I'm in Kenya!

Wow, can’t believe I’m finally in Africa! Our group has been here for about 10 days now, and we have experienced both joys and challenges which have helped us grow as a team. Because of our lack of internet service, I haven’t been able to update as much as I would like. It’s hard to fit everything into one blog, but I’m going to try to provide an overview of the projects we’ve began and the experiences we’ve had since being here.

We arrived in Nairobi after layovers in both Atlanta and Amsterdam. I think our total traveling time was almost 24 hours, but we arrived safely! Our Visa process was also pretty quick-a blessing in itself! We were taken to the A/G Missionary Compound, where we have been staying since. This location will be our home for a few weeks before we head out to camp in wilderness territory. The missionary compound consists of three garden areas: two serving as the location of missionaries homes and one making up the space where Kenya’s Convoy of Hope center is located. As of right now, there are only two main people who run COH here: Bryan Burr and a Kenyan man named Wilson. Bryan is the missionary we are working with here, and he is awesome! His family has been extremely kind and welcoming to us, and the team has really enjoyed working and hanging out with him! We are staying in the house of a missionary who is currently itinerating. Our team is made up of 15 girls sharing one house! The house is pretty nice, and there is enough room-even though we all have to share bedrooms and some of us are sleeping on air mattresses. Our water supply is pretty good, but we have to carefully conserve because sometimes the city water cuts off. All we have after that is what’s left in the wells. We are surrounded by large walls and 24-hour guards. The compound is a very nice and safe place to be, full of banana and palm trees, as well as beautiful flowers and wildlife.

Our group spends a lot of time working within the compound since most of our work here is directed to the efforts of Convoy in Kenya. In Garden 3, we are working on several projects at once: a tilapia pond, Biosand water filter, a garden (used to display Farming God’s Way), fuel briquettes, and solar ovens. All of these projects will aid in further development of food and water for the 30 group homes (orphanages) that Convoy will provide. One of my main projects here will include overseeing a catalog with pictures and descriptions of each of these projects to be provided for those Convoy is working with. This way, they will gain a better understanding of how each of these tools will aid them in feeding more and more children every day in a much safer environment. We are also working on some side projects as well, such as a mural of the Convoy of Hope Africa symbol to be painted on the side of the warehouse. I’ve assisted in the cleaning out and organization of a container full of canned goods, weeding, tilling a garden, cleaning sand for the water filter, carrying water buckets, mixing material for the fuel briquettes, etc. We still have a long way to go, but we are making great progress!

So far, I have two powerful highlights since being in Africa that stuck out to me in an unbelievable way. The first is a day trip to the Great Rift Valley where we traveled to visit some of our Masai friends and check out their steam vent water project. I couldn’t believe the incredible beauty of the Rift Valley. It took us a couple of hours to reach our destination. Once we exited off the main road, we drove through the valley, where we were surrounded by beautiful tall grass and trees (Serengeti). We even began seeing animals, such as gazelle, cory buster and secretary birds, etc. As we began to make our way up the mountain, the terrain became CRAZY! The ride up Mt. Suswe (a dormant volcano) was about an hour itself because of all of the insane bumps, rocks, and hills on the path. This is territory not often visited, so the terrain is not exactly made for cars; however, because of Speed the Light vehicles (yay!) the missionaries are able to travel in Land Cruisers and Land Rovers, making it easy for them to get through. I rode with Bryan in his STL Land Rover, and it was awesome!! I really enjoyed off-roading in the vehicle!! We stopped along the way at the Masai church, where we were able to hear from Pastor Simon. He said that regular attendance at this little building is about 242 Masai people-wow! The Masai live basically tribal, nomadic lifestyles. They are definitely some of the kindest and most gracious people I’ve ever come into contact with. We had a few of them ride up to the top of the crater with us. When we reached the top, I seriously couldn’t believe my eyes. The view into Mt. Suswe’s crater was so wide and green…I’d never seen anything like it. It was gorgeous. They want to create a tourist area in this location in order to make some money and help them with everyday needs. They are hoping to take tourists camping and on hikes through the crater. One of our projects here will include camping with the Masai and aiding them in developing their attraction. I had the idea of creating a brochure for this as well. They also took us to look at their water project. They’ve been harvesting clean water through steam vents in the crater. This idea came from a man who claims that God gave him a dream revealing how to gain purified water for the Masai people. It will be our job to aid them in more sustainable ways to catch the purified water. The Masai have suffered from recent droughts and many of their cattle have died in turn. They are in need of sustainability in food and water supply. We believe that aiding them in their clean water project will in turn help them in many other ways as well. It was incredible seeing some of the Masai in their native clothing and the authentic way they live on a daily basis. We saw many children out in the fields tending their cattle and sheep, and they waved at us with such bliss and excitement. As we were standing overlooking the crater, I was almost brought to tears at the unknown beauty of this area and the fact that Jeremiah (one of the Masai men) told me that Christianity has spread so largely throughout the Masai area. On the way back that evening, we were able to see a herd of zebras at sunset-an amazing sight to behold. I sometimes can’t believe the beauty of God’s creation. The Masai really immerse themselves in nature and authenticity to a degree that is largely unknown in the modern world today. As Jeremiah ran off into the bush to his home, I couldn’t help but realize that we could stand to learn a few lessons from the way they behold God’s beauty and the simplicity of the good things in life.

