Sunday Worship and Final Goodbyes

Today is our last day in Kenya.  We started the day attending an African Inland Church in a remote village.  Very unusual service, very cultural.  The women sat on one side of the church, the men on the other.  It seemed like a majority of the church today was children and they love music and love to dance.

Everyone was very loving and friendly.  At the end of the service every person shook the hand of every person in a sort of chain fashion that worked around the room.  Some of the women hugged or kissed us as they went by.  This church is a missionary church pastored by an AIM missionary from Moffat Bible College in Kijabe.

I had a little shadow who stuck close to my side, and Jackie was surrounded by kids wanting to get close to her or get their picture taken.  Quite a day.

We are now off to the airport for our ride home.  Both of us are ready to get home, ready to see our family and even Maggie our golden.  On the plane and during our layover in Amsterdam we have a chance to discuss our plans for the next few months and or years and how it all fits with the BethanyKids and Joytown mission.

Bless you all this Lords day,

Gary & Jackie

Blessed Assurance

2 Corinthians 5:20  - "Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God."

We were blessed by attending part of a three day meeting of the Discipleship group of ladies from all over East Africa.  There were 54 ladies who traveled as much as 2 days to attend the meeting.  Five of these meetings per year are held in Kijabe.  The ladies travel expenses are paid, and they stay in a guest house on site, 6 ladies per room intended for 2 persons.  They sleep on the floor on mats generally.  The love of God was so apparent in each of them.  They embraced us (culturally quite unusual) thanked us for coming.  Mr. Justus Marete, BethankKids Director for Africa gave his personal testimony of how he was saved and what brought him to BKKH.  Heart wrenching story we will share next week.

The ladies sang for us in Swahili, prayed with us and received a message of encouragement from Dr. Erik Hansen:  http://uncommonroad.blogspot.com.  We then received a message from the word by Donald Davis of BKKH USA.  The ladies are so attentive, they reminded Rev. Davis of the message he preached two years ago when he spoke at their conference.  It is difficult to try estimate the impact of this outreach as key as it is to BethanyKids at Kijabe Hospital.  The followup with mothers of treated children is key to both the physical health and spiritual health of the families.  

We thought we were somewhat aware of the medical aspect of the work here in Africa, but we have learned so much more.  We can easily break out in song "Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine.  Oh what a foretaste of of glory divine…."

Back to America tomorrow, look forward to seeing the family next week.

Gary & Jackie

Reflection and Prayer

We returned last evening after spending a couple days in the Mara game reserve.  Time to reflect and absorb what we have seen so far.  No internet, no cell phone, so could concentrate and enjoy God's creation.  

There is so much see and do at BethanyKids and Joytown, we spent much of our downtime contemplating how can we help the mission here and in what ways.  During our rest periods we were able to read, discuss, and pray.  The burden is heavy on our hearts, but like the old adage "how do you eat an elephant (pun intended), one bite at at time.

Gary & Jackie

Francesca

Greetings from Joy Town.

Psalm 139:14  -  I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

Today in our hearts especially there was real joy in Joy Town.  Lots of tears, but rejoicing in the smiling faces of over 300 happy children.  We were greeted by Francesca, the spiritual leader of BethanyKids at Joy Town.

It was nearing lunch time so we visited the primitive kitchen where a meal of rice and beans was being completed for lunch as greens were being prepared for dinner.  Food is cooked in kettles over a wood fire.  The gifts Jackie has been collecting were presented to Francesca and the BethanyKids Joy Town team, and we toured the classrooms and met the children.  The school has a new Head Teacher who has made great strides in improving conditions for all the students but especially the severely handicapped.

We will have lots to share when we return, but we came to bless the folks here and came away being the ones blessed.

After tonight we will be off the grid for 3 days.  Look forward to seeing our family soon.

Gary & Jackie

Children of God

Revelation 4:11 - “You are worthy, our Lord and God,to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.”

During our morning visit to BethanyKids hospital we were able to meet many mothers and especially all the beautiful little children.  Chaplain Mercy introduced us to each of them and we were able to hold or caress these beautiful children of God.  At the end of our visit to the different wards the mothers sang to us of Gods love and how he cares for us.

It was lunch time, so the mothers were fed a cup of gruel made of corn meal in the primitive kitchen.  This is said to be the most nutritious meal they receive even at home.  We can't say enough about Mercy, the hospital chaplain and her love for Christ and desire to see all those who come to the hospital to accept Christ as their savior.  She provides a bible for each mother and meets with them to make sure they stay in the work and serve their Savior.

