Convincedyet

Karibu Sana!

Hello again from Nairobi! Isn’t our God amazing?  I would love to tell you about the amazing memories that God has blessed me with as well as the opportunity to serve our Lord God.

While being here God has changed me.  I know that many missionaries come with a purpose, and may ride in on a white horse to change the world. What ends up happening though is that the “missionary” who gave apart of their own time (not easy for me, as many of you know) is changed profoundly. We have the blessing of serving and by seeing the faces of the people we learn to adapt to their culture, and after a few days we get past the language barrier by acquiring a few expressions that make us sound not so foreign.  Haburi (hello), Asante Sana (Thank you), Salama Sana (Good night)…..and so on.

Let me tell you friends what I have been up to this past week as I have not been able to access internet. My computer would not download pictures, because my usb broke. My battery is depleted and wont charge; the outlets used here in Kenya are 210….We use 110, so I would need a very heavy adapter. This is just the beginning of my complicated use of technology, so sorry that I have not been able to upload pictures, but that now has changed. I made it after a long week of servant hood to the internet café, and I’m happy as a lil’ clam to take some time and reflect and share what God has been doing.

Upon my third day, a team of people arrived from Lighthouse Christian church that is located in Bellevue Washington. It was that day I found out that what I had originally planned for my mission trip, changed a bit as per Mike. So, I went with the flow….and golly was I ever blessed.

Our first day we went to the Nest Orphanage, where we met the children who were staying in a very nice orphanage in the country side of East Africa in a city called Limuru. I enjoyed the drive as we swerved donkey carts, and many, many people who walk everywhere they go. Having a car is a privileged in Kenya, as gas is at over 1,000 shillings here. That translates into about 7.00 a gallon in the United States. The team from lighthouse  brought school supplies and beads to make necklaces with the children.  I met George that day. (posted photo) He and I were connected as bead by bead we began to have a small conversation….suprisingly he knew English and quite well, He really loved the color red, so that was the goal of our cross necklace, to pile on as much red as possible J He was so sweet. I shall never forget George and how he and the baby I held after her nap Veronica just captured my heart. 

We began our week in Chapel, at the church the Hyodo family attends not far from where I am staying in Runda Estates (which is located next to the United States Embassy as well as the, U.N.). The sermon half in English half in Kiswhalli, was absolutely a huge blessing and I went away praising our Lord.  I felt  refreshed, and rejuvenated.  We then changed our clothes the “team” and I and Mike took us to meet Pastor Mike Adipo in the Kawangare slum  at the Smart Cathedral.  Literally after stepping out of the car, we set our hands to work.  We began to dig hole posts to for framing the new Sunday school class room.  I got to dig my hole using a maschedie (ponga ).  Kenyan soil is very red, a beautiful red, but very red. We sawed the logs and made the frame for the new Sunday school in about 4 hours. It was amazing, Upon our return this past Sunday, we were blessed with our friend Joshua (foreman) who pretty much can do anything (in photo) leading worship. Where once red African soil was now there was a very large classroom for use to God’s glory.  R.E.S.U.L.T.S!

Monday…. Came and it was such a hurried past few days, but at 7 am Mike and I bolted out the door, scrubbed up and ready for our Dental Outreach in South C Clinic lead by Dr. Frederic Mungai and his staff Grace, Tabby, Irene, and Pastor Paul Sitati. While Cindy, Dr. Mike and I were getting patients in and out without a moments rest, our team from Lighthouse managed to paint the entire first floor of the South C Clinic. It looked very steril and nice when we left. You all amazed me! Today was also my first experience with a true East African meal, prepared by our staff.  I ate a lot of Skumu Wiki, which literally translates into “Push the Wick”.  ALL Africans eat this as it very inexpensive.  We saw a lot of patients that day, and because Cindy from the Lighthouse team is an expanded function Hygienist she and I worked on several anterior cases that were in dire need of restoration. Let me say this to all my friends back at Stanwood Dental Care.  You would not believe how beautiful our office is. How blessed we ALL are to work for such amazing, efficient doctors. It’s amazing what America can offer as far as patient care is concerned. I know after that day of teaching Dr. Mungai’s staff how to properly suction, and pass instruments they were well on their way to becoming more effective to their Dr. It was very rewarding, and I’m just barely out  of Dental  School. Blessed. Also,  I miss you all very much!

Our clinics lasted the next three days. Tuesday we packed ALL our supplies, and chairs to visit Pastor Tobias Nyamwaya, along with our friends at AMREF a large NGO group in Kenya who test for HIV/AIDS and counseling as well as many other  clinic needs for the people. During a torrential down pour that lasted from Monday thru Wednesday, and MANY power outages we served, served and rolled up our sleeves to serve some more. I actually tried to cure an MOD composite on posterior 30, with a flashlight, oh if Dr. Lee or Dr. Shawn could have seen it.  We saw over 400 patients in the three days we worked. We worked unto the Lord and it was very tiring, but very fulfilling at days end. During the service that morning I was told that 8 people were also lead to the Lord and now are serving Christ in Kenya. How cool is that?

