Mark 10:13-16

One day some parents brought their children to Jesus so he could touch and bless them. But the disciples scolded the parents for bothering him.When Jesus saw what was happening, he was angry with his disciples. He said to them, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children. I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.” Then he took the children in his arms and placed his hands on their heads and blessed them.

I was thinking last night as I tried to fall asleep how Blessed I am
to have the people we have on our Team.

Each person brings Gifts,
Each person brings Joy,
Each person brings Laughter,
Each person brings Hope!!

I look forward to serving in Kenya along side
Each and Every one of you!!

I am also looking forward to the friendship that will form
from these two weeks together.
Friendships formed on the mission field are life long,
I am still in contact with people I first went to Kenya with 10 years ago!!

THE BEST PART IS WE WILL ALL BE TOGETHER IN GOD'S KINGDOM
SURROUNDED BY THE BEAUTIFUL CHILDREN
WHO'S LIVES WE WILL TOUCH IN KENYA!!

Matthew 25:21

"His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!"

We have our Flights...

It is going to be a long haul to Kenya and back but it will be more then worth it... Here is our Flight Schedule...

Place Leaves Arrives Place Flight Time Layover

Seattle 10:53pm 6:50am Wash. DC 5 hours 3 hours

Wash DC 10:05am 8:20am Ethiopia 15 hours 1 1/2 hr

Ethiopia 10:00am 12:00pm Kenya 2 hours

Place Leaves Arrives Place Flight Time Layover

Kenya 6:00pm 8:00pm Ethiopia 2 hours 2 hours

Ethiopia 10:15pm 7:55am Wash DC 17 hours 7 hours

Wash DC 2:47pm 5:28pm California 6 hours 1 hour

California 6:24pm 8:29pm Seattle 2 hours

I asked God to take away My habit..

God said, No.

It is not for me to take away, But for you to give it up.

I asked God to make my han di capped child whole.

God said, No.

His spirit is whole, his body is only temporary.

I asked God to grant me patience.

God said, No.

Patience is a byproduct of tribulations; It isn't granted, it is learned.

I asked God to give me happiness.

God said, No.

I give you blessings; Happiness is up to you.

I asked God to spare me pain..

God said, No.

Suffering draws you apart from Worldly cares and brings you closer to me .

I asked God to make my spirit grow.

God said, No.

You must grow on your own, but I will prune you to make you fruitful.

I asked God for all things That I might enjoy life.

God said, No.

I will give you life, So that you may enjoy all things.

I asked God to help me LOVE others, as much as He loves me ..

God said...Ahhhh, Finally you have the idea.

1 John 3:1

How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!

Staying Healthy During Your Trip

Prevent Insect Bites
Many diseases, like malaria and dengue, are spread through insect bites. One of the best protections is to prevent insect bites by:

1. Using insect repellent (bug spray) with 30%-50% DEET. Picaridin, available in 7% and 15% concentrations, needs more frequent application. There is less information available on how effective picaridin is at protecting against all of the types of mosquitoes that transmit malaria.
2. Wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and a hat outdoors.
3. Remaining indoors in a screened area during the peak biting period for malaria (dusk and dawn).
4. Sleeping in beds covered by nets treated with permethrin, well-screened room.
5. Spraying rooms with products effective against flying insects, such as those containing pyrethroid.
6. For detailed information about insect repellent use, see Insect and Arthropod Protection.
   

Prevent Animal Bites and Scratches

Direct contact with animals can spread diseases like rabies or cause serious injury or illness. It is important to prevent animal bites and scratches.

1. Be sure you are up to date with tetanus vaccination.
2. Do not touch or feed any animals, including dogs and cats. Even animals that look like healthy pets can have rabies or other diseases.
3. If you are bitten or scratched, wash the wound well with soap and water and go to a doctor right away.
4. After your trip, be sure to tell your doctor or state health department if you were bitten or scratched during travel.
5. For more information about rabies and travel, see the

Rabies chapter of the Yellow Book or CDC's Rabies homepage. For more information about how to protect yourself from other risks related to animals, see Animal-Associated Hazards.

Be Careful about Food and Water

Diseases from food and water are the leading cause of illness in travelers. Follow these tips for safe eating and drinking:

1. Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially before eating. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand gel (with at least 60% alcohol).
2. Drink only bottled or boiled water, or carbonated (bubbly) drinks in cans or bottles. Avoid tap water, fountain drinks, and ice cubes.
3. 
   

Do not eat food purchased from street vendors.

Make sure food is fully cooked.

Avoid dairy products, unless you know they have been pasteurized.Diseases from food and water often cause vomiting and diarrhea. Make sure to bring diarrhea medicine with you so that you can treat mild cases yourself.

As we get closer to going thoughts start to come into your head:

The What if's:

What if I am not good at this?

What if I don't know what to do or say there?

What if Africa is really not safe?

What if I do or say something wrong?

What if I get sick?

What if... What if.... What if....

These questions are natural. This is my 5th trip to Kenya and I still get the

What ifs.

The trick is to remember God is in control!!

Psalm 46: 1-7

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way

and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,

the holy place where the Most High dwells.
God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day.
Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; the lifts his voice, the earth melts.
The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.

