As many of you already know, NewSpring Church will be leaving today – Thursday, August 19th for Kenya. We would love for you to join us as a prayer partner for this upcoming trip.  We believe that God has great things in store for us as well as the Kenyans while we are there for the next 9 days.  Here are the things you can pray for specifically:

Pray for the following:

- Safety and travel of team members
- Health of team members
- People and Leadership of the Segera area
- Relationships to be built
- God’s direction and leadership for our service team

-BOTTOM LINE:  YOU CAN PRAY FOR CHANGE TO HAPPEN.  CHANGE IN OUR TEAM.  CHANGE IN THE KENYANS.

The team will have the opportunity to attend several churches in Depatas on Sunday.  Through the week our team will participate is several service projects this week.  Part of the team will work on pit latrines in the community of Depatas, a few folks will be helping teach and hang out with the many students at Uaso Nyiro Primary School, and finally, a group will be working on the construction of a room in the community of Black Tank.  All these areas are located in the area of Segera.  It is located approximately 3 1/2 hours north of Nairobi, just above the equator and near the base of Mount Kenya.
The 410 Bridge Leadership:    Alfred, Crispoh Molel, and David Ananda.
NewSpring Service Team: David Nimmons, Alden Ellis, Mandy Lane, Michelle Pittman, Tekedra Blanding, Carl Cromer, Michelle Cromer, Alison Youngblood, Rachel Bantly, Barron Cooley, John Boynton (not pictured), Chassity Boynton, Valerie Flynn, Abby Ivester, Robin Nelson, Meredith Knox, Mary Graham Harris, Matt Grant, Judy Williams, Shannon Forrest, Josephine Bernson, Debby Baker, Brandon Bartlett, Ray Booker, Rick Higginbotham, and Linda Shelton.

“As a college professor, I am used to having a forced audience – who at the very least feign an interest in my storytelling. Therefore, I may have an inflated view of my skills as a narrator. But nevertheless I do wish to share the highlights of my journey to Kenya for those who are interested. Page 22 of my orientation booklet has already warned me that “… not everyone is going to have a desire to hear about all of the details regarding your trip” so I will skip the numerous chapters within the chapters and just hit the reflective stuff.

This is not a conclusion. It is not a summary. A summary or conclusion would suggest that something has been resolved or understood fully. I am still very much processing what I saw, experienced, felt and heard, so this is by no means complete:

- First off, traveling to Kenya was a blur, thanks to Ambien. I had an entire conversation with one of the team members, the contents of which I have zero recollection of.

- I met Jemes on Tuesday in the tribal village of Jerusalem. He immediately gravitated to me and I swooped him up into my arms. He was 4 years old, and maybe weighed 35 pounds. I carried him around for about a half an hour. Perhaps I was drawn to him because his mischievous streak and his scrappy attitude so match my own, but in those 30 minutes we bonded. We were in the community to do outreach, so I was frustrated – how do you evangelize to a 4 year old who barely speaks English? I knelt down, grabbed both of his tiny, dirty hands in mine and said, “Do you know the song ‘Jesus Loves Me’?” He nodded yes, so we held hands and sang it together. It was time for our team to hike back to the bus, but Jemes and I couldn’t let each other go. I started to walk away, but he followed me, grabbing my hand and begging me to pick him up again, not understanding why I was leaving. I knelt down again, fighting back tears and told him goodbye. He just kept following me, asking to be picked up again. He did this until he couldn’t go any further. We saw hundreds of children all week, all with heartbreaking issues, but Jemes got me the hardest.

- We spent the most time at Endana Primary School. Endana is considered a “good” school because the children are fed lunch each day and they have access to water. This was a less heart-wrenching experience because the children were not begging for food or water as they were in other locations. The children are fed corn and beans every day (they grow their own food) and the food is prepared over an open fire in a log shack. I never once heard one child complain about the food.

