How can I summarize a trip like the one I just experienced? Words could never truly express all that we did and all that we saw and for the first time in my life I am speechless! (no laughing)

 I do believe that “family homecoming” comes close to describing the experience. As I stood and watched Julie, Kris, Wendell and Kathy enveloped into warm loving hugs, I wondered if I too would be so blessed. Then they turned to us, the new comers in the group, hugged us, and said “feel welcome, you are home” Wow what a feeling!! To witness the rekindling of old relationships and watch new ones evolve was a privilege.

The children are amazing. They love God and it shows in their faces, singing, dancing and praying. They are eager to learn all that they can, work hard to complete their chores and play with reckless abandon. We all can learn a lot from them!

God is alive and working in Riamukurwe Parish, giving hope and comfort to many. These people are Christ centered with a robust prayer life.  They are eager to share their churches, their homes and their food with all who come. Their desire is to worship, pray and work side by side with us.

This relationship between Meadows and the children’s homes must continue, it is one that is blessed by God.  I know this because I have seen it, lived it and been changed by it!

I might have said goodbye to my Kenyan family but it will not be forever. I know that I will be welcomed home and when I return, my hope is that many of you will come with me!

Yours In Christ,

Kaki

  To go on safari is a dream that many people have and I have been blessed to have been on three! Each time is different and more amazing than the last. To see God' amazing love and creativity as he designed our world is an incredible experience and one that can never be forgotten.
  You can imagine our excitement each time we headed to the safari vehicle to witness in person wonders we had only seen before in pictures. When we saw our first giraffe or impala, we were awed by the beauty of each animal. We studied the way each animal moved; the way he grazed, the lovely colors; the reactions to humans; and the sounds they made as we tried to take in every detail and imprint the images on our brains. We were constantly reminded of God's wonderful plan. No detail left undone, no animal left without a plan.
  Some of the incredible sights we saw were an entire herd of elephants, complete with babies, teenagers, adults, and some aging grandparents! We were close enough to hear them crunching their food as they worked to consume hundreds of pounds of leaves daily! And just as you've heard, when we approached, they were very careful to place the babies inside their circle in order to protect them. Just a reminder, you can distinguish African elephants from others because their ears are in the shape of the African continent.
  Our excitement heightened when we saw our first lions! We were so blessed to see beautiful male lions with full manes, lionesses, and cubs in their natural habitat, unencumbered by fences. To me, the lions were they most beautiful-their lovely shades of tans, tawneys, and golden browns are indescribable. We became acquainted with a male and female during the mating process which was quite amazing to see. And we learned that male lions will often kill the cubs of the lioness to whom he wants to mate so that only HIS cubs will survive. As beautiful as nature is, it is sometimes hard to see it in action.

   One thing I had never seen before on previous trips was a snake! As we were out on safari one day, our driver Daniel got a call from another guide telling him of a six foot long python that had been spotted and was lying in wait. We rushed to the place where the python had been spotted and there he was, with his head down a hole! He was so well camoflauged that had we not had an experienced guide, we would have missed him! Daniel said he was probably waitng to kill one of the baboons that was close by!

  The birds were another beautiful part of our safari and I kept a detailed record of all those we spotted. The Lilac Breasted Roller is the national bird of Kenya and he is a sight to behold! Please google him to get a good idea of how amazing he really is. We spotted, just to name a very few: the Pied Crow, the Secretary bird, the Yellow Billed Oxpecker, the Crowned Hornbill, the Little Bee-eater, the Malachite Kingfisher, and so many more! It was an incredible sight each and every day.
  Zebras, gazelles, wildebeasts, wart hogs, jackals, hippoptami, cheetahs, cape buffalo, and many more. Each more interesting than the last. We will carry these images in our heads long past our visit to Kenya and each time will marvel at God's amazing plan. God is good and all the time & all the time God is good!!
  Blessings to you all and please know we are all looking forward to sharing our experiences with you-just ask!
In His service, Julie

Images from Tumaini and Huruma

Greetings from Nairobi,

     The night before last was our farewell dinner with Tumaini and Huruma board members, staff, and elders from the Riumakurwe Parish. We were delighted to also spend some more time with the Very Reverend Muindi and his wife, Eunice, who were both looking very well.  Words of gratitude were shared, prayers were offered, and gifts of appreciation were exchanged.

     It's difficult to find words to express the feelings that many of us are having.  As we look forward to the adventures ahead we ponder the new memories formed during our stay at Tumaini.  We learned more about humility, love, heartache, and pure joy as we created new friendships and strengthened the bonds of those friendships already made.

     These following images tell more of the story...

Eric and Mercy

Hannah, Sahara, Margaret



Grace and Moses' new soap-making ministry



Grace blesses us all at her birthday celebration with a cake baked
 and delivered in a matatu from Nairobi all by Peris(a previous student of Tumaini). 



