This year's missions trip to Kenya has been underway for five days, and it has been marked by things that have been wonderful (LOTS of time with the orphaned children at Kenduiwo), unusual (motorcycles everywhere on rough, rural roads), blessed (seeing the Bemm Family's ministry bless so many Kenyans) and unpredictable (who knew it would actually be cold during a Kenyan summer?!?).
Our projects have focused on the completion of the girl's dormitory, and we cannot wait to show you the amazing view the girls will have....think Tuscan countryside in Europe, and you'll have an idea of the view these special girls will be treated to when they look out
their windows. Lots of hammering, painting, welding and lifting.
It's a team that works well together because we value a process that focuses on productivity and laughter. Because we're a large team (14), we are able to divide and conquer: the men have been focused on the construction, and the women have been focused on the kids....with
regular switching throughout the day. For example, Brian Hornack treated the children to a "stage show" where he danced to the sound of a young child playing the drums. We were debating the merits of the cultural contributions met by teaching young Kenyans disco moves....but, hey, when the Kenyan adults joined in, we figured Brian might be onto something!
God is so creative. Our first few days were rain-soaked and mud-filled. Great for Kenyan crops and wildlife, but not so much for missions teams who need to navigate fields and rural roads. It slowed us down and forced us to spend precious time with children. We learned on day one that the roof will take care of itself - focus on loving those kids! The Kipsigis are the tribe in this region, and the language barrier has forced us to teach one another. The children have been teaching us key phrases, and we have reciprocated. They wear their curiosity, openness and lovingness on their sleeves!
We have enjoyed seeing how everybody's talents have advanced the work:
We turned to Ray Wolfgang when we needed engineering expertise. Justina Sparks has been the Pied Piper of Kenduiwo, charming the children with game after game after game. Lori and Becky Chiapelli bring a joy that every missions trip should be fortunate enough to witness. Mel Milbert is doing due diligence regarding the orphan crisis, proving the head and heart glorify God.
Andy Gabig is everywhere, lifting trusses, handing out first aid kits, confirming measurements and playing his harmonica for the kids.
Thank you to those who have helped support this trip. It's very physical; we're exhausted each evening, both from the work and all the belly laughs. We keep sharing our amazement at the juxtaposition of the beauty of the environment surrounding us and the extreme poverty that serves as its backdrop. We thank God everyday for the little things (hot water) and the big things (doctors who save babies' lives at Tenwek Hospital).
Our Kenyan friends need prayer for continued rain so they do not confront another drought; safety within a rural area where brewing, alcoholism, abuse and unemployment are rampant; and wisdom and rest for David and Sarah Koech as they lead the orphanage and the care of the children, as well as Chuck and Amy Bemm as they work tirelessly at Tenwek to serve Jesus and confront an orphan crisis.
Happy 2010!
Deb Magness
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Ray's Report
Hello there everyone. This is Ray on the Kenya travel team reporting from Kenya. The last day of 2009, by the way which we will be celebrating New Years day eight hours before you folks who may be reading this from Pittsburgh or the surrounding areas. Today was the first day that we woke up to sunshine. Every previous day started with at least some rain. But, today no rain til about 7:15 pm Kenya time, (11:15 am Pittsburgh time).
Part of the group went to Bomet this morning to buy items that are being assembled into care packages for the orphans and widows in the village of Kenduiwo. Bomet is a town with a bustle of activity always going on. From people herding/walking their cows on or along the roads to pedestrians carrying things on their heads and in wheel barrows and carts to motorcycles with sometimes 3 passengers, (Sometimes I think I will see one with four). These guys were unloading a semi filled with heavy bags of fertilizer just outside the grocery/general store we were at. One of the local Kenyans, Peter, told us that these hard working men earned
two shillings. Somewhere during the translation I came away not knowing if it was two shillings per hour or two shillings per day. But keep in mind that the exchange rate when we converted from US dollars to Kenyan shillings was $1 US = 74 Kenyan shillings. Either way they were making only about 15 cents per day or $1.21 per week.
At the Kenduiwo orphanage the kids are almost all wearing 2nd hand clothes with holes worn through them. And many in terrible shoes or bare feet. But I am not sure if the kids know how to be unhappy about their situation because they smile and laugh at even a simple hello or
hand shake. Brian, on our travel team, started dancing some 1980's style dance moves after one of the Kenyan kids brought out a drum. In a few minutes he had several dozen kids, including some from around the surrounding areas, watching and joining in singing songs about Jesus and smiling and laughing. A few minutes later even a few of the Kenyan adults joined in. During prior days Becky and Lori and Mel and Justine and Dana, and the other Lori and Deb would entertain the kids... but Brian just had to be somewhat of a novelty today.