- We were greeted by a tribe of Masai women one afternoon during a home visit. They were in traditional costumes performing a dance for us, which was amazing to witness. One of the women grabbed my hand and told me she had a present for me (this is one of the most profound experiences I had – these people have nothing, yet wanted to give away anything and everything they had). She handed me a beaded cross necklace, and I thanked her as best I could considering the language barrier. There was no way I was leaving without giving her something in exchange. I looked down and saw my rubber “Never Give Up” bracelet that the Erskine Women’s Tennis team had given me last season. I love that bracelet very much; it got me through the Knoxville Marathon back in March… but I couldn’t imagine a more fitting place to say goodbye to it. I slipped it off my wrist and onto hers. Running a marathon is paltry compared to the lives the Masai women lead every single day. Her name was Salome. She earned that bracelet. It’s hers now.

- The first full day of the trip I was extremely sick. It was a combination of jet lag, some blood sugar issues and a bad reaction to one of the meds. When I am asked what God taught me on the trip, this was one of many lessons I learned. Runners are notoriously cocky about their physical abilities, and I am no exception. I went into the trip very prideful (okay, arrogant) about my physical capacity and my ability to only rely on myself. I was determined to save Kenya by not only digging pit latrines, but digging them better and faster than anyone else. It’s no coincidence that the first test I faced was physical. I was so sick and weak that I seriously thought they’d be flying my body home. What did I learn? I learned that I am not in control of my body – God is in control of my body, every cell, every breath, every moment. To say I was humbled is an understatement. Lesson (hopefully) learned.

- The headmaster told me that many of the girls at Endana will drop out of school when they reach puberty and began having periods. They lack basic female health care supplies and, due to that, are too embarrassed to attend school. Basically, an entire future for these young women is thrown aside because of something that is easily remedied.

- I ate goat! Thursday was a traditional Kenyan meal of goat stew, rice, pea casserole and potatoes. It was very good. A man in one of the villages donated the goat, and when he stood up, he reminded me so much of my late grandfather that I had to bite my lip hard to keep from crying. I bit my lip a lot all week. In fact, I have a sore on the inside of my mouth from all the lip-biting.

- Kenyan people – in spite of enormous, crushing poverty – are phenomenally, exceptionally, purely happy. They are not hopeless. Their hope is in Christ and not things. Relationships are everything, and “stuff” means nothing. They radiate joy in spite of their circumstances. Are Americans “better off” than Kenyans? Well, let’s just say my answer to that question is greatly different than it was a week ago.

To finish, my mom asked me if I felt like I made a difference in Kenya. My answer at the time was ‘no’. For every child I held or played with, there were a hundred more. I don’t know what happened to Jemes. I don’t know where he sleeps at night or if he will even make it to age 5. He is still there, and I am now here.

As a team member told me, “You have to be content with not knowing how the story ends.” While difficult, I am slowly realizing that truth. What little I did in Kenya is just a small part of a greater work that God is doing. Another NewSpring team will arrive in Kenya [soon] and they will resume where we left off.

And when they do, I hope someone finds Jemes and picks him up for a while.”

So we had the privilege to have a videographer with us on our recent Kenya trip with The 410 Bridge.  The May 2010 trip had medical, dental, and service volunteers with us.  Enjoy!  And maybe pray about you joining a future trip.  www.newspring.cc/kenya

