Great first day at Endana Primary School! It's amazing to see how much progress has been made at the school since our first visit two year ago. God has really blessed the community with their partnership with 410Bridge and BPF. Sponsorship of Brightpointe children really makes an overall difference too! The children greeted us with bright smiles as we marched in with them and watched a wonderful opening ceremony. Each class presented poems, songs and dances just for us. Many of us even had the privledge of "dancing" with them. One of the most exciting things is that electricity is arriving in the community and the school will soon be plugged in! Well, I can't wait for tomorrow. We have the awesome opportunity to worship with our friends in their own churches. Blessings to all!
Cindy U.
Saturday, June 26, 2010
"...a beautiful picture of joy, hope and progress."
Jambo!
After a long journey, our team is finally in Kenya! We woke early on Saturday morning and traveled straight to Endana. The entire community showed up to welcome us at the welcome party held at the Endana Primary School. We were greeted by community and school officials followed by performances from the school children. Each of the classes performed dances, songs, and poems. After the ceremony, we spent some time catching up with old and new friends and touring the progress that has been made at the school. I was blown away. So often, we see images of Africa that are filled with poverty and sadness, but the Endana Primary School is a beautiful picture of joy, hope and progress.
The team will have dinner tonight followed by a short group meeting and lots of rest. In the morning, Brightpoint has arranged for team members to connect with their sponsor children and then we'll all go to church...actually we'll split up and visit 6 churches! Tomorrow afternoon, the team will take part in a open air worship service targeting all of Endana and the surrounding communities. Pray for our team as we preach, share our stories, and lead in worship.
Coming back to Kenya for the 4th time, I have so much to be thankful for. Change is real here. You can see it. And I can't wait for more of what God is planning for Brazos Pointe and Endana.
Aaron
After a long journey, our team is finally in Kenya! We woke early on Saturday morning and traveled straight to Endana. The entire community showed up to welcome us at the welcome party held at the Endana Primary School. We were greeted by community and school officials followed by performances from the school children. Each of the classes performed dances, songs, and poems. After the ceremony, we spent some time catching up with old and new friends and touring the progress that has been made at the school. I was blown away. So often, we see images of Africa that are filled with poverty and sadness, but the Endana Primary School is a beautiful picture of joy, hope and progress.
The team will have dinner tonight followed by a short group meeting and lots of rest. In the morning, Brightpoint has arranged for team members to connect with their sponsor children and then we'll all go to church...actually we'll split up and visit 6 churches! Tomorrow afternoon, the team will take part in a open air worship service targeting all of Endana and the surrounding communities. Pray for our team as we preach, share our stories, and lead in worship.
Coming back to Kenya for the 4th time, I have so much to be thankful for. Change is real here. You can see it. And I can't wait for more of what God is planning for Brazos Pointe and Endana.
Aaron
Friday, June 25, 2010
In Nairobi
British Airways online flight status shows their flight landed at 11:35pm Nairobi time Friday, June 25th. Thank you, God, for keeping them safe!
According to the trip itinerary, they should be getting some much need rest about now and will be leaving for Endana in their morning.
More updates as they come in.
According to the trip itinerary, they should be getting some much need rest about now and will be leaving for Endana in their morning.
More updates as they come in.
Next stop Nairobi!
All members of the team have arrived safely in London. The flight leaving London to Nairobi was delayed for a little over 2 hours but the flight status online shows that they have departed. Word from Dedee W. was that they were all enjoying each other and a few of the kids were being kids (loud). :)
Pray for them now as they journey to Nairobi and are all anxious to get there.
Pray for them now as they journey to Nairobi and are all anxious to get there.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
And they're off!
The team members have all left their homes, be it from Singapore or Texas, with lots of hugs and probably a few tears and are headed for Kenya by way of London. Kenya is probably not prepared for this bunch!
Jakeb S., who currently lives in Singapore, will meet up with the Texas crew in London.
Mark your calendars for the Post-Kenya trip party on Friday July 9th in the worship center starting at 6:30.
2010 Trip Itinerary
The team leaves today! 38 from leaving from Texas and 1 from Singapore will meet up in London and head on from there to Nairobi. This is the largest team our church has ever sent out! 39 people have responded to God's call to make disciples of all nations and will be looking for opportunities to be catalysts in a foreign land.
Continue praying for the team as they put the finishing touches on their packing and planning. For the family and friends who have to say goodbye. And also for the air crews for their flights ahead and for all legs :) of the journey to be painless.
