Welcome Back to the East Bay!

We are back! Come join us this Sunday at Fremont Community Church to hear some stories and see some photos. Hope to see you at 9am or 11am.

What an Adventure We have had!

We were able to see a wide variety of the tapestry that is Kenya. The best and the worst.
Full of color, music, dance, smells, tastes and lots of Chai tea!
On our last day of serving, we went to an amazing orphanage called "Mission In Action"
what a wonderful place to be; the kids are so happy and so loving. We received lots of hugs everywhere we went from these sweet and adorable children.
Actually everywhere we went in Kenya the kids were pretty amazing from those we met that
had been rescued from tragic situations to the ones we met still literally in the mess at a place that no one would think to call home the city dump of Nakuru which is ironically called the Hilton. Weird huh? Eugene and I met two women both grandmothers who have little to nothing in very limited and rough conditions, but so grateful to God to have somewhere to be. They were both healthy, beautiful and so hospitable to welcome us into their homes. We were there to bless them with a bucket of love...we took maize flour, sugar, cooking oil, soap, chai tea, and a few more stable items to get them by. We heard about their stories and then prayed for them.
They both made these colorful hand baskets that look like they have been crocheted, but they
were made from recycled colored plastic grocery bags. I bought a green/clear one... this is a way that they make an income.
On our last night we we visited with Kate, Johnny and all there kids and had spaghetti, meat
balls and fresh made individual french bread rolls and then watched a movie. They have a
great family and it's was so fun spending time with them.

We are now in Dubai waiting for our flight to be announced. Looking forward to being home
and sharing stories about our trip!

take care,

Leilani

Last day...

So after my last blog... It turns out the days got mixed up so Friday we all wen't to Mission In Action a really cool orphanage. All the kids are so loving!! Spent a few hours there just talking with the lady who owns it and after that we went to town got our last supplies and went to the "dump"... It's exactly what I thought it would look like and would smell like... I won't be eating any pork for a good time.
That was our Friday... We came home early because Leilani, Eugene and I set out for Safari really early this morning hoping to find some cats. No luck. We saw lots of other really cool animals. Like.... Rhinos which by the way look really cool behind a big fence at a zoo but really intimidating when spitting distance in a safari car.... Loads of zebras and water buffalo's! It was a lot of fun! That took up most of our morning and then after we met with Kate and Johnny at a really cool spot for lunch near ROHI... We had Doug an intern from Corner Stone Church with us on Safari and we dropped him off at ROHI when finished... it was awesome seeing those smiling faces again!... nothing beats smiling faces and lovely "how are yooooou" coming down the streets.
We got some gifts for loved ones at home at the Curio shops, it started raining pretty hard so we called it quits and came back to the house to get ready for diner... We had one last amazing diner at Kate and Johnny's as well as a movie! I'm really going to miss that big family! Their really the coolest people ever!
Leaving Africa... I feel...I feel like we accomplished something... Tho it may not have been much it was a lot to the families we helped and now that this trip is almost to a closer I can honestly say my heart has planted a seed and I can't wait to come back and visit. God is so good! He's been funny on this trip having us go through some good and bad times...He pushed us to the limit but God will never give you more than you can handle and at times it seemed like He pushed me off a cliff, He lifted me up higher than I was.I can't wait to come home and share all my stories and photos!!!
Kwaheri Nakuru... I will be back.
Asante Sana for everyone who helped send me out here as well as prayer... I couldn't have done this without you
Nakupenda!

I have seen what I have seen, I have felt what I felt and...cried

My heart has been in Africa for many years. My toes have been dusty from the red dirt many times. My eyes have seen countless injustices. But today is first for me. Today I got word a sweet child was lost today.

AIDS is all over this place I call home but yet I have never felt the loss of a life to it until today. Friends of mine have a home for kids here and they lost a little girl. Their hearts are sad and I to find my heart sad because this is a little girl I knew. I hugged her, cooked her spaghetti, and kissed goodnight. Yes I knew her for a short time but I knew her and NEVER on the FCC Kenya team has a child we ministered to died while we were in country.

As I looked at the photos of her I cried...I could not help but cry. I was crying for her mom and dad left to tell other kids but I was also crying because this is the hard cold reality of AFRICA. There are countless of families, couples, and individuals that answer the call to come, love, work, and live in Africa. They see and face this day in and day out. It hurts so bad to think I am not the only one with a broken hart right now. People never forget "first" and I can say I will not forget this feeling. Also it is a feeling I know I will feel over and over........because I to have heard the call to Africa. I just pray that God gives me what I need each and every time I feel this way. Also I pray with all my heart that He is glorified through it all because it is not always pretty and fun but I know God is loving and full of grace. So I hold on to Him and His word because I have seen what I have seen, I have felt what I have felt, and I have cried.

So i havent blogged in a while

Sorry to all the people wanting to hear my thoughts on this trip. Typing is not a fun thing for me i type like one word a min. lol, but any who. Let me tell you whats going on in my head since my last blog. I am very grateful to be here I thank God he called me on this trip. I have seen it all from people dying at a "Hospital" and i put hospital in quotations because it was more like a mortuary then a hospital. Soon as you walk in you could smell death in the air. There were babies burnt from head to toe and had not been really treated for 5 or 6 days. There were people dying from Aids..Even little kids dying from Aids ... See More because out here 1 out of every 4 girls get raped by the age of 10 years old. This building looked horrible. Walls broken, windows broken. Rats, bugs, flies all over. There where 8 beds per room and the room was the size of about 2 American hospital rooms maybe smaller. There where no real doctors only kids who just got out of High school and they are just training and practicing on the dying patients like lab rats. If they cant pay they don't get treated or they get kicked out. There where kids being abandon because the parents couldn't afford the hospital. There was a girl who life or death hung in the balance because she couldn't afford to the surgery which was only $20 US dollars. And i can name about 20-30 stories like that. Thank God we where able to pay for her and others but there were so many and you cant save everyone. It was horrible. And this was the biggest hospital in this big city called Nakuru, Kenya. We went to the Bush Bush, which means went went to stay basically in a remote part of Sub-Saharan Africa in a place called East Pokot where there in no running water and you gotta use the bathroom in a hole in the floor and people like in real mud huts n their major "Town" is like 5 stores that are 10x worst then the worst convenient store u know but it was life changing and i ...felt so bad 4 the girls out there who get forced into marriage and forced 2 do female circumcisions. Then we went and visited 2 orphanages with some orphans who are beginning to put their life back together because some missionaries who moved to Africa doing God's work takes care of all the kids. Its great to see their joy now that they are in a safe place. Then we went to the dump and saw people suffering from Aid's who don't even have enough money to get to the "hospital" and get treated. Its a horrible feeling to see a mother dying, cant even get off her bed which is just a metal rod with a thin blanket on it. She cant get up to use the bathroom so she goes right on her bed. She has nobody to take care of her and her six kids. Her white blood cell count is at 14 when the normal person should be at about 1200. Her 6 kids sleep on chairs in a house as big as a bedroom and when we walked in they were eating popcorn seeds off the floor. It looks like soon their mom will pass and they will be left as orphans to fin for themselves by the way the oldest is 8 yrs old taking care of them all from3-8 yrs old. Its just sad but I thank God for allowing me to witness this so i can come back to the states and not just sit on the sidelines but help out by starting a non profit organization which will be called The Black Diamond Foundation and we are going to help orphanages and Schools and in the long run will build orphanages and schools and hospitals. So i will do my best to do what i can to make Kenya a better place. I have been touched threw this experience and i hope you now are touched by my words giving you a short picture of what it is like out here and hopefully you will partner with me to make Kenya a better place for those who live there. Please Contact me if you want to be apart of the Movement!!!

