Row, row, row your boat

At 1:30 am it began.  Thunder in the distance, then lightening, then pouring rain for hours.  About 5:30 we all realized we were all awake and had been since it began.  We had originally planned to leave at 6:30 but it was decided the 4 wheel drive would go ahead and see if the road was passable.  It was determined likely but no guarantee.  Again, a boat was chosen.  After it was prepped, our luggage was put in and we all piled into the boat with our rain gear on.  Again, we were blessed as it only sprinkled on and off as we headed to Belize City.  We had a fantastic ride through mangrove forests, lagoons with water so clear you could see the fish below, beautiful birds overhead and crocodiles on the shore. 

Once we reached Belize City we boarded a boat to Caye Caulker – an island about 45 minutes away.  The weather was perfect!  It had been raining there but had ended for the time being. We checked into our hotel, most of us napped a bit then in the late afternoon walked along the beach enjoyng the stiff breeze, the view and some dinner.

The next morning was clear and breezy.  We spent part of the morning snorkeling and part talking about our week.  Our individual experiences in the village and things we had learned about and from the villagers and what the Lord had shown us about ourselves during the week.  Soon we headed back to Belize City and back to the airport and home.

 

Rain rain go away

Thursday morning dawned with more rain. Although it’s the rainy season, the amount of rain is unusually high.  It was decided trying to head through the savannah would be out that day.  The van could get stuck and the 4 wheel drive truck which would be able to pull the van out was in Belize City for the day.  

We worked around the base helping get it ready for a group scheduled to arrive in a few weeks.  We also packed and cleaned our cabins preparing for our departure from the base on Friday.  The rain let up in the early afternoon so it was decided we would head into the village for dinner at Mel and John’s home and youth night at the church by boat.  Thanks to assistant pastor Shannon and his boat we had a good evening in the village.  As we headed off to bed we wondered if more rain might be on it’s way.

Ditto

Other than the rain, which raised the humidity level,  the weather was great during our trip, not too hot or cold.  Another bonus was we didn’t encounter any critters (scorpions, spiders or army ants) in our cabins.  The sand flys were busy though – having  been forewarned, we all were well armed with our cans of Deep Woods Off

Tuesday and Wednesday had a similar schedule to Monday.  Wednesday night is usually a night to head back to the village for kid’s church – but the rain was heavy, so we all stayed back at the base and decided to turn in early.

Jesus take the wheel….

Monday 1/30 started with another rainshower prior to us heading into the village.  Each day we have about a 30 minute drive from the base to the village through the jungle and onto the savannah (yes, just like Africa but without the lions, rhinos and giraffe). We made it through the ever deepening mud with Basil’s super driving skills (dubbed Razzle Dazzle Basil from the start due to his expertise!) and onto the main “road” (hard dirt).

About a 1/2 mile down the road we hit a large pothole, heard a “knocking” noise and knew something wasn’t right. Fortunately it wasn’t raining at that point as it had the day before but we were still over a mile from the village.  Basil stopped, Mike jumped out and discovered all 8 lugnuts had come off the back left wheel (see picture below.)  Within a minute of this the base handyman, Popsie, happened by on his way to the base on his ATV (gun slung across his back) and one of the villagers, Brandon, on his bicycle.   Popsie combed the road with his ATV searching for the lost lugnuts – finding 5 of the 8.  Brandon jacked up the van, took one lugnut from each of the other tires, and along with the 5 found, put the wheel back on the van. 

The rest of us started walking towards the village since we didn’t know how long the van would be hung up there - marveling at, and thanking Jesus that it happened AFTER we were off the squeeshy savannah (try using a jack there), that it wasn’t raining right then AND that Popsie and Brandon just “happened” to come by then. The van caught up to us about 20 minutes later and we proceeded to the church.  

Those not working on the church ceiling headed to John and Mel Bjorgen’s home in the village (missionaries sent out from Cornerstone).  They recently moved from the base to the village and we helped with unpacking and getting settled in until lunch.

After lunch we headed to the community center to set up for the bible study.  About 2 we drove up the road to pick up any women wanting to come. Our turnout the first day was about 15 women and half a dozen children.  Each day it grew by a few as word spread.   We brought with us hygiene items and school supplies that usually can’t often be afforded as unemployment in the village  is at about 90 percent. It was such a treat to see the joy these items brought, and being reminded how much we as Americans take things like this for granted.

