We said good bye to Southern Nyanza last night and left for Nairobi. When we arrived we had dinner with our good friends Stewart and Skyler. It was good to spend time with them and to enjoy our last night in Kenya.

Today we went into the city. We had lunch with the GAT coordinator of Kenya, Liz. Then we split. While some went to the market, others went on a search for Kenyan music and visited the Anglican cathedral.

We will soon leave for London.

- Michele

IDCCS

A project the church relief and development arm is doing in Kwa, near Migori. The stream is the water supply for over 250 people, but because of the lack of latrines waste runs into the water, resulting in the people contracting typhoid and cholera. This well, along with latrines, is solving this water problem.

Yesterday we finished our second Global Alpha Training in Rongo. We ended with David giving a last demonstration talk "How to be filled with the Holy Spirit". The rain started pouring about the time David started speaking. It poured harder and harder. We're talking torrential rains here. Rivers started pouring off the roof (as you see in the picture above). The rain continued to pour throughout the talk and the following prayer time. It let up right as we ended and it was time for our delegates to walk home.

We left Rongo and came back to Homa Bay for dinner with the Bishop. This morning we are attending the Thanksgiving service at the cathedral which is half in English and half in either Luo or Kiswalli.

This afternoon we go to Migori for our finial Global Alpha Training of the trip. After that we will begin our journey home.

Nicole and Christy left us a few days ago and will be arriving home soon. We miss them as pary of our team but pray for safe travels.

- Michele

Rongo Market

About a five minute walk away from the conference center there is a small marret at the intersection of two roads. There are many services there. We go there to get 'top ups' to get more minutes for our cell phones and more MegaBytes to connect our laptops to the internet via wireless. Of course there are many other items. Food (whole fish, maize, chickens, tomatoes). There are hundreds of people because it is a transpotation point with big buses, small vans (matatu), and botabotas which are motercycles for hire. We have wandered in the market anf of course stand out. Lots of looks. Musango (whites) is called now and then.
Ron

Rongo Conference

We are about half way through our second day and are in a small session. Here is the small group I have been working with to work on customizing an Alpha talk for people in Rongo. Gideon is facilitating. Also there is Perez, Elisha, Naiomi, Fred, and Brent. Also there is Kalab who has shared his story about his brother in law who is a Muslim. It is difficult he says because they have very subtle and clever aurguments. The Rongo folks are a bit tougher than Homo Bay in small groups but are more responsive as a group. Rongo was more of a tag on trip so not as much pre from the leadership. Doing great though. They are all quick to catch on. Bright sun today and as just about always, 80 degrees.
Ron

It is time for Christy and Nicole to say goodbye to Homa Bay and Kenya. On our way out of town we stopped by Christine's (the Bishop's wife) shop to say goodbye. After a 3 hour drive to Kisumu we are ready to fly to Nairobi then on to London!

Today we first went to the Homa Bay Children's Home and saw some of the sweetest little orphans (sorry no pics). There was this one little girl, Rose, we all fell in love with. Don't worry, Scott, I am not bringing anyone home with me!

In the afternoon we visited the Magare Girls School and enjoyed speaking with a group of students, sharing and praying with them. All in all a full and good day! - Christy

We introduced Stewart to queso dip yesterday. (Don't worry my friends, I did not have to go three weeks without queso!) Although our Kenyan friends seemed to like it, we're afraid our processed American food was a little hard on their stomachs (and Jamie's)

- Michele

Yesteday we went to Pe Hill. Hunter took portraits of the students while I protected the camera from the rain (nevermind myself) :)

We were delighted to hear about the program the teachers of the school created to feed the orphans. What a blessing!

- Michele

Ron and Bev cut a rug at Hotel Hippo Buck.

Cheese!

This is Jamie. She has eaten cheese. All is well.

