How do we begin to process all that we have seen and experienced in the last two week? That's what we wrestled with tonight in a debrief session. The more we shared, the more there was to share. As we took turns talking, our experiences, lessons learned, highlights and struggles peeled back like layers of an onion. As each was removed there was another to take its place.
Such is the way of successful short-term efforts. We will continue to unfold our thoughts and ideas for weeks and months to come- sometimes privately, sometimes together, and sometimes with those (like some of you!) that we know and love. Be patient with us, bear with us, listen to us and learn with us.
Immediate highlights of our time included:
- visiting the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam and sensing again the ability within people to do great good or great evil, depending upon choices made;
- spending time in the slums of Nairobi and seeing how God is working through courageous men and women making a world of difference there;
- viewing God's creation up close at Nakuru- and almost too close with an unamused rhino and a bad vehicle battery connection;
- seeing the faces of those helped by the dental clinic;
- laughing with each other;
- watching Stanley imitate Pam's laugh, and then everyone imitate Stanley's laugh;
- dip baths from a bucket each morning in Masii;
- loud street parties until late in the evenings;
- lots and lots (and lots!) of children;
- Paul (Tumaini's country director) always on his phone;
- church service in Yoani, with its great singing;
- God coming through in so many ways we could not have thought of.
You'll hear more about our processing thoughts in the days and weeks ahead...stay tuned!
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