Kilimanjaro group has started hiking and the rest of us are heading to the airport for home. What a huge blessing this trip has been. Thank you for praying!
Jenni
Thursday, June 25, 2015
Tuesday, June 23, 2015
Tuesday, June 23
We had a wonderful day today driving to the Tarangire National Park. We have seen zebra, giraffe, elephant, ostrich, baboon, impala and lots of other animals all in one day. Tomorrow we leave here and drive to Ongorogoro Park which is it's own ecosystem inside an old crater. Should be amazing.
We celebrated George Ndungu's birthday tonight at dinner. They brought him a cake with sparklers and a singing dancing Congo line. I'm sorry I am literally too exhausted to write more and we have to be up early packed ready to go early in the morning so I am heading to bed. We have quite a few sick kids with sniffles and congestion. Please pray for rest and relaxation. Other than that everyone is doing well.
Thank you for the continued prayers.
Jenni
We celebrated George Ndungu's birthday tonight at dinner. They brought him a cake with sparklers and a singing dancing Congo line. I'm sorry I am literally too exhausted to write more and we have to be up early packed ready to go early in the morning so I am heading to bed. We have quite a few sick kids with sniffles and congestion. Please pray for rest and relaxation. Other than that everyone is doing well.
Thank you for the continued prayers.
Jenni
Monday, June 22, 2015
Monday, June 22
We began at 7AM as is custom with a Jon Millet day. We ate breakfast and maintained casual conversation without understanding the blessings God had in store for us today. Today would end making sad farewells accompanied with tears of joy.
Prior to boarding the bus, we took delivery of one of four custom built round tables purchased by our sponsors for the benefit of the school for disabled children. Along with the tables, we arranged for the construction of 24 matching wooden chairs. In Tanzania, most furniture is custom built from wood. They do not have "Big Box" stores. This concludes our ministry to the school. We had the pleasure of not only furnishing the dining area but also painting the school and ministering to the families about how God loves their children and the importance of having a relationship with God.
We loaded the bus with approximately 600 pounds of food and headed back to the orphanage to provide them food and finish painting the exterior of the building. The orphanage is run by Mama Jane who asked God for children and was blessed when he provided her the vision of developing a home for orphans. Many of her children lost both parents to AIDS. Jane has developed a remarkable program which instills God's values in the children. They operate as a family which cares for each other and their guests.
During our visit Jane informed us that she trusts God to provide for their needs. She is industrious and intelligent. She runs a farm to grow produce for the kids but this isn't enough. As it turns out., she ran out of food yesterday! Again through the generosity of our sponsors, we provided her "just in time" food. By God directing us to Tanzania, we were able to meet this need.
We had fun taking individual portraits and printing pictures of the children. It is rare for them to have a photograph. We also had a fun time teaching them Vacation Bible School. They responded enthusiastically to the program.
While all of this was fun, we were blessed beyond words. We can't begin to capture the raw emotion we experienced after being fed dinner by them. They sang and danced for us. We joined them in the celebration. Then, we began an hour long series of good bye's which involved prayer, song, gift exchanges and MANY TEARS from girls, boys, students and adult leaders alike.It was simply one of the most blessed moments you could experience. We boarded the bus to head home and opened the windows to sing a farewell song. We were touched with God's love.
Then, we had to say goodbye to our six guides who hosted us during the trip. Again, we exchanged gifts, praises and tears for our newfound relationships as brothers and sisters in Christ. How much emotion can we take in one day! It was truly special seeing God's people in unison with each other.
We were honored when they informed us of their desire to implement some of our strategies in their local ministries. They were honored when we shared how much they impacted us in such a short time. God was honored because his work was done for the poor, the widows, the orphans and the children who could not help them selves.
Our prayer is for you to be honored as having been a big part of this important ministry.
Thank you!
