So.......
I was able to get the photos on - YEAH!!! Pastor Felix showed me which program I needed to use to reduce the image size. I had been looking all over and couldn't find it but alas..... when in doubt ask.
Today we are having a day of work around the base and rest. It really feels like home here. The people are so loving and kind. Every staff person has an amazing story and a heart to share it. They are so open and warm.
Today I was able to spend some time with Munishi (Ywam Staff)hearing his story about his family. Our family has now adopted him as one of our own. He feels the same as well. He is so precious - the other night Dave was able to spend some time with him and he gave Dave a gift for our family, it was a beautiful piece of artwork that he had handmade of Africa along with a beautiful card full of such loving words for our family. God has put such a feeling of family connection between us it is indescribable - only something God could do. Maybe someday we will be able to bring our new son home to meet the rest of you! Or better yet we could pack you all up and bring you here! ;)
We love you all very much and so appreciate your prayers. We have felt the power of your prayers daily - we feel completely covered!!! God is so good - He is a God of signs and wonders - it has been proven undoubtedly on this journey, repeatedly - we just all have to tap into true "FAITH" I think so often we miss out on it because we are so task oriented and less people oriented. Listen for that still small voice - He is speaking to each and every one of us. We don't want to miss out on what he calls us to do in faith!
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
These are two girls who are coming of age and are in preparation stages.
This is Maddy and Irene at the Base. Doesn't she look adorable in the new clothes we brought her? She has a beautiful smile and sings an awesome "Jesus loves me"
Here we are playing the Awana Games in Kibera
This is a time of bible teaching in Kibera - you can only see a portion of the kids in the room in this photo.
Here the Chief is receiving Christ as his Savior - his grandson Bariki has the navy shirt on and is part of YWAM Arusha
This is Maddy and Irene at the Base. Doesn't she look adorable in the new clothes we brought her? She has a beautiful smile and sings an awesome "Jesus loves me"
Here we are playing the Awana Games in Kibera
This is a time of bible teaching in Kibera - you can only see a portion of the kids in the room in this photo.
Here the Chief is receiving Christ as his Savior - his grandson Bariki has the navy shirt on and is part of YWAM Arusha
Week Three
It is hard to believe we are in our final week here - it seems as if we have just arrived. Yesterday we attended the dedication service at Engikeret - the School and Medical Center CTK has built for the Masaai. It was an incredible day!!! Many officials were there to dedicate the building - the District Commisioner even extended a thank you from the President of Tanzania. Shirley did a terrific job thanking the officials for their part in helping us to accomplish what we have been able to. So many groups of Masaai came to perform with singing and dancing. Their were hundreds and hundreds of people there. As I stood among many of the masaai - I closed my eyes and took in the smell and sounds - I love these people so much. Many of them just want to hold your hand - they are so grateful for the little we have done to help them. The children were so eager to hold hands, play and dance with us. Our dancing was a bit embarrassing - let's just say our rhythm can't compare, but the children did not mind one little bit. They just look up at you with those beautiful eyes and big smiles and you just want to hug them and not let go. (If only we could fit a few into our suitcases). Once again I am going to "TRY" and get some photos on - it takes SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO very long here it always times out before I am done. Here we go.....
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Back from Kibera
Kibera is something we will never forget. As we arrived on the outskirts we were dropped off and walked our way about 2- 2 1/2 miles into where the school is. It was really life changing seeing all of the poverty, smelling the smells, seeing the waste, absolutley astonishing.
In the one day we spent in the slums we were able to feed over 400 children bread and water. Now as starving as these children were we saw many carrying their bags off with their water to share with their families. There wer also about 400 people who received medical attention.
Outside we had the Awana games going where families gathered and cheered the children on playing. It was a good day. I watched the faces of the children and their parents - they were joyful for that time as they were able to forget about the weight of their problems. They were not thinking about the sadness the war has brought, they were not thinking about their hunger, they were not thinking about their diseases. For that moment they were just plain having fun.
In the one day we spent in the slums we were able to feed over 400 children bread and water. Now as starving as these children were we saw many carrying their bags off with their water to share with their families. There wer also about 400 people who received medical attention.
Outside we had the Awana games going where families gathered and cheered the children on playing. It was a good day. I watched the faces of the children and their parents - they were joyful for that time as they were able to forget about the weight of their problems. They were not thinking about the sadness the war has brought, they were not thinking about their hunger, they were not thinking about their diseases. For that moment they were just plain having fun.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
We are HERE!!!