Today the women on the team painted steel window frames in preparation of installation and also painted wood components of the roof. The men on the team assembled wood roof components as others welded the fabricated truss work for the roof. The roof work on the girls dormitory finally went into gear today as there was no rain and a sufficiently sized welder arrived at the site.
Well, it is getting late tonight as the New Year approaches very soon. I will see you all next year. Oh, we also had birthday cake for Jon Martz this evening.
God bless you all out there in Blogland.
Ray Wolfgang
Part of the group went to Bomet this morning to buy items that are being assembled into care packages for the orphans and widows in the village of Kenduiwo. Bomet is a town with a bustle of activity always going on. From people herding/walking their cows on or along the roads to pedestrians carrying things on their heads and in wheel barrows and carts to motorcycles with sometimes 3 passengers, (Sometimes I think I will see one with four). These guys were unloading a semi filled with heavy bags of fertilizer just outside the grocery/general store we were at. One of the local Kenyans, Peter, told us that these hard working men earned
two shillings. Somewhere during the translation I came away not knowing if it was two shillings per hour or two shillings per day. But keep in mind that the exchange rate when we converted from US dollars to Kenyan shillings was $1 US = 74 Kenyan shillings. Either way they were making only about 15 cents per day or $1.21 per week.
At the Kenduiwo orphanage the kids are almost all wearing 2nd hand clothes with holes worn through them. And many in terrible shoes or bare feet. But I am not sure if the kids know how to be unhappy about their situation because they smile and laugh at even a simple hello or
hand shake. Brian, on our travel team, started dancing some 1980's style dance moves after one of the Kenyan kids brought out a drum. In a few minutes he had several dozen kids, including some from around the surrounding areas, watching and joining in singing songs about Jesus and smiling and laughing. A few minutes later even a few of the Kenyan adults joined in. During prior days Becky and Lori and Mel and Justine and Dana, and the other Lori and Deb would entertain the kids... but Brian just had to be somewhat of a novelty today.
Today the women on the team painted steel window frames in preparation of installation and also painted wood components of the roof. The men on the team assembled wood roof components as others welded the fabricated truss work for the roof. The roof work on the girls dormitory finally went into gear today as there was no rain and a sufficiently sized welder arrived at the site.
Well, it is getting late tonight as the New Year approaches very soon. I will see you all next year. Oh, we also had birthday cake for Jon Martz this evening.
God bless you all out there in Blogland.
Ray Wolfgang
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
"Use Me"
One of my favorite Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir pieces is "Use Me". This week has been quite appropriate for this song.
The following is the chorus from the song:
"If you can use anything Lord, you can use me.
If you can use anything Lord, you can use me.
Take my hands and my feet, touch my heart and speak through me.
If you can use anything Lord, you can use me."
This is really a testimony for my roommate, Ray Wolfgang, on this Kenya short-term missions trip. We've been briefly acquainted before this trip at ACAC through a Sunday school class. Let me introduce you to him (with his permission) and the Lord's use of him on this missions trip. I surveyed our team to describe him. Ray is an adult Boy Scout. It is an understatement to say that he personifies the Boy Scout motto, "Be Prepared". If our team has needed items for construction and other things, Ray had it. Teammates have also commented on his resourcefulness, unassuming manner, and gentle spirit.
Ray and I are a study in contrast. Ray has been at ACAC for three years and this is his first missions participation. For me, I have attended ACAC 25 years and actively involved in missions most of that time. Yet, this is our first missions trip. For Ray it has been a baptism by fire. He has never been on airplane before, and yet think about how far we've come to get to Tenwek and to serve the Bemms, and orphans at Kenduiwo. The Lord has revealed to me through Ray, that we don't have to be a "super" christian to participate in missions. He only asks us to be available.
Today started with rain (discouraging) and it made traveling and walking difficult. "Man plans his ways but the Lord directs his steps". After a short devotion and prayer, the rain stopped and the sun came out. It was wonderful and a lot got accomplished such as painting of pearlings, facia and trusses. The orphan kids appreciated learning the "Hokey Pokey". The women anticipate teaching them another traditional western PA wedding dance, "The Chicken Dance".
Blessings from Tenwek.
Jon Martz
The following is the chorus from the song:
"If you can use anything Lord, you can use me.
If you can use anything Lord, you can use me.
Take my hands and my feet, touch my heart and speak through me.
If you can use anything Lord, you can use me."
