Flight delays

So after a flight problem and cancellation we have been scheduled on Flight 9243 tomorrow June 30, from Charles de Gaulle leaving at 3:00 pm Paris time to DFW arriving 6:30 pm Dallas time.  Of course, the flight is listed as “delayed” already online and times listed say “estimated”.   The airline comped our hotel stay and gave us food vouchers for the hotel restaurant.  Sponsors Brian Millet and Tammy Carrell have taken several of the students to see the Eiffel Tower tonight and are enjoying the unexpected bonus time in Paris.  Will post again if there are any changes to that.

Our last night in Africa

Sorry I didn’t get a chance to update in the past couple of days.  We are all fine and enjoyed our safari here at the end of our trip.  Everyone got to see lots of animals and enjoy Gods creation here at Lake Manyara.  Tonight we had our last meeting and took communion to dedicate our trip and all that we’ve done to the Lord.  Tomorrow morning we will leave here around 9 and stop on the way out for one more short game drive.  Several of the group will be doing a “treetop” safari where they walk across some kind of tree bridges to see animals below.  The rest of us normal people will just ride around in the Jeep’s while we wait for them.  We will then head back to our hotel in Arusha where we left all our luggage, have a quick lunch and then head to the airport!

I cant believe this trip is almost over!  We have truly enjoyed this group in particular.  They have worked so hard and served joyfully the whole time.  We will miss them but I know you will all be happy to have them home safely!  Thank you so much to everyone who has supported us through giving or prayer.  We could not have done it without you!

Sunday June 24

Today we headed out early to take part in 2 services at a nearby Anglican Church.  Jon spoke at both services and we enjoyed the fellowship with this group.  Our students took turns and helped out in the children’s church and also sang a couple of songs in the services.

After church we came back for lunch and then headed out for some shopping and fun time.  We stopped back by the Kindness Children’s Orphanage on the way to see the finished roof that we provided over the kitchen area.  We were able to purchase them an oven which they were overjoyed about.  The head teacher came out just beaming with happiness and thanked us over and over.  This was something that will really help them as before they just cooked over an open fire pit in the back area.  This, obviously, is always a danger with little ones running around, so they were overjoyed to have a proper stove and kitchen set up.  Also the simple roof has created a whole new common space outside where they can eat and have group activities to avoid crowding into the small rooms inside the home.  They had a TV set up and were watching soccer out there when we arrived.

We then headed to the Shangra coffee shop and craft village.  This is a foundation that supports people with special needs by letting them use their artisan skills and selling their goods in a gift shop.  There were weavers, glass blowers, as well as many other handicrafts.  We then headed back to the Masaii market where there are tons of little small individual shops....kind of like First Monday in Canton, but extremely high pressure bartering going on.  I couldn’t handle it and got back on the bus after one row of shops.  The students all found some good deals though and it was just a fun afternoon of relaxation.   We came back for dinner and our evening devotion and now headed to bed.

Tomorrow will be our last full day here.  We will be going back to the Tuvaila School for Disabled and speaking with the parents and kids.  We also plan to do a puppet show of the Max Lucado book, The Crippled Lamb, and deliver all the walkers, wheelchairs, mattresses, pillows, and mosquito nets we purchased for them.

Thank you for continuing to hold our group up in prayer!

Saturday at Tuvaila

This morning we started out with a devotion from Tammy Carrell.  Tammy is a friend of Jon and I from our Adult Bible Fellowship at Lake Pointe Church in Rockwall.  She graciously agreed to come on the trip just 3 weeks before we left when she heard that we needed a last minute sponsor.  She is amazing and has been a huge help to us on the trip.  She is certified in first aid and so has been doctoring kids toes and various small ailments as well as working hard painting, digging, helping with VBS and encouraging all of our students.  Anyway, she spoke on the topic of “Would you rather hear a sermon or SEE a sermon?”  See poem below but we were all encouraged to live out our faith in practice everyday to really make it ingrained into us.

