Vipingo

Today we spent the day at Vipingo. The kids were lined up sing to us as we got off the bus. They had a presentation prepared for us that was really cool then we sang for them (they got a kick out of that!). The video from us singing at Vipingo can be seen on the Fox River Facebook page. The teachers gave the team Kenyan shirts that were really cool. It is amazing to me how we go to serve and bless them and they give it back to us ten times more. They collect their own money to have something they can give us to show how much they appreciate Fox River and all that we do for them. After the kids presentation we spent time with the staff at Vipingo like yesterday, we did some team building activities. The afternoon was spent walking in the community inviting people out to the big soccer day on Saturday and playing with our school kids. I know I have said this before but I will say it again this team has done amazing work with all the changes that have been going on. Normally at this point we would have lots of fun toys and things to play with the kids but because we don't have any of our bags all we have is us. It has been cool to see that it is not about what we bring or what new toys we have for them - it's really just about spending time with us. Everything that we packed to do with them is not why they love us so much; it truly is for us and who we are. It's a good reminder not to get caught up in all the stuff, even here in Kenya. God's love is so much bigger then that.

We had a few people not feeling well today, but God has been working to heal them. Please continue to pray for them to get the rest that they need to do the work God has brought them to do. On the baggage note I have good news and ok news...We got two bags today but the other 9 bags they found are coming in on a late flight tonight. That leaves 11 bags that we don't know where they are. Because of that we are having to change up our plans with the kids a little bit. Tomorrow we are going to be working in Vipingo hanging mosquito nets and giving out shoes. Feel free to ask questions in the comment if there is something you would like to know more about = )

Pray

This morning we made a trip to the chemist because we have a few that are not feeling well. It has been a lot for team to adjust to and not having any of there stuff has been hard. I would ask for extra prayers for the teams health and our bags. We have never had this problem before so are trying to problem solve as well as me can. We know Gods plan is in motion we just need Him to help us see His will for this adventure!

1,500 shoes

After a good night sleep for most of the team we started the day off with orientation. The challenge was placed before us to be great and serve - today we got the chance to put that in to practice fist hand. We then went the Government school in Bomani giving out all the shoes you guys help raised for the school. To be able to go and hand out over 1,500 pairs of shoes in 3 hours was really good. The team as been amazing with rolling with changes! We got to the school thinking that the shoes were sorted in the bags by size and it turns out they were not. We had to have operation sort 2,400 shoes! After a few casualties of some miss fit shoes we were on our way to the first classes. It was a bit of a rocky start but soon they were in the rhythm and done before lunch! Have you ever wondered what 1,500 pairs of shoes looks like? Here you go...

After we went over to Bomani to hear our kids sing and spent time playing with them. We had an amazing lunch prepared specially for us- yum! The afternoon went so fast we spent some time with our Kenyan team doing some team building. It was exciting to see the new connections and friendships come to life.

We went to the store on the way home because unfortunately we are still missing the bags. We did get word that 9 out of the 26 bags should be on a flight here in the morning. Please continue to pray for them to get here. We really need them for the events we have planed for the weekend not to mention that the team would really like to have their cloths!

In our hotel at orientation

This Is the shoe team

At the Gov school working through the shoes

Shoe teams and there class's

Serving lunch to our kids at Bomani

Ron was helping out the cooks. (that is rice)

Having lunch with our kids.

There is nothing like Ann's cooking!

Time with our staff.

Kenyan M&M anyone?

Safe and sound

After 48hr of travel and 4 country's later the team is all in Mombasa safe and sound!! Thank you for all your prayers. The next big thing is getting the bags. We have two days to get them in before we really need them. The team would probably like to have some clean cloths but we can get them through till the bags come. Pray for a good night sleep we have a really full day tomorrow!

Almost

Most of the group is just about to land after there long journey. Jason, Jon and Luanne will get in Lord willing at 7:30 tonight. They don't have there bags so please pray for them.

In Nairobi

The team is in Nairobi! Praise God - one flight to go now. Please pray that they get all there bags :) will keep you posted as we here more.

New Kenya Team Flight Itinerary

The Kenya team should be underway with their new flight itinerary. The plans are as follows: 10:25pm Paris time fly Qatar Airlines flight QR #16 to Doha, Qatar arriving at 5:50am

7:35am QR #532 to Nairobi arriving at 12:45pm Kenya time (8 hours ahead of WI)

Once in Nairobi they will clear immigration and customs. They will also find out how many bags followed them and how many we will have to report as missing. Please pray that as many as possible will arrive with the team and those missing will be located and returned to their owners as soon as possible.

3:50pm depart Nairobi on Kenya Airways #610 to arrive in Mombasa at 4:50pm

The group is in good spirits and working well together to keep everything moving along. They will have some great stories to tell about this adventure! We will make a stop by the local 'Walmart' for necessities once they arrive, but the evening will not hold much more than a shower, supper, an orientation meeting (if they seem to be holding up ok) and the great joy of having a bed to sleep in!

The delayed arrival will cause a bit of shifting in the schedule, but we think we have everything worked out so it will still go well.

When you pray for our team, please pray for Amanda. She has had some health problems recently that kept her from traveling with the team yesterday. I'm thinking she is o.k. with that right about now. :) She has been able to see a doctor to get on the medicine she needs and will be trying to reschedule her flights and still join the team in a couple of days. Please pray that those plans will come together as well.

Your prayers and support are so important to us! Jessie and I will keep you posted as we are able to get word from the team.

Thank you!

Denise

Team Travel

Greetings from Kenya. The team was delayed leaving Chicago and missed their connection in Paris. They are still trying to make other flight arrangements with American Airlines. Please pray that they will have patience and will be able to work through this quickly. I will post on the blog as soon as I know their new flight itinerary. Denise

And they are off!

The team has started there journey to Kenya! After doing some last min packing they are on the road!

Thank You

We gave out over 166 books at the pastors conference because of the people like you at Fox River that were willing to give. The pastors took that book back to there village and are starting to teach what they have learned because of your gift. Thank you for spreading Gods love all the way over in Kenya, Africa.