It Just Got Personal - Part 4

To many this is a picture of a little African boy.

To me it’s Paul… the AGC Baby Center orphan who loves to swing on his swing. In fact, it seems that's all he ever wants to do. He hardly ever smiles. But if you go for his stomach and tickle like mad, the most amazing smile that could stop time comes beaming from him.

To many this is a picture of a little African boy.
To me, the African orphan crises has a name, a face and a story.

It just got personal.

It Just Got Personal - Part 3

To many this is a picture of a white lady and some random black boy.

To me, it’s my wife holding John.
John fell asleep while watching our IMPACT team do their drama.
Janelle swooped in to pick him up and hold him tight while he dreamed.
John is an orphan who lives in the Mathare slums.
John's primary care giver is a 14 year old girl named Sara.
Tonight he does not have a mommy that will rock him to sleep or comfort his cries.

To many this is a picture of a white lady and some random black boy.
To me, "street kid" has a name, and a story.

It’s John… and it just got personal.

It Just Got Personal - Part 2

To many this is just another picture of a bunch of shacks.

To me, it’s the Mathare slums of Kenya, home to approximately 1 million Kenyans.
It's a place where I have walked the "streets" -- a mix of mud, trash, and poop.
It's where I saw countless kids wandering around... this being the only way of life they have known and may ever known.

To many this is just another picture of a bunch of shacks.
To me, poverty now has a location.

It just got personal.

Sandbox time!

It Just Got Personal

To many this is just a picture of 5 women.
To me, it's the story of D.R.C. that rocked me most.

3 of these women were raped by rebel armies while going out to collect wood.
3 of these women were abandoned by their husbands and families because they were raped.
1 was raped by 5 men at once.
1 is 6 months pregnant.

2 of these women run a ministry called Jehovah Jireh.
2 of these women are seeking to provide housing, healing and hope to 15 women who are tragic victims of the D.R.C.'s continual conflict.

To many this is just a picture of 5 women.
To me, rape and the D.R.C. conflict now have names, faces, and stories.

It just got personal.

Thank you Frodo...

And thus it was. A fourth age of middle-earth began. And the fellowship of the ring... though eternally bound by friendship and love... was ended. Thirteen months to the day since Gandalf sent us on our long journey... we found ourselves looking upon a familiar sight. We were home. How do you pick up the threads of an old life? How do you go on... when in your heart you begin to understand... there is no going back? There are somethings that time cannot mend... some hurts that go too deep... that have taken hold. Bilbo once told me his part in this tale would end... that each of us must come and go in the telling. Bilbo's story was now over. There would be no more journeys for him... save one. My dear Sam. You cannot always be torn in two. You will have to be one and whole for many years. You have so much to enjoy and to be and to do. Your part in the story will go on.

-Frodo Baggins
The Return of the King (movie)

Times are changing

In Kenya, it's 7:00 p.m.
In Rwanda, it's 6:00 p.m.
In Dubai, it's 8:00 p.m.
In Bangkok, it's 11:04 p.m.
In Seoul, it's Tuesday, 1:04 a.m.

In Nappanee, I'm confused.

Post-Africa Trip Rankings

Totally opinion here. I only saw snippets of these countries, and I bring in my own preferences, prejudices, and perspectives.

Economic Development:
1. Rwanda
2. Kenya
3. DRC
-the difference between 2 and 3 is much more significant than 1 and 2-

Spiritual Darkness
1. DRC - I wish I could put into words the feeling as I crossed back and forth from the border of this country.
2. Rwanda - The clouds of the genocide linger, yet the church is moving forward.
3. Kenya - Plenty of issues and spiritual battle still.

Food
1. Kenya - I ate mainly American here and was able to eat at two different Brazilian Steakhouses, so it's a bit slanted on this one.
2. DRC - May have been the amount of meals and our host family who cooked for us.
3. Rwanda - Not a single thing wrong with the food here, but there has to be a last place.

Airports:
1. Seoul, Korea - Free private showers that looked like they were out of a 4-star hotel. No armrests in airport seats let you lay out. Free internet at computers. Perfect temp and really quiet.
2. Dubai, United Arab Emirates - Had special seats you could sleep in. Very open and decent temp. Loud and busy.
3. Bangkok, Thailand - Free internet stations. Good food courts. Very warm at the gates.
4. Kigali, Rwanda - Very small. Nice coffee shop. Easy to navigate.
5. Nairobi, Kenya - Ridiculously hot. Nice Coffee House.
6. Chicago, O'Hare - Busy, uncomfortable, too many negative experiences with delays for me to like it.

