| Mission Trip To Kenya: 1-13 October 2006 |
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By way of introduction, here is a word from James Osare, co-founder of Kisumu Orphanage.
Click here to view a photo gallery featuring photos taken during the trip. What follows are separate highlights of this years trip from Scott Carr, Julie Shimizu, Margaret Boorman and Hilary Smith. Scott Carr We left Heathrow on Sunday evening flying out to Nairobi Kenya. The flight was full and we had some problems checking in baggage. Both Julie and I felt that another time we would forget the idea of a night flight out, early Monday morning is definitely far more preferable. Arriving in Nairobi we fought morning traffic and eventually got to the Methodist Guest House around 9am. With a quick turn around I was teaching by 10.30am in Kwarangare slum. Julie however got stuck in the most monstrous traffic jam and didn’t arrive in Dandora until gone lunchtime. 
Over the next three days we covered two, two day conferences at Dandora and Kawangare and on Wednesday when Margaret and Hilary arrived we ventured out into new (for us) territory to take a conference in Kibera and Mathare – which is the largest slum in Nairobi boasting nearly 1 million souls living in a valley of filth, crime and tin housing. Yet even here the welcome was warm (lit.) and the hunger for the word of God and materials to truly disciple the church simply drew the teaching out of us. Throughout the trip I focused on discipleship and used the Freedom In Christ materials by Neil Anderson and Steve Goss. At each conference I left a training manual and photocopy-able resources for all the pastors – hoping that once I’d gone they’d have something to work on all year with their congregations.
On Thursday we flew to Kisumu and it was like coming home. We were so excited to meet James and Rose and everyone at the airport and very surprised to be met by 4 Maasai Warriors, two of whom apparently, are now the official security at the orphanage! Over the coming days both Julie and I had the wonderful privilege of sharing the gospel and bible stories with 10-12 of these amazing folk, at least one of whom gave his life to Christ (Johanne) and another already growing in God who we were able to give a bible too (Lazarus).
During the following 6 days the team stayed at the Dal Hotel (a fairly new, small but clean guest house in the centre of Kisumu) together, but each day we mostly went separate ways. My role was mainly focused on the Pastors conference at the Ofafa Hall in Kisumu. On the first day I was surprised to discover 182 attending and had to revise the numbers of notes etc. Personally I came under attack the night before starting my series with them – just a bout of sickness but God strengthened me and by the afternoon was able to open the material and prepare the ground for the main teaching time on Saturday. Whilst Julie taught the women separately, I had the male pastors, bishops and church members and we dug into the word to discover who we were “in Christ”.  On the Sunday I preached in Nashon and Monica’s church – on Psalm 107 and in the afternoon we all met up back at Bandani and played with the orphans while “tag team” preac hing to the adults that had gathered there! A frustration for me was that Hilary and Margaret had been kept from meeting the orphanage children by their programme until this afternoon. But once we were all together we had a great time playing with them. More and more it felt like being at home- being were God had prepared a place... On the Tuesday we even had a big party there – with cake and craft, volleyball and skipping! Of course there was all the photo taking in the afternoon and I came away with a catalogue of 116 photos of orphans, and another 10 or students! NB. Since returning 75 orphans are now sponsored and nearly all ten students are prayed for if not directly financially supported.
On the Thursday we spent a very special day just with James and Rose, looking through the finances and rejoicing with them that God has constantly been their provider and protector. Despite a year when they’ve had twice as many orphans as sponsors and had various attacks upon the orphanage and their character – their testimony is that Jesus is Lord and that God has provided for all their needs in Christ Jesus.
This coming year looks to be one of growth and change – since James and Rose continue to walk by faith – God is releasing new resources into the work. We were able to leave them gifts to help outreach projects, to buy further livestock and a significant amount to help finish the second stage of their building project – which will provide widow accommodation and a carpentry workshop in which they can train fledgling carpenters, whilst making a small profit for the orphanage. Through another independent donor, a two story hall and office space may well be provided early next year – it’s purpose mainly as a bible college but also useful for conferences which can now take place on site at no rental cost, and still be used as a primary school hall, office for James and Living Hope, a pharmacy helping the local community and even a church on Sunday! Once this work is completed a proper compound and campus could be developed to give added security and safety for the children. Perhaps there’s even the potential for a small UK team to take part in this development. Leaving aside reporting on how the orphanage progresses I would like to highlight one further point from the trip. On the Wednesday I was able to join the medical team and visit an area called Chiga. Here one of the older orphans arranged the medical visit to a church that he was helping to pastor! Here was a truly holistic approach – I preached the word, and offered prayer for healing. Then Hilary taught on malaria, Margaret taught on HIV and AIDS and after questions the whole team distributed medicines, mosquito nets and showed Christ’s practical love for the community. The impact of this Christ inspired and prayer powered work must not be underestimated. Going to a community linked to the orphanage that God had drawn us into partnership with, and taking the whole gospel was I believe incredibly powerful – Thank you for those reading this report that through your giving and prayer made it possible for us to go and go taking gifts and love. And thank you Lord for the privilege of calling us into such a work and experience. All glory to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Julie Shimizu The trip began well before we even left Heathrow with a Hindu girl asking me unprompted what being a Christian really meant! I just had time to give her a tract and board the plane. The Pastor’s conferences in slum areas of Nairobi went well. We landed at 7am on the Monday drove to the Methodist Guest House (getting stuck in a traffic jam on the way) changed clothes and I went off to one slum area, Dandora and Scott to another, Kawangare. On the way, the ‘bishop’ and I got stuck in the worst traffic jam in Nairobi for 15 years. The ‘bishop’ thought it better to go up side streets - so did everyone else! We were all jammed solid and no-one could move anywhere for a couple of hours. It was really hot, I couldn’t open the windows because it was dangerous, I was two hours late and we wondered what God was allowing this for. Later it proved to be the perfect illustration for my topic of being ‘in the kiln’ of trials and how we react to them! The next day Scott and I swapped venues and on the third day I, with Margaret, went to a new place, Kibera where the obvious unity of the pastors was unprecedented and the Holy Spirit moved in power. 
