Recieved this e-mail yesterday from the team:

August 11, 2009



Hello from Migori! Today was our second day of VBS. Today the Anglican church at the other end of town was our host. Their sanctuary was beautiful, even the construction is far from complete. A spacious room with a soaring ceiling and walls created wings. It reminded me of an old world cathedral. The floor was very rough concrete that we thought was well-packed dirt. The walls were cover with concrete as well. Unlike most churches here, the windows were large and allowed wonderful light bathed the area in shadow and light. The altar table held a small wooden cross and on the wall behind the pulpit hung a larger cross. It was amazing to see, even in the unfinished state.



They had told us to expect about 150 children. Because of the space and the late arrival of most of the attendees, we modified our schedule to fit the situation. Instead of dividing into age groups all children stayed together. A Sunday School teacher from the church helped with keeping the children in order while they did the different activities. . We gave them coloring pages of the Armor of God first so they would have something to refer to as we told the lesson. I gave the lesson while Josh and Skip dressed in the individual pieces. The kids really liked their “comic” act. They were great in their Roman soldier role-playing! The whole team led them in two songs as we taught them the words and movements. They made the Belt of Truth and the sword of the Spirit for craft projects.



After they had lunch of beans, rice, Kool-aid and biscuits (shortbread cookies) we all returned to the sanctuary for a couple more rounds of the songs. We presented them with Helmets of Salvation (Burger King crowns) and certificates. Because of the generosity of Pam Kool (sp) from West Palm Beach FL, we were able to take new “croc” style shoes to be given to the attendees. They were instructed that they would receive their shoes when they return to church on Sunday and present their certificate.



This afternoon we visited the ECD School that Teacher Jane has started. It is a humble

Building made of mud and stick. The two classrooms are very small, and the need for additional space had prompted her to turn the tiny office space into a classroom as well.

Jane is very happy; she told us that God has blessed her by giving her the place for her school.



It has been a very good day. Everyone is well and enjoying their Kenyan experience. Since I have written a full page, I will end and let someone else have a turn.



To my family and friends, I love you and miss you!



Jane Brannon



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Hello again from the plains of Kenya!



Today was another full day of farm life. We harvested some of the Kale this morning and checked on the other crops. We have pineapple, onions, banana trees, watermelon, and tomatoes. I also made it to Oyani Farms and met again with the livestock specialist to determine what our next move on the cattle should be. Michael, he sends a special greeting and wishes that you come back soon.



We were able to buy a bag of maze in Migori and then found a bag of cottonseed cake in the border town of Surari which is on the border of Tanzania. These items mixed together will hopefully get our cows in better shape. We mixed the first small batch and the cows ate it very well.



After the team arrived from the afternoon visit to the school, we went out to the fields to dig around the banana trees. Tomorrow we will put some organic compost around them so that they will grow better.



We also found out today that the cylinder head on the diesel tractor is cracked and there will have to be one sent from the U.S. as soon as possible to get it here before planting season. I hope that someone from the next team will bring it (Whoever packs the lightest).



With God’s grace,

Roy



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We had our first day of VBS at a new location today and it was great to feel like we are beginning to reach beyond “the orphanage” and into more of the city. One day we will be doing VBS ALL OVER KENYA (maybe??)

I want to say to my girls: I LOVE YOU AND HOPE YOU HAD A GREAT FIRST 2 DAYS OF SCHOOL!!!

Continue your prayers,

Dusty

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Hello from Kenya!



Today we had our second day of VBS at St. John’s Parrish. There were a couple of hundred children. The church there is still under construction, but it is a beautiful place. It is large with a really high ceiling and lots of windows with ornate iron work.



Because the church was so large and there were only a couple of hundred children, of all ages, we decided not to divide up in to age groups but to stay all together. It worked well.



We had the Bible lesson “Full Armor of God” and made crafts, a sword and the belt of truth. We also gave them all a crown (Helmet of Truth). We sang songs. The children were all happy to be there.



At the end we handed out certificates of completion and explained that if they bring their certificates back to church on Sunday, they prove they were at VBS and receive a pair of shoes. They went “wild” when they learned they would be receiving a new pair of shoes!