Most likely to Return:
1. Kenya - The most close ties (Maasai, Baby Center) and Janelle was gripped there.
2. DRC - Something stirred in me there.
3. Rwanda - Who knows, I may head back, but I see the ministry there carrying on well.

Visiting a Genocide Memorial

Some photos don't need commentary.

Rwanda and DRC Photos

Some of the photos from my experiences in Rwanda and DRC. I will expound on some of these experiences over time.

...and all is well.

Some quotes... moments of levity on my trip

• "I really feel like God is leading me toward working with prostitution." -Brittany
• "You can do anything in Congo... if you have money." -Enock
• "Africa is confusing." - Biz
• "Car will be here to pick us up at 9:00 a.m." (at 11:00 a.m.) "Tire is getting changed. Car be here soon." - Safari
  
• "In the time I was in Tanzania, I think I drank about 50 chais." -Matt Maloney
• "You are a stubborn man, Caleb." - Eugene (said several times, making me want to say, "You keep on using that word. I do not think that word is meaning what you're thinking it's meaning.")
• "Did you get that on video Biz?" - me to Caleb after throwing up on the side of the road.
• "I'm trying." - Biz in response to my question

Globe Trotting

I received a call last night from home. As another day of European flights look to be cancelled, some fantastically amazing folks back home have found a way for Matt and I to depart tonight (Tuesday afternoon) and trot the other direction across the globe.

Nairobi --> Dubai --> Bangcock --> Seoul --> Chicago

40 hours of travel across the globe. Here we go!

Pray for our connections and a complication-free return home.

Beard Pic: As Promised

Trip Report: Waiting

As I type this, it was the time I was supposed to by flying over the Atlantic... about 5 hours away from being reunited with Janelle and Katylynn in Chicago. Instead, I sit at a slow internet connection at the Mayfield Guest House unsure when or how I will be getting home. Some reports have me here another week, others say there will be a fleet of flights leaving tomorrow. I'm trying to wait on God and take advantage of this time to debrief and reflect on the past 18 days.

So many experiences.
So many lessons.
So many faces and stories.
So much is more real to me.

If I remain here for a while, I may start posting some of my response, reaction and stories over these days. Unfortunately, internet speed will likely not allow me to post pictures (although I would desperately like to get at least one photo of my awesome beard posted).

Last night, Matt Maloney made his way into Nairobi from his 10 day journey to Tanzania with two Maasai Pastors from the Maasai Project. Being able to hear his stories of the ongoing movement created from the Maasai Project made my cancelation of flight worth at least one day extra here. At this point, Matt is stuck here with me as well, his flight was set to leave this evening (not happening).

After hearing the trip report from Matt, Simon, and Moses, The Bizman (a.k.a. Caleb) headed out on one last journey before he seeks to begin his journey home on Wednesday. He is seeking to find one boy, who in many ways is the catalyst for the Maasai Project years before the Maasai Project began. I'm praying his journey is met with much fruit.

Today's thoughts:

• NMC Student Ministries choice to dive in to the Maasai Project is seeing significant Multiplication (dare I say 4G?).
• Communicating with airlines in the midst of the greatest international flight shutdown ever is only more problemmatic when trying to do it from Kenya.
• I'm praying protection over my daughter's heart as she tries to grasp where Daddy is and that she'll know and sense my and God's love very near her over the next few days.
• I'm 2-0 in Fantasy Baseball... meaning it would be wise for me to leave the country more often if I'd like to win a championship.
  

Trip Update: I am/ I am not

I am an American husband, father and youth pastor who has spent the past 18 days in Africa.
I am officially stuck here as 4 straight nights of flights have been canceled.
I am the 4th night of those cancelations, meaning I'm 4th in line whenever the flights pick back up.
I am missing my daughter, whom I said goodbye to 18 days ago.
I am missing my wife, whom I said goodbye to 8 days ago.
I am anxious to get home, and uncertain when that will happen.
I am very tempted to be frustrated and wish I never had left for Africa, or at least gone back with the IMPACT on the 11th.
I am all these things.

