Today's Worship-Time African Style

Fruit-stand Friendship

When in Kenya I buy my fruits and vegetable at a small shop along the street. The owner and I became friends over the years.
 Today I shared with  her and her three daughters about feminine hygiene and gave them the "Days for Girls" kits. We has a wonderful time together, they really appreciate the kits.

 Jambo Friends

Today I went to the village to teach women and girls about hygiene health.  More women came then we expected. They listened with great interest and ask many good questions.

I know this family for many years. It was a joy to see them.

Life Skills

Dear Friends

Sharing with young girls is an incredible experience. We had so much fun together. After the class girls came up to thank us and spontaneously broke into a "Thank You Song". Its easy to fall in love with the student.
The girls walked with us to the car and didn't really want us to leave.

 

Tina taught about the influence of advertisement and media

Singing a song for us

Teaching Life Skills

What a joy to have 40 + young men listening intently to the lessons about friendship, dating, peer pressure and other related topics. The interaction in the class room was really meaningful. We were bombarded with relevant questions and curious questions.You should have been a fly on the wall to see the excitement in the guys eyes. God gave us freedom to address some of the most basic question everyone has.

New Life Academy

A glimpse into the singing and dancing

New Life Academy

Village School

 Today Tina and I went to the village school. About 100 students crowed into a very small building. But that doesn't hamper the joy, laughter and singing.

When we first arrived with both were greeted with such enthusiasm that we almost fell down.

Its a privilege to share with the children books, songs and the love of God.

The children all gathered in the hallway, sat on the floor and listened intensely

 Today is Sunday and I went to share with the girls in the vocational school. It's a joy to share with them the word of God.

 In the afternoon we did some team building fun exercises. You can see the girls had a great time.

The winning team

Jane is the director of the school and is becoming a good friend.

Kenya

Dear Friends
You know you are in Kenya when this is your room mate. 

This one below dropped uninvited into my coffee mug. No, I didn't drink the coffee, ...

It's good to be back. I met already many friends and we had plenty of time to connect again.

Harvest Time in Germany

 Dear Friends

Its harvest time in Germany and the vineyards produced plentiful fruit.

The white grape is "Riesling" Germany's best known wines are made of it. 

The blue grape is "Trollinger". They are delicious and make an excellent wine as well.


 I enjoy my walks through the vineyard and take in all the richness and beauty of the area.

A gift of selfless love

Dear Friends
Once in a while you meet somebody who is an exceptional person. Their faith, purity of heart and selfless actions inspire you to desire similar attributes for yourself. If that person is very young, it’s even more outstanding.

Claire is that person for me. Here is her story. On Clair’s 10^th birthday, she asked friends and family to make a donation of money to the ministry in Kenya instead of them giving her personal gifts! This selfless action is such a great example of faith and purity of heart. She was willing to give up gifts for herself, so that girls in Kenya can receive reusable hygiene kits that enable them to stay in school when they have their periods. What an example of Christ-likeness. Giving up her desires so others can receive. Claire understands something that I myself desire to learn and live out more deeply.

I was humbled and honored when she gave me the checks and cash. What a gift of love! This will be my favorite story to tell the girls in Kenya, the story of Claire’s gift and the gift of God’s love that He gave on our behalf. Isn’t that inspirational? There is no age limit in living wholeheartedly for the kingdom of God. Some of the hygiene kits I will give out to the girls are sponsored by Clair's love gift.

 "Days for Girls" mission is to provide reusable hygiene kits to all girls worldwide. If you are interested in their work, visit their website: www.daysforgirls.org

Village School

Today I went into a village school to meet with
6 & 7 grade girls.. I taught very basic sex ed and gave out some of the 'Days for Girls' kits. The girls listen very attentively and had some good questions. I know the girls now for years and the established relationships made it possible for me to share. Again I could point to God, He made us wonderfully and beautifully.
It was a privilege to speak to the girls.

Sunrise

The Indian Ocean provides an amazing scenery to watch God's creation. every morning His mercy are new. Watching the sun rise out of the ocean bears wonder and awe.

Sunday Worship

We all know that African love singing and dancing. No exception on Sunday morning at church. The worship time is at least 1.5 hours long filled with beautiful praises to God. Here a small example

Life Skills

This week we talked about how we want to be loved and love. The 5 love languages was a great lesson for the girls. As a demonstration, one girl who's love language is "Affirmation" put on a big shirt and other girls stacked balloons under the shirt with words of affirmation on it. We all laughed and had a fun time together.

My time with the girls went by fast. The good byes are bitter sweet.

Group picture with some of the girls

New Sewing Machines

Dear Friends

The generosity of friends made it possible to provide 10 new sewing machines for the girls. The two year vocational program teaches girls how to make dresses. They were in dire need of more equipment for the girls. Your support made it possible to buy them. The joy on the girls faces was incredible.

Dedication with all students and staff

The new machines are already at work

The girls are happy to sew

Days For Girls

What do girls in a third world country when they have their menstrual cycle? Did you ever wonder?
Many stay home form school, miss out much on education and drop out all together. "Days For Girls" is an organization that provides reusable hygiene kits that helps the girls to stay in school, finish education and have a brighter future.


Today I was able to give out the kits made by a local Pittsburgh chapter of the organization. Along with the kits great education about hygiene, safety and sex education is provided. The girls had so many questions and great fun to learn more about their bodies and how beautiful and wonderfully God made them. You can see in the pictures how happy they are to receive such practical help.

Jambo Kenya

Dear Friends

The first full day of ministry is over. What an amazing experience.
The girls welcomed me with flowers, singing and lots of dancing. Our Sunday Service went very well and the young women are eager to learn. Thank you for praying.

At least an hour of dancing, singing and praying

is part of the Sunday Service

Teaching about the love of the Father for his two prodigal sons

Jane, the director of the vocational school