Ambassador Joins Compassion in Africa

2006-11-28T16:47:00.000-08:00

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www.compassion.com/childadvocacy/getthefacts/HIVandAIDS/livingpositive.htm

2006-11-28T16:37:00.000-08:00

Evelyn Gibson from Ambassador just recently visited her Compassion sponsored children from an AIDS-impacted project in Ethiopia. She shared with our staff today—it was amazing! Look at these beautiful faces!

You'll be hearing more from her, I'm sure... but here is a recent quote:

“I just returned from Africa after visiting children in poverty from two of Compassion’s AIDS projects. The joy they express because people care about them, reaches into your heart and energizes your soul to pray for these precious little ones that they not be forgotten by those of us who have so much.” – Evelyn Gibson

2006-10-03T16:03:00.000-07:00

November Calendar--Daily Talking Points/Action Items
Compassion International

Living Positive. . .with Compassion
“Attacking the AIDS Pandemic”

Wednesday, November 1:
“Blessed is he who has regard for the weak; the Lord delivers him in times of trouble.” Psalm 41:1

Although Africa has only 12 percent of the world’s population, it has more than 70 percent of the world’s HIV/AIDS cases and 90 percent of the world’s children orphaned by AIDS.

Pray for the children of Africa—that your heart will be broken for those whom Jesus loves.

Thursday, November 2:
“I know that the Lord secures justice for the poor and upholds the cause of the needy.” Psalm 140:12

Every 15 seconds two more African children become AIDS orphans.
Today, whenever you hear a child’s cry—ask the Lord to touch your heart for the neglected children of the world—for those who need hope!

Friday, November 3:
“He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.” Proverbs 14:31

Go on-line. Find an organization that’s helping children in need—and get involved.

Saturday, November 4:
“He who is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward him for what he has done.” Proverbs 19:17

Find out what’s being done to provide hope and help for the poor in your city—for a child in need right where you live. Support that organization with your prayers and resources.

Sunday, November 5:
“If a man shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too will cry out and not be answered.” Proverbs 21:13

At Sunday dinner, invite your entire family to pray for the children of Gode, Ethiopia—where nearly 500 children live in camps outside the town, orphaned by HIV/AIDS.

Monday, November 6:
“Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.” Proverbs 22:6

Young African children by the thousands have the direct care and responsibility for their younger siblings because their parents are dying of AIDS. Go to Compassion.com—find the story of a child in Africa and ask your children to pray for that child.

Tuesday, November 7:
“He who gives to the poor will lack nothing, but he who closes his eyes to them receives many curses.” Proverbs 28:27

Ask God to give you courage to bear the sorrow that comes when you acquaint yourself with the hardship and pain poor people experience.

Wednesday, November 8:
“The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern.” Proverbs 29:7

Find out what your community is doing to address the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Get the information that may lead to action on the part of business and church leaders.

Thursday, November 9:
“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.”

Tell one other person today that HIV/AIDS does not have to be a death sentence for a child in Africa. Information and medical treatment can bring hope and life to a child impacted by the disease.

Friday, November 10:
“Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.” Proverbs 31:9

Ask the Lord to lay a child in Africa infected with HIV on your heart. Pray that medical attention will be made available to save the life of that one child.

Saturday, November 11:
“Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow.” Isaiah 1:17

Do you know where to find the poor families of your community? Take a tour with a Christian ministry working among the poor in your city. Consider volunteering to encourage the oppressed.

Sunday, November 12:
“He defended the cause of the poor and needy, and so all went well. Is that not what it means to know me?” declares the Lord. Jeremiah 22:16

More than 12 million AIDS orphans are struggling for survival in Africa. Helping the poor is a God-given command. And children are the most vulnerable of the poor.

Monday, November 13:
“He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8

Your church can make a difference. Send for a free HIV/AIDS information church kit from Compassion.com.

Tuesday, November 14:
“And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward.” Matthew 10:42

Put in on your list to fill a shoebox with Christmas toys and gifts for a child in poverty. Make it a family project.

Wednesday, November 15:
“And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me.”
Matthew 18:5

More than 100 million children worldwide are homeless—many due to the HIV/AIDS pandemic. When you see a child today, “welcome” them with a smile and pray for a child that same age in Africa.

Thursday, November 16:
“See that you do not look down on one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.” Matthew 18:10

One person has said, “We would be more apt to SEE the poor, if we looked for Christ in them.” Pray for children in poverty—and for their families.

