Home Away from Home

Well we are home, but saying that feels strange, because I miss my home away from home! We had an amazing time and saw God moving in ways we never expected! After we left House of Hope we went to St. Anna's and spent some time with the kids there. We were treated to a wonderful lunch and then went on to our safari. Every where I looked in Kenya I saw God's handy work in the beautiful red dirt, the animals and in the eyes of Kenya's children. Eva, Gabby and Guppy (Jessica) are still at H of H for a couple more weeks please keep them in your prayers. 

Thank you again for all of your prayers, only 364 days until we go back to H of H! I can't wait!

Smile God Loves YOU!

HH

Busy, Busy, Busy

Hi I am sorry it has been a couple days since I posted for you guys.  We have been busy playing and learning and sharing God's love! On Friday we wrapped up a wonderful week of Kids Club Kenya! Then on   Saturday we were blessed with the chance to visit one of the slums that so many of our HOH kids once called home.  This slum was smaller compared to the ones we have seen in the past. We were able to pray with individuals and were also able hand out some flour and bread.  We met a lady who is 120 years old and her daughter who was with her is 110.  It was a true blessing to spend time with these people.  One lady who appeared to be in her 80's ran ahead of us and invited us into her home.  So was so very proud of her extremely small house that was made of plastic bags glued together with mud! I was humbled by her joy!

Today was the last day at HOH and we leave for our safari in the morning.  The team is ready for a little R&R. I wanted to let you that we will not have an internet connection for the next few days, so don't worry when you don't hear from your loved one.  Rest assured we are safe in God's hands and enjoying so much needed down time!



Smile God Loves YOU!
HH

Unhappy Hump day

Well normally we say "Happy Hump day" because we are looking forward to Friday. As I teacher I have even changed Thursday to "Friday-eve"   When you are in Kenya playing and supposedly teaching children about Jesus although we are actually learning about Jesus from our students! Wednesday means we are a day closer to saying good bye to our 'Starfish" each and every one of them are amazing.  They stole my heart, a heart that will never be the same again.  Thank you Lord for sharing you children we me!

As far as the team goes we are all doing great although we are tired, everyone is healthy and everyone at House of Hope is great. The bible lesson this morning was about "what hinders us from being completely God's?"  So tonight I challenge you to spend some time figuring out what hinders you, what is holding you back from being in his complete obedience to God?

Thank you again for your continued prayers, we miss you greatly and truly appreciate our families for hanging in there until we get home! God Bless!


Smile God Loves YOU!
HH


PS. Does anyone know how to post pictures to this blog?

The People of Kenya.

I am sorry it has been a couple days since I posted the last few days have been very busy! Yesterday was my first experience at a church service in Kenya! I must say that you have not lived until you have seen a small child about the age of 3-4 stand up in front of a  hundred people say "Praise God"  "Praise God Again"!  I have noticed a few things about the Kenya's  they are a strong willed determined people.  Some of you may know that most of the children at The House of Hope are there because their parent have died due to HIV or AIDS.  Most of the kids from the slums some mom's are still living and some are not. I know of women that have AIDS have sent their child to the House of Hope because she knows her time is short and she also knows that her child will be safe at HOH.
I have seen a strengthen in the Kenya's that I haven't seen anywhere else.  Yesterday at church the ladies had on their very best dresses and the men had on suits.
 I also saw a man on a motorcycle with a couch very carefully balanced on the back of  said motorcycle.  From what I have observed God is the center of their world and yes their are bad people out there,but the Holy Spirt is all and well at HOH and in the surrounding community.

Everyone on the team is doing great, although I will ask for special prayers for my self as my tummy has not agreed with anything.



Keep the prayers coming!

Smile God loves YOU!
HH

Wow

I can't believe I was able to get on-line!!! We are all doing great, The Lord is moving mountains for us. All of our bags arrived safely. After a passport snafu we were praying hard that Sarah C. would be able to meet up with us in Kenya and she is here safe and sound.  The most beautiful moment I have see so fart was the moment that sweet little Timo saw his BFF David Howard.  I know that we are all God's children and that every child at House of Hope have been blessed to have Margret for the amazing mom that she is. What I witnessed to day was a union that God has created, David and Timo are Spiritually Father and son. I believe that this is a special appointment that only be revealed When God chooses I feel that will be in heaven.  Just Like Jesse said last year "I always wondered why I didn't have kids, then I came to House of Hope and realized I've always children I just had to come to HOH to find them.