About 3:30 we headed back to the base with Razzle Dazzle at the wheel.  A quick dip in the Carribean right outside our cabins, a delicious dinner and a rousing game of Phase 10.  We all fell into bed to the pitter patter of rain on our cabin roofs.

Jesus take the wheel…

Monday 1/30 started with another rainshower prior to us heading into the village.  Each day we have about a 30 minute drive from the base to the village through the jungle and onto the savannah (yes, just like Africa but without the lions, rhinos and giraffe). We made it through the ever deepening mud with Basil’s super driving skills (dubbed Razzle Dazzle Basil from the start due to his expertise!) and onto the main “road” (hard dirt).

About a 1/2 mile down the road we hit a large pothole, heard a “knocking” noise and knew something wasn’t right. Fortunately it wasn’t raining at that point as it had the day before but we were still over a mile from the village.  Basil stopped, Mike jumped out and discovered all 8 lugnuts had come off the back left wheel (see picture below.)  Within a minute of this the base handyman, Popsie, happened by on his way to the base on his ATV (gun slung across his back) and one of the villagers, Brandon, on his bicycle.   Popsie combed the road with his ATV searching for the lost lugnuts – finding 5 of the 8.  Brandon jacked up the van, took one lugnut from each of the other tires, and along with the 5 found, put the wheel back on the van. 

The rest of us started walking towards the village since we didn’t know how long the van would be hung up there - marveling at, and thanking Jesus that it happened AFTER we were off the squeeshy savannah (try using a jack there), that it wasn’t raining right then AND that Popsie and Brandon just “happened” to come by then. The van caught up to us about 20 minutes later and we proceeded to the church.  

Those not working on the church ceiling headed to John and Mel Bjorgen’s home in the village (missionaries sent out from Cornerstone).  They recently moved from the base to the village and we helped with unpacking and getting settled in until lunch.

After lunch we headed to the community center to set up for the bible study.  About 2 we drove up the road to pick up any women wanting to come. Our turnout the first day was about 15 women and half a dozen children.  Each day it grew by a few as word spread.   We brought with us hygiene items and school supplies that usually can’t often be afforded as unemployment in the village  is at about 90 percent. It was such a treat to see the joy these items brought, and being reminded how much we as Americans take things like this for granted.

About 3:30 we headed back to the base with Razzle Dazzle at the wheel.  A quick dip in the Carribean right outside our cabins, a delicious dinner and a rousing game of Phase 10.  We all fell into bed to the pitter patter of rain on our cabin roofs.

Our Team

This year’s team is unique in the fact it includes 2 teenagers and their moms.  This becomes a special connection with the village women as almost all the mothers in the village are single moms as well. We’re excited that we’ll have a couple hours on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday which will include sharing our testimonies, bible study and a craft time.  On those days the guys will be working with some of the village men replacing the ceiling in the church.

Days 1 & 2

From the get go the team has jumped some interesting hurdles.  Who knew you could lose bag BEFORE you even check in.  It was found so we were on our way.  Our flight to Houston and then onto Belize City went without a hitch.

We were met at the airport by Basil DeKlerk, he and his wife Vera founded Turtles Shores Retreat, and had a beautiful drive back to “The Base.”  We had dinner, got settled in with our mosquito netting and off to sleep with the sound of rain on the roof.

Sunday was church where we had fun with Sunday School and a great message from Pastor Kenny.  We had lunch at Miss Alice’s and had a relaxing “day of rest” – a few more rain storms, time getting to know one another, doing some exploring on the beach and visiting with the base staff.

Monday started off with a lot of excitement….more to come!!

What a week…

Jambo from your Cornerstone Kenya Team.

This week has been full of time spent with the kids; big and small.  We took 2 bus loads of teen agers to a National Park called Hells Gate.  It has a natural hot spring, picnic areas and a hiking trail.  A Park Ranger took the group on a 2 mile hike through the wilderness that the kids thoroughly enjoyed…as did Lydia and Mama Lisa!  We went to a lake that we thought we were going to be able to let the kids swim in, but was told that none of the lakes near were safe, as there are hippos and crocodiles in them!!  I’ll pass.  We did take plenty of other outdoor activity toys for them, like Frisbee’s and soccer balls, and the kids had a great time.  They also enjoyed the hotdogs, sodas, watermelon and cookies we gave them as well.  For some, it was the first time they had ever had a hotdog.