Yesterday we visited the Good Samaritan orphanage. It had a nice building for the children, compared to most of the buildings here. I was disturbed to learn that not all the children had bed, or even a mattress on which to sleep. The children are aged from 1 to 13.



We gave shoes to those children as well, which lit up their eyes!



Tomorrow we go to another location in order to reach out to more children.



Being here is a very satisfying experience. The children are all very loving, as are the adults!



Certain children attach themselves particularly to certain team members and write us letters. All the children gather around when ever a team member(s) venture out of Brittany House. They seem to not be able to get close enough!



I am most thankful God has allowed me to come here to meet the people and children of Kenya.



I miss and love you all!



Allan (Mom, Oma)



Hey Everybody!!



Today was amazing like always! I went to a school today and I cant wait to show you pictures. It had three rooms, one smaller than my closet at dads!, there are 70 students attending the school.

But im going to keep it short. Its time for bed.



Bryant I hope school went great! High School is fun just be good!

Mom don’t miss me to much!

Daddy I wish I had your camera!

Kellie and Katie be ready for me to move in lol!

Denise I’m keeping Josh safe with the help of Roy and Dusty lol!

TO everyone we are doing great, healthy, and having a blast!

I love yall

Brit

Greetings to everyone,



The Vet and the teacher are the only ones on this team not leaving with the VBS team every morning. We are involved as it takes everyone to prepare for teaching over 1000 children. I am the teacher and have been visiting area preschools to see if our previous education teams have been effective. Tomorrow a small group of early childhood teachers will be meeting here to discuss the content of past conferences and to determine what needs to be in future ed teams.



The high point of my day was visiting Teacher Jane’s new school. Her school is only two months old and she already has 70 students. Being able to stay with her classes all morning was a treat as was getting to teach the youngest children some of the songs and rhymes I taught my preschool children. She has built the school with bamboo and mud, three small rooms that are full of children learning.



Keep us in your prayers, our energy is running low.

In His service,

Jeanne Williams





Jambo-

As everyone has stated…it has been another eventful day here at the KR compound and beyond. It is amazing to see the borders of KR stretching beyond the compound walls.



Tonight we were asked to share with the girls and boys dorm children during their Bible Study time. The guys went to the boys and girls to the girls, logically…we all shared one of our favorite verses and were then blessed with a couple of songs from them.



We are about halfway through the journey now, but not finished yet, keep us in your thoughts and prayers as always.



We go to the Maranatha Church tomorrow and may expect 200, but who knows really, lol…good night now it has been a very long day.



Love Emily



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Everyone’s pretty much described the day. Tired from all our work, but still healthy. Here are some fun facts:



It is 9:15 pm here, and I just came in from watching the stars. An incredible site, and the first time I’ve seen the Milky Way in years.



I also meet the security guards. And yes, they do carry AK47s.



Tell everyone at First United Methodist Church in Trussville that their blessings are shared everyday. You provided each lunch of beans, rice, Kool-aid and biscuits (shortbread cookies). The smiles on the 300 children’s faces (so far) are covered in rice and beans, and the cooks are probably still saying God Bless You!



While the kids were singing today at VBS, I looked out the window and saw children in ragged clothes staring at me though the fence. I called them to come join us, and they did. This shows that taking our VBS to the community is bringing others to Christ.



You’ve read about the school, and you will be amazed at the photos. Parents—remember these 70 kids in the tiny mud hut with a dirt floor, no AC, no computers, and no “extra” fees, when you are buying school supplies tonight.



I shot many more interviews today, including Ben and Dominick at the Clinic. I’m getting more everyday. Four hours of video and adding.



My grandmother was a huge influence in me being here. At her funeral in January, we released doves. It was an amazing sight. Today, I could have swore they flew through the compound.



Finally, as we walked to the clinic this afternoon this mazunga (white person, which we hear a lot here, because we are so rare) came up to us. He just wanted to interact with other mazungas (Remember, everyone walks here, and now we are too.) He was from Germany. As we told him where we were from, and asked if he knew where our state was he sang out, “Sweet Home Alabama!”



Thanks for your prayers and support,

Skip