We've viewed and catalogued about 6 hours of footage so far and we're discussing and praying about footage and interviews we still need here in America. We're realizing the difficulty of taking a journey that impacted us so deeply and making a film that is informative as well as emotionally engaging for people who have never been to Africa-- it's harder than it seems. We're seeking God and finding the heart of this film's power will be in the juxtiposition (seeing side-by-side) of Kenyan and American life. So please keep praying for us, and let us know if you'd like to help! We have a lot of work ahead. Pray for Hannah as she moves off to college in Oregon, for Alex and Ariel as they begin leading small groups on a monthly basis. Rachael has just returned from Minessota, where she was a midwife for a missionary friend of hers. Esther and Briana are faithful and a blessing as usual, helping dream for the documentary. Russ is back into the rythm of life and work, and Grace is moving forward with some micro-financing dreams through Agape. Pray for her endeavours there. Amanda is back to work at Rody Chiropractic and North is praying for the right fulltime job.
We will continue with this project as God provides the guidance and the means, and we ask any readers here to join us: comment on this blog, contact a Field Team Member, Anything you can do to be a part of the big things God is doing in Kenya and around the world.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Thursday, August 13, 2009
We're Still Moving
Hello again Joy of Life Kenya supporters. It's been a few weeks, but we're still on the move. Last night we performed the human video in Pioneer Park. Many people stopped and watched. We're computer shopping and starting to catalog footage . Please pray for us to assemble this film in an effective and emotionally engaging way. Pray that the passion will help us to persevere. Thankyou so much. Also remind others to keep checking up on this blog!
Friday, July 17, 2009
WE ARE HOME ! ! !
We are back in the USA! Jet-lagged and culture-shocked, we're back. Parents greated us at the baggage claim at SeaTac and we went our seperate ways- to our clean sheets, our hot showers and soft green grass lawns. We've returned to our well-lit homes, our garbageless streets and quick meals from those magical ice-boxes in our kitchens! I (north) woke up at 6:30 am the day after our return and had Spaghetti-Os, Tomato-Basil Wheat-Thins and ice-water for breakfast.
It feels so strange to be here. Amanda and I wanted to go grocery shopping this morning, so all before 10am we hopped in our luxurious '93 honda accord (with cd player and AC!!!), drove down smooth-paved streets, looked at a Carpeted apartment, visited the Chiropractor and ran to Walmart. I feel like I woke up in heaven this morning, surrounded by extravegant comfort and Utopian landscaping.
Please continue to follow this blog as we will continue to update it. There is still a lot of work left to do. Here are some memories we'll never forget
Thursday, July 16, 2009
On Our Way Home
We're here in London/Heathrow airport for another 4 hours, waiting for flight 939 to board and take us home to the US. We all miss milkshakes and cheeseburgers. But our entire second mission lies ahead of us once we touchdown in Washington. We have evangelized and God has blessed that ministry abundantly. People are being discipled and encouraged in Kenya. We've made and impact in Eldoret, Bungoma, Matete, Amagoro, Mwamba and even Masailand. Now we set our sights on the pacific northwest:
TO INSPIRE.
That is our next and equally great task. We need all the prayer and support to continue. It has carried us this far and is even carrying us home, but the mission is incomplete. Thankyou, and please, to quit on us now. Even after we land and take showers and sleep and eat BBQ and thank God for saved souls and clean sheets-- even then...
IT IS NOT OVER!!
TO INSPIRE.
That is our next and equally great task. We need all the prayer and support to continue. It has carried us this far and is even carrying us home, but the mission is incomplete. Thankyou, and please, to quit on us now. Even after we land and take showers and sleep and eat BBQ and thank God for saved souls and clean sheets-- even then...
IT IS NOT OVER!!
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Our Last Week In Eldoret
Daily trips to the market, Interviews with Teachers, French Toast for Breakfast, we often find ourselves talking about movies and food from home, but I think when the day comes for us to return, it will be the hardest part. Please remember to pray for each of us.
Briana: Been feeling sick off and on (like all of us- the food). Preached wonderfully, even though people laughed at her introduction because "Briana" is the name of a Tribe. She's been teaching in the school and refreshing each of us with her gentle nature.
Alex: Serenading us nightly on the Acoustic Guitar, passionately playing the part of Jesus during our daily crusades. He's also enjoyed teaching in the school and learning to wash clothes by hand.
Esther: A stern teacher to 7th Graders, she plays with the children and reads "The Silver Chair" during Matatu rides.