Friday, November 17:
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” Matthew 28:19

Pray for specific opportunities to reach out to a child in need—to a child impacted by HIV/AIDS.

Saturday, November 18:
“Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.” Mark 9:37

Consider sponsoring a child in a HIV/AIDS project. Be to that child “Jesus—with skin on!”

Sunday, November 19:
“Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” Mark 10:14

Sixty to 80 percent of Christians accept Christ between the ages of 4 and 14. Volunteer to work with children at risk—share the Gospel of Christ with a child in need.

Monday, November 20:
“But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind.” Luke 14:13

Plan now to put on a “Poverty Meal” for your civic or church group. Serve a simple soup and bread. Use it as an opportunity during the holiday season to focus attention on children impacted by poverty and HIV/AIDS.

Tuesday, November 21:
“If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.” 1st Corinthians 13:3

Today share something you have with someone who has little or nothing. Sharing helps break the power of selfishness. All you have is truly God’s—for His purposes and use.

Wednesday, November 22:
“All they asked was that we should continue to remember the poor.” Galatians 2:10

Spend an hour praying for the children of Africa—children who are living positive with HIV/AIDS because of the compassion of those who pray and those who go to serve children in need.

Thursday, November 23—Thanksgiving Day:
“Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.” 1st Timothy 6:17/18

Read Isaiah 25:1 and 4, Psalm 140:12, Psalm 146:7, Proverbs 31:8 and 9 or Acts 10:4 as you begin your Thanksgiving dinner. Ask God to give you a grateful and generous heart for those suffering in poverty, for those impacted by the HIV/AIDS pandemic in Africa.

Friday, November 24:
“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” James 1:27

Every day more than 30,000 children under the age of 5 die from preventable diseases—including in some cases HIV/AIDS. Americans are among the most affluent people in the world. Ask the Lord how you might use your resources on behalf of a child in need.

Saturday, November 25:
“Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom He promised those who love Him?” James 2:5

Churches and their members who themselves are the poorest of the poor in Africa are reaching out to children left orphaned and homeless by HIV/AIDS. Pray in support of these precious people who are indeed “rich in faith.”

Sunday, November 26:
“What good is it if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds?”
James 2:14

We spend more on chewing gum per year (over $2 billion) than we give to children in need in developing countries. Ask God what He would have you do for a child in poverty, for a child orphaned by HIV/AIDS.

Monday, November 27:
“Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, ‘Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,’ but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?’” James 2:15/16

Angel Tree, Samaritan’s Purse, Compassion International and many others have everything in place to impact and help a child in poverty. The information is there for you to get involved!

Tuesday, November 28:
“Let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.” 1st John 3:18

Get your church youth group involved in a project to give the price of a movie ticket to a child in Africa who’s been orphaned by HIV/AIDS.

Wednesday, November 29:
“Your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need.” 2nd Corinthians 8:14

Tangible ministry to the poor builds a two-way street of blessing and faith. Seeds of hope and faith take root in the hearts of the poor when we show them Jesus’ love. Our faith is strengthened when we see the depth of their faith. What will be your tangible ministry during this holiday season?

Thursday, November 30:
Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.” Matthew 25:46

Close to 40 million people are living with HIV throughout the world and that number increases in every region of the world. Tomorrow, December 1is World AIDS Day—an opportunity to unite with Compassion International in prayer to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS—to bring hope and healing to children and their families impacted by this horrific pandemic!

For more information on Compassion International’s HIV/AIDS Initiative go to Compassion.com.

2006-09-26T11:51:00.000-07:00

Bill Blount (Blount Communications) took a similar trip with Compassion to Africa in July.

Compassion recognizes that the largest cause for AIDS is related to behavior. By reaching the youth with the life changing message of Christ, lives are transformed and behavior is changed.

To break the cycle of HIV/AIDS you have to change behavior. Compassion is teaching children the truth about how the disease is contracted and spread. Through their Biblical message to the kids, the legacy of AIDS in Africa can be stopped in its tracks.

Compassion is at the center of AIDS education in Africa. From educating the mind to changing the hearts of people, Compassion is leading the way to stop the cycle of AIDS in Africa's youth and adults.

2006-09-26T11:48:00.000-07:00

Matt Rust (Program Director of WQME-FM in Anderson, IN) took a similar trip with Compassion to Africa in July.

