WE ARE SAFE AND SOUND IN KENYA!!!!
Hello Supporters, Friends, and Family! We miss you all so much already! It's Hannah Witt, one of the team leaders. :) I'm writing to you all from a little "cyber cafe" down the street from By Grace Children's Home. I'm so sorry it has taken almost a week for us to update the blog...it's kinda difficult to leave where we are staying because we are SO BUSY!
We landed around 8:30pm at the Nairobi airport Thursday but we didn't get to By Grace till around midnight, and they had a wonderful dinner planned for us which included the BEST chapati of my life (not as good as the chapati Amanda and I made for mission's conference though.....KIDDING!)
A little bit of updates for you all. Get ready for this.......we are doing ALL construction work! Haha! We are taking TONS and LOADS of pictures to show all of you guys because you won't even believe the amount of work we are doing! There is a green house that we have been working on where they are hoping to plant tomatoes by Wednesday in. All being said, the first couple of days we hauled Manure into the green house which took literally all day long. Some of the kids at the Home helped us haul the manure after they were done with school which was so much fun! We had around 16 potato sacks which we would fill with manure and carry over our backs, and we had 2 wheelbarrows to help as well.
Brina, Annie, and Kristianna hard at work in the Green house
Brina and Hannah hauling manure!
This is Esther. She is one of the kids who lives at By Grace. She's too cute!
This is the almost finished green house we have been working on
Sorry the pictures are kinda out of order. The computer wouldn't let me switch it! Anyways, we are having so much fun everyone. The kids are so much fun to hang out with. When they are out of school, we get to play with them until we meet for dinner which is great!
This is Vestus. He's hilarious!
Vestus and Hannah
Vestus and Kristianna
Amanda, Hannah, and Brina with some of the kids
Oh, rewind to the work load again, today we had to haul these bricks which weighed around 50 pounds. No joke! We hauled all of these! (they are solid too by the way)
Annie hauling the bricks
I'm so sorry if this is all so jumbled together, but at least you all get to see where we are and what we are doing over here in Kenya. God is using our team in HUGE ways here at By Grace. We all packed a ton of skirts to wear, when actually we are wearing the ONLY pair of pants we brought with us. HAHA! We are doing something totally different then what we had planned and thought we would be doing. But, we are happy and serving with joyful hearts. The Lord is stretching our team in many ways which is incredible to see and experience. It is such a joy to be helping out the Mbogos with their specific needs (now we know though why Stephen wanted guys on our team!) Haha! Some specific prayer requests: strength that only the Lord can provide us. We have a feeling we will be doing construction work until we return home so please be praying for strength and supernatural rest when we sleep at night. Please be praying for our team that we would continue to grow closer. We are bonding SO much so far and it has been amazing! Pray that we would continue to serve with joyful hearts and to always remember that the reason why we came was to serve the Mbogos. Please pray that we would be ok with any type of work that comes our way! Pray that we would continue to bond with the children. They are so sweet, and kindhearted. We love them all so much and so enjoy spending time with them.
An update that we have and a HUGE prayer request: they are so close to finishing a water well so they do not have to have water sent to them. Stephen said he needs around 5,000 more dollars so please begin to prayerfully consider about donating so they can have fresh and clean water.
Well, I think that's it for now. We love and miss you all so, so much! We get to go on a 2 day Safari a week from today so we are super excited!
God is good you guys.
Until then,
Hannah
P.S. I milked a cow Mom!!!! =D
P.P.S. Sorry a lot of the pictures are me. They are my pictures. HAHAHAHA!
HI Hannah! (and girls) It's so wonderful to see what you girls have been doing! I can't believe it's all construction work! Thats so intense! It seems like you girls are keeping happy hearts about it though which is so awesome.Christ is already working through you girls.I've been praying for you guys every day! Remember that EVERYONE is praying for you here and especially remember to give all the GLORY to GOD! :)
ReplyDeleteHannah, I already miss you so much! I've been so bored at home. Know that you're missing out on NOTHING! Except dad being weird of coarse :) I'm so happy that you made it there safely! I love you and I can't wait to see you!
-Hunter
Amanda Jo! This is your Mama and I am so proud of you!! Construction work for you is nothing new; thanks to all the building projects with YWAM. We are praying for you and the team night and day and know that you girls are right where God wants you. God is doing astounding things thru Girls for Kenya. Constantly! I pray your suitcase has been located because if the girls only brought 1 pair of pants each, then you must be building in one of their skirts!! I have no words to tell you girls how proud I am of you and how much I love each one of you. May God be given the glory in all the work you do there. Love the idea of helping Grace complete the water project and bringing water right to the orphanage. We know the girl team can do anything through Christ who will strengthen you!!