Hannah: God is really challenging her, and using her in the Crusades, as the main "tempter" in the alcohol scene. She has also enjoyed teaching in the school and shopping with "Mama" Rachael Sarara.
Rachael: She has been so bold to try different things and stepping far out of her comfort zone. We refer to it as sky-diving in accordance with a prophetic word from our prayer meeting before departure.
Ariel: She always seems to have a child on her lap, or else she and Hannah are teaching kids how to play thumb-war. She seems at home here and predicts a tearful return to America.
Grace and Russ: Constantly serving, with the cameras, the bags and preaching powerfully, they deserve extra appreciation for being a parental presence on this trip. Grace is constantly in awe of this beautiful country and Russ asks the best questions.
Amanda and North: Learning and growing and finding joy in the experience of our team members. This trip will certainly exceed our expectations of the impact it will have on the lives of our team, kenyans and americans as well.
Thankyou for your prayers. We need them more than anything.
Briana: Been feeling sick off and on (like all of us- the food). Preached wonderfully, even though people laughed at her introduction because "Briana" is the name of a Tribe. She's been teaching in the school and refreshing each of us with her gentle nature.
Alex: Serenading us nightly on the Acoustic Guitar, passionately playing the part of Jesus during our daily crusades. He's also enjoyed teaching in the school and learning to wash clothes by hand.
Esther: A stern teacher to 7th Graders, she plays with the children and reads "The Silver Chair" during Matatu rides.
Hannah: God is really challenging her, and using her in the Crusades, as the main "tempter" in the alcohol scene. She has also enjoyed teaching in the school and shopping with "Mama" Rachael Sarara.
Rachael: She has been so bold to try different things and stepping far out of her comfort zone. We refer to it as sky-diving in accordance with a prophetic word from our prayer meeting before departure.
Ariel: She always seems to have a child on her lap, or else she and Hannah are teaching kids how to play thumb-war. She seems at home here and predicts a tearful return to America.
Grace and Russ: Constantly serving, with the cameras, the bags and preaching powerfully, they deserve extra appreciation for being a parental presence on this trip. Grace is constantly in awe of this beautiful country and Russ asks the best questions.
Amanda and North: Learning and growing and finding joy in the experience of our team members. This trip will certainly exceed our expectations of the impact it will have on the lives of our team, kenyans and americans as well.
Thankyou for your prayers. We need them more than anything.
Monday, July 6, 2009
Bungoma Outreach
We've just returned to Eldoret from a long and fast-paced week of evangelism in Bungoma. Here are some pictures:
Rachael with a girl from the Bungoma Church
Grace and Russ in our Hotel room in Bungoma
Hands raised for salvation
Alex crucified in front of a crowd
Pastor Moses' Children
Ariel preaching away the rain and leading nearly 100 people to Christ on our first night.Thursday, July 2, 2009
You Can't Even Imagine
After the second crusade in Matete (on the outskirts of Bungoma) we came to Pastor Moses' home, a 50x100ft plot of land surrounded by Maize crops and his wife Judith served us chai by Lantern light. 15 people squeezed into their 8x10ft mud-home and talked almost until dark. Pastor Isaac (who has been our guide in Bungoma) introduced us one by one to the others present and many of us leaned our heads agains the mud-cement walls as we listened. The furniture was hand built and doileys covered the upper half of the walls as decoration. A sheet was hanging across the space just to the left of the door to separate the sleeping space from the meeting place. It was humbling, sitting in this environment with several grown men smiling and content, wearing suits and ties. After chai it was time to leave.
Walking through the driving rain as the sun sets over Bungoma, in western Kenya is an unforgettable experience. When it rains in Kenya, the ditches run with red mud, Matatus flip on their headlights to see through the gray/blue curtain and the drops roar down on tin roofs which protrude from endless acres of 10 ft high maize plantations. As it gets darker, we are waving for a matatu that will fit all 12 of us (2 local pastors included). You can feel yourself get taller as the mud cakes and turns your dress shoes into platform boots. A man in a tattered shirt, shorts and flip-flops silently leads a pair of white speckled cebu towing a cart through the twilight along the road right past me. The rain sounds like an open air stadium full of applause.
Once we caught a matatu, we piled in (i mean we really CRAMMED in) with several more kenyans, making this toyota astro-van thing (11 seats = 6 if it were in America) buldge with 15 people + the driver. The second matatu man (who opens the door and takes the shillings) flips a switch and a little flourescent green tube light flickers on, illuminating the interior. Open windows keep us moderately cool and allow splashes of raindrops to tap on some cheeks. The wind swishes by and we realize, if we were to journal this, blog this or try to describe this to someone who has not experienced it... You Can't Even Imagine it. It's AWESOME!