Lunch at Rev. and Mrs. Muindi with Beatrice

Manager Nancy

Githenya church at Tumaini

Resident at Huruma in the new girls dorm room for disabled adults.

New study room at Huruma complete with sunroof.

Volleyball at Huruma

Parachute games at Huruma Children's Home

Joyful Friday night fellowship with the children of Tumaini

The team with some of the farewell dinner attendees.



New construction on Vocational School

View from the second floor of the Vocational School

Gathering vegetables and herbs from the garden.

Trip to the Equator and to Nanyuki

Balloons were a big hit at Tumaini

Children close the gates behind us as we head out into the community.

Tonight we sat together in devotions and reflection, considering our

time in Nyeri at both children's homes and our visit today to Heshima

Children's Ministry for disabled children and Dignity Designs training

and employment ministry for their mothers.  We used words such as

awe, inspired, humble, and admiration to attempt to describe the people
of Kenya we have met.  God is in this place.  Please pray as we leave
very early tomorrow morning for a trip to the Maasai Mara.  We will have

the opportunity to enjoy the enormity of God's creation.

In Him,

Kris B



 

 

 

 



Wow!  It seems hard to believe that this was our last full day at Tumaini.  The time has gone much too quickly.  We have seen and experienced so much in what fells like such a short period of time, but then...that's what happens when you are forming life-long friendships and working side-by-side with brothers and sisters in Christ.

The night before last in our devotion we read a beautiful thank you note from Grace (who we all call "Amazing Grace") saying how grateful she was for the birthday gift that we gave to her.  She wrote that she never expected that gesture and hoped that we would each be blessed by God for it.  Grace is truly amazing.  She is a pretty, intelligent and generous young lady with a heart of gold.  Her love for the children at Tumaini and Huruma as well as her desire to serve and help them through her soap-making business is very evident and inspiring.

Earlier that same evening we had a really fun time with the children at their Friday night Youth Service.  We broke into to groups, one for grades kindergarten through standard five and the other standard six through Form Four (Seniors).  We held devotions for each group and the children enjoyed it to the max!  After our separate devotions, we all came back together and presented each student with their own wooden cross necklace, "goodie bag" with school supplies and last, but certainly not least, their brand new hardback Bibles!

How we wish you could have seen their faces and heard the joy in their sweet little voices as they said, "Thank you!" These times with the children as so precious and it is such a privilege and honor to minister to them , not just through spending time, but also through giving them gifts of things that are so common to us, but rare treasures for them.  Through your generous giving and prayers, YOU are part of this great exchange!  Praise the Lord!

In a bit of somber news, the heifer that gave birth to the male calf a few days ago still cannot stand.  She has no strength in her back legs to the size and difficulty of the birth.  The veterinarian has said that there is nothing that he can do for her.  So, now it seems that she will have to be put down and butchered.  The meat will be provided to the children here at Tumaini.  They will need a new cow.  Please help us to pray about this need and ask our Lord to provide, as He has already been so faithful to do.

Yesterday, we visited Nanyuki, a town just north of the Equator.  Boy, was it hot there!  We had a great time seeing the famous Spinners and Weavers which is a business of widows who use natural wool from sheep on the property and color dyes found in nature to create the most beautiful shawls, scarves and rugs to support themselves.  As you can imagine, we were eager to purchase a few items to help further their worthy cause. 

We leave to head back to Nairobi tomorrow morning.  Pease pray for our safe travels and for us to be able to continue to minister in any way that God desires.  Though we are leaving the children's home, we are still on a mission and willing to serve the Lord however He sees fit!

Thanks and God bless each of you!

Cynthia R. Murray

Saturday, June 14

 

Today was a day for going to Huruma to play with the children there.  We had done our work at Huruma, but not had any time with the children.  What a joy to spend time with them making bookmarks, playing volleyball, "I've Lost a Letter" (Duck Duck Goose, Kenyan-style), parachute games, and distributing gifts.  Before we left, most of the children were proudly wearing their new crosses.  While at Huruma we caught a glimpse of Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta's motorcade as it sped by with lights flashing and sirens blaring.  He was in Nyeri to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the opening of Othinya (sp?) Secondary School here in Nyeri.

 

 

We also spent a fair amount of time in the livestock pen today looking at the newborn calf that was born yesterday evening.   I was pressed into service as the cow is having difficulty standing up due to problems with its hip.  I was working alongside our Kenyan brothers and sisters trying to lift the cow onto its feet.  However, its hips were not able to support its weight.  You can be praying at home that the cow will be able to regain its footing and stand for her own sake and for the sake of the newborn calf.  Loss of these two animals would not only be a sad event.  The loss would have financial implications as well which is reflected in the concern shown on the faces of the Tumaini staff.

