Global Village Ministries

Nursing Strike

2012-03-05T14:06:00.000-05:00

Sunday started off with a great breakfast buffet at Sarova Panafric Hotel in Nairobi before we headed out to Sheldricks to see the little ele's! Everyone seemed to enjoy our time there - and you can't help but fall in love with each of the 17 orphans. They wallowed in the mud, sucked on there bottles, kicked soccer balls and rolled in the red dirt. It helps bring home the reality of what poachers do and the destruction that humans can cause in their desire to obtain ivory.

After a quick stop at Nakumatt (Kenya's version of Walmart) we were on our way to Narok, stopping briefly on the escarpment of the Great Rift Valley to enjoy the vast and seemingly endless view.

The group had been spoiled at Sarova Panafric and so there was a little adjusting to do at our hotel in Narok (SMILE) but I think they will all be ok! lol Sleep did not come easy for most, with dogs barking, cars and trucks speeding by and the affects of jet lag still hanging around.

Monday after breakfast we packed our sack lunches and headed out to Narok District Hospital. After a short wait we had a meeting with the administrator and worked out the plans for the week. Kenya has just had a nurses strike that started this past Thursday and it was called off this morning, but the nurses had not yet returned to work. So today there were no surgeries, but instead we toured the hospital, put booties and little crochets hats on new borns and time was spent setting up the OR. Our plan is to start surgeries tomorrow - if the nurses still have not returned our team will take care of the patients in the wards - giving care to them for 24 hrs each day till they go home. We are praying hard though that things will be back to normal tomorrow morning.

With extra time on our hands some walked into town and did some shopping, others spend time out at the pool reading, relaxing and just soaking in the warm sunshine. Then about 3:30pm a group of us went out to the rescue center that Global Village Ministries sponsors several children at. Robin and Fred got to spend a little time with the two girls that they sponsor and toured there little room/kitchen and checked out the garden, passed out some clothing and goodies and got to take lots of pictures and listen to some of the girls stories before heading back to our hotel for the night.

Some of the group upgraded to larger rooms today.... got a lot of work on my hands to get these guys use to bush life! LOL

Wish you all could be here! Say a prayer... have a feeling tomorrow is going to be a BUSY day
kim

Global Village Ministries and Mercy Missions Team up for surgical week in Kenya.

2012-03-03T23:58:00.000-05:00

I am back and Kenya and loving it!

Several months ago Global Village Ministries was blessed to be able to connect with Mercy Missions - which is non profit surgical team that travels to various places and provides free surgeries for needy communities. They wanted to visit Africa and so connected with us and here we are in Kenya ready to go!

The surgical team consists of 20 people who work in hospitals in the Detroit area or are here with their spouse. We will be providing care at Narok District Hospital Monday - Friday of this week. Please keep the group in your prayers though - as of this past Thursday Kenyan nurses went on strike and we are hoping that the situation changes by tomorrow. We currently have about 65 patients signed up for surgeries this week and many of them are coming from very remote areas. It will be a huge blessing to many communities through Maasailand.

On Friday evening the team boarded a flight in Detroit and headed towards Amsterdam - crossing the Atlantic during the night hours. After a short layover in Amsterdam they boarded their KLM flight and passed over Germany, Croatia, Greece, then over the Mediterranean Sea, Egypt and Sudan before landing at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport here in Kenya last night around 8:30pm.

There were some small issues in customs, but other then that everything went pretty good for the most part. The night was spent at Sarova's Panafric Hotel, so everyone checked in and then spent a little time unwinding down in the restaurant before heading to bed around 1am. (jet lag does amazing things to a person!)

This morning we will have a fantastic breakfast buffet before we load up and head out to Sheldricks Wildlife Trust where the group will be able to spend about an hour with the orphaned elephants. From there we will stop by at a shopping center to pick up a couple of things and then off to Narok - traveling down the escarpment into the Great Rift Valley. Passing Mt Longonot and Mt Suswa before heading back up the other side of the escarpment and on into Narok.

The sun is shining and the day looks like it will be a warm one (in fact possibly on the HOT side). We are thinking of all of you back in Michigan and it's making us enjoy this weather even more! lol

Wish you all could be with us..... travel with us though via the blog!
kim

Maasai School opens it's DOORS ~ January 2012

2012-01-17T11:01:00.000-05:00

Last July we visited a Maasai town in what seemed like the "middle of nowhere"! Those of you who were with us on the that trip will remember stopping by at Naroosura Adventist Preparatory School with the little Adventist Church next to it made of tin. It was Sabbath morning when we drove up and we could hear the small congregation singing. The school was not yet finished, cattle and goats walked in and out of empty classrooms and grazed on the dry yellowish brown grass that was growing up around the veranda of the school.

We met Harrison for the first time; a Maasai lay pastor and adult literacy teacher that is sponsored through GVM. Harrison is young and enthusiastic! He was so excited and surprised when we showed up un-announced.The community was desperate for the school to be ready to open it's doors in January of 2012.

It has been about six months since we sent Harrison there to work in the community and today I got a wonderful update on the church and the school and wanted to share it with each of you.

Naroosura Adventist Preparatory School officially opened it's doors to students in January of 2012! The Ministry of Education in Kenya told them they would have to have at least 10 students fully registered in order to be consider an official school and the school was blessed and overwhelmed to have 121 students show up and register for school the first morning! God is good!

They can only afford one teacher at this point so have limited the school to Nursery and First Grade only, but as funds come in they hope to continue adding teachers so they can provide an education up through grade 8!Those 121 students are just in two grades! Imagine if they could provide enough teachers for all the grades how many students would be attending!

The Naroosura SDA Church has almost tripled in size in the last six months and Harrison's new Adult Literacy Class is growing. There are 21 adults attending and 10 of them will being ready to sit for their exams this October! I am so very excited ~ education will open so many doors for them and ultimately will allow them to read the Bible for themselves AND play a huge role in bringing female genital mutilation to an end.

If you would be interested in helping to sponsor Harrison or other teachers at the school please let us know. We pay Harrison about $130 a month and would like to continue to keep him there, but need your support to do that.

I just want to send out a very special thank you to Sandy Richards for making this whole thing possible ~ without you none of this would have happened. Thank you for making a difference and for providing the opportunity for education to both the young and the old!

kim

ZAWADI ~ MARCH 2012

2012-01-10T15:07:00.000-05:00

Open publication - Free publishing - More africa

Dr. Ferrao DDS ~ shares his thoughts on the trip to Kenya in Oct 2011

2011-12-13T20:49:00.000-05:00

Delivering smiles to the other side of the world - by Brantford, Ontario dentist Dr. Lee Ferrao

Another happy patient!

Carefully unzipping a narrow opening, so as not to wake my family, I crawled
out of our simple tent which would be our home for the next little while.
My feet were greeted with sharp dry grass, my face with a cool gentle breeze
and my first morning breath had a hint of the fading campfire that had burned
all night. I opened my eyes to see the sun rising over the animal dotted horizon
of the Massai Mara in the same majestic way it set over the solitary
acacia tree the night before. This was the center of the earth. This was the
place where man and animal co-habitate freely as it was since the beginning
of time. This was Africa.

Sunset in Kenya

For the next three weeks, my wife, our two children and I would have the
privilege of being a part of a medical /dental mission to the Massai Mara area
of Kenya. We joined an international team, gathered from Canada, the
United States and the United Kingdom to travel to the remote areas of the
region and service its amazing people. We would rise at the crack of dawn,
break down our camp if needed and quickly be on our way. Some
days we were just a walk away from the MASH unit we would set up to
serve as the clinic for a day or two. Other days our commute was a 3 hour
drive along carved out dirt roads that were so rough, our Canadian pot holes
were mere divots by comparison. Morning traffic consisted of wildebeest,
gazelles and zebras. A traffic jam was due to the crossing of a herd of
elephant and one would always stop at the sighting of a pack of lions.

African traffic jam

No matter where or when we arrived, we would always be greeted by
a sea of inquisitive and happy people of all ages. They would look like a
painter’s palate with all the vibrant colors of their dress adorned with their
native beaded earrings, necklaces and anklets.

We’d quickly get the clinic organized and start to make our way through
triaging the never ending line of people that would appear from as far as
your eye could see.

The line for dental care starts early in the morning

I was one of six dentists providing a service for which many of these
people had never seen.So one by one we would take care of their immediate
dental needs. A tribal Maasai elder who had walked over 30km to be seen sat
on a two by four makeshift bench outside the dental area. He was dressed in
a traditional, vibrant red cloth and had chiselled stone face features. No one
including himself knew how old he was or how long he had had a dental
problem but he was none the less happy to be finally seen. Regardless of
the lack of spoken word, we were able to communicate. He laughed at my
attempt at Swahili but amused me all the same. With the aid of a local
translator we agreed that he would require a tooth to be extracted. He
nodded to me in acknowledgement, his eyes giving me his consent and
trust. After his treatment he sat for a while, got up, turned to me and
placed his hand on my shoulder. We looked at each other silently and
exchanged smiles. He nodded to me once again, picked up his 5-foot
branch that had been shaped into a walking stick, turned and walked
away. His hunched body hobbled into the mass of rich color and was
soon lost amongst the crowd.

Making the best of the facilities and equipment

As much as I wanted to take in the whole experience of the last twenty minutes,
there looking up at me with her sparkling eyes and expressionless face was a
beautiful little girl anxiously waiting her turn. Behind her an African woman with
her infant slung around her shoulders and her other two children sheepishly
being pushed in front of her. The line continued like this all day, every day.

We met people of all ages

Over the years I have been on many other dental missions to various parts
of the world. This was unlike any other. Never had a place or people
continuously touched on so many emotions. Each day living out of a page
of National Geographic. Experiencing all the beauty of the sights, sounds
and smells of the country, yet hearing and touching those affected by the
underlying social injustice that is still so prevalent. This again was Africa.

It was a blessing to be able to help children who would otherwise never be treated

I’m continually asked why I do these trips and why I would take my family.
I have always been hard pressed to fully explain why, as it is more of a feeling
and a need that cannot be completely expressed in words. It’s about being
blessed and paying it forward. To quote a friend of mine, I have been blessed
to have won the birth lottery and to have been born into a great family. I have
been blessed to have been given a great education. I am blessed to now have
a great family of my own. I am blessed to work with great people in a great
environment, and I am blessed to have the opportunity to go to various
parts of the world and help people in need of service.

The locals show their thanks

My wife and I bring the children along to show them first hand that there is
a whole world out there filled with amazing people who have far less than
us but are equally as happy. We also want to expose them to great people
who can come together regardless of race, creed or nationality, all with the
same common basic goal of wanting to help people in need. The experiences
that I walk away from being on these trips far outweigh any of the time, money,
and service that I provide. I always thank the people of these countries for
allowing me the privilege and entrusting me to serve them. Unfortunately it
gets lost in translation, but we all walk away with a smile on our faces and
for us, a whole new perspective on appreciating what we have and to not
take anything for granted.

"Little School" Building Project update - Olapalagilagi Primary School

2011-11-29T10:03:00.000-05:00

Just wanted to update you on the progress of the "little school" in Maasailand! In October one of Global Village Ministries projects was raising the funds to add a classroom and buy desks for the Olapalagilagi Primary School in Olderikesi area.

In about 3 weeks we were blessed with $10,000 and in October when we were in Kenya we were able to hand it to Cottars Wildlife Trust Conservation to follow up with the building project.

Today Calvin Cottar sent me pictures of the progress and I am so excited. I have been a part of a lot of building projects in Kenya and never have I seen anything happen this quickly! It is totally awesome!

A special thank you to Cottar's and their crew for making it happen so quickly! Can't wait to visit the school in March and see all the students there!
kim

There is so much to be thankful for.... it's up to us to make a change...

2011-11-24T11:43:00.001-05:00

March 2012 Project ~ 100 day count down begins!

2011-11-21T19:33:00.001-05:00

November is almost gone! It's hard to believe how fast time flies. Tomorrow (Nov. 22) begins the 100 day countdown for raising the funds for our next project in Kenya and once again I am totally stoked about it.

Global Village Ministries has been blessed by donors from all over the world ~ and over the last year and half we have been able to build a classroom and get desks for the children at the Olapalagilagi Primary School in Olderikesi, provide bunk beds, sheets, and blankets to a Maasai Girls Rescue Center, sponsor several children in school, purchase and install a brand new solar system for the Mausa Primary School in Olorte, and provide enough money to start building a laboratory at the Mwashuma Clinic in Taita Hills.

For March 2012 we have decided to help the Mwashuma Clinic finish off their laboratory building project! In October Kamunge and I had the opportunity to stop by the clinic and look at the progress that had already been made on it. The clinic walls are made with bricks and roof is on and it is really looking nice. The community is so excited about the possibility of being able to come to the clinic and have their lab work done right there, instead of having to travel for miles and miles (often vehicles are not available so a patient might have to walk for long distances) to know if they have Malaria, TB or something else. It will be a huge blessing to the community.

In fact ~ just a little side note..... while we were there in October the community had gotten lots of rain and the countryside was all different hues of green. Taita borders the edges of Tsavo National Park and the park had not had much rain, so elephants had been migrating through the area. Within the week that we were there the community had had a curfew starting about 3:30pm in the afternoon, where everyone needed to be in their homes and done for the day due to the large elephant population moving through the area. Over 500 elephants had passed through the community. Walking through their little yards and gardens! During the day one had to be very much aware of their surroundings, and at night it was totally unsafe in the dark to be outside. Can you imagine being sick, having no transport and having to walk for miles and miles to get the care you need, while having 500 elephants grazing behind bushes and on the trails you would have to walk on!?! A man in the community had been killed from a unexpected confrontation with the elephants and the Kenya Wildlife Services had been called and and were camped not far from the clinic where we are building the laboratory.

Anyhow... back to the project! I am estimating that to complete the building and pass the government/health inspection it will cost about $5000. I know that sounds like a lot, but with many helping it is easily obtainable. Remember the saying... "Many hands make light work", will it also goes like this... "Many donors makes laboratory complete" How is that for the quote for the day??

I thought maybe I would give you a breakdown of some of the things that will be included in the money we are looking to raise. It might be that your family, your work area, church, class, or your club would like to sponsor a specific item and raise the money for it. So here are some options:

40 bags of cement @ $8 each = $400
5 window frames @ $35 each = $175
1 door (iron) @ $90
2 doors (wood) @ $80 each = $160
5 paint brushes @ $1.50 each = $7.50
10 cans of paint @ $9.50 each = $95
60 pieces of glass for windows @ 3 each = $180
9 ceiling sheets @ $12 each = $108
4 block boards @ $12 each = $48
2 sinks @ $25 each = $50
6 kilos of 2" nails @ $2 per kilo = $12
8 kilos of 3" nails @ $2 per kilo = $16
10 kilos of 4" nails @ $2 per kilo =$20
10 kilos of 5" nails @ $2 per kilo =$20
2 (5000 litre) waters tanks @ $380 per tank = $760
Security lights = $30
Turpentine =$15

Plus several other items, including labor and transport of materials will bring the total cost up close to a little over $5000.

Global Village Ministries would be thrilled for you to be a part of this project. Our Medical/Dental trip in March will be visiting the Mwashuma Clinic and Primary School and be providing care for the community for an entire day. Last year when we visited and did a clinic there we had an awesome time and the people in the community were very receptive and even did some traditional dances for us at the end of the day.

I am so looking forward to going back again and spending some time in the community there. Remember you can get tax deductions in the US for any donation you give, plus you are certainly invited to join us in person and see the clinic for yourself, while helping to provide medical and dental care to the community.

Donations can be sent to:
Global Village Ministries
8783 S Bluffview
Berrien Springs MI, 49103

Be sure to put a note with it letting us know you want it to go for this specific project. Contact me anytime if you have questions about our trips or projects. My email is letmeshine4him@yahoo.com

Thank you for making a difference ~
kim

I am Blessed BEYOND Measure!

2011-11-16T11:27:00.000-05:00

There is so very much in my life to be thankful for ~ I have been blessed beyond measure!

This past month Global Village Ministries had the largest group ever for the October Mission Trip to Kenya. We had 36 people who were willing to sacrifice their time and finances and step out into a unknown environment and make a difference. I want to just take minute to share how very thankful and blessed I was by our dental team on this trip. They were exceptional ~ SIX DENTISTS!!! We were able to pioneer a whole new area in Maasailand.... called "restorative care". On past trips we have not had enough dentists or the equipment to put fillings in, repair chipped teeth, or do cleanings, but this trip we were able to do it all! There are really no words that can adequately describe how my heart felt when I took a little time out on each clinic day to go in and just watch in awe as dental did there thing. I was truly blessed beyond measure by each of them, their wives and those that helped them.

Each mission trip has it challenges and some seem to have more then others, but I am so thankful for Margaret, Rose, Kamunge and Joseph who rise to each challenge and make a tremendous difference for each of us there. I know the food will be delicious, the driving exceptional, the government paper work that is required for the trip will be in order, and my tent will always be set up perfectly!! Over the years of working together we have had the opportunity to really get to know each other. They are truly my closest friends in Kenya! They listen to me, encourage me, pray with me, laugh with me, scold me when needed, push me, and they know my heart. I am truly blessed beyond measure to have them as part of our Global Village Ministries team and most of all as my good friends.

So many people say to me, "Oh, I wish I had your job!" or "You have the perfect job, I want to do that!" Unfortunately for each of them......I am not not quitting so they will have to look elsewhere for work! I was blessed to have parents that had a desire to make a difference in a country that was not their own. They were willing to step out of there box and in doing so they created a heart for mission and Kenya within me. If you would have asked me years ago what I would be doing today, I could have told you it would be something to do with "missions" but never did I dream that I would be taking groups to Kenya three times a year! I am so very thankful for Dr. Norbert Schwer and Chris is wife, who have opened their hearts to me and allowed me to be part of Global Village Ministries. What I do for GVM is not a "job" it is a dream that I get to live out everyday of my life! Few people wake up every morning excited to go to work ~ but I am blessed beyond measure because each day is another day to be passionate and excited about the opportunity I have to make a difference in Kenya!

It is never easy being away from family....I love my family and I am no exception to the rule! I wish I could bring them all on the every trip! Each time I am in Kenya I see old friends or visit places that our family used to visit and memories fill my mind. The last Saturday night that each group is in Kenya we spend at "Crocodile Camp" up near Musiara on the edge of the Mara River, and each time we are there the sweet memories of setting up our tent as a family and sitting by the fire having worship with our children come flooding back. I am blessed beyond measure to have a husband and children that understand my need to return back to Kenya and even though they are not always fond of it, they encourage me, are proud of me and love me!

But most of all I am blessed beyond measure because I have a Heavenly Father who loves me regardless of all my faults! He created the heart within me and He knows that heart like no one else!

I could not ask for more, for I am truly blessed beyond measure....
kim

Three Days Packed into ONE

2011-10-17T16:36:00.001-04:00

Before the sun can peek it's warm rays above the horizon the birds are all ready singing. It was wonderful to be able to sleep in - it's probably the first night that I have gotten over 5 hours of sleep since coming to Kenya the beginning of October. It was a perfect way to start Sabbath morning! The birds are amazing here! There songs are so awesome!

Brunch was at 9:30am in the little kitchen area under the big Fig tree - our traditional Sabbath breakfast which is pancakes, peanut butter, maple syrup, mangoes, pineapples, oranges, passion fruit, and homemade granola. Following brunch we had worship and then loaded up the truck and headed out into the Reserve for the entire day. We stopped for a little break up along the Mara River where the Wildebeest do most of their crossing of the river during migration. Huge crocodiles sunned on the edges of the river and hippos grunted and yawned in clusters throughout the river. Wildebeest were gathering on the banks, but there were not enough of them to push the front ones into the river and begin to cross.

From there we headed up the Mara River to our campsite for the night. This time we camped farther back into the wooded area which actually turned out to be a great spot. No cobra's visited camp this time - well, I should say none that we actually saw. One hippo came up from the river during worship and was surprised to see us all there and quickly headed off the other direction through the bushes.

The first lit up the camp and crackled as we sat around it drinking our hot chocolate and tea. The wind had died down and the stars were twinkling above. Before long everyone had headed to bed for the night and I kept vigil on the fire throughout the night. In the morning we walked to the edge of the forest and watched the sun come up. Buffalo and gazelle walked by us and in the distance a family of lions relaxed on a couple of mounds.

Sunday (today) we head to Sarova Mara - without the most hospitable hotel that I have ever been at in my life. We packed up the tents and our personal things, then drove over to the Musiara Gate where we dropped off Norbert and Leon who were catching a flight to Mt Kilimanjaro and David who was heading back to the US. Then off to Sarova Mara Game Lodge.

We checked in around 11:30am enjoying a nice clean white wash cloth with eucalyptus on it and a glass of fresh cold passion fruit juice. The afternoon was spent relaxing - swimming, reading, sleeping, showering and bird watching. Rick and Cindy headed out to Keerokok airstrip to catch their flight back to the States mid afternoon. At supper time we celebrated Robin, Becky and Paulsen's birthday "Sarova" style.

Monday morning we packed up our things and after our breakfast buffet left for Nairobi. The group is getting smaller and smaller. Tonite Gordon and Alfred left us for the US and in the early morning hours Kim and Matt will head back too.

God has blessed and no matter how tired I am, I am so very thankful for each person that came and each person that prayed for us and our safety. Thank you for making a difference.

Our Last Clinic Day for October 2011

2011-10-17T06:31:00.001-04:00

The wind has been blowing so hard and the air is very cool - unusually for this time of year! A few of us have acquired runny noses and the sniffles, this morning three people are have gotten the 24 hours flu. One will still be coming to clinic the other two are going to stay in camp for the day and get some extra sleep.

Friday we were up earlier then we have been any of the other days. Breakfast was at 5:15am and it was still dark outside. Our goal is to finish up with breakfast, pack our sack lunch and have worship so we can get into the reserve just as the sun is coming up. There are hot air balloons slowly rises up into the sky and we are on the move again.

The animals in the area where we are are amazing, the wildebeest migration still has some few lingering around which adds tremendously to the grazers. as we drive along we come a cross a pride of lions - several females and some teenagers. They are all spread over the grass and small mounds, every now and again they get up and go and lay on each other, or swat at their mom's tail. Even though we could stay there all day we have to keep moving as there is a community of people waiting to see us for treatment.

We stop briefly at the gate for a short bathroom break and then head out southeast into the bushes to the "little school house" that we raised money for. One wonders if anyone will be there for clinic as there seems to be no human life as far as the eye can see. Then out of no where the "little school house" appears and there are already people waiting for us. Before the clinic begins we are asked to sit down on the chairs provided outside the front of the school for a special program so the school children and community can show their appreciation for the classroom that we will be building. First the children and then then the ladies sing for us. Finally they present many of the group with gifts that they have hand made and they dress me up in a special Maasai outfit. I feel so very blessed to be able to do what I do and am thankful for the opportunity.

