Mercy Care Centre Summer Trip 2007

Judie's Final Thought

2007-08-10T07:43:00.000-04:00

Today I emailed Lynn and asked, "Did we really go to Africa and did we
really see what we saw?" We are now physically a world away from the
school, the children, the poverty-but all of it is still very, very close
as we bring forth the images, re-live the feelings and see the faces and
situations of the children in our mind's eye. I imagine all of us are
probably feeling about the same-trying to process what the experience has
meant to us personally. Most importantly, how do we use what we have seen,
learned, and experienced, to get help for this school and these precious
children? My prayer, which I am sure is the same as the others, is that
God guide me to use what abilities and resources I have to find a way. As
I see it, what we need more than anything is unencumbered funds for the
school and some type of regular financial commitments so that Patrick can
have a budget and know what he has to work with. We found that he
basically works from debt to debt. When he receives money from the MCC
foundation he pays off what he has borrowed to keep the school going then
borrows more to basically continue to operate. He truly has the world on
his shoulders-the Mathare world, the "forgotten valley." Dear Lord, do not
let me forget.... Patrick, along with the teachers and the school are the
only positive thing in the valley as I saw it. Everything else is poverty,
struggle, drudgery of only surviving and existing. But what a difference
the school makes in the children's lives! As with everything else you had
to see it to believe it. These children are beautifully educated! I took
a picture of a 4th grader's classwork and it is geometry! They also speak
beautiful English and are extremely well spoken. I had my tape recorder
and I asked two of the young girls who are in the choir if they would like
to say anything to the people who gave them the pink uniforms. Immediately
and without any preparation, they both gave a lovely speech , thanking them
and each telling how much the uniforms meant to them and what affect they
had on their confidence. On our last day, I watched the children on the
athletic field, marching, playing, enjoying themselves. These children
live in extreme poverty everyday and see death (illness and violence) on a
fairly regular basis but as I watched them, I thought they looked like all
other children and this amazed me after knowing a little of their lives and
seeing the extreme poverty that is their world. One song my group, the
Simba's sang to me was full of their animated expressions and I asked what
the words they kept repeating meant. They said, "the words mean, we are
happy, happy!" There are many thoughts and emotions associated with my
experiences and pictures in my mind of many beautiful, precious faces of
these children. It will take time for me to slowly assimilate all of this.
I thank all of the fantastic response from so many family, friends,
Campbell Co. Social Services staff, church members,my boss, Centra Health,
and the Virginia Baptist Hospital Auxiliary and Lynchburg General Auxiliary
to help me help the little ones. One adventure not part of the mission
that I loved was leaving the Tanzanian beach at 5:00 in the morning in the
homemade (dhow) boat to cross the Indian Ocean to Zanzibar. It was of
course still dark and the boat had no lights. In the quiet of the night
the only sound were the waves sloshing against the sides of the boat as we
sailed. It was a surreal moment and when I am traveling there is always a
moment when I think of my blessings and ask myself, "what is a gal from
Gladys doing in an exotic, fairly extreme, setting like this?" Looking at
the sky and the million stars in this solitude and at this once-in-
a-lifetime moment, I felt extreme peace... I thank Carroll and Wayne Brown
for this opportunity and their unwavering faithfulness to the children of
Mercy Care Centre and from the bottom of my heart I thank all of you who
helped me in so many ways. I thought of all of you who had been there with
me on this mission-in support, in prayer and in spirit. The peace I felt
was that "we" had accomplished the task "HE" sent us to do. Blessing to
each of you, Love, Judie

Final Words from the Brown's

2007-07-29T08:03:00.000-04:00

From the Browns:
As we reflect on this wonderful group and their contributions to the Mercy Care Centre, our hearts are full of joy. It was a blessing to work with these dedicated and loving people. The group bonded so well. and when we arrived at the Mercy Care Centre, each person seemed to fit right into the school. Our artists, Purnell and Lynn, contributed a beautiful mural on the back walll and decorated the front of the school with a map of Africa and a heart. People filled in to treat 450 children in our clinic. We left the school feeling sad to leave new friends but glad of the contributions we made to improve their lives. We were able thanks to the work of Betsy Garrard to purchase a small school for the secondary school and everyone is so excited about this endeavor because it offers more hope to our children. Each of us is bringing back one child or one teacher that touched us personally. You have read of some of these people in the blog. Our prayer is that the vision shared by our volunteers will grow and touch the hearts of our friends and loved ones at home. Thanks for your prayers during our visit. God protected us during riots, earthquakes and a volcano eruption. But, mostly we were blessed with safe travel . This year and this group will always be special to us because of its closeness and willingness to do what God called them to do. Thank you God for this tremendous blessing.