These Children are truly angels on earth, they were born into dangerous filthy situations and as Our Lord always does he waits until the perfect time and the child moves into HOH and their lives changes for ever, the live that God has planned for them begins the day they walk through the doors of House of Hope


     Father God , I come to you not on my knees for I am dancing in your glory, praising you for simply being My Lord and Savior. I do ask for special blessing for the team, for safety, that well all stay healthy.
In Him, Amen


Smile God Loves YOU!
HH

Howdy!

Well we have arrived safely to Amsterdam! We saw a foot spa where you can put your feet in and alot of little fish that clean your feet for you! No one on the team was willing to try it today! Oh well. Thank you all for your prayers we can all feel them surrounding us. Sorry for the short message, I am posting from my phone. God Bless!

Smile God loves YOU!
HH

Kenya Eve

It was the night before Christmas and all through house not a creature was stirring.......$^^$W&YU%RT$@WQU^&NB

I'm sorry I got caught up in Christmas eve thing where everything is calm and quite and sweet! Well the excitement for Kenya eve is the same as Christmas eve but it sounds a little more like this........

Honey where are my socks, I thought I packed them......Yes you did but your feet stink so I unpacked them so I could wash them.

I feel pretty sure that most of our families are packing the last few things that can be forced into a suit case somewhere.
I also feel that without a doubt there are alot of nervous mom's ,dad's. and kids. When God calls out of our comfort zone it is never easy. the fear of the unknown is truly the fear of nothing.  FEAR stands for
False Evidence Appearing Real. Please keep this in mind as we make the final preparations.
 We Got This.! God Got This!  I will see you in the morning!



Smile God Loves YOU!

HH

Pray Warriors!

I know as we get closer to our departure date, the enemy gets madder and madder! Last night my dryer went out Ugh! I do not have the time or the money to deal with this right now! I got mad and yelled "You Stupid satan get out!" I am sure you know what happens next.....  THE DRYER IS WORKING! Praise God for the simple things, He is even taking care of my silly dryer. The enemy will try everything to stop us, but by The Grace of God we will complete our Mission!


Father God, Thank you so much for watching over the simple things, like my dryer.  Please wrap your arms around us as we make the final preparations for the Mission you have called us to.  In Jesus name we REBUKE the enemy and his attempts to destroy us. Lord we put on the Armor of God and have faith that we will be protected from anything that does not come from You Our Lord!

In His name,
Amen



Smile God Loves YOU!
HH

5 Days & Counting!

Is it really Friday? Only 5 days!  I went to wally world today to get a few things for the trip, shampoo, deodorant and band-aids, but I have to say the most important thing on my list was TRAIL MIX! Got to have my nuts and chocolate! Eva sent out an email today with a few last minute tidbits of info for the mission team.  The info that I want to mention is that our sweet Roy Newberry will not be going with us this year. ;( Please keep Roy and Pam in your prayers.

Most of you know that tonight is the last night for Summer Kids Club at Gateway, it has been an amazing week! Watching God move in the hearts of children and adults is an awe inspiring sight! I Praise God for everyone that works so hard to make this week possible!

If anyone has any questions feel free to post them on the blog so we can help each other out! Eva has a lot on her plate and she is only one woman, an amazing woman no less, and we are 39 people trying to get all of our last minute questions answered. So let's try to help her out a little. Thank you so much for your help and consideration, :)  Also don't forget to wear you black Starfish shirts to BOTH SERVICES ON SUNDAY! Randy will be calling the mission team up front so the church can pray us out!

See you soon!


Smile God Loves YOU!
HH

Oops!

I forgot to mention, will everyone on the team please leave your name in the comments, that way no one gets left out! Thank you!!!!!!




Smile God Loves YOU!
HH

The Countdown!

It is hard to believe that we leave for Kenya in 10 short days! (For those of us that will be helping out for Summer Kids Club, 10 extremely short days) I guess I have officially lost my mind because I volunteered to do this blog!

I am hoping to keep family and friends up to date on how we as a team are doing and most importantly to share what God is doing through us! Please feel free to share this blog with whomever you wish! 
For those of you who have stumbled upon this blog by accident here is some background info.....

Starfish Kenya is a mission that started in 2001, rescuing the children of Nairobi who have lost their parents to AIDS and HIV one child at a time! Here is a link to the website http://www.starfishkenya.com/ 

Please keep the mission team in your prayers.


Dear Lord, We come to You on our knees rejoicing that You have chosen us to go to Kenya and work with your children. Lord we pray for safety as we travel, wisdom as we teach and discernment as we listen! In Your Son's Holy name, Amen


Smile God Loves YOU!
HH