Before long clinic is starting and the lines continue to grow and grow. Medical seems to be a never ending line and the more we see the more there are. Every now and again there is a short rain shower and so we opt to put up the trucks tarps so that people can stay dry the wind is strong at times and the air feels very cool. There a a few dogs that hang around the clinic site. They are so skinny and are looking for any morsel that might fall. When ever someone comes out of dental and has had an extraction they often spit on the ground and their saliva is mixed with blood - the dogs come and lick it up right away. Your heart goes out to them - and you want to share you sack lunch with them, but you know that there are also a lot of little children there who's stomachs are empty to and they would also love your sandwich.

Clinic time flies by and we are amazingly able to see all the patients who have been standing in lines all day. The group loads up and we are again - heading back into the reserve to enjoy some wildlife before getting back to camp for the night. On the way home we are blessed with a leopard - it took us awhile to find it - the drivers had to go round and round the bush till finally it appeared up in the top of a small tree. They are masters of disguise and one of my favorite creatures to spot.

Back at camp supper is waiting for us - Samosas, curry, rice, and mandazi (a Kenyan type donut). It was a long day and a hot shower and bed sounds wonderful. Tomorrow we will get to sleep in and enjoy a late breakfast. Am really looking forward to it.

Happy Sabbath to all of you! Enjoy the special 24 hours that our Creator gave us!

Heading to the Maasai Mara National Reserve

2011-10-16T09:51:00.001-04:00

Thursday morning was windy and cold and we rose early to pack up for the Maasai Mara National Reserve. We had prayed that it would not rain so we would be able to make it over the escarpment on the dirt road on on down into the Reserve and God had answered our prayers.

After everything was packed up and worship and breakfast were over we headed out. The landscape around us was beautiful, lush green grass and forests dotted the hills as we bumped along. The closer we got to the Mara the dryer things got though, and the shades of green once again turned to brown with only a few accents of green here and there.

We entered the Reserve through the Musiara Gate and while I paid for everyone we had opportunity to fit two of the rangers who work there with reading glasses. Then back on the truck and on through the Reserve to our campsite for the night in Talek.

We have had a flu bug that has affected about half the group. Someone must have brought it with them from the US - fortunately it only seems to last 24 hours and then is gone. Those of us who have managed to escape it are feeling very blessed.

The wildlife in the Reserve is amazing! Everywhere you look there are wildebeest, zebra, eland and numerous other grazers. The group was so excited! We went pretty much straight to camp, stopping briefly for some lions along the road and then on to our campsite where everyone moved into their little cottages and we set our our kitchen goodies. Then late afternoon the group headed back into the Reserve for an evening game drive.

As we went to bed tonite there were a few sprinkles of rain, just enough to help with the dust, but not make the roads wet. Tomorrow we will be in Olderkesi for clinic and will visit the school that we raised $10,000 for. Should be great fun. Am really looking forward to and praying that we will be a blessing to the community there.

I wish all of you could be with us! It is amazing how a group of strangers can develop such a strong bond in so little time. God has blessed us already in so many amazing ways.

kim

Tuesday and Wednesday in Kilgoris

2011-10-15T01:27:00.001-04:00

Tuesday morning we packed our our things and headed out from Seasons Hotel in Narok for the little town of Kilgoris. The sun was shining and the sky was blue. The landscaped turned from brown to a shades of green pieced together like a patch work quilt. As we traveled along some slept, others read and the rest of us spent time sharing stories and getting to know each other better. It would be at least a 4 hour drive.

Once we arrived in Kilgoris we stopped briefly for a bathroom break before turning onto the little bumpy dirt road that we spend the last 45 minutes traveling on till we got to our destination - a large primary school.

Once there we unpacked the truck and every set up their tents for the night, then enjoyed some quiet time before supper. The moon was almost full and no one needed to use their flashlights.

Wednesday we woke to a very windy cold day! The people started arriving early for clinic and so right after breakfast we unloaded the medical and dental supplies and started up. It was a FULL day. We saw over 700 patients and by the time evening came everyone was ready for a good hot supper and some relaxation. During the day 3 young girls had been brought to me that were are scheduled to be circumcised when the school year is over on Nov. 26th. One of the young girls is beaten on a regular basis and as hard as we tried to make her smile she would not. A couple of the groups gave them pedicures and some extra attention before we bid them goodbye. Kamunge and I are checking into possibilities to put them in a boarding school where they would be safe. If you are interested in helping with their education please let me know.

Thursday we would rise early and pack up - heading out to the Maasai Mara National Reserve to our camp site in Talek.

Sunday and Monday in Narok District

2011-10-12T09:28:00.000-04:00

Sunday morning we packed up all our goodies and headed to Sheldricks Elephant Orphanage to spend a little time with the baby elephants. It was great fun watching them play in the mud, push each other around and make all sorts of noises. The older ones were able to hold their own bottles with the help of their keepers. It is great fun to watch the little ones, it is as if they don't know what to do with their trunks and think if they swing them round and round in a circle hard enough they just might go flying off.

From Sheldricks we headed to Narok, traveling down the escarpment into the Great Rift Valley. We stopped briefly on the escarpment for a bathroom break and sometime to take pictures and buy a few little African curios. Then we were off again, traveling the little paved road around Mt Longonot and up the other side of the escarpment on into the busy town of Narok.

Everyone unload their things and we checked into Seasons Hotel for Sunday and Monday night. It was great to be able to take a hot shower and relax a little bit. I was able to go into Narok and visit some of the girls that are sponsored through Global Village Ministries Maasai Education Fund.

Monday morning we had clinic in Ololulunga at a primary school. The ground was dry and so very dusty. The wind whipped around the school buildings, sometimes making it impossible to see the children playing on the soccer field. I put my scarf over my nose and mouth and with my sunglasses on I am sure I looked like a terrorist.

Clinic was a busy one and the concept of restorative dental care was a bit hard for many in the community to understand, but they caught on after awhile. With six dentists on board we can move through a lot of dental patients in a very short amount of time.

When clinic was over we headed back to Seasons Hotel. Becky and Robin had their birthday today so we celebrated with chocolate cupcakes in the evening.

Tomorrow we are off to Kilgoris for our first night of camping! Should be lots of fun. Praying for no rain!

Clinic in Loodariak Area

2011-10-12T07:41:00.000-04:00

Sabbath morning we headed up over the edge of Ngong Hills and on down into the Great Rift Valley to the little community of Loodariak. The road went from paved to dirt and rocks, and the group had their first opportunity to experience some of Kenya's bumpy roads. We passed through 5 dry river beds, stopping every now and again to allow the cows and goats to cross the road.

Our first stop for the day was the little Seventh-day Adventist Church where several of the churches in the area had gathered to worship together before our afternoon clinic. The group enjoyed listening to all the Maasai singing and took lots of pictures. Then we walked over to the little primary school and set up for our half day clinic. The area we worked in was so very dry and hot. Most of the people in the community were in need of water and you could tell that even food was scarce.

After clinic we drove over to the home of a Maasai friend and everyone was able to go in their homes and see how a true Maasai lives. We filled up as many water containers as we could for them with the fresh clean water we had brought with us. They were so very thankful and it made my heart smile to see them so happy.

Then we headed back to the East Central African Division Guesthouses for the night. Our second day of clinic completed. Everyone was worn out even though it had not been an extremely busy day. On they way home some of us in the first truck were blessed to be able to see a Kudu, which is very rare in the area we were in. (A kudu is a type of antelope with huge twisted horns that are beautiful)

Tomorrow we head out from the Division Guesthouse's to Narok. Stay tuned as the adventure continues.

Our First Clinic Completed

2011-10-08T00:05:00.000-04:00

Friday was a perfect day for clinics. It started off with breakfast up at the East Central Africa Division followed by worship and an orientation time, then the group headed down to Maxwell Adventist Academy to set up for our clinic.

Most of the morning was spent organizing medicines and setting up for dental. The process is often very confusing and chaotic - cause there is so much to sort, repack, put out, set up, take down, move here, put there, that by the time one is done you feel like you are totally confused. At 11:45am we took a little break and went back up to the Division for lunch. When we arrived back at the gym there was already people waiting for us.

No one ever feels like they are organized enough to actually start seeing patients, but once we start it seems like everything becomes simpler and falls right into place. It was like that today for most everyone too. Medical was not as busy, but dental was, and had patients the entire time. I was in awe of dental! We have never had so many dentists before and to stand back and watch them doing cleanings, fillings, and extractions was amazing! GVM has been blessed already by them and the people at clinic could not stop sharing their appreciation for the services that they had been given today.

After the clinic we loaded the the trucks back up so we would be ready for the next one. It had been the perfect day - not too slow, but slow enough that everyone had a chance to get their feet under them and the facility that we were at was a great.

It is now Sabbath morning and the birds are singing, the sun is peaking over the horizon and it looks like another blue sky day! We will be heading down over Ngong Hills today to Loodariak to visit a Maasai church and spend the afternoon once again giving care. Am excited to be out in the bush today and see some good friends. I know the group will love it!

Wherever you are today I hope you have an awesome day and take the time to thank the Creator for the life He has given you. Continue to pray for us as we reach out the Maasai in Loodariak today.
kim

Arrivals Galore!

2011-10-06T23:52:00.000-04:00

This week has flown by and I am not sure where time went. Wednesday was the day that most of the group began their travels to Kenya from multiple places. We had them arriving here in Kenya starting with the first two at 1:00 am and then multiple times throughout the day. The bulk of the group arrived last night and we took two large trucks out to get them at the airport

When I went into the international arrivals there was hardly anyone waiting to pick up passengers and I knew something must be going on. Sure enough the KLM flight, which had 24 of our group on it had been delayed a little over 2 hours! So the drivers and I went to a little restaurant at the airport and they had supper while I waited for the British Airways flight to arrive (45 minutes late). Needless to say it was 2am by the time that most of us finally crawled into our beds and fell asleep.

The blessing last night was that all 25 that we went to pick up came in with ALL their luggage and all arrived safely! Tonite we have one more airport pick up and am praying that KLM is on time.

This morning starts off bright and early with breakfast and orientation at 7:30am. It will be their first clinic day and we will be doing it at Maxwell Adventist Academy for all the national workers from the East Central Africa Division and the Academy ~ it is Global Village Ministries way of saying "thank you" for always taking such good care of us on each trip that to Kenya.

We have 39 in our group and they come from: Kenya,Tanzania, England, Maryland, California, Oregon, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Utah, Colorado, Tennessee, Arkansas, Florida, Ontario - Canada, British Columbia-Canada, Quebec-Canada. They range in age from one year old all the way through 80 years and we have 3 birthdays to celebrate while the group is here. We have been blessed beyond measure with 6 dentists and will be able to provide restorative and extractions in dental, plus cleanings. Six physicians, one FNP and lots of RN's plus many others that will be of a huge help in multiple areas. God is good!

The sun is peaking it's way through the low lying clouds this morning and is letting me know that I need to get ready for breakfast soon. I wish each of you could be here with us ~ I hope that you will join us each day via the blog. Continue to lift us up in your prayers as we step out in faith and share with the people of Kenya.
kim

The Adventure begins......

2011-10-05T00:33:00.000-04:00

The adventure begins again....

Oct 3: Am here in Kenya. Sat on the runway in Detroit for over 2 hours due to a maintenance problem. When I got to Amsterdam I had to RUN to catch my next flight. Barely made it.... of course none of my luggage did! Have not slept at all since Saturday night and it is 11pm here in Kenya so gonna try to get a few winks in before it is time to get up and get to work!

Oct 4: Good morning world! It is 3:40am and I am up and ready to go! WONDERFUL, JUST WONDERFUL!!!!!!

Breakfast buffet at Panafric Hotel coming up.....then a busy shopping day and down and out to Loodariak area to finalize details for our first Sabbath adventure in Maasailand. It's good to be home!

LUGGAGE ARRIVED! I feel like it is Christmas!!!

Visited Loodariak in Maasailand late this afternoon. The area is dryer then i h ave EVER seen it. Most of the sheep have died from starvation. The landscape is a variety of shades of brown, and as the cattle/goats walk along there are little clouds of dust that follow them. The Maasai in the area have asked GVM to help them with a water pipeline that would connect them to 3 reservoirs - it would pump life back into miles and miles of land that are now taking on a desert like appearance. a simple pipe line would be able to provide water for thousands of families and 10's of thousands of cattle, goat and sheep. Is there an interest out there for a project like this?

The day is over.... but I can accomplish just as much at night! It's my baking night. First Cinnamon Crumb Cake is in the oven, and then second will be ready to in soon. Then it's muffin time! Blueberry, Cinnamon Streusel, and Chocolate Chip! In between baking it's "clean up my apartment time"..... have stuff from my luggage EVERYWHERE!

Oct 5: Got a "good" nites sleep last night (not sure what the actual definition of that would be), but woke this morning to another amazing Kenyan day! Hundreds of birds are singing, my veranda doors are wide open and the sun is spilling onto my living room floor! Today I am headed back into Nairobi. Should be a day filled with traffie, matatus, bicycles, goats, cows, donkeys, and lots of friends! Want to join me?

Olapalagilagi Primary School needs YOU!

2011-09-24T18:55:00.000-04:00

With only one week left until I leave for Kenya.... I thought I would put out one last request out to help us raise the money for the little Olapalagilagi Primary School. It has 3 classrooms and a tree that works as the 4th classroom. One hundred and sixty children attend school there and share 15 desks. There is no water supply, no teacher housing (some of the teachers walk 10 kilometers each day to teach), no proper storage place for the food/cooking, and no fence to keep the children safe while they are playing outside or the building safe from thieves when no one is there.

The area is home to 300+ families, although while standing at the school you can look out in all directions and see no human life at all. Statistics show that 1 in 52 children in the area attend school and 1 out of every 7 students is a girl.

The community realizes the importance of education and is having a fundraiser on Oct 10th and we would like to join them in raising funds for their little school. Global Village Ministries goal is to raise the money to add a brand new classroom and provide desk for ALL of the students.

*The new classroom would cost around $8000

*Each desk will be $100. (The desk frames are made of metal and the seat and table top is made from blocks of wood, 4 students can sit at one desk ~ these desks are built to last!)

By helping to provide them with an additional classroom and desks you will be enabling an entire community to have an opportunity for their children to go to school. That is a gift that one cannot put a price on. Global Village Ministries will be working with this community twice a year - in March and October providing medical and dental care, plus continuing to encourage education for the children as well as adult literacy programs. I would love to be able to provide them with clean drinking water and teacher housing in the future, but we cannot do it without you!

I am imploring you to dig deep into your pockets in this next week and give the gift of education to a community that needs your help. Please email me at letmeshine4him@yahoo.com or call me at 586.838.4998 if you are willing to make a difference.

Your gift will change the children's lives in that community and in turn it will change the entire community for the better.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

kim

ZAWADI ~ October 2011

2011-08-30T17:32:00.001-04:00

GVM heads to the Philippines once again

2011-08-28T00:59:00.000-04:00

On Wednesday the 31st GVM will be leaving for the Philippines to join our friends of PAMAS (Philippine Advantist Medical Aviation Ministry) in an effort to reach our to some very needy people. We have plans to fly to Manila, then take the night bus up to Cagayan Valley. Over the following 10 days we'll serve the indigent and poor mountain people of the area with free medical, dental, eye- and wound care as well as counseling and spiritual care. We will have preventive care lectures and seminars, clinics and evangelistic meetings to introduce them to the most important relationship in the world.

We will also be lending a hand in the completion of a new hangar building and missionary housing as well as give continued support for the completion of the Adams and Malingey Churches. Please support us with your prayers.

Can we do it? Together WE CAN!

2011-08-27T19:44:00.000-04:00

In July after we had said good bye to all those who had come on the mission trip and climbed Mt Kenya, Kamunge and I headed back down to the Mara to visit some possible areas that we had been asked to provide clinics at in October. One of those location pulled on my heart strings......

Because of the little primary school being out in the middle of nowhere we were told that there would be someone meeting us at the Ololamutiek Gate (the gate on the south eastern part of the Maasai Mara National Reserve). We had traveled through the park from the northern side and so a little break was welcomed at the gate while we waited for the person who would take us to the primary school. It was not long before they arrived and after introductions and greetings we were off!

The main road leaving the gate is dirt, but is for the most part well maintained. After going around a few corners and over a little bridge we headed off the main road to the right and down a little trail that looked more like a cow path then an actual road. It wound like a snake around bushes and down into creeks filled with water and rocks. At times we had to wait for the cows with all their tinkling bells to move to the side so we could keep going. Our 4x4 vehicle came in handy several times as we drove along. There were no road signs, no Taco Bell to stop at, no billboards, or mile markers ~ just the tracks of the vehicle that had gone before us and the scrub type bushes all around that every now and again opened up into little savannas. We drove down a steep embankment into the now dry Sand River and came up the other side, then around a few more bends in the little road. The hills covered with lush green forests jutted up around us, as the clouds turned a golden yellow in the light blue sky, and the sun slowly drifted down over the horizon. Then out of nowhere there appeared a little school in the middle of a large field of green grass~ Olpalagilagi Primary School!

It had been built with a dark brown outer coating on the walls to give it a more "Maasai" look, instead of the usual grey block cement/rock walls that most other buildings have in Kenya. It touched my heart to see that even out in the middle of nowhere there was still a desire to keep some of the Maasai tradition and culture a live and part of the children's education. I fell in love with the little building and the community immediately ~ there was something about it that seemed to touch my heart in a very special way. We knew without a doubt that this would be a perfect location to provide medical and dental care at in October and possibly on a long term basis.

Olapalagilagi Primary School has 3 classrooms and a tree that works as the 4th classroom. 160 students share 15 desks and sit in those classrooms each day. There is no water supply, no teacher housing, no proper storage place for food or a kitchen, and no fence to keep the children safe while they are playing outside, or the building safe from thieves when no one is there.

The area is home to 300+ families, although while standing at the school you can look all directions and see no human life at all. Statistics show that 1 in 52 children in the area attend school and 1 out of every 7 students is a girl.

*The new classroom would cost around $8000

*Each desk will be $100. (The desk frames are made of metal and the seat and table top is made from blocks of wood, 4 students can sit at one desk ~ these desks are built to last!)

Global Village Ministries heads back to Kenya the beginning of October and our goal is to come up with $10,000 or more in the next month! I know you are probably thinking that is a "nice" dream, but it can never happen in that short of time ~ I believe it can though, but I need your help!

Someone has offered to match each $100's that is donated for a desk, so that means for each desk donation eight children will be able to sit and write comfortably while in school.

I would like to encourage you to step out in faith and make a difference for the Olapalagilagi Primary School. You can never go wrong when you help provide an education for a child. Your donation will make a difference that will last a lifetime for that child, and he or she will grow up and make a difference for their own families and communities that will also last a lifetime.

Join Global Village Ministries and together we can make a difference ~ one child at a time! Please contact me if you would like to donate for this project. (letmeshine4him@yahoo.com)

Thank you for making a dream come true!

kim

*Donations are tax-deductible

*Primary School is the same as Elementary School in the USA

My Tribute to those who......

2011-08-18T13:38:00.000-04:00

To those who…

prayed…

love us enough to let us go to

Kenya

…

were willing to share your family member…

financially sacrificed…

collected blankets, sheets, toys and school supplies….

gave of their possessions…

Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

To those who…

kept peace…

left a part of their heart in Maasailand…

gave worships…

reached out to touch and hold the sick….

blessed a child…

ventured out of their comfort zone…

provided Vacation Bible School to 800+ children...

gave of their time…

squished themselves in the vehicle for hours…

were willing to try new foods…

counted pills for hours…

heard “the call” and met the challenge…

sacrificed their pay check…

bounced from one seat to another as we traveled…

knew there were snakes and spiders and still came…

willingly took cold showers….

helped push the the vehicle out when we were stuck…

put up with snoring each night…

opened their hearts and bank accounts to sponsor a child …

Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

To…

Global Village Ministries...

those who are coming again on the next trip…

those who are planning to come for the first time…

those that will once again give of what they have…

Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

And last, but not least, to my…

children, and my husband…

Savior who puts the passion in my heart…

I love you and thank you from the bottom of my heart!

Kim DeWitt

Mission Trip Coordinator

50 Days..... but who's counting!

2011-08-13T12:17:00.000-04:00

It's so hard to believe how fast time flies! It seems like so much time, effort and anticipation was consumed by July and it just went by so fast!

I have been back in the United States now for just a week and am finally adjusting to the time change. Just before I left for Kenya we had moved into a different house and hardly had time to get moved, let alone settled in before leaving for Kenya. During this past week we traveled to northern Michigan for meetings and came back on Wednesday. The last couple of days we have been painting the house. I don't feel settled in till the pictures are hung the wall and each thing in the house is in it's personal spot, so things have been BUSY around here.

There are only 50 days till I board that plane again and head back to Kenya! Not that I am counting or anything! lol In that time I need to get my own three kids in school, plus put together everything for our October trip and make sure that 35 some people are ready to go! Right now we have a great group coming along with us. They range in age from 23 months (YES you read that right!) to 80 years old! They are from British Columbia~Canada, Ontario~Canada, Utah, Oregon, Michigan, Tennessee, Shrivanham ~ England, Sutton~England, Florida, Arkansas, Seoul ~Korea, California, Colorado, Indiana, Maryland, and Quebec~Canada! Now that's covering a lot of different areas!

We will be providing care at 5 different clinics on this trip. All of them will be in Maasailand and for the most part be somewhat remote, although not quite as remote as the ones in July. Global Village Ministries is blessed to have a huge dental crew going with us. Six dentists are coming, so we will be providing restorative and extractions, plus cleaning. The medical part has 6 physicians, 1 nurse practitioner, and 5 RNs!

Following this trip we are offering two options! One is to climb Mt Kilimanjaro which is the highest freestanding mountain in the world and the other is a more relaxing trip to Taita Hills to spend a night at Sarova Salt Lick Game Lodge and then on down to the coast for a few days of sun, sand and water on the edge of the Indian Ocean.

We still have room for more and it is not too late to join us! If you are willing to step out of your comfort zone and make a difference for those who really need you then contact me as soon as possible. It does not matter your age, or where you come from, all we need are people who have a willing heart and want to make a difference for those who are less fortunate. I promise you that coming on this trip will change you life and you will go away leaving a part of your heart in Kenya!

Pray about it, see what God impresses upon your heart. He might just lead you to Kenya!!

Kenya July 2011 Mission Trip

2011-08-09T11:54:00.000-04:00

SUMMIT

2011-08-03T15:25:00.000-04:00

2 am came way to early! Sleep had not gone well for most and it was freezing cold! In the darkness we could hear the knock at the door and the light of the flashlight darted across the room. It was time to get up and ready ourselves for the hike to the summit!