As we were leaving the hospital there was a young single mother about 20 years old that was waiting to meet with a hospital representative.  Her baby had received surgery for hydrocephalus and spina bifida.  Here hospital bill was about $800 and she had no money to pay, or family to help here.  It is likely the Neurosurgery scholarship fund will pay part or all of the bill and assist her in returning to her village.  There were approximately 70 women and babies on the ward today, some may not last through the week and most are not able to pay for their medical bills.  Often the will sell an animal, or a piece of land, or even an entire village will join together to try to help them.  It is heart wrenching to see these beautiful people already in poverty loose all they have to save these little ones.

Tomorrow morning we visit Joy Town.

Gary & Jackie

Day 3 in Kenya

Dear Family & Friends,

We were able to worship this morning at an African Church and the experience was almost indescribable.  We sang praise songs, some the very same as we sing at Valley, and listened to special music by the church's choir and dance team.  Their music was in Swahili and they danced a choreographed dance with their faces beaming, all truly praising The Lord.  A choral group from Rift Valley Academy presented a beautiful arrangement of a classical hymn.  I cannot explain what it is like to hear the congregation singing "How Great Thou Art" in Swahili.

After the morning service we traveled to Lake Naivasha for a brief boat ride and walk across a peninsula that is a game preserve.  On the boat ride we came remarkably close to perhaps 50 Hippo's, and thousands of birds of various species.  When we reached land we were greeted by several dozen giraffes and a large herd of wildebeests.

Tomorrow, Monday, we return to BethanyKids Kijabe Hospital to meet with Mercy, the hospital chaplain, and meet some of the mothers and children currently under care.  One of our group members, an anesthetist, will be scrubbing in for one of the surgeries.  This will be a heart wrenching day with over 60 children currently admitted for treatment.

Please continue to Pray - 

Gary & Jackie

The Journey Continues

The Journey Continues, that is the personal journey as well as hours on the bumpiest roads I have ever seen.  I believe only a hovercraft can safely navigate the roads here.  Regarding our personal journey and passion for the lost and the suffering we pray continuously "Lord what would you have us do"?  We do have a vision, a plan we will share with all of you on our return, but we are seeking God's will, His plan not our own.  My family can rest assured we don't feel called to Africa, but feel we can be used in so many ways back home doing his work.  Not sure Jackie could take the laundry system anyway.

The Medical Staff presented what was on their heart today, encouragement, needs, and heartaches at lunch today.  Their first request is prayer.   So often in difficult situations we tend to say "well all we can do now is pray".  This is our first resort not our last.  The staff is under tremendous stress and can be discouraged when systems fail or patients come too advanced to treat.  A 14 year old boy with a serious brain injury arrived at the hospital and required emergency surgery.  Because there was only one Neurosurgeon available, his surgery was scheduled for the next morning.  Unfortunately he passed on before morning.  BethanyKids is stressed by its own success.  Because of the treatment they provide, and the care given there is an ever increasing patient load.

This afternoon we visited Rift Valley Academy.  RVA was established in 1905, the corner stone set by President Theodore Roosevelt.  The school is a boarding school for missionary kids and provides a great environment and well rounded education.  Graduates have been admitted to Service Academies and Ivy League schools such as Harvard and Yale.  The campus setting, in spite of the baboons that met us at the gate,  is beautifully located in the Great Rift Valley.

Tomorrow is our first visit to an African Church so we are looking forward to the fellowship time with the local folks and perhaps a unique worship service.

Please continue to pray for the work here and for us.

Gary & Jackie 

Mercy's Map

From the Olivers in Kijabe Africa:

Our first full day was filled with both somber and joyful moments.  We toured the BethanyKids wing of Kijabe Hospital and met with many staff.  The need is so great it is almost overwhelming.  Everything from durable medical supplies to 3 ring binders to hold patient charts were in short supply or dire need of repair.  The trauma room for babies or children that "arrest" was without Oxygen tubing, EKG, and other necessary equipment.  In America we use EKG connections once and consider them disposable.  Here they may be used up to 30 times.  We saw countless children in recovery from surgery, and a 2 week old baby born with a disorder that was untreatable and discharged to return home for his final days.

