Hello!!!

I have been meaning to write an update, but I have been soo busy!  I have been going to bed early, around 9:00 P.M., every night for the last couple weeks.  I get home and I am exhausted... A good kind of exhausted! :) 

I am going to upload some pictures to explain what I've been busy with the last few weeks. :) 

Rachel and I have been doing a VBS with the younger kids every morning (Mon-Thurs).  The kids LOVE this time we spend with them.  Every morning we arrive they ask if we will be doing projects or if we brought "things". :)  Rachel and I alternate teaching a lesson each morning and follow up with a memory verse and art project.  God is really using us to teach and love on the children.  God is also teaching ME that teaching is where He wants me! :)

Last week we brought the older girls over to our guest house to bake!  We made peanut butter cookies and watched a movie.  The girls absolutely loved it!  Before we left, all the girls went and showered and put on a nice pair of clothes.  It was the sweetest thing seeing the girls get so excited to spend the afternoon with us!  We hope to do this again before we head back home. 

This is our good friend, Evans.  He has been such a blessing!  He is one of our pike drivers that Julie recommended for us.  Evans took us around town last Sunday afternoon.  He said, "I want to show you the town. So that way when you meet someone that has been to Kisumu you can know what they are talking about."  :)  It was such a fun afternoon.  He also showed us his house.  I will never forget this and I am so thankful.  His house was about the size of my bathroom at home... no electricity or running water.  He lives in one of the large slum areas in Kisumu called Nyalenda.  Evans also took us back to his house later on to meet his lady, Veronica, and his daughter, Beverly.  It was an honor to meet his beautiful family! :)

Last Saturday we went on an early boat ride at Hippo Point on Lake Victoria!  This was amazing!  We went with a group of other missionaries and it was an eventful morning. Gage always warns me how dangerous hippos are and the night before some missionaries were talking about how hippos have tipped the boats!   Although I was scared when the boat driver started banging on the boat, making hippo noises, and riding over top the hippos... we made it out safe!  Haha.  :)

So there is just a glimpse of my time in Kisumu!  It has been sooo wonderful.  I have too many experiences to fit in a short blog. :)  With only about a week left.... Rachel and I still want to accomplish so much!  This Friday we will hop on a bus and head to Lake Nakuru National Park.  We will be staying inside the park Friday night and going on a safari!!  This is going to be such fun!  Can't wait! :)   Check out the below link if you want to see where we will be. :)  

http://www.sarovahotels.com/lionhill/

Prayer requests:
-Successful last week here in Kisumu
-Safe travels to Nakuru - It has been raining a lot - so the roads are rough
-Easy goodbyes to all the children and new friends :(
-Safe travels back to the States next Thursday

Thank you for all your love and support!  Be seeing some of you very soon. :) 

Love,
Lauren

Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail. - T.S. Eliot

Hello!

I meant to blog much sooner, but we have been very busy and unfortunately the last several days I have been sick!  I started to feel light headed and nauseous Saturday afternoon and did not have much of an appetite.  I knew something was wrong when I didn't want to eat American food at a neat little restaurant that night.  I won't go into details, but let's just say - it wasn't fun!  Now it's Wednesday, and I have been on an antibiotic for 3 days and starting to feel like my normal self again! Yay!!!

This morning Rachel and I headed to ROCK to officially kick off the VBS we are doing.  We talked about how God created each of them unique and in His image.  We had the kids write (or helped them write) "God Created ME!"  Then they dipped their hand in paint so they could put their hand print under the words.  It was precious! :)  Of course, the kids LOVED getting into some paint! :)  After the paint we brought out PlayDoh!  I will load some pictures I took as the kids played....