Ken had struggled most of the night and Kamunge had given me a scare. Sleep had not come easy for either of them, but Kamunge had struggled with breathing and dizziness and at one point during the night I had thought we might have to take him off the mountain. I knew I could not leave Ken and Kamunge alone and so slipped out of my sleeping bag and headed out to help those who would be making the final hike to the summit. With headlights on they found their warm clothes, packed the few things they would need in their daypacks and sipped on hot chai (tea). My heart was heavy as I stood outside of Mackinders ~ the sky was filled with stars and you could see the three peaks of Mt. Kenya jutting out of the darkness. It was as if I could hear the mountain calling my name and my heart longed to follow the others into the darkness as they began their final ascent.

Back inside I crawled into my sleeping bag, as I waited for sleep to come I imagined myself walking the trail with Leah, Josue, Madelynn and Eric. I could envision each twist and turn, and it was if I was there with them. Sleep finally came to those of us still at Mackinders and before long the sun was shining in the little window between our bunk beds. We got up and headed out to the eating area where you could see the peaks. Each of us sat watching for any sign of those who had summited. It seemed like hours till they came around the corner. I hurried out to meet them! I was so excited for each of them and we had a great group hug! They had made it and I was proud of each of them.

Back inside we packed up our back packs and settled down for breakfast, before heading back down the mountain to MET Station. The hike seemed endless and we walked it in two different groups. Kamunge, Ken and I lead in the first group. We kept up at a good pace and for the first time we made it off the mountain without a single rain storm!

Once we were all back at MET Station we decided that instead of spending the night there and leaving Sabbath morning for the East Central Africa Division Guesthouse that we would just go a head and head back right now. Stopping at the gate for a group picture and then on to Nairobi ~ everyone was anxious for a warm clean bed and a hot shower!

Sabbath was a quiet day, everyone slept in and just enjoyed a day of rest! The sun shone warm and their was a light breeze all day. In the evening we loaded the group up and headed to the airport. It was a quiet evening for me. Everyone was gone, but I knew each of them had taken a part of Africa with them. I pray their lives will be changed and they will forever be impacted by what they saw and did while here in the country I love!

May they always desire to reflect our Creator and be willing to reach out and make a difference for those who need them.

MET Station to Mackinders

2011-07-31T02:42:00.000-04:00

The sun was just coming up and it was time to get up! We packed up our back packs, prepared our day packs and then sat down to breakfast - hot cereal (which most did not like - lol), fruit, pancakes and hot drinks! Once our stomachs were full we put on our day packs and we were off!

We left MET Station around 7am and the sun was just peaking over the mountain. It was cold and one could almost see your breath. The first part of the hike takes you up a winding road that has been cemented. The rain forest surrounds you, with moss hanging from the trees, flowers of various shades trying to be noticed through the intense growth around them. Monkeys played in the bamboo forest and ate the sweet shoots. Buffalo had been in the area and left some wonderfully large pies on the road. The birds sang their praises as we walked a long. After several hills and corners the cement road ends and you start on a very narrow, trail up to the vertical bog. It was wet and muddy, and small trickles of water came down the path in areas.

It was not long before several were breathing hard and needing to take frequent rests. The elevation was getting to most of them. Up through the vertical bog we hiked, on under the Giant Heather Bushes and up into the moorlands. Marianne (who is 79 years old) felt it was time for her to turn back. Mentally she felt good, and physically, but her legs were un-willing to go any further. We found her porter and said good-bye as she headed back down to MET Station for the night. There were others that were struggling and I knew it would not be long before they would join Marianne. She had done good and I was proud of her for what she had accomplished.

Soon two others opted to head back down to MET's Station - the elevation was already taking a toll on many and we were not even half way to MacKinders yet. We were now 7 instead of 10 and we stopped briefly at Picnic Rock for lunch - it is the half way mark. Up over a few more ridges and we could see the three peaks riseing up into the sky. We followed the trail along the Teleki Valley and on down into the valley, over the stream that is feed from the ice glacier and along somewhat flat land to Mackinders where we would spend the night. We were tired and hungry, and glad to reach our destination for the night.

The mountain ahead of us was amazing! The sun came out and we sat our on the rocks taking pictures and soaking it all in. Tonite we would get up at 2am to start for the summit. Some had already decided they were not going to go any further, but everyone's spirits were high.

"Chai" time was followed up by supper which was spaghetti, and other goodies. With content stomachs we headed to bed. It was COLD and sleep did not come easy. Madelynn and Ken were not feeling good and Kamunge joined them. It was going to be a long night for all - even though the actual hours for possible sleep were not many. I stayed up most of the night listening to some breathing patterns, giving out medicines and worry there might be a hike down the mountain in the middle of the night.

Stay tuned as we continue up to the summit!

The MT KENYA climb BEGINS!

2011-07-30T07:48:00.000-04:00

Tuesday was spent in Nairobi shopping and eating lunch, then back to the East Central Africa Division Guesthouses to finish packing up, have supper and head to the airport. Eight of the group were staying to venture up Mt. Kenya, and the rest would fly back to the US arriving back home on Wednesday morning or afternoon.

Good byes were said, and the truck pulled out leaving the 8 Mt Kenya hikers waving goodbye to those heading back to the US. While I took the group to the airport those climbing the mountain sorted and packed their backpacks preparing for the adventure of a lifetime! Wednesday we have to be up by 4:45am for breakfast and to load the cruiser.

It was a late night for me! After doing the airport drop off in the large truck we had to head to Gametrackers workshop and switch over to the landcruiser and a trailer for the rest of the time.

Wednesday came way to soon. With only a couple of hours of sleep I headed up to the guesthouses to pick up those that would be climbing the mountain. We loaded everything up and headed out a bit late.... so traffic through Nairobi was bad! We slowly went through Nairobi and then headed north up through the pineapple plantations and over the rivers that team with catfish and other goodies that are sold by the side of the road. We stopped briefly at a little curio store to use the bathrooms and then were back on our way. The mountain was covered in clouds and so the group had no visual of what they were up against.

At the Mt Kenya Guide and Porters Association we picked up back packs for those that needed them and paid for porters and our cooks then headed up to the Mt Kenya National Park Gate (Naro Moro). The roads were a little wet so we opted to pay our entrance fee, use the bathrooms and then hurry up to MET station before anymore rain came. Our goal was to get the landcruiser to MET's without getting stuck. No one wanted to walk the 9k from the gate.

We arrived safe at MET's and everyone claimed a bunk and settled in. The rain came down good for a little while then it cleared up and I took everyone for a little hike up to the vertical bog and back. It helps people know what to expect and what to not carry on their backs for the big climb tomorrow. When we got back it was "chai" time and we enjoyed hot drinks. As the sun went down it got cold and we all enjoyed a 3 course meal (I hired cooks for the trip - and they were great) We started off with hot vegetable soup, then had sukuma wiki (greens), roasted potatoes, pineapples, avocado, rice and a vegetable gravy. It was yummy and HOT which felt good!

Most slept well.... all though they were anxious for what tomorrow would bring!

Some Much Needed R&R at Sarova Mara Game Lodge

2011-07-27T10:40:00.000-04:00

Sunday morning after breakfast we packed up camp and attempted to drive to Sarova..... but the road was wet and muddy and after a few slides here and there we found ourselves stuck in the muck! We off loaded everyone and then we pushed, and we pushed, and we pulled and we pulled and we cheered and finally we got out. Then on down the road we traveled, only to slide into the ditch again and this time we stayed until a tractor from Governers Camp came and pulled us out. We probably spent about 2+ hours in the mud and most of us had mud on us too by the time we were done!

Finally we seemed to get to rocky sandy soil and were able to travel with out too much difficulty on to Sarova Mara Game Lodge. Once there those that had mud all over them hosed themselves off and we went on into the reception area and were given clean white moist wash clothes with the scent of eucalyptus oil to wash our hands and face with, and a glass of fresh cold passion fruit juice. Some headed to their rooms while others had massages scheduled. All enjoyed a fantastic buffet and then lots of R&R in the afternoon.

Sarova Mara Game Lodge is one of the most hospitable lodges I have ever stayed at. Everyone is so friendly and it is a great place to just relax and enjoy the hospitality that only Kenya can offer. After supper we went back to our tents to find the bed covers pulled back, night lights on, mosquito nets drawn and hot water bottles under the covers. We were all ready for a good nights sleep.

Monday we ate breakfast and then loaded up and headed back to the East Central African Division Guesthouses for the night. Tomorrow will be a final packing day and we will spend a few hours in Nairobi shopping. Those that are staying to climb Mt Kenya will get their back packs ready to go for an early morning departure on Wednesday.

Amazing Wildlife

2011-07-26T00:31:00.000-04:00

Sabbath morning we all got to sleep in and enjoyed a late breakfast! It was the first day of the entire trip that we actually were able to sleep in and it felt good! While the pancakes were being flipped on the stove the group gathered for morning worship.

Following worship and breakfast we packed up all our personal things and the kitchen supplies and headed out on a wild adventure for the next 24 hours. We spent most of the day driving slowing through the reservation taking pictures of the amazing wildlife and the wildebeest migration. The Mara River had had a crossing (when the wildebeest cross from one side to the other) recently and it had been estimated that over 2000 of them had been killed either by drowning, being stampeded or by crocodiles. Their bodies lay bloated in sections of the water and the smell seemed to make the air feel thick and heavy. Crocodiles lay on the banks of the river, unable to move from gorging themselves on the wildebeests. Hippos sunned themselves on the edges of the river and vultures feasted on the bloated wildebeest bodies.

About 4pm we arrived at our campsite - a new one for the group on the edge of the Mara River. Nervously everyone ventured off the truck and unloaded the tents and mattresses. We were totally in the wild now. No bathrooms, no fences, nothing but the pure Maasai Mara all around us. Animals could be seen in every direction and some of those close enough paused to watch us set up camp. We enjoyed an early supper and then sat by the fire for worship. The nights sounds filled the air. As we sat sharing for worship around the fire, Ken spoke in a calm yet slightly anxious voice " a snake just went over my feet!" The whole group seemed to pick their feet up in unison. I jumped up with my flashlight light and headed to where Ken was seated, the snake had moved behind the group into the wood pile. It was a gorgeous red necked spitting cobra! My goal was to help it get safely out of camp on its way to eat some mice and rats out of the camp area. Those with glasses followed me (cobras spit and can very accurately spit their venom in your eyes from quite a distance) I kept my flashlight on it and asked some in the group if they could get me a stick to help me guide the cobra out of camp. First the snake went by Rose and Margaret's tent, then checked out Kamunge's tent, then under my tent awning, looked in the screen door (it was zipped up) and then I helped him move on out into the wooded area. Of course we had to keep him around for a little while for pictures to be taken. I used the stick to hold him back and then got him to hood up for those taking pictures. It was great, and the cobra looked fantastic. He would hood up, hiss and then spit his venom at the stick, sprinkling my feet (I was in flip flops) with little droplets of venom).

The cobra had no interest in us, all he was wanting to do was move on to a safe area and feast on little rodents. After all the pictures were taken we bid him farewell and he moved on into the night. We all went back to our stools by the fire and finished off worship. I was the happiest person there! Snakes are one of my favorite creatures and I love sharing with others things about snakes and the importance of not killing them.

That night it rained off and on and we had elephants and buffalo visit the campsite. The night sounds were amazing and the glow of the fire danced on the walls of our tents. God had blessed us so much during the this trip. We had given to others and yet received much more ourselves! God is good!

What a blessing it is to be out in nature and see the creation that our Creator created!

Nkoilale Clinic and Sekenani Clinic

2011-07-24T00:15:00.002-04:00

Thursday is here and we are heading to the little town called Nkoilale, but first we will take a couple of hours and enjoy the wildlife around us. Hot air balloons are filling the sky and you can hear the ones just above us as they lift off into the sky.

There is a family of cheetahs looking for breakfast. Mom with her 7 children who are now teenagers are on the lookout for something tasty. A family of lions is lounging in the bushes after feasting on a wildebeest during the night. The little ones are beating each other up and playing king of the bush as they climb up and knock each other out. A mother elephant gently leads her little one along beside her, as the little ones trunk swings back and forth. A black maned lion lies in some short green grass, taking his morning snooze, while the zebra stand in the near distance keeping a watchful eye. They sky is big and blue and the breeze is cool even though the sun is warming our faces. We are blessed to be able to be here in Kenya!

Clinic was slow today so we decided that Friday we would move to another location where there would be more needs. We packed up early Thursday from clinic and decided to enjoy a little more R&R and some more wildlife. Friday we headed out to our new location - which definitely proved to be a little busier. We saw 405 patients today!

Back home at camp Friday evening we enjoyed worship by the fire and then headed to bed. Tomorrow we take the day and enjoy it watching the wildlife and camping in the bush by the Mara River. I can't wait to share my favorite place with the group! They are not so sure they will love it as much as I do, but give them some time..... they will change their minds.

Thank you for keeping us in your prayers. We have treated IN our clinics almost 1500, and that number did not include that 2500 students that we gave parasite medicines too. We have been blessed beyond measure this trip!

Maasai Mara National Reserve

2011-07-23T15:27:00.000-04:00

Today we headed out for the Maasai Mara National Reserve! It was a short day of travel which was nice for a change. The roads were rough, but time past relatively quickly and before long we had reached the little town of Siana where we stopped briefly to visit a old Maasai lady that is like a grandma to me! I had sugar, shortening and tea for her, and while she talked with me the group had a chance to look inside her home and take pictures. Then she laid her hands on my head and gave me a wonderful Maasai blessing. I always look forward to seeing her and fear that one of these trips she will no longer be alive for me to stop by and visit.

Within in an hour of entering the park we had seen a leopard lounging in a tree and two rhinos in the bushes. Those are probably two of the hardest animals in the reserve to spot so the entire group felt very blessed to have seen them so soon. We spent a little while on the way to camp viewing other wildlife and then pulled up to our camp for the evening. The hot showers were ready and everyone moved into their cabins.

Over all it was a relaxing day - and yet we were all ready for bed early. After worship by the fire most head to their cabins to enjoy a good nights sleep. Tomorrow will be another day of clinic, but this time we will be in Nkoilale for the day.

The rain is pouring down and one can hardly think because of the noise of the rain drops hitting the tin roofs. Good night world! Sleep tight! Tomorrow awaits us!

Last Day in Olorte

2011-07-21T13:45:00.001-04:00

Tuesday we were back at Hennie and Becca's place for another day of clinic. The sun was out and we could not have asked for better weather. We decided to walk from the camp to the clinic site and Kamunge brought a few of the ones in the truck who preferred not to walk.

The entire day went relatively smooth, and we came across a couple of patients that we have added to our surgery list for the surgeons who will be coming to Narok in March 2012. A couple of the parents of girls that are sponsored through Global Village Ministries Maasai Education Fund came to visit us and brought me Maasai necklaces that they had made by hand. I was honored to accept them and appreciated seeing the parents so very thankful for our help. Altogether was saw about 400 patients today.

Following clinic we rode the truck back to camp and once again enjoyed some late afternoon R&R. Most went swimming in the river again, while some of the rest of us took hot showers and started packing up the truck for the next mornings travels.

After supper and worship by the fire, I had a surprise for the group.... Maasai warriors appeared out the darkness with their spears and sang, danced and jumped for the group. It was awesome! Then they sat around the fire and we served them chai (tea) while the group asked them questions and they in turn questioned the group back. It was a very educational evening for everyone!

The moon was shinning bright and the stars were twinkling above. Another day of giving care at the clinic in Olorte was over and night had come, now sleep was tempting all! Tomorrow we will have to be up early and tents and mattresses will have to be packed up and loaded for the trip to the Maasai Mara National Reserve! Can't wait!

Clinic @ Hennie & Becca's Place

2011-07-19T05:49:00.000-04:00

Monday morning came to soon. It had been a warmer night so it was a little easier crawling out of bed though, which I was very thankful for. (I had taken two hot water bottles to bed with me and they had kept me warm all night) Worship and breakfast passed quickly and the little camp mongoose enjoyed all the grooming he got from the group. Who needs a mongoose family when you have 25 GVM relatives to groom you by the fire each morning.

It was not long before we headed out to our 2nd day of clinic, with just a 20 minutse ride or less. There were not as many people waiting for us, but as we began to treat people the line began to grow and grow. Wound care was kept busy with lots of burns and Marianne worked in optical fitting ladies with reading glasses so that it would make it easier for them to do their bead work.

The day was much slower paced then Sunday which we were all so very thankful for. Around 3:30pm we packed up and, took some time out and enjoyed visiting with the community and taking pictures. Kereto and Silvia who are sponsored through GVM (Maasai Girls Education Fund) spent the last two days with the group. Kereto would like to be a nurse and is hoping to get into a nursing school in January. We put her to work in medical and she got some great experience. Silvia helped in pharmacy one day and then translated for wound care the next. Silvia still needs a sponsors - I am going to write a blog on her though. I fell in love with her the minute I met her and I know you will to! She is one of the sweetest most loving girls I have ever met. If you are looking for a girl that will make a difference - she is the one!

After we got back to camp many headed down to the river to swim. It was a great afternoon, full of rest and relaxation that was much needed! The sun set and the moon was beautiful! We sat by the fire and enjoyed worship and supper. Then off to bed for another nights rest. Tomorrow is our last day in the Olorte area and we are expecting a bigger crowd. I have a surprise for the group Tuesday night.... and they have no idea what it is! Stay tuned for Tuesday's adventures! Then we will be off to the Maasai Mara National Reserve!

Clinic at Mausa

2011-07-19T03:50:00.000-04:00

Sunday morning we were frozen! Felt like the low 40's to me when I woke up. The group had their warmest clothes on and many sat close the fire while eating breakfast. As the sun came up we thawed out and slowly the jackets and hats started to come off.

Today we are heading to Mausa for the entire day! Will do clinic till about 3:30 and then close up for a special ceremony that the community will be putting on to show their appreciation for the solar panel being installed in their primary school.

The road to Mausa was an amazing road! lol We bumped, jumped, danced, flew, cried, laughed, and hugged each other all the way there. It was about a 45 minute drive from the campsite. The community was waiting for us when we got there and we moved our supplies into the 3 classrooms they had for us, and dental set up under the large fig tree in the center of the school property. It was a busy day and it took a little while for everyone to settle into their routines and figure out how the clinics are run ~ but it was a great day.

At 3:30 we shut down the clinic and while they were setting up for the ceremony we enjoyed a lively game of volley ball which our team narrowly one (I think..... lol) The score keeper was quite official, and kept our scores on the bottom of his show.... which was made from a tire.

Ken Acker helped to wire the solar panel on top of the tin roof of the school, while the rest of us and a the entire community of Maasai and surrounding communities enjoyed several dances and speeches. Norbert gave a great speech and we were all thanked publicly by them giving us their hand made beaded necklaces and bracelets. It was quite an honor and I think the entire group enjoyed it. After the ceremony was over we ate supper in the school, and then it was not long till the sun set behind the hills and and darkness came. The school children and the community returned to the area and the students assembled themselves in the dark at their desks. There were 6 light switches to turn on, so six of the Walking with Maasai leaders stood at the switches and the students counted down from 10 to 1 and as they said ONE the switches were turned on and lights came on in the classrooms. It was great fun! The students cheered and the community peered in the windows.

As we drove back in the dark to the campsite we were tired, dirty and worn out, but our hearts were content ~ we felt a difference had been made in the community. Education would thrive and the children of the community would benefit, making the entire community a better place. Thanks so much for all of you who donated for the solar panel. I wish you could have all been here to be a part of it. Also a very special thank you to the Walking with Maasai organization! We are so very blessed to be able to work with you - you are the life line for the Maasai people in this area!

Road to Olorte

2011-07-18T06:17:00.000-04:00

After a good nights sleep and breakfast we packed our sack lunches and headed out towards Olorte, turning on a little dirt road out into the bush to visit the school and church that GVM is going to help with in Narosura. The road was certainly not in the best of conditions and at times we just made our own road. After a couple of hours of bumping along we found the church and were able to visit with some of the church members and Harrison our Adult Literacy Teacher/Lay Pastor.

The school is partially built - having 8 classrooms and 2 offices. It still needs doors, windows and everything that would go inside a classroom or office. I am so excited about the possibilities and am really looking forward to seeing what donors can do to help make this reality of an elementary school come true. The goal is to get the funds to finish up the school in time for the new school year beginning January 2012.

Then we were back on the road to Olorte! As we drove up the narrow road of the mountain we needed to travel over, we came across a snake that had been killed by the side. We got out and I picked it up to get a better look at it. The cobra was approximately 6 ft 4 inches or thereabout. It was one of the largest I had seen. Everyone had a great time holding it and having their pictures taken before we jumped on board again and continued our bumpy ride to our camp for the night.

We arrived mid afternoon at camp, had a brief orientation and then set up camp. We got lots of help from the camp mongoose who nibbled on everyone's hands and toes (actually was like a puppy with very sharp teeth). Then some headed down to the river for some R&R while others enjoyed just sitting and reading a book after bumping along in the truck for so many hours.

As the sun set we enjoyed supper and worship by the fire and then we headed off to bed. The stars were out and the air was chilly. We were all ready for a good nights sleep.

God had protected us over the bumpy roads and through some very remote areas and we feel blessed! Tomorrow we will travel about 20k to Mausa for a full day of clinic and solar panel fun with Walking with Maasai (by the way, if you have not checked out the Walking with Maasai Organization you really should! They are AWESOME!)

Visit to Osiligi Lentito Emaa Rescue Centre

2011-07-15T23:22:00.002-04:00

Friday morning everyone had breakfast at the East Central African Division and then they packed up their personal things, headed down to Maxwell Adventist Academy and sorted all the luggage, then re-loaded it onto the truck. While we waited for Ed to arrive from the airport we had worship and a little time to "get-to-know" each other.

While we packed ort sack lunches Ed arrived and joined the group, then we were off traveling the winding road to Narok. We stopped briefly on the escarpment of the Great Rift Valley and everyone got out did a little shopping, used the bathrooms and enjoyed the view into the Rift from the edge of the escarpment. Then back into the truck and on down into the valley, traveling around Mt. Longonot and Mt Suswa, then up the other side of the escarpment, over some hills and on into the town of Narok.

We were ahead of schedule and so everyone enjoyed a couple of hours of R&R, and then we had orientation out in the sun by the pool. Around 5:30pm we went out to the Rescue Center that Global Village Ministries has 7 girls that they sponsor with their Maasai Girls Education Fund and we were able to spend some time with them. The group asked the lots of questions and in turn the girls asked things about us. They told their stories of why they were at the Rescue Center and what they would like be someday if they were able to finish their education.

Just as it was getting dark the truck arrived with bunk beds, mattresses and blankets! They were so excited and thankful. We unloaded everything and set it up in their room. They didnt care that the paint was still wet on some of the bunks! Then we handed out sheets to them that we had brought from the US. The matron was in tears and just kept saying "Thank you Jesus". We ended our time with them with a prayer and then said our goodbyes. I think everyone really enjoyed the evening.

