Monday, July 26 - Hello dear faithful prayer warriors! I apologize for not updating the blog on Saturday or Sunday - my weekend turned out such that I was not near a computer the entire weekend. I do have updates for both days, so read on!
Saturday, Robyn held the phone out toward the open window and said, "can you hear that? it's a torrential downpour!" This is their end of winter/beginning of spring time, and as I've been watching the weather on my new smart phone, every day has been partly cloudy / cloudy / rainy in Nairobi and Nakuru. Apparently this is the hardest and longest it's rained for quite some time, which is very good news for them.
Robyn said they had an amazing time with the boys on Saturday...they played some new games that none of the boys had ever played before, they had amazing conversations and bonding times with the boys, and everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Robyn didn't mention dancing but I'm sure you can all ask your team member how long they danced when they get home :o)
Apparently there have been huge swarms of mosquitos in Nakuru, and amazingly, no one on the team had more than 3 - 4 mosquito bites. We are thankful for the malaria medicine they each have; pray that God protects them all from mosquito-borne illnesses such as malaria, etc.
Elizabeth asked Robyn to pass along that she has gotten your messages, Mom, and thanks you for the hugs and the prayers! Also, she hopes her pets are being loved on while she's away!
For Sunday's update, Robyn was calling from a pizza restaurant in Nairobi. They made it home from Nakuru ("home" being Robyn's word, and meaning back to home base in Nairobi...though it does start to feel like a second home!) and they were all craving American food. Beware, families...when your team member gets home, they're going to want a feast! They actually named some foods but I don't remember what those are, so just have a little bit of everything on hand :o)
Robyn shared that the team had a WONDERFUL time in Nakuru. Church was longer than last year, roughly 3.5 hours this time instead of 3. Trust me, the time flies by so quickly you don't even realize you've been in church that long. On Saturday night Robyn was asked to preach the sermon and Elizabeth was asked to teach Sunday School, so neither of them had much time to prepare but from what DeeDee shouted over Robyn's shoulder into the phone, it sounded like both messages were God-blessed. Robyn talked about how we must demonstrate our faith. She asked the question, if you were put on trial for being a Christian, would you be convicted? Would there be enough EVIDENCE in your life to convict you? She told the boys that they are missionaries, which was a revolutionary concept for most of them. To them, a "missionary" is a white person coming from England or America. They had never considered that they are missionaries and their mission field is everywhere they go. Elizabeth taught on Noah's Ark, and from what I heard it was an amazing time of ministry. She really connected with the kids and they really listened to what she had to share. Good job Elizabeth and Robyn!!
After church they spent time with the boys, taking photos for CMIA's ministry, helping them with their sponsor letters, etc. A really neat thing that occurred...Simon, a young man I believe about 20-ish, who has been at GCC Nakuru since he was a little boy and is now actually too old to remain in the orphanage but stays and helps out as one of the staff members, is getting married!! However, he and his fiance' did not have any money for her dowry, so the team was able to contribute about half of the dowry money. Simon was in tears. This gift blessed him beyond belief. Let's pray that God would help him save the remainder of the dowry money, or would provide it supernaturally, so he and his lovely bride-to-be can be married and start their new life together! If Simon is the one I'm thinking of, he is the one who officiated the dance-off we had last year. You know, the one in which my cheezy dance moves made the boys laugh? Yeah, I"m pretty sure he's to blame for calling me up there in the first place. God bless him :o)
The team also will be giving money to buy new mattresses for the boys' home, which is much needed.
They were going to spend Monday shopping, eating at Carnivores, and then back at the GCC Langata compound with the kids there for the remainder of the day. Robyn hasn't called yet as of this posting, but when she does it will most likely be her last phone call from Africa (unless she calls from the airport), as they'll be heading out for two days on the Masai Mara plain.
Bobby, Vicki asked us to pass along that she loves and misses you too, and can't wait to see you again. She was praying for you while you were at camp, and cannot wait to hear your stories!
Elizabeth wanted to confirm that her animals were being loved on :o)
Mama DeeDee wants Ariana to know that the money you donated was well spent, and she will tell you about the two people in the hospital that it helped when she gets home. She loves you very, very much and can't wait to see you, baby girl!
Rhonda sends her love to her son and her daughter...she misses you guys!
Lisa says she has the absolute best husband on the planet and she loves you very much. She also wants to tell Karen and the lifegroup thank you all for praying for her and she can't wait to tell you all about everything she's experienced in Africa. She loves you all!
Also, Robyn called back on Sunday and left a message - it cut in and out so I'm not sure who the message was from, but it's for Bonnie...and Bonnie, please forgive me but I'm hoping this makes sense to you. Anyway, they got your message, can't wait to see you in 2012, even written a letter to encourage you in your dream.
Robyn said thank you all for your prayers for team unity...this has been the most awesome, unified team and deep friendships have been formed and bonds strengthened.
I am eagerly awaiting her phone call this morning, which will be the final update. The above photo is from the Serena Lodge website. This year they'll be staying at a different lodge, but this gives you an idea of the magnitude of the Masai Mara plane. You can actually see a slight rounding of the land in the distance, which is the bend of the earth. AMAZING!!
Let's continue to pray for our team, that God would keep them safe their final few days in Africa, that He would bless them abundantly with rest and the ability to process everything they've just experienced, and that He would draw them into deeper communion and relationship with Him. Pray for safety on the flight to the Lodge...it's a small-ish plane, I'm thinking a 737 but not certain (gosh, I work at Boeing...you'd think I would know...). Vicki gets motion sickness when the plane takes off and lands, so let's pray that God would remove this from her and that she'd look back and realize she never even got queasy - to the glory of God!
Heavenly Father, we thank you so very much for this amazing time of ministry You've given the team. We know You have already been speaking to their hearts and working in their lives, and we pray in the Name of Jesus that the would forever be ruined for "normal" - that this would be the start of something big in their lives. Jesus, protect and guide them these final days. Bless them this year as You blessed us last year. Let them see You on safari. Sing over them at night, enabling them to process what they've just seen and experienced. Thank You so very much for Your times of refreshing. We love You, Jesus. Amen.
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