Final words from the Greenes

2007-07-29T08:02:00.000-04:00

From the Greenes back in North Carolina:
July 17th was a wonderful day for the Greenes. We returned from Terengiri
National Park where we were staying in tent rooms. The elephants passed
between our tents and it scared all four of us. Lee Ray and I had a tent
under the baobob tree and the girls were located in a tent right beside
our's. The Terengiri expereince was wonderful. We arrived in Arusha on the
way back to Moshi to meet Daudi and his mother. We have sponsored this
family from the Sengeti area for the past two years through "Compassion in
Jesus' name". This organization is located in Colorado Springs, CO. It was
wonderful meeting Daudi and his mother whom we paid for their trip on the
bus to Arusha to meet us. During our meeting at the Headquarters in Arusha,
we were in an earthquake. We were sitting in the building and all of a
sudden the whole building sounded like it was coming down. This was the
second one that they had had that day. We enjoyed our visit and also
enjoyed going by the Seminary in Arusha and by the Church where Lee Ray and
I served 27 years ago. We had prayed that it was not torn down so I cried
when I saw the church. We visited with the pastor of the church and now it
has a school where 450 children come each day. God is so good. Everywhere
Lee Ray and I have served over the years has grown and we often wondered
what happened with that part of our history. Now we know. God continues to
bless. On Wednesday, I celebrated my 53rd birthday and the Browns gave me a
beautiful rhodolite stone from Tanzania. On Wednesday a.m. we headed to
Pangani on the coast. We stayed at the Emanyi Tents on Thursday three of
our brave women headed to Zanzibar and the Greene family hired a guide and a
local boat (which was handmade) and headed to Maziwi, a sand island in the
Indian Ocean which is visible at low tide only and surrounded by coral reef.
Lee Ray and the girls went snorkeling and I walked the island and threw
alive shells back into the Indian Ocean. What a beautiful day! On Friday
we traveled back on the endless bumpy road back to Moshi. We had seen
Kilimanjaro twice before this trip, but the rain was still in the area and
we could not see Kilimanjaro again. I praise the Lord that the Girls had
the chance to see the mountain while there. The YMCA in Moshi was
interesting in that of the four nights we stayed there, there were two
weddings. Loud music filled the air, misquitoes also filled the air. We
slept under nets at each place that we stayed except Terengiri. There our
whole bed and the tent was a net. Floods of memories came each day. The
people of Tanzania are much better off than they were 27 years ago. There
is food in the stores, sugar and wheat. They are able to purchase clothes
and beautiful cloths. Cars are available and more people are riding the
buses and vans. When we were there, everyone had to walk everywhere they
went. I did not recognize many things in Tanzania. I praise the Lord that
things are better there. I did recognize the church, the seminary and the
Baptist Church of Moshi. KCMC - Kilimanjara Christian Medical Center has
also improved. That is where Carroll worked while she was here. Meeting
some of her first students in physical therapy who are not the main
directors and leaders at the hospital is so rewarding. It always makes one
feel thankful when you see the fruit of the labor which one gives. On
Saturday we returned to Nairobi. Ol Donya Lengui - the Mountain of God is
about to erupt so the papers say. She is smoking and lava will soon appear.
Many of the africans are leaving the area. Some say that the mountain -
earthquake which we felt was a 6.1 and it's center is Lake Natron beside the
Mountain of God. The quake was felt all the way from Arusha to Mombasa on
the coast of Kenya. We bordered our flight back to Ethiopia on Sunday after
church. We went with the Mercy Care Centre's headmaster, Patrick to church.
He and his family attend the Nairobi Pentecostal Church. It was awesome.
There were about 5,000 present on Sunday and the preaching was great and the
music too. When we left Kenya headed to Ethiopia, we saw Mt. Kenya from the
air and a beautiful African sunset. The girls were able to see the
"Southern Cross" in the sky at Terengiri and at the coast and for that I am
so grateful. I remember the first time I saw the cross in the sky. I also
found out about my cat Baraka that I left in Tanzania with some Lutherian
Missionaries 27 years ago. I had cried all the way home missing my huge
cat. The Simesons were missionaries who had a three circular home near
Arusha. There sons now own and operate the Terengeri Safari Lodge and the
Emanyi Lodge. Mr. Simeson also wrote the Book, "Under the Acacia Tree."
They are the family who kept my cat for me. I am waiting to hear from Mrs.
Simeson about Baraka.

Africa was a blessing. I praise the Lord we were able to go & take the
girls. As we are sifting through our gifts today, I have a sadness within
me as I think about the little children in the Mathare Valley who have
little to eat, no clothes and only a dirt floor to sleep on. They are
locked out of their rooms (houses) while their mothers look for work each
morning. I praise the Lord for the Mercy Care Centre and all that it is
doing for these little ones. I pray that I can do more for the less
fortunate. Jesus said "When you have done it unto the least of these...you
have done it unto me". I pray that all of our hearts will be challenged to
seek out Jesus in our world today. He is there.....He may need a touch from
your hand. Thank you Lord for this experience for my family. I pray for
the children and the workers and for Patrick of the Mercy Care Centre. May
you be glorified through that place in Jesus' name. Amen

The Greenes, Rev. Lee Ray, Beth, Sarah and Lydia
Back Home in North Carolina

Thanks to the Browns who worked so hard to organize the trip and I praise
Him for your friendship throughout the years.

