Kenya Update #2 -July 5th
Hey everyone!
Below is an email that I received from Daniel today around 12:30 this afternoon (10:30pm Kenya time).
Thank you all for joining us in prayer. As many of you know we are currently in the middle of a series on prayer and know how vital it is to the success of the team in Kenya. So when you have finished reading this email take a few minutes to say a prayer for them.
We have now spent two full days with the Maasai and we are loving our time here. Our hosts are so hospitable, they have cooked us very good food, and serve us every meal, welcome us into their homes and serve us lots of tea! Many people on the team have remarked how overwhelmed they are by the generosity and hospitality of the people here, we truly feel at home.
This place is also incredibly beautiful. There are mountains, green fields, corn fields and livestock everywhere. On the way from the plane into the village, we weren’t even on safari and we encountered a group of 6 giraffes. No where else in the world would that happen!
On Saturday, our fist full day here, we spent most of the day at Emmanuel’s school. When pastor Kevin took a team here in 2006, the school hadn’t even been built yet. Now, through the generosity of many, including some from that team in 2006, the school is a reality. When we got out of the trucks, we were mobbed by the children. They were so excited to see us. I have about 500 pictures of students at the school, many of which were taken by the students. They beg you to take their picture and look at themselves. They think its so funny to see a picture of themselves on a digital camera. They are also all aspiring photographers. My camera must have passed through the hands of about 100 children (but thankfully no one dropped it). They let us visit every class, observing what the education is like and helping the teachers. We were very impressed with their educational standards. The preschoolers are way more advanced then back home. When we were there they all counted to one hundred, recited the alphabet, said short sentences in English and learned the names of shapes, colors and animals.
The way they learn is very unique. The teacher spends less time in front of the class. Instead each student takes turns going in front of the class and teaching the other students. If they get the answer correct, they do a dance and every one sings them a song saying, “well done well done, you have been a very good boy or girl!” It’s difficult to describe in words how cool this is, but when we get home we will show you video. Kyle and Cameron took a test with the 5th grade students in math. They said it was very hard. They got about 80% but I think I caught them cheating off of one another! All this to say, the school that Emmanuel has started is a huge blessing to the community. They have great educational standards and all of the students also learn about the Lord. In public schools in the area they have over 100 students in each class, so there is little chance of success. The large majority of students get rejected from high school and have to return home to work and watch after cows for their family. With this new school, they will be able to pass the exit exam and go on to high school. Right now, there are 170 children in the school, preschool to 5th grade. The goal is to extend the school to 400 students up to grade 8. Eventually, if they can raise enough money they would also like to build a high school.
On Sunday many churches from the area gathered for an interdenominational meeting. The service lasted about 4 and a half hours but it hardly seemed like it! Their worship is incredible. People sing and dance with total freedom and it is infectious. Many people on our team, who are normally shy back home were dancing and jumping with the Maasai. Some of them wore the traditional dress like you may have seen on TV or in national geographic and they performed tribal dances for us. We have video and pictures of it, it’s truly beautiful. I (Daniel) preached the sermon and it was very well received. There were hundreds of people who walked from all over to hear the message. After the sermon, many people came forward to receive prayer. The local pastors told me many people were blessed and gave their hearts to the Lord. One man who is known in the community for being an alcoholic gave his heart to Jesus for the first time.
I hope I can write you again. We have some amazing pictures to share, but they are difficult to upload as the internet is very slow here. Rest assured we are having an amazing time and God is working in powerful ways.
Blessings,
The Kenya Team
23 Comments
Chenecua Dixon
07/05/2009Thank you so much for allowing us to follow! Praying for you all everyday…
Angela Yracheta
07/05/2009So, so cool! We are anxiously awaiting your arrival back home, but it is so wonderful to hear reports of how the Lord is using you and teaching you through the people there. The wherehouse was definitely not the same without you all today. We love you all very much and know that you are all in our prayers!
Paul Carlson
07/05/2009I’ll praise God for that! It’s always awesome to hear stories of sharing Divine, “agape” love with other humans.
Michelle Guzman
07/05/2009It’s so exciting to hear of the news coming from Kenya – Thanx so much Daniel for taking the time to email. Emmanuel touched my heart so long ago with his passion and I’m greatful we were able to take a team there to support him and the school. We are continuing to pray for you all!
Patty Bunker
07/05/2009So exciting to hear from you and to get a small picture of the amazing goodness of God to and through each of you. We are missing you and anxiously looking to every communication from you. We are praying for the peace rallies and other teaching events coming up this week. We love you all very much and you are in our thoughts and prayers day and night. .
Stace Garcia
07/05/2009Daniel, thank you for sharing you thoughts and experiences… my favorite parts are the shy ones singing and dancing in complete freedom & the fact that the test for Cameron & Kyle was hard! Gotta love those two… miss you guys and gals… excited to see God’s hand continue to move across the world.
