Ryan Morris working in Kenya

When you read this letter you will see why we are so blessed to have Ryan with us in Kenya. We cherish each day he is with us.
Serving Jesus with Ryan in Kenya, Connie

Sent via Cingular Xpress Mail with Blackberry

---

News from Ryan Morris in Nairobi, Kenya October 1, 2009

The work continues!

When I made the decision to go to Kenya, I gathered some things, said good-bye to friends and family, and jumped on the plane. I arrived in Nairobi airport, paid twenty dollars to get my visa, and walked through the front gates. That process was in the forefront of my thoughts as I prepared some of the team here to make a journey to the United States. Over the course of this past week, one of my tasks was to secure visas for 5 members of the Partners for Care staff to make a journey to Atlanta so that their message could be spread to the area churches. I was to find out that the task at hand was a little harder than my experience just a few weeks prior.

The stories, rumors, and legends about America have been the topic of discussion with everyone as the date of this trip to the U.S. approaches. It will be the first time anyone from this team has visited America. Stories ranging from "Americans never eat meat!" to "there are no unpaved roads there" have been giving me nightly entertainment. All these stories have been making me realize how great of a place in the United States. I have always been proud of my home, but not until the last few days have I realized that we are truly living in the greatest country in the world.

I cannot describe how coveted we are here because we live in the U.S. The guys here speak of it as a dreamland, and when I hear their description I have to agree. "America is a land where everyone drives to their destination, even when its within 5 kilometers." I have to laugh at that one. A big news story in Kenya right now is that the United States is threatening to not allow top Kenyan officials participate in talks because the corruption level in the government is at an all-time high. The news story went on to say that the US must stop its bullying tactics and it is not Kenya's job to make our government happy. As I turned the page, the next story was about the need for more than $220 million for flood relief in a remote part of Kenya. The money for this project? "Kenyan government reaches out to U.S. aid for flood relief." Appropriate stories to put side by side!

Much of the last few days has been spent filling out form after form for a request to obtain a U.S. visa. Recommendation letters were compiled, bank statements secured, complete itineraries made so that the five guys could qualify for a visa. To obtain a visa, each man had to have a huge portfolio of all this information and then pay a non-refundable $150 to schedule an interview at the U.S. embassy. Packets were secured, money was paid out, prayers were made, and we all waited as the first two men went for the interviews.....Both were rejected.

Out of the hundreds that were at the embassy that day, two visas were granted. So no trip will be made, the money gone, and the dream of going to America was not to be. They were considered an elevated risk of running away and staying in America. The guys were heartbroken, as was I. But I also had an overwhelming sense of gratefulness that a country I call home is a land that millions dream about.

The lesson I learned this week? There is a sense of responsibility that comes with being truly grateful. This is exactly the feeling I want to have with my relationship with Jesus. Protecting. nurturing. cherishing. expanding. sharing: all cultivated by being grateful. Many of the "spiritual" rules I have been changing for myself over the last several weeks have been focused on making my spiritual life more proactive. And that is exactly what happens when you are truly grateful. Last week my "new" rule was to base all of my relationships with Jesus, and this week I am truly grateful for those relationships.

God Bless,

Ryan.

