A video created in 2006 showing the Smiths and their hearts to share Christ, in the Arushan community.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jfDnfMaR8X8
June 12: On the Road Again
Early morning! We were up and on the buses by 6:00am. With our suitcases strapped on the roof of the buses, we began the six hour journey from Nairobi to Arusha, TZ. I was eager to see the African countryside for the first time. I caught glimpses of the landscape in Nairobi, but it was mostly industrialized...replete with tar roads, buildings, and billboards. I loved the ride for several reasons: a) It was great time to learn more about my old/new friends on the team. We shared stories and laughter. b) As the sun rose along the horizon, it was so beautiful to see the locals hustling and bustling along the roadside.
After six hours on dusty pothole filled roads, our buses pulled into our "home" for the remainder of the trip: Vernon & Mary Smith's home. The Smiths are a missionary couple who have lived in Arusha, TZ for over twenty years. Their hearts for the Lord and for the Arushan community, honestly took me aback. Vernon is the pastor at Bible Baptist Church, located in the neighborhood "Olorien," which is within Arusha. Next to their church is Bible Baptist School, which flocks of neighborhood children attend. Right across the church and school is the new Bible Baptist Olorien Medical Clinic. Our team will spend the remainder of our time working within this neighborhood.
We arrived around 1:30pm, and Vernon and Mary had prepared hamburgers and chips with guacamole (yum!). Mary said she was really excited because recently a grocery store that carries bread had opened in Arusha, so she didn't have to make the hamburger buns by hand this time (!). The meal was perfectly completed by homemade chocolate chip cookies, oatmeal chocolate chunk cookies, and fudge (Fudge = key to my heart. Actually most any chocolate dessert will suffice as the key ;) ). After lunch, Vernon & Mary gave a rundown of their involvement in the Arushan community, and laid out our rough blueprint for the remainder of our time. I am so thrilled and honored to work alongside these people. Vernon is completely fluent in Swahili. He randomly jumps from Swahili to English, at his leisure. I can't imagine how long that must have taken for him to learn. I am so blown away and encouraged by this couple.
This afternoon we went to the Olorien Clinic (which opens for the first time tomorrow!), and began setting up the medicine and supplies we had brought from America. The clinic is absolutely beautiful.
After six hours on dusty pothole filled roads, our buses pulled into our "home" for the remainder of the trip: Vernon & Mary Smith's home. The Smiths are a missionary couple who have lived in Arusha, TZ for over twenty years. Their hearts for the Lord and for the Arushan community, honestly took me aback. Vernon is the pastor at Bible Baptist Church, located in the neighborhood "Olorien," which is within Arusha. Next to their church is Bible Baptist School, which flocks of neighborhood children attend. Right across the church and school is the new Bible Baptist Olorien Medical Clinic. Our team will spend the remainder of our time working within this neighborhood.
We arrived around 1:30pm, and Vernon and Mary had prepared hamburgers and chips with guacamole (yum!). Mary said she was really excited because recently a grocery store that carries bread had opened in Arusha, so she didn't have to make the hamburger buns by hand this time (!). The meal was perfectly completed by homemade chocolate chip cookies, oatmeal chocolate chunk cookies, and fudge (Fudge = key to my heart. Actually most any chocolate dessert will suffice as the key ;) ). After lunch, Vernon & Mary gave a rundown of their involvement in the Arushan community, and laid out our rough blueprint for the remainder of our time. I am so thrilled and honored to work alongside these people. Vernon is completely fluent in Swahili. He randomly jumps from Swahili to English, at his leisure. I can't imagine how long that must have taken for him to learn. I am so blown away and encouraged by this couple.
This afternoon we went to the Olorien Clinic (which opens for the first time tomorrow!), and began setting up the medicine and supplies we had brought from America. The clinic is absolutely beautiful.
My heart is overflowing, words cannot capture my emotions.
I'm reminded of, "Savior, teach our souls to rise." -Sandra McCracken
Currently Playing: Ketchwa - Braddigan
June 11: By Your wounds, we are healed.
Today was our second and final day in Kibera. We awoke at 6:30am and had devotional time. We prayed for holistic healing: spiritual, physical, and mental. We prayed the Lord would radiate through us, to love His children who are beautiful, precious, and just as valued as any child anywhere in the world. We ate at Java Nairobi again (scrambled eggs, sausage, toast, mango juice of course!), and then headed to Kibera for the day.
Once we got to Kibera, a handful of us made a restroom stop at Pastor Simon's apartment. Pastor Simon is the pastor of the Bible Baptist Church located in Kibera. He oversees the Manna School. His apartment was neatly furnished and was located just across the street from Kibera. He lived in a 2bedroom/1bathroom apt with his wife and four children.
