Sleeping area at the Watkins Homeless Shelter

Had an amazing Second Saturday yesterday. I normally take a team to Liberty House, but today I got to go to the Watkins Overflow Shelter. Twelve us headed out to Phoenix. Watkins is an emergency shelter that is currently housing a hundred women and about forty families. We spent the first part of the day sorting out clothing that was donated. Then we got to spend some time playing games like bingo and doing crafts with the kids. These women and families are really going through some tough stuff.  Getting a chance to play a small part in bringing a little joy to their day was an amazing experience for all of us.

Playing Bingo

Candace Cameron and her husband Val Bure were the guest speakers at Friend Day today. We got to go back to two of the homeless shelters that we visited yesterday and bring them to Friend Day. We filled up both vans and brought them to church. Then we fed them lunch after service. It was awesome to see the joy on their faces.

The second team to Kenya held their packing meeting Monday night. I was on hand to answer any questions they had. They leave Friday. There was all types of excitment as all of them know within a week they would be plugging into those amazing kids and be a part of what God is doing in Huruma. The team is being led by Joel England (my uncle) and Chris Haidet from Rock Eternal. Brian Wurzell will be joining as well to provide music. They will be joining Lisa Winters and the other three girls that are already there. Please keep them in prayer as they make the long trek to Africa.

And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Colossians4:3 (NIV)

Prayer is essential to the work God does in the world. One of the best things I do to keep up with what different missionaries is read their stories. It used to be you had to wait till they came back from a long term trip to hear the stories and see pictures. Now with today’s technology, email and blog pages give us instant updates. Follow missionaries’ prayer email letters or visit their blogs and find out what God is doing in other countries. Pray for their specific needs.  Another thing you can do is stay updated on current events in the world.

SEND

And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” Romans 10:15 (NIV)

Missionaries were sent at the time of Paul. Sending missionaries to the mission field involves giving financially. That is why prayer and support letters are given out to those who send. It gives you the opportunity to be a part what God is doing in the world, especially if you are not able to go yourself. Another part of sending missionaries is writing encouraging letters. It can get lonely out there and reading emails and letters can really make a different in a missionary’s long term stay in another country.

GO

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. Acts 1:8 (NIV)

A small but powerful word. Go! It involves stepping out in faith. Even though it doesn’t always make sense on paper, just know God will provide a way when you obey. He will use your gifts and talents. And if going long term doesn’t fit in your plans, try a short term trip. Find out what trips your local church has planned and get a glimpse of what God is doing in the world.  Then take that experience and pray and ask if he is speaking to you to do something more.

Quick stop in London

We had a brief layover in London and then on to New York. I had a quick lunch in the city. It was nice having food from home, but the busy streets of New York reminded me of how complicated we make our lives. Kenya has taught me the simple life. I can’t wait to get home and see my family.

New York skyline

New York, New York

Amazing pizza and wings

Busy streets

Madison Square Garden

The subway

After getting back from the slums, we loaded up our stuff to leave. We went around saying our goodbyes. Of course Mama wouldn’t say goodbye, she just said ‘see you next time’. What a life changing expereince this was!

Last meal

Boarding the plane

Funny story as we were leaving. Pastor Linn placed a belt buckle with President Obama’s face on it in Dave Hutcherson’s side pocket without him knowing. As he went through the metal detector, it kept beeping. He had no clue why. So the Kenya security patted him down. To his surprise they found the belt buckle. Dave denied knowing how it got there. Obama is an icon in Kenya and we all got quite the laugh from it. Even the security couldn’t help but laugh.

Walking to Ngong

After church service, we all took about a mile walk to Ngong. It was nice because it gave us some last minute quality time with the kids. We were headed to the slum area of Ngong. It is a very poor and desperate area. The kid’s situation at Huruma didn’t even compare to what the kids were experiencing there. Mama Zipporah actually started her ministry out of the area. This personally was an eye-opening experience for me. I was blown away seeing first-hand the poverty situation of these people. Mama, Joseph and Linn spoke some words to the people. The Huruma gospel dancers and the acrobat team performed for them. One by one people came. A little girl walked up to me and wanted me to hold her. Seeing this part of Kenya was a very humbling way to end this trip.