Serving Christ in Kenya,

Ryan Morris

You can reach me at rymo8314@gmail.com

The best and worst of times

So much has happened since I have arrived in Kenya. I will try to be brief but bear with me as there is much to tell. I say it is the best of times because:
1. Ryan is here. Having him hear makes me wonder how I ever thought I could do this work without someone like Ryan helping! He does so much and he is fun, he laughs and listens and is so supportive. We all love him!
2.The team is good - the best I have ever seen them. They are focused and excited about the many opportunities God is opening.
3. We had great favor at the Ministry of Education yesterday. They love the what if? campaign and other work of Partners for Care. They have asked us to take 5 high schools and work with them in the what if? iniative and study the results. They said for nine years they have been trying to impact on high school students and what they are doing isn't working. The PFC theam really wants to find a way to change the behavior of high school youth. The Ministry of Education is even looking at sending a group to Beat the Drum with us next week when we take the Partners of Hope team that arrives Sunday night. (See separate update for news about Maggie's School)
4. We have planned a very big outreach in the slum near our house on Oct. 17, 18. The team has really worked well to coordinate everything. The Partners of Hope team will be here. They are coming from National Aids Control Council to see the what if? campaign.
5. We have been invited to join Pastor Rob Irvine from Cumberland Community Church when they come in November. We will do what if? In a church in Kiserian. Today we met with Pastor Herbert from the church there in Kiserian. We liked him instantly. We planned the venues for that trip.
6. Our what if? church assessments are going very well Monday night there will be 20 pastors here for dinner and to complete the what if? assessments.
7. Ryan tilled by hand the back yard for gardening. I had bought the book Square foot gardening and each person is taking their squares and planting! It will be beautiful.
Worst of times
It isn't really that bad but it does add stress. The funds we wired from the US last Tuesday haven't arrived! And today I tried to take funds from the ATM. The ATM deducted the money from my account but didn't give it to me. The bank official said oh that happens. It will be put back in tomorrow! So we wait for the wire transfer to arrive! We are running out of food, fuel, airtime, and almost patience with the wiring system!
Truly enjoying working with Ryan and the PFC staff,
Connie

Sent via Cingular Xpress Mail with Blackberry

The momentum builds

All the mission trips I have participated in and everything I have had read about short term mission trips consistently says one thing - as a team member going you need to send letters asking for support and build a sending team. Well I am seeing first hand why that is so important. (Billy if you are reading this I know you are smiling). Because they had to fund raise to go to Kenya the Partners for Hope team has gathered a sending team unlike I have ever seen - and it continues to grow. From the newspaper article last week has come more newspaper coverage. And, the nursing home asked them to speak at the administrative staff meeting. When I made my visit to the nursing home last week people told me it is all the talk at the facility. This week they have been invited to speak before the family council who wants to support them. The Rotary is now involved as well as the Knights of Pythagoras Mentoring Network, Inc. When C. Ron Allen the reporter from the Sun Sentinel heard they wanted to do an IT center in memory of Alain he gave us 5 computers and told us he can get us as many computers as we want. I spoke before the Delray Beach Rotary on Friday morning and the they want us to come back when we return (C. Ron is the President of the Rotary in Delray Beach). It is a blessing to watch this small team of determined women build their support. The Knights of Pythagoras Mentoring Network, Inc. mentors high school black students who are at risk of being in criminal trouble, dropping out of school, etc. We met one of the young men Thursday night when we picked up the computers. When I showed him the pictures from Kenya he was in disbelief. He has been talking about it to his mentor. The Partners of Hope told me today when they return they are raising support for two of these boys to go to Kenya. Mr. Beasley emailed last June when he read about the teens that went with me in June and said that would be so wonderful for black teens to be able to go but it would be almost impossible for that to happen. Well, God has now seen to it that it will happen.
Blessed to take the Partners for Hope team to Kenya,
Connie
Sent via Cingular Xpress Mail with Blackberry