No matter the place or country :) - KIDS LOVE PLAYDOH! :) 

Now forgive me in advance for the randomness of this blog (and those to come)!  It is honestly hard to sit down and think of what to write about when everyday my experiences could be made into a book!  :)  So, as I write I may bounce around or repeat myself... just warning you. :)

Looking back at the last week, the days start to all blend together, but I want to share some of the highlights.  Starting off the week, Rachel and Julie were still sick, but on Monday I ventured out on my own to ROCK.  Evans, one of our regular pike drivers, picked me up and the dayyyy begannnnnn!  Getting to ROCK was quite the experience, because traffic here is SOOOO much different.  I laugh out loud thinking of some of my friends and family that would just dieeeeeeee if they tried driving a car here in Kisumu.  Haha!  Being on a pike, (Mom, if you're reading this, please skip ahead! haha ;)) is honestly quite dangerous!  Evans really does his best, but it is soo crazy driving around that it is almost impossible to be completely safe... especially since riders and most drivers do not wear helmets.  As people are walking in and out of the street - tuk tuks, boda bodas, pikes, cars, and matatus (privately owned mini vans) are also fighting for the paved roads.  I have honestly never seen anything like the traffic here in Kisumu.  Soooo, when my pike driver races around a car, I am saying a prayer that we make it to our destination! :)  Now in all seriousness, the speeds here are much slower than in the United States, so it's hard to compare the two, but I'm just trying to give you a glimpse of my adventure here in Kenya!  I also promise that Evans and Mark (our two regular pike drivers) are probably the safest pike drivers around! :)  They have begun to be great friends of ours - really, really neat people!

Evans, especially, has really impacted my life.  That Monday when he took me to and from ROCK, he really opened up and told me a little about his story.  Long story short, Evans once lived on the streets at a very young age after his parents died and a ministry here (alot like ROCK) helped him with an education and the skills to stay off the streets.  Evans now has a beautiful wife and daughter! :)  I am so thankful to have met Evans.  I hope to meet his wife and daughter before we leave. 

One experience I must share was that same evening Evans was taking me home.  He had to drop off a little boy at home, so for the first few minutes Evans, the little boy, and I all rode on the pike.  We went to a part of town that I hadn't been before and I soon was at a loss for words.  At the time, I didn't know, but this was considered one of the slums of Kisumu.  It had rained the night before and I almost thought we weren't going to make it out because it was soo muddy there!  I honestly can't explain what I saw, because it was something you have to experience to get the full effect.  One thing I can try and tell you about were the beautiful children!  It was soo fun to see them all, because when they saw me their eyes widened and a huge grin came across their faces. :D  I am not sure, but I'm guessing they do not see a lot of white skinned people come around.  At one point, a group of kids were laughing and yelling, "How are you? How are you? How are you?" as they chased the back of the pike! It was something I will NEVER forget. 

I could go on and on, but I am trying to limit myself here!  Honestly there is so much that goes on it is overwhelming to think about when I start blogging.  I guess whatever I write is what is on my heart at the time. :)

As for the next week or so I should be staying pretty busy now that I am feeling better!  (YaY!)  Tomorrow we will go to ROCK in the AM and have a Bible study with other women missionaries in the area (I will have to share a little about this sometime later!!!).  The weekends are always busy with swimming on Friday, soccer and football on Saturday, and church on Sunday.  Julie leaves for the United States this coming week, so that will leave us on our own for the remaining of the time.  We have met so many wonderful people, so I am not worried one bit!  We are becoming true Kenyans. :) 

I will close with some more pictures. :)  Until next time...  Love you all! 

Lauren

P.S.  Please forgive me for any typos/errors.
 My ABC check isn't working and I'm so extremely tired. :) 



Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart! Psalm 37:4

Hello from Kisumu, Kenya!

I write to you today on my 20th birthday! :)  It has been a relaxing day for myself, but my friends, Rachel and Julie, are very sick!  We are unaware what Rachel has - not sure if it is from all the traveling or what.  Julie tested positive for malaria this morning.  The children at R.O.C.K. have also had some sort of stomach sickness.  Please keep everyone in your prayers!  Also, pray that I continue to keep from sickness.  I am very thankful to be feeling well. :)  As many of you know, I have a very irritable stomach - and I have yet to have any stomach aches since we left for Kenya.  THIS IS AMAZING!!!  I am SO thankful!  This is a total God thing, because I had stomach aches just a few days before we left.  Please continue to pray that I feel well over the next several weeks. :)  I have never felt the coverage of prayer as strongly as I have the last week!  THANK YOU!