 

Meet Norman

 

We were also invited to join the Riamukurwe Parish Session which is comprised of over 40 members.  We were given the opportunity to introduce ourselves and to extend greetings from the congregation at Meadows. 

 

We have been blessed on our trip so far and are sad to think that tomorrow is our last day here in Nyeri as we return to Nairobi.  God is doing great things in and through the relationship that he has brought to pass between Riamukurwe Parish and Meadows.  We pray that this work continues for years to come.

 

 

To Christ be the Glory,

 

 

Wendell 
 
 

     We've had another incredible day! As has become our habit, we start the day with a terrific breakfast followed by devotions. Our group was in charge of devotions today and we chose for our theme "grace". A great way to begin a new day:)

Ride to Huruma and ready to paint

     Today was a big painting day a Huruma where we were warmly greeted by Nancy the manager. Huruma now has 78 children and is sporting a new addition which will house the handicapped residents and also serve as a study hall-male & female separately. They are very proud of the addition and very much wanted it to be painted. We worked all day on the project and will head back tomorrow to finish our work.

PainterJehosaphat leads us in painting

Wendell paints the wall.  Watch out for Julie

     After visiting the "farm" at Tumaini after dinner, we climbed to the top of the vocational center which is moving along nicely. Even though it is not under roof yet, all plans are going forward and they hope to have it under roof and open by the fall of next year. Some of the courses of study they plan to offer include, carpentry, masonry, tailoring, and possibly others as the program progresses.

Vocational Center

Hello from your Kenya team!!
     What a day we've had! Being in Kenya is an experience that can not be compared to any other. Even though it is my third time here, I am finding out more about the people, their culture, and their country. After walking the children to school, where, by the way, I was a guest in a science teacher's class; we had a delicious breakfast prepared with eggs from their very own chickens! Then on to devotions where it was our turn to lead and the topic was "grace".
     Our work plan for today was to paint the interior addition to the dormitory. What a job we had, painting on cement walls-one coat of primer, one coat of paint and we return tomorrow to paint the second coat. The new addition will be used to house the handicapped residents and to offer two study rooms-one for boys and one for girls. On our previous trip this addition had been a dream of Nancy the manager so we take great pride in helping this dream come to fruition.
     Even though our day was quite productive and very rewarding, we were disheartened a bit by seeing the clothes line, filled with clean laundry, sink closer and closer to the ground as the rains continued. Huruma is in desperate need of a washing machine and dryer so that at least some of the bed linens can be washed and made available as needed. This is a particular concern as there are 6 severely handicapped residents  whose linens are often soiled. Please keep this issue in your prayers. All the children's clothes are scrubbed by the children by hand and hung to dry.


Painting team at Huruma

Two gentlemen who have been long time residents of Huruma

Farm at Huruma

Manager Nancy and Virginia welcome us and offer us tea

Blankets drying at Huruma

     We took a short "field trip" on grounds to climb to the top of the vocational center which is not yet under roof, but is making progress. Some of the skills the vocational center plans to offer include carpentry, masonry, tailoring, and others added as needed. As we were on the top, we caught a glimpse of the majestic Mount Kenya-what an awesome sight!
     Tomorrow, after our painting duties are complete we will have lunch with Reverend and Mrs. Bernard Muindi who are the founders of the Tumaini and Huruma Children's Homes. We feel very honored to have been invited and hope we have time to scrub off all the paint before going!
     Please know that you are in our prayers and, of course, we miss you all.
Julie Joyce

Jambo!

Our first few days at Tumaini have been packed filled with fun, worship and painting!! Today we had the honor of Reverend Muindi and his wife Euinice visiting Tumaini. This is something that happens on rare occasion so to be here when they arrived was truly a blessing.

We have started the last few mornings by walking the kids to either the primary school or the secondary school. We are greeted with smiling faces, good mornings and handshakes to go around. For having to be at school from 7 am - 5 pm, these children are as happy as they can possibly be. It is amazing to be able to witness the love and thirst these children have for education. Most of them are proud to show us their classroom and meet their classmates and teachers.

Secondary school



Biology class



Kitchen at Secondary school with buckets for tea

Girls at primary school

Home science class at secondary school

Today (Tuesday), after walking the kids to school we started the daunting task for painting the base coat in Imani hall. The men that were working with us today showed us the ladders that we were to stand on as they were making them. Julie and Wendell were the only ones brave enough to climb onto the ladders, the rest of us stood on tables! No one left clean but our appetites were great! As we get to lunch the ladies in the kitchen had made us a surprise...PIZZA! I would have never imagined coming to Kenya to be served pizza!

After dinner the kids have study hours from 7-9. Some of us go with the older children and others of us go with the younger children. It became apparent quickly that most of us need a refresher in math...even with the younger children! Most of them have more homework than can fit in those two hours while the younger ones tend to take a nap when they finish.