Back at Seasons Hotel we had supper and then everyone was off to bed. Today we travel several hours deep into the heart of Maasailand. We will stop briefly for Sabbath worship along the way. By late afternoon we should be to Olorte. Keep in mind phone reception and internet will be very limited if any - so if you dont hear from us till Wednesday just know that all is well. Tomorrow (Sunday) we will be putting in the Solar panel and I am really looking forward to that. Till then my friends..... thank you for keeping us all in your prayers.

Stay traveling with us via the blog!

Crazy Busy!

2011-07-13T17:55:00.000-04:00

The big day is almost here! Actually it is already here, cause it is 12:35am (Thursday morning) and here I sit writing the blog! The last couple of days have been crazy busy! I arrived here Monday night and actually got through customs and out the door of the airport in record time for me, which was amazing! Somehow I always seem to be the last person out, but this time everything worked out good!

Tuesday my cooks and I headed into town to do some shopping and pay some bills, then around 2pm I headed down to one of the largest Maasai towns - Narok. When we got there we checked up on the bunk beds that are being made and then Kamunge dropped me of at the Rescue Center and he headed back into town to check out the best shop to purchase mattresses for the Rescue Center. While he was out shopping I enjoyed some quality time with the all the girls at the center, the ones that are sponsored through GVM and also the others. I brought with me gifts for them from those of you that help to sponsor them and then a friend had bought the girls shirts, toothpaste, tooth brushes, and other goodies, so those were all given to them and they clapped with joy each time I pulled something out of the bags for them. It was great fun. It was not long before the sun set and we lit a little kerosene lantern and the girls pulled their chairs around me. We talked about their lives! They shared with me their stories of how their fathers had prepared the ceremony to circumcise them (Female Genital Mutilation) and in the night they had run away and made it to the Rescue Center. They shared things that had been hidden deep within their hearts for months. I could have stayed there all night with them.

I told them how the whole group would be back on Friday night to visit them! They are SOOOOO excited and have NO idea that they will be getting 8 bunk beds, mattresses and blankets! I cannot wait to pull up and see their faces when we open the truck door!

Back at the hotel I took care of some work before trying to get some sleep for the night. At 2am my phone rang and that was the end of any sleep for the night! I was wide awake, so got a couple of things done and watched the news, before falling back asleep for about 45 minutes at 6:30am. Breakfast was at 7:30am and then we were back in Narok visiting some American friends that live there, and then I stopped at the Narok District Hospital to make arrangements for a team of surgeons that will be coming March 5-9. They showed me through the operating rooms and I was able to take pictures for the group that will be coming so they will have a better idea of things. It was such a blessing. Then around noon we headed back to Nairobi. The vehicle seemed to fly over the roads as we traveled down into the Great Rift Valley and back up the escarpment, on down into Nairobi. Got a little more shopping done and then headed out to the airport to pick up Josue and Deborah who were flying in from Zurich. (Please keep Angela in your prayers, she was supposed to be flying with them, but is have some serious back pain and was able to to come) Then about 3 hours later Eric and Scott arrived from Amsterdam.

It is late now and everyone is tucked away in their guest rooms for the night. I spent the evening packing and baking muffins and now it's probably time for me to tuck myself in and see if I can get some sleep for the night. Tomorrow(actually today -lol) will be a busy day, finishing up some of the final things in town and then picking everyone else up in the evening. Can't wait to share Kenya with everyone!
kim

It's time for our July Mission Trip! CAN"T BELIEVE IT!

2011-07-10T08:06:00.000-04:00

Today will be a busy day, I am up in Grayling, Michigan and will be heading back to home in an hour or so. (Grayling is about 3 hours from home) It seems like time has flown by so fast and I can't believe I am heading out to Kenya once again.

This July we have 25 people participating ~ they come from North Dakota, Georgia, Mississippi, Maine, New Jersey, Indiana, Oregon, Nebraska, Texas, Kansas, Oklahoma, Kenya, and Michigan ~ I think that is the largest representation of states that we have ever had! We range in age from 15 through 79 years old and consist of physicians, dentists, nurses, students, retired teachers, 2nd grade teachers, contractors, and more. The group will be spending most of our time working with the "Walking with Maasai" organization in the Olorte area of Maasailand, which is probably one of the most remote areas there are. We will be putting in a solar panel at the Mausa Primary School during one of our clinics and staying till dark to be a part of the community when they see "lights" for the very first time! We will be staying at a fantastic eco-camp where the bathrooms are just a little area in the bush surrounded by a wall of sticks and the toilet seats are made from elephant jaws. We can spend the early evening swimming in the river by the camp, there are buffalo, elephant, and leopard that pass through camp as they please and the stars at night are amazing.

Our July trip is by far the most remote of all the trips we do, and it is one of my favorite. The land and the people are untouched by the western ways of the rest of the world and you will come away having your heart touched in a very special way.

Ten of the group will be staying for five extra days after the mission trip is over to climb Mt. Kenya with me. All eyes will be on Marianne (she is 79 years old) as she climbs to 16,500 ft and summits with us on Friday morning.

But it is time to stop writing and pack up to head back home from Grayling. I will have just enough time to put the finishing touches on my luggage at home, spend a little time with my family and then head out to the airport to catch my flight this evening at 7pm.

Please keep our group in your prayers, and join me via the blog as we bump down the dusty roads in the bush and reach out to reflect our Maker to everyone we come in contact with.

kim

Sabbath Relaxation

2011-07-09T09:07:00.001-04:00

It's hard to believe that 3 months have already passed since I was last in Kenya and in about 24 hours I will be flying out of Detroit heading back to the land that I love so much.

In the past three months our family has been to graduations, added a second church to my husbands district, spent two weeks at Camp Meeting, traveled here and there in Michigan, and moved to a new house! I feel like I have been running a marathon at full speed!

Am so thankful that today is Sabbath and everything around me slows down and I can enjoy a day of peace and relaxation ~ even though my husband says that relaxation is not part of my vocabulary or world!! If you have never experienced the Sabbath day then you need to look into it, cause it is truly a blessing. It's a day that you can put all the work aside and just enjoy God's creation! This is my last Sabbath for the month of July in the US, and I am looking forward to spending the next 3 of them in Kenya with friends and being up close with some awesome wildlife. The last Sabbath in July I will be on Mt. Kenya ~ tired, but none the less soaking in each moment.

I am going to spend sometime birding as I travel up to Grayling this afternoon. Looking forward to getting out of the city and seeing the green of summer, cool refreshing creeks and rivers, muskrats, deer and I would love to see a porcupine! Wherever you are today ~ take some time to enjoy the Sabbath, soak in the peace that it has to offer you and then join me tomorrow as I once again fly the friendly skies back to Africa!

Donations enable new Lab Facility at Mwashuma

2011-07-08T22:09:00.000-04:00

Sarova Taita Hills Game Lodge Manager, Mr Willie Mwadilo (far right) presents a cheque for 235,000/- (Kenyan Shillings) from Global Village Ministries to the Mwashuma Health Centre team for putting up a Laborotary within the clinic.

Global Village Ministries had originally raised the money to help with the water, drainage and electrical systems, but the local community rallied and was able to raise the needed funds for that, so the monies we raised will now go to put in a lab facility so they will be able to do their own testing. It will be a huge benefit to the community. We are so thankful for Sarova Hotels leadership in the communities around Kenya. Rose and Willie were such a blessing to us while we were in Taita and Global Village Ministries is looking forward to once again serving the community this coming March and enjoying two nights at the Sarova Salt Lick Game Lodge!

Can't wait! Join us in March of 2012 ~ you can help make a difference!

This Is My Story ~Jane Kereto Shuma

2011-06-14T13:43:00.000-04:00

Kereto’s Story.....

I am 18 years old and am the first born in our family. The village I was born in is Olorte, which is part of Loita Division in Maasailand, Kenya. I was blessed to be able to attend Olorte Primary (Elementary) School and then go to Loita High School where I finished up my 4^th year.

I was aware that my father had made a deal to give me to a certain man much older than me when I finished high school, and on knowing that I decided alone in my heart that I cannot agree to be married without completing college. The day that I finished high school I found a motor bike with a driver waiting outside our house to take me the man’s house. My father told me this was the end of my education and that he had already accepted the cows from the man I was to marry.

I cried bitterly as they took me to my husband’s house and after sometime that night I ran away and found my way to the Catholic Mission in Entasekera. Early in the morning I boarded a matatu (taxi-van) and rode for many hours in it to the Narok Children’s Office and reported what had happened to me. The pastor from our home town was there and took me to the Rescue Center in Narok.

I dream of going to college and hope to become a nurse someday. I would like to be able to go back to my village and make a difference for other young girls there. I cannot change my past, but I have the ability to change my future and enable other young girls to have opportunities that I did not have.

(If you are interested in helping Kereto's dream come true please contact Kim at Global Village Ministries or via email; letmeshine4him@yahoo.com)

Another Prayer is ANSWERED

2011-06-09T10:58:00.001-04:00

Pastor Sampero emailed me and shared with me how Setoon had been accepted to a school near the Rescue Center and we needed to pay the fees for her to start. I put off answering him back because I just didn't feel we had the funds to start her right now.

Yesterday I decided I needed to write him back and tell him we just couldn't do it at this point. As I was writing the email to him a notice came up that I had gotten a new email. I stopped writing and read the new email. It was a direct answer to my prayer. The email said "I am sending a check, I wish I could have sent more. Let me know her name and I will put together a package for her to send to you to take her." Needless to say I deleted the email that I was writing to Pastor Sampero! That check will pay for her schooling for an entire year!

God has a special plan for each of these girls lives. I am so very blessed to be a part of this ministry.

My story

I was born in 1997 in Olorte location, Loita Division at Esampu Village near the Naimina Enkiyo Forest (The Forest of the Lost Child) and am 14 years old. I attended Olorte Primary School until I finished 8^th grade. I had been attending a Catholic Church in the area and knew that I did not want to be circumcised.

My father has passed away and I have five sisters and three brothers, and only three of the nine children are in school. My oldest brother is the one who is responsible for all of us. He decided that since I had finished 8^th grade it was time for me to be circumcised and married. I had a good relationship with my mother and she promised me she would keep me safe from my older brother.

My brother planned the ceremony for the circumcision, and found a husband for me. I heard about the plans and shared them with my mother. We decided to run away during the night to find Pastor Sampero and he took me to the Rescue Center in Narok.

I am now starting school and am so excited. Thank you for supporting me and enabling my dream to come true.

Interested in a mission trip to Cagayan Valley in NW Luzon Island?

2011-06-09T10:14:00.000-04:00

Dates: Aug 31st - September 11, 2011

Cost: $700 plus ticket

Plan: Medical/dental clinics for the mountain people near Cagayan Valley in NW Luzon Island, construction of airplane hangar and missionary housing, preventive health teaching and spiritual out-reach

Area: Renown for its friendly people and beautiful rice terraces

Please join us and if you are interested contact me at: nschwer@att.net

ZAWADI~OCTOBER 2011 (Still being worked on)

2011-05-31T19:40:00.002-04:00

Open publication - Free publishing - More africa

"If Everyone gives ONE Thread the Poor Man will have a Shirt"

2011-05-26T17:27:00.004-04:00

There are only 33 days left now till I will be heading back to Kenya! For some reason I am looking forward to this trip more then any other trip I have been on. I think it is because we have a couple of extra projects that we are doing in July ~ and those projects are something I am really passionate about.

As many of you know one of the things that I am most passionate about is bringing an end to Female Genital Mutilation and early childhood marriages. This is something that takes time, and progress is slow. I believe with my whole heart that education is the only answer to ending it, and that means educating both the young and the old.

Home-made and razoor blade used to
circumcise 6 young Maasai girls.

It is estimated that 70,000 girls worldwide are forced into early childhood marriage DAILY and 6000 young girls worldwide endure female genital mutilation DAILY! It is also estimated that 97% of the Maasai in Kenya are illiterate. The numbers seem insurmountable and one can be left with a feeling of hopelessness, but God does not ask us to solve the worlds problems all at once. He only asks us to make a difference with what we can, and that might mean for me ~ providing a safe refuge for 7 young girls in Maasiland, maybe it is bringing a medical/dental group to a small community and teaching them the importance of health and nutrition, maybe it is just being willing to leave my family and the comforts of my home to travel a long ways away to share God's love with others.

Rescue Center where we will be
delivery the bunk beds.

This July we have some great projects that we are working on, and because time is flying by I wanted to share them with you in case you would like to be a part of them. We have 7 young Maasai girls that are sponsored through Global Village Ministries. They live in a rescue center in Narok and are in desperate need of beds. Right now they have only 2 beds that 14 of them sleep in, so we are raising funds to purchase 8 brand new bunk beds for them, mattresses, and bedding. We will be delivering them in July with the medical/dental group. The girls have no idea idea that they are going to get beds (even the care takers don't know). I cannot wait to to show up on July 15th at 5pm with the mission group and open up the the door of the delivery truck! The girls are going to be SO excited! They will each be able to sleep in their own bed, with their own blankets. If you would like to help with this project it is $125 per bunk bed, and we could use all the donation possible. The $125 will include 2 mattresses and bedding.

Another project that we are doing is putting in a solar panel in Mausa - I would encourage you to look back in the blog for the story about the solar panel. I think it is titled "Bringing Light to the Remotest Village in Maasiland". That project costs about $1800, but when we first posted it we were hoping it would be a little cheaper ~ things add up and so it will be around $1800 or more to get that solar panel purchased and put in. We will be doing clinic in Mausa the day it is installed and will stay till dark and be there when the lights come on. We are expecting a couple of thousand Maasai to be there to celebrate with us!These will be the first ever lights in Mausa. It will be a huge boost to their education program at the primary school there. We are so thankful for the work that "Walking with Maasai" is doing in the communities in Olorte area. I just think it is so awesome and puts us one step closer to ending female genital mutilation and early childhood marriage in their community.

We will be providing two clinics in Nkoilale at their primary school and when we visited there this past March we noticed that the play ground equipment in front of the nursery classrooms needed some serious help. So our hope is to have some welding done before we get there and then paint the equipment with some bright colors. Should look great by the time we are done and the kids will love it!

And I am so exited about this new project...... Global Village Ministries has decided to sponsor a Maasai Adult Literacy Teacher. He will give an entire community the opportunity to learn how to read ~ and they won't be charge anything. Remember what I said about the importance of educating the young and the old? This opportunity is a huge step towards making a difference for the girls in the community where he will be teaching the adults how to read, plus he will be able to provide spiritual care for the community too. Adventist World Radio has sent me what they call a "Godpod" it is about the size of a cell phone and does not take batteries or electricity to run - it has a built in solar charger. On it is the entire Bible in the KiMaa language! Global Village Ministries will be purchasing 25 Bibles in KiMaa and his students will be able to listen to the little radio in their own language and be able to read along! I am just so excited! If you are interested in helping to sponsor Adult Literacy Teachers please let us know.

And then last but not least is a new project that we are looking into being a part of. There is 5 hectors of land that has been donated (a little over 12 acres) to the church. On it there has already been built 8 classrooms, 2 offices and toilets are being built, plus there is a semi permanent church built. The buildings still need to be plastered, and windows and doors need to be purchased and put in. The plan is to have it ready by January to open the first Seventh-day Adventist Maasai School in the area. I cannot tell you how needed this is!! It will be huge for the Maasai people and will be such a blessing to so many young girls. The goal is to raise enough money to build a couple of dorms and provide desk and other necessary items for the school. I will be visiting this school when I go in July and can't wait to see what doors the Lord is going to open. I am not worried a single bit about the funds, cause I know God will supply them. I can already picture all the little children with smiles on their faces, wearing their bright little uniforms, sitting at their desk getting the kind of care, love and education that they so deserve! It will be a dream come true for so many young Maasai girls that could be facing female genital mutilation and marriage next year. When I look at my own children and picture them having their own children at the tender age of 12 years old, I can only thank the Lord for the opportunity He has given us, and without a doubt I know I have to do my all to ensure that other little girls have that same opportunity.

There is a saying that goes like this ~
"If everyone gives one thread the poor man will have a shirt"

How true it is, if we all gave what we could, I believe that we would see female genital mutilation and early childhood marriage comes to an end.

It's just a thread.... why not give and together we can give that little girl a shirt....

kim

Please keep our young Maasai girls in your prayers.....

2011-05-23T20:15:00.002-04:00

Please keep the 7 young Maasai girls that are sponsored through GVM in your prayers. Their world has been turned upside down so many times, and now once again everything has changed for them!

They are living at a Rescue Center in Narok and this past week the pastor who takes care of them passed away. His wife is still there with them, but this experience has once again turned their lives upside down.

Kamunge (our Kenyan Administrator) traveled down to be at the burial and give them our support. We are all unsure of the plans for the Rescue Center from here on out. Before GVM was involved the Pastor and his wife were the main supporters of the center and provided everything for all the girls that live there. Now with the pastor gone they will have possibly have to look for another couple to come in a take care of the girls. I know the girls have been very worried that they might be sent back home and once again face Female Genital Mutilation and early childhood marriage. I am so thankful that at least the 7 girls that are sponsored through GVM will be taken care of one way or another.

Tonite Kamunge showed up at the Rescue Center and surprised them. When they saw him they knew instantly that they had not been forgotten and that they would be safe. He wrote me and said, "The girls were so excited to see me, I was glad it was dark when I arrived so they could not see my tears." Tomorrow Kamunge will spend the day with them for the burial.

Please keep each of the girls in your prayers as we help them adjust to yet another major change in their young lives. I can't wait to see them all in July.

kim

Happy Birthday Norbert!

2011-05-13T12:56:00.001-04:00

Just wanted to wish you a very Happy Birthday from all of us! You have made a difference for so many people and given of your time and talents in so very many ways. Thank you for reflecting Christ to me!
~Kim DeWitt

I wanted to wish you a happy and safe birthday and a reminder to be careful of lanterns and propane, wait, you are safe, I'm not there to set everything on fire. Be well and keep up the good work
~Andrew Heney

Happy Birthday Norbert!!!! Hope that you are having a great trip. Wish I were there with you, so I could enjoy the scenery and the company! Hope you have a memorable day. ;-)
~Abbey Wolfe

Happy Birthday Norbert....You are the antithesis of what I thought you'd be! And that my friend is meant to be a compliment!....Your energy and sense of humor kept us all laughing and on our toes. Your passion for the children was clearly beyond anything that I had ever imagined. You're both a pragmatist and a dreamer....Thank you so much for all that you give to your fellow man............Happy Birthday
~ Debbie McMahon

Happy Birthday Dr. Norbert! I hope that your day of celebration is as wonderful as you are! Blessings,
~April Bradshaw

Happy Birthday... :D Hope to join you in March!
~Jared White

It was you Norbert, and Dr. Marten who suggested I become a nurse and supported me throughout the process as they cared for my father. Therefor I like to imagine that every time I am of service to a patient, some of the grace is returned to both of you.
Thanks, Norbert!
~Nancy Taylor

Hey there Dr. Schwer, hope you have a wonderful blessed day! Happy Birthday!!!
~Lindsey Tabolt

"Kind words are not enough to describe your being. You have touched and blessed the lives of so many people by your ministry, including me and I thank you for that. May God continually bless you with good health and more birthdays to come, so you can do more things for Him.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY NORBERT! Have a great one in Zambia."
~Gigi

Our family has been blessed to have served with you on several mission trips and we want to wish you a wonderful birthday, where ever you are.

~Cherie Knecht

Just thinking of you on your birthday. You may be away from family on your birthday - but you get to celebrate doing something that also has your heart! May God richly bless you and what you are doing.
~Lyndel Dickerson

Hey, Norbert Happy Birthday! I have this crazy cat that is a nuisance...........
~Ken Acker

Norbert. Happy birthday. May you have many more. SNORE NO!!
~Jim Uckele.

I wish you a Happy Birthday, I really appreciate all the work you and Kim do to make our trips great. I was at Jim Hippler's birthday and saw his hand, it had improved as you know. Have a great day. May God keep you in His Care and in His Plan and give you a great year to come.
~ Ray Mayor

Happy Happy Birthday to Norbert from the Wallaces!! Blessings to you in the coming year, we are so glad you were born!!
~Wes, Beth, Ben & Will Wallace

Austin and I are praying that the day of your birth will be one of celebration and thanksgiving. Thank you again for the privilege of working alongside you in Kenya. God's blessings from that trip linger. It is our prayer that God will bless your work in Zambia and strengthen you and your desire to serve Him in the year ahead. Happy Birthday! Happy Happy Birthday!
~Cynthia Velting-Kidder and Austin

Happy birthday! We would ride across Africa with you in a van any time.
~Karl & Anita Piekarek

Hi Dear, I hope you are having a good trip and that they do something fun and crazy for your birthday- although not a cake like we got in Ethiopia. See you soon. Love you,
~ Chris Schwer

Please wish Norbert a very happy birthday for M.E. and Me. We can't wait for our next adventure with him.
~Travis and M.E. Pierce

GVM Arrives in Zambia

2011-05-07T17:26:00.000-04:00

Email from Dr. Norbert Schwer

We made it to camp safely yesterday evening (Friday) and are enjoying a beautiful Sabbath morning with our friends here in northern Zambia. We had good connections and flights, but two of our suitcases were lost, then arrived the next morning only to be kept back for 'duty' which we will have to sort out yet. So thanks for your prayers.
All is well and Happy Mothers Day to you!

*Continue to remember them in your prayers. We will keep you posted as we get updates from Norbert and the rest of the GVM team that is in Zambia.
kim

GVM heads to Zambia (May 4 -16)

2011-05-02T09:04:00.000-04:00

There are four from the US (David, Gini, and Marge ~ all nurses, and Norbert MD). They are planning to fly to Lusaka via Nairobi and hopefully clear all the medicines through customs that evening (please pray) then the next day they will tour the new property which Global Village Ministries helped purchase for the new clinic to be built on. The container with the Bibles that GVM sent should be there too which they are really excited to have on hand.

The hope is to build a new clinic ($220,000) run by our local health professionals, who would donate their time to earn money to make the ministry totally self-sufficient in a couple more years.

Norbert and the nurses will join about 30 other health professionals and Evangelists/Bible-workers in Butwa about 2 hours north of Lusaka, the capital of Zambia, where there is already an evangelistic series in progress. The group will offer free medical and dental care as well as counseling, HIV teaching and testing and numerous other services. Medicine, toys, school supplies, clothing and Bibles as well as other Christian literature will be given out.

Please pray for traveling mercies and that all our their luggage will arrive with them. We will keep you updated as the group travels and works in Zambia over the next couple of weeks.

Thanks for all your support and prayers!

In Memory of Naomi Eliana Claire Novak

2011-04-26T16:48:00.002-04:00

Open publication - Free publishing - More baby

Bringing LIGHT to the Remotest Village in Maasailand - MAUSA

2011-04-17T08:51:00.000-04:00

Less than 10 years ago – there were very few children who went to school in Olorte – which is considered the remotest Maasai Community in Kenya. Education was seen by the Maasai – only for the weak in the tribe. The strong became warriors whose job was/is to look after the cattle and protect the clans.

