recess!

As is true for nearly every child, recess was a highlight of every day!

The kids don't have a playground... but they fully enjoy the dirt clearing just outside the church building. They were completely enthralled with the multi-colored parachute that we brought and called it "the rainbow."

Teacher Fredah carefully counted all the jumpropes and balls at the end of every recess to make sure none had escaped with a local neighborhood child...

"yes, teach-ah!"

Our team spent nearly every day teaching in the little church-run Kenyan school. The children speak primarily Swahili, but are quick learners when it comes to English, and their accents are beautiful.

They greeted us with a song when we arrived: "Welcome, welcome to ou-ah class. Happy to see you. Happy to he-ah you, in ou-ah class!"

Their "class" consisted of small concrete room (almost like a little cave) with a hole cut in the wall for light. Up to 20 or 30 children crammed around each large square table, which served as their work area. A few hand-written charts of letters and numbers graced the walls. I can still hear their sweet little voices saying "yes, teach-ah" when asked a question by one of the American visitors.

Every day, we taught letters, numbers, a Bible lesson, music, and crafts.... which involved significant instruction in the use of glue!

The kids especially loved Teacher Sara, who taught them the alphabet song!

Jesus loves the little children...

worship... kenyan style

in living color

Thanks to all of you who prayed for my trip to Africa! It was an absolutely incredible experience! I'll have plenty of highlights to share in the coming days, but for now I'll just post our Kenya video, trusting that a few pictures will be worth more than a thousand words!

commissioned...

Our team was commissioned in prayer this morning at church, and we are ready to be ambassadors to Kenya!

I'm so honored to spend the next two weeks with Penny, Hillary, Beth, Rachel, Sara, Kenny, Nick, Robert, Kevin, and Isam. We're quickly becoming a close-knit team!

our mission field...

This is Mathare Valley, the slum where my team will be serving alongside a precious Kenyan pastor....

His glorious riches

I was reminded today how much God enjoys meeting our needs.....

Thursdays are trash days in my neighborhood.... And after backing out of my driveway this morning, I realized I had forgotten to set my garbage can out for pick up. As I dashed back into the garage, I noticed that my neighbors across the street had a suitcase in their trash pile.

Hmm.... that could come in handy....

I spontaneously grabbed the discarded luggage and hauled it into my trunk, knowing that we would be packing all our Kenya supplies tonight.... and chances were, someone might have forgotten to bring an extra bag.

When I walked into our Kenya meeting lugging the extra suitcase, it quickly became apparent why God had directed my attention to the trash heap this morning.... We are taking three computers with us to Kenya, packed securely in suitcases so they can be checked on the plane.... and we were one suitcase short.

Until that moment.

And after a bit of zipper-wrangling, Pastor Isam was able to accomplish the goal!

A perfect fit. Because we have a perfect God, who perfectly meets our needs, according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
(Philippians 4:19)

And sometimes, He uses a trash heap.

countdown to Kenya

I'm counting the days until we leave for Africa! It's hard to believe it's just a week and a half away! I'm so excited to see the children again - those little ones have such a way of getting into your heart...

jet setter

My job takes me all across the country, which also affords me the privilege of living out of suitcases and viewing the world from 10,000 feet. After flying home yesterday from yet another business trip, I figured out that I've traveled 28 days in the last 3 months!

With all the coming and going, I've explored my fair share of airports over the past several years - and recently, I discovered a new favorite. Can anyone guess what city this airport is in? I'll give you a clue... there's a Motown store just around the corner.

I stood mesmerized by this fountain for at least 15 minutes..... watching the water change shapes and patterns... watching the people watch the water... watching the clock so I didn't miss my plane while watching the people watch the water....