* Updated 8/13/10 with a few slideshows and videos! Scroll down to see all the photos!
A quick overview of the past few days...
Sunday, August 1st: Deliverance Church Sunday Service
Our team attended all three services, beginning with the youth service from 7:30am - 8:45am, the English service from 9:00-12:00, then the Swahili service from about 12:00pm-3:00pm. Eight Count was able to perform Bleeding Love for all three of the services, and we were happy that the dance was well received. The Kidzone team was able to help with Sunday School and lead Sing & Play... it was crazy to see one tiny room and one hundred children literally packed together jumping and singing together. We loved the worship songs and prayers, and even seeing our chef, Kefa, singing on the worship team! The services were a bit longer because they had extra prayers for their VBS program, for the upcoming election, and for peace. They had a skit encouraging everyone to be peaceful during the election times... that regardless if you are a yes or a no vote, to be peaceful with each other and not fight. After the service, we had a meeting with all of the DC VBS volunteers and leaders to prepare for their VBS program.
Click here to watch a short video of highlights from the Sunday Service! Or go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4ROSSDq_00
Monday, August 2nd: Our Day of Rest... and Exploring Kenya
We have been non-stop busy for the past four days, so our hosts wanted to give us a day where we could see a little bit more of Kenya. We left at 8:30am and they drove us to the Nairobi National Museum. We had a tour guide teach us about the history of Kenya and about some of the animals here. Afterwards, we went to an Elephant Orphanage and we were able to see them during feeding time. Some of our team members were close enough to touch the elephants! They rescue elephants who have been hurt in the wild (usually by man), and take care of them. We were also brought to different viewpoints higher in the mountains so that we could look down on the Kenya land and see the volcanoes or major landmarks. We had an opportunity to do some shopping for souveneirs, and we learned how to bargain for items. We also got a chance to visit a supermarket and buy some of our favorite foods to bring home, such as their teas or coffees. It was a lot of driving but overall we all enjoyed the nice break from the busyness!
Tuesday, August 3rd: Murang'a Planning VBS Meeting
We left at 8:00am for the hour drive to Murang'a, a small rural village in the countryside where Pastor Wang'ombe actually grew up. Because of the elections and possibilities of danger, our hosts did not want us to be in Mathare as we had planned, and instead we are helping the churches in Murang'a perform their first VBS. It was pretty cool seeing different church leaders in Murang'a getting together with open minds to learn about what VBS is and let us teach them about the program. We taught them about the structure of VBS, what the rotations look like, and how the volunteers and teachers would be used. We planned out which spaces and rooms to use for the different rotations, and spent the whole day basically preparing the leaders and teachers in Murang'a for VBS. We will be going back there on Friday and Saturday to actually implement a two-day VBS for their children. They are expecting 300-500 kids! One amazing thing is that we were warned the Bishop in Murang'a was very conservative, and that if Eight Count did any dancing, it would definitely have to be to Christian music. Near the end of the meeting, an opportunity arised where we decided to perform the National Dance Day routine, but using a Christian song. Afterwards, they actually said, "Do one more!" and we took the risk and performed Bleeding Love, which is not a Christian song. Surprisingly, they loved it and the Bishop went up to the front of the room and was so excited about our dance ministry and our mission. He mentioned that the youth all love to dance and agreed that it was a way to help the youth have an activity that is positive. He said, "If they dance out there, it will be for evil. But if they dance here, it will be for God." We couldn't agree more because that is Eight Count's entire purpose, and we were excited to see that a "conservative" church actually opened up to the idea of possibly having their own dance ministry in the future... At the end of the day, we left Murang'a feeling excited that we are able to train them to lead a VBS and Dance ministry themselves... in time.
Wednesday, August 4th: Election Day
Voting is happening all over, so our hosts wanted to keep us in church where it is safe. So this morning we left at 8:00am and came to church to help prepare all the materials for VBS next week. We are helping them cut, draw, decorate, glue, etc... for 1000 kids! They started with their own kids a few years ago at only 150 kids... then grew to 300... then 700 last year... and this year, they're expecting 1000!!! So, as teacher's know... that's a LOT of prep work to do!!!
We are amazed at how busy Kenyans are. They all wake up early, have a jam-packed schedule all day long, and sleep little. We're starting to realize that maybe our culture is just a bit lazier =) Every night, all of us have no problems sleeping because we are exhausted! Good news though, all our luggage arrived, and we are all healthy and safe!!! Thank you!!! Next prayer... please pray for Kenya. Please pray for a peaceful vote, and peaceful results. This is a great country with the most generous and kind people... we pray that the elections do not change that.
Click here to watch a short video of highlights from the elephant orphanage, Murang'a planning meeting, and DC fun! Or go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wZdMduQuaw
Thank you!
Team Kenya
whoah, that was a huge rhino!
ReplyDelete- mark