Though this was a simple little ride home after the crusade, it will be a lifelong memory for all of us.
Walking through the driving rain as the sun sets over Bungoma, in western Kenya is an unforgettable experience. When it rains in Kenya, the ditches run with red mud, Matatus flip on their headlights to see through the gray/blue curtain and the drops roar down on tin roofs which protrude from endless acres of 10 ft high maize plantations. As it gets darker, we are waving for a matatu that will fit all 12 of us (2 local pastors included). You can feel yourself get taller as the mud cakes and turns your dress shoes into platform boots. A man in a tattered shirt, shorts and flip-flops silently leads a pair of white speckled cebu towing a cart through the twilight along the road right past me. The rain sounds like an open air stadium full of applause.
Once we caught a matatu, we piled in (i mean we really CRAMMED in) with several more kenyans, making this toyota astro-van thing (11 seats = 6 if it were in America) buldge with 15 people + the driver. The second matatu man (who opens the door and takes the shillings) flips a switch and a little flourescent green tube light flickers on, illuminating the interior. Open windows keep us moderately cool and allow splashes of raindrops to tap on some cheeks. The wind swishes by and we realize, if we were to journal this, blog this or try to describe this to someone who has not experienced it... You Can't Even Imagine it. It's AWESOME!
Though this was a simple little ride home after the crusade, it will be a lifelong memory for all of us.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Bungoma Outreach
We've moved into the Country Side Hotel in Bungoma.
Yesterday we rode boda bodas (bicycle taxis) into town and had some chips (fries) at the coffee garden restaraunt. It was sunny all morning but as we headed for our gospel outreach in Matete, we could see some very dark clouds covering the hills and coming our way. We were worried that we would be rained out, because when rain falls here it falls harder than your high-pressure shower head at home. But we prayed and for the first time our students saw God do a miracle with nature. As we spoke it in faith, the rain fell everwhere EXCEPT in the little village where we preached and performed our Human Video. Ariel shared the gospel and the response moved several of us to tears.
NEARLY 100 PEOPLE CAME FORWARD FOR SALVATION!!!!
This was an un-advertised gathering, there weren't more than 200 people within earshot! That simply does not happen in America! WOW! Last night we debriefed and today we will do it again... God will do it again.
Tomorrow we go to Amagoro, only a few kilometers from the Ugandan border. We will visit Otatai (a bush village) and perhaps even set foot in Uganda. Don't worry parents, southern Uganda is completely safe. We are all healthy and praying for miracles. Our faith has been strengthened and we have been humbled that God could use us this way.
Another answer to prayer: All three missing bags have been found and are being delivered to Eldoret, where we will return to next week. We love you church family. Please remember to pray for us, without prayer nothing happens.
More Prayer Needs:
-That we could find the perfect time to do our necessary interviews... There have been so many moments we wish to have caught on film.
-Only a few minor discomforts, a mouth sore, a bug bite, an upset stomach, all the things to be expected on a trip like this. Just pray that they wouldn't hinder us.
-That our outreaches in Amagoro and Bungoma Town will be just as fruitful
-That our technical equipment will hold up... we're surviving here in Bungoma without a battery charger
Yesterday we rode boda bodas (bicycle taxis) into town and had some chips (fries) at the coffee garden restaraunt. It was sunny all morning but as we headed for our gospel outreach in Matete, we could see some very dark clouds covering the hills and coming our way. We were worried that we would be rained out, because when rain falls here it falls harder than your high-pressure shower head at home. But we prayed and for the first time our students saw God do a miracle with nature. As we spoke it in faith, the rain fell everwhere EXCEPT in the little village where we preached and performed our Human Video. Ariel shared the gospel and the response moved several of us to tears.
NEARLY 100 PEOPLE CAME FORWARD FOR SALVATION!!!!
This was an un-advertised gathering, there weren't more than 200 people within earshot! That simply does not happen in America! WOW! Last night we debriefed and today we will do it again... God will do it again.
Tomorrow we go to Amagoro, only a few kilometers from the Ugandan border. We will visit Otatai (a bush village) and perhaps even set foot in Uganda. Don't worry parents, southern Uganda is completely safe. We are all healthy and praying for miracles. Our faith has been strengthened and we have been humbled that God could use us this way.
Another answer to prayer: All three missing bags have been found and are being delivered to Eldoret, where we will return to next week. We love you church family. Please remember to pray for us, without prayer nothing happens.