ReplyDeletePraise God from whom all blessings flow! So happy to hear what all you're up to, and that you are serving with happy hearts! You all look great. It must be such a great feeling to work all day and then see what all your hard work has accomplished and how the Lord works! I just know you will want to help me in my garden now Hannah! :)
ReplyDeleteYou are all pressed on my heart all throughout the day, so know that you are being prayed for. I will definitely be praying for strength to get all the construction done. Stephen might have wanted boys on the team, but the Lord didn't, so you are the perfect team to get the job done! Just remember Philippians 4:13!
Hannah banana, it warms my heart to see your smiling face in the pictures. What is it with you and milking cows? Must be your name.... You're welcome. Hunter was right, you're not missing much around here. We all wish we could be there with you loving on those kids, and helping the Mbogos. Soak it all in, and enjoy it all. Laura is coming out for a short visit on Friday then she will leave on Monday. Hunter is excited about that! That's about it though. I love you with all my heart and pray for you always. Sending you big hugs! Hug all the girls for us too!
Thanks for the update woman!
Mom
Hannah, I miss you so much! I'm glad you got to Kenya safely. Keep posting those pictures too. Tonights Bachelorette isn't going to be the same without you watching it with me rooting on Ames! Can't wait till you get back and I'll comment on Thursday about how my interview went! PS. I HAVE SO MANY STORIES TO TELL YOU!
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ReplyDeleteHANNAH! I'm so excited for you... I'm sorta creeping right now. Sounds like the Lord is really working in everyone's hearts! Can't believe y'all are doing CONSTRUCTION! That's awesome...and impressive. I'll continue to pray for everyone and that the Lord blesses the rest of your journey :) Love you, girl.
ReplyDeleteLaura
Hi Natalie and all of her loved ones! I have had my watch set to Kenyan time since you left, so at each glance I wonder what you are up to! Our daytime is your nightime, but I always pray you are resting well, that you are loving each other and the new Kenyan friends you are making, and that you are seeing God's work and His love in Kenya. We love you! It was great to see what you are doing. We are so, so proud of you. Honey baby, it looks amazing there! I can see you girls are doing whatever God asks of you and you are working in His strength. I know you will make lifetime friendships with the Kenyan kiddos and the women you are getting to know. We miss you! My phone is so silent! :)But we are so proud of you and so glad you have this chance to go where God called you. Dad and I caught a few bass today, Uncle Todd and the fam arrive tonight and we will be having Chris and Pitts and thinking of you:) We spent the day with Aunt Idie after church Sunday. An ordinary week, with our girl halfway around the world building a greenhouse and shoveling manure...ah! I love how God works! haha!Everyone sends their love! Take good care baby girl! Daddy and I love you!
ReplyDeleteMama
PS Aunt Tam, Grammy and I are wearing our Kenyan beads every day!
Hi Hannah Banana, It's Miss Sharon. So exciting to read your blog and hear what you are doing. You are right God is good. I am so proud of you and your journey you are on. They must be so happy all of you are there. All the cow milking classes you took really paid off. HA HA. I will continue to pray for you and your trip. Can't wait to hear all about it and see the pictures. Hey Miss Madeline and I are here at your house doing a craft project with your Mama. She came up with a good one. I know hard to believe. HEE HEE. Can't wait to see you. Sending love to you......Miss Sharon
ReplyDeleteHi Hannah - Its me your favorite Miss Madeine!!!! Your mother made a fab dinner and a even more fab craft. I have been praying for you and your team daily! Glad all is going well. It was so fun to see your pictures. Now I will know who to help me when i have hard labor to do at home. Stay safe and keep doing God's work with a cheerful heart. Love ya and can't wait to see you and hear all about your trip Madeline
ReplyDeletePeanut- (Amanda Jo)- You guys are so awesome! You spend two days hauling manure in potato sacks, digging holes, and stacking cement blocks, and noone is complaining - really? And then, after all that, you guys go and play soccer, or take the kids out to pick wild berries, and you've never had so much fun before? How cool is that, or how G.O.D. is that - that when you allow yourselves to be completely used by God, to really be a vessel of His, that you are finding joy, real joy, even when hauling manure? It is when you say: "God, I don't care HOW you use me, just USE me" that is when and why you guys have real joy, a joy that you strong, young ladies can bring back home with you, as long as you keep the same attitude - use me God, any way YOU want...I am so proud of you Peanut, and so proud of all of you manure hauling ladies - how much MORE proud of you guys must your Heavenly Father be???