July 16

2007-07-17T07:52:00.000-04:00

From the Browns:
Today the Greenes, Judie and Lynn went to Tarangirie Game Reserve to stay the night. We went to greet the PT staff and to present the funds given by Peakland Baptist Church. They were most grateful and said that the funds would be put to good use. The school is doing very well. Tomorrow night we will host the staff for dinner at the YMCA. Tonight we visited Boniface and Ammni at their home and saw little Carroll who has grown into a young lady. Moshi always seems like home to us and we are happy and grateful to be here. God's blessings to all our family and friends.

In Tanzania & doing well

2007-07-16T05:38:00.000-04:00

From the Brown's:
We are here in tanzania. The rest went to Tanrangerie this morning and we are staying to go to the hospital. We went to Kili gate yesterday and the fallls and around outside of the hospital. Boniface and wife came last night to vist and said that the school was doing well.We will go to the school today and go later to Boniface's house for supper. The others return to tomorrow and the next day we go to Pangani.

July 13th

2007-07-13T21:05:00.001-04:00

From Judie:
“O me!” I have learned so much about the destitute Africans-they have so little and they find a use for everything. Their innovations are amazing! At MCC, I have seen one toy-apparently owned by MCC. It is a stuffed cat. Most of the children play by kicking the discarded garbage, pineapple toys or avocado seeds. Many of the little children old enough to walk are left by their parents (usually a single mom) everyday. The child I have fallen in love with is named Patrick. He is named after the headmaster there, like many other children. The mothers hope he will school them or free. Little Patrick is precious but very very dirty with a runny nose. He is very shy but he waves, comes up to touch me, and wants me to swing him. He has a little “butter bean” shaped head like my son when he was born. He was so sad for two days and Bwana Patrick and the teachers feel he was beaten over the weekend. He was not wearing pants or underwear and was sitting on concrete with his legs crossed most of the day on Tuesday. His mom has six children and is expecting the seventh. She leaves every day at 7am and locks the small room they live in before dawn so no one can steal anything and leaves the children outside with no breakfast. MCC feeds him a bowl of beans and rice for lunch. They also try to provide twenty dollars a month to the family to keep them from starving. This is not just a Christian school, it is a beacon of hope for the children. Patrick and the other children play in the street all day. They were playing with nails, plastic and wire the other day. When I asked Patrick if I could take little Patrick home with me, he said I could because his mother did not pay him attention or really care. Carrington and Michael interested? On the light side, when we visited the MCC vocational school we stopped at a Massai village where they had made shoes from old tires. I just may gone over the edge of African shopping. I have Massai sandals made by “Goodyear” (maybe with a 40,000 mile warranty?) When we stopped at a village hardware store I bought a tonga for only $2. Saloma (Peace)

From Purnell:
Leaving the children and staff at MCC was heartbreaking! We all have made friends with so many people here, including our own team mates. The 11 of us have bad an experience of a lifetime. Working. Loving and playing together has exalted our God in multiple ways. On Saturday, Frances, Claude and I will visit an animal orphanage with Pamela and Patrick while the rest of our group travels on to Tanzania. The three of us will return home Sunday, arriving in Washington on Monday morning. I thank Peakland Baptist Church for the glorious opportunity to serve in such a worthwhile and amazing mission! Hugs and kisses to my precious supportive friends and family!

From the Browns:
Today was our last day at MCC and we celebrated by renting a field nearby to hold a sports day. The children were thrilled. They walked to the field from the valley in the colorful shirts we gave them last year and they enjoyed the competition. Medals were given out as prizes. You should have seen all of us playing with them. It was a great way for us to show our love to them. They had fixed us sacrificial noon meals all week. We will miss the precious children and dedicated teachers. Eight of us go to Tanzania tomorrow and three will return to US on Sunday. Our blog may be spotty because we will not always have internet connections in Tanzania. So goodbye for a few days!

From the Greenes:
Today was a “different” kind of day. Sarah, Lydia and I went with Mrs. Frances to the US Embassy to pick up her temporary passport since she lost hers this week. I went with Frances and Sarah and Lydia took off down a road and visited the Global headquarters of the World Agroforestry Center. Sarah was so excited and she was given many awesome resources to use in the future. We then took the taxi to the sports field that we rented today. The children had a wonderful time…and so did we! We fed them lunch today and decided to donate some money to add a little “meat” to their meal and some orange juice. The kids get one meal a day on Monday through Friday of corn meal and sometimes beans. Feed the Children foundation provides this meal and they usually do not get feed on the weekend. They were so excited to eat meat and get juice. As I drove away from the field (Sarah, Lydia and Lee Ray left in the second taxi) my heart was touched. I said goodbye to the teachers and children. They were all gathered around Sarah, Lydia and Lee Ray singing, “Our God is an awesome God.” I could not hold back the tears. We have so much, we are so blessed! These children have nothing- but they are praising our Lord. How ashamed I feel. God forgive me for all that I have taken granted. Tomorrow, we go to Tanzania for eight days. We have enjoyed the Methodist Guest House of Nairobi. Know that we love and appreciate you and your prayers. Continue to pray for the children of Mathare Valley. Lots of Love!