Kenya was amazing... the Compassion Staff in Kenya were incredible...Susan, Ester and Fred...three amazing people doing so much for those who have very little. I'll never forget my trip with Compassion to Kenya - Thanks to Mark Hollingsworth for constantly emailing and calling... to get me to go on this trip with them...it was life changing for me and something I'll never forget and I'll always give a plug for Compassion whenever I'm asked about the trip...or I share my experiences with others. God is truly at work through Compassion in Kenya...and we must help by giving and sponsoring so His work will continue.

2006-09-26T11:46:00.000-07:00

Brennan Wimbish (Assistant PD/Promotions of WGTS-FM in Washington DC) took a similar trip with Compassion to Africa in July.

One of the most encouraging things I saw on my Compassion International trip to Kenya was in a family’s small, one-room home no bigger than a small storage shed. There in that dark shack made of scrap metal and anything else the family could find was a framed picture of an American family on the wall – the child’s sponsor family. It was incredible to see the difference that one family made from half a world away. What was even more mind-boggling was just how little it takes to create change. Only $30 a month. Compassion International has been the catalyst for effecting change in lives all over the world and I was blessed to get a peek of them being the “hands and feet” of Jesus.

2006-09-26T11:42:00.001-07:00

Jim Kirkland (General Manager of WMIT-FM in Black Mountain, NC) took a similar trip with Compassion to Africa in July.

“I was really impressed with Compassion. By the second day of our week-long visit to Kenya. It was apparent the Compassion team had both a tender love and a steely determination for the children in Kenya. Christ’s heart for children was evident in the team’s love for the kids and the determination was born out of the passion each child be shown the hope that’s theirs in a relationship with our Lord.”

2006-09-21T15:29:00.000-07:00

Larry Walters (Promotions Director/Host of KAMB-FM in Merced, CA) took a similar trip with Compassion to Africa in July.

Traveling to Africa with Compassion International was one of the most eye-opening and fulfilling experiences of my life. For the past 11 years, my family has sponsored Jane Ndiga, our Compassion child from Kenya, Africa. I knew we were having an impact on Jane's life through the many letters and pictures we have shared over the years, but meeting her in person helped me see first hand how Compassion has helped release this young lady from poverty. What a blessing to know that Jane has received food, clothing, health care, and education, plus she knows the Lord in a personal way and is actively demonstrating God's love to her 13-month old daughter, Talia.

Meeting Jane was very fulfilling and the tears flowed easily as we hugged for the first time. In fact, if you want to read more about my journey, our web site has pictures of Jane and Talia along with my report from the day of the meeting. Just visit celebrationradio.com for details.

In addition, our group was able to hear moms and dads affected by HIV relate that because of the vaccines Compassion is providing them, they now have hope - hope that they will live to continue parenting their children, hope because Jesus has cleansed their souls from guilt and anguish as a result of poor choices, and hope because even if they do contract AIDS and die, they will one day see their children again in heaven. None of this would have been possible without the children going to the Compassion project, sharing Christ with their parents, and then receiving health care through this outstanding program.

2006-09-21T14:52:00.000-07:00

Jon Hull (VP of Operations of KSBJ-FM in Houston, TX) took a similar trip with Compassion to Africa in July.

“As a father of two daughters, it broke my heart to listen to 8 and 9 year olds warning their friends about HIV/AIDS, things that are way too grown-up for little hearts like theirs. Yet, in a culture where practically everyone they know is either infected with or affected by this disease, it was necessary. I realized that if young boys and girls had to know about the realities of this issue, I’d rather them learn about it from someone who was committed to teaching them how to avoid infection from a standpoint that covers the spiritual and emotional as well as the physical. That someone is Compassion International.”

“The week I spent in Kenya I was surrounded by the reality of HIV and AIDS. Many of the men, women, boys, and girls I interacted with may not be alive today if it were not for the efforts of Compassion International. Compassion’s commitment to do more than just throw a few dollars and a program at the situation was evident at every project I visited. To witness the strength and empowerment that was part of the work of Compassion gave me hope that with God, all things are possible – even in situations that seem hopeless.”

“We’ve all recently witnessed the media hoopla surrounding large financial commitments by some of our nation’s most wealthy individuals, intended to address the HIV/AIDS epidemic in our world. But I recently witnessed what can happen when thousands of average men and women make a commitment to change the world through Compassion International. While they may not change the whole world, they’re changing the world for one child today! The millions of dollars being committed by some may dwarf the $32 a month being given by Compassion sponsors, but I doubt those millions will make the kind of eternal difference that I saw in the slums of Nairobi. While most in media may not get too excited about what I witnessed, I can’t help but wonder if all of heaven isn’t rejoicing at the lives being touched and the souls being saved through the consistently excellent work of Compassion.”