We began the hike into Kibera, experiencing the unforgettable smells and sights once again. Our medical team, headed by Dr. Larry VanFleet, saw the remaining 200 children in the school. Word had "gotten out" about a medical team in the Manna School, so various family members of the children began lining up outside the school gate to be seen. So, after we'd seen all the children and had our 5-10 minute lunch break, we began seeing the adults. The majority were mothers/infants and the elderly. I'll never forget my first patient: a 7 month old being carried by her mother. The mother had a kanga wrap on her head and wore an over sized/tattered t-shirt. She held in her arms a 7 month old baby girl, wearing soiled/mud stained clothes and a red beanie. The child was screaming crying. I asked the translator the reason for her visit, and she stated her child was sick. So, I began to reach over and hold her. As my arms reached around her overly warm body, I could tell this child was crying because she was in pain: hunger, fever, etc. I used a flashlight to examine her mouth, which would give me a better idea of her nutritional status. No more had I peered into her mouth with the light, than my heart dropped and my throat went dry. She had the most severe case of oral thrush I'd ever seen. I felt her lymph nodes, and they were bulging. I knew both of these signs are highly indicative of HIV, so I called Dr. Larry over to confirm. He has led various medical mission trips worldwide, so I knew he would have better wisdom in this situation. He just silently nodded, and said that it looked so severe, that if she didn't go to the hospital to receive immediate medical treatment, this infant would go downhill quickly. I asked (through the translator), if the mother was breastfeeding, to which she replied yes. I asked if she or the infant had been HIV tested. She answered the infant had not, but that she had and was HIV +. My initial thought was, "Why is this mother breastfeeding if she knows this is such a huge risk factor for transmitting the virus?" Then, it hit me. This woman could not afford to feed her baby any other way. In that moment, my eyes filled with tears. It was the dilemma of: either watch her child starve because she had no money to buy food/milk, or breastfeed and risk transmitting HIV to her child. She had chosen the latter. I, along with the medical team, advised her to keep breast feeding at this point a.) to keep feeding her child b.) the child had more than likely already contracted the virus. I reminded the Mom that she needed to take her child to the hospital for immediate medical treatment. She was somewhat reluctant in her response. Maybe she knew she couldn't afford it, or the HIV treatment. I'll never forget that sweet baby girl, and the unimaginable dilemma her Mom was faced with. Lord, use me to help decrease the incidence of this unfathomable dilemma, for Your glory.
We saw a total of 250 patients that day, but the 7month old girl stayed on my heart. I cannot imagine being faced with such a dilemma, but it happens everyday here. You can see that truly apart from Christ, the task is too big here. In spite of it all, I know He is working here. He has revealed Himself to the children in this school, giving them joy despite their circumstances. He is using various medical mission organizations to serve the people here, and to offer not only physical healing, but spiritual healing through prayer as well. He reigns.
Tomorrow we are up early (5:30!), and headed to Arusha, TZ., where we will spend the remainder of our time in Africa. I am so eager and excited. :)
'Do not fear, for I am with you; do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.'..."For I am the LORD your God, who upholds your right hand, who says to you,' Do not fear, I will help you.' ..."Do not fear, you worm Jacob, you men of Israel; I will help you," declares the LORD, "and your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel..."The afflicted and needy are seeking water, but there is none, and their tongue is parched with thirst; I, the LORD, will answer them Myself, as the God of Israel I will not forsake them. "I will open rivers on the bare heights and springs in the midst of the valleys; I will make the wilderness a pool of water and the dry land fountains of water. I will put the cedar in the wilderness, the acacia and the myrtle and the olive tree; I will place the juniper in the desert together with the box tree and the cypress, that they may see and recognize, and consider and gain insight as well, that the hand of the LORD has done this, and the Holy One of Israel has created it." -Isaiah 41: 10, 13-14, 17-20
Currently Playing: Healed - Nichole Nordeman
Once we got to Kibera, a handful of us made a restroom stop at Pastor Simon's apartment. Pastor Simon is the pastor of the Bible Baptist Church located in Kibera. He oversees the Manna School. His apartment was neatly furnished and was located just across the street from Kibera. He lived in a 2bedroom/1bathroom apt with his wife and four children.