Red Toes

So today was a day that God had planned! It was clear because I had mixed up the days the team and I would be going to MIA and the dump ministry......all because God had something for us to finish up with Kate and Johnny's girls. We had great morning finishing up the sewing project and then headed to town to get some supplies for tomorrow and have lunch. While we were in town we ran into Molly and Joe who just got a new girl at SOHK. This little one is one they were working on getting when we worked with them last week. She is ONLY 7 years old, has been living on the streets with her "mom" and has been sexually assaulted. As hard as it was to hear her story it was a joy to see her in Joe's arms after knowing how they prayed and worked on getting her into SOHK to be safe and loved! It was like reading the last few pages of the last chapter in a GREAT book.

Heading back to Kate and Johnny's after town we got some supplies to paint all the girls nails. Yes, it is a girly but they are girls. They are also some pretty amazing girls with a Future and a Hope because of Kate and Johnny. That short time we had painting toes may seem so small to many but...for girls who come from places that make your heart break....it means so much. It shows love to girls that early in life did not know what that was. So as I sat on the concrete and Sarah painted my toes, red, I looked around. Yes I was a home in Kenya but I saw more!

I saw a family that gave up so much to love girls that had nothing. I saw a family with white kids and black kids who are colorblind and call each other sister and brother. I saw a mom and a dad that love EACH of their kids biological or not. I saw kids growing in truth and love. I saw a family that places Christ in the center. I saw a kind of family the world could use more of! I saw all of this with red toes.

The Slums of Rhonda..

These last few days we've been visiting Kate and Johnny a few missionaries who have adopted 8 children on top of her 5 children... As you can imagine... they needed some help with organizing and cleaning... One thing the kids really needed was new nets, so Leilani put her sewing skills together and has been making new nets for everyone... Yesterday Leilani and Cassandra stayed behind to help make new nets while Eugene and I went to Rhonda, It's a small town also known as the slums.
Him and I visited 3 "homes" the 1st was a man named William who has HIV/AIDS a 3 month old baby a wife who every morning leaves trying to find work so William can go to the "hospital"... His wish these last 5 days have been just to make it to the hospital... Eugene and I prayed over William and after Eugene gave him a few dollars to make it to the hospital and get an x-ray which totaled out to be about 10 dollars, the medicine here is free.
The 2nd "house" was a women named Constalita, She has a white blood cell count of 2, has 6 children all under 8 and by looking at her you would never suspect she's ever had kids she was so skinny. She slept on a metal bench, all her kids had a wooden chair to sleep on. There was no food. No chai. No one around to help her. I'm sure if we didn't open her door that day, no one would have... Her only wish was that she got a blanket, the man who took us, Ben, Kate and Johnny's helper all he wished for was some Pampers because she can't move.... After we left her we got her a blanket like she wished and this morning Ben will drop it off....
The last house, gave us hope. 3 women all dying of aids earlier this year, some having 0 white blood cells recovering 100% now married.... We bought a few neckalaces from them... Their mission behind makind jewlery is to never forget where they've come from... to always give the Glory to God....
It was hard going from chillin these last few days to getting hit back with what our mission was in the 1st place...
Today we visit the dump. I'm happy I saw the slums yesterday to prepare for today... I pray for the rest of my team...
Asante Sana for all the prayers thus far... we'll be home soon!!

East Pokot Mancala

East Pokot

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2UFDDITEi8
Check out the video of some of our time in Pokot.

sweat, heat, a bus, and a lap full of three kids

This past three days we went out of Nakuru in to what our Masai calls the Bush Bush. No running water, out-house, and the REAL Africa. When I asked the Masai if he thought we could make it out there he said "I believe". If he did not think we could make it he would have told us.....so we left on a good note of feeling we can.

6 hours later dripping wet from sweat we arrive in East Pokot. Those 6 hours were something else. The first few hours were just a "normal" Kenyan bus ride but once we hit the half way point we were in for a rude awaking of what the bus is really like! More people got on then got off. Seats full, people standing in the ails, and kids sitting on Grace's and I's laps. All the windows were wide open but we all felt like we were going to suffocate. People talking, sweating, holding things, and trying not to fall as the matau was bouncing on the unpaved 46km ride to East Pokot.

I can grin and bare a lot but just before we got to our spot I thought I was not going to make it. There was sweat stinging in my eyes my feet swollen from the heat and sitting for so long and I thought it might be better if I get out and WALK the rest of the way. Thankful by God's funny timing the bus stopped and it was our STOP. We crawled over people, bags of corn and sugar, and even a chicken to get to the door. The only thing I felt was air at that moment. Outside was hot but not as hot as the matau. My feet hit the ground and I could feel the blood come back to each of my toes. All I wanted to do at that point was drink some water and do to bed...but God had other plans!

As we got our bags off the bus we were greeted by Nelly and all the girls from the rescue center we were going to working at. These girls came out of no where; but one by one they came greeted us and carried our bags. It is custom for them to carry the bags.....with a smiling face they picked up our many bags and walked us to the center. Slowly the pains of the matau ride were fading. Once we were at the house we had some tea and met with Pastor and his wife. We got to meet a few others as well while resting from the ride.......we met a few but felt all the eyes on us. So many little eyes were so excited to see us that in the dark you knew we were being watched.


After we ate and rested we walked a short way to girls rescue center.......short way lead by the sound of drumming and signing. All the rest of the pain, sweat, tiredness, and everything I was feeling was GONE as the girls called us to formally greet us! They sang and danced for us and soon we found ourselves dancing with them. We danced with the most sweetest girls who have gone through so much to get there they are today.

These girls (my eyes are filled with tears as I write) have been beaten, used, treated like animals, and almost sold off by their families. They have been through so much, some have walked for days eating ants to make it to Cana. Cana is the safe place for the girls. A place there they can grow, get an education, and NOT go through female genital mutilation! They are screaming for a chance to get an education and a chance to change what their lives could have been and for the girls to come.

I see hope in their eyes. There is a bright light that is ready to shine in the community of East Pokot. A light that can shine for the Lord to being about change in the area. Because of this light and the love of the team.....I know change will come, relationships will be mended, hearts born again, and the horror of FGM stopped!

I survived the bush...