Upcoming Partners for Care trip in the Florida Sun Sentinal today

Yesterday a black reporter from the Sun Sentinel came to the nursing home (one of my client facilities)and interviewed the four black women who are coming with me to Kenya. I don't normally make so many references to a person's race, but, in this case that is what is special about this story and that is why Ron the reporter picked up the story. Four black women had raised their money and were going to Kenya. And PGA had helped them because of the death of one of the women's son (Allen) who worked for PGA who was killed by lighting. Allen's friend from PGA organized a charity golf event to raise money to send Allen's mom to Kenya. And, it gets better. The reporter is very big into charity work himself having won an award from the governor of Florida for his work. When the women said they wanted to open an IT training center in memory of Allen, the reporter gave them 15 computers! The women will carry four of them with them and we will work to get the rest to Kenya. We need them to replace some of the computers that aren't working in the cyber at Nick and Charles'. He wants to put their trip on the paper's blog so they will be keeping him updated throughout their trip. And, he said he can connect them to national media. One of the women said "Connie, you would have to be blind not to see how God is all over this". I must agree He has a hand in connecting all of this. This is the headlines for the article and the linkage to read the story.
Women set to take trip of a lifetime -- to slums in Kenya
They will work with women and children stricken with HIV/AIDS
By C. Ron Allen
South Florida Sun-Sentinel
September 28 2009, 6:34 PM EDT
Four women will leave on Oct. 10 for Kenya where they will provide health care, education and a future to poor Kenyan women and children with HIV/AIDS.
The complete article can be viewed at:
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/palm-beach/sfl-kenya-aid-trip-p092809,0,497957.story
Visit South Florida Sun-Sentinel.com at http://www.sun-sentinel.com
Amazed at God's work,
Connie
Sent via Cingular Xpress Mail with Blackberry

Visas denied

It was disappointing for Sammy and Justus and all the Partners for Care staff today as sammy and Justus were told - visas denied. The US Embassy doesn't tell you why just says no. Only two people today at the US Embassy in Nairobi out of hundreds who were applying were granted visas. Of course, everyone is diappointed as the reality sets in of how hard it is to be given permission to visit the United States. Even though they are discouraged by the news they are strong believers that know "it is not their time". They will continue to serve just where God has placed them. Thank you all for your prayers. We know God answered them even it wasn't just as we wanted them. Ryan is there and that is good as he is able to support and encourage the team even in their disappointment. I spoke to both Sammy and Justus right after they were denied their visas and they are ok - just disappointed.
Connie
Sent via Cingular Xpress Mail with Blackberry

Prayers requested

When you go to bed Sunday night and if you remember would you please say a prayer for Sammy with the Temples of Worship? As you retire he will be waking up to prepare for his appointment at the US Embassy to request a visa to travel to the US. This has been a long process for him and the other members of the Temples of Worship. Some had to first secure a birth certificate. Then they needed to obtain passports. For their appointments they needed bank statements and letters of invitations. And we have to pay for the appointment even if he is denied. He is hopeful. If Sammy is successful then the other members of Temples of Worship will go for their appointments the next day. If they receive their visas they will come to the US and perform at churches here to raise funds for their what if? campaign.
Thanks for your prayers,
Connie
Sent via Cingular Xpress Mail with Blackberry

Help recruit runners for Run for Rebecca

We are trying to get the word out about our upcoming race Run for Rebecca. Would you send out the race website through any email group you have, put on your Facebook, twitter or any other way you communicate with your friends and family? The website where people can learn more about the race and even register on-line is http://run.partnersforcare.org. Thank you for helping us getting the word out!
Connie
Sent via Cingular Xpress Mail with Blackberry

Fw: Ryan Morris Arrives in Kenya

Read Ryan's first letter from Kenya. You will smile, laugh and feel his passion for the God he serves and you will see his desire to help Partners for Care in their mission work in Kenya.
Very blessed that God sent us Ryan,

