As we departed from Gracia Guesthouse this morning, a number of mixed emotions swept over the team. Uncertainty, nervousness, and excitement can only begin to describe what we felt when we looked toward the day ahead. When we arrived at the Beacon of Hope Centre and began the day our flurry of previous emotions quickly turned to thoughts of awe and amazement.
We began the day with powerful and moving time of devotions with the staff and trainees at the centre. God's presence filled the room as it became alive with the sounds of clapping, shouting, singing, whistling, and praise. Though we could not understand the language and the words being spoken (Swahili), we felt the energy and the faith in their voices, and saw it in their actions.
Our team then began a morning-long tour of the Beacon facilities. We encountered women weaving, sewing, cleaning wool, spinning yarn, beading and we spent time in the preschool where children ages 3-6 smiled and waved and each class sang us a song. A short walk over to a rented site revealed yet another training department in which men and women wove kikoys, the native shoulder wraps and skirts. Paula and I each tried our hand at the weaving but lets just say that the experts final words were "It's okay, I'm just going to undo your rows anyways".
After the tour we traveled to Beacon's new 8-acre sight which was like everything else: incredible. The beautiful house and gardens will be the sight of our medical camp on Saturday. Following lunch our team split up and some sorted medical supplies and medications and others posted fliers and visited the Kware slum. The work was tiring but necessary and beneficial.
Overall today was an amazing day full of surprise, learning, and the shy waves children who just wanted to touch the "white people". We thank you for your continued support and hope tomorrow can bring as much joy and hope as today.
Katelynn
We began the day with powerful and moving time of devotions with the staff and trainees at the centre. God's presence filled the room as it became alive with the sounds of clapping, shouting, singing, whistling, and praise. Though we could not understand the language and the words being spoken (Swahili), we felt the energy and the faith in their voices, and saw it in their actions.
Our team then began a morning-long tour of the Beacon facilities. We encountered women weaving, sewing, cleaning wool, spinning yarn, beading and we spent time in the preschool where children ages 3-6 smiled and waved and each class sang us a song. A short walk over to a rented site revealed yet another training department in which men and women wove kikoys, the native shoulder wraps and skirts. Paula and I each tried our hand at the weaving but lets just say that the experts final words were "It's okay, I'm just going to undo your rows anyways".
After the tour we traveled to Beacon's new 8-acre sight which was like everything else: incredible. The beautiful house and gardens will be the sight of our medical camp on Saturday. Following lunch our team split up and some sorted medical supplies and medications and others posted fliers and visited the Kware slum. The work was tiring but necessary and beneficial.
Overall today was an amazing day full of surprise, learning, and the shy waves children who just wanted to touch the "white people". We thank you for your continued support and hope tomorrow can bring as much joy and hope as today.
Katelynn
1 comment:
Katelynn,
Very fun to read your post. We are praying for you and the team constantly.
Love,
Dad
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