Masai Mara Visit

Coming to the Masai Mara is like having a gift from God. We have worked very hard for many days and God has allowed us to receive the beauty of His creation. The animals were simply majestic. How wonderful that we just rode around and took pictures of them. They did not even mind - except one elephant, he raised his trunk and shouted at us. Thank goodness he did not charge at us.
Buy this time, we are simply wanting to see our families back home and anxious to get on with the journey home.
I am thankful to our Father in heaven who gave us a safe journey home.....AMEN!
Love, Betsy (part time missionary)

Kisumu Pictures

On Friday, we journeyed to Kisumu. After checking in at our hotel, I can't explain how I felt. It was as if I were coming home for a visit. I love the women of Kisumu!
That afternoon, we made stops at 4 different churches, ones that we have not been to in my last three stops. People received us very happily and tried to serve us cookies and sodas at every church!
Saturday, we attended the funeral of Pastor Hesborne's brother. We were very glad to know he accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior on January 21st before he passed on February 6th.
Since we had some free time that day, we visited the equator and the Zingira Community Craft store. There we were able to purchase some souvenirs being made right there. They actually recycle trash to make these crafts. They put to work orphans and widows and the homeless to make these crafts.
On Sunday, we had an all day teaching and preaching day. We taught the ladies first while the men were teaching the men. Pastor Steve brought the message, then we had Chai (tea). Then we continued to teach and had a late lunch with them.
Monday we had our teaching schedule again. It was heartwarming at how eager the ladies were to learn more about our Lord and Savior. Our men felt the same response from the men they were teaching.
It was wonderful to see all my friends and establish new ones. Vivian and Betsy are doing great except when she sees me, she cries. There are a couple of pictures of her in this segment.
Domnic's wife Lillian had another little girl a few days before we arrived and they are fine as well.
My beloved sister, Millicent is planning a trip to the USA this year (providing all funds can be raised). Her team is going to California and I am not sure if they will be able to stop here. She thinks that her friends will drive her here, but I explained that is not possible.
Hesborne and Sally are doing well, but Sally looked tired. I am sure it was from all the work with the funeral the days before.
It was very sad leaving, but we said our goodbyes until the next time.

Our Visit with the Legacy School

While our pastors were conducting a training session for the Maasai Tribe pastors, JoAnne, Chris, Jason, Daniel and myself taught at Legacy School. This was an amazing day! They allowed us to witness their CRE(Christian Regilious Education) training and we were simply blown away with the knowledge these children have of the Bible. They went from Genesis to Revelation and explained everything very well and they did demos. One demo they asked JoAnne, Chris and myself to be involved in. It was when Jesus was washing the feet of the disciples and afterwards had the Last Supper. Very emotional time!
Margaret, the headmaster is doing a great work in this school including housing children who have been abandoned. One girl was left by her father, who had 8 wives and no longer liked the girls mother (who was one of his wives)! Needless to say, this child stole our hearts. She was so pleasant and had a very kind heart. JoAnne ended the day doing a toothbrushing lesson and singing. Then they entertained us with tea!

Our Visit With the Maasai Tribe

The first and second day of our journey we ministered to the Maasai Tribe outside of Narok. This was all new to me as I have not had the opportunity to visit them before. Actually, this is all quite new to our entire team. These people are very lovely but even more poorer than the other people we have seen in the past. Notice the land is dry and there is no green thing around. I understand why they are called nomads (they move around) because of the drought conditions. Pastors in this area have difficulty keeping a steady amount of people coming due to them moving around.
JoAnne and I spoke to the ladies and she sang for them. They were very receptive and anxious to hear God's Word. After closing with Psalm 150, the ladies decided to take the Word literally and began to praise God while dancing and singing. It was very emotional for both JoAnne and I.
Upon leaving, I found 1 bag of tootsie rolls, but Walt was afraid I would not have enough for all the children. We prayed over the bag and I was 3 short, which JoAnne had 3 in her pack and all children had a treat!

"Flexibility".. a Note from Ms. Betsy

Monday night,
Flexibility is what you learn on a mission trip. On Saturday, we attended Pastor Hesborne’s brother's funeral. We went at about 12:45 and left about 2:30. What impressed me most was there was about 300 people who were there. Keep in mind this funeral lasted all day! They are really devoted to each other. The day was very hot about 95 or better and all were dressed in Sunday clothes. They had put up 3 tents and rented chairs. That’s enough about that…

Earlier in the day on Saturday, we took a ride to the equator and took some snaps (Kenya word for photos)!
We also visited a workshop that employees the homeless and orphans and teaches them talents they never knew they had. The amazing thing is they use recycled trash to make these things. We all purchase a few souvenirs there.
Sunday was a big day. We decided to teach and preach all in the same day since we missed our teaching day on Saturday. So JoAnne taught in the morning and Pastor Steve preached the Sunday sermon and then we had tea and then I taught in the afternoon along with Chris and Jason. It was an awesome day but also very hot, high 90’s. We had more women than any time I have visited here. It was a busy day. Our messages from God were well received and even though we were tired, it was a good tired. I believe we all retired early last evening. I missed dinner because I ordered my fish fried and they brought it to me whole – tail and head with eyes and all! I asked them to cut the head off and they did, but I still was not hungry after that! Seriously most of the food we have had is very good. I have not gone hungry for sure!

