Reflection on HOREC Mission Trip by Kerry Wuthrich

We prayed that we, as ordinary vessels, could be used for extraordinary things through God, the Master Potter. I can confidently say we were all amazed and humbled by God's almighty power working in our lives. We were shown what grace, kindness, gentleness, forgiveness, compassion and hope look like. His image was reflected in the eyes of the 31 children who call the Hope for Orphans Rescue Center (HOREC) in Kenya home. Here, “love one another, as I have loved you,” (John 13:34) is not a suggestion—it is a beautiful way of life. I'm reminded of the Beatitudes, Matthew 5:3-12, and Luke 6:20-23. Especially poignant to me is, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God." These children do see God. They know, love and give thanks to God at all times, in all places and in all things. We were blessed to witness how yolking one’s self with Christ truly lightens the load.

Yes, these children and their caretakers are burdened by many things; scarcity of safe drinking water, sufficient medical care, secure educational opportunities, social stigmas, etc., but spiritually they are rich beyond measure! Bwana Asifiwe! (Praise God!) A good lesson for us North Americans—as much as our neighbors half-way around the world lack in material things, we can be spiritually deprived by allowing ourselves to be so distracted by materialism. I speak for myself when I say it is easy to complain about what I lack rather than be grateful for what I have. It is easy to become complacent, indifferent and/or feel paralyzed and helpless about such vast needs that exist in many places in this world. But, we are taught in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." None of my doubt will change a thing. None of my selfish humanity will benefit God's kingdom. I know He would rather I recognize hope and show me what I can do, rather than have me waste energy focusing on what I cannot do. I believe He wants each of us to realize, "all things are possible with God" (Matthew 19:26). The first step for me was to trust Him, to not only believe IN God, but to BELIEVE Him. To accept the wholeness of His Grace, then to be open to His will for me. I pray I can remain so. In pain, darkness and suffering, there is incredible comfort at His feet.

As we returned home, our team leader, Scott French, said to us about God, "He will place on our hearts different take aways. Some of us may be called to go back immediately, others to return years from now or to go to another place, others to tell the story, others to become missionaries, others to give mightily, others to take on the hunger challenge in our world and to serve abandoned children for our life, etc. It is all in God's hands." Yes, it is in God's hands, and WE are His hands...and feet. What might your role be in serving as the Body of Christ? Is it lifting up prayer, giving of your time or your talents? Is it reaching out through direct service to the vulnerable people of this world or financially supporting another who can go and build relationships with Christ's children and show them they are not forgotten? Are you able to network resources for their good? Is your present role to surrender your own burdens to the One who has offered His Grace to you, allowing yourself to know His peace and gaining a personal understanding of your place in His Kingdom?

I pray we can all know we are loved beyond measure, and that when we realize this, we too will extend that overflowing love to one another, our neighbors, those we know and those unfamiliar—we are all One Body with Many Parts. Tafadhali (please) explore what part is yours. God speaks to us in different ways, He relates to me through the sweet, affectionate words of Christopher Robin to his beloved Pooh Bear, "If ever there is a tomorrow when we're not together...there is something you must always remember. You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem and smarter than you think. But the most important thing is, even if we're apart...I'll always be with you." And so it is with Christ. If you feel prompted to serve directly, but like many of us, don't quite see how, find comfort knowing "God doesn't call the prepared, he prepares the called." Just like He did for many of us, if you give Him the chance, He will surprise you and work it all out. For photos and a journal of our days in Kenya kept by Joyce Genord, please visit: http://horecmission2010.blogspot.com/

May we go with Him in peace,
Kerry Wuthrich

There will be an opportunity to learn more about Global Hope at a Mission Increase dinner on Thursday, Dec. 2 at the Omni Interlocken Resort — look for more information to come!

My Favorite Song!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTG1Qsm9lmA

Opening Day Number

Check out the video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=chJR3g-vXAM

I wish I knew the words to this song!

Kwaheri HOREC

Kwaheri means "goodbye" in Kiswahili. Today, we say "kwaheri" to our friends at HOREC. It will be a sad day for all of us. I think most of us have become attached to a child or two while we have been here (and vice versa). We are encouraged to say goodbye without tears, but I am not sure it is really possible. They have already been flowing all morning.

Michael started our day with a great devotional on James 2:14-26. After this visit, I think we are all encouraged to try to serve more, do more and better show our faith through works. Last year, I was overwhelmed by what I saw and experienced that instead of rising up to the challenge, I fell into a state of inactivity and depression. This is my second chance, and I thank God for blessing me so fully to be able to come back to Kenya! Bwana Asifiwe!