After breakfast, the group headed out to work all day at Tuvaila Disabled School.  This was our final heavy work day while the disabled kids were not there.  We finished the playground and painting several classrooms. Monday we hope to spend the day playing with the kids while the Millet family talks to the parents.  We were able to find and purchase the mattresses and mosquito nets for all the bunkbeds and  walkers and or wheelchairs for the disabled kids who needed them.

My kids and I have stayed back from the heavy part of the physical work at Tuvaila, as there is a very uneven ground surface and heat and exhaustion causes some health risks, especially to Marshall.   But they have been helping me prepare for VBS each day, prepare bins of giveaways to different groups and making friends with the people here.  They have done a great job helping out each day at VBS and playing with the kids at the school for Disabled.

Tomorrow we will be going to an Anglican Church Service where we will be leading two different children’s groups and speaking at 2 Services.  In the afternoon we will be going to do a little shopping at a market and having a little down time.

Please continue praying!  Thank you all so much for your support and encouragement!

Poem by Edgar A. Guest @1934
“Sermons we See”

I’d rather see a sermon than hear one any day;
I’d rather one should walk with me than merely tell the way.

The eye’s a better pupil and more willing than the ear,
Fine counsel is confusing, but example’s always clear;

And the best of all the preachers are the men who live their creeds,
For to see good out in action is what everybody needs.

I soon can learn how to do it if you’ll let me see it done;
I can watch your hands in action, but your tongue too fast may run.

And the lecture you deliver may be very wise and true,
But I’d rather get my lessons by observing what you do.

For I might misunderstand you and the high advice you give,
But there’s no misunderstanding how you act and how you live.

Friday - Last day of VBS

Today we started out the day with a devotion from Steve Wolcott who told the first half of the faith story involving his wedding ring.  We heard the last half tonight.  For those of you who have been on the trip, you know what we are talking about.  If you’ve never heard it before...well you will just have to join us next year.

After breakfast, the group headed back over to the Tuvaila School for Disabled to work on the playground and paint some of the buildings.  This involved a lot of moving dirt and rocks!  Our students have been such troopers working really hard and cheerfully.  Tomorrow we hope to finish the main part of all the work and also buy them some mattresses for one of their dormitories.  Some of the Disabled kids are boarding there.  Someone else had built them a dorm and put bed frames in it, but they had not been able to furnish any mattresses or bedding so it has been unusable.  We will also be purchasing them a few wheelchairs and walkers with the money so many of you have generously donated.  Monday we will return to speak with many of the parents and kids and do some modified VBS activities.

This afternoon, we had our last session of vbs at the Lutheran Church.  The kids had a wonderful time and we were able to leave all of the materials and music there with their pastor for their youth teachers to use.  We discovered that our students are actually multi-talented as they were leading music, acting in various skits, leading games and helping tape and staple and glue 100s of crafts!   They are amazing!

Everyone seems to be well now, including Jon.  Thank you for the prayers and please continue to keep us in prayer as we finish out our last few days of ministry.  The time always goes so fast!

Sincerely,

Jenni Millet

Tuvaila Disabled School and VBS

Today we began our work at Tuvaila Disabled School in the morning.  They have an area for a playground that they want us to level and fill in with dirt and sand since it is currently full of rocks and very uneven for any child to play on, let alone a child with a disability.  Unfortunately, today our fearless leader Jon, woke up sick and we had to postpone our talk with the parents.  But our group got a lot of work done, painting, moving rocks, and starting to level the playground.  We will be there again tomorrow, Saturday and Monday.  On Monday, the parents and kids will come so we will spend some time encouraging them and doing a shortened VBS program for the kids.

This afternoon we had our fourth day of VBS at the Lutheran Church.  We were able to clearly present the gospel and had the kids each take a black strip of cloth representing their sins and lay it on the cross.  It was a wonderful day.  Also, for those of you who have come with us the past couple of years, one of the oldest boys from Huruma Orphanage, Japhet, showed up at our VBS and has gotten married to one of the older girls who grew up there.  We were surprised and happy to see him there!  Tomorrow will be our last day of vbs with this group of kids so please pray that they take away a knowledge of Jesus.  It has been a lot of fun!

