Vicki here - We began our day at the PEFA Church. The music was upbeat and the message, from Habakkuk, was inspiring. We sang songs that were new to us as well as old favorites ~ Because He Lives and Standing On The Promises. The members made us feel welcome and the children from Rehema were happy to see us. After church we went to Village Gate Mall for lunch and a little shopping. Melanie McKee met us there and then took us on a tour of Rosslyn Academy. She showed us the beautiful campus as well as her classroom and her home. We then went to Nakumatt for an afternoon treat. There was a coffee house called, "Savanna" - made me really miss Skyler and Savanna!
(Rosslyn)
The delicious evening meal, pancakes and eggs, was graciously prepared by Case, Jonathan, and Karen. Josh Raub, Anna and Becca cleaned up after the evening meal. Karen was able to get in touch with some friends who brought us two guitars to borrow and that made our evening time a lot of fun singing songs of praise. We had some devotions shared by Joe, Jim and Dave. We are feeling blessed and ready to begin our first full day of work on the kitchen.
Missing our families - Mark, Becca says, "Hi!" Thanks again for all of your support!
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