The rest of the week has been spent on work projects for the home.  We finished removing the scaffolding from the boys dorm and getting it ready for the next phase.  The scaffolding here is made of tree trunks and nails; nothing like the modern stuff we have in the US.  It was a tedious process and a lot of hard work, but we worked as a team and got it done for Mama Zipporah.  We also took down their old basketball back-boards, constructed new, painted and set them up.  Again, not like the states.  These back-boards were just odd shaped in size, and not the same on both ends.  Our guys had to measure them, cut the wood and get it to fit into the odd shaped frames.  After 3 coats of oil paint, we were able to hang them and re-hang the hoops.  Another job well done and a team effort.  Our men put up two doors in the main building too.  You guessed it, not conventional sizes and had to be cut to fit!

A Pastor’s conference was held on Friday and Saturday, lead by Pastor Linn and Pastor Jojo.  Over 250 Pastors from around Kenya came to share the word, learn from each other and how they can grow their churches.  Cornerstone team members participated in various activities preparing for the conference and some team members spoke to the group as well.  It has been deemed a very successful conference and well attended.

These last hours we have here are bittersweet.  As we are looking forward to coming home to our families in Arizona, we are also sad to leave our new family here in Huruma.  We have been blessed in many ways here, and as stated before, I believe we have learned as much and have been emotionally effected as much as the children here.  Several of the children have given us letters of gratitude and love.  They enjoy writing and receiving letters.  I encourage you to write to your sponsored child as much as possible if you have one.  If you don’t have one yet, you can speak to the Cornerstone Office on how you can participate and be a part of these wonderful children’s lives.

We are heading out to spend our last hours here with the children and say our goodbyes.  It’s been a life changing trip and one I hope to make again.

Lions, Hippos & Cheetahs…OH MY!!!

Jambo from your Cornerstone Kenya Missions Team.

We arrived back from safari yesterday evening to a large rain storm, so pardon the delay in blog posts.  We were able to capture what I believe to be one of God’s greatest pictures of art; the beautiful landscape is the back-drop to some the most exquisite animals on earth.  We were able to experience a cheetah hunt a Thompson Gazel.  The adrenaline of the hunt came to life as it captured it’s prey and then took it to a private place to partake.  It was almost sad, yet we all realized that every creature has a purpose; God’s purpose.  As ‘The Lion King’ movie says; it’s the circle of life.  We were also able to observe the likeness of the animals, yet how every stripe of the zebra was different from the next zebra and that every spot on the cheetah was unique to each cat.  God knows the numbers of hairs on each of His children’s heads and every person is unique; as is every animal in His kingdom.

This morning we had a spirit filled church service led by our very own Pastor Linn, or as they call him here:  Papa Linn.  He taught the kids that “we are better together” from Ecclesiastes 4:9-12.  Once again, he was amazing, had the kids very involved in the service and showed them how much God loves them.  The team finds it’s greatest rewards for us AND the kids when we are able to share in God’s word.  They pray for us as much as we pray for them and they are reminded often that there is a church in Chandler, Arizona that loves them and prays for them.  Thank you for sharing in that and continuing your prayers and support of the children of Huruma and the mission team representing our great church family.

VBS Success

Jambo (Hello) from your Cornerstone Kenya Team.  God is moving with the team and the children of Huruma.  Vacation Bible School for approximately 100 children was a HUGE successs.  Jody and Jana lead the Cornerstone team in a farm themed VBS filled with crafts for eating, skits, games, crafts for the children to keep, music and lots of laughter.  They learned the Fruits of the Spirit by reciting the verse and motions to remember it all.  They would march into every activity singing “I am marching in the land of God”.  The children were having fun competing in their march, in games and their team colors in sports.

After VBS, the team was taken on a tour of the dormitories and the class rooms.  We learned that the children sleep in multiples in the beds, with the little ones sometimes sleeping 3 or 4 to a bed.  They are happy to be together though, and here at Huruma, where they know they are safe, well cared for and loved.  Mama Zipporah and her staff work tirelessly to be sure the kids are shown God’s love at all times.  Mama is up before the sun and rests long after it sets.

Every day starts and ends with song and dance rejoicing in the gifts and blessings that God gives them.  This author has learned more from them than they are probably learning from me…that I NEED to start and end each day being thankful for all my blessings, great and small.  What may be small to me would be HUGE blessings to each of these kids here.

Thank you for your continued support and prayers.  We are truly blessed to be your team representing the great people of Cornerstone.  Peace and blessings.