Kisii - Part 4

OK. Last part. What an adventure. First stop Rongo to visit friends of Benard (David / Sophie) who will be at our conference. Next we stop for surgar cain and are surrounded by people (mostly women and kids). I feel badly but ust push away (verbally) the mangos and bannanas an avocados. Thankful for Benard to help us. He did all the negotiation and interpreting (no English). I did not want to stop but what an experience. God is working miricles in all of us. We are so blessed. Last stop is a sculptue stand with soapstone items. Benard and Joseph help us to barter (wish Hunter were there, we are so bad). Gifts for home. Back at Homo Bay and tea with Benard and Joseph. We wish Benard could stay. His laugh is so infectous and his preaching is so fiery (and we can understand him too). What a day!!
Ron

Kisii - Part 3

Off from the Cathedral to run errands. First stop Safaricom retail center to purchase a 3G USßto provide internet to our lap top via cell towers. Benard is such a joy with his infectous laghter and amazing wisdom for a young man right out of seminary. He is our life line. We get through the purchase (not as easy as you think) and off to Nakuma (a big gocery and harware and liquor and furniture and sports store ...... Get the picture? Yes we got most all we needed and did not need including ice cream bars and snickers. Benard and Joseph (our driver) picked up a few things too. You can get everything including a restroom break.
Ron

Kisii - Part 2

i

Bev and Gladys huddled and talked Moms in Touch talk while I spoke with her husband, Father Tom. They were excited about the Alpha course and wanted us to come to their parish, Sengera and visit and present. I can' t find words to express the joy and Godlyness of these people. I am getting absorbed into the spirit here.

Ron

Kisii - part 1

Hi Everyone,
Miki, Christie, Bev, and I went off on an adventure on our day off today. We left for the ATM to get money first in Homo Bay then off to the Cathedral to pick up the Bibles we had purchased. Some where in English and some were in Kisi, one of the tribal dialects. Dave and Jamie were with us but stayed at the cathedral. Father Benard decided to come with us to Kisi (about an hour drive) to pick up a few things in Kisi. Bev organized a projet through Moms in Touch international to provide Bibles in Kisi which are hard to get, to Gladys in the cathedral at Kisi. Off we went with two boxes of close to 100 Bibles and instructions from Dave to pick up some Kenyan electronics. After a drive through rural Kenya (and through Rongo where we would be hosting a conferene) we were warmly welcomed by Fathe John. After many Praise the Lord's and Thank You's John invited us in for refresments introductions, an drink. We were entertained with singing and conversation an of course we had to
have a group picture.
Ron

Hunter and I went on a walking tour of Homa Bay today with John as our guide. John works as gardener at Hotel Hippo Buck. We walked through some housing areas and then made our way to the market. I took some video and Hunter was very happy with the photos he took. We walked all the way to the lake where Hunter pulled out the old fashioned camera.

After our long trek we were happy to return to Hotel Hippo Buck for some much needed rest. We are excited to show our efforts with everyone.

- Michele

Prayer for University Students

Hunter being prayed for at Christ the Healer Church.

Global Alpha Course Training Makes the Church Announcements

From Christ the Healer Anglican Church in Homa Bay, Kenya, where the first FreedomDenver Global Alpha Training event is taking place. We have 40 church leaders at the GAT conference, and it's been a great time of visioning and training, as well as awesome times of worship and ministry.

For Judy Tinney.....

Feel Welcome!

How do you plug in American electronics to African wattage without blowing everything up? Well after sacrificing a few American surge protectors we did what any faithful person would do and took a leap. We prayed for healing of course. And in Jesus name and with our God given problem solving and technical genius, the Kenyans were able to see our powerpoint slides. Thank you Jesus!

- Hunter, Michele & Dave

Nicole leading a discussion group at the conference today.

First day of Global Alpha training in Homa Bay! Everyone participated somehow-- computer/techie stuff, taking awesome photos, speaking, leading small groups. I am really impressed by our team's problem-solving abilities and also their willingness to jump right in and get to know our Kenyan conference "guests"!