We began the hike into Kibera, experiencing the unforgettable smells and sights once again. Our medical team, headed by Dr. Larry VanFleet, saw the remaining 200 children in the school. Word had "gotten out" about a medical team in the Manna School, so various family members of the children began lining up outside the school gate to be seen. So, after we'd seen all the children and had our 5-10 minute lunch break, we began seeing the adults. The majority were mothers/infants and the elderly. I'll never forget my first patient: a 7 month old being carried by her mother. The mother had a kanga wrap on her head and wore an over sized/tattered t-shirt. She held in her arms a 7 month old baby girl, wearing soiled/mud stained clothes and a red beanie. The child was screaming crying. I asked the translator the reason for her visit, and she stated her child was sick. So, I began to reach over and hold her. As my arms reached around her overly warm body, I could tell this child was crying because she was in pain: hunger, fever, etc. I used a flashlight to examine her mouth, which would give me a better idea of her nutritional status. No more had I peered into her mouth with the light, than my heart dropped and my throat went dry. She had the most severe case of oral thrush I'd ever seen. I felt her lymph nodes, and they were bulging. I knew both of these signs are highly indicative of HIV, so I called Dr. Larry over to confirm. He has led various medical mission trips worldwide, so I knew he would have better wisdom in this situation. He just silently nodded, and said that it looked so severe, that if she didn't go to the hospital to receive immediate medical treatment, this infant would go downhill quickly. I asked (through the translator), if the mother was breastfeeding, to which she replied yes. I asked if she or the infant had been HIV tested. She answered the infant had not, but that she had and was HIV +. My initial thought was, "Why is this mother breastfeeding if she knows this is such a huge risk factor for transmitting the virus?" Then, it hit me. This woman could not afford to feed her baby any other way. In that moment, my eyes filled with tears. It was the dilemma of: either watch her child starve because she had no money to buy food/milk, or breastfeed and risk transmitting HIV to her child. She had chosen the latter. I, along with the medical team, advised her to keep breast feeding at this point a.) to keep feeding her child b.) the child had more than likely already contracted the virus. I reminded the Mom that she needed to take her child to the hospital for immediate medical treatment. She was somewhat reluctant in her response. Maybe she knew she couldn't afford it, or the HIV treatment. I'll never forget that sweet baby girl, and the unimaginable dilemma her Mom was faced with. Lord, use me to help decrease the incidence of this unfathomable dilemma, for Your glory.
We saw a total of 250 patients that day, but the 7month old girl stayed on my heart. I cannot imagine being faced with such a dilemma, but it happens everyday here. You can see that truly apart from Christ, the task is too big here. In spite of it all, I know He is working here. He has revealed Himself to the children in this school, giving them joy despite their circumstances. He is using various medical mission organizations to serve the people here, and to offer not only physical healing, but spiritual healing through prayer as well. He reigns.
Tomorrow we are up early (5:30!), and headed to Arusha, TZ., where we will spend the remainder of our time in Africa. I am so eager and excited. :)
'Do not fear, for I am with you; do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.'..."For I am the LORD your God, who upholds your right hand, who says to you,' Do not fear, I will help you.' ..."Do not fear, you worm Jacob, you men of Israel; I will help you," declares the LORD, "and your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel..."The afflicted and needy are seeking water, but there is none, and their tongue is parched with thirst; I, the LORD, will answer them Myself, as the God of Israel I will not forsake them. "I will open rivers on the bare heights and springs in the midst of the valleys; I will make the wilderness a pool of water and the dry land fountains of water. I will put the cedar in the wilderness, the acacia and the myrtle and the olive tree; I will place the juniper in the desert together with the box tree and the cypress, that they may see and recognize, and consider and gain insight as well, that the hand of the LORD has done this, and the Holy One of Israel has created it." -Isaiah 41: 10, 13-14, 17-20
Currently Playing: Healed - Nichole Nordeman
June 10: He sent His Spirit to carry us through.
Our group finally made it! All 28 of us. Our Houston/Austin team (7) partnered with a mission team from North Metro Church in Denver, Co. (19), and we are all being led by Sandy and Karen Baird. Sandy works for Manna Worldwide, a faith based non-profit organization committed to meeting the spiritual and physical needs of children worldwide. They have recently started a school in Kibera, one of the world's largest slums. This is where we are working today and tomorrow. It holds approximately 1.6million people, in 1.2 square miles. Our team is divided: half will be doing vacation bible school & the other will be a medical team. I am beyond excited and humbled to use my giftings as nurse to serve the broken, hurting, and lost.
We were up by 6:00am, and prayed over the coming day. After eating a wonderful breakfast complete with mango juice (yum!), the buses headed to Kibera. I honestly had no idea what to expect, or visualize.
How do you describe brokenness? How do you describe one of the largest slums in the world, with approximately 1.6million people in 1.2 square miles? Words simply cannot suffice in attempts to explain what is before your eyes. The Manna School was located in the center of Kibera, so we hiked up through the community to get to our destination. My eyes were wide, my heart was heavy at the sight the slum. We had to cross a "raw sewage" river to get into the slum. Once we crossed the stream (via a small rusted bridge), we began the hike upward. I began breathing out of my mouth because the smell was beyond words. My heart broke at seeing this is how 1.6 million people live.