Mission Kenya

I arrived in Nairobi on Tuesday evening (sept. 15) after a flight of almost 17 hours in the air. It is great to be back in the country of Kenya and we started work immediately. I am still getting adjusted to life here; four days into my trip and I have yet to have the privilege of a shower! As I write, Kenya is beginning to experience an increasingly bad drought. So that makes water, food, and electricity valuable commodities. Here, anything with value means most go without it. So we go without running water and have limited food and electricity. Because of this, I think there is a feeling of urgency that is growing with the people.
Like the weather here, tempers are becoming warmer. Even yesterday, as I was walking through the streets near the Mathare Slum in Nairobi, I witnessed Police shooting tear gas into crowds that were becoming unruly in the marketplace.
This "sense of urgency" to life that I feel here brings me to a Christian rule that I want to change for myself. Read the Bible. I began to think about this rule, as I was forever confined in the plane. With 17 hours to just sit there, doing some contemplating on life becomes the choice entertainment.
One of my major weaknesses is reading the Bible. Every Christian knows this is a staple rule to having a relationship with Jesus. Four year old's across the Sunday school world can probably even recite a verse or too. More than likely, "Jesus wept." But for me, reading the bible has always seemed boring. It feels too much like homework, and if you don't know me, I will never impress anyone with my study skills. I am more of an "I can just wing it" type of guy.
Luckily for me, growing up in my parent's house, I have picked up its message by hearing the bible verbally. And I can hold my own in Bible trivia, I know who killed who with a tent peg and that if you're not careful a she-bear can eat you or a donkey can talk to you, and sometimes a man just might run faster than chariots in a race down a mountain. But knowing these things and living in it are two very different things.
Which brings me back to Kenya; I have met people here that I have to admire. No food, no water, no electricity but their sense of urgency lies with the spiritual welfare of themselves and others. I was sitting next to a man with his bible open and every page of that thing was filled with notes. The margins, the space in between lines, everywhere were notes. Every page! Imagine the hours spent studying to achieve that. That's when I realized he is just not reading it but he is living with it. He had an urgency about him that made me think that he could not live one day without his relationship with Jesus. That's what I want to be. That's how we all need to be.
So my new rule? Don't just read the Bible, become addicted to your relationship with God! I like the word addicted because it means that you could not live without! It's a word the means dependant upon. It's a word that some people think of as a disorder, that's all you think about day and night.
The man with page after page of notes in his bible? Addicted. Like any addiction, it comes with side affects. People notice. Which isn't that how it's supposed to be? We are supposed to be different. So that's my new rule! I want to be so addicted that I cannot go without reading the Bible. I could not live without it. If you think reading the Bible is boring and a chore, maybe this new way of thinking might help you. At the very least, remember don't make fun of old people.....

...a she-bear will eat you.

Serving God in Kenya,

Ryan Morris.

PGA raises funds for Partners of Hope

The Partners for Hope team told me they are "fired up and ready to fly". Four women of color committed to travel to see how they can help in Kenya have raised their funds - with the help of Professional Golfers Association of America (PGA). As many of you may recall one of the team members, Virginia, lost her son Alain when he was struck and killed by lightening when playing golf in Orlando. Alain worked for the PGA and was loved by those he worked with. To help Alain's mom fulfill her dream they stepped in to raise funds to send her to Kenya. They hosted a charity golf event to raise funds. The CEO of PGA flew down from New York to play golf in honor of Alain. I and all of the Partners of Hope team were there. The letter below tells how the people who knew Alain want to help keep his memory alive. While in Kenya the Partners for Hope team will explore ways to honor Alain. Many said this team could not raise enough funds to travel to Kenya. But, they were determined. They have had garage sales, did car washes and collected change. It will be a privilege for me to help them fulfill their dream and to help find a way honor Alain.

Blessed to help others serve,

Connie

A copy of a touching letter from the PGA sent to Partners for Care regarding Alain and our joint efforts to honor his memory is below.

Click on the picture for a closer look.

Sent via Cingular Xpress Mail with Blackberry

Maggie's School Update

Partners for Care social worker wrote a grant requesting two more classrooms be built at Maggie's School. Currently, there are two classrooms with 257 children! With the help of the Member of Parliament (MP) the funding was approved and they are starting to build two more classrooms at Maggie's School. And, because the school is now an official goverment school teachers will be sent from the Teacher's Service Commission. And, the MP told us last week he has asked for more funding from the Constituency Development Fund. Maggie's School will continue to florish with the support of Maggie's Mom and those in Kenya that see the great need this school is meeting in the desert of Turkana land.
Glad to partner with the Kenya goverment to serve these most vulnerable children
Connie

Sent via Cingular Xpress Mail with Blackberry

If I don't tell you the need you won't know and you can't help

So I will tell you a need the what if? HIV/AIDs prevention team has. They need a larger amp. They are now reaching crowds of thousands and need a larger amp to support the speakers needed to reach such large crowds. The cost is $1,000.00 And they need 3 more mics. cost $200.00. If you want to help these young men reach the youth calling them to create an HIV-free generation and spreading the gospel please let me know. The what if? team is making a difference in the fight against this pandemic. You can join them by giving them the equipment so thousands to hear their message.
Grateful for your consideration,
Connie
Sent via Cingular Xpress Mail with Blackberry

Even better news!