Mike Fields on behalf of Team Tanzania
Prior to boarding the bus, we took delivery of one of four custom built round tables purchased by our sponsors for the benefit of the school for disabled children. Along with the tables, we arranged for the construction of 24 matching wooden chairs. In Tanzania, most furniture is custom built from wood. They do not have "Big Box" stores. This concludes our ministry to the school. We had the pleasure of not only furnishing the dining area but also painting the school and ministering to the families about how God loves their children and the importance of having a relationship with God.
We loaded the bus with approximately 600 pounds of food and headed back to the orphanage to provide them food and finish painting the exterior of the building. The orphanage is run by Mama Jane who asked God for children and was blessed when he provided her the vision of developing a home for orphans. Many of her children lost both parents to AIDS. Jane has developed a remarkable program which instills God's values in the children. They operate as a family which cares for each other and their guests.
During our visit Jane informed us that she trusts God to provide for their needs. She is industrious and intelligent. She runs a farm to grow produce for the kids but this isn't enough. As it turns out., she ran out of food yesterday! Again through the generosity of our sponsors, we provided her "just in time" food. By God directing us to Tanzania, we were able to meet this need.
We had fun taking individual portraits and printing pictures of the children. It is rare for them to have a photograph. We also had a fun time teaching them Vacation Bible School. They responded enthusiastically to the program.
While all of this was fun, we were blessed beyond words. We can't begin to capture the raw emotion we experienced after being fed dinner by them. They sang and danced for us. We joined them in the celebration. Then, we began an hour long series of good bye's which involved prayer, song, gift exchanges and MANY TEARS from girls, boys, students and adult leaders alike.It was simply one of the most blessed moments you could experience. We boarded the bus to head home and opened the windows to sing a farewell song. We were touched with God's love.
Then, we had to say goodbye to our six guides who hosted us during the trip. Again, we exchanged gifts, praises and tears for our newfound relationships as brothers and sisters in Christ. How much emotion can we take in one day! It was truly special seeing God's people in unison with each other.
We were honored when they informed us of their desire to implement some of our strategies in their local ministries. They were honored when we shared how much they impacted us in such a short time. God was honored because his work was done for the poor, the widows, the orphans and the children who could not help them selves.
Our prayer is for you to be honored as having been a big part of this important ministry.
Thank you!
Mike Fields on behalf of Team Tanzania
Sunday, June 21, 2015
Sunday, June 21
Hi this is Marie today we went to different churches our church was very long but interesting, After a 3rd service we just relaxed and ate lunch. Then we went to a Market and I got a Braclet and a Soccer T-Shirt. All of the Market people was so nice some of them was from the church choir, Then After That we ate dinner and Scott and Ty came back from Kajiado. After dinner we had a meeting it was fun we Sang Song, We starch, Prayed.
I,am gonna miss this place but I,am coming back next year, All the choir people was so nice and wonderful, I,am so thankful for them greeting us at the airport and last night, One of them actually made me a Hat and another made my friend a Braclet
I made many friends here I don,t know if they,ll be back next year or not
It,s going by so fast working with Orphins, Disabled Children, Painting I mean this was fun and I made a-lot of friends I can,t wait to go on safari but again I,am gonna miss this place
Love Marie
And I,am Terrifyed of them going onto Kilimanjaro
I,am gonna miss this place but I,am coming back next year, All the choir people was so nice and wonderful, I,am so thankful for them greeting us at the airport and last night, One of them actually made me a Hat and another made my friend a Braclet
I made many friends here I don,t know if they,ll be back next year or not
It,s going by so fast working with Orphins, Disabled Children, Painting I mean this was fun and I made a-lot of friends I can,t wait to go on safari but again I,am gonna miss this place
Love Marie
And I,am Terrifyed of them going onto Kilimanjaro
Saturday, June 20, 2015
Saturday, June 20
Today we started with breakfast and devotions from Mike Fields. He talked about finding your ministry and challenged all of our college bound students to get plugged into a church and find their unique ministry next year when they find themselves in a new environment.
