Friday, June 17

Thank you so much to Jill Cox again for updating the blog for me yesterday.  There was some kind of glitch with the Wifi yesterday and nobody could connect for awhile.  Anyway, I appreciate that she is always willing to blog for me when I can't.  :)

Today was an awesome day here in Machakos.  I did receive 5 texts from Brian today that looked like they were photo attachments, but unfortunately I couldn't open them.  He did say that all were doing GREAT there and he has been so happy with the whole team that went with him this year.  They finished the church building except for the windows, doors, and some roof flashing.  That should all be done by tomorrow and ready for the first church service on Sunday.  I'm sorry I don't have much more detail than that, but we always expect it to be hard to communicate with them.

Today, those of us in Machakos spent the morning working on the preschool grounds again.  Then Jon took all of us downtown to T. Tots restaurant and bought us all samosas and cokes.  From there, we walked a block or two down to their Friday open market and looked at all the fresh veggies and fruit (that we can't eat) and bought some knick knacks.

After the market, we split into several groups.  Jon, Max, Catherine, Scott, Karley and Gunnar all went back to the School for Disabled again and passed out some prayer journals, bibles, and candy.  We also were able to leave them some clothes, a wheelchair, canes, walkers and orthotics...thanks to many who donated items including Marshall's best friend, Kenny.  Max preached his first sermon there today on Ecclesiastes and how everything that matters is what is done for Christ. 

Dr. Voelker, myself, Felicity, Rachel, Michelle, Brad, Brandon, Marshall, Mikayla and Marie all went over to the orphanage and delivered about 12 tubs of diapers, formula, baby clothes, childrens toys, books and bibles and general supplies.  It is always so good to see them and this mom was especially proud watching my own children interact and play with all the little kids.  Mikayla even picked up a few kids, something I wasn't even aware she was capable of.  :)  The time went too quickly.

Will, Lauren, Lizzie and Tobias came back to Scott to lead the 6th day of VBS.  We felt bad leaving it up to just the four of them since the rest of us were spread out in so many other places, but they have done just great with the kids all week.  Pastor Charles was there along with several Scott students to help control the chaos too.  It gets really crazy when we start passing out candy.  Those kids go bananas for candy and will try to sneak into line more than once or switch jackets and try to look like someone else.  They are so cute and we hope they are learning a lot about Jesus this week.  Tomorrow will be our final day of VBS in the morning from about 10-12:30.  We are showing a cartoon of the Jesus movie, doing a few songs and passing out more candy and a couple of childrens bibles.

We all met back here for dinner and then immediately held a movie/social night for the Scott students and their kids.  There was singing and some awesome dancing that we got on video, and then we watched Despicable Me.  They seemed to love it, and it has a redeeming message to it. 

We are now exhausted and headed for bed.  Tomorrow we have VBS, some kind of soccer match, last day on the work project and more speaking at schools.  Oh, I almost forgot to mention that Rachel, Alex, and Lauren have been painting another mural at the Springs of Hope Orphanage the last several days.  They have done a great job and really brightened up the preschool room.  They will be finishing that up tomorrow as well.

If I hear any more from the Kajaido group, I will let you know.  Brian did mention that the tribe has moved about 6 kilometers down the mountain range to be closer to more of their tribe family members.  The chief lady of the tribe, Mama Ruth, had been praying for the last TEN YEARS under a particular tree where they used to live for God to establish a christian church for her tribe.  She was ridiculed for years from others but stayed faithful.  So, while the tribe has moved away from her tree, it stands as a testament to God's answer to her prayers and the church is now just a small distance away and is being filled with many members of her tribe who have witnessed the series of events that proved her God is real.  Please continue to pray with us for these people and pray that our whole group will realize the miraculous events unfolding right in front of us that we are so privileged to be a part of.

In Christ,

Jenni Millet for the group

p.s. Will try to get some more photos up...it's been really slow loading photos.