What we need to bring with us

For GCC students and schools…

#2 HB pencils

Pink Pearl-type erasers

Black and Blue biro pens

Individual pencil sharpeners

Medical (LONG expiration dates please)…

examination gloves, size medium and large

children’s chewable vitamins

Ibuprofen and Acetaminophen tablets

Antacid Tablets (chewable)

Pepto-bismol chewable tablets and caplets

Children’s chewable fever/pain reducer

Expectorant and Daytime/Nighttime cough syrups

Cold tablets, capsules

Triple antibiotic ointments

Calamine lotion

Clothing …

2T – 3T toddler outer clothing

2T – 3T training pants

Skirts and tops for Makindu girls (knee length) – sizes girls 10/12 to ladies medium

Underwear for Makindu girls – girls 10/12 to ladies size 7

Shorts and jeans, Nakuru Boys – size boy’s 8/10 to men’s medium and large, and up to waist 34, inseam 34

Assorted belts for boys/young men

DAY TO DAY ITINERARY:

DAY TO DAY ITINERARY:

Fri, 16 – Arrive in Nairobi at noon, to Co-op Guesthouse; orientation with Hatleys, visit/short tour, Langata CMIA compound, Meet many of the kids; dinner and evening at guesthouse.

Sat, 17 – Early a.m. departure by road for Hunter’s Lodge; quick shopping at Kiboko wood carvers; to Makindu GCC for lunch and afternoon with girls; dinner and evening at HL

Sun, 18 – Morning service, Makindu Church On The Rock; lunch at GCC; afternoon service project with girls (teaching spiritual concern and physical giving to those in need) Hospital Visit with girls.

Mon, 19 - Makindu and Kisingo COTR Pre-Primary Schools; 1.00 Feeding Station service at Makindu compound; lunch with GCC girls; 3.00 p.m. departure for Nairobi; pizza dinner

Tues, 20 – Mukuru or Kibera slums: Feeding Station; ministry to COTR students; hamburger lunch w/ opportunity to buy tea, Cadbury, masala, etc; remainder of afternoon with girls and evening free

Wed 21 – Special assembly for Church on the Rock Academy student body (prepare about 45 minutes of ministry; the students will then entertain us for @ 45 minutes) followed by visits to individual classrooms to greet teacher and class: lunch at guesthouse; 2/3.00 p.m. visit to giraffe centre with GCC pre-primary schoolers ; remainder evening at guesthouse

Thurs, 22 – Early departure by road for Nakuru, and Jumuia Guesthouse; lunch at guesthouse; afternoon with boys; dinner and evening at guesthouse

Fri, 23 – GCC Farm in a.m. to view development progress; lunch at GCC compound; afternoon with pre-primary and primary schoolers (with latter, provided we can arrange with their schools; dependent on revision/ exam schedule)

Sat, 24 – With all GCC boys in a.m.; lunch at COTR/GCC Nakuru compound; yet to be determined service project with selected boys in afternoon

Sun, 25 – Morning service, Nakuru COTR; lunch at COTR/GCC compound; 3.00 p.m. departure for Nairobi; dinner and evening at Co-op Guesthouse

Mon, 26 – a.m. shopping in city centre; 1.00 p.m. Carnivore lunch; Kazuri Beads; dinner and evening at guesthouse

Tues, 27 – Early a.m. departure for Wilson Airport and flight to Masai Mara/ Mara Serena

Wed, 28 – Masai Mara

Thurs, 29 – After breakfast flight to Nairobi; lunch at Co-op guesthouse; optional afternoon at Langata GCC (with babies)

Fri, 30 – After breakfast, check out of guesthouse; to CMIA compound for last visit with GCC’s; 12.00 p.m. departure for Java House lunch; 2.45 p.m. departure for JKIA to check in for international flight

_________________________

Kenya Meeting...

We leave in only 62 more days!!!

Very productive meeting...
Here is the run down...

Garage Sale:

• Please be there at 7:30. Plan on being there all day.
  
• Lisa will pick up all the Hot Dogs and things to go with them
• Lisa, DeeDee and Tara will bring tables
• Signs are done from last years sale so we don't have to make more.
  
• Bring friends to help if you can.

Projects:

• Langata: Beach Balls, Face Painting and Giraffe Park.
• Makindu: Collage with photo, Face Painting, Letter writing.
• Nakuru: Treasure Hunt, Face Painting, Letter writing.
  
• Schools: Photos and frames.
  
• Gifts for House Parents: Lisa and Dee Dee will work on these.
  

Funds:

• Your $2500 is due now.
  
• $1500 more is due on June 15th.
  

Our next meeting is June 6th
back at Lisa's house
2:30 to 4:30.

Meeting

We are coming down to the final
days till we leave.

We have a meeting this weekend,
Sunday at 2pm - 4pm.

We will go over the garage sale
and projects.

REMEMBER, THE FIRST $2500
IS DUE THIS WEEKEND!!
I am buying our plane tickets the beginning of
next week!!

Kenya Meeting

We only have 2 1/2 more months till we are heading out to Kenya!! That means only a couple more meetings. Today we got a lot done and had fun at the same time. God is bring a great team together... Here is what we went over....

• For our opener we each told the team about a game from our childhood we enjoyed playing. It is fun to go back and remember what was fun for us. As we go to Kenya we need to remember what was fun for us as kids as we work with kids.
  
• Support is coming in slowly for some. We need to get our funds in for our flight by May 15th... Do what ever you can now. Get your fund raisers going. Let your supports know.
  
• We saw a video on the slums in Kenya. It is not about CMIA but CMIA is doing the same thing there. It gives a great idea what life is like in the slums of Kenya. We will be there on our first day.
  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=duJUvvXvN40&feature=related

• We went over our tentative schedule.
• THE GARAGE SALE: Please be at Jeff's by 7:30am sharp. We will be setting up. Plan on being there all day. No leaving early please. The sell will end at 4pm and then we will clean up. If you have friends donating or helping please have them come in the morning. It will be a long day but let's make it fun. We will go over final details at our next meeting.
  
• We went over more about the things we will do with the kids in Kenya. If you are in charge of projects please have them figured out by the next meeting. We need to know what we are doing by then and what is needed.
  

Our next meeting is Sunday May 16th at 2pm.
Please don't forget.