Thursday  was a tear jerker for me. The reality finally hit me about the places I had seen the mud/poo on my work boots the garbage that is piled in the streets and set fire too will be a smell I wont forget. In America the simplicity of a garbage man or the running water that you can brush your teeth with.  We circled up for prayer and walked almost a half an hour into the Kwan-Jenga slum to visit and feed the children of the school. While we walked I noticed we all seemed to go from laughing and care-free to somber and somewhat reflective as we passed by vendors and markets filled with flies as we literally stepped in garbage and human waste. The smell was horrible. We finally reached the school and were greeted by Pastor James Kairuki . We were able to bless the children with school supplies and feminine hygiene products for the class 8 young women. (8^th grade)

During our time there, I fell in love with two little girls. Their names were Sodoco, and Naomi. Naomi was only 4 and was very shy, but she loved Jesus. Her mom was there showing us how to prepare the corn maize and beans in the biggest pot I’ve ever seen, and then her and I (after she warmed up to me)…which took about an hours game of tag. (photo) her and I and the team passed out all 8^th grade children’s lunches. All the girls curtsied as they got their meal, and then they would say. Thank you very much! It was so precious. (photo)

It was after lunch that the classes for the rest of the day were canceled in order for each grade to perform for us a thank you for coming. It was amazing. I have a lot of video from this…if y’all want to see. They preformed skits from the Prodigal Son to native African dances. We were blessed. God was there and they all love Jesus very much. You can see it in their faces. J

…..later that night we toured a factory/gift shop/ eatery, but the name of Amani Ya Juu.  These fine young women have created such a powerful company in Kenya that my friend and I from the team have decided to help continue their efforts as we return to the states. In this facility women come from all over Africa. They are taught the arts of knitting/sewing/marketing/dye lotting/etc…and also break for devotions each day to honor God…The grounds are very beautiful and manicured, and the gift shop. Incredible! It was a treat to see such beauty after such a rough day in the slums.

Friday we began our trek into another slum. Each day Mike brought us to see an even worse situation than the day prior, and each day my heart was touched differently. We visited Mathare slum where we met Pastor Benedict Kiage. Here we introduced ourselves, and talked to the children. Everywhere you go in Africa the children (esp. in the slums) will yell “how are yoooooouuuu?” and its great every time you hear their little voices, what’s even better when Munzungoos (foreigners/white people) speak Kiswahili back to them. They look very happy to see you.

The children here as in all school wear uniforms. Let me rephrase this. They wear colors of the school. Either torn tattered sweaters or torn and tattered skirts. Yet they all are in uniform with the colors. This is true of all east African schools. During our time here we toured the church that was torn and literally burned from the Unrest that occurred here last year leaving millions of people displaced and here is a statistic that Mike shared with me. Not ONE mosque or temple was vandalized or touched. Only Christian faith churches and many are still gone today. 

The children at this school we found out had already had their porridge breakfast, made in a kitchen that well, rats were living in, outside of a trench of garbage and waste. We later found out that the children; some of them would not eat today, outside of the porridge because of lack of money. So…… we were able to donate to them a total of two weeks worth of corn maize, beans, salt, and coal to make these hungry children lunches. We are also going to be sponsoring them from back in Washington as well. I’m so stinking proud of that moment.  Pastor Benedict didn’t know what to do when we handed him the money, and with a tear in his eye he said. Asante.

Is not our God a faithful God?

Saturday…we trekked over to see Pastor Paul Sitati, our dear friend and he invited us to the South B slum, to visit his church. (photo)

Here we worshiped as we tried to set up our film about Jesus and were not able to, so we each shared about why we were there. When it was my turn God gave me the scripture Romans 10   and so…it says we should come to know Jesus by surrendering our life to him and thru him we shall be saved. It was during my time to talk, that I paused looked out into the faces of what they call a church, and God showed up. He was there. In the people, desperate some so much that a young man by the name of Justice came up to me afterward with a new Christian pamphlet we handed out and said. How can I go to America where life is better? How can I get out of Africa? For the next two hours he and I as well as my new friend  Wilson talked about Jesus. How he changes situations, how he may be black and I may be white, but there is NO difference between he and I. NONE! It was amazing how many people got saved that night, how many women and young babies, how we were able to feed them, and when we left in the pitch black of night….I was not afraid. Dr. Mungai had my hand and as it were more safe that way. I was changed that night. I was different somehow.  Bona seefee weh! (PRAISE THE LORD!)

*Thanks to Shaddie and Kevin for keeping me near them on our way out of their that night. Much appreciated.

 I must also mention that the other young man, Wilson who scooted near me and and told me that he had to stop going to school because his mother is ill and he has twin baby sisters to take care of and cannot afford it has lost his passion now for football and he is very disappointed. Thanks to Dr. Mungai ..he is going to help fund this 16year olds bright future and kind heart. He never really looked me in the eye except when I gave him my email, I got his and said. YOU are going to do something amazing with your life! He also gave his life to Jesus that night.  Bona Seefee weh!

Saturday we finished up our project at Pastor Mike Adipos at the Smart Cathedral and Sunday we returned to dedicate it to the church.  It was AWESOME!!!!!! An entire new Sunday school built on faith…!

Now…for some fun!

Monday night to Wednesday our team went to the Fig tree camp about 6 hours from Nairobi. Let me tell you now.. be thankful for the roads in America. For some of you may never experience what I did today. CRAZY!!!!!!! Our day and a half on Safari in the Maasai Mara national reserve was exquisite. We saw lion and elephants and zebra …oh my!  (photo)

The team is now on their way back to Washington please pray for traveling mercies. Thanks J …and yes as we ate dinner tonight with the team I ate crocodile…which we saw on safari!

For  the rest of my time here I will be serving in the afternoons at the Nest halfway house tending to the 15 babies in the orphanage, loving and feeding, bathing and changing diapers.

I want you all to know that our Lord is faithful, that he loves HIS people and wants us to share our faith.. So, my challenge to you is this. Go share Jesus with someone you don’t know today. It WILL change their life. Go plant a seed !

In His service,

Cheyla  Lynae Breedlove

Salama Sana (goodnight from Kenya)