Feasting.  It's one of my favorite things to do.  Something significant happens when people share a meal together...in any culture.  We recently found out, however, that Kenyan feasting has some things that rarely happen in the US.

 

Last Friday, we had one of our translators purchase 3 lambs for us.  They were tied up to our fencing for a few days, grazing on the grass and at night, they ransacked our kitchen to eat all the bananas we could find.   Then, on Monday, they met their demise.  With the help of some Kenyans, they were slaughtered, skinned, gutted and cooked.  There is another AIM team in Kenya.  They came to visit, along with many of our new Kenyan family, and we feasted until we were stuffed.  Spontaneously, everyone broke out in song and dance.  The feast was about more than fresh lamb; it was about fellowship and celebration of what God has been doing. 

 

What has God been doing, you ask?  Great question!  He has been showing up in incredible ways.  We have seen the sick healed and the lost found.  We have built some incredible relationships with the Kenyans we have been serving alongside; many have shared with us that they have been encouraged and renewed in their faith because of our team's faithfulness to God.  Even our host pastor told me that in 10 years of hosting teams, ours is the most incredible and top notch team he's ever seen.  What a compliment!  So your son or daughter or sibling or friend...they have made an impact for Jesus Christ on this trip.  The stories we all have will last for hours.  Some will make you laugh; some will make you cry.  If we are lucky, some of our stories will help you to see how your financial and prayer support has changed the world.  Thank you for being part of this.  

 

Shaye

 

Well, its been a pretty crazy time in Kenya.  God has been stretching me pretty much every day!  Being on a team with 14 girls has been interesting, but God has been more than faithful in meeting all of my needs.  And my team rocks the house.  I have gotten to become "a real man", as our Kenyan driver, friend and good brother in Christ, Ben, told me after I killed one of the 3 lamb we had for supper on Tuesday night.  It was pretty intense; look forward to pictures!  I am truly thankful for all God has done to use me to love on my brothers and sisters here in Kenya.  Thank you for all your prayers.  We'll see you soon!

 

Mary Grace

So today we are leaving Eburru.  We are heading to Nairobi for the weekend before we fly back to America.  This has been the most amazing trip I have ever taken.  I have learned so much about myself and the Lord through this journey.  While we were in Eburru we had our little Kenyan family, made up of our translators and people we have met in the community.  The people here are filled with the joy and strength of the Lord.  Everywhere we go we hear the people greeting us, saying "habari" (or "hello! how are you?) and little kids flocking to us, yelling and wanting to walk with us everywhere.  This goodbye is probably the hardest one I have ever had to do, but I am such at peace knowing that the Lord is moving in Eburru and that those people are going to spread the love of Christ even after we are gone.  The next couple of days is going to be all about processing the trip and spending some time with the team.  See everyone soon!

 

As I write this blog, we are pulling away from the huts that have been our home for the last month.  I am caught up in a bunch of emotions - I am glad to be going home, but I am mostly sad to be leaving our new friends and family.  God has done so many things in Eburru since we have been here.  I am amazed at all the different ways He can work through people.  The people of Eburru are so genuine, open and friendly.  I will most them profoundly.  I will miss the community of direct, honest conversation and smiling, encouraging faces looking back at me.  I have come to realize that these people do not need us - really, we need them.  God has done great thigns in Eburru before we arrived and He will continue to do so after we have left.  He has so blessed our team by letting us witness his awesome ability while we are here.  I will never forget His mightly love after being here.

To God be the glory, great thing He has done!

 

Hi All! 
   We have only 4 days left in Eburru before we leave for Nairobi (where we will spend the last couple days). And I think I speak for the team when I say that we will each leave a little bit of our hearts here. We have each been privleged to play a role in bringing God's kingdom to Eburru. Whether it's leading a new brother or sister to Christ, strengthening the faith of the Church body, spreading AIDS awareness, or telling the ever-present children how much Jesus loves them. Please pray that we go about our last days with purpose, making the most of the opportunities God gives us and saying goodbye to the precious people here.

Blessings,

Shirley

 

also - our apologies for the lack of pictures - the computers here in Kenya are alot slower, making the process of adding pics impractical. You will have to wait to see the picutres when we all return home!

