After a 30-hour process that began with a matatu ride to the Mombasa airport and ended with an bittersweet walk through customs at Minneapolis-St. Paul International, we finally returned to Minnesota shortly before noon today. It's nine hours later, and jetlag is putting up a strong fight. The hardwood floors and big cars look strange. The queen-size mattress is looking mighty comfortable.
There are many, many more stories to share beyond the details that made the posts on this blog throughout our trip, so we're eager to do that. We'll try to add some pictures here in the coming days if people continue to check in.
So sorry we weren't able to update this more often, especially during our final week in Tarasaa, but thanks for taking the time to read, think and pray about our trip. There are a lot of exciting developments unfolding in and around the village we called home for nearly three amazing weeks. We left a big piece of our hearts there with the Kenyan people, and perhaps someday -- God willing -- we'll have a chance to go back and get it.
--Dave (for everyone else)
Friday, July 13, 2007
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
From Pastor Steve and family ...
Today the group is leaving Tarasaa, and we will all spend two nights at the resort on the Indian Ocean. The team will then travel home, and we will travel back to our house in the village. It has been an amazing experience so far. Here are a few of the highlights:
--We have successfully started two sewing co-ops, one in the village of Tarasaa and one in the village of Furaha.
--We finished the inside of the church we planted two years ago in Furaha. This culminated a joyous dedication and worship service this past Sunday. The church was packed, and the Holy Spirit was moving.
--We made a number of repairs at our school in Eghekumbi. We took teams and shared the gospel with every home in the village. In addition, we administered medical care and prayed for around 30 sick people there. Many experienced miraculous healing.
--Thus far, Steve has recorded six choirs as part of the research for his sabbatical and is scheduled to record three more when the family returns.
Our family is doing great, and our kids have fallen in love with Kenya as much as Shelby and I have. They are already talking about coming back. God bless all of you, and thank you for your prayers and support.
Thanks also for your prayers for Samson, the missionary in Tarasaa we've partnered with since this relationship began in 2000. He was very sick for several months this winter, but he held up well during our visit. As he told us, "You are the best medication for me."
--Pastor Steve, Shelby, Lauren, Madison and Morgan
--We have successfully started two sewing co-ops, one in the village of Tarasaa and one in the village of Furaha.
--We finished the inside of the church we planted two years ago in Furaha. This culminated a joyous dedication and worship service this past Sunday. The church was packed, and the Holy Spirit was moving.
--We made a number of repairs at our school in Eghekumbi. We took teams and shared the gospel with every home in the village. In addition, we administered medical care and prayed for around 30 sick people there. Many experienced miraculous healing.
--Thus far, Steve has recorded six choirs as part of the research for his sabbatical and is scheduled to record three more when the family returns.
Our family is doing great, and our kids have fallen in love with Kenya as much as Shelby and I have. They are already talking about coming back. God bless all of you, and thank you for your prayers and support.
Thanks also for your prayers for Samson, the missionary in Tarasaa we've partnered with since this relationship began in 2000. He was very sick for several months this winter, but he held up well during our visit. As he told us, "You are the best medication for me."
--Pastor Steve, Shelby, Lauren, Madison and Morgan
From the Johnsons ...
We're leaving Tarasaa today to begin the path home. We can't wait to see everyone on Friday. It will take weeks to tell of the many things God has accomplished during our stay. We pray everyone is well and look forward to our reunion. Love to all.
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
The latest ...
Our time here is passing fast, which is just the opposite of the way Kenyans look at the clock. One of the many parts of this experience we all appreciate is the absence of the "rush, rush" environment we're accustomed to in America. Many times, the work day grows long, the matutu breaks down and we don't wind up back at Samson's house for lunch until 4 p.m. And while there is hunger, thirst and fatigue to fight off, there are no worries -- or hakuna matata if you've ever studied Swahili or watched "The Lion King."
Our work on the church in Furaha is almost finished. Today's project was to finish cementing the floor. It's strenuous at times there, shoveling the sand, hauling water and mixing the cement with shovels, but we've hired a few locals to lead the project and they are tremendously skilled and dedicated workers.
In the meantime, there are two other projects underway -- both at the church in Tarasaa. (You're probably having a difficult time keeping track of all the names of the villages, tribes, foods and people. We are, too, and we've been here for 10 days!) Yesterday, a group began sawing and cutting wood to build benches at the church. A few feet away, some of the others began sewing Bible covers and showing some of the women in the village how to use the machines we brought. They are very excited about the co-op that has been created, and soon they will begin making school uniforms for the children who don't have them.
There is much left to do, but we're on schedule so far. This is a team of especially hard workers and people with special skills in several different areas -- a neat example of how we were all brought together to participate in this trip. Yesterday was roughly the midpoint of our time here in the village, and a lot of people shared struggles during our morning prayer time about running low on energy. Most of us found a heavenly boost, however, and there was clearly an increase in spirit as the day grew on.
There's a lot to think about and a lot to learn here, and the physical and emotional challenges can be overwhelming at times. But smiles come easy here. Just one bite of a mango or one strum of the guitar or one high-pitched "how ah yoo?" from one of the children, and you can quickly remember how great God is.
More coming soon ...
--Dave (for everyone else)
Our work on the church in Furaha is almost finished. Today's project was to finish cementing the floor. It's strenuous at times there, shoveling the sand, hauling water and mixing the cement with shovels, but we've hired a few locals to lead the project and they are tremendously skilled and dedicated workers.
In the meantime, there are two other projects underway -- both at the church in Tarasaa. (You're probably having a difficult time keeping track of all the names of the villages, tribes, foods and people. We are, too, and we've been here for 10 days!) Yesterday, a group began sawing and cutting wood to build benches at the church. A few feet away, some of the others began sewing Bible covers and showing some of the women in the village how to use the machines we brought. They are very excited about the co-op that has been created, and soon they will begin making school uniforms for the children who don't have them.
There is much left to do, but we're on schedule so far. This is a team of especially hard workers and people with special skills in several different areas -- a neat example of how we were all brought together to participate in this trip. Yesterday was roughly the midpoint of our time here in the village, and a lot of people shared struggles during our morning prayer time about running low on energy. Most of us found a heavenly boost, however, and there was clearly an increase in spirit as the day grew on.
There's a lot to think about and a lot to learn here, and the physical and emotional challenges can be overwhelming at times. But smiles come easy here. Just one bite of a mango or one strum of the guitar or one high-pitched "how ah yoo?" from one of the children, and you can quickly remember how great God is.
More coming soon ...
--Dave (for everyone else)
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