I have known for sometime this was to happen but hesitated to share the news. I quess because I find it so hard to believe. God is indeed good! When the Carrollton team went last spring Terri's (team leader) son Ryan was on the team. He is 25, a great mature Christian (his father is a pastor) and has a degree in marketing. Having grown up in the church world he knows of ministries stateside and internationally. He liked the work Partners for Care was doing through the Kenyan staff. And, the PFC staff loved Ryan! Two months ago he contacted me and to my suprise said he wanted to quit his job and go to Kenya to help grow the PFC ministry. We talked about what role he would have and about his goals and PFC goals. I could not at this moment think of anything better that could be happening for PFC. We are a young ministry and I have no experience in working in a developing nation with a non-profit organization! Ryan will be Assistant Director for Partners for Care. He has already started work here in the US for the ministry and on Monday leaves for Kenya. Here is his letter he sent out to raise support for the next three months. You can see by his letter he is creative.
Dear friend, In a prominent Christian Missionary magazine last month, advice was given out to all potential persons writing mission support letters that "letters should be sent to people in 3 categories: people who love GOD, people who love you, and people who love both." Hopefully this letter finds you in one of those categories, and more than likely the first category. I will send a letter to my mom, so that should cover the third.
I have spent much time thinking about the person I am and the man I want to become. And for someone, whose background has been immersed in athletics and business, it has become quite a habit for me to reflect on where I am now and how can I can become the man that God wants me to be. Becoming a stronger Christian has become a journey that has no end.
One of the ways that I have gone about this journey, is to redefine some old religious rules, some biblical and some traditional, into new rules that I think exemplify what it means to truly follow Jesus. This brings me to the first rule I want to change in my own life. Be faithful. We have all heard this rule and it truly is a staple for the Christian life. It seems to me being faithful has transformed into an excuse for being passive. We have all said or have heard it said, "God will open a door" and then we will wait to see what he has in store for us. For me, that kind of faith brings about a passiveness in my life that was not intended, and a focus on what God will do for ME, and not what I can do for God.
So I'm changing the rule. Do Something Stupid. Now by using the word stupid, I really mean do something that would seem stupid to a person who only looks on the outside. For example, a shepherd boy with no armor fighting one-on-one with one of the most experienced battle-hardened warrior giant in history? Stupid. A man jumping out of a boat on storming seas because he thinks he can run across the water to meet another man. What an idiot. You get my point. Instead of waiting of God to open up doors for us, I believe we are to open up our own doors and then have faith that God will be on the other side. The idea of this kind of faith is much more proactive than the former. This idea of faith takes the focus off of ourselves and places it back on God.
My stupid move of recent? I quit my great job at Bridgestone Golf at a time when having a job is a blessing, and I am moving to Kenya, Africa for three months for an director internship for an organization called "Partners for Care." Beginning September 14th, I will help lead a team of Kenyans in Nairobi. This organization runs an orphanage for children with AIDS, helps maintain a Community enrichment organization in the middle of the second largest slum in Africa, and hosts a tour of AIDS awareness programs throughout the country. You might be thinking, "What an idiot." But I have spent many months praying about this decision and ultimately decided that this is a door I need to open myself and have faith God will be on the other side, I want to be proactive in my faith and this is a great opportunity. Many people have asked me what will I do for money while I am over there and what I will do when I get back to pay the bills. My answer is I honestly don't know but I continue to step forward in faith.
My plan is to undertake one so-called "rule of being a Christian" each and every week while in Africa, using my experiences over there as a lens, and transform them into something that I believe might make them much more real in my life…maybe even yours! I would love if you would send me your e-mail address so you might participate with me in this study, as well as update you on undertakings of the organization.
This week, I would encourage you in your own life to take a proactive view on faith, let it be something that propels you forward. Do Something Stupid.
I ask that you would pray diligently for me as I embark on this trip to Kenya, and I would greatly appreciate any monetary gifts that you feel led to give to help cover my expenses while in Africa.
God Bless,
Ryan Morris
His approach worked - he raised his support.
Grateful to God for His servant Ryan,
Connie

