Judith

Judith Sellangah, our hostess, is a force of nature! She runs everything related to Women of Purpose in both Nairobi and Bondo. Her husband, Josiah, lives in Bondo and Judith lives in both places. Two of her sons helped host us in Nairobi. They went with us on our animal viewing in Nairobi National Park. Jerry is the younger and gets us our cell phones and tutors us on how to use them. He just graduated from high school and is waiting to see which university in Kenya the government will place him in (based on his school scores.) The older son, Bill, is 31 and lives in the same apartment compound as his mother, but in a different apartment. He's a musician and a real charmer. Mindy, our youngest member of the team is a big hit with both of them. Judith just showed us an article on Bill's band in the Nairobi paper. Apparently you can find them on You Tube - they are called "Just a Band."

I also met Judy's husband, Josiah, when we went to his church. He is not how I imagined him, but rather big and boisterous. He matches Judith! They have two other children I haven't met yet. They are doing great things in Bondo and Nairobi and all just radiate the love of God in all they do. It is such a privilege to me to get to know Judith and see her lead singing, prayers, programs and just love all her people. Phil, we have to fix up our guest room and see if she'll come visit!

The sights and sounds of Bondo, Kenya

You would so enjoy all of this.

It is so different being here in Bondo and so incredibly beautiful. Two brown and white birds are on a railing when I come out of my hotel room. A cow is mooing next door and even a dead insect, that looks like a blue fuzzy bee, is even beautiful. I would be waking up by crowing roosters, if I didn't have jet lag and wake up before they started crowing.

You can hear life all around you --animals, children playing, people walking or bicycling down the road. Our room is on the second floor, so we can see over the compound walls. I have to look again for the little kids that Vicky and I met outside the gate. I want to give them some gum. They were eating some guavas and the guard translated for us. They yelled "Picture me, picture me! So we took their pictures.

Mindy is my roommate here in Bondo and it is very useful to have a 23-year-old around to help me.

More later.

(from Geri's emails. Phil)

Traveling through the Rift Valley

It has already been an amazing trip. Today we traveled by van six hours to Bondo. We went through the beautiful Rift Valley of "Out of Africa" movie fame.

It is so beautiful the pictures won't do it justice, especially since we didn't actually stop to take the pictures. Bondo is a small village very close to Barack Obama's father's hometown.

Yesterday was Nairobi National Park, where we saw zebra, water buffalo, lots of giraffes, baboons,ostriches and more. May you have a wonderful Palm Sunday.

I'm excited to have Easter in Kenya. Judith, our hostess is incredible and lives have been touched for Christ already.

(These are portions of email a couple of days ago from Geri. Phil)

God at work in the slums of Kibera

We arrived very tired after 20 hours of travel to a wonderful welcome by our hostess, Judith. She took us first to her apartment for a great meal.We thought we weren't hungry, but trying her food made me feel hungry again.
Our first visit as Women of Purpose was to a primary school in the slums of Kibera. . The children sang for us and posed for pictures. Then the older class sang and did a musical skit about the power of an African woman. Kibera is the area of Nairobi most affected by the post-election violence, but everyone was so welcoming. The school is part of Holy Trinity Church, which is such a part of the community that it was one of only 2 churches that was not burned in the area. It was touching to meet the children and tour their small classrooms. Then to meet the pastor, Daniel Juma and share in a prayer meeting with some members of his church, led by Judith. It's hard to explain in this short time how touching and powerful it was.
I hope to share more soon, but not much internet access for me right now! Thanks for all your prayers.

Geri

Thanks for making this possible

I am excited and stressed to be getting ready for this trip. I know it will be a great adventure and trust that this is God's will for the 5 of us from Women of Purpose. (Left to right in the photo, Donna, me, Mindy, Vicky, Gloria at Portland Int'l awaiting our flight out.)

So many of you have supported me with financial donations and your prayers. This encourages me when all the details set me to worrying.

Check out "A Million Miles in a Thousand Years" by Portland's Donald Miller. His book deals with editing your life into a great story. I feel that God is making this possible and that nothing will deter us getting to Kenya. But much is unknown - will I get to blog while there? Have access to a computer? Have time to blog? Room in the suitcase for school supplies, medical supplies, baby clothes and gifts? I know that all will fall into place but it will be a huge relief to be on the plane.

Thank you, family and friends, for your prayers and support! This is a longtime dream come true.

Love, Geri