Seeds of Grace

2010-02-06T09:13:00.000-08:00

Hello from the Grace UMC team. We had a great week in Maua, but we were unable to post on the blog while we were there. Our team spent the week at Maua Methodist Hospital. On Monday Jan and I (the nurses) spent the day at an AIDS clinic out in the community. We had a very busy day and saw many patients. Gennet, Mary Lou, Bob and Dale were able to see the house that the Grace team built the last time they were in Kenya. They also toured a farm and a school. On Tuesday Jan and I worked on the pediatric unit of Maua methodist hospital. It was a difficult day for us because we saw so many children that are suffering. The rest of the week the whole Grace team spent time painting the apartments that are available for the visiting staff and doing inventory of the supplies that we brought to the hospital.

While at the hospital, we had several kids that followed us around. They were patients of the hospital. These children waited for us to come everyday. They were very sweet and smiled a giggled at us all the time. They also loved to have their picture taken. We will miss seeing their smiling faces everyday.

On Friday we met up with the Seeds of Grace team in Meru. We are all staying at the bio-intensive farm and it is a beautiful place. Today we all worked at a clinic. I think we treated around 2,500 patients. It was very chaotic, but is the only way most of the people for Meru get any medical care.

We are all doing well and having a great time in Kenya. I hope everyone is doing well at home. Mom, Dad, Nate, Laura, and Carly, I miss you all and hope you are doing well. Give my puppy dog a kiss for me :-)

-Emily

The Hammer

2010-02-06T08:23:00.000-08:00

One of the many nicknames I've been given on this trip is The Hammer (my Aunt Barb would be proud)-mainly because yesterday I was keeping our group in line and on schedule because I didn't want to be late for the festivities. The festivities being the dedication of the Kaaga Primary School. We have been here, there and everywhere this week seeing and doing so many different meaningful things, but the Kaaga School was the place that made me so excited everytime I thought about going back.

We spent time each day this week at Kaaga- sanding and painting new doors for the latrines, pouring concrete, fixing a roof, painting murals and getting to know these kids. I don't have children of my own, but now think of these kids as mine. They are in my mind, heart and blood.

Yesterday at 3pm we sat down in a field behind their school under beautiful trees and had a dedication ceremony...and a full on cry for me. It started with the choir singing which three of the kids I have become attached to, Brian, Doris and Joyce,were members of (which I didn't know). They sang beautiful songs and danced like kids should. And at one point I got to join them (Brian came over and pulled me from my seat). And during one song they sang directly to me- as in my name was in the song. I kept looking to the sky and wondering how in the world I was lucky enough to be sitting where I was sitting and getting to experience what I was experiencing.

I wear a bracelet that says, "Be the change you wish to see in the world." As I was sitting in the field after the ceremony with about 10 of the kids, one asked me what my bracelet said. I told them and then tried to explain it in a way a 10 year old would understand. I just said that if you see something that is wrong, you shouldn't wait for someone else to fix it, you should try to help. One of them looked at me and said, "Like you are?" I was speechless...and it hit me that although these kids are young, they understand that we have come along way to see them and help them live their best lives.

I can breath Africa.
Shannon for Seeds of Grace

Seriously - we need some tech help!

2010-02-04T10:55:00.000-08:00

Hi! we are back at Fridah's office after 9 pm for faster internet time - still only able to upload one pic at a time. At least you know we are happy, safe and sound! We meet up with the Grace UMC group tomorrow evening.

This afternoon we presented the HIV+ women of PEMA with your bead and quilting materials. They are very grateful. Can you believe they can make a necklace in about 10 minutes? It took me 30 minutes to strand seed beads on a 9 inch string one time just to see what it was like (and that doesn't include trying to get the string through the eye of the needle! They are fast and do excellent work. And YES, we are bringing back more styles of bracelets and necklaces.

We listened to their stories and documented them on film. They "positively live" as they say. Being part of the PEMA group has helped them tremendously for they are there for each other, feel loved and have purpose. Each of you who has a piece of jewelry has made a direct impact on the lives of these women and their children. We are very humbled to be your hands for shaking and your ears for listening. They know your hearts and eyes are open and compassionate.

