A Full Week!

Since the last time I wrote, much has happened. After the sleepover, we had some down time which we spent in the city, and then made it back to the Y for the evening. Sacha and I passed out. We were trying to read, but ended up falling asleep due to the amount of sleep we got at the sleepover. We slept for 4 hours, and then decided to shower and wake up for a bit so we could sleep the rest of the night. The guys were playing cards, so we decided to play with them for a while. Then we went to be around 11 and slept through the entire night (Thank God!). Monday is our day off, so we were able to sleep in before spending a day in the city. We started the day of with (what else?) Java House. The waiters and waitresses are getting used to seeing our faces there multiple times a week (Although we might have found a competitor). Throughout the rest of monday, we walked around the city looking at various shops throughout and just hanging out as a team. It was a National Holiday here in Kenya, so a lot of the city was shut down. It was fun to have time in the city with just the team, and nothing else to worry about.

Tuesday morning we decided to check out another coffee shop in town. We went for breakfast and I was able to get FRENCH TOAST. I love french toast, and everything about this place reminded us of home. It was great to go there for our team Bible Study which we are reading a book called One Thing You Can't Do in Heaven. It's all about the importance of sharing your faith with non-believers, because once you are in Heaven you won't be able to do it since everyone will already be believers. Through this book, and even just being here in Kenya, God has really been showing me the importance of sharing my faith and how little I do this. We spent about 2 hours in Savanna, this newly discovered American Coffee House!! After that we walked around town a bit and went to another Market - the Maasai Market. This market is much bigger, and the people there definitely surround you as you walk in, and they didn't leave us the entire time despite our insisting they did. Greg and Chris bought a set of warrior things - a shield, 2 knives and a spear (which they're regretting now), but they bargained so much that they felt like they had to do it. Tuesday is BOGO day for Pizza. We decided we would order pizza before heading to campus for the small and large group meetings that night. We told Naftali - our leader here - what pizzas we wanted. We were going to get 4 pizzas total - 2 full price, and 2 free. He misunderstood us and bought 8 pizzas total. Luckily, we were able to give the leftovers to the students when we met them later on campus. We hung out, waiting for the students to arrive, and we sung songs and had a good time. Then we split up into our small groups to lead our first Bible Study with them. Sacha and I shared the Bridge Illustration with them, and showed them the importance of Jesus Christ in making it to Heaven someday. Then we discussed our study,but found that we ran out of time, as we didnt get to discuss everything. The discussion was good though, and I was glad that the girls had the input that they did.

Wednesday was a very long day. We started the day with going to the Arboretum again for prayer and planning time. When we got to our usual spot, there were so many monkeys. We fed them all, and had a fun time learning about them. The little baby monkeys are my favorite! We spent some good time in the word and praying before we had a planning meeting. It seems like these meetings take too long, and don't accomplish much. By this time, we had to have lunch then have a meeting with our guides for the Safari that is coming up next week. Again, not much was accomplished with this, but we're learning to be more relaxed and get used to their culture here. After this, I met with both of my girls for my one on one times. Zembi is a great girl and she's very easy to talk to. We talked for almost 2 hours. I wish we had been able to talk more about her quiet times and what we was learning in the word, but we are still getting to know eachother before we can share that personal information. Then I met with Valary, and the same thing happened. She's much quieter, and the conversation is a bit more difficult. But, she can be very funny when she's feeling comfortable. After this, we were exhausted and needed some down time. We spent the rest of the evening reading and eating dinner here at the Y and just soaking up the down time. It is draining, both spiritually and physically to do so much in one day, and to do it nonstop.

Thursday is the day when Sacha and I go to the Navheadquarters to have lunch with Mary. Before this, we went to Savanna again to have a real breakfast and enjoy the American atmosphere (sometimes, we just need a break). For lunch with Mary, we have to catch a bus or matatu to get there. That can be a little nervewracking as they are always crowded and we're still not able to do it on our own, but need a chaperone to go with us. The time with Mary is good, and we get to use the internet for free at the Navheadquarters (which is a major plus because it is much faster!) Then later, Sacha and I went to do evangelism in the dorms with Valary and Gloria. They each shared the Bridge Illustration in one room, and they did a great job. In doing this, we were trying to help build their confidence. They had some questions afterwards,b ut overall they did a great job. We spent the rest of the day hanging out at the Y. The boys wanted to go out to eat, so they did, and then Sacha and I enjoyed some time together eating at the Y.The boys brought us back some ice cream (which is definitely different) but it was very thoughtful of them to do that for us. We played some games the rest of the night before finally heading to bed.

This morning - Friday - we were supposed to go to Java to have a team meeting. It was definitely God that planned the rain that kept us around the Y to have the meeting. It was great time for us to share in the things we have been struggling with, and definitely a time of encouragement to the other team members. We spent time praying for the students and the ministry and loving each other. It really was a great time to spend together, and as soon as we were done the sun came out.

Coming up next week, the students will be very busy, and less available. It is the first of 2 weeks of final exams. It was decided that it would be the perfect time for our Safari. We will be heading to the Maasai Mara Tuesday morning for 3 days. I'm very excited to get out of the city, and see what else Kenya is like. I'm hoping it can be a time of rejuvination and rest as we take a break from the ministry. ALSO...Courtney and Corey will be spending most of the day on Monday with us before they head home on Tuesday. I'm SOOOOO excited, as we thought we might not get to see them since we're leaving for our Safari, but they decided to come a day early so we could see them. I think it will be a great day, and I can't wait to catch up with Courtney!!

Please keep us all in your prayers. There are things that are continually frustrating, and we know that our attitudes can only be changed through God, and constant prayer. Pray that we would be able to be encouraging to our fellow teammates, and to always remember that we are here working for God, and it will not be in vain (regardless of visual progress). Pray also for the students - that they would have a desire to make the Lord a priority in their life, and that they would be disciplined in their quiet times. Many of them are at this point, and need a lot of prayer. Also for the ministry - pray that the leaders would have the wisdom they need in order to fulfill God's will. They are at a major point of transition, and a firm foundation for the ministry is crucial at this point. Pray that others would want to come to the University of Nairobi, and that they would know, love, and equip the students as disciples of God. We pray daily for them, and only through prayer will these things be accomplished. I appreciate all your prayers so much! Thank you all for following my trip with me.