Less Stuff, More Joy -Part2

I want to introduce you to Joseph. Joseph lives in the beautiful Rift Valley. He is 9 yrs. old, and has neither father nor mother. Joseph is living with his grandmother. Up until last year he was going to school, but because the grandmother can no longer afford to send him, he must work for 20 shillings a day (less than a quarter) as a shepherd of a large flock. The money earned from the owner of the flock is used to buy food for the family. It's the Kenyan culture that since Joseph is the youngest he is served last. This means that by the time the plate gets to him there may not be any food left for him.

Sadly this isn't just Joseph's story, this is the story of countless young Kenyans.

But because Joseph stepped out boldly and spoke up, his future will not be the same as his past. Recently while a team from Texas was visiting Cornerstone Preparatory Academy, Joseph was grazing his flock nearby and quietly came up to one of the team members and said, " I want to go to THAT school." Because our God is at work in unexplainable and unimaginable ways, the good news is --Joseph you can go to THAT school.

And I had the privilege of meeting Joseph while we were at CPA. He was grazing the flock down the road from the school and saw our vans go by. Thinking they were coming to get him, he quickly made his way to the school. Talk about persistence!

Here is Joseph's full story.

Joseph with his herd

I love his smile!

Bonfire and Fun Times 

Saturday night found us around the campfire singing and making s'mores. These children are so joyful! It just goes to show that it doesn't matter what has happened in your life, you can still praise the Lord for His goodness, love, and faithfulness. Wounds and scars can go very deep, but not so deep that His love and healing is not deeper still.

"Sing unto the Lord, praise the Lord: for He has delivered the poor.."

Sticky hands! :)

Happiness is the Lord

Every drop counts!

Random Photos

I have a very full camera roll, to say the least. As I've been looking back through my pictures today, I didn't realize just how much of my heart they stole. :) And as you look at this pictures you might just see what I'm talking about.

John

All 59 children, plus a few.

Esther, Ann, Emily.

    

I spent quite a bit of time in the baby room.

Franklin -wrapped around my finger.

Sweet Virginia

Full arms and heart!

Hannah x 4! :)

 These are the two kids that I sponsors. It was so good to meet them and spend sometime getting to know and love on them!

Robbie

Tabitha

Some of you have said to me, "You looked so happy, you were just glowing." Well, your eyes didn't deceive you. I was very happy and sad all at the same time. Happy because prays were becoming a reality and sad because there is much heartbreak to meet the eyes. I don't know what God has for me next, but whatever it is I want to place my hand in His and follow. If Jesus left all the glory of heaven to seek and save you and I, surely I can forfeit the comforts of home and the nearness of family and friends to 'go therefore and teach all nations', telling them of Jesus, the way, the truth, the life.

Hugs from Hannah!  

Less Stuff, More Joy -Part1

This post is about 4 days over due. so I'm warning you that it may be a bit lengthy.

I arrived back safely and healthy, with the exception of a cold that most of our team got. It has been a bit difficult getting back into the 'routine' of things. I'm catching up on all the paper work I was welcomed home too. :) Actually, it really wasn't too bad. I think they got along ok without me, just like I knew they would.

I want to say big THANK YOU to each and everyone one of you that prayed for me, and/or followed along while I was gone. These past few weeks weren't just a trip I took, or things our team did, but it was a glimpse of God redeeming all tribes, tongues, and nations for His glory. I don't know all that God has for me, but not making some type of response is not in the question. I would ask, if it comes to mind, that you might pray for me as I seek God's will. Anytime we follow God it is subject to be an adventure.

A few days ago I was reading an article and it made this statement. The more I've thought about it the more the truth it holds.

"When you see people living with less stuff and more joy, it does something to you."

And I might add, something life changing. It's not what you have but Who you have that matters. Jesus is everything, and all else is simply a blessing. So as I come back home and go about life, the 'little things' aren't so little anymore.

Here are some more pictures and details of the different places we visited. I'm going to group them together the best I can. I have included the links to some of the ministries so that you can look them up if you would like. 

Wells of Joy 

Wells of Joy is a ministry that was started in the Lunga Lunga slums in Nairobi, population approx. 1/2 million. Pastor Geoffrey Mutunga started Wells of Joy and Brilliant Sharpening Community Centre (school), and also serves as the church's pastor. Their are currently 250 children going to this school. These are children whose parents have made little-to-no effort to get them into school. They do have parents, or at least one parent, but during the day no one to really watch after them.

The children are fed one meal per day while at school, and for some this is their only meal that day. Some of the children have to walk from the other end of the slums. You can imagine the distance this is with half a million people living in the slums. The only fees their parents have to pay is $6 to cover the cost of uniforms. Sadly, some don't even do this. 

Yet in spite of all of this, these kids were so joyful! As you can see from some of the pictures, this joy was a bit contagious. :)

My happy place

Cuteness!

When you pulled our phone out, you instantly drew a crowd. 

This is the room 250 kids welcomed us in.