Within the last few years the view on education has dramatically changed and there are now approximately 1,300 children in school in the Olorte area. The Maasai now know that the modern world is fast creeping up on them and in order to survive in it they will need an education. Mausa town is the remotest town in the Olorte area ~ therefore we can assume they remotest school in Maasailand. Four years ago, the town of Mausa was attacked by a neighbouring tribe (Sonjo) from Tanzania, and during this incident the only school (Mausa Primary) was burned down. The town has managed to get the school built again and there are currently about 400 children attending. This coming July, Global Village Ministries Medical/Dental team will be traveling to Olorte and spending 4 days providing care for as many Maasai as possible in the area. We will be spending our first Sunday in Mausa and will be doing the clinic at their primary (elementary) school.

Following a typical school day the students leave their classrooms and head home to help the family with the chores, which could be watering the herds, milking the goats and cows, fetching water or collecting sticks for the fire and they each hope to get a little time in for studying or doing homework. The sun sets pretty much the same time every night in in Kenya - between 6:45 and 7pm. If you have never been to Kenya or to an area where there is no light pollution you don't realize how dark the night can really be! Mausa has area has NEVER seen electricity!

The Walking with Maasai organization has shared with us the need to provide Mausa with a solar system in two of the classrooms which would transform this community by giving the children a place to return after dark to get extra help with their school work and to be able to just simply do their homework.
Besides the benefit of being able to study and provide extra help for students that are struggling academically, the people from Mausa have no way to communicate with the outside world. For example if there is a medical emergency a person would have to run 3-4 hours to the nearest clinic in Tiamanangien – run by Walking with Maasai. Now mind you, I am not talking about "running" in the car, I am talking about running on your two feet!! If we can provide them with a solar system, then the Walking with Maasai can put in place a HF Radio System that will make emergencies much easier & quicker to deal with – hence saving more lives, plus improve security in that remote area.

It would be a dream come true for a very needy community with far reaching benefits that would not only encourage the opportunities that come with education, but also save lives. It is Global Village Ministries' dream to be able to purchase those solar systems within the next couple of months and transport them from Nairobi out to Mausa where we would be able to install them at the primary school on July 17th, 2011 ~ bringing light to a very special community.

Please pray about it and if if you can contribute to this dream please do so as soon as possible ~ July is just around the corner and it will take considerable time to get the solar system from Nairobi to Mausa. Global Village Ministries' dream is to raise $1700. Can you help make it a reality?

Write a check to Global Village Ministries and mail it to:

Global Village Ministries
8783 S. Bluffview
Berrien Springs MI 49103

Put note with it saying "Solar Panel - Mausa". (All donations are tax deductible in the US)

You are INVITED! July 2011

2011-04-16T18:10:00.000-04:00

It's that time again!!! Time to invite you to join us on our July trip to Kenya!!

July is probably one of my favorite trips ~ the March trip is more "luxury" (hotels, cottages, electricity, better roads etc), but July is straight into the bushes! Dirt roads, tents, no electricity, animals, rivers to swim and bathe in, camp fires, amazing night sounds, and just plan remote - without all the western influence! You gotta love it!

You will leave your home on Wednesday July 13th and fly out over the Atlantic Ocean, most likely landing in Amsterdam, Netherlands for a few hours before boarding your last flight on KLM (Royal Dutch Airline) and flying about 8 hours over the Alps, Italy, Egypt, Sudan, and on into Kenya. Arriving at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi around 8:00 pm on July 14th.

Thursday night we will spend at the East Central African Division Guesthouses, where you will have electricity and hot water (hopefully) and be able to fall asleep in a nice comfortable bed. Friday morning during breakfast we will have worship and an orientation time before we sort and repack our luggage for the trip. Now there is some good news! You won't appreciate this good news as much if you have not been on a trip with us before, but GVM is making up a list of primary medicines that we will be using on all clinics, which means we are going to downsize pharmacy in a huge way! Instead of having a huge variety of medicines to choose from we will have a smaller list with the main medicines that we need. This will save so much time, and making loading and unloading so much easier!

After we are all packed up we'll head out to the Maasai town of Narok about 3-4 hours drive. On the way we will travel down into the Great Rift Valley stopping on the edge of the escarpment for pictures and a bathroom break, then on down into the rift, around Mt Longonot and up the other side of the Rift. Up and down some hills and then before you know it we will be at the Seasons Hotel in Narok.

We will briefly unload, freshen up and then head to the Osiligi Rescue Center where GVM has seven girls that benefit from our Educational Fund. The girls that stay here are at risk of female genital mutilation and early childhood marriage. Our goal is to be able to deliver 8 bunk beds with mattresses and bedding to the rescue center. It will be so much fun and the girls will be so excited.

Saturday (July 16) we will travel to Olorte Division, leaving behind all running water and electricity. The road will quickly turn from pavement to dirt! Along the way we will stop for worship and to eat our sack lunches before continuing on to the little camp in the middle of nowhere where we will be staying for the next 4 nights. It is an eco-friendly camp with a river that winds around the campsite. You will want to be sure to have your swimsuit handy as the river is a great place to cool down and have some fun after clinics are over.

There are plenty of elephant and buffalo in the area, and an occasional lion or leopard might be heard at night. We will be providing three clinics in the area, visiting an adult literacy school and two primary schools while there. Olorte Division is arguably one of the remotest places in Maasailand, you will feel like you are in the middle of a National Geographic movie!!

Wednesday we will head out early to the Maasai Mara National Reserve, stopping briefly before entering the park to visit a Maasail grandma of mine and drop off some sugar and chai (tea) for her. Once in the reserve we will game driving slowly to our camp on the other side of the park. Hopefully seeing some lion and cheetah on our way, plus a variety of herbivores. July is the beginning of the wildebeest migration from the Serengeti plains into the Maasai Mara.

Thursday and Friday we will have morning and evening game drives on our way to and back from clinics. Both of the clinics will be at Nkoilale Primary School which has about 700 students. On the final Saturday that we are there you will have an opportunity for an early morning game drive or can opt to stay in camp and sleep in. Following brunch and worship we'll load up all of our personal things and head out to the Mara River - spending the day game driving and then setting up camp at Crocodile Camp on the edges of the Mara River.

It will be an unforgettable night - the sounds will amaze you, with hippos grunting, lions calling, baboons quarreling and hyenas laughing. In the morning we will head to Sarova Mara Game Camp for a well deserved 24 hours of relaxation! The meals are all buffet with endless options, you can book a massage, or just enjoy some rest and relaxation by the pool. Monday we head back to Nairobi, spending the night once again at the East Central African Division Guesthouse. Tuesday you will have the opportunity to shop in Nairobi before flying out that night back home.

There will be about 10 of us who will be staying on to spend the next three days climbing Mt Kenya
(16,500 ft).

Did I tempt you? I hope so!!! Contact us if you are interested in making a difference in a very very remote area of Maasailand! You are needed and you will make an impact, and I can promise you that you will leave a part of your heart in Kenya!

kim

KENYA MARCH 2011

2011-04-14T14:51:00.000-04:00

ZAWADI~July 2011

2011-04-14T09:57:00.003-04:00

Open publication - Free publishing - More africa

Let the MILLIONAIRE inside of you OUT!

2011-04-06T12:06:00.000-04:00

I am sitting in my office and there are windows that surround my desk. It's raining and the world is grey around me. Out of the window to my left is an apple tree still closed up tightly from the winter. The birds sit on its branches and crack open the sunflower seeds that they collect from our bird feeder. I can hear their little chirps this morning as they enjoy their snacks and get a free bath in the puddles from the rain.

It's been a week now since I came back from Kenya. I have basically adjusted to the time change, the pace of America, and realize the it's time to get back to work! No more going to bed early or sleeping in late! There is a multitude of things to do, and I am so blessed to actually ENJOY those multitude of things that I have the privilege to do! There are not many people who I come across that love life and love what each day brings them. I am so blessed to be able to put together these mission trips and to be able to travel back and forth to Kenya three times each year!

In the US we have a TV show called " The Secret Millionaire" and I have enjoyed watching a couple episodes of it on my lap top. The basic gist of it is that someone who is very wealthy goes and spends time in an area filled with poverty. The community they are in has no idea that they have any wealth, and the millionaire spends a week getting to know the people and looking for those who make a difference. Then at the end of the week they write out checks to those who are truly making a difference in the community. Some of the episodes have brought tears to my eyes (for some of you who know me well - you know that tears come easy... lol). I have thought to myself, "how cool would it be to be wealthy and to be able to give like that"! What could $250,000 do in a community in Kenya? What about $50,000? What would it be like to be able to give that amount, and if I DID have it, would I want to donate it?

It seems like so much time is taken wishing we had what we don't have instead of focusing on what we DO have! I don't have the financial means to give, but I DO have an open, sensitive heart, I do have my time to give ("time" is so very valuable), and I have a lot of love to give! There is no price tag you can put on those things. No, I am not wealthy from the world's standpoint, but I am certainly wealthy in the blessings that the Lord has given me. I am a millionaire in His eyes, and He has asked me to step out of the box and go and make a difference in a community that needs what I have to offer.

You are a millionaire too! Maybe by the worlds standards or maybe in God's eyes, and just maybe in BOTH! Can you make a difference? Of course you can!! Step up and out of the box you are in and make a difference for those who need what you have to offer.

There are so many opportunities out there, I see them, touch them and listen to them each time I am in Kenya. When you hold a burned baby, touch a young mother who is dying of cancer, give a bottle of clean water to a child that has only drunk water from the same stagnant pond that the cows and goats drink from and urinate around. When you offer a half eaten apple to a child and he grabs it from your hand and runs to eat it in privacy so a bigger kid won't take it from him. When you hand a brand new soccer ball to a child and see his face light up like a christmas tree, or give a simple ink pen to a student and hear a soft, but sincere "thank you". When you give a young Maasai girl an opportunity to escape female genital mutilation and early childhood marriage and send her to school instead, or when you come across a father who realizes the value of education because he lost his father when he was young and was not able to finish school and you can offer his children an educational fund that will ensure there schooling ~ now that is priceless!
Those are just a few of the opportunities that are out there!

Let the millionaire inside of you out! Make a difference, one child at a time! Contact me if you want to connect with some of the opportunities that GVM is involved in. It's life changing!
kim

Updated July 2011 Schedule for GVM's Mission Trip to Kenya

2011-03-31T17:01:00.000-04:00

We would love to have you join us!

July 13 - Leave for Kenya
July 14 - Arrive in Kenya in the evening
* Lodging: East Central Africa Division Guesthouse
July 15 - Leave for Narok / Visit the Rescue Center and Maasai girls that GVM provides an Educational Fund for.
*We hope to present the Center with 8 bunkbeds, mattresses and bedding.
*Lodging: Seasons Hotel, Narok
July 16 - Travel to Olorte Division with worship and lunch along the way
*Lodging: Olkoroi Wilderness Camp, Olorte
July 17 - Clinic in Mausa area
*Lodging: Olkoroi Wilderness Camp, Olorte
July 18 - Clinic in Olorte area
*Lodging: Olkoroi Wilderness Camp, Olorte
July 19 - Clinic in Olorte area
*Lodging: Olkoroi Wilderness Camp, Olorte
July 20 - Travel to Maasai Mara National Reserve
*Optional afternoon game drive in reserve
*Lodging: Gametrackers Camp, Talek
July 21 - Clinic at Nkoilale Primary School
*Morning and evening game drives in the Maasai Mara National Reserve
*Lodging: Gametrackers Camp, Talek
July 22 - Clinic at Nkoilale Primary School
*Morning and evening game drives in the Maasai Mara National Reserve
*Lodging: Gametrackers Camp, Talek
July 23 - Spend the day in the Reserve / Picnic lunch
*Lodging: Camp by Mara River in the Reserve
July 24 - Spend day at Sarova Mara Game Lodge
www.sarovahotels.com/maracamp
*Lodging: Sarova Mara Game Lodge
July 25 - Travel back to Nairobi
*Lodging: East Central Africa Division Guesthouse
July 26 - Shop in Nairobi, pack and leave for the airport in the evening

*This is the season for the great wildebeest migration in the Maasai Mara National Reserve. The wildlife will be amazing.

************************************

For those that are interested there will be the opportunity to stay in Kenya for a few extra days (July 27-30) and climb Mt. Kenya. Those who would like to stay and just have some R&R are welcome to stay and not climb. All will travel to Naro Moru River Lodge - those that are climbing will leave the R&R group at Naro Moru River Lodge and head up the mountain July 27, and rejoin those at the lodge on Friday afternoon July 29th. All would fly out July 30th at night. (Please note this is an added cost)

***********************************

Keep in mind that little things could change - not dates, but locations could be adjusted. We already have a number of people who have turned in applications for the July trip - so I would encourage you to contact us as soon as possible if you are interested in participating. Global Village Ministries offers lots of other opportunities for mission trips to other parts of the world too - and I would encourage you to check out those opportunities on our web site http://www.globalvillageministries.org/ If you are on facebook I would love for you to add me as a friend. I have lots of pictures and info under EVENTS.

We thank you for your support of GVM and ask you to continue praying for us as we minister to people around the world. It is a great blessing to serve others and I would encourage you to participate if you can! Your life will be changed!

Blessings to each of you -

kim

Did We Make a DIFFERENCE?

2011-03-31T15:49:00.000-04:00

It is so hard to believe that the Global Village Ministries March 2011 Mission Trip to Kenya is all over. Where did the time go? It all flew by so quickly!

In the clinics we saw and treated over 1500 people for various things. All getting parasite medicines and vitamins. Vacation Bible School was amazing! I would guess over 1500+ children attended. They all heard the story of creation right through the second coming of Christ. Games were played, soccer balls were given away, stickers, balloons, bubbles, and more entertained the children. You could hear them singing songs throughout the clinic areas! Each of those children got a glimpse of Christ and a seed was planted in their heart. What a privilege and blessing it was to those who got to participate and lead out at each meeting. God also blessed, and we were able to raise the money for the Mwashuma Clinic in Taita Hills to have the water, electricity, drainage and septic system put in. What a blessing that will be for the community.

I will speak for all of us who were able to be on this mission trip and say..... we were far more blessed by the people of Kenya then they were by us! It seems like it is always that way. We go thinking we are going to be a blessing to others, but walk away being blessed beyond measure. You find your heart being open to the people, and the children wiggle their way right into the center of your heart! The memories of the smiles, the waves, the simple "thank you's", the patients being carried on others backs or brought in wheel borrows, all make a huge impression on you.

I want to personally thank each of you who came! It was not easy for you to make the decision. Some of you had no idea where you would come up with the money to be able to come, for others it was stepping so very far out of your comfort zone, many of you were separated from your family's while in Kenya and that was hard on you, but each of you did it and I pray that it was an experience that you will never forget. That your heart will always be open to those who are less fortunate then you and that Kenya will forever occupy a place in your heart.

You have touched my life and so many lives in Kenya! I pray that the Lord will open many doors for you to share you experience with others and may the memories you took with you from Kenya be a part of your life forever.

Thank you for stepping out of your comfort zone, for trusting and believing in missions and making a difference. Join us again on another trip, we would love to have you along!
kim

Final touches on the March 2011 Mission Trip to Kenya

2011-03-29T00:58:00.002-04:00

Sabbath we drove back from Naro Moro via Nyeri, stopping to visit Kamunge's son, then on to his daughter's school to drop off some medicine for her and stopped briefly to meet Joseph's (one of our drivers) wife. Then on into Nairobi and out to the East Central Africa Division Guesthouse for supper. Half the group headed to the airport in the evening and the other half flew out on Sunday evening after spending a few more hours in Nairobi shopping.

Sunday morning found me back on the road to the Maasai Mara National Reserve. We headed out early with a full day of work ahead of us. Our first stop was the Rescue Center in Narok where I got to spend some quality time with 5 of the girls that are sponsored through GVM's Maasai Girls Education Fund. The Rescue Center they live in is run by a Protestant Church with no outside income source. Was very impressed with their desire to make a difference locally on their own.

The room the girls sleep in is also there kitchen and dinning area. 14 girls stay there right now, with two beds and 4 mattress plus about 6 blankets. I felt impressed to work on raising money for them to purchase 8 bunk beds, mattress, blankets and sheets for the center. I have been told a bunk bed and mattress might cost around $125- $150 dollars - so my goal it to raise that money before I return to Kenya in July. The group coming in July will stop by and visit the Rescue Center and it would be GREAT to be able to present the girls with the bunk beds and mattress, blankets etc when we visit them. If you are interested in helping with this please contact me.

The Maasai girls that GVM sponsors are girls that are at risk of female genital mutilation and early childhood marriage. Each of them have a unique story and a great desire to finish their education. We cannot provide the funds for their education without people like you who are willing to make a difference. Thank you to each of you who have donated to this fund - it is life changing.

After spending some time with the girls we were back on the road heading to Sekanani Gate and then on into the Maasai Mara National Reserve to Sarova Mara Lodge to eat lunch with Marcos the clinician there and work on the plans for the July clinics in the area. Once again we are teaming up with Sarova Hotels and will be doing two clinics in Nkoilale. We will be doing the clinic in the primary school in the community and Sarova will be transporting students and their families from the Sekanani School a few kilometers away to the clinic. We talked with the chief from the area, visited the school, and talked with teachers. There are about 700 children at the Nkoilale School and about 900 at the Sekanani Primary School. Am looking forward to some busy days in July at the clinics. We are also planning to re-do the nursery class play ground. We will have to have a welder come in before we arrive and re-do some of play ground, and then during the clinic time we can re-paint the swing sets, slide etc. Should be a lot of fun and I know the children will be so excited.

After we were done there we headed back to Narok for the night and then Monday morning back to Nairobi, stopping briefly at the Kikuyu Eye Hospital to drop off glasses that had been donated. Then on to Maxwell Adventist Academy where we worked hard at cleaning up the supplies that were left from the March 2011 Clinic.

It seemed like an endless day, but a day full of accomplishments! Thanks for all your support and prayers! I am so very fortunuate to be able to do these trips. God is good! He has blessed in countless ways!

Destination Pt. Lenana

2011-03-28T00:08:00.000-04:00

Good morning to all! It is 1:30am and time to rise and shine! The summit of Mt Kenya is calling your name! It was so dark as we felt around for our boots and clothes. Breakfast was eaten by some, but most of us just snacked on little things. We looked like a bunch of one eyed monsters with our head lamps on walking around in the dark.

I stepped outside to go to the little house outside to go to the bathroom and on my way back to the lodge I felt like the world was closing in around me. I sat on the rock close to where I was and put my head down between my legs. Slowly the blackness went away and I felt strong enough to walk back inside. Something was not right, but I had a summit to reach and I so pushed the feeling away. Back inside I still struggled, feeling weak and unsure of my balance.

At 2am we gathered outside, did a final count to make sure we were all there and ready to go up the mountain. The first part of the climb we walk along the edge of a ridge and then cross the bridge to start up the steep scree slope (pea side gravel) I had to sit down, there was nothing left in. Cynthia, Kamunge and Matthew encouraged me, some said they would go back with me, but my greatest desire was for each of them to summit and in my heart I felt if I turned back then others might follow me. Cynthia gave me a Vitamin C Energy Drink which helped a lot and we again turned towards the steep scree slope and begun our climb.

I could tell something was wrong inside of me, but I pushed the feeling aside. We told the rest to go on and Cynthia and I stayed together with two guides. Between her throwing up and me sitting down for rests we were quite the pair! At the top of the scree slope just about an hour from Pt Lenana the summit I laid down on the path, my heart seemed to be swelling and making it difficult for me to get oxygen into my left lung. There was a gurgling sound in my chest and I knew I needed to head back down to a lower altitude. My heart was broken, and tears filled my eyes. Cynthia would go on with her guide and mine took my arm and literally pulled me down the scree slope. With tears flowing down my checks, I slipped and slid down to McKinders, glancing back every now and again at Pt Lenana and saying a prayer that all would make it to the summit!

Back at Mckinders I laid on my bed and fell asleep for a few hours, the sun shone in the window and warmed me up. Soon familiar voices were heard out in the dinning area and I realized our group was arriving back. One by one they came in - tired but excited cause they had made it to the top 3 minutes before sunrise! We got water heated for hot drinks and listened to each others stories. I was so proud of each of them. They told me how on their way down they had passed Cynthia and her guide. She was still determined to reach the summit even though the others were on their way down.

It was about an hour later when she walked around the edge of the ridge and the group ran to meet her. The thumbs up signaled she had summited! It was awesome!!

Packing up our backpacks we headed off the mountain, back down along the river, across the little wooden bridge, up along the ridge and down through the tall grasses. At Picnic Rock it started to hail and rain, so we stood under the great big rock ledge and put on our rain gear, before heading on down into the Giant Heather trees, the now wet and muddy vertical bog and on through the rain forest down into MET Station where the land cruisers were waiting to take us to the Naro Moru River Lodge! We were wet, sore, and tired, but had conquered the mountain once again.

Margaret had made fresh homemade hot burritos for us for supper. We ate our fill, enjoyed hot showers and crashed into warm beds for the night! What a day! What a challenge! What an opportunity we had had! God had blessed and we were all safe!

MET Station to McKinders

2011-03-27T23:34:00.000-04:00

The night was cold and morning came fast. We cooked our breakfasts over our little stoves, closed up our back packs, filled our water bottles and started the climb to McKinders by 6:45am. There was not a cloud in the sky - it was a perfect day for climbing. First we passed through the rain forest with Spanish moss hanging from the trees then up into the vertical bog which was for the most part dry. Passing under and around the Giant Heather Trees and up into the tall grasses above the tree line. The peaks of Mt Kenya jutted out over the ridges we climbed and inspired us to keep going. Stopping briefly here and there for snacks or rests.

Then up over the ridge and down along the side of it into the Taleki Valley. Crossing the river on a small wooden bridge and following the path up over some rocky mounds to the Mckinders Lodge where we would spend the night.

It took about 6 hours of hiking to get there and most were worn out. It felt good to take our boots off and put our feet up. We all stayed in one room on bunk beds, so layed out sleeping bags out and made our suppers before heading to bed.

The night would be short as our climb tomorrow would begin at 2am so wake up was at 1:30am. Sleeping with 12+ people, in a high altitude location is certainly not what I would call a good idea! At least not if you plan to get any actual sleep. LOL

There was those who talked to in their sleep, then there was surround sound snoring! Mt Kenya is definitely not something for those who need the luxuries of their own home!

Mt Kenya is CALLING

2011-03-27T14:23:00.000-04:00

Wednesday morning at 4:30am we loaded up our back packs and supplies for our trip to Mt Kenya. Twelve us were climbing the mountain while the others stayed and enjoyed some R&R at the Naro Moru River Lodge. We stopped briefly on our way up to the town of Naro Moru for a bathroom break and a visit to Helen's (Kamunge's daughter) school to say hi and check her for a rash that she was struggling to get rid of. It was about noon when we arrived at the Naro Moru River Lodge. Those staying moved into the country cabin while the rest of us packed up and organized our back packs for the mountain. At about 1pm the vehicles arrived to take us to MET station. We stopped briefly at the Mt Kenya National Park Gate to purchase our 3 days tickets and get a group picture before winding our way up the dirt road to our first nights cabins at MET Station.

