Things We’ve Learned Since We Left

1) Airports are boring! 2) If you think you might possibly need it at all… pack it in your carry on! 3) Mitatus are not off-road vehicles and all of Kenya is off-road. 4) A 3 hour airport delay doesn’t seem like 3 hours, if you sleep through it. 5) Three hours of sleep before your first day of VBS with 300 kids in a foreign country, without time to prepare like you had planned is... insert adjective here. 6) We’ve got it so good! 7) When you’re with the beautiful children in Kenya, two hands are not enough! 8) When ordering lettered beads for necklaces, buy extra vowels! 9) Our garbage cans would be considered treasure chests to some. 10) Everyone should sing with the energy Kenyan children do

We’re here! We’ve been quite busy and we haven’t had phone or internet access, so we haven’t been able to communicate like we had hoped, but we are alive and doing very well. The trip over had its moments… some turbulent weather, a 3-hour delay sitting on the runway in London, a lost suitcase with all Daryl’s personal items, and not arriving at Karina Guest House until 1 AM when we had hoped to be in by 9:30, just to name a few. All that made getting up the next morning at 7:00 next to impossible. But by the grace of God, we were able to start and complete a wonderful day of VBS at the Kariobangi Baptist Youth Center

The ride to the Youth Center was an experience in and of itself. It was one of the most impacting experiences of my life. I saw insane poverty, like I’ve never thought possible, yet at the same time, I saw beautiful, innocent children with smiles that brightened up the dark slums of Korogocho in a miraculous way. Seeing their need brought a flood of reactions:
- understanding that all the pictures we had seen in preparation doesn’t do the Korogocho slums justice
- having a desire to jump out of our van and hug ever child we passed
- being disgusted by the simple convenience items in my bookbag, that now seemed so extravagant
- feeling totally powerless when faced with such grave & massive need

While all of these reactions weren’t desireable, they were positive. For example, one good thing that came from my feelings of inadequacy is that it reminded me that I truly AM inadequate. Paul Coogle, or any other member of this team, can make no difference in the lives of the Kenyans. Christ can. That is why the Gospel must be the center of my life & mission. It is the cure… He is the cure, not me! And that is exactly why we’re thousands of miles away from home for these two weeks. We are here to love the “least of these” in the name of Jesus.

As for the VBS… you’ll just have to wait until tomorrow. We’ve covered enough for tonight and are in danger of being trapped out of our room when the guard dogs are released, if we don’t leave now! Pictures will have to wait, too... sorry. Please continue to pray for us. Pray for Leah as she hasn’t been feeling 100% (she wants you to know she's ok, Rod), pray for energy as sleep has been scarce, pray for Daryl’s suitcase to arrive tomorrow, and pray that God give us clarity and focus as we seek to follow His will at the VBS tomorrow.

Asante Sana (thank you very much)! Kwaheri (good bye)!

- Paul Coogle