At the same time...
I am not an orphan child living in the slums of Nairobi.
I am not a Meshack, Esther, or Andrew, living in an orphanage and wondering if I'll ever get a mommy or daddy.
I am not the HIV positive mother who has been selling her body in order to feed her children.
I am not the 2 year old son of that mother who is HIV positive.
I am not a Pygmy child with dirty and tattered clothes 4 sizes too large for me.
I am not a refugee living in a home made of sticks and a UN donated tarp.
I am not a woman who has been raped by rebel armies, then left by her husband because I am now "dirty."
I am not an unpaid pastor, serving God, but do not know how my church building will be paid for and my family fed.
I am not a DRC Pygmy living in the jungles in fear of rebel armies that may come in, kill me, and eat my flesh (yes you read that right).
I am not Charles, who as an 8 year old sat in the midst of thousands of mutilated Tutsi bodies as the Hutu armies killed my family.
I am not any of these things.

Because I am not these things, I am keeping perspective as I wait to continue my journey home.

Thank you God for awareness gained.

Flight Problems

I write this email from an internet cafe from Kigali in hopes that I will be on the journey home 24 hours from now, but the news does not look good. The volcano in Iceland has caused major flight delays for international flights through Europe. I fly through Amsterdam. It is looking more and more like it may be more than 19 days in Africa.

This has been an amazing experience. God has been good. He has stretched me, broken me, and hopefully used me. This new potential curveball is a tough one, but I'm trusting him.

Please join me in praying for a miracle!

If I am delayed, it may mean a good time of updating on the many experiences I've had.

Back in Rwanda

Just heard from Derry. They made it out of the DRC and are now in Rwanda. He said they had lots of Davine appoints while there.

Tomorrow they will tour the genocide sites and memorials in Rwanda, then Caleb and Derry split paths. Caleb will spend a few more days in Kenya while Derry boards a plane on Sunday for home.

Please pray for his flight. Because of the volcano that erupted, all European flights are grounded. Thus, Derry's flight could be in jeopardy. I'm currently trying to get a hold of the travel agency to make different arrangements. So far...no answer. Pray things work out. Being gone 19 days is a long time. He really wants to make in home on time and I know Katylynn and I feel the same way.

Thanks for all of your prayers while he was on this trip.

News from Congo

Just got an email from Derry in the District Republic of Congo.

"We visited Hope Africa Hospital where they are doing a lot of recovery work with rape victims. Spent afternoon with pastors of congo presenting vision for potential Exodus Conference. Definite possibilities. Entire city of Goma looks like Mathare Slums, Kenya. Very heartbreaking.

Tomorrow to Refugee Camp and visit Pygmies."


Continue to pray for Derry and Caleb as they move forward in their trip.

Thanks!
Janelle

In the DRC

I'm typing this update from the DRC in the hottest internet cafe with the slowest connection I've ever experienced. I can't log in to facebook or my email, but somehow I can get onto Blogger.

Here's a rundown of our activity thus far:

• Landed in Rwanda Sunday afternoon. Met with Eugene, our main contact and stayed at his house. Visited his church that evening. Rwanda was in the middle of their 5 day memorial of the 1994 genocide. We visited Eugene's church where they were having a time of testimonies and candlelight worship from survivors of the genocide.
• Monday morning we met up with Enock and Jean Paul, our DRC contacts. We drove through the mountains and I got car sick. Caleb got some good video of me puking. This is a scare with diabetes but I'm fine. Recovered quickly.
• We stopped at our hotel in Kibuyu. It sat on a bluff with one of the most beautiful views I've ever seen.
• Monday evening visited the Pygmy village Caleb and Dustin had been to during the Rwanda Exodus. Played with the kids. Visited the church site (still no building) and told them we'd be back the next day.
• Tuesday Morning went back up to the Pygmy village and handed out clothes to the children. There are around 40-50 kids in this village who had their school shut down on them. $150 a month would open the school back up. Doesn't seem right that a kid can't get schooling when it's only going to cost $3-4 per month.
• From Pygmy village we took our 4 hour drive to get to the border. Rwanda is called the country of 1000 hills and mountains and I think we drove through all of them. No motion sickness thanks to Bonine.
• The border crossing is one exnet that could have potentially been sticky. We had no problem at all thanks to our Rwandan and Congolese friends.
• Stayed in the house of a Congolese family who fed us very well.
• Wednesday Morning toured Hope Africa Hospital. Saw firsthand the results of the conflict in DRC.
  