From Lynn:
It was very hard to leave the children today after the games at the sports field were over. What an experience I have had over the past two weeks getting to know the children and teachers! Watching as little by little the children embraced us and became a part of each of us. There are too many to name, but there are several children that are extra special to me. Little Patrick with his dirty face, runny nose, bare feet and sometimes no pants. Brian (aka “Buster” to us) has a smile that could melt the hardest heart. He loves to dance, and adores Purnell. The feeling is definitely mutual! Sylvester has a gift for drawing and Jaro who has great wit. The list goes on and on. But, the one child who is forever etched into my heart is Pheobe. Several days ago she was very, very sick. So sick that the local hospital could not help her and she was sent by ambulance to the big hospital in Nairobi. Before Carroll insisted that she be taken for emergency treatment and that she would pay for it, Pheobe lay on the floor next to me and I held her hand and stroked her face and told her to open her eyes every time she started to close them. She barely had a pulse and it appeared that her body was shutting down. As I held her limp hand, I could feel her slipping away and prayed she would open her eyes again. Without immediate medical attention she probably would have died right there on a while cloth on a concrete floor. Praise God that she received treatment that saved her life. Pheobe was at the games today, but she did not do any physical activity. She stayed by my side most of the day holding my hand or putting her arms around me. She was letting me know that she knew I had been there for her and that I truly care for her. God saved her that night and being able to hold the child (young woman) who just eight hours ago seemed destined to die from starvation due to a stomach ailment (probably a parasite) made it painful to eat or keep anything down. That was a feeling I will never forget. Phoebe is in class 8 and makes excellent grades. She also sings in the choir. She will be attending secondary school in the fall. Her crisis is not uncommon in the Valley. It happens every day. Every child at the school has had someone in their life die- sister, brother, parents, friend… Mercy Care Center is doing so much to keep the children attend the school (as well as others) survive an unimaginable existence of neglect. Please keep all of them, the teachers and staff, in your prayers, especially headmaster Patrick. I am certain that over the next few months, little moments will pop up in my mind because we have seen so much and felt so much that it will take time to absorb it all. I will also cherish this time in Africa and the MCC for the rest of my life. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers!

From Sarah:
This was my journal entry on the 11th…
There is not enough money in the world to bring someone into this slum to do what we have been doing! The only thing that makes me WANT and LONG to go back to those dirty hands and that diseased land is the need and longing for love from those people. What a beautiful picture of Christ! There is nothing those kids can give to “pay us back” except for their smiles, hugs, and hearts that scream “I LOVE YOU and I am thankful for you!” Jesus, You left “perfect” and not only entered filth, but PUT IT ON! Here, we are only visiting and then returning to comfort and “nice.” But You BECAME one of us and lived in the filth of us and our flesh. Then You took on our sin and gave all of yourself. There is nothing I could ever do to deserve it or pay even the smallest portion of it in return. We came here out of love for You and these children. And their love for us is all that it takes to keep us going back every day. Our love, longing for You, and thankfulness is ALL You desire from us. True obedience and service is only a product from a heart that is thankful and realizes that all we can do is not enough. But all we do is just a love offering to portray a heart that is thankful for what we can never do. And even our obedience is possible only because of grace. For even our obedience is enabled by the Holy Spirit and His Word to know truth. There is nothing in us to even slightly attract Him to us. And Yet, He is madly in love with us and desires us to approach Him as dirty children who do not pretend to be anything but the helpless child running to the arms of a Father. He calls us to be like the children with a pure heart who do not even realize the depth of the dirt and disease on them. And they do not care how they approach the Father, because they know that every time He picks them up with a smile and the greatest delight. He has already given us a way out of the “valley.” In pride we can choose to stay and try to find a way out ourselves by trying to disguise our helplessness or even trying to earn the way through the law. Or, by selfishness, we can leave without sharing the way of exit with others. This divine invitation is calling out…to clothe the corruptible and perishing with life and everlasting glory! This desire in our souls to leave the desolation of our own sin is a longing deeper than anything else in existence! It was a fierce and created desire to be saved from what we are and where we are at, and to taste our Creator’s love and become One with Him. There are so many Valleys, and they are not physical. The Valley can be found in Beverly Hills or Methare (at the Mercy Care Center). They can be found in a church choir member, banker or beggar. They are valleys deep within, longing to be filled with His grace. And once the rescue has been made, once the thirst has been quenched and the sin covered, the poor become rich and the rich give up their wealth for a glimpse of poverty. For the Valley is not a place and TRUE hope cannot be seen! And the One who calls us all to give up everything so we may gain what really matters, and die so that we may live, is just waiting for us to rest in His warmth, to feed on His Spirit, to drink of His pure joy, to be cleansed by His disinfecting blood and held in His protecting arms. He delights in us for no other reason but because He is the Father. And this the hope of the redeemed ones in Christ Jesus….that our temporary struggles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all!