 

 

Chelsea Gilgenbach:  

Hey friends,

  On this trip we have been blessed with some awesome translators to help us reach these broken people in Africa. The word "translator" in this context means so much more than eliminating language barriers. They are all so madly in love and devoted to Christ, but one sticks out to our group more than the others. Jonathan (aka King Julius) has been the father of our entire team. He is constantly pouring his love into us, his children in Kenya. We got to all make him cards and celebrate Father's Day with our Kenyan dad. Jonathan and his wife have been unable to have children of their own. So as much as he has truly blessed us, God has also provided us as a huge blessing to Jonathan. Our God is such an awesome God. I can't wait to see you all in a week and tell you more. I love you Brandon and Kelly.

         Chelsea Gilgenbach

P.S. Daniel, Rachel says if you can get off work, PLEASE come to the airport.  

 

 

  God is doing so much in the city of Eburru. One way my heart has been tugged is for a little girl named Estena. My heart broke for this little girl from the moment I laid eyes on her. She was aboslutely beautiful but looked so empty inside. I did everything in my power to make Estena smile or laugh, but nothing worked. I have never seen a child seem so hopeless and empty inside.

  Yesterday at church, Estena came up to me with her arms stretched high. I picked her up, but she still looked at me with eyes shut to the world. I began praying that God's love through me would somehow break through to this small child. After the church service, Estena came again, arms stretched high. As I held her tight and sang in her ear, she looked at me and smiled. When I left Estena, she was laughing and smiling ear to ear. A little love can change a person in big ways!

SIDENOTE: I love you Ben & family!

Krista

PS - Ashley says "Happy Father's Day Mike." and Happy Father's Day KDG from KDG!

 

 

Jambo from Kenya! This is our last week in Eburru. I can't even imagine leaving the people I have grown to love and minister to. My heart is so in love and broken for this place and these people. I have seen and experienced God in mighty ways over the past 3 weeks. Please be in prayer for our team to keep following the leadings and promptings of the Holy Spirit in these last 4 days. Also, please be in prayer for a man, Isaac, that Rachel and I have been sharing the Gospel with. He has big strongholds in his life; pray the Lord would break them and soften his heart. I cannot wait to share all the ways I have seen and experienced the Lord with my friends and family. All of your prayers have been felt, keep praying!

all my love -

Leigh

PS - KBO...I spoke with a baboon yesterday, and he told me that he was Rafiki's body double in the Lion King...jealous! 

 

 

  Hello from Kenya! My time here has been awesome, and I can't believe we only have 1 week left.

  I have been blown away by how welcoming everyone has been. We are constantly welcomed into the homes of the citizens of Eburru. They make us chai and listen as we share our stories and the gospel. There is such a sense of community here, and everyone is so willing to help out. Whether it was planting grass on a dam or picking up trash in the City Center, the people of Eburru have encouraged and praised us the whole way. THere is such a spirit of God here, and I can see Him on the faces fo the people we meet.

  I am looking forward to seeing everyone back in the States (especially my B), but I am really excited to see how God will wrap up our time here in Kenya. Hugs and kisses to all my friends, family, and kids.

  See you in a week!

Chelsey

 

  Our community living has allowed us to form quick bonds. We are truly a family in Christ - complete with a Kenyan surrogate father - Jonathan! He is our beloved translator, who ministers with us, eats with us, fellowships with us, and laughs with us. Think of King Julius in "Madagascar", and you will know exactly how he talks. Since he has no children of his own, Jonathan has gladly adopted us 15 "mazungus" (white people) for the month of June. Parents, rest assured that he takes great care of his "daughters" and his "son". For example, Jonathan makes sure that our bags are not too heavy, and he always tries to get us to eat 5 platefuls of food (at least). 

  There is something beautiful about forming relationships with these Kenyans that will last all eternity. The bond we have in Christ overshadows any cultural differences, because we worship the same Heavenly Father. 
 Shirley

 

Here are some thoughts from a few of our "family members": 

 

Rachel:

  Today is our 11th full day here in Eburru. I am experiencing the Lord in powerful ways. Our team has had several ministry opportunities at "the Center" in Eburru, where we are living this month. "The Center" is basically a shanty town where flocks of kids run up to you, latch on, and have no intention of letting go. The other day my teammate Katy and I had the opportunity to travel in a matatu (taxi) with some of our Kenyan friends who translate for us to a small, poverty-stricken village outside of Eburru to visit a family with a very sick 16-year-old girl. She has a heart condition that caused her to have a stroke, and she was numb all over her body. Our friend Jonathan prayed the most powerful prayer I have ever heard over Hannah, asking God for His will to be done in her life and if the enemy had a hold on her, Jonathan claimed victory in Christ, asking Him to release her and bring healing. Katy also had the opportunity to pray for her. I know that God changed me as I looked at Hannah's beautiful face, her eyes filled with fear and hopelessness. I sat there in a mud hut, heated by a small coal fire, surrounded by brothers and sister in Christ who have nothing, yet because of Jesus possess all things.