The joyous moments were beyond compare.  We were able to provide a new laptop computer to Mercy, the BethanyKids Chaplain at the hospital.  Mercy witnesses to each parent who brings their child to BethanyKids, rejoices in their healing and comforts those who loose their little ones.  Mercy has established a Discipleship Network of over 300 of these saved parents across Kenya and East Africa.  By the end of 2013 she hopes to have over 400.  She meets with these disciplers  5 times a year to encourage them and teach them in how they can teach and train .  Over 6,500 people have received Christ as a result of this program.

Mercy's Map

This evening we had the pleasure of having dinner with Dr. Leland Albright and Susan.  We trust we have been and encouragement to them as they have been to us over the past year or so.  Please keep them in your prayers as they endeavor to exercise their God given talents to help those in need at Kijabe.  Not just physical healing, but no one leaves the hospital before learning about Christ.

Tomorrow we will return to BKKH (Bethany Kids Kijabe Hospital).  Today was a gradual introduction to the hospital.  Our next visit is to the more difficult part of the treatment area.  We will end the day visiting Rift Valley Academy, a school near Kijabe for Missionary kids .  Monday I am looking for an Office Max or someplace to get 3 ring binders!

Gary & Jackie

Arrival in Kijabi, Africa!

Jambo from Kijabi!  

After about 20 hours in the air and two bumpy hours by bus we arrived at Brackenhurst. Only event was a very helpful "gentleman" who saw us go through security with 2 laptop computers and 4 iPads.  He wanted to check our bags with a special tag to make sure they were taken care of on the flight to Nairobi.

We have already been blessed with the Kenyan hosts and our BethanyKids contacts. Our evening meal of goat ribs, rice, chicken and sausage (don't want to know what kind) was waiting in our room along with beautiful fresh fruit.

We begin our day today, Friday, with a visit to Kijabe Hospital and meeting with the Albrights, as well as make our 300 pound transfer of donations to Joy Town.  Thanks to all in our church family for their generosity.  Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gifts. We feel we are where we should be at this moment to be used by him.  Please continue to pray for us, this will be a very emotional day.

Gary & Jackie

My Time in Costa Rica

by Michael Durrill 

I had the opportunity this week to go along with my school to Costa Rica with Pura Vida Missions. We did Vacation Bible School with kids at two different sites each day for four days. We all made connections with at least one child. I got to know these two little boys pretty well. One is Alonso, and the other ones name is Joseth. I met them both at the first site on the second day and they didn't leave my side until it was time for us to leave for the last time. Each day we would bring soccer balls, basketballs, frisbees, jump ropes, etc., and just play with the kids for about an hour.

Then we would gather all of the kids together and sing songs in Spanish and recite a memory verse which was 2 Corinthians 6:16. Next someone would get up and teach a lesson to all of the children and then we would do a craft. It was really special when Alonso came up to me and handed me his craft that he had made and said, "Tú es mi amigo?" I replied, "Sí," and he smiled. All of the kids at both sites always wanted piggy-back rides and we gave almost every kid a ride at both sites.

We were so tired at the end of every day. It was really hard to say goodbye on Thursday but I was glad that I had the opportunity to be able to go. It really helped my high school bond and a lot of friendships were made in Costa Rica too.

If any of you ever have an opportunity to take a missions trip to another country, I would encourage you to take that opportunity. I really loved being able to see another culture and meet new people and make connections with the kids. It doesn't matter if you only know a little bit of Spanish, you will find a way to communicate. I had full conversations with these two boys and and was able to get almost all of it!

Thank you for praying for me and the rest of the mission team.  We had a great trip and learned a lot.

Pictures from Costa Rica

One of Michael's friends posted a couple pictures from Costa Rica.  We happened to like these and snagged them to share with you:

Wrapping Up the Week

The latest update from Costa Rica:

All is well and that we had a great couple of days of ministry on Wednesday and Thursday. We had some neat times of ministry with OUR kids the past couple of evenings too! Our kids said their tearful good-byes to the Ticos yesterday. We wrap things up at Pura Vida this morning by 10:00 am and then head out for a road trip which includes lunch and some souvenir shopping. We should be to our destination beach by late afternoon. Thanks for your prayers!! - Larry 

Thank you for praying for the CCA teens as they have been exposed to the great need in missions this week.  We are closing out the week praying for the following:

