All luggage and people accounted for we should arrive 7:45pm at Fox River
Landed in Chicago
We have landed in Chicago, the team is tired but in good spirits. Off to customs, luggage, then a bus ride to church and home.
Boarding the last flight
We are thru the last security check, boarding the plane and ready for the last flight home. 12 hour flight ahead please pray for comfort, patience, and some rest for the team. Everyone is in good spirits and anxious to see our friends and families.
Wheels down in Istanbul
We have arrived in Istanbul, couple hour layover before the final leg of the trip. The team is holding up well for staying up majority of the night.
All on board for the first flight
Were all boarded up on the first flight and ready to go. A couple hiccups with check in but a little sweet talking and were all set.
Heading home
The team is all loaded on the bus and en route to the airport. It's been a great journey with many stories to share.
Bomani Fun Day!
A word from Sarah: Today was VBS day at the Bomani school! We were a little worried in the morning because it was supposed to rain all day. We all prayed together in the bus on the way, and God really provided a beautiful day! (in many ways) We had so much fun with the kids doing a variety of things such as decorating bookbags, water balloons, dancing, bible story, and crazy fun games! Even the band got in on the games, and covered in Hershey’s syrup! The kids enjoyed learning new songs, and freestyle crazy dancing!! The kids really loved the fun during the bible story reenactment. We got a chance to spend some time with those sweet kiddos again, and there was a lot of braiding hair happening.
Saying goodbye to the Bomani kids was very hard, but the hope that is in them is so bright, it’s hard not to smile. The staff was so generous, they gave us gifts and certificates, and hugs and kisses.
Vipingo fun day!
The nest few days we will have guest bloggers. Today we have Gina writing for us. It was our big day today in Vipingo! Working with our 6th and 7th graders teaching them leadership skills and rolling out a VBS for all the children there. Some of the activities we did with the children singing, dancing, acting out bible stories, crafts with lots of glitter, throwing water balloons outside, lots of different games and classroom activities! So many things to do and the team came around these children helping them and just having a fun exhausting day !!!! So many laughs and smiling faces from our group and the kids! But sadly it had to end sooner or later, saying goodbye to our kids at Vipingo was hard to do but each one of the team members showed love in one way or the other by holding hands, playing games,and just taking time to find out about each child's story. Many tears we're had by all but friendships have been made and lives have been changed by being that voice of hope.
Personally for me worshipping with the kids and singing God's Not Dead was my hi light. Hearing these kids with their cute African accents singing their hearts out praising our God, it doesn't matter where you live or what color our skin is God is accessible for anyone who believes in Him.
Fun Day at Vipingo
Tonight was the first night the blog was done before 7pm because it was done by a guest blogger...then I left my iPad in the back of the car after church! Shoot! So all of it is done just sitting in the back of the car locked up. We really enjoyed our time doing all kinds of things crafts, water ballon games, telling bible stories and singing. The day went so fast before we knew it we were saying goodbye to our friends! Pray for the team as we go into our last day working in the center!
Started the day with espresso shots
Prep Day!
We spent the day at Bomani and Vipingo working with our 6th and 7th graders that are going to be helping us the next two days with VBS. Each area had a group of children that were trained to lead and manage the activity. One of the things we are working on with the upper classes is training leaders. Leaders that will use the knowledge and resources we give them to teach others about Christ. It’s also moving to see that the younger children watch with eagerness to learn too. The more time we spend with the students, the stronger the rapport, and the more they feel open to talking with us about life. After we were finished training in Vipingo we took a walk through the village to Pastor Johns house where he prepared a wonderful lunch! We got to spend more time playing with the children. I was so much fun allowing the children bradding our hair and Daniel had about 10 girls bradding his hair…and let me tell you they pull it tight! Gina and Kelley spent some time with the staff today encouraging them and giving them a small gift of appreciation.
After returning to the hotel, we had some time to do a little shopping or relaxing before we head into the last few days of serving with our friends here in Kenya. Tomorrow we start of our goodbyes because it is our last day in Vipingo. I would ask that you pray for strength and grace as we leave our new friends so soon.