July 12th

2007-07-12T21:43:00.000-04:00

Carroll text messaged earlier today that Phoebe is better. She was released with medication and will get a full evaluation.

New Addition Late Last Night:

Yesterday five of us went ot the MCC Boy’s trade school about two hours from Nairobi, past Ngong, in the Rift Valley. Although Carroll, Wayne and Patrick said the road was better this year, I found that almost impossible to believe. We bounced non-stop at least for one and a half hours and I mean really bounced. The red volcanic dust was visible in the car. Claude said he was getting his lungs vacuumed after he got home. We had a laughs about looking like bandits in the wild wild west. Ultimately we went where there were no roads. Wow! What an adventure! The school there is wonderful with one building complete where they boys stay but several others waiting to be completed because of lack of funds- very sad because the MCC girls want to learn a trade that will position them well for life. While there, a Massai walked up in his red garb with his long sticks. The Massai are very protected of their land, and when taking a picture of their cows, they often become alarmed. After talking with he and his wife, he wanted to take pictures with us. We stopped at a village and bought authentic wares from the women but that is another story. There is so much more to tell but little time!

Today Carroll and I worked on the mural. Patrick took us walking through the valley. I truly think the people try very hard there….but what can you do when you have nothing? Most try to sell things but who has money to buy? Many women get up before dark, walk many, many miles outside the city to get bananas or greens to sell. We saw two women with a very very heavy load of wood strapped to their backs. They were carrying this several hundred pound load many miles to sell. I have probably seen pictures but unless you see the actual toiling, I don’t think their work can be appreciated. Our walk through the valley gave us more insight into the lives of the now 800,000 who live in the two square mile area. We walked through mud, dirt, trash and garbage and saw tiny cardboard shacks where these families live. The faces of the adults held suspicion, many had resignation. Most were going about the drudgery of their lives. I need better words to describe what I saw today. The most amazing part-the children. I saw a 2-3 year old down the street come turning to us saying, “How are you, how are you, how are you?” Then more children joined him smiling and enjoying our presence and response to them. They are innocent enough to be happy.

From the Browns:
This has been a trying day. Frances lost her passport so Wayne spent all day trying to get a new one. The rest of us went to the valley to finish painting. About 11am, Patrick took us to visit the sewing school and to tour the valley. To see that much poverty is overwhelming. I met my friend Betty today to plan next years safari to Fig Tree Camp. Gilbert has arrived in Nairobi from West Kenya so we hope to see him tomorrow. We miss all of you and continue to seek your prayers. Kisses to all the grandchildren and hugs to all the family and friends!

From the Greenes:

Today Lydia and Mom went with Francis and Wayne to help with the passport. Dad and I went back to MCC and walked through the slum. There are not words, and the pictures don’t come close to walking through the valley. We can’t imagine….I still can’t grasp life in that poverty! The music teacher is learning the guitar so fast, and the children LOVE to learn the new songs and sing with the guitar. I LOVE IT…..I could sing with them and play with the kids all day long! Praise God for their joy…true and pure joy about the little things in life!

July 11th

2007-07-11T21:22:00.000-04:00

From the Browns:
Half of our group went to the vocational school and half went to the MCC to finish painting. We had an emergency today. Phoebe, a standard grade 8 girl, passed out. Carroll sent her to the German hospital and then they sent her to Kenyatta Hospital. Several times we were unable to get her pulse and she was unconscious. Be much in prayer for Phoebe. Our worship group had a great service. Lee Ray had those from America wash the teachers hands (there is a picture here on the blog) and we all shared an ear of hard corn for communion. Everyone loaded up on gifts yesterday from the Massai market. God’s blessings to our family, friends and church family.

From Judy:
Carroll and I filmed some of the 8th graders yesterday. She asked them what they were hoping to do when they were adults. They wanted to be doctors and nurses-one wanted to be a neurologist! Their hopes are to be an airline pilot, a “lecturer,” and “the best musician in the whole world.” They shared their plans with such enthusiasm and conviction. Hope is the operative word here. Patrick says that each one just knows that they will be the one to make it out of the valley. He says, “I have done the math and it’s not going to happen.” All of the children know that Mathare Valley translates as “abandoned valley;” discarded and forgotten . They know also that Mercy Care Center is the beacon of hope, their only hope out of this extreme poverty. What then is MCC’s hope? What we are all feeling is- it’s hope is us and our ability to share what we have seen and experienced so that these precious children are not abandoned, discarded and forgotten….like the valley in which they live.