1.  Safety as they travel, sightsee, and "play" during their last 24 hours.

2.  Wisdom and discernment for each of them.

3.  Continued good health.

4.  Spiritual impact on their hearts as they listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit.

Here is a video from last year's CCA team if you want to get a glimpse of what the week has been like.  We sure hope they are doing another video for this year's team!  Enjoy.

http://vimeo.com/24611958

VBS Schedule

Here is the latest update from Costa Rica:

Hi Families of Young Missionairies - 

The ministry has been fast and furious these first two days, and it's great to know that you are all praying for us as we go into each of the villages. Like I'd said before, we have divided ourselves into three (3) separate ministry groups. Each group is a stand-alone team, equipped to carry out all of the duties necessary for a successful VBS experience. Each group has been assigned two different villages for ministry this week - one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Each team returns to the same sites each day, so that we can build rapport with the same kids and parents. Here is a snapshot of what each day looks like:

First, we start out with a time of open play for about 45 minutes, with the kids that are already waiting for us. We play a variety of games, including but not limited to, soccer, basketball, frisbee, jump rope, baseball with plastic bats and wiffle balls, and bubbles...lots of tiny, soap bubbles.

Second, we get the giant, colorful parachute out, to help gather the children to us, and play a couple of fun, interactive games with them. 

Next, we lead the kids in some fun praise and worship songs that we've learned in Spanish, and that leads into the memory verse that we are teaching them throughout the week. 

Now comes the lesson for the day that one of our team members gives to the group, via a Pura Vida sponsored translator. And then once the lesson is done, we try to reinforce it with a humorous, yet meaningful skit that a few of our team members have prepared (again, with the assistance of our translator).

We finish the lesson with a fun and creative theme-related craft, that the children can take home with them. As soon as our last crafts are being completed, all of the kids line up single file to get their snack for the day. By this time, we've been at the site for about 2 hours, and we usually get picked up by our bus after about 15 more minutes of play time and clean-up time.

We head back to the Pura Vida compound for lunch and rest time, and then head back out to our 2nd village at 1:30pm, to do it all over again, with our second group of children.

It's been neat to see how our kids have really started to connect with the village kids, now that they've had two days to hang out together! They are really trying hard to work at communicating with them in the Spanish language, and are ministering a ton of love through hundreds of individual interactions. You should be proud of them :)

Well, it's time for our group meeting, so I have to run...God's Grace to You and Pura Vida,

Mr. Z.

Costa Rica Mission Trip

As many of you know, Michael Durrill left late Saturday night on a mission team headed to San Ramon, Costa Rica.  His school, Cornerstone Christian Academy, is working with an organization called Pura Vida Missions running VBS in nearby villages and working on some other small projects for Pura Vida through the week.  Please pray with us for the team's hearts to be open to the work of the Holy Spirit in their lives, for health and safety, and for unity among the team members.  

The first report came via email today:

Day 1 was a very good day for the team - thank you very much for all of your prayers being offered up on our behalf! Our flight to San Jose was uneventful, with most of our group sleeping for at least half of the 5 hour flight. There were some of our kids however, that felt it necessary to remain awake and talkative THE ENTIRE TRIP. Yes, I still love them, but they will be paying the price tomorrow morning when we get them up at 5:30 for our morning jog :)

 After a 45 minute drive we arrived at the Pura Vida compound in San Ramon, and were greeted with a tasty, light breakfast. We then had a couple hours of free time, which most  used to get some shut-eye...however, once again, there were some who chose not to sleep at all, but rather to play cards, jump rope, and play a strange version of basketball keep away, that they somehow managed to play with no basketball hoops...go figure.

After a tasty meal of mexican spaghetti and salad, we had a time of group orientation from the Pura Vida leaders. Then, for the next two hours, we broke up into our three (3) team groups to review our initial plans for the week's VBS activities.After that, we divided into two busses, and drove to our six village areas where we will be holding our VBS sessions, and canvassed the areas with flyers announcing our presence in their neighborhoods for the coming week. It was a great time for our kids to become acquainted with some of the locals and to see the very difficult living conditions that most of these people have come to accept as normal. 

Tomorrow (Monday), we will hit the ground running, conducting both morning and afternoon VBS's, Please pray for us that we will have God's anointing and that He will have prepared the local's hearts for ministry.

We will continue to share updates as we receive them.  Thank you for praying for Michael and the CCA team! 

- Pastor Mike