We are in Kenya , praise the Lord!  No hassles or problems with our travels, even in Nairobi where problems could arise...nothing was set before us as we traveled toward Kenya.

As I buckled my seatbelt on our last leg from Nairobi to Mobassa I was overcome with a sense of "thankfulness" that I am back in this land I love, a land of contrasts and its people.  As my eyes cleared up I began to feel as if  I were retuning to see an old friend!

With our first full day complete (June 13) we have experienced many first...our first Maasasi market. Where any mzungu...white person means money!  Well this white women isn't made of money, which everyone learned quickly.  As we wondered around the market we were able to tell our first Kenyans about Christ!  Sharing Christ here in Kenya is such a blessing!

Blessings and will post again soon!

Written three days after returning from Africa in 2012...

It is now 3 days since I returned from Africa....I am beginning to process what God has allowed me to experience.  What started years ago as a longing to serve God on the foreign mission field is being worked our in my life today!

For years I sat through mission conferences and heard the testimonies of men and women and how God called them to serve Him in a foreign land, and each time my heart would be stirred as my soul longed to follow that journey.  But it wasn't to be, God had other plans and in my sinful spirit I began to HATE mission conferences!  Why should I put myself through each conference only to be reminded I couldn't go.  So every excuse would keep me from mission conferences.

Life continues to happen and I found myself living an "Ozzie and Harriet" life, homeschooling the girls and seeking to be a godly wife.  Then one day I woke up on the "Jerry Springer Show" with my world turned upside down.  I found myself single with grown children, and a gentle reminder of the longing I felt so long ago.

October 2011 TABC mission conference with Chris and Lisa Moore from Real4Christ ministries were presenting their work.  Chris was presenting the work in Mombasa, Kenya and his desire to have the teachers grasp the importance of their job and to be more enthusiastic and excited about the job God has  given them.  A small quickened heart beat began beating in my soul and on the inside I was raising my hand saying....I can do that!  I can encourage, come along side these teachers.....so I introduce myself and told the Moores I could provide professional development for their teachers!....Isn't that what I do at Sam Houston State University?  Their answer was sure you can stay with us!  That's the beginning of Starting at the Jordan!

Since this first journey to Kenya has God revealed  what my path will be....no not yet so many possibilities all looming around me and so not sure of anything.  Yet a total sense of peace, with my life's journey...trusting God to show me in His time.

This I  know for sure, Lord willing, I plan to return to Africa next summer continuing what God started...and this time I will call it a short-term mission trip and challenged fellow believers to come with me for a journey of a life time!

This is what I wrote for our school newsletter 2013....

What started as a calling many years ago to teach on the foreign mission field is becoming a reality  once again this summer for second grade teacher Sabine Branch.  She will be returning to Mombasa, Kenya where she will minister with missionaries Chris and Lisa Moore of Real4Christ ministries. You can find out more information about their work at www.Real4Christ.com.  While in Kenya she will provide professional development for the teachers of MBEWAU Academy.    

After completing a needs assessment last year,   it was determined reading, writing and cleanliness to be areas of greatest need.  Last year’s focus was to set an attainable goal of 85% of students reading at grade level as well as developing learning opportunities for each classroom teacher.   Returning this year Sabine will undertake the second need, writing.  Each classroom will write a book from rough draft to publication!  

These books will be placed in the school library. 

Seeking God’s direction Sabine sought to take additional teachers to Kenya this summer…that’s where   Shelly Thomas and Mandy Traylor come into the adventure.   Shelly will be ministering in Pre-school called the baby class; however this is hardly a baby class as they have a full day of learning.   Baby classes consist of 35-40 three year olds! 

Mandy Traylor will be instrumental in providing direction and encouragement to the music program at MBEWAU Academy.  Just as she led chapel here at BCS, she will have opportunity to lead chapel in Kenya! 

We covet your prayers and can’t wait to share our adventure upon our return!  If you are interested in joining our adventure the summer of 2014, pray and let us know! 

God has richly answered my longings and prayers!  What joy awaits us as we serve God's people in Kenya.  

I am on the eve of my last full day in Kenya!  I can't believe this journey is about to end!  End in the physical realm, but not in the mental realm.  I was asked today what my favorite experience has been and it took me several minutes to express my thoughts. My thoughts are all over the place, from seeing all of the children lined up as we enter the school, to the worship services at Maasai Corner, to the lush landscapes at south beach...to the smiling faces of the children as you hug them!  I truly think I will have to have several days to decompress before I can make a rational response.  Second question; why should someone go on a mission trip....duh!  A mission trip will forever change a life, but that sounds so altruistic...all mushy but it is true.  I saw things I have never seen before as well as experienced emotions I have never felt!  I live in a country were we have three or four of everything and we are still not satisfied me included!  In Kenya daily survival is a constant concern for many people.  How can we as a "Christian" nation spend so much time and money on stuff we don't need. 

My experiences here have forever changed me, yet I'm not sure how....I know that sounds crazy but I must have time to process it all.  Once again I am reminded that if much is given much is expected!  God has richly blessed ,me and I have all I need and then some.  Still don't know where all this will lead, but I know God will reveal when the time is right. 