We then handed out bread and milk to the kids. For most of these kids, it will be the only meal they will get today. As I was helping, a gentleman came up to me and ask me if I would pray for him. I asked him what he would want me to pray for. He ask me that I would pray that he would receive salvation. I put my arm around him and prayed. I spent the trip back to Huruma in silence. I couldn’t put into words what I had experienced.

This is Moses. He is deaf. He is also one of the sweetest, most loving kids here at Huruma. We’ve all fallen in love with him. I had a chance to spend a little time with him for the last time today.

We have one more day before we leave. It was a good day today. Some of the older girls came up to me today. They generally look at me and snicker. But a group of them decided to spark a conversation with me. They wanted to know why I am so quiet at times. I told them that I like to think a lot. They said being alone is not good. I laughed because I’m generally pretty social at home. This then sparked a huge conversation about the differences between Kenya and America. I then began to realize how selfish and materialistic we are. It was a good talk and I made some new friends. They told me they would miss me.

We then headed to the Kazuri Bead Factory. At first I didn’t want to go, but I eventually gave in. I was actually very impressed. They gave us a tour of how they make all the beads and pottery. It is a very nice facility. We had a great cup of coffee in their coffee garden. Then we headed into town to buy groceries and have lunch.

Kazuri Bead Factory

Enjoying a cup of coffee in the Coffee Garden

After we got back, I packed up my things. Then I spent some time with some of the kids. It hit me that today would be the last time I get any quality time with them. I played with Moses a bit and then I walked around Huruma. I wanted to take the experience in one last time. Some of the kids were helping set up church tomorrow. I goofed off and took pictures with them for a awhile. I also had a quick chat with Mama Zipporah. She told me that when I come back that I need to have a wife with me.

Hanging with some of the Kenyan teachers

Lisa invited me to see the homes of some of the older Kenyan teachers. These are the guys who left Huruma to go to high school and now are back teaching the kids. They are an amazing group of guys. Some of them are looking into full-time ministry. They all live in these ‘apartments’  down the road from Huruma. To most of us the houses look like sheds. I personally thought they were cozy. The cool thing was that they were just happy to have their own place. I really enjoyed spending time with them and getting to know them. These guys are the future of Kenya.

My last African sunset

Chipati Bread

As a joke, we gave Pastor Linn a bumper stick that said “My other car is a matatu”. Matatu are vans that are used as taxis. He had quite the experience driving around them in Nairobi yesterday. After that, a few of us went out to the middle of the field and prayed over Huruma. It was an amazing God-moving experience under the stars.

We leave tomorrow night and I will post our final day here at Huruma when I get home. We have church in the morning and then a ceremony after that. Then we are headed to the slums to feed some of the children there. Thank you so much for your support and prayers while we have been here. It has been an amazing experience. Please keep us in prayer as we head home.

Something cool to check out..

Our very own Promise Tangeman-Wurzell and artist Barton Damer have been collaborating on an artwork piece for Huruma. The proceeds will go to the Huruma Children’s Home. Check it out here.

Village Market in Nairobi

We spent the morning painting again. This time we had to paint some overhangs on the roof. I was the one that ended climbing up there to finish the job. It was a little scary walking across the beams. But we finished the job. We then headed to the Village Market in Nairobi for a last day of shopping. I got a slice of pizza at the food court. The drive back wasn’t a whole lot of fun as we got stuck in rush hour traffic. No lights and every man for himself. It was nuts.

Kenyan rush hour traffic

The rest of my evening was spent hanging out with some of the younger members of our team.  We played cards and listened to music. I love hanging out with the high school crowd because it gets me caught up on what is cool these days. I’m kinda out of touch with the world because I don’t watch TV or listen to the radio. We have such an amazing group of young adults at Cornerstone. They love Jesus and they live for him. Very encouraging!

Late night card night