Now that I have been in Kisumu for a few days, I am starting to become settled and familiar with my surroundings.  Julie leaves for a student convention next week, so she hopes to have Rachel and I comfortable enough to be on our own for a few days.  As far as safety, we are staying in a very secure and safe place.  We are in a compound with a few other missionaries.  The compound is secured with a tall wall with sharp wire on top and a locked gate.  I feel very safe and comfortable here.  There is a main house and a few guest houses.  We are staying in one of the guest houses.  A couple from the U.S. normally lives here, but they are back home visiting for awhile.  Julie is house sitting for the couple, and she is letting us stay with her while we are here.  She is so gracious! :) 

The last few days have been some of the best days of my life!  I can already tell leaving here is going to be so hard!  Although life in Kisumu is MUCH different than what I am used to, I am loving it.  Friday was the first day we spent at R.O.C.K.  and it gave me soo much joy to be with the children there.  It was their last day of school for the term so when we arrived they had a closing celebration where the children sang songs, danced, and stated bible verses they had memorized.  I had to hold back tears while listening to these sweet children lift their voices to worship.  They have the most beautiful voices I have ever heard.  Many of them LOVE to sing.  After they all presented, we sat down to have snack.  Snack consisted of two pieces of bread, a few crackers, a small bag of crunchy chips, and a small hard candy.  This was very exciting for the kids.  They ate it all with joy! 

Later on that day we walked to the pool that is "near" by.  Haha, I soon found out that "near" by in Kenya, is much different than in the U.S.  It wasn't THAT far, but when I heard near by, I thought it was much closer!  :)  Same was true when we walked to the soccer field.  That was even further! :)  All the walking will be good for me though! :)  I also enjoy walking because I see life in Kisumu outside of the compound and at R.O.C.K.  I can't help but smile at every one I pass, because being here gives me joy and happiness unlike in the U.S.  Although many, many, MANY people struggle here, they are all so beautiful to me.  I will never look at life the same way after spending time here.  I can't explain the things I have seen, because no one can truly comprehend until they have seen it themselves.  Hopefully pictures I post will give you a glimpse of what it is like here.   

I could go on and on, but I will have so many things to share during the time I am here.  AND I can't imagine most of you want to read much more than this! ;)  I will add a few photos below... ENJOY!  :) 

 

Transportation in Kenya is MUCH different than in the U.S.  There are very few cars and LOTS of people walking!  There are also a few other ways of transportation like the picture above. :)  This is called a pike!  There is also a tuk tuk (three wheeled vehicle) and a boda boda (bicycle with an extra seat).  The man in this picture is Mark.  Such a sweet person!  When he arrived to pick us up we thought there was some mistake.  We didn't think we could both fit on there!  As far as transportation goes, you can get a pike, tuk tuk, and a boda boda just about anywhere.  We have been advised to only accept rides from a select few that Julie knows and trusts.   Not that others are not friendly, but as Americans we are thought to have money, so they may take advantage of that and hike up their prices.  Also, some will act as though they are legit, but really not licensed.  OH, and driving here is MUCH MUCH MUCH different!  Rachel and I looked at each other, eyes wide, the first day when we drove in a car from the airport to the compound.  There are no speed limits, many speed bumps, and soo many people walking in and out of traffic.  It is definitely quite the experience! 

  

Saturday we walked to the field and played soccer!  The older boys love to play and a couple of the girls as well.  It was so fun to watch them interact and play the game together.  Also, it amazed me the number of other children that gathered to watch them play.  Children from every direction came and gathered.  It was fun to interact with those that watched.  Many didn't understand much english, but they put their hands out and smiled the most beautiful smiles.  SOO precious.  I wanted to tell each of them how much I just loved them! :)   





After playing some soccer, I went over to a group of kids chasing after a football!  I thought, "FOOTBALL, now that's more my game!"  I gathered the kids and asked them if I could teach them how to play American Football.  One of the R.O.C.K. boys began translating my words into Swahili.  The kids knew a little bit of english, but not enough to fully understand.  Within a few minutes I had the kids playing football.  I was lucky enough to be their quarterback and play along.  I LOVED every minute of it.  After a couple throws the littlest boy in the picture starting clinging to my leg.  I bent down and gave him a hug and he grinned from ear to ear.  I fell in love with the little guy, of course! :) 


The last pictures are of the kids at R.O.C.K.  Enjoy!  They have hearts of gold!  Also, be thankful for what you have today.  These kids have such joy and kindness after going through some of the worst circumstances.  They are changing my life!! 

Much LOVE!
-Lauren



P.S.