More Prayer Needs:
-That we could find the perfect time to do our necessary interviews... There have been so many moments we wish to have caught on film.
-Only a few minor discomforts, a mouth sore, a bug bite, an upset stomach, all the things to be expected on a trip like this. Just pray that they wouldn't hinder us.
-That our outreaches in Amagoro and Bungoma Town will be just as fruitful
-That our technical equipment will hold up... we're surviving here in Bungoma without a battery charger
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Saturday, June 27, 2009
This Weekend In Kenya
Jambo (Hello) Everyone!
Well we arrived in Kenya on Friday. It was a long trip from Seattle to Chicago to London to Nairobi. Our only difficulty so far is some lost luggage (3 Bags). We've recieved word that 1 of them has arrived, but 2 bags are still missing. Please pray for that. Milton and I will have to return to Nairobi to retrieve them when the come. We met Milton and his son Linus at the airport. They took us by Matatu along the 7 hour route to Eldoret.
Although we were exhausted, we couldn't wait to explore and so Sarara (the oldest son) walked us to the new school building under construction. All the materials were purchased by funds raised from Life Center Christian school in Tacoma and the place is beautiful, though incomplete. About 2 dozen neighborhood kids followed us and we taught them duck duch goose on the grass behind the school.
On Saturday (our rest day) we returned to the shool and also visited the mission base/apartment building that is also under construction. Our team had sent $500 ahead for the construction of this base and although it was not finished in time for us to use, it did build an entire 3 units, each with living room, kitchen, bathroom and 2 bedrooms.
Today is sunday morning and we will be performing our human video for the congregation of maranatha church here in Kipkaren (a suburb of Eldoret). Amanda will be preaching and this afternoon we'll likely be interviewing Milton and doing some more exploring around town. We will also be preparing to move to Bungoma tomorrow or Tuesday.
Greatest Prayer Needs:
-2 more lost bags (Grace and Russ)
-That the Human Video would communicate clearly and God would move on peoples' hearts
-That all of our audio/video equipment would hold up
-That God would keep us healthy and unified
Well we arrived in Kenya on Friday. It was a long trip from Seattle to Chicago to London to Nairobi. Our only difficulty so far is some lost luggage (3 Bags). We've recieved word that 1 of them has arrived, but 2 bags are still missing. Please pray for that. Milton and I will have to return to Nairobi to retrieve them when the come. We met Milton and his son Linus at the airport. They took us by Matatu along the 7 hour route to Eldoret.
Although we were exhausted, we couldn't wait to explore and so Sarara (the oldest son) walked us to the new school building under construction. All the materials were purchased by funds raised from Life Center Christian school in Tacoma and the place is beautiful, though incomplete. About 2 dozen neighborhood kids followed us and we taught them duck duch goose on the grass behind the school.
On Saturday (our rest day) we returned to the shool and also visited the mission base/apartment building that is also under construction. Our team had sent $500 ahead for the construction of this base and although it was not finished in time for us to use, it did build an entire 3 units, each with living room, kitchen, bathroom and 2 bedrooms.
Today is sunday morning and we will be performing our human video for the congregation of maranatha church here in Kipkaren (a suburb of Eldoret). Amanda will be preaching and this afternoon we'll likely be interviewing Milton and doing some more exploring around town. We will also be preparing to move to Bungoma tomorrow or Tuesday.
Greatest Prayer Needs:
-2 more lost bags (Grace and Russ)
-That the Human Video would communicate clearly and God would move on peoples' hearts
-That all of our audio/video equipment would hold up
-That God would keep us healthy and unified
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Some Thoughts on Prayer
Wow, God has answered so many prayers. And the prayers that stood alone, He answered in such astounding ways. In a little over 9 months we have managed to raised over $30,000. We've washed almost 100 cars. We've recieved more than 30 responses to over 200 letters written to friends and family. We sold a piano. We perfected a Human Video that will communicate the gospel across cultures and without a language barrier. God has assured us and guided us into something that will change our lives forever. Jeremiah 29:11 tells us that God has good plans for us; well we are seeing those plans come to pass.
Starting next week we will stand on platforms and preach to hundreds of people through an interpreter.
-We will play with children who have never seen a fair-skinned human being.
-We will give the shirts off our backs to those whose clothes are tattered and torn.
-We will sit and drink chai in the mud-hut homes of people whose love for Christ outlasts their poverty.
-We will meet Masai Pastors who have recieved bicycles for the first time in their lives.