ReplyDeleteLove, Daddy
Hello Ladies,
ReplyDeleteKeeping you all in my prayers! It's so great to hear what you are doing and to see pics...although this is different then what you originally thought, God is using you!
Thanks for the update! I'm praying for you girls often and can't wait to hear all about your trip when you get back!
ReplyDeleteLove, Kerri
Amanda! (and team) you girls are rockin it with serving hearts! glorious. From moving 50lbs bricks to hauling manure in potato sacks and digging dirt all while battling the heat and humidity makes you (and the rest of the team) pretty much amazing! I love what you all are doing there and i know by your hard work, you will share the love and compassion of Christ not only by your words, but also through your actions. You girls are doing great and i'm so excited for the individual challenges God has picked out for each and every one of you. I will definitely keep checking the blog for updates and prayer requests!
ReplyDelete-Christian James
Amanda! I am so proud of you and the team! Having such a humble heart, going to Kenya expecting one task and getting a completely other one and doing it humbily, that is a true servants heart. Just by reading your facebook post (well, mom telling me about your facebook posts) and your blog updates i can truly see God working through the heart of you and your fellow team members. I wish i could be there serving along side you! Your humble heart and compasion is pulling at my heart to reach out and do good for others in need! I am looking forward to your next updates! I love you sis!
ReplyDelete-Luke Volk
HANNNNAAAAAAAAAAAHH!!!! I didn't know I could post a comment on this blog!! (It's dad, by the way). I've been logging on to this blog at least twice a day because it makes me feel closer to you. Sort of corny, I know; but I'm missing my daughter so much!! Oh, and this isn't a private comment section, either, huh? Oh well, now your team (and the rest of the world) can know how mushy I am. Hey there "rest of the team"!!! How are all you girls doing? We have a boat load of friends praying for ya'll, and for the kids/adults that you're coming into contact with in Kenya. May our Father in Heaven be glorified in everything you're doing over there! Today my prayer is from Hebrews 12 that y'all will "......run with endurance the race that is set before you.......fixing your eyes on Jesus......who for the joy set before Him endured the cross...." I'm praying that ".....you may not grow weary and lose heart........." as you ".....consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself.....". I'm confident that I speak for all your family and friends when I say how thankful we are that God has led you gals on this incredible journey, and we can hardly wait to sit down with you and hear the incredible ways that God worked through you in Kenya. We love you. Hey Hannah, I love you and miss you terribly! Love Dad (Brian, Bobo, etc.)
ReplyDeleteThank you everyone for your comments!! It's Hannah. Mrs. Madeline and Mrs. Sharon...i laughed so hard when you told me my mom thought of the craft! hahaha! I love you guys and miss you!
ReplyDeleteAshley, I miss you! I laughed so hard when you said I HAVE STORIES FOR YOU! I just pictured you sayin it to me. :) I say when i get back we shall eat a bagel on bastencherry hill! it's so appropriate! Love you!! And I hope you have all of the bachlorette's recorded for us to watch!
Laura, I'm so sad I dont get to see you while youre in california. :( I miss you and love you girl! Hope you and Hunter are having a great time!!
Hunter, O my gosh my sister! I miss you so so so much!!! I can't wait to see you! I'm so sad you wont be there when i get home. I'm gonna like jump on you when I see you. :) Ahhh! And i'm praying for you as you leave for Stateside. God is working through you and I love how much you love Jesus and seek to follow Him. I love you!
Mom and Dad, I miss you guys so much! Dad, I am so homesick for you. Maybe it's because we're doing construction and I can't help but see you laughing at me. Haha! I talk about you all the time. Just funny things you do that I miss. You're post actually made me start crying i miss you so. Can't wait to see you Wednesday! Mom, I miss you just as much obviously. I can't wait to see what you crafted with Madeline and Sharon...I bet it's way cute. :) Good job mom! i love you guys so so much. Youre the best parents. i'm so blessed.
Mr. and Mrs. Volk. I read youre post to Amanda. I love you guys! You are so sweet!
We miss everyone!