After an extended stay in London, the shoes have arrived. PTL!
Tonight we had an opportunity to enjoy dinner with the host missionaries Chris and Lisa Moore at the Milele Beach Hotel. At dinner, Chris told us that he had received a phone call from Kenyan Airlines saying the lost baggage had arrived.
So Chris, Lisa and Josh braved the roads of Kenya at night. Nearly dying twice in traffic (literally) we made it to Moi International Airport so I could be harassed and extorted by the local customs official. After his repeated requirement that I pay duty on the shoes brought over for the less fortunate, I informed him that he could either have me detained or tell me good evening; either way, he was not going to get any coin from me.
22 seconds later, I took my bag and walked out of the customs office (still with a full wallet) and met Chris to try the streets of Kenya for a second time.
Tomorrow, we will be leaving at 0745 for the village of Mtepeni so Kevin, Tim, Paul and Josh may begin construction of their new feeding center. Stay tuned for more details and to find out what Teasha, Brittany and Tori did with the kids.
Kenya Mission: day one - starts tomorrow.
Josh and Teasha
(originally entered Monday 11:38 pm)
2010 REAL 4 Christ Kenya Mission (SA, TX)
Documenting the activities of the following Christians who heard God's calling and left to help those in need in Kenya: Paul Gerner, Brittany Smith, Tori McFadden, Tim Clifton, Kevin Powell, Teasha Perkins and Joshua Perkins.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Monday, July 12, 2010
We have arrived in Kenya
Last night after about 24 hours of straight flying, we arrived in Mombasa and met Chris and Lisa Moore. Teasha will tell you about everything in between:
Teasha: Fine. OK, we flew from SA to Chicago. I didn't know there was a Garrett's in the O'Hare airport. Chicago to London, we all wanted to leave the London airport and sight see but we only had 3 hours and it wasn't worth going throught customs. Finally, we flew 10 hours and 20 minutes from London to Nairobi, Kenya. (hey you know those shoes, we stuffed into 2 large carry on's, well 1 was too large and was checked in Chicago and was left in London.) We then flew from Nairobi to Mombasa.
Today we are all recovering from our 2 day travels. So, today is now Monday, around noon and Tori, Brittany, Josh and I are all sitting in the outdoor reception area communicating with the world electronically. We are all waiting for the restaurant to open to eat...and we're off. Talk to everyone in a few.
J and T
Teasha: Fine. OK, we flew from SA to Chicago. I didn't know there was a Garrett's in the O'Hare airport. Chicago to London, we all wanted to leave the London airport and sight see but we only had 3 hours and it wasn't worth going throught customs. Finally, we flew 10 hours and 20 minutes from London to Nairobi, Kenya. (hey you know those shoes, we stuffed into 2 large carry on's, well 1 was too large and was checked in Chicago and was left in London.) We then flew from Nairobi to Mombasa.
Today we are all recovering from our 2 day travels. So, today is now Monday, around noon and Tori, Brittany, Josh and I are all sitting in the outdoor reception area communicating with the world electronically. We are all waiting for the restaurant to open to eat...and we're off. Talk to everyone in a few.
J and T
Friday, July 9, 2010
The Holy Spirit is ALWAYS present (even in Wal-Mart!)
So here we are, the night before we all leave. Teasha and I are doing some last minute shopping and gathering when my flip flops break and fall off my feet. Seeing this as a sign, we head to Wal-Mart (281@1604 for all the locals.)
As we are walking through the aisles, I comment to Teasha about a Facebook post that I read from Chris Moore (Pastor/Missionary - REAL 4 Christ Ministries) today about shoes. As we round the corner, we find an entire wall of shoes for $3.00 per pair - and they were all kids shoes. After just a look at each other, we begin emptying the shelves of 100 pairs.
But it gets better...
The managers had just closed all but three of the registers and there were about 40-50 people standing in line waiting to check out. Did I mention that all of the registers were right next to each other? Couples and shoppers started staring at this cart mounded with shoes. One woman finally garnered the courage to ask the question that everyone was wanting to ask: "What are the shoes for?"
We told her that we were heading to Africa in the morning and the shoes were for a large group of children. It was a brief overview of the mission trip ahead; she replied, "I just got the chills." She thanked us for what we were doing and went back to her husband in the checkout line.
As I went to hunt for a large box, the woman's husband came over and handed Teasha $40.00 without a word. The woman (Dina) said, "We want to help." After hugs were exchanged, with a large group of bystanders watching, another woman silently came forward and handed Teasha a twenty dollar bill saying, "I think this is great what you are doing."
That was when Teasha lost it and started crying in the middle of the store.
So, for all of the naysayers, for anyone who thinks that the Lord is not always watching, always guiding...this is a story for you. God is always present...even in Wal-Mart at 11:30 at night.
God is Awesome!
As we are walking through the aisles, I comment to Teasha about a Facebook post that I read from Chris Moore (Pastor/Missionary - REAL 4 Christ Ministries) today about shoes. As we round the corner, we find an entire wall of shoes for $3.00 per pair - and they were all kids shoes. After just a look at each other, we begin emptying the shelves of 100 pairs.
But it gets better...
The managers had just closed all but three of the registers and there were about 40-50 people standing in line waiting to check out. Did I mention that all of the registers were right next to each other? Couples and shoppers started staring at this cart mounded with shoes. One woman finally garnered the courage to ask the question that everyone was wanting to ask: "What are the shoes for?"
We told her that we were heading to Africa in the morning and the shoes were for a large group of children. It was a brief overview of the mission trip ahead; she replied, "I just got the chills." She thanked us for what we were doing and went back to her husband in the checkout line.
As I went to hunt for a large box, the woman's husband came over and handed Teasha $40.00 without a word. The woman (Dina) said, "We want to help." After hugs were exchanged, with a large group of bystanders watching, another woman silently came forward and handed Teasha a twenty dollar bill saying, "I think this is great what you are doing."
That was when Teasha lost it and started crying in the middle of the store.
So, for all of the naysayers, for anyone who thinks that the Lord is not always watching, always guiding...this is a story for you. God is always present...even in Wal-Mart at 11:30 at night.
God is Awesome!
Saturday, July 3, 2010
7 Days and counting...
The team has been assembled, we have packed the goods, Visas are squared away, passports are in hand. We leave in seven days for Mombasa, Kenya. I named this blog after our Mission Team Leader, Paul Gerner, for those who are curious about the URL...
Since this is the first post, I will keep it short. We will be traveling to Mtepeni Village just outside of Mombasa to assist with the building of the village, help with feeding and cleaning, witness and evangelize and continue to practice being good Christians. Will keep everyone posted as we get closer to the airplanes and closer to Africa.
Blessings,
Josh Perkins
Since this is the first post, I will keep it short. We will be traveling to Mtepeni Village just outside of Mombasa to assist with the building of the village, help with feeding and cleaning, witness and evangelize and continue to practice being good Christians. Will keep everyone posted as we get closer to the airplanes and closer to Africa.
Blessings,
Josh Perkins
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