Rachel

 

Kim:

  God is so amazing. He has blessed me with being part of such a wonderful team. It's such a pleasure to serve the people of Eburru alongside them. It's so wonderful how close we have all gotten in such little time. I have been inspired by everyone on the team in some way. It's such a joy for me to be around such Godly and loving people 24/7.

  Throughout my time here God has really been teaching me so much. He's been showing me that He can use me in my brokeness, despite my faults and failures. Even when I feel God can't use me, that's when He works through me the most. God has also been reminding me that He is my ultimate Comforter, Provider, Healer, and Lover, and that I need to rely more on Him.

  I miss you all so much and can't wait to see you! Kiss Boston for me! God bless.

Kim

 

Katy:

  I wanted to tell you a little bit about what God is doing in Eburru. This past week our team saw two people get saved, Bwana Asifiwe! Praise God!

  For a few mornings we went to this dam to plant grass. The roots in the soil prevents erosion, and this will stop flooding during the rainy season. On the last day of planting, families from houses surrounding the dam came and helped us. Our service was very meaningful to them because it is their crops that get destroyed during floods. These neighbors were honored and deeply touched that we had come all the way from America to show the Lord's love to them.

  We've been spending alot of time with Pastor Steve - a local pastor who plans alot of our ministries. A couple of days ago he showed us this giant house that he had recently purchased. It was the largest house I've ever been in. It was initially built for a colonial statesman but has recently been inhabited by several families (all at once) that would build fired in the rooms, severely damazing the infrastructure. Pastor Steve's vision is to renovate it into an orphanage and ultimately, a school. I thought this was really neat.

  Please pray for these two ministries.

  I've been having a wonderful time pouring out love to the children who hang out at our camp. I'm still soaking everything in. I love you, and I miss you.

Be Blessed,

Katy

 

Greetings from Kenya!

 

It is 2:13pm in Naivasha, Kenya and I was able to come into the city for a few minutes to send you an update!  First, I thought you'd like to hear a small story.  Hope you laugh.

 

Yesterday, our team went to a wonderful church service.  Being in Swahili, we understood very little, but had a great time.  About 1/2 way through the service, I realized that the abundance of water I've been drinking had caught up to me and I had to find a bathroom.  (In Kenya, we don't have Western toilets, only holes in the ground.)  Someone directed me to a small building outside, which I promptly went to, only to find a large room with an open door frame.  Confused, I walked around the building and resigned myself to the fact that this must be their bathroom.  Dasha came up to me and we decided we'd brave it together.  Taking our respective corners, we squatted.  She did fine; I had some performance anxiety.  After Dasha left, some kids came and stood in the doorway, watching me.  Figuring they were just wondering if I was white all over, I shooed them away and I finally succeeded.  It was mildly embarrassing.  It wasn't until later that the real humor came.

 

I was telling Shirley, the other leader, about our adventure.  She said, "Wait.  Why didn't you shut the door?"  "What door?" I answered.  I realized then that whatever room Dasha and I used wasn't the bathroom.  The mission field is truly adventurous.

 

As a team, we are learning so much here.  We've spent several days getting to know the Kenyans and sharing life with them: laughing, eating, playing and story telling.  This next week is going to be filled with some Bible studies and VBS for over 200 kids and we are serving some very real needs here, from physical labor to providing food for alot of people.  The team is doing well; we are all growing and connecting and learning to love one another.  Even our health is good!  Some have hearts that are breaking for the brokenness they see around them.  And as their leader, I am blessed to see that they are serving God with passion out of their brokenness. Perhaps one monumental moment was when in the middle of the night, Dasha helped deliver a healthy Kenyan baby boy!

 

Below, I've posted a few "mini-blogs" from some of our teammates. Thank you for sharing your beloved child or friend with us.  Each one here is truly a blessing for the Lord.  I hope you enjoy!  (Also, the next blog will not be posted until next Monday.  Each participant will post something once!) Please keep praying for us!

 

Shaye

 

Stephanie:

 

Hey, y'all!

I'm surrounded by Southerners trying to get me to conform =)

Africa is AMAZING and so is the Lord, He has already done mighty things and it's only been a few days.  Kids are so adorable here in Kenya and the weather is beautiful.