We set up the clinic within the school. We had one doctor on the team, and 3-4 nurses. We all worked together to assess, diagnose, and medically treat the patients. The first day, we saw the 200 out of the 400 children who attended the school. Most all the children were malnourished and living in unsuitable living conditions, which were the overall root of their symptoms/diseases. When I asked (via translator) how many cups of water/day they were drinking, my typical answer was 1 (most likely unfiltered water). My heart was breaking for these children, and yet I was blown away by their unshakable joy in Jesus. Their smiles and joy, despite their unbearable circumstances, overwhelmed my heart. The Lord blessed me in my reading today...which I think will suit as theme for my trip...Isaiah 41:9-20. He is here, redeeming His people. What a joy to serve Him.
Currently Playing: Up on a Mountain - The Welcome Wagon
We were up by 6:00am, and prayed over the coming day. After eating a wonderful breakfast complete with mango juice (yum!), the buses headed to Kibera. I honestly had no idea what to expect, or visualize.
How do you describe brokenness? How do you describe one of the largest slums in the world, with approximately 1.6million people in 1.2 square miles? Words simply cannot suffice in attempts to explain what is before your eyes. The Manna School was located in the center of Kibera, so we hiked up through the community to get to our destination. My eyes were wide, my heart was heavy at the sight the slum. We had to cross a "raw sewage" river to get into the slum. Once we crossed the stream (via a small rusted bridge), we began the hike upward. I began breathing out of my mouth because the smell was beyond words. My heart broke at seeing this is how 1.6 million people live.
We set up the clinic within the school. We had one doctor on the team, and 3-4 nurses. We all worked together to assess, diagnose, and medically treat the patients. The first day, we saw the 200 out of the 400 children who attended the school. Most all the children were malnourished and living in unsuitable living conditions, which were the overall root of their symptoms/diseases. When I asked (via translator) how many cups of water/day they were drinking, my typical answer was 1 (most likely unfiltered water). My heart was breaking for these children, and yet I was blown away by their unshakable joy in Jesus. Their smiles and joy, despite their unbearable circumstances, overwhelmed my heart. The Lord blessed me in my reading today...which I think will suit as theme for my trip...Isaiah 41:9-20. He is here, redeeming His people. What a joy to serve Him.
Currently Playing: Up on a Mountain - The Welcome Wagon
June 8-9: A Different Kind of Night
A different kind of night: flying over the dark Atlantic. My heart is overflowing. You see the stars from a different angle up here. I feel they're almost parallel to me. They radiate in the night sky. It's a beautiful and humbling experience. This time tomorrow, I will be on the ground in Africa. I will experience my first African sunset. It's overwhelming and beautiful to experience God's sovereignty, in taking me on this journey. This continent and people have been an unexplainable passion which God has laid on my heart for several years now. In His perfect timing and wisdom, He has brought this amazing trip to pass. I'm reminded that this trip is not about me or what I have to offer, but it's about how the Lord will work through me, to love the broken, hurting, and lost. We love because he first loved us. I am just humbled and thankful that God uses His people as an integral part of His redemptive plan. My heart and continual prayer is that He would use myself and the team to display the love of Christ in ways I see and in ways I don't see. I am overwhelmed to see the truth 'He will give you the desires of your heart,' become a reality with this adventure. How do you explain a love for people that you've never met, on a continent you've never been to? The only way I can attempt to explain is to be reminded it is simply of God. I'm quite confident I will learn more from those I encounter, than they will from me. I love how the Lord chooses to use His people to spread His light to others. With the blink of any eye, He could open everyone's eyes in the world, but instead He chooses to use us in sharing His truth, light, and love to others. How amazing.
Currently Playing: A Different Kind of Night - Brad Wright
Currently Playing: A Different Kind of Night - Brad Wright
Apologies!
Hi everyone! I was told I'd have internet access, but as it turned out, the internet was rather fickle. So, I will post my journal entries for each day, along with some pictures. :)
I hope you enjoy, and thank you for taking the time to read this amazing adventure God blessed me with. Love each one of you.
I hope you enjoy, and thank you for taking the time to read this amazing adventure God blessed me with. Love each one of you.
Your reach must always exceed your grasp. -Oswald Chambers
It's all happening. My heart is full. Overwhelmed. Humbled. Oh how He uses us, despite us. Praise Him.
Currently Playing: Come Thou Fount - Paul Cardall
Currently Playing: Come Thou Fount - Paul Cardall
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