KENYA!!!

Coming back to Kenya for the third time was like visiting family. The first time we came to Kenya, things were very strange and different. The second time, we knew what to expect. But this time was much easier to enjoy the time spent with our Kenyan family.

They gave us a warm welcome at the airport, even bringing people we had never met!

This is Chania Falls in Thika, the largest city near AMCC. We've never seen it with this much flowing water. This picture seems to best describe what we've seen at AMCC this trip; a pictorial allegory of AMCC. It is surrounded by life, rich in the flow of the Spirit of God and full of potential! However the water is brown, not drinkable and therefore not yet sustainable. Father we pray that you bring sustaining waters to AMCC!

The kids were pumped to see us. We would have taken a picture but we were mauled with hugs, jumping, laughter and yells of celebration before we had a chance. We brought "Bop-It" as a gift for the kids and delivered a laptop and camera to the AMCC staff, donated by Erin Marietti, who visited AMCC last year with Rachel Stamps (from Bloom Church in Denver) on their way home from Italy.

The next day was Sunday, so we got to join in worship with the kids. This was much missed as these kiddos really know how to worship! Dancing, drums beating, great rhythm and great flow from song to song as the children switch song leaders as if its been rehearsed several times. If you're not sweating by the end, you're not really worshiping!

Later we got to share about being in China and the next week John asked us to share with the kids what the Lord had been showing us lately.

The feeling at AMCC seems to be all around brighter and more hopeful...

They now have a full staff...(John-CEO, Rahab-Cook, Nancy-Matron, David- Accountant/Tutor, Ruth-Communications Officer)

And a new location! (The full tour will be on the next blog)

John definitely seems to be in higher spirits...

Not to mention his back is doing much better too! Bwana Asufiwe! (Praise God!) we've been praying for this for a long time! Thank you Lord!

Though times are still difficult, they are in a much better community where they receive more support from Johns family and the surrounding community. Above Nancy displays a rack of bananas that someone recently donated!

God is good!!

THE WALL

For our last day in China, we decided to hike the Great Wall! Definitely a memorable experience.












Alas, some things in China are more memorable than others...

A Day at the Forbidden City

To kill some time in China, we decided to see some important Chinese history and culture over the next few days. In Beijing, the Capital, Tiananmen Square is enormous and has the most security cameras of any place we have ever seen! It lies just outside The Forbidden City, the home of several Chinese Emperors throughout China's history.

Entering the Forbidden city!





Imperial throne room! (above) The Emporer's study hall. (below)



Hyper-extended elephants in the palace gardens.

And some golden chopsticks!

Nick, having a lion on his own shirt, does his best to replicate the ancient Lion Guard who seems to sneer in distain in the background.

Finishing Up in Baoji

After Xi'an we traveled back to Baoji for a few more days. Chase and Marissa introduced us to a Russian couple named Volodia and Nadia who had been working in China for five years. They have one more month until they go back home to Russia.




On Sunday we spent some time in fellowship and Nick got to lead some songs on the guitar. We also shared some wafers and grape juice! It was a great time together.



Later we went to the market where we found some Kung Pao Chicken. Quite the happnin spot...


Our last day, Chase and Marissa took us to a Korean Barbecue before...



...seeing us off at the train station, where two Chinese friends, Carson and Bessie, met up to say goodbye. Bessie is taking the picture while Carson stands next to Marissa. Meanwhile a random guy with a hat stands in the background with a look of curiosity.



Finally we arrive in Beijing and make it to the airport only to discover that we have an issue with our plane tickets! We are not allowed to get on the plane to Kenya, which is overbooked by 20 people. Alas we are forced to stay in China another three days before the next flight would leave! Nicked is bummed out but Maggs does her best to keep a good attitude.

Fun Chinglish Pics (Part 2)

1)Parents helping kid to pee in a coke bottle inside the Museum...not an uncommon occurance.

2)Colonel McDonald?

3) Car on the side of a building

4)Ski run (Maggie poses as a skier to exemplify the ski run in then background)

5) Same color hair

6) Boss Eyed

7) Your Behavior...?

8) What kind of crackers are those again?

9) Your average Sunday night at any given Chinese University...with no professor...

10) RoboCup 2011!