From Purnell:
Thanks ever so much for all of your best wishes. We truly feel your support and hold it close to our hearts. It is evident that we ALL are on this wonderful mission. Look out for me when I return because I will be begging everyone I know for needed monies for MCC. They have so little. We see smiling faces Monday through Friday; but Patrick says that when the children attend half days on Saturdays, no one smiles. They don’t get a meal Saturday or Sunday-only five lunches a week. We have no grasp of the meaning of hunger!

From the Greenes:

Today Lydia and Mom went to the Convocational school while Dad and I stayed behind at the MCC. Today at the MCC one of the girls passed out and we could not find her pulse. She took off to the hospital, but we don’t know if she will make it through the night. The harsh reality of hunger and disease truly hits you when you play with a child one day, and they almost die the next. Please continue to pray for these children. Tomorrow we will get to see a little more of the Valley…it is hard to imagine that it can get poorer than what we already have seen! We love you all and keep you in our prayers. Thank you ever so much for all your petitions to the Father on our behalf!

2007-07-10T16:58:00.000-04:00

From Purnell:
Our stay at Fig Tree Camp in the Masai Mara was unbelievable! Patrick and Pamela joined us; so we became a “party of 13” for 2 and a half days and 2 nights. Carroll told us that we would be staying in tents on concrete slabs. Duh……the tents had bottoms, three sides with five windows and the fourth side was a marble bathroom. The elephant print bedspreads and dark wooden tables and doors were absolutely handsome. All of our tents had front porches overlooking the Talek River. Roughing it? Not! We returned to Mercy Care, refreshed, “bonded,” and ready to spruce up the school. I wish I had a movie of Lynn, Judie, Carroll and I stretching over, under and around one another with paint and brushes to work on a mural on the back wall of a classroom. When a group of students swarmed around us to watch, we would ask them to please move back because breathing became difficult in a 12x14 classroom of 28, along with a group of 12 extras from another class. To see the joy, excitement, and appreciation in the faces of the staff and children is worth every dreamed hope I had to some enhance the atmosphere of the school. God is leading us daily to make Mercy Care a brighter, happier place.

From the Greenes:
What a wonderful time we had over the weekend. We traveled approx. 250km to Massai Mara Fig Tree Camp. We had an awesome “breakfast in the bush!” We saw so many wonderful animals and visited a Massai “boma” (village).We slept in tents (very nice tents) under the mosquito nets. During the night, we had several animals come to the tent including a hippo, monkeys, a hyena, and who knows what? We saw a lion across from our tents on Monday morning. Today at Mercy Care, we greeted the children and they did the “salvation bracelets.” We are painting the school this week and Sarah is teaching the music teacher how to play the guitar. After only three lessons, he can already play three songs. The kids are super excited. Yesterday, the family did not feel well after the long trip home. Everyone has rested up and is feeling better. We are staying at the Methodist Guest House in Nairobi. We don’t have access to the internet as before. Thanks to all who have sent emails or comments. Thank you Sondra for your loving care of Kidogo, Panther and Brianna. It means so much! We leave for Tanzania on this Saturday. We will try to keep you in touch. Pray of the children of the Valley. With love, the Greene Family.

2007-07-09T21:17:00.000-04:00

From The Browns:
We are back in nairobi after 3 great days in Maasai Mara. We saw everything - lions, cheetahs, elephants, giraffe, etc. It was nice to se Steven - Esther?s friend. He was our guide. We have moved to the Methodist Guest House and it is very nice. It is back to the valley tomorrow for a full week!
The internet connection here will limit us somewhat but keep sending e-mail. If it not too personal a message just post it on the blog and each can read it.
Love & Kisses to grandbabies and friends

July 6th

2007-07-06T18:44:00.000-04:00

From Everyone:
We are taking a break from Methare and headed on a safari…so we won’t have internet access over the weekend. But we will keep you posted on Monday about our adventures!

From Lynn:
Yesterday when I wrote of feeling great joy that many children needed little or no treatment, it was because their health conditions had improved so much thanks to the Mercy Care Centre program. However, these children are still very much at risk and so much more needs to be done- continued health care and nutrition as well as their education. The new secondary school at the MCC will be a true blessing and will provide a real opportunity to break the cycle of poverty and neglect that is so difficult to overcome. Today we finished in the clinic after caring for and providing medicine for up to 400 children- none of whom complained or protested while having their heads and bodies scrubbed or having medicines that sting and burn put on open sores and injuries. Every child sat quietly while we did whatever their situation required. Very few of our children could or would have been so brave. Whatever I thought I needed or wanted in my life before this mission seems so unimportant now! Life is what we all should value and thank God every day for all our many blessings. Hearing one child laugh out loud today was worth more than anything money can buy!