This weekend was quite the experience... When in Kenya, do as Kenyans do... We started in town in Nakuru, found the right Mutatu (bus) waited awhile... for the cargo people to put all the goods on top of the mutatu, and knowing myself, my peripherals was everywhere but my fixed stare was on our luggage. The town is dangerous, you don't know...anyone/ everyone is brave enough to take your bag and run... After all our luggage was on the bus, and we're all about to die of carbon monoxide... the mutatu starts... Everyone n they mama's is on the bus trying to sell us something/ anything that can make them a shilling... Finally the bus is starting the move and some of the sellers start to get off, its still a full bus.. how you see it on tv, is exactly how it is, just worse... it gets hotter as you drive towards the equator. As we drive, we have a few "bus stops" it was more like a California stop..you know where you slow down and don't really ever come to a complete stop..yea well that kind of stop but for people to get off and on... As if the bus wasn't crowed enough we had one big stop half way. Usually an ok spot for people to get off and use the Cho (bathroom) but not that day. NOTE: DO NOT USE THE MATATU ON A FRIDAY....PERIOD!... No one got off but about 30people came on... pretty much by the time we left I had 2 children on my lap, i was giving some girl a piggy back ride with her butt on my back and to make is worse the guy standing in my small space bought some fish on the way to the bush! eek! it was an experience...but I never wish that upon anyone... and let me be very clear... its hard enough driving in a private car going to the bush, let alone in a bus! I don't even use public transportation at home... that may change...long story short... we made it to Cana Girls Rescue Home. Its a safe place young girls can come to, most of which ran away because their families were trying to either sell them into marriage, FGM (female genital mutilation aka: female circumcision), child labor, or child abuse... 1/2 of them... it was all the above. These girls were some of the most amazing girls I've ever met in my life! all soooo beautiful! Talented and fearless. While there at Cana, alot of things made me upset... Knowing how much American dollars can be stretched out in the bush... for instance.. for a young girl to go to school. Her monthly fee is 27 dollars, for pastor ChoChoi, the pastor who took in all these girls, it cost him 3 cows and 5 goats. That's alot of food all these girls are now missing out on all because he believes these girls can go far. Unacceptable! While there, Cass, Leilani and I came up with ways to help these girls in East Pakot. So when I get back if anyone has any questions on how you can help!... please ask. I know just how you can help.
All in all I learned how to pee in a hole in the ground. Took a shower with a bucket of water. Drank rain water. Slept in a "bunk bed" if you can call it that... Not as scared of insects as I was before... kinda.. It was an experience of a lifetime! I really experienced the true Africa and their African ways and along the way passed the equator.. I was in two places at once. It was awesome! I wish you were all their with me to experience it.
One more week and we're back home. Today we're relaxing...Please cont to pray for us! I miss you all!!

The Lord Is So Good!

The Lord is so good to us ! On this journey He has continued to show us His children through His eyes.
We have experienced the low & hard realities of the lives of people in places that are unfit for animals let alone human beings.
And then He has taken us to the high mountain top experiences of children being rescued and having save places to live and grow.
In America animals have better lives than people do here. We have partnered with many organizations to be of service and be a
blessing and the Lord has been so faithful to give us lovely surprises along the way as only He can.

Please pray that the Lord continue to protect and guide us and that He continues to let us be His hands and feet.

With a joyful heart !

Leilani

We are off to Pokot

We are heading off to Pokot for the next three days. We will be seeing and living in the real Africa. Public transport, bucket showers, and much more. The work we will be doing is........bringing some fabric for girls to make school uniforms, bring some food, and spending time with girls that were SOLD into marriage for the dowry. We will need your prayers and love!

Prayer Needs:
-travel mercies
-health
-time with the girls in Pokot
-the eyes of the team to be truly open
-hearts to be transformed
-lives to be changed for the better
-ENERGY!

Child Don't Fear

How was my day? Well it was unlike any other. I was greeted with the smell of dirt, blood, feeshies, sweat, and death. Now with this decription would this be a place you would take your sick family member let alone your child?

For so many this is the only option and they walk many miles to get to this place. And once they get their they have to front the cost of bed and any "medical" treatment they may need, sit two or three to a bed, feed themselves, change themselves, and beg for someone to come look at them. This is the setting where my heart was stolen. In the children's ward the second to last bed on the left there was a little one named Emmanuel. He was covered and alone. My friend Joe called me over and asked me to pray for this little one; he had been left and was ALL alone now.

As I placed my hand on his tinny head my heart was stolen. God touched me to give a word of declaration over him. The Lord said he would EVER be alone and would come out of this horrific situation and be loved. Not only be loved he would show love. My eyes were welling with tears and my voice was strained. This little love was facing deaths door steps and God used me to declare he would not. As I closed in prayer and asked for a covering over this child my heart was no longer stolen but broken.....my eyes fixed on his chart and it read "TB and Meningitis". This is a death sentence! All alone no one with him, no one to pay for the medical bills BEFORE treatment, and just another body in a bed to all around him.

There are no words...there have been no words from me after I left his side. My mind keeps going back to that awful place where he is.....where is his slowly dying ALONE! All that I can think of is the words to Shawn Mcdonald's song Child. Form this day forth I will never be the same and only the Lord knows why! I still do not know why but that is the beauty of God, we do not need to know because He does. He has it. He holds Emmanuel in His hands, He broke my heart and changed me for a reason, and I will leave it be until He tells me why. For those that read this and feel sadness welcome to the world of Africa for those that read this and feel nothing......I pray your heart is broken by God for our God knows why.
(the lyrics playing over and over in my head: Child don't fear....our God knows why. Child don't cry...our God knows why.)

Malaria pill, PMS, "Hospital"

Constantly this trip the Lord is breaking me, literally taking my full glass of purified water and shattering it on the bumpy roads here in Kenya.
All day everyday my camera is glued to my hip but not today... Today the Lord was like NO Grace... Today is for your eyes only. No camera could explain and capture the feelings we felt today. Especially me. I haven't really broken down all this trip but today someone was saying "let it rain"... First off if no one has ever taken malaria pills.. well your lucky... it has some strange side effects, mine today was just tired plus PMS if your a girl you'll understand if your a guy...well... I don't wana explain myself, but all that then we visit the "clinic...No camera could capture the hurt these people were facing. One person that really sticks out and was my breaking point was this young girl. 22 years of age on her last string of life dying of aids, hadn't eatten the last 3 days she's been admitted, She hasn't even poked her head far out of her sweater to see her face the few hours we were there..I had prayed over her once I got to that side of the ward, and though it looked bad I wasn't expecting things to go where it had gone... When I was finished visiting at the womens aids ward, I walked outside, I felt pretty put together but Molly wanted to go back in and kinda hurry the rest of the crew.. I went in with her.
What I saw next I didn't expect.
Molly stayed towards the door but I walked to that 22 year old girl again because her mom seemed upset, I had Job our interp for the day come with me and ask her what was wrong. Her mom said... and I kid you not... "I give up! I'm tired of waiting!" walks to the front, hand the receptionist some money and leaves.
She left her daughter to die alone all because she gave up!...
Thank you family for being everything you've been to me. Everything you've been for me. At least 40% of the people at this "clinic" were abandoned because they were a burden to their family.
Needless to say... Today was a hard day...
Pray for me. Pray for us.

Day 4...

