Stop! You are reading the end of my post. Please scroll to the bottom to start at the beginning! :o)

Here are some useful links:

• Harvesters International Missions
• Rescue the Pokot video
• A visit to meet the Pokots in Kenya
  
• Havesters' projects

My trip to Kenya this summer to minister to the Pokot children at Kodich orphanage was a life-changing experience for me. That doesn’t mean that I am going to sell everything I have and move to Africa and become a missionary – but then again, you never know! :o) I just always want to leave the door open for the Lord to use me any way He wants.

When I left I really had no idea about what to expect or what the Lord would teach me while I was there. In fact, I'm still trying to grasp all that I have learned.

I have a different perspective on life. I definitely appreciate more what we have here in this country. Until one has personally experienced a third world country and has seen what life is like there, one does not truly know how blessed he or she is to be born in America – despite all of its faults.

I was so amazed by the spirit of the Pokots - children and adults alike. Everyone was so friendly, cheerful, helpful, and selfless. I watched as those kids, many of them owning nothing but the clothes they were wearing, sang songs of praise to the Lord. It was so moving to see and hear their beautiful worship. Their faith in Jesus seemed so much more pure or real than ours here in the America. We – no, I should personalize this – I get caught up in this culture's materialism and I get so concerned with my own problems that many times I lose focus of ”the big picture.” By “the big picture” I mean those really big questions: Why am I here? Why did God allow me to be born in this particular country at this particular time in history? How does God want to use me? Am I storing up my treasures here on earth or in eternity?

I want to invest my time, talents, and finances in eternity. What else really matters? Does it really matter if Ethan puts a dent my car? Does it really matter which I get next: a new cordless drill or a new miter saw? Does it matter that I’m nearly 37 and still don’t have a successful career like most of my friends? This culture and my human nature shout, “Yes!” But in light of eternity, none of that is important. To the Pokots, none of that is important either. When I was in Kenya, none of that was important. After I am dead, none of that will have been important. The only thing that is important is what I do to contribute to the Kingdom of God – to make an eternal difference in the lives of people. Boy, I hope all this doesn’t sound to preachy or sound like I have it all figured out now. I’m just learning and growing. I know what I need to do; now it is just a matter of doing it. I think it is very difficult in this culture to deny myself the things that are expected of me, to not participate in “the Rat Race.” You know, keeping up with the Joneses.

I do know that I want to be more involved in missions work. There are so many deserving organizations out there, but I know that just about 100% of the support sent to Harvesters International goes directly to the Pokot ministry in Kenya or the ministry they have in India. I would like to help Harvesters physically, but I think what they really need is financial support (since they have nationals – most of them Pokots – in the field doing the real work). Please visit their website at www.him-usa.org for more information and to download a catalog that tells about their current needs and giving opportunities. They have photos, music, and even audio interviews with Ed Hirshman, the director, and Julius Murgor, who started Pokot Outreach Ministries in Kenya.

Thank you again for your support enabling me to have this wonderful experience. I want you to know that you I could not have gone without your help and I deeply appreciate it! I would love to go back again, Lord willing. Would anyone like to come with me next year? :o) I'm serious!

Abraham is in the front-right, Patrick is in the grey suit, Jimmy is in the windbreaker. I can't tell you how much I miss all the staff and all the children. We got really close during our week with them even though we couldn't communicate as well as we would have liked.  

These Maasai were seen in their traditional red garb as we exited the park. As soon as I snapped this picture from the seat of our moving vehicle, they started yelling at me. I found out that they are accustomed to getting paid for their pictures.

The many zebras we saw had such stunning contrast. 

There were also many wildebeasts. Aren't these silly-looking animals? 

This is a Thompson's gazelle. There were many of these. 

Another lion shot. This mother was so affectionate toward her cub. 

They crossed the road and passed in front of, between, and behind our vehicles so we got some great views! 

We saw two separate herds of elephants.

This male was truly the king of the jungle. He was impressive.

We saw many lions. This one was right on the side of the path. 

Here we are on our safari. We rode in a van like this one. Yes, we all wanted to be in the Land Cruisers!

This lion was about 20 feet away and gave us a little snarl. 

We saw some incredible animals on our safari! 

The last night of our trip to Kenya was spent at the Sarova Mara Camp in the Maasai Mara game park.  

On the way out of the valley it had rained and we got stuck. No problem - the Land Cruiser pulled us right out. 

Back in the van again, we headed back to Eldoret to spend the night before heading to the game park. 

The last day was very difficult to leave our new friends, wondering if we will ever see them again. They would ask us if we would come back next year and all I could say is that I would like to but couldn't promise.

Here we are on our last evening together. We shared dinner with our drivers, cook, and orphanage staff. We had chicken, Ugali (made of maize flour, tastes like Cream of Wheat in a cornbread consistency), Maandazi (think donut without sugar), and Chapati (like a thick, unsweetened crepe).

In these pictures you may notice that this little girl in the blue dress with a white collar is wearing the same dress in all the pictures. This is the only thing I saw her in during the whole week we were there.

They already played some combination of dodgeball and keep away. Interestingly, just the girls played this. Here I am teaching them team dodgeball.

Ron was holding a video camera with the screen flipped forward so the kids could see themselves live on the monitor. They went nuts over this!

Posing for more pictures. 

This is my friend Samwel. 

They really had a fun time playing baseball.

We taught them how to play baseball.