We stopped in for another "5 minute" stop for Jon to go get some paint and supplies and then headed to the school for disabled. We were happy to see the new wheelchair ramps already finished and the students did a great job finishing up painting the dining hall and kitchen. Izzy and Callie did a wonderful job painting a verse on the wall...which was the fruits of the spirit from Galatians 5:22-23. We had it translated so they could paint it in Swahili. While they painted Jon and I and Mike Fields all spoke to the parents of the disabled students. I shared a little about what I have been through as a mother and how I really had to give up my own illusions and ideas of what life "should" be like and how I learned to trust God to meet the needs of my children. We talked about their value and how God can use them for a unique purpose to demonstrate Gods love for all of us to the world. Mike then shared his testimony of his brother, who was electrocuted just before graduating from college, and how God has used Greg in ways he never could have imagined and tied in the gospel message. Jon tied it all together with his thoughts as a father and truly seeing the unique gifts that each person can have, even when they are disabled. He reassured them that they were not being punished by God, but that their children are a blessing, that they had a unique opportunity for spiritual growth, and experiences most people never get to witness. It was a very special time and we all felt like the Holy Spirit really spoke to those who were there. We all gave it a 20 out of 10 experience.
We finished up at the school and then came back for a special dinner the choir from our host church gphad prepared for us. They have been such hospitable, gracious hosts while we have been here, going out of their way to do nice things for us. The five choir members who were chosen to be our interpreters and guides, have each taken a 2 week leave of absence from work to be with us. They have not only accompanied us everywhere, but have also painted and worked alongside us too. Tonight the entire choir made us a traditional Tanzanian dinner, sang for us, and then told us they had a Tanzanian "cake" for us. It turns out that Tanzanian cake is code for Goat. It was great and a big honor for them to have gone to so much trouble to make us feel welcomed.
We did get word that Ty and Scott Westfall arrived safely in Kajiado today and spent the day purchasing food and supplies to leave at the orphanage, school for disabled and with Mama Ruth's tribe up in Rurya. They should be heading back late tomorrow afternoon. Also, Steve Wolcott just arrived back from Uganda.
Tomorrow we will be going to four different churches in groups, so please pray for Jon, Steve, Jerry, and Mike as they will all be preaching, and for the students, as they are usually asked to give a short testimony or sing. After that we will be taking a day of rest relaxing a little.
Thank you for the continued prayers. We know how many people back home are supporting us and it means a lot to know we have friends and family praying on our behalf!
Sincerely,
Jenni for the group
We stopped in for another "5 minute" stop for Jon to go get some paint and supplies and then headed to the school for disabled. We were happy to see the new wheelchair ramps already finished and the students did a great job finishing up painting the dining hall and kitchen. Izzy and Callie did a wonderful job painting a verse on the wall...which was the fruits of the spirit from Galatians 5:22-23. We had it translated so they could paint it in Swahili. While they painted Jon and I and Mike Fields all spoke to the parents of the disabled students. I shared a little about what I have been through as a mother and how I really had to give up my own illusions and ideas of what life "should" be like and how I learned to trust God to meet the needs of my children. We talked about their value and how God can use them for a unique purpose to demonstrate Gods love for all of us to the world. Mike then shared his testimony of his brother, who was electrocuted just before graduating from college, and how God has used Greg in ways he never could have imagined and tied in the gospel message. Jon tied it all together with his thoughts as a father and truly seeing the unique gifts that each person can have, even when they are disabled. He reassured them that they were not being punished by God, but that their children are a blessing, that they had a unique opportunity for spiritual growth, and experiences most people never get to witness. It was a very special time and we all felt like the Holy Spirit really spoke to those who were there. We all gave it a 20 out of 10 experience.
