Finally another blog! :)

Hello all!

I am so sorry it has taken so long for me to post anything. It seems like since our team left Tanzania, I have had such a big flood of thoughts and emotions, I have had trouble coming up with something to write. But, I will start with our last day in Tarime.

We all decided that we wanted our last day to be at Gamasara with the kids, because this is a place they love so much, and we wanted to share it with them one more time. We wanted the day to be a fun day with the kids, and not an entire day of sadness saying goodbye the entire time. Because it was our last day, the entire staff came out there with us, which was so much fun! (they normally don’t come) The kids did a small program for us in the morning, where there was a lot of crying coming from everyone, including the staff. From there we went outside, and had lunch, which was a blast! We had asked the staff what a good treat would be for the kids for lunch, and he told us bread and jam. So we stocked up on bread, butter and jam for the day. It was so much fun to see how excited and happy they were to have something that we consider “normal” back in the United States. I don’t think there was ever a point that there was not a long line of kids. As we emptied the cans of jam, the kids would take them and lick the rest out of it, I think some of them had like 8 pieces of bread with jam! I don’t think I have ever seen kids so happy about food, and it was a blessing to be there to see it.

After that, the girls planned out a field day for the kids, and so we did some fun games. We did tug of war, three legged race, and sack races. The tug of war was hilarious; the kids were so into it! At one point I tried to help the team that kept losing by tying the end of the rope around me so I could just run in the opposite direction. It was funny to see the kids laugh about this, and yet tell me that I couldn’t do it, because it was cheating. After that, we did the staff against all of the kids, and that was so much fun! Even Bebe Leah (the grandma, who takes care of the kids at night) joined in! She even did the three legged race, which was hilarious! It was the perfect plan for the day, because it was so much fun, and kept all of our minds off of the fact that it was our last one with them for a while. Normally, when we would go out to Gamasara, we would ride out there and back with the kids, but this time we decided it would be better to not ride back with them. We didn’t want to have a long and drawn out goodbye, so we loaded all of them up into the truck, and then said goodbye as they were driving off. Although it was hard, it was truly a blessing to be able to say goodbye in that way.

I don’t feel as if I truly captured any of my emotions in this blog, but I wanted to give you all a glimpse of our last day with the kids. I miss them all so much, and things don’t seem the same without them around. It was really hard on me to say goodbye to them, because the reality is, that I have no idea when I will be back to see them. Yet, I know God had me here for this amount of time for a specific reason. I know that when it is time to say goodbye, it is because God is calling me to a new place and new adventure in my life. So even though it may be hard, I know God is good, and that He is in control.

I hope to post a blog about Nairobi soon, since we have been here for a bit, but I will hold off a day or two so you can enjoy this one first. But, I do have one prayer request. Please be praying for my transition here in Nairobi. Although we only have 6 days left before flying home, it has been hard for me to be here, because my heart is still back with the kids. So pray that God will give me the strength to press on, so that I may give my best towards the students here and the time I have left with them.

In Christ with love,

Jordan

Back in Kenya

Hello all,

Since I haven't posted in a little while, I just wanted to write real quick to let everyone know that all is okay. We left Tarime early Sunday morning, and are now back in Kenya. We have taken a few days in Mombasa to relax before heading to Nairobi to begin teaching there! It was hard to say goodbye to all of the kids, but I know God is still right there with them all, taking care of them. I hope to post something in the next couple of days that is a little longer, about our last day with the kids. Thank you again for your thoughts and prayers!

In Christ with love,

Jordan

Education…the way out of poverty

As we have been here there has been one main thing that has constantly been pushed and encouraged towards these kids; their education. With all of the poverty here in Tanzania, the only real way to get out of it is through education. I am so grateful that God has given these kids the opportunity to receive an education, which is very difficult to get here in Tanzania. One of the girls on our team even made the comment, that if she had to go through all they have to just to go to school, she would have dropped out way before the point they are even at. Despite the fact that their school fees are covered, there are still many obstacles that keep them from getting the most out of their education.

Today was their first day back to school after being on break for about a month. So yesterday we gave all of the kids their shoes (a pair of school shoes, and a pair of athletic shoes). It was a huge blessing to be able to give the kids these shoes they desperately needed. So thank you, to anyone who took part in the “step into each other’s shoes” project. These kids were so happy to receive the shoes you so generously donated, and I wish you could have been here to see it! I have posted a few pictures below for you to see!

