Mark's Journey

B90X...day 30

At The Journey we are doing a summer Bible reading plan.  For those of you trying it...how's it going?  Today's reading is Daniel 5-6.  Great stories.  You need to check it out.

But one thing that stood out to me is Daniel 6:3-5.  It said that in the way Daniel conducted himself, he was noticed by others.  He stood out...and for good reasons.  His character gives us a great example and something to shoot for in following God.  It says he has "exceptional qualities" and could find "no corruption in him, because he was trustworthy and neither corrupt or negligent".  Think about your neighborhood, place of work, in your home, and places you go.  Would others consider you trustworthy?  Would people say you are not negligent?  Can you be someone they count on?

If we are to make a dent in this world in terms of helping people follow Jesus...those who do follow him need to step up in leading in this way.  That followers of Jesus are the most trustworthy, non-corrupt, non-negligent people around.  That does't mean we won't mess up or make mistakes....but what are we striving for?  Do we believe that our actions can help or hinder others from following Jesus.

Interesting to consider...

Post Kenya

I am in my 3rd day back home from our trip to Kenya.  My body is still asking me what the heck is going on.  I am a little tired and my body is doing some weird things.  But mostly I feel pretty well and adjusting back to life in West Michigan.

The Journey team of 15 did an incredible job in Kenya.  They all went with servants hearts and were willing to jump in a serve wherever there was a need.  When you go to a place like Kenya, it gives you a different world view.  It causes you to think about different things happening in the world and how we are to live.  Here's some thoughts:

• The world is big.  It took a long time to travel half way around the world.  There are lots of people on this planet.  But God is bigger than all of it.
• Most people in the world do not live like Americans.  Actually, we are a minority in terms of how much money and stuff we have.  Maybe that is a blessing.  If so, we need to share with others.  We just have to.  The needs out there are huge.
• We live ina fast-paced-rat-race-life here in America.  We miss a lot because of that...especially authenic relationships with others.
• Jesus calls us to care for orphans.  They are poor, in need, and often helpless.  We are called to bring them hope and life.
• God can do anything.  He can orchestrate events, people, money, and situations to bring about his purposes.
• We need to stop living for ourselves, being self-focused, and greedy.  It just makes a mess in other parts of the world.
• Jesus loves other people in the world just as much as us.  He died for the WHOLE WORLD.

Kenya team on their way home

We are now on our way home from our last flight from Chicago. After being on the go for 40 hours it will be good to be home. we saw God work in so many ways and I loved how our team served. Kenya is an amazing place and we love making a difference at the orphanage and other places as well.

Thursday in Kenya

Today is a full day.  We were able to go view some amazing things God created.  We also did a few baptisms and were able to share Jesus with someone.  I am so proud of our Journey team here in Kenya.  They have worked and served long hours each day.  Every one is willing jump in and do almost everything.  Tonight we start to pack and tomorrow we begin the long journey home.  We look forward to reconnecting with all of you.

Kenya on Wednesday

Today we visited Alice and met her husband, Godfrey! We found out that during the tribal clashes about 4 years ago, Alice and her 9 kids were separated from Godfrey. They were apart for about 2-3 years and she didn't think he was still alive.  When our Journey team met them 2 years ago they were desparate and very poor.  Then, one day, Godfrey found out were she was living and returned to his family! He is a good man and they both love Jesus. We took them some supplies and they served us chai and mandazi (like a donut).  We also gave them some money so they could pay the fees to send one of their kids to school.

We have done so much.  We have put up gutters at a school, provided cooking supplies so they can serve school lunches to 350 kids, built a classroom, bought 2 cows and built them a shed at the orphanage, bought shoes and food for some needy people, painted a store the supports the orpanage.  But most importantly, we are spending time loving, playing, and caring for the orphans.  We are trying to be like Jesus to them.

Thanks for praying.  We will be home in a few days.

Kenya update

Here's some updates from The Journey Kenya team:

"Wanting to help many but can only help a few"..." Also I want to open up a new store in Kenya"...Rich

"I blew up 2 hair dryers"...Salli

"Everything here either pokes, bites, or will eat you"....Jeff

"Cold showers are not that bad"...Lisa

"God has created such a beautiful place here and I am enjoying this so much"...Lindsey

"I have learned a lot about true joy and worship"...Dave

"These people are amazing"...Linda

"Thanks for sending another great team of Journeyers"...from Jason, Lisa and Joel (missionaries here in Kenya"

 

Journey in Kenya...going strong!

The team is doing well.  Some of us are still trying to get good sleep and others have a few stomach aches...but other than that we are doing well.  Each day is very busy and we are doing so much.  The classroom we are helping to build is going up quick.  We are still trying to get some local workers to put some gutters at a school so they can collect rain water and use it to water a garden to feed kids.

We have some very interesting news to share about Alice.  Alice is a women we met 2 years ago and she has 9 kids with no husband.  She had thought her husband was killed in some tribal violence.  However, he has recently come back!  We are not sure of all the details, but apparently he had to go into hiding for a while but is now home.  So we plan to go see her on Wednesday!

Keep praying.  Hopefully more updates soon.

Journey in Kenya!

The team is on the ground in Kenya!  After very long travels, we have arrived.  We left at 10:00 am Tuesday morning from The Journey and went to bed at 2:00 am Wednesday night Kenya time (Thursday morning).  We are jumping in with many activities.  Planting a garden, building bunk beds, cooking, and milking a cow.  We also went to a local school that has 350 kids and only 8 teachers.   We did "an assembly" for them and told them about how God is the One we can call on for help and strength. One of the major challenges is that the kids keep falling asleep because of lack of food.  So we are helping to prepare for a garden for them so they can have food during the school day.  We are providing trees to plant which helps the soil and putting up gutters to collect water in a rain tank which will be used to water the garden.

At the orphanage today, we are spending time loving the kids, cleaning, preparing food, and helping in the classrooms.  One of our big projects for the week will be to build a classroom.

The best part of the experience so far is that our team is building relationships with the children and other adults.  We are learning a lot about the culture.

So all the team is doing well, however, most are still tired from the travels.  Hopefully, a better night of sleep tonight.

Thanks to all that are serving in Kenya and to those of you who helped make this all possible through prayers and support.  As a church we are making a difference in this place.

Journey to Kenya---today!

Our Keyna Team 2011 will be leaving in a couple hours to serve at the House of Hope Orphanage.  We will be loving on the kids, helping with the daily tasks, and doing various projects.  We also hope to do some other things with some people in the community.  Even though this is a team of 15 going, it is our church going.  Many of you have given toward and prayed for this trip and those attending.  We wanted everyone to have the opportunity to go or give to this experience.

The Journey is about to take another step in following Jesus and living beyond ourselves.  We will be attempting to blog here about the experiences to share with you.  You may want to check back here to get updates.

Prayers for the Kenya team

We have 16 planning to leave for the Kenya Trip on Tuesday, June 14.  However, there is a number of people on the team that have been or are sick.  One needs to make a big improvement or may not be able to go.  Please pray for this team and for health.  They will need energy for the traveling and for serving while in Kenya.  Thanks.