Sent via Cingular Xpress Mail with Blackberry

Run for Rebecca

Partners for Care is sponsoring a race to raise funds for Beat the Drum and we need your help to make it a successful event. With the ecomomic times here it is even more difficult to raise funds to support the children who need our help. You can help with the run in the following ways:
1. Help us find sponsors. The sponsor information is at:
http://www.partnersforcare.org/Run_for_Rebecca/docs/SponsorInfo.pdf  
2. Help sign up runners. People can sign up on-line at:  
http://partnersforcare.org/Run_for_Rebecca 
Or you can print the application form at this same site.
3. Volunteer on the day of the race. We will need lots of people to get people registered on the day of the race.
We really appreciate any help you can give to make this run successful for Rebecca and all the other children at Beat the Drum. Just email me or David Gruber about ways you can help.
Blessings,
Connie
Gal. 6:9 - Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
Sent via Cingular Xpress Mail with Blackberry

Good news

It seems of late many of my updates are bad news - children sick, people hungry, deaths. But, today I am sending some good news about Partners for Care Ministry. As most of know one of the main passions and focus of PFC is helping create an HIV-free generation. One way the PFC in Kenya is working with prevention is through their campaign what if? In June the National Aids Control Council (NACC) in Kenya announced the opportunity for funding for work in AIDS. We wrote a district level proposal requesting $10,000 which would be used for four what if? campaigns in Eldoret. We were just notified our proposal was accepted by NACC. This is a major boost to the what if team? as the competition for the grant was many well-established NGOs who have been working in the field of AIDS for years. The PFC what if? campaign is less than nine months old so the team was very happy to be funded. Some good news!
Blessing God for His faithfulness,
Connie
Sent via Cingular Xpress Mail with Blackberry

Update - Elizabeth

I just spoke with Nick. Elizabeth has malaria. Malaria is the number one killer in the world mostly affecting children under 5 and pregnant women. Most deaths occur in subsahara Africa. Elizabeth is now on medication which hopefully will work quickly. When I was in nursing school we studied malaria - it was a tropical disease not possible to contract in the US. We only studied it in theory. Now I am around so many people with malaria I can usually diagnosis it even before the test is completed (not a sign of my nursing skills just a sign malaria is so common in Kenya). We do have nets for the children to sleep under but their living condition makes it almost impossible to prevent malaria and typhoid. Today we had someone join the effort to move the children and Nick and Charles now have $5,500 to build a home for 34 children, themselves and the aunties who care for the children. I am asking Pastor Omondi to oversee the building of the temporary structure. Pastor Omondi is the one who got Maggie's School registered with the Kenyan goverment. He will do whatever it takes to get this structure built and move the children. Thank you for your prayers. Nick was so encouraged by the support!

Grateful for your prayers and for drugs that treat malaria and for the doctor who tested Elizabeth,

Connie

Sent via Cingular Xpress Mail with Blackberry

Prayers for Elizabeth

Many of you have held little Elizabeth. You have felt the frailness of her small body. Others of you have read about her in my updates. Several of you are assisting Nick and Charles to help move her from the slum. Elizabeth at 2 years old has AIDS. She is subject to opportunistic diseases - malaria, TB, typhoid, even a cold that could kill her. We know living in the slum isn't good for her and Nick and Charles with the help of the Carrollton team and a recent donor are taking steps to move her and the 33 other children she lives with in three crowded rooms in Mathare Slum. But, today Elizabeth needs your prayers. She is sick and Nick is taking her to the hospital to find out why. Pray God protects her - He loves the little children especially the orphans like Elizabeth. I have asked Nick to keep me informed of her condition and will let you know through the updates how she is.
Praying for little Elizabeth,
Connie
Sent via Cingular Xpress Mail with Blackberry

reMEMber team video

Many of you followed the updates of the reMEMber team as my sisters travelled to see Maggie's School. And, I appreciated so much your encouraging responses! They always mean so much to me when I hear from you! You can see their DVD on You Tube at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XhNrh2jra6k
It will make you smile.
Blessings, Connie