Day 4 is here. Today is our last day at ROHI. The team is fallen in love with ROHI, like all teams. The students and teachers have built relationships and will be sad to part. It will be good day blessing one more gardenias in Gligi. It is a pit of a drive but it will give the team the opportunity to see more of the beauty of Kenya. After driving and blessing we will head back to ROHI to say our goodbyes and have dinner with Mama and Papa Mathua. Ending our time with them will be the icing on the cake for our time at ROHI.

Prayer Needs,
-our last hours with our friends at ROHI
-the relationships the team has made with students and staff
-our time driving
-meeting with the family today in Gligi
-our dinner with Mama and Papa
-energy
-sour bodies from building yesterday

Hang me up to dry...

As I sit n the dinning room looking at the fog roll into the backyard I see Kantet hanging his' families washing. Some he just places on the line and pins and others he needs to ring out before he hangs them. The water falls onto the grass but before it does my eyes see the murky unclear water falling from the clothing.

My eyes are seeing something that is so normal (for 80% of the world) and it does not surprise me. But the Lord is funny in the way He gives us images.....because as I am seeing this my computer is playing the soundtrack to call and response, track number 2 Hang Me Up to Dry. The words take on a new meaning as I watch Kantet. He rings out the clothing and lets the dripping dirty water fall out of them....how many times does God do that to us?!

He sees the unclean filthily water in us and His heart breaks. He rings us out to make us clean the dry, but often we protest it and are blind to our own dirty water. We want to just be hung on the line to let the sun's warmth come dry us (I have the image of a person on the beach sun bathing). We want the warmth of the sun and its comfort without making sure we can really benefit from it. Without being rung out the clothes would be on the line longer and lose their shape and not fit any more. Without God ringing us out that polluted water in us changes our makeup and how God has made us to work. So why would we not want to be rung and then hung to dry? God has then best of intentions for us when He rings us out, we just need to be willing to suffer thought the ringing so the blessing of the drying comes after.


So my challenge for you today (your night my day) is that you welcome the chance for the Lord to ring you clean of polluted murky water. He will then will allow you to be reshaped and dried in the sun. Just as the clothing smells so sweet being lined dried, so will you; the sweet fragrance of the Lord.

Calloused..

We worked hard today... Woke up early like 4:50am wrapped up in my head phones... luckily it wasn't around my neck lol but it was funny... waking up in the middle of the night makes me feel home sick... I put on my head phones... Listened to some Black Keys and Incabus to help me calm down and slow down my heart. Finally 6am came around and everyone started getting up...I was able to hop onto the computer and talk a lil to my boyfriend Victor... it was very comforting... I can see why people/ missionaries out here hold on to every word people in America write... it means the world to me! It helps me remember why it is I am here! Every morning I see Kantet the helper!... Harbadi ya Asabudi! That's good morning in Swahili. He says Sawa Sawa (slang) for thank you, yes, etc... Next question is Chai?... EVERY Kenyan says it... it's their way of asking if I want tea... Chai tea... a gift from the English that they have 5ootimes a day it feels like and its cool but I swear there is something in the tea that makes you have to pee every second of the day but its not all peaches and cream since about 97% of places don't have restrooms, its either a whole in the ground or mayyyybe you'll be blessed with a toilet but no t.p. so it's very important to carry some paper of some sort! Today was a blessed day! we were able to help 2 families! The first was a young girl named Freeda she stays with her grandmother and grandfather. They don't have much but they have a Shamba, a garden and a small farm. We helped make a non grazing troft... pretty much something a cow can eat and drink out of.. they have two cows... The women while we're doing this are pealing potatoes, carrots and the other women are making us chipati. which is like a tortilla BUT wayyyyyyyyy better! Kenyan culture is much like Philippino culture... Luckily my boyfriend is filipino so I know a little about if your offered food... YOU EAT! especially in Kenya what an honor I swear for them to feed us... when they have nothing to be fed is an honor even if it's your 4th lunch, you eat! you must always have at least 2 glasses of Chai... it's like the 12th commandment.. the 11th is "tho shalt must serve chai with sugar!". It was a great time... something that touched me the most was this little girl Lucy.. She was found just a few days before us meeting her :(. When I asked a friend of Freeda's where was her mother, he replied, "shes a street woman!.. you want the baby? You can have her! Take her please!"...sad but its common to hear that... I was lucky to bless the gifts we were able to present the family with and present them to them!... My heart was happy as some would say...The next house was a...well... a bumpy road doesn't explain it quite as well.. but once we got there... The child's name who's family we blessed, her name is Helen. She is 17, bother parents have passed and her 21 year old brother took it upon himself to watch her... He cried hen presenting him with a driving school receipt so he can start to learn how to drive and gave him some staple foods like flour, sugar, salt, soap, animal fat.... It really touched my heart because I know if both my parents were to pass my brother would watch me... and would be very grateful if someone would come by from their heart and bring stapled food...I know he'd make the best of it too... So my prayer is Helen's brother will continue to take care of her and help keep a roof over her head, fresh water and chai :)... After all this we came home! I had a great surprise waiting... the helper Kantet dressed up like a Masai warrior and danced and chanted...a lil later our night guard Jalouson did the same... I was so happy!!!!
All in all today was a great day! Please cont to pray for not just us but the children who we have met, and the ones we're going to meet... Tomorrow sounds like an easy day So I pray I'm able to sleep. Asante Sana for all your prayers! Until next time
Buena Asafiwea

Day 3....

Habari? (how are you?) that is the most conman greeting my hears hear every day but the one that makes my heart melt and my checks hurt from smiling it the "how-are-youuuu?". The little ones on the side of the unpaved, pot-hole infested, muddy road wave and yell "how-are-youuuuu?" as we drive by.

That sound and sight is the one thing that just makes my eyes well up with tears of joy! There is something so sweet and pure about them, how they see the world, and image of God in my head. If I could I would record them...sound and sight. I would make them my alarm clock! I can think of no better way to wake up! Well the smell of chi and Kantet cooking in the kitchen down stairs......I NEVER want to wake up another way!

God knows us so well and gives us the desires of our hearts. My heart for many years and every morning there is no better feeling the the peace in my heart as my eye open to the sights and smells of AFRICA. There was a time a few years ago my heart was sad and my faith in the calling over my life to Africa was fading, but God is so good. He knew that 2007 was the right time for trip one and now it is time for trip three. Each day I see the leading and covering of the Lord over me and this team.

His blessings are so rich! Little things blow me out of the water! Just like yesterday I was able to walk around town knowing where I was, where I was going. I has been a while from the time I have been in town and the gift of a photographic memory was a blessing. In the states I know how to get to point A and point B but there is something different....not a "prompting" of where the next step is taken like it is here. That is something I am praying and asking the Lord for....each step walked in full faith and for-filing the way He wants me to live.

I must run now....there is more on heart and in my head but there is a sweet family at the house that I am dying to me! Kantet's wife and little one are here....they have lives apart for over a year! Yesterday Nancy moved here with the baby. WHAT A BLESSED morning!

Day 2 snap shots

Here are some snap shots of the day....

We Truely Have an Amazing GOD!!!