• Spent rest of Wednesday with 30 Congolese pastors casting the vision for Unusual Soldiers. I shared with them on the key of Intimacy with God and the idea of making disciples 4G. This stuff lit me up. Loved it.
• After time with pastors went next door to a shack where 2 ladies have housed women who have been raped during the conflict. Dirt floor with some pads on the ground for them to sleep. Talked to two women... one had been raped and is now pregnant from it. Husband left her. The other had been raped and is now HIV positive. Husband left her as well. Heartbreaking.

Tomorrow we head to the Refugee Camp and meet with some Congolese Pygmies. Pray that we will have God's eye's and ears.

Pressing on.

Derry is in Rwanda

Hi, this is Janelle. I just heard from Derry and he wanted me to make you aware of a few things.

He made it to Rwanda yesterday. He and Caleb had the opportunity to attend a church service that had a memorial of the genocide. He said it was very powerful.

Today, they are heading up to a Pygmie church that Caleb and Dustin Eby help plant on their last trip. Caleb is planning on handing out some clothes that were donated to them. They hope to attend a church service.

Derry said he got motion sick on his way up. He seems to be ok. Pls continue to pray for his health. Throwing up and diabetes is not a good combination. However he did say he is feeling better.

As of now, his schedule should remain the same as previously posted.

Thanks for your continued prayers.

PRAYER POST: Homecoming and Country Hopping

As this post goes up, the team will likely be sitting in the Amsterdam Airport waiting to board their flight back to Chicago. I will be sleeping (maybe) in a Nairobi hotel preparing to fly to Rwanda at 12:00 p.m. Kenya time (4:00 a.m. Indiana).

The team lands in Chicago at 12:40 CST, and hopes to pull into the church around 6:00 p.m. EST. To keep real time updates on their progress, check out http://twitter.com/agcbabycenter

Pray for the team:

• Smooth connections and flight home.
• Easy move through customs.
• The return jet lag. Many head right into School on Monday.
• That what has happened in Kenya will effect how we live at home (it's the LIVE DIFFERENTLY part of the Kids In Need Focus)
• If you would, pray for the Janelle and Katylynn reunion, that it will be full of excitement and joy.

For the next leg of my trip, my prayer posts will not be as specific as they have been, and I do not know how much I will be able to do live posts from the field. Our agenda is a little less rigid, and there are some significant variables that could alter our plans throughout (transportation, border crossing, the Holy Spirit's leading). But here is a basic breakdown.

Sunday, April 11:
Arrive in Kigali Rwanda and spend the day in the capitol with Eugene, our main contact and Guide. Hoping to connect with some of the main church planters of the Rwanda Exodus Conference to hear reports.

Monday April 12- Tuesday, April 13:
Travel to Northeast Rwanda to a Regugee Camp and Pygmie Village where Caleb and Dustin Eby helped plant churches last June in the Rwanda Exodus Conference.

Tuesday Evening April 13- Friday April 16:
Travel across the border of Rwanda into the Democratic Republic of Congo. Work with Pastors in this post-Civil War torn City that is home to as many as 1 million Refugees who have fled their jungle villages in fear of Guerilla armies.
Also, potentially travel to a Pygmie Village in the Bush that Pastor Eugene has been working with.

Saturday April 17:
Back into Kigali, Rwanda. Tour some of the Genocide sites and memorials.

Sunday, April 18:
Begin the long journey home.

For this stretch of the Journey, Here's some ways to be praying:

• For Caleb. That he will have wisdom, discernment and direction as he follows up with key contacts and see where Unusual Soldiers ministry is to continue its partnership as well as potential future partnership in the DRC.
• For Eugene and Jean Paul. As they guide us and coordinate our ministry opporrunities.
• For my health. Traveling this leg with Diabetes has potential to be problemmatic. Pray that I will experience no complications and the my Blood Sugars will stay well regulated.
• For my Family. Pray for Janelle and Katylynn as they are reunited but wait for my return.
• For Me. God has me on this journey for a reason. My partnership with Caleb, NMC Student Ministries role in Rwanda, our future adoption from Africa, and the personal journey God has been taking me on are all colliding together in this trip.
• Pray that I will find the perfect balance of Faith and Wisdom.
  
