Alison's reflections

After 6 movies, 2 TV shows and 3 plane rides our team made it to Kenya. Nairobi is very busy and the traffic is insane, but the people are happy and welcoming. The Kargi team spent a few days in Nairobi seeing the city and getting adjusted. Today (3rd Dec) we had orientation with James and John from Kargi and I'm a mixture of nerves and excitement as we head off in the middle of the desert. Seeing the beautiful people offset the fact that it will be 40C. I don't do well with a lot of heat but I know God will help me and the rest of the team. It will be one big adventure with the heat, animals, food and completely different surroundings but I know there are amazing things in store for our team. Alison

Teams disperse to different contexts

Saturday morning, we all woke up at 5 am in order to see off the Kargi team. At 5.30am cooked breakfast was ready for us. I write now the Kargi team have been on the road for 9 hours and they have 5 more hours to get to their destination ie Marsabit. The journey involves buying potatoes and vegetables on the road side but this particualr trip has been delayed by the condition of the road which has led to a few flat tyres. The team are having an adventure in the process. As Anna tells me when I talked to her a few minutes ago, its a matter of 'going with the flow'. You really can't be too structured about time here because there are many unknowns. Even in Nairobi, traffic is such that a 3 km journey can take two hours! You learn to be patient and to enjoy the experience eg by speaking with other drivers and passengers. Two days ago, I will able to engage in a meaningful conversation with a driver of a 'matatu'- van on the parallel lane as we waited in the traffic for about 30 minutes.

The Nairobi team has just finished ministering in a kids camp at Liespring chapel. There were about 280 kids from the slums. We prayed games, taught them a Maori song and participated in bible lessons.
It's great to be in my home country with 15 kiwis. Its a great privilege for me to have this experience. Thank you for your support and prayers.

so far the encounter kenya trip has been an amazing experiance both culturaly and spiritualy, and it will only keep getting better from here.

the thing thats stood out for me the most is the people. because they are so full of love, joy and passion. it is realy encouraging talking with them and to see their love for god and one other shine through them.

Well we finally got to meet the kenyan team coming to kargi. Lets just say im feeling a lot better about it now. Pastor john who is our host gave us lots of info and is so passionate about the ministry in kargi. I came away excited and encouraged about what we are doing there and cant wait to meet and work with the rendille people

Finally in Kenya

We are now in Kenya and have arrived at the place were staying. It's been a long time traveling it took almost 30 hrs traveling, so its great to finally be here.

Everyone has been really friendly so far which is awesome. The traffic here is pretty bad but I haven't actually felt unsafe on the roads which is good.

I'm really happy to be here and don't feel at all uncomfortable yet.

Luke

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Kenya here we come!

Well I have finally found some time to get a blog up! And in Dubai airport no less! The Encounter Kenya team has arrived safely after a good flight from Auckland to Sydney and then a very long flight from Sydney to Dubai. Our flights were smooth although we had to have a second go at getting into Sydney! Please pray for one of our team who has not been feeling well on the flights. We are now waiting to board our final flight to Nairobi! So the final leg of the trip is almost upon us and then the real adventure begins!
 
We had a great bonding time at orientation at Laidlaw College in Auckland for 1 and a half days. It was great to see the team coming together for the first time and getting to know one another. Ideally we would have loved to have a longer time for orientation however I do feel we are already a very united team! Praise the Lord!
It was lovely to have a number of different CMS representatives join us for our commissioning service and then again great to see people farewelling us at the airport. It was amazing that we had a chance to meet the Encounter Cambodia team, who had just arrived back from their time in Cambodia and were in transit heading to Christchurch!
 
So now the team and I look towards Kenya! I am really excited about all the God is going to do in and through us over the next three weeks. I am also looking forward to meeting the Kenyan team who we will be working with, especially those who are coming up to Kargi with me and my wonderful team - Alison, Aimee, Anneliese, Krissy, Michael,Luke and Laura. Please pray for health, safety and unity within the team. Please also pray for me as I led the team - that I may be a servant leader. And finally I ask you to pray that we may know the love, peace and joy of our Lord Jesus Christ with us at all times as we serve Him together.
Asante,
Anna x

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At the airport

Were just checking in at the airport and in a massive queue to check in, should have done the check-in online as it would have saved time. So far we haven't had any dramas which is great. It's pretty crazy were about to get on a plane and fly 17000km to Nairobi but I'm looking forward to it.

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