WOW! What a week we have had. I would liked to have had internet, but we were in bush country! On Monday, we drove to Ololasalie and after checking in at our cabins, we drove another two hours. After the adventure of getting stuck in the mud and being pulled out, we were greeted by 250 Masai! They were singing and dancing and so happy to see the Muzunga. What an amazing sight to see all those happy faces just waiting to hear God's Word. We were barely able to share the Word of God, a storm came up and we had to leave. A young child there had a seizure and Peggy ministered to her. The people were so moved that we drove so far to see them. When we looked around, we saw no houses. Where did all these people come from? Before leaving, they showered us with gifts of their beautiful jewelry. On Tuesday, we had 84 women and about 40 men. Pastor Steve preached and Pastor Ron preached, each delivering a powerful message. JoAnne, Mimi, Peggy and I taught the women under the trees. Then they fed us lunch at 4:00PM! Goat stew, just got to get that recipe. The potatoes and carrots were great! Pray for this area, as they are dealing with an outbreak of Cholera. Two children and their mother died on Monday and the rest of the family is in the hospital.

Yesterday, we went out evangelizing in the area of Pastor Peter's Masai home. We met one of his step-mothers and had chai with her. Wayne was such a trooper and drank as much of the chai as he could. They kept putting sugar in his cup. We went by a school that would just make you want to cry! These children (17 of them) are just under a tree and a young Masai boy is teaching them. Most Masai cannot read because schools are so far away and no school buses. JoAnne shared Jesus with them and they were so attentive. We went on down the road and taught some more. Our men took the men under the trees and shared with them and us ladies taught the women. Then on to still another stop at a church that had been flooded and almost washed away. It was so hot, but even so, more than 100 ladies showed up to hear us. Peggy shared her testimony and they were so glad to know that all Americans are not perfect! Isn't that amazing, they think we are perfect! Mimi shared stories about women in the Bible and I shared the virtuous woman from Proverbs 31. Three ladies said they could read but did not have a Bible. They are not allowed to touch their husband's Bible (if he has one). Thank the Lord that we had three Bibles (in Masai language) to hand out. Today, we are winding down and I am so happy to be coming home. It has been a wonderful trip and we have all fallen in love with the Masai women, but I am missing Joe and am ready to come home.

We are all very weary, but it is a good weary. Many people prayed to receive Christ and for this we are thankful to God. Pray for these people, can you imagine that your first prayer to God every day when you awake is 'Thank You God for protecting me from harm during the night'? Of course that should be our prayer and maybe for some of you, it is, but for most of us, we take that for granted.

This connection is so slow, so I have only updated one picture. I will add more later. Please excuse my grammar as I am very tired.

Your sister in Christ,

Betsy

These children gave their lives to Christ today!

A Maasai woman and her daughter who goes to Legacy School

Legacy School in Narok, Kenya

Update for February 21st

Dear Prayer Warriors,
I just wanted to give a quick update for today as we are not sure if we will have Internet in Olokasari tomorrow. Today was a very good day! Wayne and I delivered the message at Pastor Hesborne's church. I taught the little children Sunday School and Wayne brought a wonderful message from God about His love. Several people came down the aisle for rededication. I had the opportunity to sit with Vivian (little Betsy's mother). I am afraid Betsy is still afraid of me! Vivian is still very sad at the loss of her baby daughter, Dawn. Continue to pray for this family.
Pastor Steve and JoAnne went to another church and JoAnne blessed them with her singing and Pastor Steve delivered a wonderful message from God.
The rest of the team went to Pastor Patrick's church and taught and sang with the people there. Three adults and six children were saved at Ranjera Baptist Church...Praise God.
This afternoon, we travel by plane to Nairobi and then tomorrow we travel by van to Olokasari. Pray for safe travel for us. Pray for the hearts of the Masai to be softened to hear God's Word. Also pray that the 300-500 women will show up that they are expecting....Amen.
Your sister in Christ, Betsy
PS....Pastor Steve wanted you to know the temperature is still 95!