2006-09-21T14:47:00.000-07:00

Chris Staley (Program Director of KSOS-FM in Las Vegas, NV) took a similar trip with Compassion to Africa in July.

"What a privilege, to meet the people in an HIV/AIDS ministry of C.I., in the heart of an area of devastating poverty in Africa; to meet my brothers and sisters in Christ, testifying that, though they live HIV positive, they've come to know Hope, as they've been introduced to Jesus, and found out that He lives right in the midst of their circumstances and community. C.I. serves the local church, so the compassion shown is unmistakably offered from the hand of a loving God!"

2006-09-21T09:52:00.000-07:00

DAY SIX -
From: Steve Cummings
Sent: Saturday, August 19, 2006 8:32 AM

Jambo!

We’re sitting here in the hotel lobby killing an hour before we head to the Nairobi airport. Today we went on our final Project visit. Again – we saw God. Amazing people with such great faith, and love (See picture 39). Got a chance to pass out a bucket of bubble gum (See picture 39) that the kids just loved! (Thanks J.C.! Great
idea)

We also fed the children – and got a brief chance to play with them. Then we headed off to lunch at Karen Blixen (“Out of Africa” is her story.) Restaurant. Then off for some souvenir shopping and bartering with the locals over how much we wanted to spend.

Now – the tough part. A LONG 3 plane rides home.

Thanks for your final prayers for us as you wake up today (Saturday) and all day tomorrow. We land in the OC around 8:00PM Sunday night.

Love from Kenya,

Steve & Julia Cummings

2006-09-21T09:46:00.000-07:00

DAY FIVE -
From: Steve Cummings
Sent: Friday, August 18, 2006 1:16 PM

Jambo Family & Friends!

Just got back to the hotel after a great dinner at the Carnivore restaurant where we got to eat a lot of different kinds of meats – like many of the animals we saw today on the safari. Ever had alligator? Or camel? (Didn’t see one of those on the Masai Mara J)

Yesterday & today were another dose of seeing God for us . . . and BOY, He didn’t let us down. The minute we got off the twin engine prop plane in Techwa Kembo, we were hustled off on an afternoon safari ride before we ever got to our fabulous hotel that was high up on the mountain overlooking the Masai Mara (Serengeti for you Lion King folks). And seeing all those animals just a few feet away is such an exhilarating experience. You can’t help but see God! And to find a lion within the first hour of being there is unheard of!

Our hotel was called the Mpata Safari Club and boy, did they roll out the welcome mat! Had a great dinner as a group -- we’re one big happy family now (See picture 116) and had a morning safari ride at 6:00AM (See picture 67 of our the sunrise God gave us!) along with “breakfast in the bush.” We saw lots of elephants, zebras, giraffes, baboons, vultures, hippo’s, wildebeest, hyena’s, impala’s, water buffalo, a mamma cheetah and her 4 cubs (my personal highlight), 3 lionesses, 1 lion, and crocodiles. We came with an eyelash of seeing a wildebeest herd cross the Mara River, which is infested with crocodiles. It’s a long story on what this is about and we can explain it later – but let’s just say there were about a dozen Land Rovers full of people parked waiting to see this very rare occurrence. We left after an hour and ten minutes – and flying back to Nairobi this afternoon – that herd was still there and hadn’t crossed.

What day today was. It goes down at one of the “Top Ten” in our books!

Tomorrow we have a fully packed day visiting one final Compassion Project – shopping at the market (for souvenirs) – then back to the hotel to pack for the 20+ hour ride home. We found out tonight about the tighter security measures. Apparently we can ONLY take on board our wallets and money and nothing else. Boy – we are going to go nuts. Oh well. One thing this trip has taught or reminded me is that we serve a great God – and I have no worries about these new restrictions. We will see Him work as we have all week.

PRAYER REQUESTS:

1. With these new security measures now in place, we can’t communicate with Julia’s brother until we get our bags in Atlanta. So please pray we can get through customs, etc. to pick up Jamilyn & Jack with no problems.

2. Julia ate something at the restaurant tonight and got an allergic reaction that cause her top lip to swell up. She took some Benidryl but it makes her kind of loopy for a day or so and tomorrow is a huge day. Pray for her health.