Courtney Fomine
07/05/2009I imagine my sister, Kimberly Carlson experiencing what I read above and it makes my heart glad! How changed one must be to have such a moment in time in one’s life and to have a memory such as this. I know she and the other’s will come back w/full hearts! =)
Lauren Williams
07/06/2009Thanks so much for sharing Daniel!! wow- i cannot even imagine what it would be like to experience those things you have written… so excited for the team to have this opportunity. we will be praying for the hearts and lives of the people you’re working with! blessings!
Aunt Jan
07/06/2009I’m delighted to hear all of your news in detail. Seeing those Giraffes must have been a thrill! I also can’t wait to see your video on the children doing their dance and supporting each other when they get something “right” by singing. What a treasure to witness all this and be part of it. I pray for your continued safety and enjoyment as well as your ability to contribute all that God can through your presence there. I love you so much. Aunt Jan
Melanie Anderson
07/06/2009Thanks for taking the time to write such a fantastic report!
I’m praying for continued unity among the team and grace for one another as the days wear on. Also praying for health, sleep, clarity, and the ability for each one of you to really absorb what is going on.
Give Chris Milgrom a hug for me!
Tina Salvador
07/06/2009That all sounds absolutely amazing! We are praying for you all…
JoAnn Hallum
07/06/2009Awesome news. I can’t wait to see the video. I’m jealous that my daughter, Kimberly is there instead of me. Tell her hello and we love her.
We pray for you and the Masai people everyday day.
Sylvia Thompson
07/06/2009Kenya Team- So happy to hear positive reports re. your service in Kenya– What a thrilling, life changing experience!! We’re praying for you! Love you! Grandma Sylvia & Great Grandma Nita
Caydon Swobe
07/06/2009Wow what an awesome thing you guys are expierencing. Im praying that you guys have an amazing time serving Christ and helping the Messai people get closer to God while bringing them joy and happiness! The Swobe family is praying for the whole Kenya team to have a great time.
Kathy VanGroningen
07/06/2009Praise God for the incredible example you all are to these people and to us back here. Thank you so much for the newsy report, Daniel. We have been out of town and dying to hear what was happening. Tell our Emily we miss her desperately and love her very much. You all are in our constant prayers. Let God work through you all. Our our love – the VanGroningens.
Melissa Ham
07/06/2009I’m praying for your health and physical safety. We all know how much illness or injury can affect a trip like this.
…and tell Kyle and Cameron that I’m available for tutoring when they return!!! ;-)
Kevin Manning
07/06/2009Tutoring…who needs tutoring…I thought it was always best to choose “C” when I wasn’t sure…oh well…
You guys are awesome…My heart is there with you all…Emmanuel and the Massi people are incredible…Hey Daniel, SHOUT IT FROM THE MOUNTAIN TOPS…”JESUS SAVES”..
My love to all of you
wherehouse REPRESENT!!!
Steve Williams
07/06/2009It’s great to hear what’s happening there in Kilgores, Kenya. I fully expect Africans will be the worship leaders in heaven! There’s absolutely nothing like the way they make melody and rhythm to the Lord in worship. I know you guys are making a deep impression on the people there, just as they are upon your hearts. Thanks for being such great ambassadors for the King!
Keri Swobe
07/07/2009Daniel, thank you so much for representing the team’s experiences through your wonderfully written words. I was weapy with joy while reading aloud your stories to the rest of the Swobe’s during a drive, yesterday (thanks Jean for the “blog entry” tip!!). It is so exciting to know that God’s LOVE is present and “on fire” in the hearts of the Maasai people. May God’s plan continue to unfold as your hearts remain open to his calls during your remaining days in Africa. You are all in our constant thoughts and prayers…prayers for safety and healthy bodies ready to be used for HIM! P.S. The educational stories you shared sound impressive….if Kyle and Cameron did as well as they did, I am afraid of the score I would receive!! We need to invite some of their educational systems to America!!!
Laura Young
07/07/2009“Happy are those whose greatest desire is to do what God requires, God will satisfy them fully!” Matthew 6:20 Thanks for the great update Daniel…it’s wonderful to get a small taste of the great things the team is doing and experiencing. As of this writing, it’s 7pm in “your world”…..my prayer for the team is that after a full day of doing “what God requires” , you will all be at peace, fully experiencing God’s satisfaction (and pleasure) over you! Prayers and blessings to each one of you!
Doug & Lisa Kirkorian
07/07/2009Daniel, It fills us beyond words to watch this group of young people whom we have known for the past 12 years mature, in God’s word, and do what He has called them to do. We are so proud of the whole team. Please give our love to Jordan, and thank you so much for your bloggs, we look forward to following God’s blessings on the team, and the Massi people. Doug & Lisa
Laura Young
07/07/2009Correction to previous scripture reference….it’s Matthew 5:6 (not 6:20)…sorry!
Jamie Mackechnie
07/07/2009WOW!
that’s all i can muster up right now. keep on being tools for Jesus. He’s definitely rockin the house.
I can’t wait for your return home.