We travelled down to Kisumu with Margaret and Hilary and were met by the usual people plus 4 Masai warriors. They had been coming to the orphanage to learn about Jesus and it was thrilling to be involved with them and see one come to Christ.
The following day I taught at the pastors conference and then at a crusade outdoors near the orphanage in the evening when 4 people received Jesus into their hearts. 
Saturday was the Ladies conference. A few were as yet unsaved and came forward for salvation and deliverance. One woman was heavily manifesting demons and the African ladies circled her and shouted profusely at the demons to come out of her. They stood no chance with these powerful shrieking ladies and left the woman in peace!
I preached at the church at the orphanage on the Sunday morning and afternoon. On Monday I went to Siaya. I visited a small orphanage we visit each year and then this time because of Muslim uprising in the town we had a tent meeting in the bush near a school. At the end of the day hundreds of school children had also joined us outside and there was suddenly an amazing move of God’s Spirit. Everyone started singing Hallelujah, Hosanna over and over and over again for about 30 minutes - we couldn’t stop and God ‘inhabited the praises of his people’. There was such joy and wonder experienced by all. It’s a moment I will never forget. 
I spent all Tuesday morning getting the children to write letters to their sponsors and all afternoon writing down their names and the 50 others while Scott tried to photograph each one.
Wednesday was a mind-boggling day with an unexpected development of a new stage in these missions - church planting. The oldest orphan, David now 23, is trying to return to his own village an hour or so away from the orphanage (where we found Faith, Hope and Joel last year). He is trying to reclaim his parent’s land after being chased away at 12 when they died of Aids. He has a heart for the village and wants to start a church there. He asked me to come for the first ever tent meeting and Life Church was formed! On the way back, the beaten up van broke down twice and we ended up walking to another village where a Christian lady lived. She was pregnant and her husband died of Aids 4 months ago. Opposite her house was a house where one of James’ orphans had lived until her parents died. For 3 years everyone had been terrified to go in as 2 people died there. As we waited for the van to arrive, people gathered round, I taught them for a while, two got healed of ankle and leg pain and leapt about and God gave me a prophetic word about one young man becoming a worship leader. It turned out that he was a Christian whose name was Benjamin and he did like to worship. 
James said they needed now a church in that village but they had nowhere to meet. I suggested we prayed in the ‘demonised’ hut and asked Jesus to cleanse it so we could use it as a church. Everyone agreed, crammed in, we prayed and then I asked Benjamin to lead us in worship.
Freedom Church was born and we promised Benjamin a Bible. James and his team would continue to support and follow them up and I would go back next year. Thank you for all your love, support and prayer which made this mission trip possible. To God be the glory. Margaret Boorman & Hilary Smith 
Margaret Boorman and Hilary Smith joined the Lenten Community Rescue Group to participate in an HIV-AIDS and Malaria Awareness Campaign. (The Lenten Group operates under the auspices of Life Development Project headed by James Osare).
The team was led by Roy Samo and comprised a doctor, two counsellors, a nurse, two interpreters, a pastor and varying numbers of helpers/volunteers assisting with audio/visual recordings, distribution of supplies etc… Margaret and Hilary taught on HIV-AIDS and Malaria respectively. We visited 5 villages: Miwani, Got Nyabondo, Bandani (orphanage location), Manyetta and Chiga. The villagers were very welcoming, and very willing to engage in discussion. They found Margaret’s presentation on the use of condoms entertaining as well as helpful! We were able to distribute mosquito nets and basic medicines: paracetamol, brufen and linctus. In Bandani we also gave out water purifying solution.  Basic wounds were cleansed as required but no dressings were available. The clinics were rather caotic with so many pressing in to see the doctor/nurse and receive the free medications/nets. This made it difficult to pray for people specifically for healing, although we did have opportunity to do so for one lady.
It was beneficial to see first hand the plight and needs of the people in these areas. It was evident that the key requirements are: more teaching aids/materials for the team, including the modes of cross infection and aseptic techniques; access to free condoms / anti-malarial medication and especially more mosquito nets. 
At Chiga it was considered to be very positive combining the biblical teaching (Scott) and the medical teaching (Margaret and Hilary) in the same location.
We believe the team was encouraged in its work and so too were the villagers. We were certainly blessed by the people we met by their welcome, hospitality and generosity. The one cause for concern was the expectation of the team that we would return to the UK to influence the Government and provide financial support! We explained that the purpose of our visit was to encourage the team in its work and to gain a better understanding of the needs of the people to report back to LIFE Church, but we could make no guarantees concerning future financial support. They were assured of our prayers. 
We do not feel there would be a need to return to do the same work, as the team is well equipped with those able to teach in these areas. It may be beneficial to perhaps help with practical aspects in a village, eg setting up of clinic/boundary fencing at Bandani/assisting with clearing swamps…?. We will keep in contact with Roy and see how things develop over the intervening months.
We would like to thank you all for you support, encouragement and prayers. It was really much appreciated. Bless you. Margaret and Hilary. |
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© 2007 Life Community Baptist Church |