Sunday - Monday Karibou!

Karibou!! Welcome (in Swahili) to our adventure in Kenya! The country is experiencing great problems with electrical power shortages due to the drought conditions, so we have not had access to internet to update everyone, but we are here and having some adventures!

http://picasaweb.google.com/johnacrews1/KenyaSundayLunchWithJudy

We arrived Saturday night and got settled into the guesthouse for some much needed rest. Sunday we got to worship at the NPC Karen church with our ministry partner and host, Judy Mbugua. It’s always a wonderful time of worship!! The California team who led the younger children’s camp last week shared a worship song during the worship, and then our own Samantha, accompanied by brother Josiah, sang a song she wrote especially for this trip. What blessings!! Then we had an “intimate” lunch at the Mbugua’s house for the CA team, UK group and US team, plus ministry partners, pastors, and some of our precious Masai women who came for the occasion. Close to 100 people, but there was plenty of food, and it was a great time of fellowship. Our combined UK and US team, now united as the “international team,” boarded the bus with ALL the luggage to go to the Pan African Christian University campus where we are holding the teen camp. It was then that we were made aware that there was a problem with the electricity, that it is being rationed, and that we would have to really practice “being flexible.”

http://picasaweb.google.com/johnacrews1/KenyaMondayCamp2009

We got up early to set up everything for the campers, but their bus didn’t show up for some time, so things got off to a later start, but eventually they did arrive. Everyone was registered, assigned to their color groups, found their rooms, and at last camp was on. We began with chapel, with the wonderfully exuberant Kenyan music led by a local worship leader and several of the local counselors. Our group started the study on the life of Joseph, which will be our study for the week. They did a great job of presenting the early life of Joseph up until his being sold into slavery. After our chapel times, we break up into small groups for more Bible study and discussion. It is always a joy to see groups of young people with their leaders, stretched out under trees, on the lawn, Bibles open, sharing and praying together. After some free time to play soccer, jump rope and just enjoy being outdoors, we discovered that there was no power. We were able to work in a couple of classrooms for a short while; as we headed to the dining room for dinner, it was beginning to get dark, but we pressed on. At last, the lights flickered on and we were able to see what we were eating. But it proved to be a brief moment of light. It was now time for our night chapel and very dark. We managed our way down to the chapel; they had told us there would be a generator, so we made our way. But no power. It’s interesting to have 90 teens/leaders left outside in just the shadows of the moon and stars! We prayed, thanked God for allowing us to be here, with or without power, and starting worshiping. In a few minutes, after gazing at the stars, we saw the lights reappear in the chapel, so we were able to move inside for the rest of our worship time. As our time ended and it was time to head to the dorms, we saw that there was no power in the dormitories. Now this would be challenging! Nothing left to do but grope through the darkness to the dorms. Shortly, there was light! It was a Genesis moment; praise the Lord for His provision! The first night is always hectic, getting everyone settled, acquainted with how to use the toilets and showers, etc. But here we are at the end of the first day of camp. Everyone is pretty tired, stretched, and truly ready for some sleep. We have a generator in our quarters that supplies a dim light, so I feel like I’m typing by candlelight, but we know God is in control, He has a purpose for everything, and certainly He has initiated the camp with learning opportunities. Please do continue to pray for these teens and workers from Kibera, that their hearts will be touched deeply, that God’s purposes for them will be fulfilled, that we will be willing, effective vessels for Him, for health and safety for all, and that we can continue to be truly flexible and adapt to each challenge.