This is really a testimony for my roommate, Ray Wolfgang, on this Kenya short-term missions trip. We've been briefly acquainted before this trip at ACAC through a Sunday school class. Let me introduce you to him (with his permission) and the Lord's use of him on this missions trip. I surveyed our team to describe him. Ray is an adult Boy Scout. It is an understatement to say that he personifies the Boy Scout motto, "Be Prepared". If our team has needed items for construction and other things, Ray had it. Teammates have also commented on his resourcefulness, unassuming manner, and gentle spirit.
Ray and I are a study in contrast. Ray has been at ACAC for three years and this is his first missions participation. For me, I have attended ACAC 25 years and actively involved in missions most of that time. Yet, this is our first missions trip. For Ray it has been a baptism by fire. He has never been on airplane before, and yet think about how far we've come to get to Tenwek and to serve the Bemms, and orphans at Kenduiwo. The Lord has revealed to me through Ray, that we don't have to be a "super" christian to participate in missions. He only asks us to be available.
Today started with rain (discouraging) and it made traveling and walking difficult. "Man plans his ways but the Lord directs his steps". After a short devotion and prayer, the rain stopped and the sun came out. It was wonderful and a lot got accomplished such as painting of pearlings, facia and trusses. The orphan kids appreciated learning the "Hokey Pokey". The women anticipate teaching them another traditional western PA wedding dance, "The Chicken Dance".
Blessings from Tenwek.
Jon Martz
First Report from Kenya
Hello everybody! We made it to Kenya!
We arrived on Sunday, stayed in Nairobi for the evening, then left for a four and a half hour trek to the Tenwek village. Along the travels to Tenwek I saw my first giraffe, zebra, and gazelle several yards from our vehicle, WOW. It is my first time in Africa, and I must say its absolutely beautiful...but it is also like nothing I have ever seen or experienced before. The severity of poverty is overwhelming, and it seems to be just about everywhere.
We arrived on Sunday, stayed in Nairobi for the evening, then left for a four and a half hour trek to the Tenwek village. Along the travels to Tenwek I saw my first giraffe, zebra, and gazelle several yards from our vehicle, WOW. It is my first time in Africa, and I must say its absolutely beautiful...but it is also like nothing I have ever seen or experienced before. The severity of poverty is overwhelming, and it seems to be just about everywhere.
Today we visited the Tenwek Hospital where Amy and Chuck have their ministry. It's amazing to see God working, as the hospital cares for so many in such great need. As we walked through the different wards, the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit really struck me. The incubators were simply wooden boxes with a light inside, keeping the tiniest babies I've ever seen warm. As we met several doctors I was reminded of how God can use people to do great things, and by serving, lives are touched.
Upon leaving the hospital we all packed up drive to the Kenduiwo Orphanage and begin working on the roof project. The drive to Kenduiwo lea us up steep, rocky terrain in some of the most beautiful scenery I've ever seen....and then those beautiful faces!!! The orphans of Kenduiwo were so amazing. Their faces and smiles are absolutely beautiful and unforgettable. Spending time with these children not only cultivates a heart of gratitude, but also made me thank God for those who care for them, and that I am here seeing the beauty in their eyes, and spirit. We will be there again tomorrow, and it's truly a blessing to serve alongside the Behms for those in
Kenya. So blessed.
I Corinthians 16:14: "Do everything in love."
Much Love,
Lori Chiapelli
Chuck and Amy Bemm
Serving with World Gospel Mission
Tenwek Hospital
PO Box 39
Bomet, Kenya 20400
254-52-22495 ext. 259
254-733-262899 chuck cell
254-733-262900 amy cell
chuckbemm@gmail.com
Upon leaving the hospital we all packed up drive to the Kenduiwo Orphanage and begin working on the roof project. The drive to Kenduiwo lea us up steep, rocky terrain in some of the most beautiful scenery I've ever seen....and then those beautiful faces!!! The orphans of Kenduiwo were so amazing. Their faces and smiles are absolutely beautiful and unforgettable. Spending time with these children not only cultivates a heart of gratitude, but also made me thank God for those who care for them, and that I am here seeing the beauty in their eyes, and spirit. We will be there again tomorrow, and it's truly a blessing to serve alongside the Behms for those in
Kenya. So blessed.
I Corinthians 16:14: "Do everything in love."
Much Love,
Lori Chiapelli
Chuck and Amy Bemm
Serving with World Gospel Mission
Tenwek Hospital
PO Box 39
Bomet, Kenya 20400
254-52-22495 ext. 259
254-733-262899 chuck cell
254-733-262900 amy cell
chuckbemm@gmail.com
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
December 23, 2009
Merry Christmas to our friends and family, and esp. our church family at ACAC.