From the Browns:
It was with a grateful heart that we finished the clinic today. We treated nearly 450 students and teachers for scabies, ringworms and worms. Many had very serious problems were unable to treat. We are off early tomorrow morning for Masai Mara game park for three days. The headmaster, Patrick, and his wife will be our guests. We will be able to make future plans for the school as we travel. The group has worked exceptionally hard and it is time for some fun. The group will love the animals. So, dear friends, we will be away from the internet until Monday. Kwa heri (goodbye)!

From the Greenes:

Everyone is feeling better…praise God! We all slept well last night and had a wonderful day today. I (Sarah) taught the second lesson to the music teacher at the school today. He can already play and sing one song that I taught him. He will catch on quick and the valley will soon be filled with the sound of praises on the guitar! I am super excited. We are excited about the weekend safari and Lydia and I are ready to see Kenyan life outside of the city. We love you all and miss you and are praying for you. Thanks so much for your prayers….they are with us!

July 5th

2007-07-05T17:33:00.001-04:00

From Lynn:
Today was a day of extreme emotion for me. Working with the children in the clinic caused me both great sadness and joy. The children with the more serious conditions left my heart heavy and I prayed our treatments would reduce their pain. At the same time, many of the other students needed little treatment and were much healthier because of improved diet and medical attention over time at the Mercy Care Center. Your support for this school is making that possible and is saving precious lives. That gave me great joy!

From Purnell:
Thank you for your response baby brother to our blog site! It is great hearing from you since it takes FOREVER here to open and send email. SLOWER than dial up. I tell ya. I wish you all could see the preschoolers scream and run after our van each morning when we arrive at Mercy Care! They make us feel as if we are ROYALTY! Today the various classes took turns painting the bottle caps that they flattened with rocks yesterday. When their paint job passed my inspection I said, “Perfect!” or “nzuri,” which means good. With a one word praise, you would have thought that I had given them a thousand dollars! We are preparing the caps for hand painted earrings or pendants to sell at home for the school. Yesterday, Claude, Lynn and I painted the back wall of a classroom. Tomorrow we will paint a mural of the students in class on that back wall. Try to imagine painting, or for that matter, learning in a 12x14 foot room with one small window and 22 students!

From the Browns:
Today went smoothly except for Lee Ray being sick. After clinic the group went to the Giraffe Farm and Karen Blixon home. Tonight we went to our favorite Indian restaurant! God is good! We are so thankful for Betsy. I told Patrick the good news of more money for the secondary school and he was thrilled!

From the Greenes:

Dad has recovered from a day in bed. We think and hope he just ate something bad. Today was good, but there is so much mixed emotion in that clinic. It is so beautiful to see the smiles on the children’s faces. But it is also so hard to realize how many have aids, scabies and ring worms. Thanks for all your prayers!

Send Comments to the team in Africa

2007-07-04T18:00:00.001-04:00

If you wish to send well wishes or messages to the team, you do not need an account. Under post on the blog there is a comment link. Just click on the link at the bottom of a daily post. Then write your comment as anonymous, but in your comment make sure to put your name. Then it will be seen by our loved ones in Africa. They have so enjoyed getting words of encouragement!

July 4th

2007-07-04T17:51:00.000-04:00

From the Browns:
Today we started working. Eight of us did the clinic and four painted. It was a sight to see Purnell getting 100 kids to flatten bottle caps with rocks and paint them white. She also isn’t fond of Ugali! Kisses and hugs to grandkids. I think th epictures will tell today’s story.

From the Greenes:
Thanks to all who have written on the “blog.” It is so good to hear from friends back home. The last two days with the children have been glorious! The valley is so “shocking.” From what we are told, many people have left due to the recent blood-shed. Please pray for the beautiful people of the Valley, for Mercy Care Centre, for the Headmaster, Bwana Patrick, the teachers and the people of the Valley. Today we providied a clinic. We treated for scabies, ring worms, and maleria. We also cleaned infected founds and fungal infections and gave out vitamins. We treated approximately 50 kids today and have 350 to go. Our hearts are touched…it has been a blessing to be here. Thank you and keep praying.

From Judy:
Today is a day I will never forget! Some of the children’s scabies were so deep it would have to be surgically removed….but we scrubbed hard to give them a better chance. Some had infected wounds that we had to open in order to clean. Some had foot fungus ans when we removed their shoes, dirt poured out. Some had ringworms that were infected so we knew the peroxide hurt and then the ointment. Most all had scabies. I never saw the first tear but when a five year old (whose little, dirty head was fully of scabies, ringworms and lice), looked up at me with those big brown eyes, smiled shyly and said, “Thank you Madam,” the tears were mine.