Mid afternoon we took a little hike up almost to the vertical bog and then back down to the cabins for the night. Following supper the camp caretaker made a fire for the ladies in their cabin and everyone crawled in their sleeping bags for the night. We fell asleep to the mountain night sounds

Back to Nairobi

2011-03-27T13:36:00.000-04:00

Sarova Mara Lodge was amazing, and Monday morning came way to soon. Following a great breakfast buffet we loaded up the trucks and headed back along the dusty, bumpy road to Narok, then on the paved road that snaked it's way through the Great Rift Valley and back up the escarpment and on into Ongata Rongai where the East Central Africa Division Guesthouse are located. We unloaded all the medical and dental supplies into the storage area at Maxwell Adventist Academy then headed up to the guesthouses for supper and bed.

Tuesday morning half of the group headed into Nairobi to shop and the rest headed to Sheldricks Elephant Orphanage and the Giraffe Feeding Center for the day. The shoppers bought till there seemed to be nothing left in the little kiosks. Late afternoon we all met back at the Division Guesthouses to pack up the luggage and have supper before all but 19 headed to the airport for their flights back to the US.

My heart was heavy as we drove to the airport..... another mission trip was over. God had blessed, but I knew I would miss everyone and it always saddens me when I have to say goodbye and know it is all over! The trip back to the East Central African Division seemed to take forever.... but I still had lots to do! Tomorrow those of us who were left would head to Naro Moru River Lodge where some would stay and the rest would head up Mt Kenya!

Thanks for joining us on the March 2011 adventure to Kenya. Join us in July as we once again travel back to the country that holds my heart!

Stay tuned for our adventure on the mountain!

Broken Hearts

2011-03-21T17:32:00.000-04:00

Sunday morning came sooner then I expected. My cell phone rang and as I picked it up to answer it I noticed it was a phone number from the United States! It was Karla Wolf's aunt and she shared with me that Karla's mom was on her way to Florida for a vacation with her husband and only made it as far at Georgia. She was in hospital, but was not going to pull through. I quickly put got dressed and headed to Karla and Phils cabin. My heart was heavy.

Karla and Phil called home and Karla's grief came in overwhelming waves. My heart was broken for her and her family. People quickly made their way to the kitchen area where she was and comforted her the best they could. After lots of phone calls they opted to not catch a flight back right away, but instead take it one day at a time and wait for her sister to get to the hospital to give them more information.

About mid morning we packed up the vehicles and headed to Sarova Mara Lodge for 24 hours of relaxation and pampering. Karla and Phil Wolf were looking forward to having some down time and being able to be pampered for a little while. On our way to the lodge we came across a mother cheetah with 4 small cubs. They were amazing and it was like a gift from God, just special for us!

At the Lodge we checked in, ate an awesome lunch and then headed to our rooms (luxury tents). We were able to work it out so that Karla, Phil and the kids could have a nice family tent where they could relax together. Karla was able to have two massages which helped.

Dr Norbert Schwer flew out from the Keekerok Airport to spend a couple of days with his parents in Europe and about half the group opted to go along and do an afternoon game drive. They were blessed to see a rhino on the game drive! Kamunge and I took the two couples back to the Maasai Dental Clinic near Siana Springs Lodge and Kamunge was able to have a tooth taken care of that had been bothering him for over a year. They were able to do xrays and a filling! What a huge blessing!

At supper we celebrated six birthdays. (Howard Ebenhoeh had his 80th, and then Connor, Kayla, Juliana, Alyssa and Daniel's birthdays were also celebrated)

Everyone was excited to find hot water bottles in the beds and the blankets turned back ready for them to crawl in. Sarova is by far the best hotel I have ever stayed at. The Mara Sarova Lodge's hospitality supersedes all! I am always so excited to get there and to see the staff that make Sarova Mara what it is!

Please keep Karla and Phil and their family in your prayers. This is a very tough time for them and they need all the support they can get! Karla's mom was on a respirator, but early this morning passed away. We look forward to the Lord's second coming when Karla and her mom will be reunited and there will be no more sorrow or pain.

Sabbath in the Masai Mara National Reserve

2011-03-21T17:01:00.000-04:00

Sabbath morning arrived bright and early! We crawled out of our warm sleeping bags and quietly made our way to the trucks for a 6am morning game drive. Some opted to stay in the sleeping bags and enjoy a few extra hours of sleep. The rain had made it so we could not go on any of the side roads in the park, so we stuck to the main roads. We rode in the overland trucks on the game drive and Daniel and I took the land cruiser and took the Carol & Gordon Guild, plus Howard Ebenhoeh to Sarova Mara Lodge. Howard had a bad cold and I felt he would do better at the hotel where he would be warmer and be able to take a hot shower when ever he wanted. After getting them settled in, Daniel and I headed over to the Masai Dental Clinic near the Siana Lodge to pick up two couples who we had invited to come camping with us for the night. Once we had picked them up we headed back to catch up with the overland vehicles and then headed back for a pancake breakfast at camp.

Following breakfast Josef Owega shared how his personal testimony of how he came from atheism to being baptized into the Seventh-day Adventist Church just 14 months ago. It was very moving and inspiring.

We then headed out to the Mara River in search of the bigs cats, hippos, crocodiles and a rhino. On the morning game drive one of the overlanders had gotten stuck, so we were being cautious for the afternoon drive, but as cautious as we were one of the overlanders got stuck again. Using the chains to pull it out we drove on to the Mara River. The river was flowing a good rate and the hippos were enjoying the cool water and some were sunning on the edges of the river. The group walked along the river for awhile with an armed guard as a guide, stopping to take pictures of the crocodiles and hippos. Then back in the truck we headed to camp. About 20 minutes from camp one of the overlanders got stuck once again and this time we did all we could to get it out but it would not budge. The rain was coming down hard and so we moved everyone to the other overlander and headed out the park, leaving Joseph the driver with the stuck vehicle. Once back in camp we all ate supper while Kamunge and Daniel headed back to where Joseph was still stuck. They hooked the chain up once again and in a matter of moments had the vehicle out and headed back to the campsite. The rain came down all night and the Talek River swelled. You could hear the water rushing by all night.

God blessed and everyone stayed drive and warm all night long. Even though we had gotten stuck three times we had had a great Sabbath full of adventure and fun! Most headed to bed early and fell asleep quickly. Sunday would come soon and we prayed for sunshine!

Aitong Clinic

2011-03-21T15:45:00.000-04:00

Friday morning everyone was up bright and early for Little Links (vege sausages) and Cinnamon Crumble Cake, along with lots of fresh mangoes, passion fruit, papaya, pineapple, oranges, and sweet melons. Today was our last clinic and it would be in Aitong about a 45 minute drive from our campsite.

Before leaving for clinic though there was an optional game drive for a couple of hours. We came across a pride of lions that were still enjoying there buffalo meal. There we several cubs and about 4 large females. Nearby the males hung out. We enjoyed a large herd of elephants up close and all sorts of herbivores before heading back to camp, and then on to Aitong for clinic.

When we arrived in Aitong there were lots of patients waiting. It took us a little while to get them all organized. The group doing Vacation Bible School drove up the road to a school that had about 900 children attending. All of the students participated in the VBS program!!

Shortly after lunch Kamunge felt that we should close down a little early due to the weather (rain) coming in and the two river beds we would need to cross in order to get back to the campsite. Even though we hurried to close up, the rain still came before we could leave. It was like someone had opened a fire hose on us! Parts of the road washed away - it was a serious downpour. Needless to say we did make it home, but not without getting one of the trucks stuck and using the other one to pull us out. It rained all through supper and then finally quit, giving us some time to sit and enjoy the fire and the sounds of the night before heading off to our cabins and tents for the night.

We had seen a lot of patients, and lives had once again been changed, teeth had been pulled, friendships had been made, and stories and songs shared. God has been so good to us! He has kept us safe, blessed us with so much! Thank you for your prayers! They are making a huge difference. Please consider joining us on our July trip! You can make a difference yourself by coming with us!

Traveling into Maasailand

2011-03-21T15:32:00.000-04:00

We had a fantastic night at the Panafric Hotel in Nairobi. Wonderful rooms, great food, hot showers, soft beds and great hospitality. After breakfast we loaded up the trucks and headed out out of Nairobi up through the highlands and down the escarpment of the Great Rift Valley. We stopped briefly on the escarpment for a bathroom break, a little shopping and to take pictures of the vast Rift Valley. The clouds were thick and low covering Mt Longonot, but it was good to get out and walk around for a little while.

Back in the trucks and on the road again we traveled the long winding road through the Rift and headed up the escarpment on the other side. Before long we were in the town of Narok, where we stopped to go to the bathroom again and refuel the trucks. It was not long after leaving the town of Narok that the roads turned from nice pavement, to potholes, to dirt and rocks. The landscape changed to open savanna and acacia trees and giraffe, gazelles and wildebeests dotted the open savanna.

When we got to the gate of the Maasai Mara National Reserve I went into to take care of tickets while the group enjoyed a few minutes of shopping; the Maasai ladies came to the windows of the trucks with all their goods and did a great job of enticing people to purchase their items. Once we entered the park we slowed the pace down somewhat to see some of the animals before we got to our campsite for the night.

For supper we had hot potato soup and fresh sliced pineapple! It hit the spot! Then a great hot shower and off to bed. They hyenas laughed in the darkness and the moon lit up the entire camping area. We were finally back in Maasailand and the earth seemed at peace!

The Long Journey back to Nairobi

2011-03-17T00:29:00.000-04:00

The weather has been hot and humid at the coast, yet for the most part there has been a nice breeze coming in off the ocean. The clinics at the coast are over and it's time for us to head back to Nairobi, repack our things and travel down through the Great Rift Valley, up the other side and into Narok South District where we will do our final clinic.

The trip back to Nairobi began at 5am Wednesday morning. It was still dark as we crossed the Likoni Ferry on the trucks. We managed to get through Mombasa before the worst of the traffic began. Our journey to Nairobi took us along the Mombasa Road which for the most part is a nice paved road. It starts out from the coast via the industrial section of town, dotted with coconut, mango and cashew trees. There are little shacks that have tons of fresh fruit for sale along the roads as you leave Mombasa. From their to the city of Voi we passed through mostly dry shrub lands. Stopping in Voi for a breakfast break and to drop Rose off the clinician from Sarova Hotels that had joined us at the coast for the clinics. After the milk and granola was put away we loaded back up and then traveled through Tsavo National Park, alongside the railroad made famous by the book called "Man eaters of Tsavo" and the movie "Ghost in the Darkness". The Man eaters of Tsavo is a true story about building the railroad and a pair of male lions that killed many of the workers. One of the lions is on display in a museum in Chicago. Tsavo area has red dirt and is dotted with baobab trees. The area is am mixture of shrubs, acacia trees, mountains, and volcanic rock from Mt Kilimanjaro years ago.

We stopped briefly to use the restrooms and surprised Connor with a cookie from our baker friend in Tecumseh that said "HAPPY BIRTHDAY CONNOR" and I had brought candles along so we stuck one on it and everyone sang. Then there were cookies for ALL!

Around 4pm we were back in Ongata Rongai the town that the East Central African Division is in, and where all of our things had been stored while we were at the coast. The group unpacked and repacked, ate supper up at the East Central Africa Division, bought little Kenyan trinkets from Alice who has a traveling store and then headed to Sarova's Panafric Hotel in Nairobi for the night. The evening took a lot of patience for most in the group as there was a small problem with fueling up the vehicles so we were delayed a couple of hours at the Division office, but things could have been worse, am thankful the delay was not longer. Some would probably disagree with me (lol) but we are on a mission trip and things like that DO happen! It's part of learning to relax and accept the circumstances with a smile!

Sarova Panafric was a welcome site and after all had registered they disappeared to their rooms. I have not seen anyone so far this morning, so am assuming all is well! SMILE

Breakfast is at 8:45 and we plan to be back on the road by 10:30am headed to the Great Rift Valley and on into the Maasai Mara National Reserve. Can't wait! We wont have electricity though the weekend, so don't be surprised if there are no updates on the blog etc. Always remember that no news is good news! The next few days will be spent enjoying amazing wildlife, sitting by the fire in the evening, listening to lions roar and hyneas laughing.

God has blessed in numerous ways and I am so thankful for my warm bed, hot shower and great food! There are many who do not have those simple pleasures. Enjoy your day and continue to remember us in your prayers. Your support is felt in so many ways.

Mkongani & Kwale Clinics

2011-03-14T15:34:00.000-04:00

Sunday morning we headed up over Shimba Hills to the little town of Mkongani. It was about a 45 minute drive from our cottages on the sandy beaches of the Indian Ocean. We got our first rain shower which was refreshing; the weather has been so very hot and humid. Perfect for swimming though!

The clinic at Mkongani started off slow, but the people kept coming and the lines started to grow. It seemed as though we were not going to have any VBS program cause there were no children there. Those involved with VBS program decided to have some fun with a couple of teenagers that were clowning around, before you knew it the teens were hooked and excitedly went out to encourage the children to come and attend. Within five minutes of them recruiting we had a classroom full of little ones and VBS began at our second clinic! You could hear the children singing all over the entire school grounds. It made working in the pharmacy so much more enjoyable!

Wound care did not get any patients so they instead opened a pedicure department! Yes, you heard it right - a PEDICURE area where ladies could come in and get their feet washed, massaged and then toenails done! It was awesome and there was a steady stream of ladies waiting in line. Mkongani is a Muslim community and it was just so cool to see the ladies in their dresses with their heads covered sitting on the benches, while Lisa C and Lisa W sat on the floor and washed their feet. It was awesome to watch!

Following clinic we all headed back to Maweni where most of us enjoyed a late afternoon swim in the Indian Ocean followed up by swimming in the pool. Supper and worship at the main house and then most everyone headed back to their cottages for the night.

Monday half the group had the day off and were able to go scuba diving or just enjoy snorkeling, sand, ocean water or the pool for the day. Those of us who went to clinic had a really busy day. Wound care picked up speed with lots of patients, probably more patients and more serious issues then any other clinic I have ever been too. We had man come via a motorcycle who was limping badly. The docs are pretty sure he has a broken tibia and so tomorrow I have made arrangements to pick him up and take him to Diani Hospital for xrays.

Everyone had an awesome day and there are lots of sunburned people! After a burritos and fruit salad supper, there was a little visiting on the veranda and then everyone headed back to their cottages to get a good night sleep. Tomorrow the other half of the group will be able to have the day off and enjoy the coast.

It's time for me to go to bed. The breeze is blowing in my window and the waves are crashing on the shore, crickets are chirping and bush babies are calling from the trees; all is well! As I let down my mosquito net and pull back the covers, I know in my heart that many prayers are going up for us!
Thank you for those prayers!

The sounds of the Ocean

2011-03-12T16:43:00.001-05:00

Friday evening was fabulous at Sarova Salt Lick Hotel. Everyone seemed to enjoy their time there and several saw the elephants that visited the watering hole during the night. There really is no hotel that I have been to that can match the personal care that Sarova Hotels gives you! They are simply the best!

Sabbath morning we had breakfast bright and early and then Norbert shared some thoughts for Sabbath morning worship up on the open balcony over looking over the salt lick. Then we were off to our first clinic in Mwashuma! When we arrived the students had planned a few special songs and dances for us. So while people enjoyed them I worked on getting the rooms and supplies ready. Lots of people were waiting and we kicked into full gear right away. Wound care was not very busy, so Lisa Willis took advantage of doing some pedicures on several ladies from the community, and washing and cleaning up some older men's feet. Pharmacy had lots to do organizing the medicines and bagging them up for the medical team that was seeing patients. Dental was swamped as usual! VBS was amazing! We had around 400 children in it and you could hear them singing all the way down in pharmacy. Karla and Beth were overwhelmed with emotions and several times the tears flowed. The children touched their hearts in a very amazing way. The kids listened intently and responded well. They shared from creation to the second coming, and Wes played his trumpet for them.

We ended clinic a bit earlier then most as we need to travel on to the coast, but before leaving the Mwashuma Councilman thanked us for our work in their community and gave us each a signed certificate showing their appreciation. Following that we had a traditional dance given my ladies from the Taita community. They had their special outfits on, large African drums and bells on their legs. It was great!! And it did not take long for our ladies to join in. Lots of pictures were taken and videos.... which I am sure will find their way to facebook at some point!!!

The ride to the coast seemed long and hot. The humidity kicked in and you could smell the salt in the air. We drove through Mombasa, passing under the "famous" Tusks that cover the main road, then on to the Likoni Ferry which we drive the vehicles on and ride across to the other side. Then just as it got dark we arrive at Maweni Beach Cottages. Everyone was ready for a swim, so we had worship and then headed to the pool. Rose, Kamunge, Margaret, Joseph and Daniel did an amazing job unloading the trucks and preparing supper for the group. Spaghetti, mixed veges and fresh pineapple, mangoes, passion fruit, sweet melon and papaya were all on the menu!

Sunday we head to Mkongani for a clinic at the primary school there. Should be a great day - hopefully our group will be able to walk on the beach or enjoy a little quiet time tomorrow before breakfast.

Thanks for all your prayers!

*Update on the luggage - it was found and delivered right to us here at Maweni, so tomorrow morning it will be in the truck with us headed to clinic! Praise the Lord.

Come and join us on a trip! We would love to have you along!

Taita Hills - Kenya

2011-03-11T14:35:00.001-05:00

Thursday came and I felt I would never be ready for the group to arrive! My mind felt like it was being pulled in a million different directions trying to get everything done before the bulk of the mission group arrived in the evening. Ready or not the KLM flight landed and we were there to meet them. It was such a blessing to have the airport authorities work with us; allowing the big overland vehicles to park right up against the airport entrance and waving the entire group through customs without any problems.

Everyone made it safely and we only had one piece of luggage missing-which by the way was full of medical things and is still missing! Say a prayer for us that it will show up soon! Back at the guesthouses everyone was soon situated in their rooms, taking hot showers and heading to bed.

Friday morning we took our suitcases to the trucks and headed up to breakfast/orientation/worship. From there we loaded the trucks and went down to Maxwell Adventist Academy to sort our medicines from personal items, repack, and reload the truck before heading to Taita Hills.

The sun was shining and traffic was not too bad. The road to Mombasa was in relatively good shape and the scenery was amazing as usual. They have had rain recently and so the landscape was green. We passed Zebra and Thompson Gazelle on the way, and got a glimpse of the snow covered Mt Kilimanjaro; the highest free standing mountain in the world.

The trip took about 7 hours with one stop on the way for a little shopping and bathroom break. We traveled through Tsavo (the park that is known for the "Man Eaters of Tsavo" and "Ghost in the Darkness"
When we arrived at the gate to the reserve we were given cold wash clothes to wash our faces and hands with and a glass of passion fruit juice. Following registration for rooms we headed into the reserve to our hotel for the night - Sarova Salt Lick Lodge! It is an amazing lodge built up on cement stilts so that animals can walk under you and night. There are flood lights that light up the salt lick and waterholes so that you can view animals drinking during the night.

Supper was fabulous and we surprised Matthew Will & David Mayor with a special birthday song and cakes from Sarova Hotels. After supper everyone headed to their room, with their stomach's content and their bodies tired - it was not long before everyone was sleeping.

Tomorrow we will have breakfast and then a worship on the deck overlooking the waterhole. The General Manager of Sarova will be joining us and Sarova Salt Licks Nurse - Rose! I can't wait! The Sabbath is always a blessing and we will have the opportunity to reflect Christ in so very many ways.

Pray for us as we sleep tonite and wake tomorrow to serve Him in the Taita Hills of Kenya.

Back Home in Kenya Again!

2011-03-08T21:10:00.000-05:00

It's so good to be back in Kenya and not only feel the warmth of the people here, but also the warmth of the sunshine! The flights over on Sunday and Monday were probably two of the best I have ever had. Of course the long hours and having to sleep sitting up were not fun, but the for once I really enjoyed the flight attendants on Delta Airlines. They were friendly and very personable which was so refreshing. Come to find out they used to be flight attendants on Northwest.... which explains a lot.

The Hunter-Owega family (group of 10) coming on the GVM March Trip from Canada traveled with me from Amsterdam on. Jillian Hunter-Owega was raised in Africa with me. Her father was killed in a small airplane that crashed into the side of Ngong Hills when she was just 12 years. Following that her mom moved back to the US. This is Jillian's first time back since she then. She has her whole family and a couple of friends of her children with her!

When we arrived at the East Central African Division Guesthouses it was probably around 10pm and the weather was about 72 F. It felt wonderful and I was so happy to open the windows in my little guesthouse and hear the night sounds once again. Unfortunately sleep did not come that first night. I get started baking or un-packing and can't seem to stop. It was 2:30am before I knew it! When I did finally lay down I had a little mosquito that was enjoying my company way to much, so I put the net down..... but he joined me under the net and I spent about 2 hours battling him, before I decided to just get up and start baking again! Got 5 Cinnamon Crumble Cakes made and about 50 muffins, so the night was not a waste by any means.

Tuesday the sunshine was amazing! The birds were singing and there was a light breeze! I opened the verandah doors and soaked in the warm rays. Jillian and family loaded up and headed out to Kisii area were she and her parents lived years ago. On the way they stopped in Lavington to see the old Union Office and also visited Maxwell Prep School / Nairobi Central Church, before continuing on to Narok for the night.

Back at the Division guesthouses we sorted medicines, shopped in Nairobi and ran some errands. At 9pm last night I enjoyed a nice hot shower then delivered all my goodies to Maxwell Adventist Academy that I had brought for the staff..... and then finally I felt the need for some sleep. I crawled into my nice big bed and in a matter of minutes I was asleep! It was a record night for me.... have NEVER gone to sleep at 9pm and have never slept 6 hours in a row while on mission trips!

It's Wednesday morning and I have been up since 3:20am. Some great quiet time and then back to work! It will be another great day. I have so much to get done though, hope I can squeeze it all in! Tonight I pick up the Phil & Karla Wolf and family, plus Cherie Knecht & Cassidy! Can't wait!

Thanks for all your prayers and love! Looking forward to a fantastic day once again!

kim

Make Me A Servant

2011-03-04T07:40:00.001-05:00

The weekend has arrived and for those going on the Global Village Ministries March 2011 Mission Trip to Kenya - this is their last weekend at home. Eleven of us will be flying out on Sunday, nine more on Tuesday and all of the others on Wednesday.

Please remember each of us in your prayers. We have one goal and that is to be a servant for God! In all that we say and do we want to be humble and kind, representing our Creator in all ways!