We had dinner with Yema and Lahi Luhahi, our Methodist missionaries who work at the Kenya Methodist University (KEMU). We have been spoiled with delicious meals at friends' homes. And there are a few other foods we aren't too sure about, but we are all troopers and grin and bear it!

Love to all. Can't beleive we have been here a week already. Each day is a grand adventure.

Fridah, Shannon and Julie planning the day at Kaaga Primary School

2010-02-04T10:43:00.000-08:00

Shannon with a frindly chameleon at Kaaga Primary School

2010-02-04T10:39:00.000-08:00

Mark with children at Kaaga Primary School in Meru

2010-02-04T10:34:00.001-08:00

Parent Cooperation with landscaping help at Kaaga Primary School

2010-02-04T10:30:00.000-08:00

Dancing and singing with a conservation group

2010-02-04T02:00:00.000-08:00

We promise photos

2010-02-04T01:54:00.000-08:00

Hi Everybody,

Thank you for joining our journey in Kenya. Each day brings us new sights, sounds and feelings of love and compassion to share with all of you. We already have thousands of photographs but are having trouble uploading - please bear with us!

This morning we visited with Dr. Mwiti and his lovely wife Grace. They drove an hour from Maua to meet with us in Meru. The BKO group is still doing good works and Grace has now established a foundation called the House of Grace which works with the most needy providing food and clothing. Dr. Mwiti sends his greetings to all at Grace UMC, Rev. Swanson and Rosalind (who travelled to Kenya) and all who met him while he was in the states.

Shannon and Mark visited the Makena Textiles project where the ladies weave beautiful rugs made of wool.

We will spend the afternoon with the widows of PEMA, viewing their jewelry and new vocations of sewing and quilting. We presented the donations of beads and quilt materials to Gladys and she is very appreciative. The children will receive the toothbrushes and toothpaste this Saturday when they receive their new uniforms made by the PEMA women. This is big progress for PEMA families and will be quite a celebration! We are humbled, honored and happy to be in the midst of smiles, song and service.

Love to Kyle, Brett and Scott! Snuggle Zues for me. Annette

Wednesday, Feb. 4

2010-02-04T00:43:00.000-08:00

We have made great progress at the Kaaga Primary School! The Seeds of Grace team has been working with a team of people from Oklahoma, Iowa, Texas and Minnesota. They are a wonderful group of people and it's been good sharing this experience. The parents of the students have also been very involved in the projects at the school. We drove out to St. Lucy School for the Blind in the afternoon. This is the only boarding school for the blind in the Eastern Province of Kenya. Not only are they working to educate, train and protect these children, but also helping to break the barrier of stigma that is associated with children with disabilities. The children were so happy in their school. While we visited with them on the lawn they spontaneously sang to us with joyful hearts! It was very moving. We have truly experienced the Spirit of God among us this week! Shannon and Mark are fantastic photographers and have been documenting all of our activities. We've shared so much as a small team...tears and laughter! Photos will be added soon!! Julie

So Much To Share!

2010-02-02T08:27:00.000-08:00

This is our first opportunity to use the internet! As a quick overview...Sunday we enjoyed a church service at St. Peters Methodist Church. We were welcomed with song and dance! We have felt loved and cared for every step of the way. God is good all the time..! It is so fun to be back in Kenya after 5 years. The country is so green and beautiful. The weather is sunny and warm...the stars shine bright at night. Most importantly, the community of people is very welcoming, caring and loving. Monday and Tuesday we've worked at the Kaaga Primary School painting a mural at the library, painting new latrines, reconstructing a floor in a classroom. Today, we visiting PEMA children at two school and three of their homes. We are doing very well, a little tired, but very happy to be here! Love you all, Julie.

First day in Kenya

2010-01-29T20:35:00.000-08:00

We arrived safely in Kenya and spent the night at the Methodist guest house in Nairobi. We are heading to Maua today. Everything is going great so far. I'm going to go eat some breakfast now and then get ready for a 6-7 hour bus ride. I love you all and take of my Daisy dog for me. -Emily

first day in Kenya

2010-01-29T20:32:00.000-08:00

Arrived safely and ll is well. \today we are on our way to MERU and MAUA...so far everything is going grate and the trip was safe. ...love to my wonderful family anad all of their support...i love you all. jan

Jambo!

