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