Another major highlight was our trip to the group home. We were able to travel to an orphanage in a nearby town to see how we can help the director with food and water projects for the kids. By learning what we can do to help and also teaching others about the things we‘ve learned to make, we will be helping many group homes and kids in need. The particular home we visited has established a small farm with cows and chickens, as well as a very beautiful garden; however, they are in need of efficient and safer ways to provide for the kids. The fuel briquettes in particular will be a large asset to this home as well as many others. With a safer source for cooking, less smoke will be emitted into the air. This will create safer environments for both the workers and the kids and will produce more food. As we looked into the faces of these orphans, I was brought to tears. They are so incredibly happy regardless of their circumstances. My hearts breaks for these innocent little ones who are without parents, but it’s exciting to see that the directors of these homes are raising them in a safe and Christian environment. Many of them have HIV and were born into horrible circumstances. It was so much fun playing with the kids, even if they couldn’t understand our English. I loved letting them take pictures with me and see themselves on the camera. They were so full of life and joy. I can’t wait to go to another group home.

We have also enjoyed outings to nearby markets, shopping centers, and restaurants some of the time to relax. It’s awesome to be able to experience African culture and take some time to relax as well. The people here in Kenya are extremely friendly and full of life! In the city of Nairobi, things are certainly more modernized than the outer villages. Driving down the road, we’ve seen extreme poverty and extreme wealth as well. We’ve also had the opportunity to go to a soccer game and church service at the nearby international school where the missionary kids attend.

Kenya is absolutely breathtaking in its beauty. The climate and landscape is much more tropical in nature than I anticipated. Green trees and bright flowers through the marshy hills in Nairobi remind me of a rainforest, and the Great Rift Valley reminds me of a combination of Serengeti and mountainous terrain. We are looking forward to such projects as camping with the Masai and in Sambo, working on solar ovens with Kenyan Royal Rangers, and possibly going on a safari and to Mombasa for some downtime!

The most important thing we’ve done as a team is come together in Scripture and prayer. We began working on Beth Moore’s Breaking Free Bible study together, as well as taking turns leading the team devotions and prayer times. Our team has really found a unity that kind of surprises me in a team full of girls. Many of us have definitely experienced some hard times as we see the enemy trying to attack our physical bodies and emotions as well; however, we are standing firm in God and being sure to lift each other up! I’m so thankful for the encouragement of my sisters and the deep friendships I’m forming. God is faithful to provide us with everything we need.

Obviously, the most important thing we are doing here is our work to help the people of Kenya. I pray that what we are doing has everlasting effects. Bryan talked with us this morning about encouragement and the importance of our work even when we can’t see the immediate evidence of its affect. Even through the blood, sweat, and tears, I’m thankful that the Lord is providing this opportunity for us to reach those in need by showing Christ’s love in tangible, sustainable ways. When they look at us, they see hope. This is what we want to live up to-not hope that we create, but hope that comes only through Jesus Christ. What a joy to be in Africa! Please continue to pray for us as we do our best to work and reach the African people in these remaining six weeks here in Kenya. Thank you so much for all of the encouragement and prayers! Love you all!