Tomorrow, we will visit another orphange - Into Abba's Arms. I know it is important to see other things and experience new things, but my heart longs to spend more time at HOREC. Those 31 kids have filled my heart with such joy. I truly wish I could share this fullness and peace of heart with all of you at home who are supporting us.

Sticky Kisses

We had a free day today. We visited the elephant orphanage and the giraffe park. It was great to get up close and personal with the animals. We were even able to get some sticky kisses from the giraffes! They have such long, long tongues. Thankfully, they didn't have bad breath! We also met Jennifer for lunch at the Karen Blixon House ("I had a farm in Africa!" -- Out of Africa). Check out the video on You Tube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwyvcOIHljI

We are now stuck in Nairobi traffic in the dark. It took us nearly 3 hours to get to the baby elephants - we almost missed them (they only feed them from 11 - 12) - and now it is taking even longer to get back to the hotel. I think I would have preferred some sticky hugs from the little kids at HOREC today! After "sweets" (i.e., candy), their little hands and mouths get quite sticky! Some of the letters and pictures we are bringing back home will be a little sticky, too! (Don't worry, Paul, we also brought them toothbrushes and toothpaste!)

The bright spot is we were all able to pick up a few souvenirs to share with loved ones at home and as momentos of a wonderful trip.

It is hard to believe our time is coming to an end. Tomorrow will be our last day with the kids at HOREC. I will need a bit of a pep talk from Gerry so I don't cry all day tomorrow. I cannot even think about not seeing these little ones' faces without crying. I wish everyone could receive their love like we have this week.

Spring Valley

We went to Spring Valley on Thursday. We spent time learning more about Spring Valley and delivered food packages and prayed with some of the families there.

I remembered many of the teachers and people there from last November. Little John, the little boy with the bad foot, followed us around from school room to school room. He is doing so good and was so happy and excited while we were there. (Larry and Joe, I do you see him in the picture above? I thought you might enjoy as I know you both spent some time with him last year.)

Gerry gave the kids in STD8 (basically, our 8th grade) a pep talk. They take exams in November that are critical to determining their futures in high school.

We learned how Spring Valley got its name. Pastor Stanley told us that the Parklands Church in Spring Valley, a wealthier area of Nairobi, started the church in the Spring Valley slum area. When they built a new church, Parklands used the supplies from the old church to build the church in the Spring Valley slum area. So, the new church ended up being called "Spring Valley."

Pastor Stanley and Alice continue to do amazing work there. The testimonies we heard were so encouraging. They are trying to raise funds to build a new building that would house offices, a library, medical clinic, study hall and a dorm for high-risk girls. Older girls are often sexually abused in Kenya, even by male family members. Spring Valley recently had their first successful prosecution of sexual abuse.

It was much easier to visit Spring Valley this year. I don't know if it was because my heart was much better prepared for what I would see or if God answered my prayers and allowed me to focus on the positives this time around. The words of Richard Stearns in his book, A Hole in the Gospel, described how I felt during last year's visit to Spring Valley and I was very apprehensive to return again this year:

"I didn't want to be there. I wasn't supposed to be there, so far out of my comfort zone -- not in that place where orphaned children live by themselves in their agony. There poverty, disease and squalor had eyes and faces that stared back, and I had to see and smell and touch the pain of the poor."

But, this year I saw homes with love (not homes without furniture, light or beds, I saw children smiling and laughing, I saw children eating and learning, I saw a community working together. I thank God for helping me to see the positives this time around. It doesn't take away the need for me to help, but it helps me to not feel so helpless.

After Spring Valley, we spent a couple hours out at HOREC. Gerry and I read the younger kids the letters from their American friends. What a great way to end the day! Those kids always fill my heart with such love.

I will post videos on You Tube later, so some of you can see the kids receiving your letters.

Swimming Day

The kids joined us at our hotel for swimming, lunch and crafts today. Unfortunately, the weather didn't cooperate 100% with us, but we still managed two swimming sessions during the day. I joined the drivers to pick up the kids in the morning. They were so cute, waiting to go swimming. It is quite a treat for them. The older girls helped get everyone ready and we were off. A special thanks to David Coddington (Michael's brother) and Catholic Relief Services for the vans!

The kids couldn't wait to get into the swimming pool. We adults, however, were a bit timid. Gerry and Scott were the first to jump in. The rest of us had to tiptoe in as the water was soooooo cold. Once we got used to it, it was great! We learned a few things from last year, so we had plastic rings and floaties for them to keep them safe and the women were able to swim this time! Doug and Doris took the younger kids to the playground.

