Potatoes & Practices

This weekend our Kenya group had two exciting activities.  First was a Potato Bake Fundraiser at church prior to the annual congregational meeting.  The group put out quite a spread on the potato bar and topped it off with a yummy dessert bar.  The kids all chipped in to prep, serve and clean, and in the end we brought in about $2000.  What a blessing!

Tiffany, Sophie & Jen Frosting Cupcakes

The second activity of the day was an informal Q & A with some missionaries who serve in Africa.  The couple we met with is an American woman, who was born and raised in Newberg, OR, and her Kenyan husband.  They are currently residing in Tanzania, but as both have resided in Kenya, they are very familiar with local customs and practices there.

This gave us a great opportunity to find out what clothing we will be expected to wear, what food we will most likely be eating, and how to interact with the Kenyans.  We learned how interactions between men and woman are very different from what we experience in the west.  Our ideas of modesty are different in many ways.  We also discovered vast differences in very practical aspects of life, like our chances of experiencing squat toilets, no toilet paper, bathing from a bucket, and more.  Oh what an adventure this will be!!! Stay tuned for more...  :)

Docs, Shots and More

Hello 2015!  As we enter this new year, Jen and I are continuing our preparations for the journey to Kenya.  These preparations include meeting team meetings, double checking documentation, and researching what the CDC recommendations are for foreign-bound US travelers.

Currently, our team meets once a month to get to know one another, plan for our trip and discuss things like fund raisers and building a mission support team.  There are currently about 15 of us going, with a little flex in that number still as our dates are not yet set and there are a few nervous parents not sure about sending their child off to Africa (it's a pretty big deal!).  It is so very important for us to have a strong prayer group backing each of us and to make sure our own walk with the Lord is focused and on track!  This is where YOU come in!  We would love to know we can count on you to be praying for us and the rest of our team even before we leave!  "In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps" Proverbs 16:9

We are looking forward to some special meetings coming up that include sitting down with missionaries to discuss Kenyan culture and what we can expect while in Kenya.  Very excited to hear what they have to say so we can begin visualizing and hopefully gain a better understanding of what we need to prepare for!

One major undertaking for me has been getting caught up my immunizations.  While Jen had to get one injection particular to our destination, for yellow fever, and will need to take malarial meds when we depart, she was caught up on all other vaccinations because of her school requirements.  I, on the other hand, was fairly out of date on many vaccinations.  I can happily say that I now have received 5 out of the 6 shots I need prior to departure!  (Did I mention I HATE needles?!?!)  Just one more in May and then I will also get a prescription for the oral malarial pills Jen and I both have to take during and after our time in Kenya.  Whew!

Jen's Yellow Fever Vaccination

Me - That Yellow Fever Shot STINGS!

Please be praying over the following concerns:

• A spirit of peace and confidence in those who are part of and considering joining our team
• Wisdom for our leaders, Tina and Emily, as they begin laying the groundwork for our trip, including dates and agendas
• Finances for our team members, as we do not want money to be a hindrance to those God is calling
• For the children and adults we will be serving in Kenya, that their hearts are as prepared for us as we hope ours are for them
• Details, details, details!  Pray that we would not overlook important items and that issues of travel documents and vaccinations are completed without any hiccups

Thank you for your encouragement, prayer, and support as we undertake this mission!