It is so incredible to be a witness to answered prayers...The JOY that comes over me is uncontainable...My cup is full and running over! The Lord is literally showering down blessing from above. Everyone involved with our mission trip is being blessed in one way or another...He sure does work in mysterious and wonderful ways!!!
It is an honor to place our feet into the foot prints that He has planned for us to step into. Please continue to lift us up in prayer...for good health, strength, and that God would continue to prepare us for what He still has yet to share and reveal to us.

Until next time,

Praise The LORD and Praise The LORD Again ! ! !

In His Love,

Leilani

Day 1....count down to life change

(before flight)This day started hecktic woke up early running earrans trying to keep my mind busy so i don't focus on the face the fact that I'm going to AFRICA! I guess I'm doing this because I don't want to admit that I am scared to death. Sacred that I wont do a good job. Scared that I'm not in the will of God... and I have all this fear in the back of my mind. It's funny because I know this feeling way too well but as I feel the fear and do it anyway and as I have faith knowing that fear is just false evidence appearing real. I know that if God if for me who can be against me. I remember that I used to believe that a courage man was a man without fear but I have come to realize that everyone has fear and the courageous man is someone who moves forward in spite of that fear. I know with God's help I can not only have fear but I can also have the power to allow my faith to be greater than my fear. When we were in SF about to board to Dubai, A thought popped into my mind...I remembered that at one time I cared nothing for God, didn't trust him, didn't love him, matter of fact I did everything opposite of what God stood for. At that point of time I had no love for people at all, then I saw a change and my eyes opened to the Light of Christ and now through all of that I'm about to board a flight to give love, that I once did not possess and to shine a light at one point I did not have. To me... That is amazing. (on the flight) I saw a movie called Invictus staring Morgan Freeman and Matt Damien... and it was about the newly elected president Nelson Mandela on a quest to fight and rebuild a nation that remained economically divided in the wake of apartheid he believed he could bring his people through the universal language of sports. Mandela rallies South Africans underdog rugby team as they make an unlikely run to the 1995 World Cup champion match. This movie dazzled me. As I watched it, i started to understand what his purpose was for showing such an interest in the sports team so early into his presidential run. He was not trying to win games in the sake of winning games, he was not trying to put a trophy in a Hall of Fame, not even to be able to say that he was apart of one of the most notable underdog victories in the history of sports. No, his interest was to build a country that stood together despite their differences. A country of unity, A country of love and a Country of HOPE! and he did achieve that purpose. In heinz sight I believe this is what we are on this plane to do. we are on a plane traveling thousands of miles away from home, work,school, and outside of our comfort zone to give Kenya a feeling of Unity. to say that were here with them on the streets that you suffer on, bleed on, and cry on. To say that we feel your pain and as you bleed we bleed with you. To give hope. A hope for a future. To help them realize their circumstance does not have to be their destiny. The greatest of all these things we are on this plane to give our love.
I pray that this be our focus, that our unity, hope and love that we bring never dies even when we go home, that it passes from person to person. Building and Compounding so that decades later, if we traced back steps we would realize that someone that we touched on this trip touches the life of someone else who touched the life of someone else who touches the life of someone else and so on and so forth... and I pray that this chain never ends. I herd it said that to change the world it starts with one random act of kindness and to move the mountain you must start with the smallest stone. Well here is our stone... What will yours' be?

Day 2!

Day 2!
We are ready! in a few minutes are are eating a great breakfast with team deviations. After that we will meet our dear friend Kamotho, who is taking us to ROHI. Today is full and we welcome your prayers.

Prays needs for day...
-Energy
-News of spirit (street church is always emotionally draining on teams)
-God's timing and plan for the day
-Safety while working
-MORE SUN and less rain

Morning of day 2...

Habadi ya asabudi (good morning),
We are getting ready for day 2! The team had a great night of rest yesterday.....the jet lag and the emotions of the first day add to the soundness of sleep. Today we are up by 5:40am (early even for the masia taking care of us).

I am sitting in the dinning room with a cup of chi and enjoying the sounds of the morning. The birds are signing and sweet dew of the morning fills the air. It is a great time to think of how blessed we are to be staying where we are. Really the Lord has blessed us!

Today the team will be working at ROHI (day 2 with them). They have orientation, more time with students, then in town for project supplies. For the next few days we will be working on projects with the families of 3 to 4 ROHI students. Some will be hands on, building a pin for a cow, and others will be helping with everyday needed tasks; like getting a drivers license. The next few days will key for the team to see and understand TRUE life for a Kenyan family. I am praying for the time they will be in the community and working hand in hands with our Kenyan friends. I already see change and growth.....God has just started and more fabulous things are to come.

Personally I am so happy! Happy to be home and with friends. I am also making new friends. God has really shown me the peace of this place, the place I will be calling home! There is no far....no question of what the call of my life is. Having conformation form the Lord as well as all the dear friends God has blessed me with here leaves me speechless!

Your prayers are are coveted for the team as they are working, blessing, and being blessed. Also keep the prays for health and safety coming! They are working! Asante sana and nakupanda! (thank you very much and love)

-Cass

sooo....

I was going to write something sweet... but my heart isn't there at the moment. Today was the 1st full day in Africa, and tho it was an amazing experience all sweet food soon becomes bitter. This morning we started our day wonderful with some Kenyan pancakes by Kantit the helper here at this amazing house. Then we were on our way to a bumpy road to ROHI. Ever see any pictures of muddy bumpy roads in Africa on TV... looks the same, just add a lil motion sickness and your good :) after about 15min driving on this bumpy road we arrive to ROHI and WOW what a welcome!... The kids were so happy to see us!... Many remembered Cassandra so I'm sure that was very comforting but for me personally it was warm. The energy just walking into the chapel was JOY! you couldn't help but smile when walking in and seeing all these smiling faces! All curious to what/ who we are... The worship session was amazing! That is true worship at its finest! These children got it. they got the IT the Lord wants and begs us for, and they are not at all ashamed! Its comforting to see the older kids, most the same age as me make the young kids get up when they were feeling lazy or vice versa. Anyhoo... Check out some pics we posted.. At ROHI I met 3 Graces!!! woot woot!..After that amazing and comforting experience, we go to "street church"... This is where my heart, even hours after still hasn't digested.... Kids...ages 8-18 and 2 men ages well over 30...high on glue at church. So one would ask themselves are they here for church?... The answer is No. They get food after the service, but even when offered food it's food for blood. The energy was very much opposite of ROHI I can say I feel more comfortable at the Tenderloin in SF at 3am with all the dope feens than I did in this place. The uncomfortable thing about the situation was...I wanted to get up and leave so bad! I was scared. Yea I'll admit I was terrified to be stolen, killed, touched!... but the Lord had my feet glued and He held my tears in, for some reason, and I think the lesson there was a question... Did I feel comfortable and I would I like to return?...The answer is probably not but the reality is, THIS IS reality. WAKE UP GRACE!... Change needs to happen. When I said earlier it was food for blood... Before the pastor can say Amen in the prayer everyone was running to the door which was manded by 3 men who helped there who were literally throwing them out the door because men were getting aggressive. It's still breaking my heart... So my request from anyone if not all who read this to strengthen my heart, but keep it open to be ready for whatever other lessons God has for my journey!
I miss home, but the lady Teressa who were staying with makes me feel very safe. I slept very well my 1st night sleeping here last night... I just pray tonight the Lord will calm my heart so I'm able to sleep with good dreams... You may laugh but every time I feel like i can't sleep I sing Bing Crosby in White Christmas "When your worried and you can't sleep, just count your blessings instead of sheep, and you'll fall asleeeeeep counting your blessings..."
Asante Sana (thank you)

Pics from Day One

Here are some snap shots of our first day....faces of ROHI and Street Church

Day One Prayers

Prayer Needs:
-First day on the ground
-The students at ROHI
-The kids at Street Church
-Open hearts of the team members
-God's plan to take president over ours

Good Morning...or should I say Good Night!