• ABOVE ALL, pray that we will HEAR God's voice and leading, and step out and FOLLOW.

Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I. Send me!"

Isaiah 6:8

PRAYER POST - Finishing Up, Parting Ways

Today (Saturday) we hit the second stretch in our debriefing process. Again, this time is so essential in making sure students are prepared to grow as they head back into the valley from this "Mountain Top Experience."

Also on the itinerary today is some shopping time and a feast at a steak house.

At around 8:00 p.m. (Kenya time, 1:00 p.m.) back home, there is a parting of ways. Jamie, Jolinda, and Janelle will head into the airport with the team to get back home. I head to a hotel to connect with Caleb Bislow for the next leg in my journey.

Pray:

• Safety as we travel through Nairobi.
• Great last memories of Kenya.
• Clarity in the debrief time.
• Clear next steps as we prepare to head home.
• Easy check in and flight prep.
• Ministry opportunities as we go through the fun times.

Trip Update: Maasai Time

Today is one I personally will not soon forget. In 2006 I spent some time with Caleb Bislow in India. While there, he began to explain his vision for the Maasai Project. On the flight back to the U.S., I turned to Janelle and asked, "What if we were to throw out the idea to our students of finding ways to partner with Caleb?" That turned into a question, "What if NMC Student Ministries took part in an effort to share God's story with a tribe halfway around the world?"

After multiple trips by Caleb, and significant financial and prayer support by our Student Ministries, and 3 1/2 years, something exciting took place as we met in the Kenyan village where the Maasai Project was truly birthed. 10 students from NMC saw it, felt it, smelled it, and got face to face with it.

We took part in some Maasai Worship (which included jumping, chanting, and marching... awesome!) and then presented dramas and testimonies. We toured a Maasai hut, played with the children, and simply enjoyed God together.

Personally, as I stood arm and arm with Caleb and Simon (the Maasai Pastor who helped birth the Maasai Project), it was exhilarating and fulfilling.

From there, something else exciting happened. Former NMC SOAR Intern and current Senior Pastor (Walled Lake Missionary in Michigan) Matt Maloney was also there with us. Matt is heading to Tanzania to work with Simon and Moses (another Maasai pastor) to continue to reach all of Maasailand with the Gospel. Also, Caleb Bislow and I will be shortly heading into Rwanda and the DRC. Finally, the NMC team will be heading home to live out their faith in a new way at home.

3 significant ministries heading out from a village in the middle of the Great Rift Valley.

Lot's of pics:

The students are now in their debriefing time, working through the snapshots and highlights. Pray that God will make his purpose in bringing each student clear, and unfold his plan from here!

Trip Udate: Picks from Lake Nakuru

PRAYER POST: A Sad Goodbye, A Long Awaited Uniting, and Processing

Today (Friday) is an sad and exciting day for us.
Sad - We say goodbye to the babies and workers of the AGC Baby Center

Exciting - We will traveling off the beaten path to the Maasai village of Namuncha where we will connect With Caleb Bislow and some of the key pastors of the Maasai project.

From 2006-2008, NMC Student Ministries were able to raise and give $30,000 to see a disciple-making movement take place in Maasai land. The village we are visiting is where the vision and burden started with Simon and Caleb. For me, it's a monumental meeting as NMC Student Ministries, Jamie & Jolinda Lengacher (representing our efforts with the Baby Center), Simon Saitoti, and Caleb Bislow meet and worship together.

We will spend the day with the Maasai and put on an outreach service outside a church. From Namuncha, we head into Nairobi. This evening we will be starting our debrief time... an esential part of an NMC Student Ministries IMPACT experience.

Please Pray:

• For our departure from the Baby Center... that God will allow the ministry that has taken place in our lives and those connected with the Baby Center long after we have left.
• For our time with the Maasai... that God will bless our uniting and direct the dramas, testimonies and worship time together in the service.
• For the beginnings of our debrief time... that we will allow God to speak into our lives the key reasons he brought us on this journey and the major takeaways for us.
  
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Trip Report: A Day of Goodbyes and Fun

We got our last time with the babies this morning. It was enjoyable and sad.

Our time at Nakuru Lake was amazing. We saw a ton of animals (including giraffes, rhinos, a lion, monkeys, baboons, and flamingos), shared a lot of laughs, and soaked in God's breathtaking creation.

We are wiped out, all are in bed. Sorry for no pictures. I'm wiped out too.