-We will ride in Matatus and walk on red dirt
-We will taste ugali and sakuma wiki
-We will laugh hard at Kenyan jokes & be moved to tears at God's love for these people
-We will learn how to use a squaty-potty
-We'll gaze into a night sky with stars we've never seen before
But most importantly, we will see the far-reaching extravegance of God's love, and begin to think about him and his many-colored, many-language people in a bright new way. As we intervien in the lives of Kenyans, God WILL intervien in our lives. We will be changed. WE EXPECT IT!
Starting next week we will stand on platforms and preach to hundreds of people through an interpreter.
-We will play with children who have never seen a fair-skinned human being.
-We will give the shirts off our backs to those whose clothes are tattered and torn.
-We will sit and drink chai in the mud-hut homes of people whose love for Christ outlasts their poverty.
-We will meet Masai Pastors who have recieved bicycles for the first time in their lives.
-We will ride in Matatus and walk on red dirt
-We will taste ugali and sakuma wiki
-We will laugh hard at Kenyan jokes & be moved to tears at God's love for these people
-We will learn how to use a squaty-potty
-We'll gaze into a night sky with stars we've never seen before
But most importantly, we will see the far-reaching extravegance of God's love, and begin to think about him and his many-colored, many-language people in a bright new way. As we intervien in the lives of Kenyans, God WILL intervien in our lives. We will be changed. WE EXPECT IT!
6 Days Left!
This is North.
Well, I'm here at the church taking care of more details and preparations like insurance and interview questions and I am blown away at how quickly this week has come and how fast it is slipping away. It's almost time! In a few short Days, the ten of us will be on a plane to Chicago, then London and finally down to Nairobi, Kenya. Can you believe this? We've got our visas, our vaccinations and our malaria pills ready to go. We're doing final tests on our camcorders and recording equipment, and soon we'll be using them in the field. Sunday morning will be our grand Send-Off from Joy Of Life. The elders and servant council will pray over us and I know that God has already gone before us.
PLEASE pray for all the last minute details to come together. No flat tires, forgotten batteries or lost documents. Thankyou Lord for bringing us this far.
Well, I'm here at the church taking care of more details and preparations like insurance and interview questions and I am blown away at how quickly this week has come and how fast it is slipping away. It's almost time! In a few short Days, the ten of us will be on a plane to Chicago, then London and finally down to Nairobi, Kenya. Can you believe this? We've got our visas, our vaccinations and our malaria pills ready to go. We're doing final tests on our camcorders and recording equipment, and soon we'll be using them in the field. Sunday morning will be our grand Send-Off from Joy Of Life. The elders and servant council will pray over us and I know that God has already gone before us.
PLEASE pray for all the last minute details to come together. No flat tires, forgotten batteries or lost documents. Thankyou Lord for bringing us this far.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
22 Days Left
This week the Field Team will be sending away for their Visas and practicing Swahili. We've been blessed to have a film student offer his expertise in editting our documentary when we return and I (North) will be having a telephone conference with Pastor Milton and Darby Kruger this week to discuss more detailed itinerary plans. Please consider dedicating a meal time during our trip (June 24-July16) to pray and fast for a particular member of our Field Team, or the mission as a whole. Right now, our greatest prayer needs are
1. Housing (that construction of our mission base would be completed on time)
2. Some kind of portable PA system (for use with our Human Video for street evangelism)
3. A semi-professional video camera and microphone (for personal interviews)
Thankyou everyone for your prayers! This is ramping up to be the adventure of a life-time for all of us involved!
1. Housing (that construction of our mission base would be completed on time)
2. Some kind of portable PA system (for use with our Human Video for street evangelism)
3. A semi-professional video camera and microphone (for personal interviews)
Thankyou everyone for your prayers! This is ramping up to be the adventure of a life-time for all of us involved!
Thursday, May 28, 2009
28 Days Until Takeoff
Hello All,
This is Pastor North Cady writing the first blog entry for Flood Youth's 2009 mission trip to Kenya. Only 28 days left until takeoff, but you can feel free to start following this blog now. Here we will be posting updates on documentary planning, prayer requests, and other things pertaining to the trip. We will also be posting on this blog while in Kenya in addition emails distributed through Michelle Joseph. Please tell your friends and have them praying for us. Thank You.
This is Pastor North Cady writing the first blog entry for Flood Youth's 2009 mission trip to Kenya. Only 28 days left until takeoff, but you can feel free to start following this blog now. Here we will be posting updates on documentary planning, prayer requests, and other things pertaining to the trip. We will also be posting on this blog while in Kenya in addition emails distributed through Michelle Joseph. Please tell your friends and have them praying for us. Thank You.
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