3. I have a case of bronchitis and no voice (And some of you are saying, “No voice for Steve? That’s bad?”) Being a bit nasally when we left + a high altitude city (5,000 ft) + bad air pollution in Nairobi + a smokey room = and my lungs have take their toll. Pray for my health.

4. Safe trip home.

We love all you guys and can’t wait to see you and download all that God has shown us. Until we meet again – grace and peace to you all!

Love,

Steve Cummings(Mom & Dad to our 4!)

2006-09-21T09:29:00.000-07:00

DAY FOUR -
From: Steve Cummings
Sent: Fri 8/18/2006 8:55 AM

Jambo Family & Friends!

God is good. There was a mix up in our flight to Techwa Kembo and we ended up taking the afternoon flight instead of the morning flight. But guess what? There was a missions team from Saddleback Community Church that was traveling with us, and Doug Fields was with them!

We’re off right now to dinner at the Carnivore restaurant – but wanted to send you a couple pix from our safari the last 2 days. Oh my gosh! Seeing God’s creation on the Masai Mara (The Kenya side of the Rift Valley – the Serengetti is in the south in Tanzania and some of the animals migrate back and forth during the season changes. More on that when we get home.)

Enjoy these photos and we’ll try to get more specific about the last 2 days when we get back from dinner.
Steve Cummings

2006-09-19T20:45:00.000-07:00

DAY FOUR -
From: Jim Sanders
Sent: Fri 8/18/2006 8:57 AM

The sum of all the superlatives which one could muster wouldn't adequately describe the last two days. But I'll give it a try!

We flew on a four-engine commuter plane from Wilson Airport, a small tower-controlled commuter terminal designed to ferry passengers between Nairobi and remote Kenyan destinations.

Our plane was headed to the Maasai Mara, a larger game reserve in south-west Kenya. There were four stops planned . . . ours the last in a series of dirt airstrips, each separated by a five to eight minute flight. We never were higher than 500 feet above the Mara, which made for some fun sightseeing. We began to identify various animals in the plain below which all the more heightened our anticipation for the next day and a half.

Our guides met us at the "airport" in two Toyota Land Cruisers, modified to have two sections of their roofs be removed. The opening was padded, allowing us to stand up in the car and have an unobstructed view of the animals.

Our thirty-minute ride to the hotel purposefully took more than two hours so that we could begin our sightseeing immediately. In fact, almost right away, we had the rare privilege of seeing a majestic male lion peacefully resting under a tree. Since all the tour cars are in radio contact, it wasn't long before the area was swarming with other tourists, all hoping to capture the cat on film. At one point, he was startled enough to get up and walk away. As he did, you could hear all the shutters flying. What a joy to watch this amazing animal gracefully make his way to a quieter part of the Mara.

The trip that evening also included zebra, wildebeests, impala, antelope, elephant, giraffe and baboons. Hard to believe this wasn't a ride at Disneyland!

Our hotel was up on a mountain top which had an incredible view of the plain below. Such a great view! We each had our own bungalow. Katie and I had a few minutes out on the deck watching the sun go down.

No phones, no TV, and power shuts down at 11:00. This place is unbelievably remote. HOWEVER, our cell phones did work. Who'd a thunk?!?!

We were up at 5:15 the next morning to meet our 6:00 call for a half-day tour of the Mara. How wonderful to witness our second African sunrise. Just spectacular. Another day of huge herds of animals. We also had a picnic breakfast out in the bush while a hyena made his way past us.

We happened upon a cheetah and it's four kittens/cubs. So fun to watch these small cats play. While they lounged, all the animals, even in the distance, were standing at attention, their eyes fixed in our direction. It seems the prey knows exactly where the predator lives.

We made our way down to where the wildebeests cross the Mara River, exposing themselves to the crocodiles in the river. There were 20 or more dead animals being fed on by vultures. We watched them "think" for more than an hour about when to cross. Just about 300 yards downriver, we counted 17 crocs, many of which were more than 15 feet in length. Lots of hippos too! Dozens.

All that to say, we didn't see any carnage, just the left-overs. Such an amazing part of the world!

We're off now to eat at the world-famous "Carnivore Restaurant"-and we'll try eating many of the animals we saw today: crocodile, ostrich, zebra, etc. Should be interesting.

Tomorrow is another project trip, then off to the airport for a three-hour wait before departure. We've been told NO carry-on anything…only wallet and pills. Hopefully, that will relax a little bit.

So, we won't be in email contact again. Look forward to seeing you all!