Our short-term missions team of 14 leaves for Tenwek, Kenya on December 26, 2009, and we would greatly appreciate your prayers, as would our hosts- Dr. Chuck and Amy Bemm.
Here are the names of the travelers:
Becky Chiapelli
Lori Chiapelli
Brock Covington
Andy Gabig
John Lantz
Deb Magness
Jon Martz
Mel Milbert
Brian Hornack
Lori Hornack
Dana Reed
Greg Sparks
Justina Sparks
Ray Wolfgang
Becky Chiapelli
Lori Chiapelli
Brock Covington
Andy Gabig
John Lantz
Deb Magness
Jon Martz
Mel Milbert
Brian Hornack
Lori Hornack
Dana Reed
Greg Sparks
Justina Sparks
Ray Wolfgang
Following are some specific ways you can pray for us over these next two weeks...
Praise
· For the Lord continually demonstrating His faithfulness and greatness during our preparation.
· For good attendance at two fund-raising concerts held outside and at the ACAC.
· For the generosity, excitement and support of relatives, friends, co-workers and our ACAC family.
· For the people involved in and contributing to something like this trip for the first time.
· For the Lord providing the amount needed for this trip and opportunities for the team to help one another.
Prayer
· That we stay focused on glorifying God and to humbly set our own priorities aside as we serve others in Kenya.
· For smooth flight connections from Pittsburgh to Paris to Nairobi and back and dealings with customs. Especially the first leg of our journey, our layover in Paris is only little more than 1 hour and we have to change terminals. Pray that the airline would help in transporting us to the terminal and that our first flight lands on time or ahead of time.
· For adjustments in culture and cuisine, time zones (7-8 hours ahead of Pittsburgh), climate (daytime highs in the 80’s) and altitude (7,000 feet).
· As Pastor Rock would say “The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing”. The main thing is the glory of God.
· That we would be a blessing and an encouragement to the Kenyans and Bemms and other missionaries.
· For spiritual eyes and ears to see things in Kenya and in Kenyans, not in a western or American way, but godly way.
· For the health, safety and a strong unity among our travel team.
· For the ability to hear God's still small voice, in situations and circumstances as He directs our path, and hearts and for a Kingdom perspective (that we would see things as God wants us to see them).
· For the Spirit’s protection over our minds, bodies, wills and hearts.
· For the Lord’s care, strength, provision and protection for our families while we are away.
· For spiritual preparation, alertness and openness to God’s working in our heart during and after this trip.
· That the hearts of our team and those in Kenya would be positively impacted, influenced and changed in a new way for God’s kingdom and for His Great Commission.
· That God would use this as an opportunity to share Jesus with our families and co-workers when we return from our trip.
· For the Lord continually demonstrating His faithfulness and greatness during our preparation.
· For good attendance at two fund-raising concerts held outside and at the ACAC.
· For the generosity, excitement and support of relatives, friends, co-workers and our ACAC family.
· For the people involved in and contributing to something like this trip for the first time.
· For the Lord providing the amount needed for this trip and opportunities for the team to help one another.
Prayer
· That we stay focused on glorifying God and to humbly set our own priorities aside as we serve others in Kenya.
· For smooth flight connections from Pittsburgh to Paris to Nairobi and back and dealings with customs. Especially the first leg of our journey, our layover in Paris is only little more than 1 hour and we have to change terminals. Pray that the airline would help in transporting us to the terminal and that our first flight lands on time or ahead of time.
· For adjustments in culture and cuisine, time zones (7-8 hours ahead of Pittsburgh), climate (daytime highs in the 80’s) and altitude (7,000 feet).
· As Pastor Rock would say “The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing”. The main thing is the glory of God.
· That we would be a blessing and an encouragement to the Kenyans and Bemms and other missionaries.
· For spiritual eyes and ears to see things in Kenya and in Kenyans, not in a western or American way, but godly way.
· For the health, safety and a strong unity among our travel team.
· For the ability to hear God's still small voice, in situations and circumstances as He directs our path, and hearts and for a Kingdom perspective (that we would see things as God wants us to see them).
· For the Spirit’s protection over our minds, bodies, wills and hearts.
· For the Lord’s care, strength, provision and protection for our families while we are away.
· For spiritual preparation, alertness and openness to God’s working in our heart during and after this trip.
· That the hearts of our team and those in Kenya would be positively impacted, influenced and changed in a new way for God’s kingdom and for His Great Commission.
· That God would use this as an opportunity to share Jesus with our families and co-workers when we return from our trip.
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