“I can only attempt to put into words the things I saw, the things I felt, and how much God revealed himself to me during these 9 days.  My trip to Kenya was by far one of the most life-changing experiences of my life.  It broke me, challenged me, encouraged me, and changed me.  God is very real, very mighty, and very faithful in Kenya as well as America.  Here are some of the things God taught me and is still teaching me as I continue to process it all:
1. God answers prayers
(Matthew 7:7-8) I prayed earnestly for safety, health, and change. And I was completely safe, healthy, and definitely changed.
2. God is all we need
He is more than enough for me.  The Kenyans were living in poverty fighting for survival, lacking basic needs, and yet were so full of joy and wore the most beautiful smiles.
3. God is faithful. So trust Him.
God provides for the Kenyans and their faith in Him is deep.  They truly believe their treasure is in heaven (Matthew 19:30).  The water they drink for the most part does not hurt them but would make us deathly sick.
4. God is love and loves unconditionally and so intensely beyond our comprehension.
The Kenyans have a deep and strong concept of love.  They love with their entire beings.  Their love for us, for each other, and for God is amazing.  The children were constantly trying to hold our hands and rub our arms.  If only we had the same intense affection and amazement toward God.  God loves Kenyans and Americans; every tribe, race, language, and nation equally and passionately.
5. God’s word is real, living, and breathing
Kenya made the Bible seem so much more real: crops, thirst, hunger, disease, poverty, leprosy, etc.  So many times I’ve looked over these matters and not really realize its still very real in our world today and the Bible continues to offer and glow with hope and new truths.
6. Give generously
The Kenyans have hardly nothing but yet were still trying to give us their possessions (rings, which were worth a month’s salary). Why don’t I love and give like that?
7. I’m so ungrateful
I don’t realize how blessed I am.  The genuine gratitude of the Kenyans tore our hearts out.  We have water, clean water; clothes;
shoes; homes; and food. Why do I have these things and they don’t?
(Luke 12:48)

We may be rich in possessions, but they are rich in spirit.

I am continuing to process everything that I learned in Kenya but I know my life will never be the same.  I can’t wait to return to Kenya one day.  It was like seeing a glimpse of heaven when praying together (Revelation 7:9-10).  I am forever grateful for God providing for me to go on this trip.  I have never learned so much in such a short amount of time and will forever have those children’s smiles in my mind and heart.  May God bless whoever reads this letter as I have been so richly blessed. Thank you.”

You should join us for one of our trips!

NewSpring June Kenya Team:  Jake Beaty, Andrew Sentell, Mary Kathryn Hodges, Katelyn Bridges, Marie Cantrell, Lexie Hall, Andrew Wall, Matthew White, Walker Reed, Daniel Young, Paul Parker, Thomas Langley, Jessica Bailey, Deann Parker, Joey West, William Jolly, Taryn Welden, Alexandria Lewis, John Hardy, Brantley Bell, Heather Cox, Wendy Fortier, Brooke Jackson, Liz Atkinson, Mollie Hyder, Brooke George, Rachel Ethun, Kristine Medlock, Anna Burgess, and Jessie Jones.

How you can pray for the June Kenya Team?

-Traveling time. The team will be flying most of Thursday and Friday to Kenya.  Once they arrive in Kenya they will be traveling by bus for several hours each day.  Obviously they will have a busy week and then a long bus ride back to Nairobi and another long flight back home to the U.S.  Pray for their safety.

-Flexibility & Patience. It is easy to become impatient and not very flexible when you get out of your “comfort zone” and get placed in a stressful situation.   Pray that our team is flexible with each other as well as all those around them. 

-Morning Devotions & Evening Debriefs. Each morning will start with a group devotion to get the team focused on the Lord and prepared for the upcoming day.  Pray for God to bless this time and allow Jake Beaty (the team leader) to share God’s Word in a powerful way to challenge & encourage the team.  The evening debriefs are a great way to wrap up the day and allow a time to unpack what God is doing in your head & heart with the rest of your teammates.  Pray that each member will participate during this time and allow God to begin the refining process of this trip.  These evening debriefs are so, so important in the overall success of this trip.  What God does during this time collectively – as well as individually – is incredible.  Pray! Pray! Pray!

-Work Days in the community. Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday will be busy days for the team as they are working on several things in Kenya.  The team will be doing several projects at a school located in the Segera area called Uaso Nyiro Primary School.  One team will be working on the construction of a kitchen and the other team will be working with the students & teachers at the school.  You can pray for the relationships that are being formed during these work days and especially for “open doors” to share the gospel.

-The overall success of the trip. Pray them up!

May Kenya Team:  David Nimmons, Howard Frist, Amy Barton, Andi Walters, Ashley Weatherly, Carla Morrison, Carol Creamer, Catherine Coker, Chasse Bailey-Dorton, Christopher Miele, Cierra Evatt, Cory O’Tuel, Dana Rector, Diana Clemow, Heather Putnam, Jan Walker, Janet Gromelski, Jonathan Shoultz, Kathy Spaulding, Kim Lee, Kristina Dyar, Marie Cooper, Melanie Williams, Rachel Mitchell, Shane Purcell, Shannon Seigler, Stephanie West, Sydney Haskett, Tabitha Vasilas, and Wesley Harden.