Overall this has been a true blessing to be able to be apart of these children's lives. It is incredible to see the love that they have for the Lord and the trust that they have of a better life. Every day is filled with laughter, love, and faith. We are learning more from them than they could ever know, which is truly a gift from God!

1 John 4:16
" And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is LOVE. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them."

your sister in Christ,

Shannon W

Church on Sunday morning

Our trip has been uneventful thus far, well except for the trouble maker in our group. Julie was stopped at Dulles and again on arrival to Heathrow. Who knew she was such a rebel?
We all were busy watching various movies on the flight but did manage to get in a little sleep.
We are now waiting to be called to board our flight to Nairobi. We are all eager to get there and begin our adventure.
Please continue to pray for our time here, that we are blessed and able to bless others, for health and safety.
Yours in Christ,
Kaki


Sending off of the team

Arrival at Tumaini Children's Home

Charity and Peter

Jane

Four days until we begin our wonderful adventure to Kenya. It is hard to believe that after months of preparation and praying that it is time to go. The excitement that I have felt through out the preparation has now been met with the feeling of nervousness. After praying about our trip some more I came across a verse from Proverbs that helped ease that feeling. Proverbs 3: 5-6 says, “trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” This verse reminds me that I need to put all my faith in him and that he will keep us all safe throughout our journey.

Even though these feelings have arisen, my excitement for going has not diminished. This week I had the opportunity to work on the music for VBS! Music is my passion and being able to bring my love of music to the children in Africa brings me great joy. Putting together the CD’s makes me excited to meet the children and experience all of the amazing things that I pray they show me.

Tomorrow (Sunday, June 1st) we are going to be commissioned during the service. Having such an amazing church supporting and praying for us is such an uplifting thing! I ask that you please continue praying for our travels, the relationships that we build, and Africa as a whole. I also ask that you continue to pray that God uses us to spread his love wherever we go.

As we leave on Thursday we invite you to come pray with us before we leave! We are meeting at the church at 12:00 to pack the car and plan to leave by 12:30. If you cannot make it please just continue praying! Mark 16:15 says, “And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.”” We cannot wait to start spreading the word and sharing God’s love.
-Shannon W.

Packing Party

Each trip brings with it a packing party.  Tonight was the night.  We gathered together and sorted, repackaged supplies, packed bins, weighed the bins, and made prayer books with messages and pictures from church members.
Prioritizing what makes it into the bins is tough with so many needs among the children and our hosts.  We will take with us VBS craft supplies, a bag for each child with a few school supplies and a wooden cross necklace, linens, toothbrushes, children's clothing, and more.

So exciting that we made 30 prayer books, packed 12 bins, and made one big step forward in our preparations.  Kathy leaves for Kenya this Friday with a group of students and fellow professor from JMU.  Travelling mercies on Kathy!
Please pray for the safe transportation of these bins of supplies for their intended uses at Tumaini and Huruma children's homes.  Just over 2 weeks and we'll be on our way!

Summer 2014....here we go again.

Meadow's Presbyterian Church is sending a group of seven on a return trip to Kenya from June 5th through June 21st, 2014.  Our friends at Eastminster Presbyterian travelled to Tumaini and Huruma Children's Homes last summer.  We excitedly anticipate our return trip and continuing partner ministry.  Team members include Julie, Kathy, Shannon, Kaki, Cynthia, Wendell, and Kris.  We ask each of you to join us on this journey as we work to His Glory in a distant place. Please pray God's Holy Spirit goes before us and meets us there. 


Greetings from the Meadows Church family

Our hope and intent is to minister to the 200 children who live in these two children's homes, to worship with the Riamukurwe Parish church family, and renew friendships with the parish elders and staff in these two homes.  May God be glorified.

Two big events have supported this mission trip.  First, we held a benefit concert featuring SGG and Essence of Praise on February 22nd.  Second, on March 29th we held a African-style dinner with speakers, Stephanie Black (missionary and recent seminary professor in Nairobi) and Ebralie Mwizerwa (from The Outreach Foundation).  Both events were informative, inspirational, and celebratory.

The donation of supplies and money allows us to provide school supplies, flip-flops, running shoes, recreation parachutes, volleyballs and nets, and bible school activity supplies.  Each child will receive a cross on a necklace (hand-crafted by our own Hal) and a bible (250 bibles were purchased, supplemented with a grant through the American Bible Society).   We will carry gifts to thank our generous hosts.  Men will receive work gloves and a cross; while the women will receive a prayer shawl (knit by our Meadows women) and a cross.

Our plans for this mission trip began last summer and momentum continues to build as our departure comes soon.  We would appreciate your prayers during this intense period of preparation. We will do our best to keep you informed during these weeks up until we leave and then through our travels.  The team will be blessed to share what Jesus teaches us along the way.  Stay tuned!