Jim Sanders

2006-09-19T20:33:00.000-07:00

DAY THREE -

Sent: Wed 8/16/2006 12:18 PM

Family & Friends:
Jambo!

Before we left for Africa, one of our pastors preached on the Beatitude, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” That message has continued to be real for us on this trip. We can say with absolute certainty . . . TODAY we saw God, and He (again) was amazing. There is simply NO end to what He wants to show us.

Today we had to get up early (See picture 2 of how God started our day) to catch our 1 hour MAF (Mission Aviation Fellowship) flight to Kisumu (See picture 16) – which is about 350 miles west of Nairobi next to Lake Victoria , the second largest fresh water lake in the world. THEN, we had a 1 ½ hour drive to the Mahaya Project.

When they opened the gates as we pulled up to the church, you could see the children lined up in what looked like a military formation. They had an elaborate ceremony planned (See picture 57) and treated us all like dignitaries. A well was dedicated as Wess Stafford cut the ribbon (See picture 68) and pumped the first bucket of water from it (See picture 72) – and then 3 trees were planted, one with Wess and a child, one with the Country Director of Compassion Int’l. Kenya and a child – and to represent the Compassion Sponsors of their children, Julia got to plant the 3rd tree with a child (See picture 82).

Tons more went on but want to keep this short. Discussion tonight at dinner with our group centered on what do we do with what God has shown us when we return home? This is more than saying we had a “great trip” – or even that it was a “life changing experience.” This goes much deeper than that. We will continue to pray and process what we have seen.

Tomorrow – we won’t be able to send an email update as we are packing up in the morning and checking out of our hotel here in Nairobi and taking a flight to Kichwa Tembo for our photo Safari. We’ll get back to you on Friday night (Friday morning for the rest of you).

THANK YOU so incredibly much for your prayers! There is NO doubt in our minds that they are what is under-girding this entire trip and experience.

Oh – this last picture is for you, Peg. “How was the flight with MAF, Julia?” (See picture 113).

Ndiyo!

2006-09-19T20:22:00.000-07:00

DAY TWO -
Sent: Tuesday, August 15, 2006 1:07 PM

Family & Friends:

I am discovering on this trip how much the word “amazing” does not do justice to the people God has allowed us to meet. From this morning’s visit to Shauri Moyo Baptist Church and the 12 year-old HIV positive girl who’s courageous testimony would bring you to tears – or the 13 year-old girl who is writing a book about her experience with a broken friendship with a girl who wouldn’t listen to her and became pregnant at 15 – to 26 year-old Enfantes from Dandora Baptist Church, a Compassion student who’s passion, zeal, and gratefulness to God for what He has done in his family (See picture) – or the 9 year-old girl who led her mother to Christ (See picture) – to the home visits and the Sponsor letters they so cherish and love to read over and over again (See picture) -- to the 4 LDP (Compassion’s Leadership Development Program for graduates of Compassion Projects) university students who came to our hotel for dinner and shared their stories . . . “AMAZING” doesn’t even come close to accurately describing these people, or their gratefulness to God.

Driving through the city on the way to these Projects, through the sewage, dump, smoke, diesel fumes, etc. and seeing not just the poverty, but the crime and sin . . . and then to hear grateful young men and women who have risen up out of this despair with great faith in God to where they are now . . . is just incredible. I don’t think I’ll ever whine again about the air conditioning not working well ever again.

Julia and I will find some way to tell their story to you guys when we get back. They have asked us to do that, and we told them we would. Not just to get a “warm fuzzy” and pass it off as another “life changing experience” – but with some tangible ways we can all make a difference. These fellow followers of Christ “get it” much better than we do in the States. And they deserve our respect, love, and admiration each and every day.

Tomorrow – (o.k. While y’all are sleeping for us here a continent away) we will board a 6:00AM flight with Mission Aviation Fellowship for a 1 hour flight to visit a couple Projects in Kisumu in west Kenya. We’ll email you again tomorrow.

Love from Africa,
Steve Cummings

2006-09-19T20:15:00.000-07:00

DAY ONE -

Sent: Monday, August 14, 2006 11:10 AM
Sending you a couple pix from Day 1 in Kenya.

Steve Cummings

From: Jim Sanders
Sent: Monday, August 14, 2006 12:20 PM
Subject: Two more photos

The little boy who doesn’t know he has HIV and two dads and two Katies in front of the COM Kenya office.

2006-09-19T19:53:00.000-07:00

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