PRAYER POST: One more Day with the Babies

We'll keep this one simple:

This morning will be our last time with the babies. Pray that we will take full advantage of the remaining moments we have here.

This afternoon we head out on a safari through Lake Nakuru Park. Pray that it will be a more than just a time or tourism, but a time of worship.

Trip Update: A Move of God in Salgaa

We took the team to Salgaa (read prayer post below) this morning. Once there, we divided into 5 groups with members from the AGC church and went out to visit homes. We sat in homes and heard the stories of the women the church is reaching out to. The first home I sat in with my group was 8'X12' and housed a mother, her teenage son, teenage daughter and her 6 year old. She is seeking to keep all her kids enrolled in school while trying to feed them and pay rent for her home.

A story, with slight variations was repeated two more times with my group, and many times by the other groups. An addition to some stories would be malaria or HIV/AIDS. Missing from every story were the words "Father" and "husband." These were beautiful and sweet women we were spending time with. The layers of complexity to the situation in Salgaa began to settle in.

From the visitation time we headed to a support group meeting. This Support Group is for the many women of the community seeking to get out of prostitution, those suffering from HIV/AIDS, or those just looking for help & hope.

We were given the program. We went with the theme, "You are a treasure to God." The students performed both dramas. Tim explained the Redeemer and Cody explained King of Hearts. Brant, Kaity, Kayla, and Janelle all shared their testimonies. The testimonies were heartfelt, tear-filled and powerful. Each person's story divinely connected with the women. They were literally sitting on the edge of their seats, leaning forward as we shared. I can't overemphasize how amazingly well the students did in connecting the message of Christ with the situations facing the ladies who were present.

To close, Pastor Meshack of the AGC Baby Center did an invitation that had a significant response of women coming to the front, and kneeling before God. In the many IMPACT trips I've been on, it was one of the most powerful moments God's presence I've experienced.

After the Support Group (which ended up lasting 3 hours!) we had lunch at a restaurant in Salgaa (authentic Kenyan, which the majority of the students really enjoyed). As we loaded up and headed down the road back to the baby center, reality hit me concerning the life facing the women we ministered with. Many trucks were parked along the side of the road (Jamie and Margie said there are as many as 100 trucks parked as evening comes). Tonight, we are fervently praying for those women who responded to run after Jesus, that they will know and believe that the Almighty God will provide another way than prostitution to provide for their families

PRAYER POST: City by the Highway

Today (Wednesday) we make a trip to Salgaa. This town is home to a significant amount of woman who have turned to prostitution in efforts to provide for their family. We will be spending time going door to door... listening and sharing the love of Christ. We will also likely perform our dramas.

Be in prayer for divine appointments and a deep heart of compassion from us.

Trip Update: 4 Snapshots

As the sun has set on Tuesday, and there are some pretty tired team members. It's very much the great kind of tired. 4 snapshots to share with you to explain our day.

Snapshot 1: Baby Time. It has been awesome watching our team spend time with the kids. The photo you see above is one of many that could show a variety of team members and Baby Center Babies. These students have loved excessively.

Snapshot 2: A Trip to the Farm. We walked over to the Farm that is a part of the AGC ministry. We took a walk to the back of the field where we came upon two graves. Moses and Abigail. As we stood out there, Kids In Need became a little more real. The validity of the AGC Baby Center's ministry. As Jamie said so well, without the Baby Center there would likely be 90 more graves like it. I think for many of us, this is a snapshot that will be etched in our memories for quite some time.

Snapshot 3: Team Picture. In a rare opportunity, we were able to meet with nearly the entire staff of the Baby Center. The staff threw a going away party for Margie Helmuth. As a part of this time, we presented every worker with a certificate, some U.S. treats (lots of chocolates), and some other articles of appreciation for all they do.

Snapshot 4: Margie. NMC's Margie Helmuth leaves Kenya next week after 3 1/2 years of Ministry with WGM and the AGC Baby Center. Her going away party was a special time as we were able to present her with a recorded message from Pastor Dave as well as several gifts. Margie's is the story of a humble and obedient woman who has changed the lives of many. It was awesome for our team to take part in this experience.

Off to bed. Please remember us in prayer (scheduled post on how to best pray coming in two hours).

Pictures: Baby Time!