Today was a sad day as I had to tell all my friends goodbye. Little Betsy is healthy and looking beautiful. She still is afraid of me and screams when I look at her. Millicent, Vivian, Pastor Hesborne, Sally, Pastor Dominic, Pastor Patrick, Pastor David and all are doing very well.
Our lessons today were received very well and I could feel the presence of God as we spoke. I taught on the Full Armor of God from Eph. 6. It was amazing! JoAnne taught on Psalm 23 and they really enjoyed that as well.
Tomorrow we will be travelling again to the Masa Mara and will do a little site seeing of the wonderful animals of Africa.
We will be leaving Thursday. Please continue to pray for our safety. God has been so good to us to keep us well and safe. Amen!
Love, Betsy

Note from Ms. Betsy in Kisumu

Today’s update.
Arrived safely in Kisumu today about 12:30. Really hot here and higher humidity. Glad to be on our next phase of our mission trip, however, our hearts are still back at the Legacy School and the Maasia Tribe. What an awesome experience. We have some wonderful pictures and videos. I really want you to see JoAnne dancing with the Maasia women, in fact, we both were praising God. Her last talk, she mentioned that she just wanted to read Psalm 150 about praising God and that was all it took!
These women were so gracious and even invited us into their huts – which by the way, were built by the women. I wondered why the huts were flat on top and so short. I actually had to bend down to enter the hut as short as I am. As I am writing this, I have tears in my eyes at the abuse the women of third world countries endure, it breaks my heart. We can only pray that by receiving Jesus as their Savior that the men will realize that God is not happy with abuse.
Today, after unloading our tubs and luggage in our rooms, we left and took Pastor Patrick, Pastor Hesborne and Pastor Domnic and visited 4 churches. Much to our surprise, they all wanted to serve us sodas and cookies. After the last church, Walt begged off the sodas and cookies. We were about to pop! Since JoAnne and I are the only females, we needed to visit the Cho. JoAnne is doing very well on that subject and I am sure will have lots to tell.
Tomorrow as I had suspected, we will be attending an African funeral. It starts at 10:00 and goes on till dark. We will probably be there at 1:00 and stay as long as we can.
We are all healthy and feeling great!
It was amazing how many people recognized me today!
It is amazing to watch JoAnne, Chris and Jason, who have never been here before.
PS…..God answered our prayers for Nick, he received his luggage today! AMEN.
Love, Betsy

Masai People - Pastor and Legacy Schools

I was so thrilled to personally hear from Ms. Betsy today. You could hear the joy and excitement in her voice as she was telling me about all the Lord was doing through them.

She updated me on their luggage. She and Pastor Steve received their luggage, but Nick was still without his. Pray that he will receive his luggage soon.

Pastor Steve taught twenty-five pastors at the Pastor's School and the rest of team attended the Legacy School. At the Legacy School they went through the entire Bible from Genesis to Revelation. I believe this is a way to teach the Bible and share the gospel to people who have never heard of Jesus.

Ms. Betsy and JoAnne were able to spend time with about seventy-five of the Masai women. The women blessed them each with a necklace and a shawl. It was so sweet. It truly amazes me how people who have nothing (literally)... still give. How humbling and challenging for us.

They are leaving for Kisumu at 8am tomorrow morning. They are hoping to have Internet access and post some pictures when they arrive at Kisumu.. so check back here for updates.

Remember to pray for each of the team members and for the people they will come in contact with.

{posted by Nicole}

Luggage Update

Betsy spoke with her husband and it turns out that three of the team members did not receive their luggage. (sorry, you are getting updates third hand (first person... Helen... me), so please forgive me).

They are doing work in Narok today.

Please be praying that the luggage will arrive quickly and the people will be open to the Gospel.

{posted by Nicole}

In Kenya

Tina spoke with Chris yesterday and he said that they made it safely to Kenya with all their luggage. (That is a huge praise because luggage has been lost or delayed on past trips.)

He said that they are exhausted from all the traveling.

Be praying for them today as they start to minister to the people of Kenya.

{posted by Nicole}

Itinerary and Pictures from September 2008

Our Kenya Team will be leaving on Sunday 2/8/09 and returning 2/20/09.
Team from Hocutt Memorial includes: Pastor Steve, JoAnne, Daniel Roy, Pastor Nick Colton, Jason Bagwell, Chris Riley, Betsy Vaughan and from Bay Leaf Baptist, Walter Haskins.
We will be doing evangelism in Narok on the 10th and 11th. This is an area that we were first allowed in just this past September. We will be witnessing to the Maasai Tribe pictured in some of these pictures.
On the 12th, the men will do a Pastors conference and JoAnne and I will teach at the Legacy School along with Daniel.
The 13th we travel to Kisumu and visit local church projects.
The 14th we do the Pastor's School and Women's Conference.
On Sunday the 15th, we worship in the local churches.
Then on Monday the 16th, we continue with the conferences.
We travel to the Masai Mara on Tuesday.
Then, we travel to Nairobi on the 18th
We leave Nairobi for the USA late Thursday night.
While we are there, I will have limited computer time and will try to update this website as often as possible.

Prayer Request:
Hearts will be ready to receive Jesus!
Travel time will be tolerated.
Our families will be kept safe while we are away.
We will be strong and alert to our surroundings both physically and spiritually.
All finances will be provided for.

Your sister in Christ and part-time missionary,
Betsy