Good morning! We have arrived and are settled into our home-stay! We are getting ready to head out to ROHI chapel and then a day in town. Later in the afternoon we will be working at street. A few of us have been asked to get ready to share and passably preach. In Kenya you just never know when and where you will be asked to share.

The team is all getting use to being in Africa and rested well after 20 hours of flying. We welcome your prayers over our first day working on the ground. We also have many videos and pictures to share with you all once we have better internet on Cassandra's computer. Stay tuned.

Working for Change in Kenya,
The Team

1st Flight

Landing in Dubai

ALOHA Everyone

We are through check-in and all is well! We are all very excited.
We are going to board soon so I'm signing off for now.
Thanks for keeping us in your prayers!

Peace Out, take care,

Leilani

On the way to Kenya. Realizing how much God is taking control of our trip. One thing that i know is that Expectation is the Breeding ground for miracles and i believe that something great is going to happen. I am expecting for a change in mind set change, a change of my spiritual point of view, and a change of heart in how i view the world and people. I am looking forward to the shift in mindset. I know this trip will change my life and I'm open to change.

AHHHHH

This is so stinkin sur real!!! It didn't really kinda hit me til we were at the church and they were praying us off... pops teared up a lil.. yea i saw that dad!.. I can't believe I have this awesome opportunity to go to Africa and maybe make an impact in others lives as I know they will be making in mine. I pray for my team that we all stay strong for whatever we see, whomever we meet, and for whatever we may do. I thank everyone who has supported finically and even through prayer alone. God is so good! We made our goal and here we are... just 3 months of raising and prepping and here I am sitting in the SFO International Airport waiting for them to call our boarding area. I can't believe it....... 16 hours from now I'll be in Dubai and 15 hours later I'll be back on a 5 hour plane to Nairobi!!! AHHHHHHH please continue to pray for all of us! I promise to bring back many pictures, many videos and gifts! Be sure to keep checking out my blog, I'll for sure have video blogs so you can some what feel like your there! I love you all!!!
xoxo

WOW GOD IS SOOOOOOO GOOD!

Today was a day of blessings and coverings of prayer. FCCers had the chance to pray over all of us this morning at 9am and 11am. It was a true blessing. The team also was able to talk to people one on one about the work we will be doing in just 4 short days. It was a great encouragement to have people respond so well of the call over the team.

It was not only a great time in prayer but the Lord meet the largest need of the team to-date! As of Friday May 7th the team need to still raise $1,347.01 in support. After all the prayers, cookies, flowers, and a few team shirts we started to wrap things up. When it came time to count the funds collected our mouths hit the FLOOR! In our donation box was $1,000.40. God blessed the team with the love and support of everyone at FCC. From each and every team member THANK YOU! We could have never know how God was going to use you all the way He did today and we are so grateful that He did. Thank you for being open to the Holy Spirit and giving with open hearts. Lives will be changed in Kenya so asante sana to each and everyone of you.

An Over-JOYED Kenya Team
xoxox

ONE WEEK LEFT

WOW! Three months of planning and raising funds has gone by so fast. The team would like invite you all to Analog at FCC at 11am to pray over the team. You and your family are more then welcome to pray over the team and send them off with a strong support covering of prayer. If you have any questions please email.

Things to Pray Over...
-the needed $2,000 left to raise
-travel mercies
-the hearts of the people we will be working with
-grow for each team members
-working for change in the name of the Lord

COME OUT TOMORROW!

We are having our second yard sale! Come out tomorrow and help support the work we are doing in Kenya!!!!!! Tell your family and friends about it too. See you all there!

Sunday May 2nd
8:00am to 2:00pm
42034 Wendell Ct
Fremont, Ca 94538



We have lots of good stuff....
New PlayStation 2
Total Gym
Coffee Table
Color Printer
Clothing (women, men, and kids)
And more!

10, 9, 8.....

SO time is approaching and prayers are getting stronger, pressure is building and for me my mind is at ease and it is because I know how much God's hand is on this trip. The countdown is approaching with excitement like the beginning of a new year and in thinking this trip is like the countdown of a new year its like Dec. 31th and the clock is at 11:59 pm and there is 10 seconds left and the clock shows 10....9.......people in New York's time square are screaming....8...7....6....people in Paris at the Eiffel tower in anticipation .......5...4...3....2...1 and everyone around the world is excited because a new year has come and what does that mean THAT CHANGE HAS COME!! And thats how i feel about this trip that when we touch down on the grounds of Kenya that change has come for the orphans, the ones on the streets of the slums, the girls putting their lives back together from human trafficking but more important change has come for us who have come to bring change because as we become that light that shines for them they will definitely be the light that shines before us so that we may see their good works and glorify our father which is in heaven (Matthew 5:16). I once heard it said that you should make more of an impact on your environment then your environment has on you but in this case i know that is impossible and thats why I'm excited. So i pray my heart is pure, so that i may see God in this trip (Matthew 5:8). I know we are making final plans for the departure and my prayer is that as long as we trust and as long as we commit to the lord in whatever we do our plans will succeed (Proverbs 16:3) and he shall direct our way (Proverbs 3:5-6). So i want to thank everyone for their prayers and has we go to Kenya as a team of 4 physically we go to Kenya as a team of hundreds spiritually.

The Team!

WOW...Counting Down!!!

I rec'd my shots on Tuesday...now I know what it's like to be a real live pin cushion!
Our team is waiting for the Embassy to return our passports w/our visas added...should
be any day now. On Friday, I received my special Orb Elements water bottle which will
filter up to 200 gal. until the filter needs to be changed. A few weeks ago Cassandra
and Grace went to a Green Event in S.F. and found out all about these bottles. The Military and other huge organizations have been using them for a while now. I'm very
excited to know that I will have access to clean water where ever I go on this trip.

Thanks again to all of you who supported us through all of our fundraising events.
The Luau, the Yard sale, both Homemade Bake sales, the Walk-a-thon, eating on Sundays
at Las Palmas Mexican Restaurant where they agreed to donate 10% of all receipts for
5 weeks. And also many thanks in advance for lifting up our team in prayer from now
until we return on May 31st.