2010-01-29T20:29:00.000-08:00

Greetings from Kenya! We all arrived safe and well. The flights were smooth and uneventful - thank God. No troubles bringing the donations through customs and both Genett and and Shannon arrived safely and were waiting for us when we landed. We spent the night in Nairobi at the Methodist Guest House. I sit in their cyber cafe typing this message before we have breakfast and travel to Meru. \last time it took about 6 hours, but Daniel Kibe, our "tour guide|" said the roads aer better and we will be in Meru for lunch. Thank you all for your prayers for our safe flight. And for those who came to the prayer circle - asante sana - you lifted us up.

It is warm - high 70's and the sun is shining already this morning. We woke to birds singing, dogs barking, the Muslim prayer in the distance and even a rooster crowing.

Love to all - hi boys - mom loves you! Annette

Preparing to Depart

2010-01-25T18:30:00.000-08:00

After months and months of preparation, I am excited to start our journey this Thursday! It's hard to leave my precious family for two weeks, but I'm blessed to have their support, and to know that we have family in Kenya waiting to receive us! Please pray for our teams to have safe travel, good health, strong faith, wisdom, the ability to share love, to be flexible and to have a great sense of humor! Thank you! Julie U.

Seeds of Grace Itinerary

2010-01-25T11:29:00.000-08:00

Thursday, January 28, 2010
Flight to London

Friday, January 29, 2010
Overnight stay in Nairobi, Kenya

Saturday, January 30, 2010
Travel to Meru, Kenya
Dinner with Miriam Kanana Mubichi Foundation (MKMF) and team of 15 from Oklahoma

Sunday, January 31, 2010
Attend St. Peter’s church service and day with Gladys Gitonga of PEMA

Monday, February 1, 2010
Work with MKMF and OK Team on Kaaga Primary School projects

Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Work with MKMF and OK Team on Kaaga projects
Visit schools where PEMA children attend

Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Visit St. Lucy’s School for the Blind where Seeds of Grace has provided scholarships to children through MKMF; Sit with PEMA AIDS/HIV widows/ladies during group therapy
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Spend the day with PEMA ladies for sewing/quilting/jewelry making

Friday, February 5, 2010
Visit Proposed PEMA Counseling Center site and possible home visits of PEMA families; Attend MKMF Thanksgiving service for Kaaga Primary School; Grace UMC Team joins us in Meru
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Work with MKMF, OK Team and Grace UMC team at Medical Camp; Attend ceremony of PEMA children receiving school uniforms
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Attend Kaaga Methodist Church service

Monday, February 8, 2010
Tour of Kenya Methodist University and visit with Luhahi’s; Samburu Park in evening

Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Samburu National Park, sunrise and sunset safaris

Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Samburu National Park sunrise safari; Nairobi in evening
Thursday, February 11, 2010
City tour and shopping in Nairobi; Visit with Jirani Children’s Choir; Overnight flight to London
Friday, February 12, 2010
London to Chicago flight

Your representatives at work in Kenya . . .

2010-01-25T11:11:00.000-08:00

5 Seeds of Grace Representatives

Julie Utter
Annette Swanson
Lee Mulder
Mark Thurow
Shannon Tilley

Working with 6 Grace UMC Representatives

Dale Scholtens
Emily Davis
Gennet Bissate
Bob Elazan
MaryLou Miller
Jan Cosgrove

Grace United Methodist Church Mission Team Schedule

2010-01-25T11:06:00.000-08:00

1/28 Depart Chicago to Europe

1/29 Arrive Nairobi late evening, overnight at

Methodist Guest House

1/30 Drive to Meru-Seeds of Grace, Maua-Grace UMC

1/31 Swahili Church Service

2/1-5 Seeds of Grace-Work with MKMF and PEMA

Grace UMC-Work at Maua Methodist Hospital

2/5 Transfer to Bio-Intensive Farm

2/6 Work with MKMF at Free Medical Clinic

2/7 Church in Meru

2/8 Tour KEMU, leave for safari

2/9 Safari

2/10 A.M Safari, P.M. Methodist Guest House in Nairobi

2/11 Tour and shop in Nairobi, visit Jirani Children’s Choir, overnight flight to Europe

2/12 Europe to Chicago