Well we have made it safely. We love it!!! So far the ultimate highlight has been meeting our little girl Tumani (Hope) that we sponsor. She is beautiful. It took a few minutes for her to warm up but she now will grab my arm and wrap it around her. We will be meeting Irene today as well. They both live very near to the base so we will be seeing a lot of them hopefully.
Today we went into town to a mrket and it was an experience. Dave did his wonders as always with his favorite pastime: BARTERING! Maddy and I were a bit overwhelmed at first but I think we will get the hang of it. I'll try to post some pictures now.
Today we went into town to a mrket and it was an experience. Dave did his wonders as always with his favorite pastime: BARTERING! Maddy and I were a bit overwhelmed at first but I think we will get the hang of it. I'll try to post some pictures now.
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Destination: Tanzania & Kenya....and USA
The day has finally arrived ; this afternoon we will load onto a bus in CTK parking lot, head to the airport, load onto the plane late this evening and fly to Africa. It's funny I would have expected to be nervous at this point - usually I can't sleep the night before we are heading out on any type of trip. I am filled with peace and I know the rest of our family is too. Thank you so much for the prayers for our team as we head out. We feel so blessed to have so many friends and family lifting up this Mission Trip in prayer. We are so excited to see and do all there is waiting for us.
Elissa is also jumping on a plane today on her way home from Australia. She will arrive in Seattle Sunday afternoon. If you happen to see her give her a HUGE hug for us okay? Tell her it is from her Dad and Mom.
We will try to keep posting so check back!
Love to you all!
Elissa is also jumping on a plane today on her way home from Australia. She will arrive in Seattle Sunday afternoon. If you happen to see her give her a HUGE hug for us okay? Tell her it is from her Dad and Mom.
We will try to keep posting so check back!
Love to you all!
Friday, August 8, 2008
Team Ryan???
You may be sitting there thinking to yourself... Team Ryan??? Am I missing something? Are they competing somewhere? The answer is NO - not really. Years ago a friend and mentor of mine was talking about the importance of family, being a Team - we are all in this thing called life together. Together we are stronger and have purpose. We know what we stand for and why. Where we are headed. So our family discussed all of these things and formed our team.
Every day as I drove my little Elissa to school ,with baby Maddy in the back , we would discuss the importance of reaching out to kids who looked sad at school, being kind to the undeserving, respecting others. We would pray and then Elissa and I would chant (Maddy would babble along) "Who are we?" "Team Ryan" "What do we stand for?" "Jesus!"
Since the founding of "Team Ryan" circumstances have changed: schools, ages, added kiddos, jobs, areas where we are serving. One thing has remained constant and that is that we all know, love and serve the Lord Jesus Christ. We most certainly are not the poster family for devoted followers - but we have been saved by grace and we are so THANKFUL!!!!
Today Team Ryan takes on another meaning for us as God is continually showing us how He wants us to stretch and grow in Him, how we can serve Him:
2 Timothy 4
1In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: 2Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. 3For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. 5But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.
6For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. 7I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
We would not ever have planned nor have felt equipped to be doing what God has us doing these days. Isn't that the way God works though? Where we are weak He is STRONG!!! Thank ou Jesus!
Our prayer for every member of Team Ryan and evey other person we know and love is to truly understand the grace, mercy and abounding love our Heavenly Father has for us. His love knows no limits.
WANNA RACE????
Every day as I drove my little Elissa to school ,with baby Maddy in the back , we would discuss the importance of reaching out to kids who looked sad at school, being kind to the undeserving, respecting others. We would pray and then Elissa and I would chant (Maddy would babble along) "Who are we?" "Team Ryan" "What do we stand for?" "Jesus!"
Since the founding of "Team Ryan" circumstances have changed: schools, ages, added kiddos, jobs, areas where we are serving. One thing has remained constant and that is that we all know, love and serve the Lord Jesus Christ. We most certainly are not the poster family for devoted followers - but we have been saved by grace and we are so THANKFUL!!!!
Today Team Ryan takes on another meaning for us as God is continually showing us how He wants us to stretch and grow in Him, how we can serve Him:
2 Timothy 4
1In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: 2Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. 3For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. 5But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.
6For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. 7I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
We would not ever have planned nor have felt equipped to be doing what God has us doing these days. Isn't that the way God works though? Where we are weak He is STRONG!!! Thank ou Jesus!
Our prayer for every member of Team Ryan and evey other person we know and love is to truly understand the grace, mercy and abounding love our Heavenly Father has for us. His love knows no limits.
WANNA RACE????
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