As I prepare for this trip, I've been asking God to prepare my heart and mind. He has
strongly impressed upon me to tell them that no matter what they have experienced or have been through that through Him there can be restoration. So many of these kids
have survived horrible situations and they need to know that they can be set free from
the chains of the past, learn that they do have value and just how much God loves them and that a new start walking in hope and freedom is possible!!! It is biblical for older women to mentor the young women and I am ready...use me Lord,your humble servant.

Until next time,
Leilani

17 days!!

17 days left!! That's my lucky number :) The anticipation is killing me. Luckily today in church we talked about finances, it reminded me today to get sit down and look at that so I'm 100% ready for take off... What am I expecting to get out of this trip is something i get asked ALOT! and too be honest I'm not expecting anything just hope to come back with a better understanding with what it is in life I'm supposed to be doing. I still can't believe I'm leaving the country for so long with no family, a lil overwhelming but I'm ready. I got my shots, we sent out to Washington DC for our Visa's a few weeks ago, once I get that back in the mail then it will be really really really real. I can't wait.
Pray request: finances... I'm struggling with just how to re-budget since I recently quit my job, I'm realizing I can't live the life I'm used to with my new low income. ALSO my little cousin Mariah has been heavy in my heart, so for whatever reasons it may be please keep her in prayer.

Baking for Good!!!!!!!

We are on the front page! The Kenya Team is on the front page of Baking for Good. :) We are under community......go to http://bakingforgood.com/causes

Each order placed in support of the team a percentage is given. This is so good. You all can get yummy goodies and support us at the same time. All the treats on the site are so tasty. They also make a great gifts. Mother's Day is coming... I am just saying :)

Please check it out and help us fund our in-country costs. I hear you have to eat and sleep in Kenya. Thanks and let us all know what you get.

Kenya Team

Items Needed for Kenya

Days are flying by......the list of things we have done is getting smaller but the list of things we need for Kenya is growing.

The team will be working with a few organizations on the ground and one has just sent the list of needed things. We are going to be a blessing but the list is growing and we need your prayers and help!

Here is the list of things requested by those in Kenya. Each item is needed and meets a need, even if looks small. If you would like to help meet a need please let us know! Asante sana (thank you very much)!

Needed Things:
-55 toothbrushes and tooth paste
-55 bras (for girls in a wide verity of ages and sizes)
-$70 for school tuition (a girl is going to catering school!)
-Meds for little ones (Tylenol, tummy stuff, teething stuff)
-Boys clothing (all sizes)
-Pretty Smelling lotions (the older girls will be so happy!)
-55 slips (all sizes)
-Boy's and Girl's Socks (all sizes)

Please email me if you would like to help meet a need! Anything will help and be a blessing. kufuatamungu@yahoo.com

Working for Change in Kenya,
Kenya 2010 Team

A Month to Go...prayer needs

The team is working heard. We had a meeting last night about our visas and so on. Things are coming together and they are in the last month of pushing of raising the last in country cost for the trip.

The team can use your prayers! We need to raise $4,800 for all of our in country costs. God's hands have been all over this team and the prep for our tickets....there is no doubt that He has a way for us. Each team member is working hard and God is working through them. Please pray for our last months fund-raising and prep work. :) One month to go baby!

Prayer Needs:
-raising in country costs ($4,800)
-Visa apps to go in smooth and they are sent back in plenty of time
-The people we are working with on the ground (one family is in the US now and heading back to Kenya soon.)
-God preps the hearts of the team members for what is to coming
-Good health as the team gets their meds and shots

Thanks for lifting us up in prayer. We are so excited for this last month to go!!!!!

Leilani

Hi there,

My name is Leilani, which means "Heavenly Flower" in Hawaiian, thanks Mom and Dad.
I was born in Fremont, Ca. and grew up a few miles away in Union City, Ca. I am a Polynesian Dance Teacher
and have been dancing most of my life, I enjoy sharing the Aloha Spirit and perpetuating the Hawaiian Culture.

My husband Andrew and I live in Fremont on a beautiful mountain top with gorgeous views.
We have been together for 10 yrs. and we'll be celebrating our 6th Wedding Anniversary later this month.
Andrew enjoys cooking... his specialty is BBQing. He really enjoys baking too. He is The Cookie Man
because when he makes cookies they disappear, it's really amazing...people just can't stop eating them!

I have one sister T'Marii who is eight years younger than me, a brother-in-law James, and a niece Memorii Love who is 16 yrs. old.
They all live in Southern California with their two dogs and 1 cat.

I'm so excited to be on this Mission Team going to Kenya! I'm looking forward to ALL that GOD has in store for me and our team!
I'm going with an open heart, an open mind and anticipating being a blessing and being blessed in whatever way He chooses.
Thank you Lord in advance for this incredible adventure and journey you have prepared for us and continue to prepare us for this trip.

All of you who read this...please lift us up to God in prayer, we need your prayer support continually!!!

Dear Lord, Thank You for your faithfulness to us your children, You are All we need. Amen.

with joy,

Leilani

Just days away...

I can't believe just 35 more days! I'm so excited, I want May 13th to be this month... We just bought our tickets this last Monday! How awesome! I'm so proud of us team... from garage sales, bake sales, from selling to DONATIONS and fully relying on God for our travel expenses... the only thing is prepping is a lil bit of a hassle. So much goes into the preparation for traveling abroad. For instance, someone like me, a "vitamin whore" just learned that in order for me to bring my vitamins properly and them not get questioned is to bring them in their original cases and in my luggage :/, it's making me re-think, do I really need all these vitamins?? Also jet lag pills, proper sizes of tubes and bottles to travel with! *phew wata hassle! but it's worth it. A bummer perhaps disguised a blessing is us having to switch from our delay in England to Dubai. I've always wanted to travel there, besides the strict laws and such...Cassandra has been telling me so much about all the lovely people we'll be meeting out there I can't wait! I just saw our Emmit flight itinerary... We getta see new movies on the flight whhhhhaaaattt!!1 good food? whhhhhhhaaaat???!!! Maybe 15 hours wont be too too bad :/
A huge thing that has been on my heart since day 1 of my thought process was how will my family feel about me doing this.... and it was so great that this last Easter and my grandma's birthday my family has been asking me more and more questions about it. They've all donated in more ways than one and we've even already started cracking jokes, that helps me know that they support me and will be checking this out to keep some eyes and prayers on me. My family means the world to me and even though it's only 3 weeks, I know I'll miss them. Another thing is my dad is running for congressman and I told him, "dad, you need to clean your office, a clean office gives you more mind a clarity" but did he listen NOOOOOOOO, so figured, yesterday on my day off that I'd surprise him, and sure enough it did. Although it doesn't sound like a lot, to me it did. I'll be gone at the climax of primaries and I feel helpless. So a few of my promises while gone to my fam is: Auntie Carmen, I promise, no make up, no product in my hair, and if I find a bone, I'll take a pic ;) Dad: I promise to pray for you and your campaign....
TEAM: Get ready! God is calling I pray your listening.
Asante Sana

WE ARE BOOKED

As of yesterday we have 4 tickets to Kenya! Also as of yesterday it was 36 days till take off! The team is even more excited then ever. On May 13th they are getting on a flighted to fly 1/2 way around the world. Each are called and have special reasons and skills to bring to this team and trip. As the leader I am thrilled to look at the team that God has formed! I know that things will be done for the good in Kenya and each team member will be forever changed as well.