Each morning after the worship thought, before the closing prayer we will be singing "Make Me A Servant". Join us wherever you are around the world over the next 3 weeks in singing this prayer song as we humble our hearts and serve others.

Five Days to GO!

2011-03-01T17:47:00.000-05:00

It has been while since I took the time out to get on the blog and write anything. Time has just been going by so fast and there has been so much to do in order to be ready for the trip to Kenya in March.

It seems like just yesterday that I was coming back from Kenya (October) and was thinking to myself how far away March 2011 seemed, but the days have flown by and now my luggage is once again packed and sitting in the living room ready to take out to the car in five days.

We have a BIG group going with us on this trip. They come from Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, New York, Tennessee, South Carolina, California, British Columbia, and Alberta Canada. We range in age from 7 years old to 80, with six birthdays to celebrate while there.

We will travel from Nairobi east through Tsavo National Park to the hills of Taita, from there to the southern coastal region where we will not only provide three clinics, but also enjoy the white sandy beaches and warm Indian Ocean. From the coast we will travel back through Nairobi on into Maasailand in Narok South District for our last clinic in Aitong while spending the next 4-5 days enjoying the amazing Maasai Mara National Reserve with it's incrediable wildlife.

Spending our evenings under a huge umbrella of stars and falling asleep to the grunts of lions and hippos. From the Reserve back to Nairobi where there will be a few fun hours of shopping, and visiting Sheldricks Wildlife Trust/Giraffe Feeding Center in Nairobi before most of the group flies out. Nineteen of the group are staying for an extra 4 days and will be heading up to Naro Moru on the foothills of Mt. Kenya. Some will stay at Naro Moru River Lodge while 14 of us climb Mt. Kenya (16,500 ft)

I have never looked forward to a mission trip more than this one! God has blessed in so many ways! I am so excited to share a country that is home to me with so many people. I know hearts will be touched and lives changed and I just feel so honored to be a part of the process!

Please continue to pray for us as we travel and serve the people of Kenya! Travel with us via the blog if you can't come in person!

kim

October 2011 Mission Trip to Kenya

2011-02-11T09:27:00.001-05:00

Schedule for October 2011

Oct 5 - Leave for Kenya
Oct 6 - Arrive in Kenya in the evening
            * Lodging: East Central Africa Division Guesthouse
Oct 7 - Clinic at Maxwell Adventist Academy
            *Lodging: East Central Africa Division Guesthouse
Oct 8 - Visit the Oloonkurman Church and provide a clinic at the Primary School
    *Lodging: East Central Africa Division Guesthouse
Oct 9 -Visit Sheldricks Wildlife Trust, travel to Narok and visit Olsiligi Rescue Center
            *Lodging: Seasons Hotel
Oct 10 – Clinic in Ololulunga at the Lengina Primary School
             *Lodging: Seasons Hotel
Oct 11 – Travel to Kilgoris
            *Lodging: Camping
Oct 12 – Clinic at the Mutenkaur Primary School
            *Lodging: Camping
Oct 13 – Travel to Maasai Mara National Reserve
            *Game drive in the Reserve
             *Lodging: Gametrackers Camp, Talek
Oct 14 - Clinic at Olpalagilagi Primary School
            *Game drive in the Reserve
             *Lodging: Gametrackers Camp, Talek
Oct 15 - Spend the day in the Reserve / Picnic lunch
            *Lodging: Camp by Mara River in the Reserve
Oct 16 - Spend day at Sarova Mara Game
              *Lodging: Sarova Mara Game Lodge
               www.sarovahotels.com/maracamp
Oct 17 - Travel back to Ongata Rongai
              *Lodging: East Central Africa Division Guesthouse
Oct 18 - Shop in Nairobi, pack and leave for the airport in the evening
Oct 19 – Arrival at back home

This is nearing the end of the season for the great wildebeest migration in the Maasai Mara National Reserve. The wildlife should amazing.

************************************

For those that are interested there will be the opportunity to stay in Kenya for a few extra days (Oct 19-22/23) at the coast in. There is also the option of climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro (Oct 16 –22/23) Please note that both options at the end are additional costs

Final plans for GVM's March Trip to Kenya

2011-02-08T05:45:00.000-05:00

We are adjusting to the time change between the US and Philippines! My brain and body don't always agree with each other when I come back from mission trips, but hopefully in a couple of days my sleeping pattern will be back to normal if there is such a thing as normal.

It is hard to believe February is already here and we are are only about 30 days away from our Kenya Mission Trip! Please continue to pray for us as we make the final arrangements and pull together all the plans for the March trip to Kenya.

There are 55 people that are part of this upcoming trip; coming from Canada, Kenya, California, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, New York, South Carolina and Tennessee. Ranging in age from 7 to 80 years old. They are physicians, dentists, nurses, physical therapists, teachers, farmers, office workers, contractors, retirees, students and more.

One of our goals is to raise enough money to put in electric, water and a septic system into the clinic in Mwashuma (Taita Hills area in southeastern Kenya) plus raise enough money to have a maternity unit built on to the clinic. If you have any resources or know of any organization or person that would be willing to donate for this project please have them contact me as soon as possible. It is tax deductible, but most importantly it will make a huge difference in the community. The total cost is $17,000. Please pray about it and see what doors God will open.

While in Kenya we will provide 5 clinics to a variety of remote communities and travel over 1000 miles in overland vehicles to get to each of them. We will see poverty, sickness, beauty, and wildlife. Lives will change and hearts will be renewed.

Please pray for GVM as we finish preparing for this trip and pray for those coming that their needs will be met and we will be able to raise the money for the Mwashuma Project.

Thank you - none of this would be possible if it were not for you!

Thank you Gigi!

2011-02-06T13:01:00.002-05:00

Few people understand the time and work that go into coordinating mission trips. So I just wanted to take a little time out and let Gigi know how very special she is and how much she is appreciated.

Thank you for your patience & kindness on this trip. It must have been hard to deal with all my flight delays, but you were always so patient. Thanks for making this trip wonderful. -Claudia

I appreciate how you have everything planned. -Andrew Smith

Thank you so much for all you do for all of us to make us comfortable. Thank you for inviting me! I am very grateful to have a sister like you.   -Leger

Wonderful work putting this week on schedule Gigi. Keep working for Jesus! Together in prayer.     -Howard

We appreciate your dedication to God's work, the sacrifices and willingness to go the extra mile and your smile! :)    -Dwayne & Wendy

You are such a loving, caring servant of God. You have an incredible heart for mission work and for all of God's children. You have been like a mother to me here and I have been truly blessed by knowing you. -Katelyn

I appreciate how very loyal, organized, hardworking, kind, and gentle you are. You are a great team player.     -Norbert

You are so devoted to God and His service. I appreciate everything you have done for us. I am glad you are a part of our church family.   -Aaron

I appreciate you because you are always caring! I cannot count how many blessings I've received from you during my mission. You are a God loving woman and a loving mother!
-Justin

You are so very gracious in meeting the unexpected needs. Very conscientious and thorough in your awareness of what needs to be done.    -Curt

You are such a friendly person and so accommodating!   -Marisa

Thank you so much for your kindness and being ever ready to support our needs. -Michelle

You are always see everything through - from the beginning to the end and I appreciate it.
-Eun Hee

You are such a dear friend and I love you very much! Thanks for all you do. -Rainey

You are kind, so caring, always willing and just so nice to have around for company. - Kim Q

You are fun, energetic and full of life! I love your enthusiasm and I can really see Jesus' love in her!    - Heather

You are such a giving and selfless person. You do so much for us and I can see God through you!    -Emily

Thank you Gigi for all you do/did for all of us! You are the life line for these mission trips to the Philippines and we are all blessed and honored to have you as our friend!

You are a reflection of Christ!

The Last Clinic and Weekend in the Philippines

2011-02-04T06:09:00.000-05:00

The sun has set and the Sabbath has begun! We are at AIIAS (Adventist International Institute for Advanced Studies) in a three bedroom guesthouse. It is a wonderful little house with a kitchen counter covered with bananas, mangoes, papayas, and fresh cut pineapples! (Thanks to Trevlynn Oberholster)

Yesterday we finished up our last clinic and then about 2pm headed south to Laong where we shopped for awhile and ate supper before being taken to the airport. The airport was just a tiny little one, but it had the most wonderful thing..... in the back corner of the waiting area they had a group of blind people giving massages. They gave back, foot, hand and head ones while you sat in a chair. It was about $2 for a 20 minute back massage and around $1 for a foot massage. Most of the group opted to have one or several. I had a back and hand one. It felt so good! I think that it is a great idea and am going to suggest it to the blind people in Kenya who live in Nairobi. I spend so much time sitting in that airport and would love to have that option, plus I think they could really make some good money offering those services!

The flight to Manila only took about 45 minutes, we were picked up and taken to AIIAS which was a little over an hours drive. Today we visited the Southern Asia Pacific Division office, the ADRA Philippines office, shopped at the mall, and ate lunch at the Adventist University of the Philippines (AUP). While at AUP we got to spend some time with some Maxwell Adventist Academy kids who my husband and I had not seen for several years. Then we headed back to AIIAS stopping briefly along they way for all of us to stock up on bags of dried mangoes.

Now the sun has set and some are already getting ready for bed, others have gone to vespers and my husband and I have flashlights ready and are heading out in search of some cool spiders and hopefully some brown pythons that live on the campus here! Should be a fun night!!!

Tomorrow we are staying at AIIAS for church and a fellowship dinner and then will have time to enjoy the campus and friends before heading to bed early- with a 3am wake up Sunday morning so we can get to the airport for our 6am flight back to the US!

Thanks for praying for us and for all your support! Next trip is Kenya in about 30 days! Looking forward to it and many more mission trip!

Join us!

Clinic and Construction at Adams / Lay Training in Pagudpud

2011-02-01T06:43:00.000-05:00

It is hard to believe that February is already here! Time just seems to go faster and faster! This morning after worship and breakfast the medical/dental team loaded up the jeepney and headed to Adams to do a community wide clinic. We had been there this past Sabbath for church and had given medical and dental care to the church members, so today the main focus was on giving care to the entire community.

Some of the team that came to Adams today went over to the little SDA church and did some construction work on it during clinic time, while the rest worked at the clinic. There were hardly any men that came to be seen by the physicians, but lots of women and children.

At the end of the clinic we had all the children line up, we took the bags of goodies to the front of the line and as the children filed by Howard Ebenhoeh gave each child a toy or a book.

Then we went down to the elementary school for lunch, following lunch we loaded up the jeepney and headed back to the mission in Pagudpud. While we were doing clinic in Adams, Pastor Curt DeWitt and Andrew were continuing the lay training seminars back that the Pagudpud SDA Church.

This afternoon some enjoyed some quiet time at the mission while others went to Saud Beach to swim. Supper was around 6:30pm and it's now time for the evening meetings to start. Pastor Curt DeWitt will be sharing the second part of his testimony. Please continue to pray for the each of us we strive to reflect Christ in all we do. Only two more days of clinic and lay training are left and we will be headed back to Manila and then on to the US. A special thanks goes out to Gigi (the trip coordinator) who has done a great job in putting everything together for us. She is awesome!

Lay Training at the Pagudpud SDA Church

2011-01-31T07:42:00.000-05:00

This morning the medical/dental team headed out to Malingay and Pastor Curt and Andrew continued the lay training at the Pagudpud SDA Church. I stayed with my husband and Andrew this morning instead of going out to Malingay.

The morning lay training seminar went well. They are going through the "40 Days of Prayer" book and there was some great discussion time. Peoples hearts are being opened and the Holy Spirit is working on each person there. One of the layman shared how they had come the first night and felt for whatever reason they just didn't have the time to come again this morning, but he said when he woke this morning he just felt so strongly that he needed to come back again. He struggled to put the feeling he had into words - saying that it was so strong that he could not resist coming back. Tears filled his eyes as he shared his testimony.

Sometimes when there are not large crowds that show up for seminars or evening meetings there is a tendency to be discouraged or feel like you did not prepare right, but God works in way that we don't always understand or see. He knows who needs to be at the seminars and they come. The Holy Spirit is working and we truly felt it today in the morning meeting. This evening Andrew Smith is speaking. Andrew is a young adult who feels a burden to share, but has never gotten up front and done anything like this before. Pray that the Lord will calm his heart and give him just the right words to share tonite. After all it is really all about God, not about how we look, or how good of a voice we have, it's not about how much we can give or how well we know our Bible - it is simply being willing to stand up and say "Here I am Lord, use me", and that is what Andrew is doing this evening.

Tomorrow the medical/dental group heads out to Adams for a clinic and will visit the Adams Public School to give toys and clothes to the children. The lay training will continue at the Pagudpud SDA Church.
Continue to remember the group in your prayers - pray that we will reflect Christ in all we do!

Clinic /Lay Training in Pagudpud

2011-01-30T07:48:00.000-05:00

Throughout the night we got a lot of rain and the wind was very strong. This morning the wind seemed to be a little calmer, but there were still a few sprinkles throughout the morning hours.

Clinic was here at the mission in Pagudpud and started around 9am. Optical, dental, and pharmacy were provided for all who came. There seemed to be a pretty good turn out.

The lay training seminar also started at 9am and even though many were late getting to it, there was still a good sized group in attendance. Everyone was given the book called "40 Days of Prayer" and God's presence was felt throughout the morning meetings.

After lunch most of the group headed out to Caangrian Falls. It was one of the most beautiful fall I have seen. It was a cooler day so only a few decided to actually swim. On our way back out to the main road the jeepney got stuck in a low part of the road when the back got hung up on a rock. It made me feel good to know that it was not only in Kenya that people got stuck! They had to jack the car up and put rocks under the wheels - then with a good burst of fuel the jeepney slowly pulled forward and up the hill, stopping briefly to let us all back in.

The evening meetings started at 7:30pm and Curt shared his testimony. There were not many in attendance, but God knows each heart and those who needed to be here were here tonite. Continue to pray for the people of this community, that God will touch there hearts and they will become fully committed to Him.

Tomorrow clinic is at Malingay and once again there will be the lay training here at the mission. Then in the afternoon we are off to the Blue Lagoon for some fun in the sun and sand!

Thanks for all you and most of all thanks for keeping each of us in your prayers!

Sabbath in Pagudpud

2011-01-29T07:40:00.000-05:00

It was wonderful to get a good nights sleep! This morning we woke to the sound of many roosters crowing. It was like a full blown rooster chorus! There is not hot water here at the mission so took a cold shower (me and cold showers don't get along very well) and then had a wonderful breakfast. I feasted once again on juicy mangoes! I wish I could tell you that I ate mangoes till my heart and stomach were content, but unfortunately there are other people here that like mangoes and so I must be willing to share....

At 8:00am we boarded our limousine (jeepney) and headed out to the Adams SDA Church - the trip was amazing! The road wound round and round as we climbed up the mountain, then down over the other side and along the turquoise colored ocean. Then a turn to the right and we headed back up the side of the mountain on a dirt road. It was like a rain forest sprinkled here and there with coconut and banana trees. Waterfalls fell from the rocks above and spilled over the road into the river below. It was beautiful! The little dirt road wound around through the mountains and valleys before we came to the little community where the Adams Church was built. The members were already there and song service had begun.

We parked the jeepney and everyone headed into the church. My husband (Pastor Curt DeWitt) gave the sermon while Pastor Marc, the local Filipino pastor translated for him. After church we had a potluck and then started our first clinic here in the Philippines. In a couple of hours we had seen everyone in the community and were headed back to Pagudpud.

This evening we are having a rain storm - with lots of wind. From our bedroom window you can hear it blowing through the palm branches. Supper was delicious and I once again enjoyed a couple of mangoes; they are so juicy! Am so ready to go to sleep, but need to force myself to stay up just a little longer so that I don't wake up at 1am thinking it's time to get up.

Tomorrow we have clinic right here at the mission and my husband and Andrew begin the lay training seminars. It should be a lot of fun! Please keep us in your prayers and we minister to the needs of this community. It is a blessing to be here and be part of Global Village Ministries - I wish each of you could be here with us!

The Sabbath hours have come to Pagudpud

2011-01-28T07:04:00.000-05:00

After what seemed like a very long layover in the Minneapolis/St Paul airport we were on our way again. Around 1pm we boarded our Delta flight and made ourselves as comfortable as possible knowing we had a good 12 1/2hr flight ahead of us! It seemed like it would never end. The sun was about to set when all of the sudden it started back up into the sky - there was not going to be any Thursday night for Eventually we landed in Narita Airport (Tokyo) Japan. We gathered our carry-on luggage and got off the plane, walked through security again and then back on to another plane, once again making ourselves as comfortable as possible for a 5 hour flight to Manila, Philippines. Just before take off the pilot let us know that there was a volcano erupting in southern Japan and that our flight pattern would have to be re-routed just a little bit to avoid the volcano. Instead of making a straight line to Manila we would detour just slightly over Taipei. For the most part the flight was a smooth one and before long we had landed in Manila.

Other than a very long line to wait in for immigration, things went pretty well and our luggage all arrived and customs waived us on through without any problems. Gigi our trip coordinator met us and had everything all planed out! It was great to finally meet her in person.

Once out of the airport we boarded our bus for Pagudpud - another 12-13 hour drive though the night. It was starting to seem like the day that never ended. We had left our house in Detroit at 5am on Wednesday morning and it was now midnight on Thursday evening for us!

On our way through Manila I was surprised how many young children were up and on the streets at 2am. We passed lots of young girls out by themselves, little children who looked about five or six years old playing games next to the road (without any adult near that I could see), and the homeless laying on or in cardboard boxes. It broke my heart!

By the time we arrived in Pagudpud it was about 12:30 pm here in the Philippines which would be around 12:30 am in Michigan. The group was exhausted - well, at least those of us traveling from Michigan were!

We unloaded the bus, moved into our rooms and enjoyed a great lunch! For most of the afternoon we visited, walk to the beach and helped fisherman pull their fishing nets and boats in to shore, plus sorted and organized the medicines. Everyone will be going to bed early tonite! I can hardly keep my eyes open!

Tomorrow we are traveling to a remote church where Curt will be the speaker. Breakfast is at 6:30am so it's time for me to hit the sack! Thanks for all your prayers! God has already blessed us in so many ways and we are all looking forward to a good Friday nights rest!

Happy Sabbath everyone! Continue to pray for us as we serve the people in Pagudpud and the surrounding communities.

We're on our way to the Philippines!

2011-01-26T12:31:00.000-05:00

We were up at 4am this morning putting some last minute things in our luggage, ate some breakfast and headed out the door for the airport! The check in process at the airport went well, there were not many people in the lines yet so that was a huge blessing!

Four of us flew out of Detroit and are now in Minneapolis waiting for our next flight that will take us to Tokyo. It is a 12.5 hr flight with an arrival time in Japan around 6pm tomorrow night. Then on from their to Manila landing around 11pm at night - followed up by a 12 hour bus ride!

I think I will need a nice long nap by the time I get there!

The GVM team is made up of 6 - 7 student missionaries, families from the mission (Rizal and family), Don and Jan Mitzelfelt MD, (the founders of Amianan) Dwayne and Wendy Harris (former GuptilI) from the PAMAS ministry, as well as Michel a local RN, her friend Andrew and his daughter, Mariss our dentist, Gigi our local wonder woman who coordinates the whole trip, plus Andrew Smith, Howard Ebenhoeh, Curt DeWitt and Norbert Schwer from Michigan, PLUS Eun-Hee Peek from Korea, Claudia Kim from Virginia, Leger Beau lieu from Quebec, and me!

We will be providing medical and dental care, plus Curt and Andrew will be doing lay training seminars in the mornings and evening meetings geared towards young adults in the community nearby. Am so looking forward to spending time in the Philippines; getting to know the people, giving them the care they need and deserve and yes you know me well......I must be honest I am really looking forward to the mangoes and warm weather!

I will do my best to keep the blog updated depending on the internet situation. Please continue to remember us in your prayers as we all gather from countries around the world over the next 24hrs to minister to the people in the Philippines.

Wish you all could be with us!

Meet Naisoi!

2011-01-24T07:06:00.000-05:00

I would love to introduce you to Naisoi! She is 14 years old and lives in Olorte Division with her mother who is a widow, her 2 brothers and 3 sisters. Their family is very poor and so Naisoi's relatives are aggressively pushing for her to be circumcised (undergo female genital mutilation) so that she can be married off in exchange for cows; which would provide her mother with some money.

Naisoi has other hopes and dreams though. She would like to begin secondary school in Narok; a town several hours drive away from her home. In the safety of a boarding school she would be able to continue her education and her family could visit her there.

Naisoi is still in her home area and the need to get her into school in Narok is desperate as the family wants her to be circumcised immediately. The local church is protecting her until there is means to send her to school. If she does not attend school she will be forced to undergo FGM and early childhood marriage.

Global Village Ministries realizes the importance of education and the need to give Naisoi the opportunities that only education can enable. Please help us give those opportunities to Naisoi and her family.

Be a part of making a difference - give to our Maasai Girls Education Fund! When you make a difference for one girl, you are enabling an entire community to be changed for the better.

Please contact Kim at letmeshine4him@yahoo.com

Nasikoi Dreams of a Path to Education

2011-01-19T10:33:00.001-05:00

Meet Nasikoi who is 14 years old. She has one brother who is 8 years old and three younger sisters.
Nasikoi is a Maasai and in her tribe the men can marry as many wives as they would like. It is not uncommon to hear of a man married to five or six wives. Naisikoi's father has 2 wives.

She and her birth mother attend church in their community, but her father is not a Christian which makes it hard on Nasikoi and her mother. He feels very strongly that Nasikoi needs to stick to the traditional customs of the Maasai and is insisting on her being circumcised, then married immediately without continuing with her education. Nasikoi does not want to be circumcised; her greatest desire is to continue with her education. Right now the church is helping to keep her safe until she can get the funds to attend boarding school in the town of Narok which is several hours drive from her home in Olorte District.

Once she is in school it may not be possible for her to go home for breaks until the reconciliation process has taken place with her father, but then the hope is that Nasikoi's father would be happy to visit her at school. Her situation is very urgent.

Global Village Ministries has set up an educational fund for her and we are praying that your heart will be touched and you will be want to be a part of Nasikoi's life by helping her obtain an education.

*It is said that if a girl gets 7 years of education she will marry 4 years later then a girl with less education
*She will have 2.2 less children, the populations HIV rate will go down and malnutrition will decrease 43%
*If 10% more girls go to secondary school the country's economy grows 3%
*When an educated girl earns an income she invests 90% of it in her family compared to 35% for a boy

Nasikoi will change her entire community if she is given the opportunity to walk the path that leads her through all the educational opportunities she get. Be a part of changing Nasikoi's life and at the same time opening the door for her entire community.

Contact me at letmeshine4him@yahoo.com
kim

We are ALL pieces of God's puzzle!