We finished up at the school and then came back for a special dinner the choir from our host church gphad prepared for us. They have been such hospitable, gracious hosts while we have been here, going out of their way to do nice things for us. The five choir members who were chosen to be our interpreters and guides, have each taken a 2 week leave of absence from work to be with us. They have not only accompanied us everywhere, but have also painted and worked alongside us too. Tonight the entire choir made us a traditional Tanzanian dinner, sang for us, and then told us they had a Tanzanian "cake" for us. It turns out that Tanzanian cake is code for Goat. It was great and a big honor for them to have gone to so much trouble to make us feel welcomed.
We did get word that Ty and Scott Westfall arrived safely in Kajiado today and spent the day purchasing food and supplies to leave at the orphanage, school for disabled and with Mama Ruth's tribe up in Rurya. They should be heading back late tomorrow afternoon. Also, Steve Wolcott just arrived back from Uganda.
Tomorrow we will be going to four different churches in groups, so please pray for Jon, Steve, Jerry, and Mike as they will all be preaching, and for the students, as they are usually asked to give a short testimony or sing. After that we will be taking a day of rest relaxing a little.
Thank you for the continued prayers. We know how many people back home are supporting us and it means a lot to know we have friends and family praying on our behalf!
Sincerely,
Jenni for the group
Friday, June 19, 2015
Friday, June 19
Today was another great day here in Tanzania. We started out with breakfast and devotions from Jerry Fudge, which was a great discussion on apologetics and how to refute some of the reasons people reject Christianity. Next we went to a public high school where Noah, Dawson, and Brittany all shared their testimonies, we sang some songs, and Jon preached the gospel. This school had a mix of kids from different religions so please pray that they heard what they needed to hear. It was pretty cool at one point we realized there was a big group of Muslim girls singing along to "I want to be like Jesus"
After lunch we went to a local Masaii market for about an hour. Jon came back with a giant spoon which I have NO idea what I'm going to do with...typical. :). We then headed to the church for our final day of VBS. We estimated over 220 kids again and had a great time. They loved the songs and games and stories from the book of Proverbs. Our students did a fabulous job of leading this and interacting with the kids. We will miss them.
Disabled School update:
Tomorrow we will head back to the disabled school. Jon and I have been told that many families here believe that having a disabled child is a punishment by God. We have asked to meet with all the parents of the disabled children tomorrow so we can encourage them and help them see that it is actually a blessing and that they can be used by God just as much as any healthy person. Please pray for us as we speak to them tomorrow morning. While we speak to the parents, everyone else will be finishing up painting in the dining, kitchen area. We will post before and after photos. We have also been able to purchase 4 wood tables and 24 new chairs for their cafeteria, as well as some food to stock their kitchen and a huge new shelving system to keep their food and supplies up off the floor.
We also noticed the other day that there was no working wheelchair ramp at this school. There was a partial one that dropped off about 2 feet from the ground and the rest of the school porch is a good 4 foot step up. We inquired about putting in a ramp for them and found that it will only cost $60 to complete the existing ramp and put another one in that will lead from the dining Area to the playground. We hope this will be a great blessing to them. Thank you to those of you who have supported this trip financially. These are the kinds of things your money is providing and we are so honored to be able to present such things on behalf of so many of you!
Tomorrow Ty and Scott Westfall are leaving to travel to Kenya to visit Mama Ruth and the Masaii tribe we have been working with the past several years. We are grateful that we are close enough to send them on our behalf. They will also be visiting Pastor Charles church, the orphanage, and the school for disabled in Kajiado that we went to last year. They will be taking along about a months worth of food for the kids at the disabled school and the Kajiado orphanage.
Tomorrow afternoon we will also be having a fellowship and having dinner with the church choir at the church. They have been gracious hosts all week. Also, Steve Wolcott should return tomorrow afternoon from Uganda.