Sent via Cingular Xpress Mail with Blackberry

Returning from Kenya

After a month in Kenya David (my son) and I are returning to the US. This trip was good although there were challenges. The challenges included our van having mechanical problems and sickness among the Partners for Care staff. Both Sammy and Njokie had malaria - again. And, after a week of treatment Sammy still did not get well. Taking him back to the hospital he was diagnosed with a very bad case of typhoid. He was put on three types of medication. I am witness that typhoid is worse than malaria. He thinks he got typhoid when travelling to Lodwar.
The good things that happened this trip were the partnerships PFC has developed. We are now working with:
1. The Vice President's wife through the Kolonzo Foundation
2. The Healers program through the Lumumba Foundation
3. The National Aids Control Council as we continue to seek funding for the what if? campaign
4. Ringtone who is a major artist in Kenya. We will be going to schools with him with the what if? campaign. He is very popular with the youth and has been doing motivational speaking in schools for several years.
5. Kanjii - another major artist in Kenya. He has already launched a program going to the high schools with a program reaching the youth for Christ.
Land was purchased to build a home for the children in the rescue center!
And, of course the reMEMber team came to Kenya and went all the way to Maggie's School! It was a trip none of them will forget.
Now I return home to work and David to school. Oh, I forgot one other thing - David got his Kenya driver's license!
Next team coming to work with Partners fopr Care is the Partnering for Hope team who will be coming in October. Tragically one of their team member's son was was struck and killed by lightening on a golf course two months ago. She is still determined to go to Kenya - a lifetime dream. Her son's friends are holding a golf charity to raise money for her trip.
Blessed to serve with the Partners for Care staff in Kenya, Connie
Sent via Cingular Xpress Mail with Blackberry

what if? partners for Healers

The what if? HIV/AIDs program is partnering with the Healers program. The Healers program is a program sponsored by the Lumumba Foundation and The African Institute for Leaders and Leadership. The mission of the Healers is to foster national cohension and patriotism among the youth. Through a community exchange program 30 university studies representing 30 major tribes in Kenya will stay with another tribe working in their community.

The Healers and the what if? team

We have conducted a training with the Healers and they will be taking the what if? camapign as part of their work. It is an excellent partnership as both programs are designed to help Kenya address tribalism and HIV/Aids.
Blessed to be a part of the healing of Kenya, Connie
Sent via Cingular Xpress Mail with Blackberry

10th and last update

The reMEMber team has left but not without leaving their blessings and goodwill on the people of Kenya. From the slums of Marthare to the desert of Turkana the reMEMber team touched lives. Many people are no longer in pain because Dr. Eric and the team extracted painful teeth. Some had been in pain for years. The 257 children at Maggie's School have school uniforms and shoes thanks to the team and Kristi Kicks for Kenya. The children at Beat the Drum have new friends. The reMEMber team endured vans that broke down stranding them on the side of the road, getting stuck in rivers and sand in Turkana, days without water at our house because of the severe drought in Kenya. They slept in beds they weren't accoustomed to in rooms with other team members and ate food they had never seen or heard of and sometimes couldn't pronounce. They listened to the Temples of Worship sing and praise God. They prayed with and for the Kenyans. They allowed God to touch their hearts and in some cases break their hearts. They stepped way out of their comfort zone to travel for 24 hours (some longer) to serve the people of Kenya. The Partners for Care staff here in Kenya will forever.reMEMber them. You can see some of their photos at www.partnersforcare.blogspot.com
From kenyan Connie
Sent via Cingular Xpress Mail with Blackberry