This little girl walked across the room and stuck out her arms,
and then wouldn't let me put her down. Heart melted!

This is the hallway to the class rooms.

A glimpse of the slums

 

IDP Camp - Mwi’hangiri

Instead of me trying to explain their story here is the link that tells it better than I can. http://naomisvillage.org/those-who-fend-for-themselves/

After hearing their story and seeing some of their homes, I have resolved never to complain again. I was so touched as I listen to Margaret relate their story through an interpreter. As she told the horrific story she would always interject that they trusted in God and as they cried out to Him, they knew He heard them and would answer their cries. Talk about a testimony! 

This is/was home to a family of 6-8 people.

A peep inside

 

  After hearing their story and praying about how to help, Naomi's Village staff told these 24 families that they wanted to help them rebuilt. NV asked them what they wanted them to start on first. A church was their response. It's easy to see where their priorities are!

This is the church.

And worship they do!

Women of Courage

The Women of Courage is a group of ladies that come together once a week to study the Bible and encourage each other. These women have formally practiced prostitution, but are now seeking Godly ways to make a living. We were able to see all the things that they make and even bought some of the purses, jewelry, and wood cravings, just to name a few. But we also got to join their Bible study and encourage them. It was such a blessing to sit together, even though we were from different cultures and backgrounds, and worship the King. Love has no language barrier!

Our team, plus a few, with the ladies.

Such Joy!

I hope you have enjoyed looking over these photos and reading a little about my days in Kenya. Part 2 will follow soon with more pictures and details of my time there.

I hope you're having a great week! Don't forget to count your blessings!


Hugs from Hannah!

               

I'm Sorry!

I have been working on a post today. But whenever I got to ready to post it, it wouldn't post! I will have it up tomorrow if it will connect. Please keep checking back, and I apologize for taking soo long!

Hugs from Hannah!

I Thought I Had Problems

"I thought that my problems where bad,

Until I saw all the things they didn't had. 

It got me to thinking how can we complain, 

When they're living in a world where there is so much hurt and pain. 

And they don't know if they'll ever see a brighter day. 

I thought that I had problems until today."

That is the first verse to a song that I have been thinking about this week. I wish I could remember the whole song. The chorus goes something like this...

"And I know that Jesus is looking down on us, 

After all that we've been given what have we done?"

That is a great starter question to find out how we're doing with what God has entrusted to us. What are we (I'm including myself!) doing with those things that are called blessing but we just assume are apart of daily life. Like running water, electricity, a home, a family, and the list goes on. In the most tiniest way possible I got to experience not always having a hot shower, or not being able to use the tap water, or not always having phone service. And you know what I found out? I can survive without these things! :)

If there is one thing that I have learn while on this trip it would be - if you have Jesus you have everything. Many of the Kenyan people I was so privileged to meet don't have much by way of earthly possessions, but many of them have Something better. I've seen in a whole new light that Jesus is truly the greatest treasure you can have. 

It was hard to leave, but I truly hope to go back sometime (soon). :) Most of the kids sing goodbye to us Monday night since we were leaving out early on Tuesday. It was a tear jerker! When they sing, "May God bless you, may God bless you, may God bless you sooo much.", and then they give you 3-4 hugs each. Yes of course your heart about explodes! 

I don't have many pictures to go with this post. But I will share a few from a park we walked through the last afternoon we were in Kenya. It was pretty awesome see God's amazing creation in their natural habitat. We were not able to actually touch the animals but we got pretty close. 

One last picture! This is our amazing team! We did not all meet until we arrived in Kenya, but the way God bonded us was wonderful.

Once I get home and settled back into 'everyday life' I will share some of the pictures that are the on my camera. But for now, I hope everyone has a great week! May God bless you as you have me!

Hugs from Hannah!

Full Heart

The past couple of days have mostly been spent here at Naomi's playing with the children, and just having a great time getting to know each one. 

Thursday, we did go to an IDP camp close by to take lunch and visit with some of the people there. After hearing their story and seeing the places they call home, I have purposed not to complain ever again! I don't remember all the details of how they got to where they are, but sufficient to say they where treated very badly. The government charged in, burned down their homes and possessions, and left them with nothing but the clothes on their back. The 24 families then had to flee for their life. After a very difficult journey across Kenya, in which some didn't make it, the families began setting up camp with whatever they could find. Yet through all of this they continually looked to God for help and strength. Just as God always hears the cries of His children, He heard their pleads for help and deliverance. NV has raised enough money to build homes for 20 of the 24 families the live in the camp. They have already built 1 of the homes and will continue to do so until they are completed. 

Here are a few photos of the people and their home/tent. 

My camera has been acting up, so I don't have as many photos to share as I would like. But here are a few that I have been able to take. 

Once again, thank you for your prayers!! I have many mixed emotions as the time to leave is drawing closer. I am missing all you guys back home, but I have fallen in love with all the people I have been privileged to meet. I am praising God of this wonderful opportunitiy that He has given me to serve these Kenyan people. I have been tremendous blessed!! 

May God Bless!

Hannah