Please continue to keep the group in prayer as several have some minor health issues going on...tummy aches, cold and cough and exhaustion mostly. Also, Mike Fields who had such a hard time getting here, has hurt his back and is in a lot of pain with limited motion, although he is still plugging along as though nothing is wrong. He was able to get some medicine today, so pray that he
will get some relief!
Thank you so much for your continued prayers!
Sincerely,
Jenni Millet for the group
After lunch we went to a local Masaii market for about an hour. Jon came back with a giant spoon which I have NO idea what I'm going to do with...typical. :). We then headed to the church for our final day of VBS. We estimated over 220 kids again and had a great time. They loved the songs and games and stories from the book of Proverbs. Our students did a fabulous job of leading this and interacting with the kids. We will miss them.
Disabled School update:
Tomorrow we will head back to the disabled school. Jon and I have been told that many families here believe that having a disabled child is a punishment by God. We have asked to meet with all the parents of the disabled children tomorrow so we can encourage them and help them see that it is actually a blessing and that they can be used by God just as much as any healthy person. Please pray for us as we speak to them tomorrow morning. While we speak to the parents, everyone else will be finishing up painting in the dining, kitchen area. We will post before and after photos. We have also been able to purchase 4 wood tables and 24 new chairs for their cafeteria, as well as some food to stock their kitchen and a huge new shelving system to keep their food and supplies up off the floor.
We also noticed the other day that there was no working wheelchair ramp at this school. There was a partial one that dropped off about 2 feet from the ground and the rest of the school porch is a good 4 foot step up. We inquired about putting in a ramp for them and found that it will only cost $60 to complete the existing ramp and put another one in that will lead from the dining Area to the playground. We hope this will be a great blessing to them. Thank you to those of you who have supported this trip financially. These are the kinds of things your money is providing and we are so honored to be able to present such things on behalf of so many of you!
Tomorrow Ty and Scott Westfall are leaving to travel to Kenya to visit Mama Ruth and the Masaii tribe we have been working with the past several years. We are grateful that we are close enough to send them on our behalf. They will also be visiting Pastor Charles church, the orphanage, and the school for disabled in Kajiado that we went to last year. They will be taking along about a months worth of food for the kids at the disabled school and the Kajiado orphanage.
Tomorrow afternoon we will also be having a fellowship and having dinner with the church choir at the church. They have been gracious hosts all week. Also, Steve Wolcott should return tomorrow afternoon from Uganda.
Please continue to keep the group in prayer as several have some minor health issues going on...tummy aches, cold and cough and exhaustion mostly. Also, Mike Fields who had such a hard time getting here, has hurt his back and is in a lot of pain with limited motion, although he is still plugging along as though nothing is wrong. He was able to get some medicine today, so pray that he
will get some relief!
Thank you so much for your continued prayers!
Sincerely,
Jenni Millet for the group
Thursday, June 18, 2015
The Fields got in safely today!! It's cool having two new team members.
Today we went back to the disabled school to paint the walls after breakfast and devotions, and the routine that the group has now gotten used to. The kids weren't there today, though all of our time was spent scrubbing grease off of kitchen walls, and painting their main assembly room. With only one bottle of bleach, and thin, terrible sponges, we somehow removed mountains of grease from walls which couldn't have been cleaned in 50 years. We washed and sanded all the walls, and painted both rooms in like 3 hours. It was tight. And Brittanys arm hurts because she is so lame and weak. After painting at the disabled school, we took lunch and had time to relax before vbs. At vbs, today's lesson was about commiting our work to The Lord. I got to use a puppet in a skit and throw crayons everywhere and then complain about it. Brittany was the teacher, and got mad at me for throwing crayons everywhere. Jenni was sick today and couldn't be there for most of the day, so we are writing the blog instead. We somehow managed to run vbs without her. It's late and were exhausted, so sorry for any scattered thoughts. Please be in prayer for Steve as he travels to Uganda, and for the rest of the group to remain healthy, and be able to speak Christ's words instead of our own.
-Max and Brittany (the best people you know)
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