Update Saturday Feb. 20th

Well folks, so sorry we have not had very good luck with internet service, but glad we finally got on thru the hotel computer! We are all doing 'very fine' (a Kenya saying), but true. No one is sick and our travel has been safe. Our first stop was at Legacy School and the children were wonderful! 47 children prayed to receive Christ! We were all so excited. JoAnne shared the 'True Love Waits' program with the older girls (not what she was expecting, but what God had planned). I learned some things myself! Wayne and Pastor Steve shared with the older boys. Mimi and Peggy had the young children. It was wonderful being with them and listening to their songs.
Next on to Kisumu and actually helped start a new church! Emani Baptist Church (which is a preaching point at this time). We all went out evangelizing from home to home and 45 people prayed to receive Christ in the neighborhood. Then Pastor Steve preached to the people who came 'under the tree' and three more men prayed to receive Christ.
Then on Friday we saw the first Kisumu Pastor's School graduation where 15 pastors graduated. It was a fine event, really fine! The graduates have worked very hard and lots of people were there, including their bishop from the association. They were given much encouragement to continue to study their Bibles and lead people to Christ.
The Women's Conference was today and I was able to teach my lesson that God gave me last year. We all had a wonderful time teaching and even had 40 children to teach as well. God is truly expanding our limits! It was a great day today and 20 more children prayed to receive Christ.
I will let Pastor Steve give you a word....your sister in Christ, Betsy

Hello everyone! Pastor Steve here. We are doing fine and having a great week. Wayne and I led the Men's conference today. Wayne taught Baptist Doctrine and I taught the Gospel of John to two different groups of men. I was asked some very good questions from our study. These men are eager to learn and know God's Word. One of the more humbling questions was "why is gay marriage allowed in America?" The Kenyans know it is wrong and wanted to know about America's attitude about it. I asked them to pray for us and our country.
Tomorrow we will split up into three teams and lead worship in three different churches. Pray for us as we preach and teach in these churches. We fly back to Nairobi tomorrow night and begin our first ever conference to the Masai people about one and one-half hours south of Nairobi on Monday. Please continue to pray for our meetings this week as we minister.
P.S. The temperature here in Kisumu is 95 degrees!
God bless you dear church.

Kisumu

We wanted to let you know that we have not heard from the team today. According to their itinerary, they are traveling to Kisumu. They will be working at the Pastor's School. We will update this to let you know how they are doing as soon as we hear from the team.

Here is a picture from the pastor's school. Keep these pastors in your prayers as they are being equipped to bring the gospel to their people.

Team arrived in Nairobi

The team arrived safely in Nairobi last night. They are traveling to Narok. Please be praying for travel safety. They will be working in Narok at the Legacy School. Be in prayer as they work with the students there.

Here is a picture from last year at the Legacy School..

Kenya 2010

Please be in prayer for the Kenya team as they leave on Sunday, February 14th.

Please check back here for updates on their trip.

We will be hearing from the team and updating this blog with reports from the mission field.

Team Members:
Peggy Campbell
Wayne Harrifield
Walter Haskins (from Bayleaf Baptist)
JoAnne Roy
Steve Roy
Betsy Vaughan


Itinerary:
2/14/10 - Leave for Kenya (late PM)
2/15/10 - Arrive in Nairobi (late PM)
2/16/10 - Travel to Narok - Legacy School
2/17/10 - Narok - Legacy School
2/18/10 - Travel to Kisumu - Pastor's School or Evangelism
2/19/10 - Kisumu - Pastor's Graduation
2/20/10 - Kisumu - Pastor's School & Women's Conference
2/21/10 - Kisumu - Worship in Local Churches / Fly to Nairobi (PM)
2/22/10 - Travel to Olokisalie - Maasai Pastor's and Women's Conference
2/23/10 - Olokisalie - Maasai Pastor's and Women's Conference
2/24/10 - Olokisalie - Evenagelism in Maasailand
2/25/10 - Travel to Nairobi - Visit Museums / Parks
2/26/10 - Nairobi - Visit Museums / Shopping / Leave for US (late PM)
2/27/10 - Arrive RDU (Mid-Afternoon)