Yesterday, we also took the secondary students shopping for much needed school supplies. We purchased two sets of textbooks (which they did not even have before), one for the girls to share and one for the boys to share. We also were able to purchase them notebooks, writing utensils, backpacks, rulers, mathematical sets, and a few other things. We are hoping to talk with them a little more this week, and figure out what else they need so we can get it for them before we leave. But again, THANK YOU on behalf of all of the kids. If it weren’t for your generous support, it would not have been possible for us to provide any of these supplies for them. Through your help and support, these kids will have fewer obstacles keeping them from their education, and be better prepared for school. I don’t think I can say thank you enough for providing these kids with the opportunity to get the education they deserve.

Last week, we had a bible study with the boys and one verse that was shared with them was Jeremiah 29:11. It says, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." We shared with them that they will go through hard times that will test their faith. Yet, God does not want to harm them, and will be right there with them through it all. That even when things become really hard, they must continue to put their hope and trust in the Lord. When they give full control over to Him, He will give them hope for something better, and will give them a future. We shared with them, that He is already watching over them, taking care of them. He is the reason that they are going to school, and getting the education they need. He is providing the people and funds necessary for them to have a better future, a better life.

My prayer for them, is that each one of these kids, no matter where they are or what they are doing will grow up to become amazing men and women devoted to God, willing and able to go wherever He calls them. That God will continue to be with each one of them, guiding them, and bringing others to Himself through their lives.

In Christ with love,

Jordan

Glimpse of the goodbye to come

Monday was the last day here for one of the VIM missionaries who has been here since January. Yesterday, many of the kids were sad because of the fact that she had left and they don’t know when they will see her again. They were sitting around very sad, singing about her leaving, etc. As I was there, I brought coloring books, and came up with some other activities to try to keep their minds off of this. By the afternoon, the majority of them were back to normal playing and having fun. As it became time for me to head home, I began to say goodbye to the kids for the night. There is one kid in particular named Sammy who is always the first to greet me with a huge hug, and the first, and last to say goodbye each night giving me multiple hugs, not wanting me to go. He is almost always hanging on me, or wanting to be around me, and quickly became one of my favorites.

But, last night as I said goodbye to Sammy, I believe he thought I was leaving for good just as the other person was. So as I gave him a hug and said goodbye he retreated back, his eyes filled up with tears, and he gave me a look like I can’t really explain. I had to say “Kesho” (tomorrow) many times before he realized that I would be back tomorrow to see him. He quickly changed and was smiling again, but something inside of me hurt when I saw him react that way. When our team heads to Nairobi in just under 2 weeks, it is going to be a lot harder for me to say goodbye than I imagined (especially to him). I have fallen in love with each and every one of these kids, and it will be very hard to say goodbye to them. Yet, I still have just under 2 weeks to be with them, and for that, I am thankful to God. I hope that I might make the most of my time left here, and that it may be honoring to God.

In Christ with love,

Jordan

A few more pictures!

Hello All!


Sorry it has been a little while since I have posted anything! We didn't have power for a little while, but we finally have it again. The last few days have been quite hard for me, as I have been really sick, but I am feeling much better today! Because I was sick, I stayed behind, while the rest of the team is currently in a small village called Bukoba, near Lake Victoria for a few days. I am sad I didn’t get to take part in this with them, but I know God will use me here with the kids while they are gone. Since I am finally feeling better today, I am excited to get to go be with the kids again!


Anyways, since I have been sick, I don’t really have a lot of thoughts for you all right now, so this blog should be short and sweet. I hope to post another blog soon though! I just wanted to let you know all is well, and share with you a few more pictures, and also a short video of the kids in church. I hope you enjoy them!


In Christ with love,


Jordan



The first girls to get their school shoes! These three girls go to boarding school, so they start earlier than everyone else, so we gave them their shoes early. they were so excited to receive them! Thank you to everyone who donated shoes for this project, I cannot wait to give the rest of the kids their shoes as they head off to school!

The road and beautiful sunset we get to walk home to each evening as we leave the orphanage.

Church here is an amazing experience, especially with the kids. The way they praise God is so amazing, it is hard to explain. I hope you enjoy this video although it is only a tiny glimpse of the entire service. I hope to blog a little more about church, possibly after next Sunday!