2011-01-15T16:36:00.000-05:00

Each time I sit down and begin to put a mission trip together it is like doing a giant jigsaw puzzle. I have no idea who is going to come on the trip, or how many! I do not know what each persons gifts or passion will be. Will they be able to adjust to the different culture, to the foods, to the "rough-ness" of the areas we are in? Although I must say this March we are not going to be roughing it very much! My usual style is ROUGH but you are going to be unusually spoiled if you are coming this March!

God has always blessed each trip and I am always amazed (even though I shouldn't be) how He picks just the perfect people to come knowing what they have to offer the people who will be at the clinics and what each of them personally needs.

This March God has blessed Global Village Ministries with a BIG group! It seems like an enormous puzzle to put together, but each piece of the puzzle is fitting together in an amazing way! I can see the hand of God working and it is awesome!

For most all of our trips we have been able to offer medical, dental, pharmaceutical, and wound care. Occasionally we have had enough participants to offer optical care too. This March though we have been blessed beyond measure! I just want to share with you a couple of those blessings!

The first one is that God has blessed us with Dr Helen Roberts an ophthalmologist who has opened up and runs several eye clinics at the coast in Kenya and does cataract surgeries. She will be joining us for 4 of our 5 clinics and providing all the care for our eye patients. We are thrilled to have her as part of the team!

Another blessing is that we have so many young families joining us with their children! I have 17 children between 7-16 years old that are coming with the parents. This has opened a fantastic opportunity for some spiritual and social (VBS) type programing for the children in the communities we will be visiting. Each clinic these young people and 4 moms will be sharing the love of Jesus with the children in the community through stories, skits, music and more!

But if that is not enough I have one more blessing I would like to share with you. For me this is the greatest blessing of all! The Lord put a passion in Lisa Willis' heart to come on a mission trip with us. I have been friends with Lisa for the past six year and I know she has dreamed of coming to Kenya, but never thought her dream would actually come true. Lisa's life has never been one of ease or comfort. Her childhood was full of struggles and so Lisa's hope for this trip is that she will experience healing and a renewed heart. I believe God has that in mind for her, but He does not want to leave it at just that - He always has a plan to follow it up! SMILE

Lisa is gifted with working with those who are physically challenged and especially with the deaf. She has a real burden to help them learn how to communicate. Before I knew that Lisa would be coming with us, I had already set up the locations/communities for GVM's clinics. It comes as no surprise to me that there is a need in each of those communities for Lisa to work with the deaf. That is how God works, He has it all planned before we even ask!! In fact at one clinic site (the one we will be at for two days) there is actually a school for the deaf and Lisa will be able to spend the day there ministering to those people in a very special way.

But wait there is more! Lisa also does pedicures and shared with me how she would like to wash the feet of the elderly and disabled. What an awesome and cool thing to do! I have never had anyone ask me if they could set up a station at our clinics just to wash feet, clip toenails and put lotion on! I explained to Lisa that many of the people that come to clinic do not wear shoes. Their feet are cracked, bleeding, calloused and covered with dust. Toenails might never have been clipped - the picture that I painted for her was not one of beauty! Lisa's response back was nothing short of a reflection of Christ, "That is perfect, all the more reason for me to wash their feet"

Serving Christ is like being a puzzle piece. We are molded and cut just perfectly for the spot He needs us in! It takes ALL the puzzle pieces to make a puzzle complete! I am so blessed and honored to be a part of Global Village Ministries and be able to see how God puts the puzzle pieces together. I can just sit back in awe of His creativity! He is the Master Designer and I am so blessed to be a piece of His puzzle!

My prayer is that the Global Village Ministries March puzzle will totally reflect Christ! I am blessed beyond measure to be a small part of this puzzle!

Trip to Philippines

2011-01-11T16:43:00.000-05:00

It's hard to believe that Global Village Ministries will be heading to the Philippines in just 15 days! We will be providing medical and dental care in several villages near Pagudpud while my husband (Pastor Curt DeWitt) and Andrew Smith working with the Pagudpud Central Church's young adults providing lay training seminars and evening meetings.

Global Village Ministries will be purchasing Bibles (this is a special study Bible) and the book called "40 Days of Prayer". These books will be given to the young adults that attend the seminars. If you would like to help with the costs of purchasing these Bibles and books please contact Pastor Curt DeWitt via email - pastorcurtdewitt@yahoo.com or via phone 586.558.0149

Thank you for making a difference! Please keep us in your prayers as we travel and serve the people in the Philippines.

Norkeju's Path

2011-01-11T16:14:00.000-05:00

Meet Norkeju who is 7 years old and lives in Olorte Division, deep in the heart of Maasailand, Kenya. Her parents have both passed away and she is living with her grandmother who is quite elderly and very poor. Because of the family's poverty there is a huge push to have Norkeju circumcised and married off. In Maasailand marrying Norkeju off would mean the family would get some financial help. To the Maasai people, cows are money and when a daughter is married the groom pays for her with cows.

Norkeju has two brothers and an older sister who is already married. She is currently in grade/class 3 at the local primary (elementary) school. Our hope is to get her into a boarding school in Narok where she would be safe. Her situation is quite desperate and without financial support for her education, it will be just a matter of time till she endures female genital mutilation (FGM) and is married off.

The opportunity for education is like a path, and that path will give Norkeju the opportunity to make choices in her life. In time that path will lead her back to her own village where she will encourage and inspire other young girls. If you are interested in making this "path" a reality for Norkeju please contact me right away. You will be investing in a whole community when you invest in a young girls education.

Thank you for helping us keep Norkeju from joining the other 92 million girls in Africa that have had their lives permanently changed by Female Genital Mutilation.

ZAWADI - March 2011 Journal for Kenya

2011-01-10T15:34:00.000-05:00

Open publication - Free publishing - More service

Challenges are like PATHS that LEAD to BLESSING!

2011-01-04T16:08:00.000-05:00

When I was two years old my parents accepted a call to go as missionaries to Kenya, and I spent most of my childhood there. We lived on a farm in Kisii for some of that time and then moved to Lavington area near Nairobi. I grew up with dogs, cats, chameleons, ducks, rabbits, a cow that had twins, a spider named Charlie that came out from behind the picture on my wall each night, and a praying mantis that lived in my window between the screen and the glass. I spent weekends camping with my family, hearing the lions roar and the hyenas laugh in the darkness of the night and falling asleep to the sounds of Africa. I attended Maxwell Preparatory School and learned about Livingston and the explorations of Africa. We celebrated Guy Fawkes Day and Boxing Day instead of 4th of July, and Thanksgiving.

I was fascinated with snakes, hedgehogs, and other creatures. When I had free time I would go down to the creek near our house and catch and kill frogs by using a long stick to whack them on their heads when they surfaced. I would carefully take my pocket knife and dissect them, each time trying to get a perfect skeleton without a single broken or missing bone. I would lay my treasures out on the rocks to dry and stand back so proud of them. I spent my childhood playing with children who had a different color of skin then I did, whose mother tongue was different then mine, but there were no barriers, because we did not see color and friendship was our language.

After about 12 years of being at home in Kenya my parents accepted a call to Beirut Lebanon. My life changed dramatically. We lived there during some of the worst years of their civil war, spending days in bomb shelters and hearing bullets and rockets whistle by. We were finally evacuated to the island of Cyprus. There was no Adventist school for me to attend there so my brother and I were sent to an academy in Singapore – an American school for missionary children. I was 13 or 14 years old at the time and remember flying with my brother who is two years older than me - and having such long layovers in airports that we would tie our luggage to our leg or arm to keep it from being stolen and fall asleep in a corner or along the wall. In Athens my brother and I would find our way to a small hotel for the night and then get up about 2am to find our way back to the airport for the last leg of our journey.

I attended academy there for 2 years. Those were some of the hardest years of my life. I was far from home, and the only American student attending there that was raised in Africa. I looked at life differently than most around me. Because there was no email, no cell phones, and regular phone calls were too costly, I was unable to communicate with my parents much. I never did fit in there – in the two years that I attended school there, I never remember being hugged by adults, and was rarely invited into their homes for a meal. I was different – and I realized my heart was African, though my skin color and everything of outward appearance suggested I was American. My junior year in academy my parents moved back to the US and I came back to the States. There was a lot of adjusting that first summer. I could not decide whether or not to attend Andrews Academy or Cedar Lake Academy. A young man from Andrews Academy who took a liking to me (the feeling was not mutual) and drove by our house trying to see if I was home and ran into our mail box. It was then that I gladly opted to attend Cedar Lake Academy!

Life was very tough for me in the US. I looked American and extended family and friends expected me to feel American, yet I didn’t and had no desire to be in the US. I had no warm and fuzzy feelings when it came to Thanksgiving or 4th of July. I did not know the pledge of allegiance, or the American anthem, but I could sing the Kenyan one! Those around me talked of movies and TV shows that I had never heard of. I spelled words different then Americans did, and they were marked wrong – even though they were spelled perfectly right in British schools. There was a lot of adjusting that took place over the following years and a lot of bitter and hurt feelings. I didn’t understand why I had to go through what I did – and longed to go back home to Africa. I vowed that when I was old enough I would head back to the country that held my heart.

In 1999 my husband and I accepted a call to go home to Kenya. I was thrilled! Finally I was going back where I belonged, where I felt safe and secure. We moved to Maxwell Adventist Academy – a boarding school for missionary children where my husband was the campus pastor and I was the cafeteria director, besides several other things. I realized then why God had allowed me to go through the experiences that I had as a child, because He had hoped that I would someday choose the path He had set up for me and those experiences would help me to make a difference on the path. My childhood experiences made me sensitive to the young people that I now had opportunity to work with. I remembered vividly the desire to be hugged and loved in Singapore – and my husband and I opened our home and hearts to the students at Maxwell. I refused to let students make it through a week without a hug, cookies, or a bubble bath. My life changed, I began to understand how each experience we go through prepares us for something we will face in the future. We might not understand why we are going through it, but God does and He sees a much bigger picture then we do. He allows challenges, and each challenge that is put in our path eventually turns into a blessing!

I have to be honest with you, living in America is still a huge challenge to me. God has blessed me though with yet another path and that path has given me the opportunity to be a part of a wonderful non-profit organization called Global Village Ministries - that does medical/dental trips all over the world. He knows my heart and He knows the challenges I face from being raised in the mission field, and He created something perfect for me! I am passionate about this path He has given me and am passionate about the people of Kenya. They are part of me, and I long to make a difference for them.

God knows your challenges, He knows your heart and He longs to give you the opportunities you desire too.

People always ask me if I had a chance would I have changed anything in my life. My answer is a resounding NO! I would never have traded being raised in Kenya as a missionary child for ANYTHING in the world! Sure it comes with it's challenges, but if you give Christ those "challenges" they all become blessings! I like to think of each "challenge" in my life being like a path and there are special opportunities waiting for me along each of those paths.

I want to share one of those path's with you - it is a path that has lead me to opportunities to make a difference for young Maasai girls who face female genital mutilation and early childhood marriages! It is a path I am passionate about, but you will have to visit our blog again in order to walk that path with me as I share with you the stories of three young Maasai girls from Olorte Division deep in the heart of Maasailand in Kenya.
kim

You are Invited Part III

2011-01-03T15:05:00.000-05:00

I promised I would continue the GVM series of "You are Invited..." and so as promised here is PART III!

Morning has come and the sun is streaming through your open windows. The sounds of the waves crashing on the beach, the birds singing in the coconut trees, and the smell of the sea welcomes you to the coast of Kenya! Breakfast will be served in the Main House in a little while and if you so choose you can begin your day with an early morning swim or walk on the beach.

Following breakfast everyone will get in the trucks and we'll head out to Mkongoni Primary School for our second clinic. Mkongoni is in Kwale District, tucked away in Shimba Hills. We drive up through the town of Kwale heading inland away from the sandy beaches and into the lush green forest area of Shimba Hills National Reserve. The road winds up and down over the hills like a snake. Passing through little villages along the way. Ladies and young children with large containers of water on their heads move off to the sides of the road as we pass. Chickens scurry for cover and small children wave at us. When it appears the road can go no further we enter the small town of Mkongoni and turn up the drive way to the primary school.

It's clinic time once again! We will be offering optical, medical, dental, pharmaceutical and wound care, plus another VBS type program for the children. Mkongoni is for the most part a Islamic community tucked away in the middle of what appears to be nowhere!

Before you know it 3:30pm has arrived and it's time to close up clinic, load the trucks back up and head back down to our cottages on the edge of the Indian Ocean. It's been a busy clinic, lots of children, lots of mom's with small babies!

Back at Maweni there is time to enjoy the warm waters of the Indian Ocean as the tide works it way back in, or you might rather lay beside the pool and soak in some of the late afternoon sunshine. Supper will be served in the Main House at 6:45pm and you won't want to be late for that!

The sun has set and the moon will be coming up over the ocean. There are little gazebo's with big couches and fluffy cushions to sit on over looking the water. If you are looking for some quiet "down" time you'll have to slip out to a gazebo and soak in some of that quiet time. On the other hand if you are looking for some adventure you can always join me as we chase ghost crabs on the beach with flashlights and snorkel in the dark with our flashlights! You would be amazed a what creatures you can spot in the ocean after dark (you will need to bring a flashlight that is either water proof or you can seal it yourself or possibly Ziploc it).

Tomorrow will arrive before you know it and so all good things must come to an end! Enjoy one last swim, rinse off in the shower and fall into your bed! The sounds of the waves, the calls of the bush babies, the chirping of the crickets will lull you to sleep! It's your fourth night in Kenya!

What will tomorrow bring? You'll have to wait till the morning sunshine wakes you, and calls you to yet another day of opportunity, another day to spend serving those who are waiting for you care.
kim

Sequeira 6

2010-12-27T12:55:00.000-05:00

This card came in the mail today! It made me smile!

Just wanted to share it with all of you!

The Sequeira family joined us on our July trip to Kenya - all SEVEN of them! What a blessing! Chris and I had known each other years ago, we were both missionary kids in Africa! I know there is nothing more rewarding then sharing a place that is home to you, with your family. I was thrilled to have them join us this past July and be able to share that experience with them.They were such a blessing to Global Village Ministries!

Thank you Chris, Nenette, Thomas & kids for allowing Global Village Ministries to be part of your "homecoming"

Reflections from 2010

2010-12-26T09:37:00.003-05:00

It is hard to believe that we are almost to the end of yet another year! Where did 2010 go? What did we do? Did we make a difference? Was God able to use us?

It's time for a little reflection.....

In 2010 God provided Global Village Ministries with numerous opportunities:

Seven mission trips to Kenya, Nepal, Philippines and Peru. On each trip we were able to have four to eight clinics and provide care for 1,200 to 2,200 people per trip.

50,000 vitamins we given out, plus we were able to stock local schools, orphanages and clinics with vitamins. We distributed and delivered over $200,000 worth of purchased and donated medicines and provided over 30,000 parasite treatments.

There is no limit to what the Lord can do. He has so much in store and desires to bless each of us in so many ways! I am always in awe when I look back and see what He has done and is wants to do for each of us!

God blessed Global Village Ministries with the funds to;
-build five homes in Kenya for families that had lost everything
-build rooms in the ER in Nepal.
-build two churches in the Philippines.
-help out in Nepal with our primary school at Scheer Memorial Hospital, a Maasai primary school and an adult literacy school in Olorte District, Kenya, two orphanages in Kathmandu (Nepal), plus an orphanage in northern India, Kenya, Bangladesh and Venezuela.
-purchase and plant 500 oil-palm trees in Peru.

Thousands of toys, articles of clothing, school supplies, three wheel chairs, lap top computers and thousands of dollars worth of surgical supplies and suture sets were donated to Global Village Ministries and we had the awesome opportunity to distribute them in areas of great need. God is good!

Global Village Ministries was blessed with two portable dental chairs for our Kenya clinics and now have three sets of dental instruments. We are truly blessed beyond measure.

None of this would have been possible if it had not been for each of you! You opened your hearts, your bank accounts, and you gave of your time! You have blessed Global Village Ministries beyond measure!
As this year draws to a close we want to take time to thank you for all you have done! Lives have been touched in ways you might never have dreamed of!

Because of you....
....a child can now walk instead of crawl because of a deformity
....a mother can hold her newborn child and hear him/her coo
....an old lady and a young Maasai warrior can now read
....a young girl will not experience female genital mutilation
....a family now lives in a home that is warm and safe
....a child knows Jesus
....there is a church to worship in
....a blind man has new clothes and shoes

Global Village Ministries would be nothing without you! Thank you for allowing God to work through you, and for giving us the opportunity to share with those who so desperately need help.

The Lord is good and His mercies are never ending!
kim

Finding Christ this Christmas!

2010-12-24T10:56:00.000-05:00

The Parable of the Person Who Couldn’t Find God

Written by a Pastor in Kenya

Once upon a time a certain East African country had many mountains and valleys, rivers and plains. All the people lived in one big valley. The large extended families included grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and many children. These East African people were ordinary human beings with both good and bad qualities. They followed all the seasons of human life:
A time for giving birth ... a time for dying.
A time for planting ... a time for uprooting.
A time for knocking down ... a time for building.
A time for tears ... a time for laughter.
A time for mourning ... a time for dancing.
A time for loving ... a time for hating.
A time for war ... a time for peace.

A man named John Shayo lived in this large valley. He was a faithful Christian who prayed and regularly participated in his Amani Small Christian Community. He helped the poor and needy especially the lepers who lived on one slope. John tried to fulfill all his Christian responsibilities. From time to time he failed, but in general he was a very good Christian.

In this large valley there was jealousy, fighting, drunkenness and all kinds of discord. Thieves and tricksters walked about openly and regularly stole cows, goats and sheep. Families and villages lacked peace and harmony. Witchcraft and superstition were part of daily life. After patiently enduring this bad situation for a long time John Shayo decided to move somewhere else. He said, "Certainly God isn’t present here. He is the "All Peaceful One" who doesn’t like fighting and discord. He wants peace and harmonious relationships in his human family."

John Shayo saw a very high mountain far in the distance. It rose majestically in the clear tropical air. John said, "Certainly God our "Great Ancestor" lives in peace and quiet on the top of that East African mountain. I will go there to find God who "Dwells on High With the Spirits of the Great." So John set off on his long safari. At the end of the first day he reached the foot of this high mountain. The burning equatorial sun had drained his energy. He rested. Very early the next morning he started out again. After three hours of difficult climbing he was tired and sat by the side of the rough footpath.

After a few minutes John was startled to see a bearded man about 30-years-old making his way down the mountain. They greeted each other. "Jambo (‘Hello’). What is the news?" John told the traveler that he was climbing to the top of the mountain to find God our "Creator and Source." The traveler said that his name was Emmanuel and that he was climbing down the mountain to live with the people in the large valley. After talking together for a few minutes they said good-bye to each other in the traditional African farewell: "Good-bye until we meet again." As John continued his safari up the steep mountain he said to himself: "That man is a fine person. He is very intelligent and speaks well. I wonder why he wants to go down to my former valley?"

Soon John Shayo was engrossed in his arduous climb. The air grew thinner. He climbed more slowly. By late afternoon he reached the top of the mountain and said to himself: "There is peace and quiet here. Now I will surely find God." He looked everywhere. No one was around. John was very disappointed and asked out loud, "Where is God?"

Suddenly a gaunt old man appeared and greeted John. "Welcome. Relax after your long, hard safari." Shayo began to describe the arduous trip and his desire to meet God the "All Peaceful One." The old man said, "I’m sorry, but God isn’t here on the top of this high mountain. I live alone here. Surely you met God on the mountain path. He was going down to the big valley to live with the people there and to help them with their problems and difficulties." John was astonished and exclaimed out loud, "You mean the traveler I met on the path was God. I didn’t recognize him. I thought that I would find him here on the top of the mountain."

The old man said, "I’m sorry. You see God doesn’t want to live here all by himself. He wants to join with the human beings he created. That’s the meaning of his name "Emmanuel. God is with us." John Shayo exclaimed: "But in the valley there are arguments and fighting. Many of the people are thieves, tricksters, troublemakers and drunkards. Why does God want to live with them?"

Quietly the old man answered, "God knows the lives of his people and their problems and weaknesses. There is a myth about an East African hunter who disobeyed God’s command and shot an arrow into the clouds. The sky bled and God withdrew into the high heavens to get away from human beings. But God the "Great Elder" loved his human family and wanted to show his tender care. So God our "Great Chief" sent his Son to pitch his tent among us, to live with us, to share our joys and sorrows, our successes and failures, our strengths and weaknesses in order to save us. We celebrate this mystery of salvation on the feast of Christmas -- the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ our "Eldest Brother." For this is how God loved the world: He gave his only Son so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life."

John Shayo was deeply moved by these words and listened intently as the old man continued. "Jesus Christ -- Emmanuel" was born and lived among us human beings as an ordinary person. He surrounded himself with simple, needy people just like the farmers and herders in the villages of your valley. He helped the people with their daily problems. This is the meaning and mystery of Christmas -- we learn to live like Jesus, Emmanuel our God and a person for others. "John, from time to time you can come to this mountain top to rest and pray, but know, my friend, that the heart of Christmas is to live with the people in the valley and share their daily problems and difficulties."

John suddenly felt that he had learned much wisdom on this East African mountaintop. Deeply touched he said, "I’ve changed my mind. I’ve decided to go back to the large valley and live with the people as Jesus Christ Himself does." The wise old man put his hands on John’s head and gave him a blessing. John Shayo turned slowly. Seeing the large valley stretched out below him, John began to walk down the mountain."

NOTE: This story was originally "created" out of discussions with the Christians in Iramba Parish, Musoma Diocese, Tanzania on how to communicate the joyful and saving message of Christmas in a fresh and African way.

May you be blessed beyond measure,
Merry Christmas from Global Village Ministries!

Letter from Kwale District

2010-12-21T15:33:00.000-05:00

Today I got this letter via email from Crispin Mnyapara who is in charge of clinical work at Kwale District Hospital. He is the superintendent in the Ultrasound Dept, plus in charge of the Comprehensive Care Centre for people living with HIV/AIDS. Crispin is also a Senior Assistant Chief Clinical Officer in the district.

It was my pleasure to meet Crispin while I was in Kwale last October. Global Village Ministries will be doing three clinics in Kwale District this coming March. He was on our blog today and noticed our project in Mwashuma. Here is his letter -

Hi Madam,
I cannot believe the Mwashuma project! Can you imagine in May this year I buried my aunt, the sister to my late father just a few meters from the Mwashuma clinic. In fact that plot where the clinic is built was offered by my aunts late husband. The area counselor Mr Mshilla is my buddy. Madam, I must say BRAVO FOR THAT WONDERFUL GESTURE TO MY PEOPLE OF TAITA.

Kind regards
Wish you and family a merry x mas and a happy new year 2011
Crispin

I am so thrilled to be a part of Global Village Ministries and have the opportunity to work with the people of Kenya. I am passionate about this project in Mwashuma and I want to encourage you to help make a difference for the entire community. There is more information about the project that was posted on the blog a few days ago. Please take the time to look it over - you can make a difference!
kim