DATE: 24 June 2010-03 July 2010
U.S. TEAM LEADER: Aaron Sanders; Kirk Willson
410 BRIDGE KENYA LEADER: Alfred
DRIVER: David & Carlos
THURSDAY 24 JUNE
DEPART: HOUSTON 420P
FRIDAY 25 JUNE
ARRIVE: LONDON 730A
DEPART: LONDON 1020A
ARRIVE: NAIROBI 900P
HOTEL: LENANA
SATURDAY 26 JUNE
MORNING: Depart for Endana
AFTERNOON: Lunch
Welcome and Introductions at Endona Primary School
Community Fellowship/ Home visits
EVENING: Sportsman Arms Hotel
SUNDAY 27 JUNE
MORNING: Depart for Endana
Church in Endana (Faith Chapel, Baptist Church, Full Gospel Church, Vision in Christ Church)
AFTERNOON: Lunch
Possible visit with Brightpoint Kids
Open Air Evengelism: Team share testimonies, songs, etc. (Leaders: David and Crispo)
EVENING: Sportsman Arms Hotel
MONDAY 28 JUNE
MORNING: Depart for Endana
Service Projects:
Group 1: Renovation Project for water tank at Endana
Group 2: Teaching in classes K-4 at Endana Primary School (avg. 40 students/class; ages 6-12)
Group 3: Pastoral Training: Endona Primary Library
Group 4: Work with special needs kids
Group 5: Medical Team at the Segera Mission Clinic
AFTERNOON: Lunch
Group 1: Continue with Renovations Project
Group 2: Games with Endana Primary kids (ages 6-12, classes 4-6)
*Teams to teach games (bring balls, supplies, games prepared)
EVENING: Sportsman Arms Hotel
TUESDAY 29 JUNE
MORNING: Depart for Endana
Service Projects:
Group 1: Renovation Project for water tank at Endana
Group 2: Teaching in classes K-4 at Endana Primary School (avg. 40 students/class; ages 6-12)
Group 3: Pastoral Training: Endona Primary Library
Group 4: Work with special needs kids
Group 5: Medical Team at the Segera Mission Clinic
AFTERNOON: Lunch
Group 1: Continue with renovations project
Group 2: Home visits, team to help with chores (sweeping, fetching water, washing clothes etc.)
* Visit same homes as Saturday afternoon
EVENING: Sportsman Arms Hotel
WEDNESDAY 30 JUNE
MORNING: Depart for Endana
Service Projects:
Group 1: Renovation Project for water tank at Endana
Group 2: Teaching in classes K-4 at Endana Primary School (avg. 40 students/class; ages 6-12)
Group 3: Pastoral Training: Endona Primary Library
Group 4: Work with special needs kids
Group 5: Medical Team at the Segera Mission Clinic
AFTERNOON: Lunch
Group 1: Community games (soccer, football, kickball)/ US team to facilitate games with headmaster)
Group 2: Guidance Counseling with Endona Secondary School students (Form 1-4)
EVENING: Sportsman Arms Hotel
THURSDAY 1 JULY
MORNING: Depart for Endana
Community Farewell/ Prayers (Endona Primary School
Depart for Sweetwater
AFTERNOON: Lunch/ Safari
EVENING: Sweetwater Tented Camp
FRIDAY 2 JULY
MORNING: Depart for Nairobi
AFTERNOON: Java House Lunch/ Giraffe Center/Shopping/Dinner on the way to airport
DEPART: NAIROBI 1140P
SATURDAY 3 JULY
ARRIVE: LONDON 620A
DEPART: LONDON 1025A
ARRIVE: HOUSTON 235P
Pre-trip Team Devotional Thursday
Two former team members, Chantel and Tony have prepared these short pre-trip guides to help prepare the team spiritually for what God has in store. Please take the time this week to sit with God and listen and pray for the Kenya 2010 team to be prepared to experience all that God has for them. This is intended for the team but who knows, perhaps God has something for you as well.
------
Will You Use Your Gifts?
Romans 12:6
“We have different gifts, according to the grace given us”. No one has all the gifts. No one person can do it all. The Bible often compares our gifts to parts of the human body. Everyone has a part, and the body is not complete without all the parts functioning together. God wants to use your gift to benefit the whole body.
The team that you are a part of is going to Kenya as a part of the body of Christ. Pray that God will make your gift clear and give you every opportunity to use it for His Kingdom.
But I also challenge you to be flexible. The Apostle Paul says in I Corinthians 9:20-22:
“To the Jews I became a Jew to win Jews.
To those under the law I became under the law
to win those under the law.
To those outside the law I became outside the law
to win those outside the law.
To the weak I became weak to win the weak
I have become all things to all men in order that
by all means I might win some.”
Paul knew the value of being flexible, yet at the same time knew he couldn’t win them all. God will use your gifts and abilities on this trip. There are things that only you can do. There are things that only you can share. There are people that only you can reach. But it all starts with your availability.
Prayer:
Lord, help me put aside anything in my life that might hinder my availability. Make us one body, with every team member open to what you have prepared beforehand for us to do. Give us harmony and love for each other so we can show Your love to others. Amen.
------
Will You Use Your Gifts?
Romans 12:6
“We have different gifts, according to the grace given us”. No one has all the gifts. No one person can do it all. The Bible often compares our gifts to parts of the human body. Everyone has a part, and the body is not complete without all the parts functioning together. God wants to use your gift to benefit the whole body.
The team that you are a part of is going to Kenya as a part of the body of Christ. Pray that God will make your gift clear and give you every opportunity to use it for His Kingdom.
But I also challenge you to be flexible. The Apostle Paul says in I Corinthians 9:20-22:
“To the Jews I became a Jew to win Jews.
To those under the law I became under the law
to win those under the law.
To those outside the law I became outside the law
to win those outside the law.
To the weak I became weak to win the weak
I have become all things to all men in order that
by all means I might win some.”
Paul knew the value of being flexible, yet at the same time knew he couldn’t win them all. God will use your gifts and abilities on this trip. There are things that only you can do. There are things that only you can share. There are people that only you can reach. But it all starts with your availability.
Prayer:
Lord, help me put aside anything in my life that might hinder my availability. Make us one body, with every team member open to what you have prepared beforehand for us to do. Give us harmony and love for each other so we can show Your love to others. Amen.
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