From Sarah:
“In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.” Luke 14:33 I read this verse yesterday after experiencing the slum for the first time. It hit me, that this very is talking about surrending everything. We are not required to go and give away all our posessions, but rather surrender them and all of us to the Lord to do whatever He desires. Here in this place I have realized that they were never mine in the first place! We just thought they were and that pride has kept us in bondage! Who am I to “deserve” the CHANCE to have anything that I own. It is in realizing that it is all truly a gift, and giving every part of us and all we can hold to the Lord that we can truly be free. I am learning this……although I am not sure I will ever truly grasp it! It is truly trusting that giving Him everything is all I need.

July 3rd... First Visit to the MCC

2007-07-03T20:25:00.000-04:00

From the Browns:
It was special to see Mathare Valley through “first time” visitors. The children and teachers were excited to see us and performed a two hour program of songs and poetry. What a wonderful delight. One bag was missing and it had some very important things in it so we hope it comes on the plane tomorrow. Our group is great and working so well together.

From the Greenes:
What a wonderful day we have had today! We have been blessed so much! The pictures are worth a million words…but they still don’t adequately describe the experience of being here.

From Purnell:

Please pray for the BEAUTIFUL people of the Mercy Care Centre! To see Mathare Valley, which has 850,000 people per two square miles, makes me ashamed of ever wanting a thing in my world of bounty. Mercy Care School has 400 students- all eager to learn and happy to be in school. Visiting them today was truly an honor. Never have I seen bigger grins (theirs)!

Arrived in Kenya!

2007-07-02T21:59:00.000-04:00

Trip Over on the Plane

WE ARE HERE…Praise God!

From the Browns:
We were sitting in economy and a lady came to say she wanted Wayne and I to come to the first class; so, we came from America first class! We tried to let everyone “experience” it for several hours. All our bags got here but one and the boys returned to the airplane to pick it up. We are excited to be here and pray for a restful night.

From Caude:
Purnell, Frances and I moved to first class too. Only we moved up with the crew change.

From Judie:
Every one got to ride in first class but me! Well, I told everyone my travel angel would be working-so I’m so unselfish aren’t I???

From Sarah and the Greenes:

We arrived to beautiful Africa safely…Praise God! My mom and dad were flooded with amazing memories of their life here and it has been so awesome to get a small glimpse of this great place today. My sister and I heard our first African thunder, experienced a crazy bus ride (which we have heard is just an appetizer compared to rush hour) and have already enjoyed meeting some amazing African friends. We are super excited about seeing the children tomorrow and ask for prayer that God will pour out His Spirit over all of us and this special place. We love you all!

Message from the Greenes on Sat.

2007-06-30T23:07:00.000-04:00

We had a good trip to Washington D. C. today. We are staying in the beautiful home of Rosette and Bryan Brown and their two beautiful children. Wayne and Carroll Brown -who we served with in Tanzania many years ago, are here and it has been a wonderful afternoon. The traffic was terrible coming up for the Fourth of July Weekend. Bryan and Rosette provided a "delicious meal" for the group going to Africa tonight and we enjoyed meeting the "group". Eleven of us will meet at the Airport in the am. We leave here at 5:30 a.m. Thank you so much for your prayers for all of us. We pray that we will be a blessing to the children of the Mercy Care Centre. Also, continue to pray for our meeting with Daudi in Arusha. He is the little boy that we have been sponsoring for the past 2 years who lives in Singida.God Bless each of you and thank you so much for your prayers.
See you soon.
LOVE,
The GreenesLee Ray, Beth, Sarah and Lydia - Africa 2007

Saturday-1 day to departure!

2007-06-30T08:54:00.000-04:00

We are all meeting here at Bryan and Rosette’s for a cookout tonight. We have a wonderful group of folks going this year-the Greenes from North Carolina, Frances Nettles from Bedford, Judie Connelly from Brookneal, Lynn Ripley from Glouchester, Purnell Pettyjohn from Lynchburg, Claude Cordell from Lynchburg, and the Browns from Smith Mountain Lake. Each person has a unique gift to share in Kenya and we are all so excited. Please pray for our safety in travel. Pray that we get all the suitcases through customs for the children, and that we will all experience the joy of service to the mission we have been called to do. Welcome aboard our journey and enjoy our experiences through the wonder of internet.

Packed up and Ready to Go!

2007-06-28T01:48:00.000-04:00

These are some of the bags going to Mercy Care Centre. They are loaded on Wayne's truck headed for Washington, DC.

Message from the Greenes

2007-06-27T13:00:00.000-04:00

We are busy "packing our bags" and doing last minute details. We are so excited to be going back to Tanaznia with the Browns. We are also so excited about serving at the Mercy Care Centre and meeting new friends on the trip. Thank you to each person who is praying for the trip. Know that we love you and will plan to see you again soon.
For His Glory,
The Greenes
Lee Ray, Beth, Sarah and Lydia

Planning for the Trip

2007-06-26T19:28:00.000-04:00

The planning for this trip began shortly after the trip from last summer ended. The group this year will be leaving from Washington on July 1st. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers! Check back for updates during the weeks they will be gone.