While we waited for lunch to be served, Christine and Doug (Doug is 76, mind you!) led the kids in exercises to keep them warm. There were a lot of chattering teeth after swimming. Lunch consisted of goat stew, roasted goat and french fries. The kids loved it. Kerry treated everyone to a cake to celebrate her daughter's birthday. Savannah turned 16 yesterday, so Kerry wanted to be able to celebrate the special day with the kids since she could not be with Savannah. And, boy, do they LOVE cake! Thanks, Savannah, for sharing your cake with us and HOREC!

After lunch we asked the kids to do crafts. They made angel ornaments for us to take back to the US. Global Hope will be having a fundraising dinner in December and we thought this would be a nice gift for those attending the dinner. The kids at HOREC agreed as they appreciate the support of all of their friends in America. We left them a few ornaments to hang on their tree this Christmas, too. Jennifer and Christine generally set a tree up for them each year and they celebrate Christmas and the kids' birthdays. Since many of the kids do not know their birthday, Christmas, Jesus' birthday, is a good time for them to celebrate their lives, too. It's great!

And, then the sun came out and we went for round two of swimming with all of the kids, includig the younger ones. They did not want to get out of the water. Their teeth were chattering, but they could not, would not get out.

Salome and Jackie, Christine's daughters, joined us at the pool after lunch. It was great to see Salome again. She is in her last semester at school and has done really well. She gave me a letter to take back to Marty and the Durango team for supporting her through school. You all have truly made a difference in this young woman's life.

What a great day with the kids. They all seemed so happy. And, the staff was really happy, too. They got a break from cooking and cleaning and doing laundry today. Did the day with the kids really have to end? They are just so lovable and amazing, it is hard to say goodbye to them. We blew them kisses and loaded them up with hugs before they left.

Before she left, Beverlyne secretly handed me a note. I read it as I returned to the room. The tears flowed. To think she might feel the same way about me as I feel about her brings such joy to my heart. Beverlyne would like to either be a teacher or an air hostess when she grows up. Secretly (and selfishly) I hope its the latter so she can come to America and see me.

We all felt so great after today (sans Doris, who is actually feeling fairly sick) that some of us (Karen, Amber, Kerry and me) decided to take a walk into town to Naivas, the local grocery store. It was a great experience and we were like kids in a candy store. We bought some chocolate and Coke Lights (perfect combo, eh?) as well as donuts and samosas (not quite like the US, but good enough for now!) We also bought some supplies for the HOREC staff that they needed. It was so much fun to take part in the local culture.

This most wonderful day even got better. It was African Night at the hotel and we were treated to some African dancing lessons. See the post about Kerry's video! It is great!

Lala Salama! Bwana Yasifiwe! God is sooooooo good!

For our family and friends who continue to support us, we love you and thank you for all your prayers and support. We are all doing great (even Doris who is sick seems high in spirits and is trying to enjoy the time here). It will be hard to leave when the week ends.

It's African Night!

Check out this video on You Tube to see Kerry learning how to do an African dance! She sure came a long way to learn how to dance!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Plms7o6zxs

I Want to Shine!

Check out this video on You Tube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rCHwAXTLGRE

Work Day

Today was a work day at HOREC. Karen started the day off with a perfect devotional. The primary verses of the devotional were Mark 10:42-45 (NKJV) - But Jesus called them to Himself and said to them, "You know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many." The words we read continued to run through mind as we worked during the day. If Jesus could give his perfectly sinfree life to save undeserving souls like ours, couldn't we scrape and paint the walls of bathrooms and shower stalls at HOREC, or help wash laundry in dirty, dirty water, clean sticky dishes in cold water, clear heavy rocks from HOREC's courtyard, build shelving to help organize books and dishes and tend to each others' physical wounds? I was really impressed by how the entire team pitched in today. While we feel like we did not accomplish enough and have decided to give up our free day to explore Kenya tomorrow so we can return to work at HOREC, I reflect on all that was accomplished today and the good attitude we all kept throughout the day, truly working together to accomplish as much as we could and helping each other when in need. (A special thank you to Kerry and Doris for cleaning the paint off of me!) We were also thankful to have help from our driver, Martin; the staff at HOREC; Jennifer and Johnny; and several little hands and feet. I thank God for this opportunity to serve others. Tonight, I go to sleep with a full heart. Bwana Asifiwe!

Tomorrow, we will be joined by a "new" driver, Philip. Philip was our driver last year and also took us on safari after our mission. I am so looking forward to seeing my rafiki yangu (friend) again!

Painting Challenged

Joyce is painting "challenged."

Had a work day today. Painted (or tried to) the showers and toilet area. Worked hard today but feels good...