Anyway - here is one funny fact!  I offically know how to use a squatty pottie as a bathroom!  (A squatty is a hole in the ground...you definitely cannot sit!)

P.S. Melissa, I love you!

 

Emma:

 

Hey everyone!  Wow, I don't even know where to start.  Well, we made it!  We arrived at Eburru friday afternoon and settled into our cozy little huts.  Ever since then we've been drowning in kids.  They're so loving and eager to interact with you, it melts my heart!  The viedw from our hut is absolutely breathtaking.  I can't even put it into words.  I'm completely flattered and overwhelmed with joy at the fact that God chose me to share this romantic, beautiful scene with Him.  The past couple of days I've really been dwelling on the concept of falling in love with God, I mean head over heels, heart-racing, sweaty palm kind of love.  I'm so stoked to go deeper with Him and see what other intimate moments He has for us to share. 

 

I love you all!  ~Emma, Psalm 143:8

 

Ashley:

 

It's amazing what two and a half days in Eburru, Kenya will do for you.  When you see a small child with hard eyes, suddenly it just doesn't matter that you've been using a hold in the ground as a toilet.  Asa you walk through the center of town and see children covered in dirt, with clothes full of holes and no shoes, suddenly it doesn't really matter if you showered today or not.  (Or within the past 5 days.)  When you see where these children live and realize how often they acutally eat, suddenly your small hut and warm 3 meals a day feel like paradise.  Over these past few days, the Lord ahs really been showing me that there is something bigger than my wants, my desires, and even my needs.  I have found a joy in selflessness that i never knew was possible.  But isn't that what our God is about?

 

"No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him." ~2 Corinthians 2:9

 

PS - Chelsea G says "Thanks for the birthday note, Brandon."

 

You're only a day away!

 

Shirley and I can't wait to see you guys.  We are thinking of you and praying for you.  Take a deep breath.  God has adventure ahead of us.  As long as you bring your passport and a willing heart, we will succeed.  No last minute stress over forgotten socks or the wrong t-shirt or busted shampoo bottles here.  Our God is in control and we are going to join Him on a great journey.

 

We'll see you tomorrow!

Hello, friends!  This is Shaye and Shirley...together!  We are already in Gainesville and working super hard to prepare for you to arrive!  We even spoke with the host pastor this afternoon!  He rocks.  We have so much we'd love to share with you!

 

THIS IS WHY YOU NEED TO KEEP AN EYE ON YOUR PHONE!!!  We will be calling you either tonight or tomorrow night to chat a little bit.  Have a list of your questions or ways we can be praying for you.  We'll chat, laugh, and pray.  And we are so excited!  Specifically, watch for a '770' area code on the phone number.  We will either be calling you tonight, Wednesday or tomorrow, Thursday.  We'll do our best to check out the comments on this blog if you need a specific phone number called or anything else. 

 

Can't wait! 

 

We think you are awesome.

 

Hi Team!

  Soo, it's almost here! Get excited. As you're packing, here is a little tip concerning training camp - it's supposed to rain in Georgia, Alot. A raincoat and old shoes (ones that you don't care if they get real muddy) are essentials. The AIM staff even recommended bringing clothes/shoes to training camp that you don't mind throwing away afterwards. So, look through your "take to Goodwill" bag and find some old clothes/shoes to bring. We'll embrace the rain and the mud. Mud pies. Mud facials. Mud slip and slide. Well, maybe not that extreme, but it'll be an adventure for sure.

  I can't wait to meet you all in Less than 1 Week - know that I'm praying for each one of you!

Shirley 

I love that song.  When I sing it in my head, I've got some awesome Olivia Newton-John twang going on.  It makes me think of warm summer nights with crickets chirping and bonfires.  Even as I think of our time in Africa, I picture warm nights with djembes beating in the distance.

 

Wrong.

 

For the first few weeks, our nights will be COLD.  Yes, COLD.  Not just cool, but COLD.  I know this may mess with your packing plans, but trust me when I tell you that you are going to want to bring layers to wear and to sleep in.  You may also benefit from bringing a winter cap and a pair of mittens.  At some points, we will be at a high elevation (on the side of an inactive volcano, to be exact) and our summer nights will be different that you might expect!

 

Take a little time to check over your packing an adjust accordingly!  By the way, if you are feeling really upset with this news, pray a little and remember that God will be there with us!  We have a big adventure ahead of us and that may mean being flexible as we go!!!

 

Can't wait!