Archive for June, 2010
Pizza Party!
June 29, 2010
On to Salem Secondary School
June 22, 2010Saturday – 6/19/10
Today we went to go help out at the Salem Secondary School. Here their water tank was putting too much pressure on the platform causing it to collapse. So we showed up to make a better platform. We had to pump out 10,000 liters of water from the tank into the well so that we would be able to move the tank while working on the platform. While we were waiting for the water to pump out we went across the street to Salem Children’s Home. We spent lunch time with the kids and we helped feed the babies. These kids were so cute!
Audrey feeding a baby
Once the tank was drained we went back over to continue making a platform. We dug a huge hole so we would be able to fill it with cement to make the platform more stable. We had to empty two trucks full of rock and sand to make the cement with:
Audrey and Ed emptying the truck
It was a long day full of hard work but ultimately great because it will give the school a better foundation for their water tank.
Scott, Edward, Christina, Spencer, and Audrey
Sunday – 6/20/10
Today we went to a church that Jack (whom we are staying with) is familiar with. The worship was fabulous and God was truly present in the building. About an hour before church started we were informed that one of us would be responsible for delivering the message. Fortunately Scott was prepared and gave a lovely message about hope. The rest of us got up and gave some words of encouragement and read a passage for them (they loved Audrey’s verse!).
Christina
Scott dedicating a baby
We also dedicated babies while at church and Scott took part in the ceremony and prayed with the families. After church we joined in some fellowship and ate some food with our new friends.
After that we went for a drive with Pastor Seline to look at their facility for the elderly and orphans. They have five acres and big dreams. While we were there, we met a woman who was 105 years old. She was unable to walk, see, or hear, but she was happy to see us and was thankful for the prayers we said over her. There are a lot of opportunities and potential for development of new buildings and expansion on the plots. Their plan is to take half the land and dedicate it to the elderly and the other half for orphans, crops, and chickens.
Next we stopped at the Nakumatt and bought 120 kilos of rice and 120 kilos of beans along with sugar and soap. Then took a ride to Kit-Mikayi, which means stone of the first wife, and is about a 45-minute drive north from Kisumu. Here we delivered the supplies, the girls danced with the women and we got to tour the beautiful rock formation. It was a lot of fun and the rocks where so cool, it was truly a blessing to see them.
Audrey and Christina
Overall it was a brilliant day, we got back late and had another fabulous dinner at Jack’s, and now I am off to bed!
On the Road to Kisumu
June 21, 2010Thursday – 6/17/10
Today we traveled to Kisumu. The drive was supposed to take four hours or so, but it actually took about seven and a half hours. The drive was really nice, though. It was great seeing more of the beautiful country of Kenya. We traveled up through the mountains, which brought us by tea country. Along the way, we also saw many remnants of the
violence that broke out during the post-election violence in 2008. There was definitely beauty amidst the ashes. It was encouraging to see life carry on despite the hardship that was faced in 2008. We stopped occasionally to buy some produce (see the photo of Pastor Jack, below) and maize (see the photo of Spencer, below) before finally arriving in Kisumu. We are staying in a slum called Nyalenda next door to Pastor Jack. Our place is nice, with three rooms, a bathroom (plus a shower!) and a spare room with a sink. The people here are very friendly and very excited that we are staying among them.
- Pastor Jack buying produce
- Spencer eating maize
Friday – 6/18/10
Today we visited Phoebe in the Salem Primary School. Once we met up with her, we visited the slums Kotur and Obunga, which were homes to many students at Salem.
- Spencer, Audrey and Christina
We visited 15 families. The time we spent with families was dedicated to understanding their stories and encouraging them through uplifting words and prayers. We even joined in song with some families to praise God for His goodness. It was great to see the hope in these families’ eyes. As we left each household, we left a bag of provisions, which included soap, rice, sugar, salt, cooking fat, and maize flour. Each family was very grateful for the contribution.
The stories we heard of each family were pretty amazing. It was incredible to see what it looks like to truly rely on God for every single thing. Most of the families we visited were widows who were doing everything possible to support their family. The impact their faith has had on their own family and their community was inspiring.
When we got home, we were looking forward to a quick rest. However, our time was demanded by the orphans that live next door to us. We ran outside to play games with them:
- Play time
Even though we were tired and dizzy from playing, it was fun to spend time with such a lively bunch. There is so much joy amidst the children! We look forward to seeing them every day we spend here.
- Audrey with neighborhood kids
Brydges Children’s Home Projects
June 17, 2010
The slideshow photos posted yesterday correspond with today’s post.
Tuesday – 6/15/10
Today the entire team (extended CSI team included), went to the new Brydges Children’s Home building site. We spent the majority of the day preparing the produce field. We planted seeds, placing mulch beds on the new seeds and then watering the seeds. Although this seems like an easy process, it’s a little different here in Kenya than at home. Ed, Christina, and Audrey were busy fetching water in the truck, while the rest of the team used up all the water we had just fetched. Rosemary, the executive director of Brydges, also came out to help us plant .
We also began work on the greenhouse that, once completed, is going to cover about 1/3 of the field. We dug two-and-a-half-feet deep holes in which we placed the support beams for the greenhouse. We then had to help/watch the workers mix concrete and set the poles.
The borehole that was dug in April is completed and in working order. They are just waiting on the electricity company to bring power to the site. Rosemary says she is trying very hard to persuade the electric company to come and get the power installed as soon as possible. Audrey spent some time getting the platform ready for one of the water tanks that will be installed once the borehole is up and pumping.
Wednesday – 6/16/10
Today, Spencer and Scott went to the building site again to finish up the greenhouse. Ed, Christina, and Audrey went to the Brydges Preschool to work and play with the kids. There were about seventeen kids at Brydges. To ensure time spent with each of them, we split into four groups, each with different activities. The first group did a Bible study with the kids. The second group read with kids. The third group, which Ed headed up, did an arts and crafts project that involved decorating each kid’s name. The fourth group, which Audrey and Christina were in charge of Christina, Audrey), spent time going over colors and numbers with the kids. Kids who were as young as five knew their addition and subtraction incredibly well. A few even knew their multiplication tables!
Spencer and Scott joined the other half of the team that was working on finishing the greenhouse from yesterday. After a long, hard-working day, the greenhouse is almost complete. The roof still needs to be put on the greenhouse, which will be the finishing touch.
Tomorrow we will be traveling north to Kisumu, which should be about a five-hour drive. Pastor Jack will be hosting us while we visit numerous children’s homes and schools.
Greetings from Team Moja
June 15, 2010Hello!
This is the first blog update that we’ve been able to do for Team Moja (one). For those of you who don’t know, Team Moja is made up of five people. We have Scott Olivett, Spencer Davis, and Christina and Audrey Renton, and me, Edward Olivett. Read the rest of this entry ?