Pictures: Our Drive

Trip Update: At the Baby Center

First off, we've unfortunately been unable to post twitter updates from Jamie's phone from Kenya. He's able to send text messages, but for some reason Twitter won't accept his "Tweets." He does have at least one of each parents' numbers in his phone and will send periodic updates to you. Our apologies for this one.It's 10:30 a.m. here in Ngata Kenya. While you are sleeping in the U.S. the team is outside playing with 36 of the most adorable children I ever seen (I can only think of one little girl I know is more adorable).

A little rundown on what's been going on since my last post.

Saturday:

6:30 p.m. - Pizza at Robin Moore's house. We took time to debrief our experiences from our day spent in the Mathare slums and with the orphans. It was very encouraging to see the level at which the team is processing their experience. We left the majority of our shoes with Robin and Least of these Ministries for them to those in need!

Easter Sunday:

7:15 a.m. - Load up the vans at Grace House Hotel in Nairobi and begin our journey to Ngata. As you enter the Great Rift Valley, it is one of the most beautiful drives I have ever taken. We saw zebras, impala, and one van even saw a giraffe!

9:15 a.m. - One of the vans gets a flat tire. Oh, the adventures on a missions trip!

10:15 a.m. - Van #1 arrives at the Baby Center and heads straight to the AGC Church for Easter Service.

10:30 a.m. - Van #2 arrives. We spend the morning worshiping with our Kenyan brothers and sisters. We are introduced in front of the church and receive gifts from the church (very humbling). I preached a message ("We live in a Good Friday world, but we are an Easter People"... thanks for the phrase Pastor Dave), Brittany Lengacher & Nick Berkey share their testimonies (did a fantastic job), and our Redeemer drama performed (also knocked it out of the park).12:45 p.m. - Church Service ends, and we head to Nakuru for lunch.

4:00 p.m. - Head up to our rooms. Orientation and tour of Baby Center.5:00 p.m. - Finally, we get to hold some babies. It took approximately 72 seconds for everyone on the team to be holding, playing with, or tickling babies.7:30 p.m. - Supper

9:00 p.m. - Debrief the Day. Again, I can see God is speaking to the students in significant ways. I am not going to be surprised if we see several career missionaries come out of this team.


The team is healthy, well-adjusted to time change, getting stretched, and loving it! I find myself moved as I have been able to see, hear and touch the AGC Baby Center. To any and all who have or are currently supporting the work that is happening here, understand that it is legit and changing lives.

PRAYER POST: Baby Center Time!

For the next two days, it's all about the babies! Our Monday and Tuesday will be spent at the Baby Center. We'll be loving on the babies, encouraging the workers, and doing work around the Center. Kayla and Kaity have prepared some awesome activities for us to do with the babies. Nick and Kristen have various unique ways we'll be encouraging the workers. Jamie and Brant will be guiding us as we paint and do other odd jobs.

Pray for us over these next 48 hours:

• That the eyes of the orphan will capture us.
• That we will love on the kids like crazy.
• That God will speak to students as we minister.
• I firmly believe God is going to be unfolding some of his calling and future plans in the hearts of team members. Pray that we will be keen to his voice and open to his calling.
• Health for the babies.
• Encouragement for the workers.
• Just pray for the Baby Center and it's continued ministry.
• Remember team members by name: Kristen Schwenger, Amanda Yoder, Kayla Koontz, Sydney Koontz, Kaitlyn McFarland, Brittany Lengacher, Brant Nine, Cody Cline, Nick Berkey, Tim Berkey, Jolinda Lengacher, Jamie Lengacher, Janelle Prenkert, Derry Prenkert.

PRAYER POST: Easter and Baby Center

*Remember, All PRAYER POSTS were written and set to post before we left the States. There is always a chance for curve balls and changes in plans. Below is what was planned prior to departure.

This Easter morning (as you go to bed) we wake up in Nairobi and head to our home for the week... the AGC Baby Center. When we arrive at the Baby Center, we immediately head over to celebrate a risen savior at the Africa Gospel Church in Ngata. I (Derry) will be preaching. Several students will be sharing their testimonies, and both dramas will be sharing during the church service that is likely to last 4 hours.

After the service and lunch, our first time to meet the babies!

