Happy Pentecost!

Mission Team and UTMB Austin student with gifts of bananas and green onions
received at village worship service. Pictures l to r: Sarah - UTMB student, Steve Freeman,
Dr. Lee Grumbles, Vicki Freeman, Belle Otte, Rosemary Dubois and Michael Dubois

After traveling over 30 hours we finally arrived safely in Maua Kenya. It was great meeting several other mission teams headed to Kenya during our layover in London. It wasn't so great when we realized that one of our 12 bags did not arrive with us. We are still waiting to hear from the airport about where it might be. It contains donations for the hospital. I hope it arrives before we leave.

We spent our first night at the CHAK HOUSE - Christian Health Alliance of Kenya, then we began our 6 hour ride in the van to get to Maua.  Along the way we passed an area called the elephant crossing and sure enough we got to see several elephants.

Today we worshipped at a village church. Jim Monroe and Sue Owens, the Methodist missionaries here, along with Sarah, a student from UTMB in Austin went with us. As soon as we arrived at the church Michael was attacked by ants. They were all over his shoes and started going up inside his pants. He asked if there was a bathroom where he could disrobe and get rid of the ants. The pastor pointed to a small outdoor building.  Michael went in and came right back out. He didn't like the look of the spiders that were in there. Instead, there was a side office that Michael got to use indoors. Some of the rest of us had a few ant problems but none like Michael. We just slapped them through our clothes. We were a strange sight slapping away all of a sudden.

The people at this church were very welcoming and hospitable. The pastor oversees 14 churches! He trains laity to lead the worship services and how to give the message. He only gets to lead worship at each church about once every 3 months. Rev. Henry was with us today and he was a gracious host. The members served us Kenyan tea and arrow roots and sweet potatoes before worship. Worship lasted about 2 hours. The music and message were very Spirit filled. Henry preached in English and someone translated for the others there. The translator was great. He mimicked every movement Henry made and shared the same emotions. They were a wonderful team. The offering was different. Everyone came forward and put their offerings in the baskets up front. There was also a bunch of green onions and several bunches of bananas also given. The bananas and green onions were auctioned off near the end of the worship service! The people who got them gave them to our team members. Dr. Lee Grumbles was presented with the green onions and several other team members received bananas. After the service they fed us lunch and took us on a tour of a tea factory.

These people who don't have much at all were giving to us. It was very moving to experience their generosity and love. We saw the face of Jesus Christ in all of them. I wonder what they saw in us?