For more pictures, check out Courtney Potter's blog.  She is a photographer and was at R.O.C.K just recently.  She took some amazing pictures!  http://courtney-potter.com/2011/07/perspective/

Support Letter #2

Dear Friends and Family,

Thank you so much for your interest, support and encouragement for my trip to Kenya.  It is hard to believe that it is the beginning of June already!  Time is going so quickly and I am getting more and more excited for the trip! 

           

As of right now, preparations are moving along!  In April, I got my vaccinations and my passport just arrived in May!  Those were two things I was glad to check off my list!  At the end of April, Rachel and I had a garage sale to raise money for our trip and we raised nearly $1,500!  We also got our flights booked.  It is a wonderful feeling to have a specific date and time for our departure.  In my first letter I spoke of us leaving in August, but plans have changed, so we are now leaving on July 19^th!  We will then arrive back in Omaha on August 26^th.  This adjustment worked better with our schedules and it will leave us with more time to prepare for the school year to start up in September.  Also, I will now get to spend my 20^th birthday in Kenya!  J 

Once again, I want to thank you all for the prayers, encouraging words, and financial support that has come my way thus far.  As of June 1^st, my trip is about 50% funded!  If you feel led to support financially you may send money to Waypoint Church P.O. Box 31249 Omaha, NE 68131.  If you would like to send money specifically towards my trip, please put "Lauren Schneider - Kenya" on the memo line.

I know my adventure to Kenya will be a life changing experience!  Each day I am growing more and more excited!  July 19^th is going to be here before I know it!  J  As I am preparing to leave, I hope all is well with you and your families.  Enjoy the beginning of this beautiful summer!

            With Love,

           Lauren

Children at R.O.C.K. Ministries!

 

Support Letter #1

Dear Family and Friends,

I am excited to let you know I will be going on my first mission trip this coming August!  I am so very excited!  One of my dear friends, Rachel Ehrenberg, and I will be adventuring to KENYA!  Kenya is located in Africa along the east coast.  The surrounding countries are Tanzania, Uganda, Sudan, Ethiopia, and Somalia.  Rachel and I will be spending most of our time in Kisumu, which is located in western Kenya next to Lake Victoria. 

          Rachel and I will be leaving the first week in August.  We are staying for about six weeks!  It will be the first time away from home for an extended time and the first time I’ve been out of the country.  I am very excited for what God has in store.

          While in Kenya, we will be spending our time at R.O.C.K. Ministries International (www.rockministriesinternational.org).   R.O.C.K. is a non-profit Christian organization in Kisumu.  Its primary focus is reaching out to street children and orphans in Kenya.  Currently, R.O.C.K. is a permanent home for about 40 children ages two to twenty.  R.O.C.K. provides a safe home, food, education, and a positive Christian atmosphere for the children. 

The main focus of our trip is to work with the children at R.O.C.K. We will be doing a Vacation Bible School with the younger children and then doing more one-on-one and small group time with the older kids. Many of the kids need love, a good friend, and a positive influence in their lives. Rachel and I want to make an impact in Kenya, by reflecting God’s love and compassion and serving others.

Many of you know I am pursuing a degree in Elementary Education.  I love kids and want to make an impact during their developmental years.  God has confirmed this passion throughout my life thus far.  I am thrilled to have this opportunity to spend time with children in Kenya.  All I want to do is LOVE these kids with all I have, for many of them have been neglected and abandoned.  I know God will use me in their lives, but most importantly, I know God will use them in MINE. 

Rachel and I would really appreciate your prayers during this time.  Some specific prayer requests at this time are planning, expenses, safety and health, spiritual and physical preparations, and fulfillment of God’s plan and purpose.  Also, the rough estimate cost for our trip to Kenya is $3,300 each. If you feel led to support financially you may send money to Waypoint Church P.O. Box 31249 Omaha, NE 68131.  If you would like to send money specifically towards my trip, please put "Lauren Schneider - Kenya" on the memo line.

          I know God has a specific plan for my trip to Kenya.  I am so excited to share this opportunity with you!  You can expect a few more letters before I leave regarding plans and prayer requests.  Thank you so much for being such a significant person in my life!  Your prayers and support are greatly appreciated!

Much Love,

Lauren Schneider

Matthew 19:14

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”