Pray For:

• Derry as he preaches.
• The students who will be sharing their testimonies.
• The dramas that will be presenting the Gospel.
• Energy and continued adjustment to the time difference.
• Divine Baby Greetings.
• Eager and willing hearts by the team to mingle with the Kenyan Church.
• Any curve balls we may receive at the church service
  
• Jamie, Jolinda, Janelle, and Derry as they lead.
• A good group sharing time and debrief at the end of the day.
  

Trip Update: The Mathare Slums and 250 Orphans

In our debriefing time, I often warn students to avoid the following statements when sharing with others:

• You had to be there to really understand it.
• It's really hard to put into words.
• I just don't even know how to explain it.

I warn that statements like this are not helpful in trying to bring others into your journey and often can symbolize our lack of applying what we've experienced in our everyday life.

We are resting from a morning tour at the Mathare slums followed by a day spent with nearly 250 orphans from those slums who had been taken out to "Paradise Lost", a park and nature area. The streets we walked through the Mathare were a mix of mud and trash. It is a valley overflowing with Shanties and shacks. From what was explained to us, the Mathare is a place of much evil. We were safe there in that we were some very respected individuals who are doing what they can to provide education, health care, and resources to this area. I'm very interested to hear kids impressions of their tour tonight as we debrief.

We prepared 250+ sandwiches for the kids of Mathare who had been brought out of the slums for a day of fun. We held kids, blew bubbles with them, hugged them, tickled them, and briefly got to know them. Our King of Hearts Drama performed for them and we handed out salvation bracelets. We laughed a lot, gave out fruit snacks & water, and had a great time together. Then we loaded in our vans to go back to hot showers, naps in our hotel bed, and pizza. They loaded in their buses to head back to no running water, mud floors, and no supper... oh ya, and no parents either.

One statement that kept running through my head, "The main difference between a kid in Mathare and myself is where we were born." I don't like that. I want to be a part of a movement that is doing something to make where you were born less controlling of your destination in life than it currently is. Taking a kid out of the slums for a half a day, giving them one meal, and tickling isn't enough to accomplish this. BUT, at least it is something...

Today

Prayer POST: Mathare and 250 Orphans

As you go to bed tonight, we will be waking up to head out to the Mathare Slums of Nairobi. This 3 mile square of buildings and alleys is home to as many as 800,000 Kenyans who are in extreme poverty. We will be partnering with WGM missionary Robin Moore to provide a day of fun, food, and hope for orphans. As many as 250 orphans will be brought out of this area to a park where we will feed them, play games, do crafts, dramas, simply love on them, share Christ.

Following our time of working with the kids, we will head into the Mathare for a brief tour of the area and the ministry that is taking place there.

Pray for us today/tonight:

• That we may be the hands and feet of Jesus.
• That we will be soaked in compassion, mercy and love.
• That our eyes, hearts and ears would be open to the things God wants us to see, feel and hear.
• That we might have supernatural energy (we'll be working with the kids 3-6 a.m. U.S. time)
• That God will watch over and guide our every action.

Trip Update: Live from Nairobi!

We are at the Grace House Resort in Nairobi Kenya. The trip went very smooth minus one lost passport at O'hare that was fortunately found with plenty of time to spare. Connections went smoothly, and all 28 bags made it through! Our driver told us that KLM (our airline) had been losing luggage all day. We met up with Margi Helmuth and received our orientation from WGM.

There is something special about this team. I can sense the anticipation. Tomorrow a.m. (around 2:00 a.m. your time) we head to the Mathare slums to get our first real taste of Kids In Need in Kenya.

Hopefully some pics tomorrow night.


The team is feeling the jet lag and heading to bed (it's 11:30 p.m. here).

FWD:

Just thought you may enjoy what's underneath the table at the table I'm sitting at in O'Hare.

PRAYER POST: And Away We Go!

Today we head out. From boarding the bus at NMC till touching ground in Nairobi, Kenya, we have about 24 hours of travel ahead of us.

10 Students + 4 Adults + 28 bags (about 16 of which are pretty much shoes) + security checks + O'Hare to Amsterdam + Amsterdam to Nairobi + 7 hour time change = lots of logistics and exhaustion to be praying over.

WAYS TO PRAY:

• Easy check-in process
• Smooth security checks
• No flight delays
• Good rest on flights
• Group bonding during flights
• Heart prep for team
• Easy connection at Amsterdam
• All bags make it through
• Smooth run through customs.

Keep updated on our progress at http://twitter.com/agcbabycenter