I wanted to give you a general itinerary for this upcoming Kenya trip.

-Thursday and Friday…  we will be flying a lot.  Air travel always seems to cause frustration to everyone….especially since the Iceland volcano has disrupted travel around Europe.  Pray, Pray, Pray!

-Saturday…  we will load up the bus and travel north from Nairobi to Segera.  This is usually a 4-hour bus ride.  We will have a brief visit with the Segera Mission staff and then do a little visiting in the community.  The medical & dental team members will begin organizing and preparing for the upcoming clinics they will be doing in the community.                                             

-Sunday…  a wonderful day filled with attending church with our Kenyan brothers & sisters and an afternoon of hanging out in the community enjoying getting to know each other.

-Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday…  work days in the community which will consist of the construction of pit latrines in the community of Endona as well as working in the local primary school.  The medical/dental team will be offering clinics each day around the Segera Mission as well as a nearby community (Monday -Black Tank, Tuesday -Endona, & Wednesday -Depatus).

-Thursday…  will consist of saying good-byes to the community and then heading on a quick safari.  Thursday evening is normally a great relaxing night as we stay at a wildlife game park (Sweetwater Tented Camp).

-Friday…  can seem like the longest day of your life because it has been a physical, spiritual and emotional week and we are getting ready to head back to Nairobi on a 4-hour bus ride and then make our way through the crazy Nairobi traffic to catch a bite to eat & then grab a late night “red-eye” flight back home to the States.

-Saturday is a day FULL of flying home to Greenville-Spartanburg Airport.  Welcome back to the United States!

• Thursday and Friday – we will be flying a lot.  Leaving GSP and heading to Washington DC.  This evening we will leave DC heading to Amsterdam.  Leaving Amsterdam on Friday morning and arrive in Kenya on Friday night.
• Saturday – we will leave Nairobi to head up to the area of Segera, which is typically a 4-hour bus ride.
• Sunday – will be a wonderful day attending church in Kenya where we will have a great opportunity to worship with our Kenyan friends.  This has been a great opportunity for people’s perspective of worship to be altered. Always a great experience!
• Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday – Work days in Black Tank (a small community in the area of Segera) in which will be doing activities with the children of Black Tank as well as helping with construction work at that school.
• Thursday – saying good-byes at the Segera Mission and heading for a quick safari.  Hope we can see a lion and an elephant!
• Friday night & Saturday – a day FULL of flying home back!  Yeah!

NewSpring Church: David Nimmons, Jon McDerment, Will Rodes, Justin Dick, Eddie Gowan, Anna Gillespie, Meredith Orten, Lynn Bigby, Anna Marie Hilliard, Charli Alford, and Adam & Sydney Haskett.

So not only are we arriving at the end of the year, but the end of a decade. And what a run of ten years it has been. I have had a blast over the last ten years and I am amazed how so many things happened to me over the past ten years.  Last decade (1990-99) I only remember graduating high school and college.  This decade (2000-09) I had the chance to get married to Amanda, hold several full time jobs after college,  travel to China & Africa, become a proud dad to Caleb.  And…… the wonderful experience to be apart of NewSpring Church from the first service in January 2000.  It has been a great ride these past ten years and who knows what the next ten years will look like for me and for NewSpring.  We are getting ready to celebrate our TEN YEAR ANNIVERSARY at NewSpring and I can not wait. We showed this video during our Christmas services and wanted to post it here. Hope to see you at the BILO Center in Greenville on Sunday, January 24th.

NewSpring 10th Anniversary promo from NewSpring Production on Vimeo.

“>

BTW – Caleb got three stitches put in his lip and removed a week later.  He’s doing fine.

A few of the schools had the chance to make the local evening news.  WYFF in Greenville and WIS in Columbia.  How cool is that?

WYFF Greenville

WIS Columbia