A couple more...

It's almost 12:30 now - yes, that is indeed how slow the connection can be - and it was pretty fast tonight. I need to get up at 6am to be ready for tomorrow. Soooo, more pictures later - I have pictures of every individual on the team - the goal is to get everyone up soon. I apologize for not getting more up - I would keep trying, but I need rest in order to continue leading and ministering and learning. Thank you for your understanding and patience. Please continue to keep us in your prayers!!!

More Pictures!!!

Yay, more pictures!

One picture at a time

Sorry we haven't posted pictures - for some reason, its not enough that internet access is sparatic, but when we finally have it, we cannot attach pictures to our blogs or emails. It's midnight here and I think its finally working. I know one picture is not much, but its something. The team is alive and well. Half the group went out to a village far away with Tim Okken today and had an incredible experience. The rest of us enjoyed service at Crossroads again. The founder of Manna Worldwide is here and spoke today - his sermon was quite challenging. It has been a wonderful day!

Udate 7-28

Hey everyone!!! (I really hope someone is reading this)
So this is one of my updates!!! We are now half way through our trip and it has been amazing!!!!! Today Saturday the 28th we went and saw one of Mombassa’s cultural centers that is ran by handicap people. Then we went out to Vipingo where there is a feeding center that we had previously visited 2 weeks ago. The children remembered us and started grabbing our hands to hold. It was a futbol tournament so all the girls were not very interested so we just walked around and ended up dancing to the load gospel music that was in Swahili. Yesterday we visited the hospital for the first time. It was amazing walking into it because it was like walking into a hospital from the 40’s or even before that just one big room for every body. The hospital was gigantic with its different wards, it was just amazing. We then visited the local orphanage. That was really cool too. The children were extremely happy, and I considered them lucky compared to how the children in the bush who had less then the orphans. This orphanage was government funded and supported by UNICEF. Its just amazing seeing the Work God has done here and with the children and their family. The feeding center we went to on Wednesday used to be where the town held human sacrifices, no it is a church and a school/ feeding center and they have had over 150 conversions. It was just amazing. On and extremely happy note …. Y’all would be surprised at how entertained these kids can be with a balloon, but they say it as bAlOOn! I hope y’all are doing find I will try to update again soon.
God Bless,
Nicole

Another Day

Today we visited another feeding center. This one has 150 children. It has only been up about 6 months and school has only been in session for about 3 I believe. There is a school and church just like at all the others. The church already has 250 attenders. There have been 150 salvations in the last 6 months. They recently baptized over 100 people. What is unique about this feeding center (as though the above is not enough), is that the land it occupies was used for human sacrifices not long ago. The people of the tribes surrounding the feeding center are very animistic and in order to keep their gods happy and in hopes for rain, they would offer up a child. Pastor Alan pointed out a large mango tree and stated that years ago, in that exact spot, is where some of the sacrifices took place. 60 km up the road, this is still going on. BUT God is obviously working and it was amazing to be part of bringing God's power to such a dark, oppressed place. It is pastor Alan's hope that one day soon, they can take the love of Jesus to the people 60km away and build another church there.
I tried to post some pictures, but it is not working right now. Hopefully soon. Going to get some rest now - more later! - Rose:)

Another Perspective

Several random thoughts….
First of all, I second Nicole. These feeding centers have been more than a blessing to us so far, and from what everyone here tells us, I think we really have no idea how much we are having an impact on the people.
This morning I sat down by the water where we have breakfast every morning and had my quiet time. It’s so beautiful. I didn’t have a conversation, but I was greeted by a man that Nate has talked to several times. He is Muslim and has several wives. He is a business man and well-off, intelligent and probably quite powerful in whatever area of expertise he has. I can only imagine what he was thinking seeing me, a woman, in my pants and sweatshirt reading my Bible intently and praying. It hit me, a gentle reminder, of how big God is… hard to explain that one. But my goodness His love stretches wide and long and high and deep. He can turn the hearts of anyone. I love that.
The pastors of the churches we have met are so passionate about the Lord. They have incredible stories and perseverance. It is not hard to see Jesus in them without even talking to them. I hope people see me that way.
I love that God is so big that we can come here and serve and be passionate about the people of Kenya, be fully engaged here, and yet have God tell us things about our own lives, character and hearts. We leave behind, in some ways, another life, to come here – but God doesn’t forget where we come from or what we are facing and He is fully engaged in all the affairs of my life.
Those are reasons to praise!!