Spent all day at MBEWAU Academy meeting with the head teacher, Joseph as well as several other teachers introducing them to Read Alouds.  Giving them theory based reasons why they should incorporate in the classroom!  Went into classrooms to finalize the needs assessment of the school.   my observations focused on next years concentration,  I found that with this being my first time here and not having a clear picture I could only leave them with two focus points.  These points are Read Alouds and Word Walls.  This will enable MBEWAU to meet their goal of 80% of students reading at grade level. 

I wanted to start repeated oral reading with Reading A to Z, a website based reading supplement which would allow teachers to print books for student to have a hard copy.  These could be taken home to practice every night...with a repeated oral readings in class their reading fluency and comprehension would be increased, however I feel this would just be overwhelming for now as well as a cost of $89 per year.  Next year!?
Prayerfully next year I can focus on reading, writing, science and math....staying at least 4 weeks!  I'm thinking about taking a group of teachers with me next time....anyone interested lets talk! 

Today is already the June18 and I am leaving next week!!  Where did the time go?  To say this was a trip of a life time would be an understatement, however I am still seeking what God will have me do with this experience. 

Saturday found me in the bush!  Most of you will  remember Chris Moore telling us about having church under a mango tree in what is called Maasai Corner.  I stood under that same tree...yet now there is a church, a clinic, and several other structures.  God did some amazing things to this ministry since we first heard about it in Oct 2011. 

After helping set up the clinic I went with several Kenyans who acted as translators for myself and another American from Hallmark Baptist Church in San Antonio.  We visited with an elderly man who was handicapped yet still using a crank sewing machine mending whatever people bring him.  He gave us permission to speak to his "tribe".  Karen the girl from Hallmark was able to lead a younger gentleman to the Lord.  We invited him and his family to attend church the next day as well as encouraging him to visit the clinic if anyone needed medical attention.  We then traveled (by foot) to the next village where we again asked permission from the village elder if we could present the gospel.  We learned that in this village there was a preacher and all were believers, praise Jesus!  We were welcomed and offered seats around the center of the village.  Meeting an assistant chief and several other members gave us opportunity to praise God through prayer.  Our adventures took us up several rolling hills which meant we had to return the same way, rolling hills.  As we walked along the dirt road you could see in the distance the Indian Ocean and just a view that takes your breath away.  The beauty experienced here in the landscape almost makes you forget the debilitating poverty that plagues Kenya and its people!  We returned to Maasia Corner were fed beans and rice and chapatas (spelling?)...I may not be able to spell the word but oh boy can I eat them!  They are my new favorite food!  Then is was time for clinic work...amazing the number of people that needed to see the doctor.  Dental examines and extractions were also being done by a dentist with the Hallmark group. 

The next day we arrived for Church....we had church in the new building!  Amazing!  Their song service was captivating.  Their hearts were freely worshiping the God of the Universe.  Their spirits were joyfully singing praise to the One True God...Their bodies joined with their hearts, and spirits to worship as Americans can only hope to do in heaven!  Today I saw a freedom in worship that I envy.  I can't say enough about the Kenyans and their gentle, sweet spirits who welcomed the mzungu to their church!  It will be a worship service I will always remember!  Close to 30 believers were baptised in the first every baptism service at Maasia Corner!!

Then on to the second round of clinic time!  This time the clinic was for the community and did they ever turn out!  Between the hours of 1-3 there were at least 50 people seen of all ages...a 6 week old baby to a 70 year old woman with syphilis in her throat.  A man who had a surgical procedure done in Feb.  and still had a bladder bag attached with massive infection as well as his flesh around the wound being septic.  He will die if he didn't get to a hospital...and then he probably will still die!  Many ailments were caused by lack of hygiene...just not knowing what dirty water can do! 

How can one be the same after such an experience?  I can't!  I'm not!  Continue to pray for the Moores and their ministry.  Their protection as they ministry to this people group.  Pray that I will be discerning as to what God has me to do.

Today was a tremendous day!  I was able to meet with each teacher one on one to learn about their needs, achievements, and goals.  This enabled me to have a clearer picture of what I can give to them to facilitate instruction within their classroom. 

A reoccurring concern is students whose parents aren't able to pay school fees by the 5th of the month are not allowed to attend school...this present a huge challenge when the student returns...the teacher must close the gap in that child's learning.  Fees for the school are $6 a month, this also includes lunch!  I have eaten these lunches and they are filling and provide a full stomach to maximize learning.  These fees allow parents to have ownership in their child's education...  The struggle is how to convince the parents that their child needs to be in school.  That this fee is an investment in their child and in their future! 

Imagine with me creme of wheat cooked so that it can be sliced and is not sweet!  That's what I had today...umgolly (spelling??) and can truly say it wasn't yummy!  Umgolly was not oh golly how delicious! 

Another team is due to arrive tomorrow, please pray for their safe travel, and continue to pray that I will discern God's plan for me...how can I best help my fellow teachers here in Mombasa. 

I think I'll write a book...the title, Starting at the Jordan"  What do you think?