Time is flying by and soon we will be flying. Please please lift of the team in prayer. As you read this team members are working on getting all the needed items for Kenya as well as making appointments to get shots and meds. This is a time where stress likes to creep in and mess with our minds. I am asking you to pray against that. I know that there is a powerful body of believers out there praying for this team and that is so encouraging to know. Thanks!

Team's Prayer Needs:
-Help raising the last of our air fair and all of our in country costs
-Team members as they get shots and meds
-Unity
-Strength to pull through the last month of prep work
-The heart of the team members and those we will working with in Kenya
-Letting go of all the plans and seeing what God has in mid :)

Kenya Walk-A-Thon

10 miles! We walked 10 miles raising love and support for the work being done in Kenya!It was a great time and the team was able to really get to know each other and encourage each other at the end when we all started feeling it.

We are working on collecting all the sponsorships and totaling them up. The money will be helping with the team's air fair as we leave in 37 short days! Thanks to all of you that supported us. XOXOXOX
-Kenya Team

Mahalo!

Saturday was a great time for all who came out and the team. Thanks for coming and supporting the team. The food was good, the show was great and, the band was awesome! Some friends enjoyed making a lei and others had fun on stage with the dancers. God blessed the event and the team raise a little under $600. WOO HOO and mahalo!

ALOHA

Luau today! Come out to FCC from 1 to 3 and partake in the Kenya Luau. This is a big fundraiser to help raise the needed fund for our airfare. There will be yummy Hawaiian food, dancers, music, and more!

Come have a great time at:
39700 Mission Blvd
Fremont, CA 94539

Tickets sold at the door: $10 each

You also meet the team and pray with them or hear why the are called to go first hand. Hope to see you all there! Mahalo

Lunch That Supports!

Come out to Morocco's Restaurant this Tuesday March 16th from 1 to 3pm. The restaurant is giving a percentage of all lunch sales to the team. So go enjoy some yummy food and support the team. You can get all the info on Morocco's facebook page. Also the address and contact info is listed below.

Morocco's Restaurant
86 N. Market Street
San Jose, CA 95113
Phone: 408-998-1509

http://www.facebook.com/pages/San-Jose-CA/Moroccos-Restaurant/111616835235?ref=search&sid=723626347.3339925444..1

Grage Sale History!

Sunday was busy but a blessing! The team raise over $500. We had a great time and meet some fun peps that came out to support the team.

Thanks to all that came out and supported. Your help means a lot to the team and the lives that will be changed in Kenya.

Denny

After about 20 years in high tech marketing, in 2006 Denny and his family moved to Nakuru, Kenya to work as missionaries. After 3 years and a successful mission working with orphans and former street children the Huebner family returned to the U.S. with a new perspective on life. "We now understand how rewarding yet difficult missionary life can be. Whatever we do going forward, we want to make the lives of missionaries in the field a bit easier", Denny says. "I'm looking forward to this trip because I will have a chance to reunite with good Kenyan friends and to connect with missionary families who remain in Kenya and bless the people there each and every day."
Denny Huebner

Garage Sale...its coming!!!!!!!!

The 14th is coming fast! The team is working on getting donations and setting things up. They can use your prayers. They are working hard on getting items donated to raise the money needed to raise air fair! It is crunch time and they are all rolling up their sleeves, working hard, and praying.

The latest Prayer Requests:
-Donation of items to garage sale
-Getting the word out about the sale
-Let God take the lead on the turn out
-Team unity
-Energy!!!!

Garage Sale

Garage Sale!!!!
On March 14th From 9am to 2pm
42034 Wendell Ct. Fremont, CA 94538

Come out and support the team. All proceeds from the sale will go to the teams' air fair. We are also taking donations of items to sell. If you have any please feel free to contact us.

Thanks for your support and prayers.
Working for Change in Kenya,
The 2010 Kenya Team

Cassandra Marie

Jambo! My name is Cassandra Marie Luontela. I have been to Kenya for the last two years....all because 8 years ago God planted a seed of passion for working in Africa in my heart. Someone once said "once Africa gets a hold of you it wont let go" well it is true and it happened to me and I could not be more in love with the idea!

I grew up in lovely Monterey. My family has sadly relocated to Arizona... they are happy to be in the land of sun and not fog. :) I moved to Fremont to attend Interpreting Prep Program for ASL and have been here ever since.

For this trip to Kenya I am excited to lead this fab team and with them branch out into new ministries. I know there will be many highs and lows for this team as well as myself and I am so thrilled to see what God wants to do with them. Also seeing old friends and meeting new ones brings a smile to my face. I know there are reasons each person is on this team and God will use us for specific purpose.....and He will let us in do time on why. Really I can say is......is it May 13th yet? :0)

Eugene Johnson

Growing up I was a young black stereotypical teenager. I grew up in one of the worst neighborhoods in New York City. I was getting into a lot of trouble and doing things I really should not have been doing. Then one of the greatest things happens to me. God put me in an environment of people who were good associations. God started to show me that in order to live for him i had to get around people who were living for him and I realized that living for Christ is a process and the lord has taught me a valuable lesson and that was that it doesn’t matter if your in the light of Christ because if your environment is not right you are going back into the darkness. So my life Purpose and my vision for going to Kenya is to create and environment that builds faith, inspires and motivates those in Kenya to pull out the greatness within them and give them a hope for the future and a faith that with the help of God they will achieve what God called them to achieve. And also to be a testimony that struggle, obstacles, and failures are apart of achieving their purpose and that God uses trials and tribulation as building blocks. God Wraps all Great Big Gifts in Great Big Problems. So i say all that to say, I am going to Kenya to be an example of how God can take you from a failure to walking in his purpose, But i believe i will learn more and take home more value then i can ever give. So i am excited for what God will allow Kenya to impart into me before i leave beautiful Kenya. I cant Wait. I just feel blessed to be apart of this awesome team and Honored to allow God to use me to display Love like grace said and to do his work.

Grace G.

Aloha! My name is Grace Garcia, a little bit about me..... My dad Luis and working at Cisco. My mom Kitta and she now is a teacher. I have one older brother, his name is Ben, he just moved back to Cali from graduating University of Hawaii, and myself just finished my units at San Jose City College with my focus on Cultural Anthropology.

I first got introduced to going to Africa with this team in 2008, and as awesome as a trip to Africa sounds, it just wasn't my time, for reasons only God knows. Now two years later, grown up a bit, finally feel like God is calling me to "love". I pray every night, every drive I take to every destination my day may bring asking God "are you for real?" And He is, this trip to me the most will be a trip to love, show love and to be loved. I'm totally stoked we have although a small team, a strong team and I'm looking forward to getting to know them as well as myself better. I can't wait for May! Let's raise that money team and LOVE!

Welcome

Jambo,
Welcome to the blog spot of the Kenya 2010 Team. This is the place you can get all the latest info of the team, what they are doing, how you can help, and more importantly how you can pray. Stay tuned for more info and team profile.

Blessings,
Cassandra Luontela
Team Leader