Please pray for health in our group.  Jon has had a fever last night and today, and seems to be better now, but a couple of others are feeling a little under the weather now too.  Not sure if it’s a small bug going around or just exhaustion.   We sent everyone to bed early for a good nights sleep.

Sincerely,

Jenni Millet

Last Day at Leganga

I’m sorry the photos don’t seem to be loading on here.  Feel free to visit my Facebook page at Jenni Green Millet for photos.   I’m really not sure what is wrong with the blogger technology.

Today we went back to the Leganga School for Disabled and finished painting their school block and had fun playing with all the kids.  Many of the kids were with us last year, including Jackie, Faith, Gift, Hope, and the one nobody forgets: Obama!!  Obama is a handful and it was all we could do to keep him occupied and happy.  At one point, Brian turned around for 2 seconds and found Obama with a wet paint roller in his hand, squeezing all the paint everywhere.  He is adorable and clearly loved by his teachers and community.

We brought 2 large bins full of clothes, toys, and school supplies for them as a parting gift.  Thanks again to Candace Redden and the TCA kindergartners for donating such awesome stuff!  We also gave another little girl a walker who didn’t get one last year.  They are in need of new desk chairs for their students since many are breaking and have sharp plastic edges.  Also, I know it’s a large thing, but they could really use a vehicle for the school as many of the kids come from far away and often cannot get there.  Many of the families are struggling with basic needs like food so transportation to and from school is difficult.  Please pray with us that God would continue to meet their many needs.

Today was our last full day with them but we are hoping to be able to supply them some new chairs before we leave.  They had all the parents and students gather at the end of our work and presented each of us with a “Shuka” (a large fabric that can be worn in many different ways).  We prayed together and had a nice time of fellowship.

We swung by our hotel for a 30 minute break for lunch and then headed straight to the church for day 3 of VBS.  The kids are really loving it and it has gotten more crowded each day.  Tomorrow we will be doing the story of Jesus’ death and resurrection so please pray for the kids to respond if they do not already believe.

We then came back for a late dinner and more preparations for tomorrow.  I think we are,all worn out but it is so worth it!  Tomorrow we go to another school for Disabled where the Millet family will be speaking to their families about their value and purpose in Christ.  Then off to our VBS from 4-6ish.  Please pray for stamina to finish the work before us!  Sorry this is short...Exhaustion!

VBS and Leganga

 
Yesterday we returned to the Leganga School for Disabled where we have been painting their block of schoolrooms.  The small creek that runs through their property has been flooding their playground so we also helped the fundi put cinder blocks in to help control the water.  The students had fun getting muddy and helping.

After lunch we went back to the Lutheran Church for our second day of VBS.  We told the story of Mary and Martha and how we shouldn’t worry about all the small things in life, but should focus on getting to know Jesus.  The kids have loved all the songs, skits, games and crafts and our students are doing a fabulous job with them.

Today will be our last day working at Leganga so we hope to finish all the painting.  We will also be doing the third day of VBS in the afternoon.  Thank you for your continued prayers and support!

Leganga School for Disabled

Today we started out the day with an early breakfast and a devotional from George Ndungu.  We then headed out fairly early to the Leganga School for the Disabled, where we served last year.  We recognized many of the same kids from last year, and they all remembered our returning students, and latched on to the new team members right away.  Jon and I were able to speak with the parents for over an hour.  They each told us which child was theirs as well as their disability.  We were told by the teachers and volunteers that several of these parents originally hid their children in their homes and would not admit to having a disabled child, for fear of people accusing them of being possessed by demons or practicing witchcraft, or for just trying to get money.  Anyway we had a wonderful time getting to know them and were able to share our story of what we have been through with our own kids.  We were able to encourage them with how God will always be there for them and can use our children as part of His ministry to others.  Our daughter, Marie, suddenly wanted to share with the parents, and surprised us with a wonderful speech about how they didn’t need to worry about their kids because God would take care of it!  While we spoke to the parents, the TCA students were able to do some painting and play with the kids.   They all seemed to love it.

We then came back to the hotel around 2 and had a quick lunch before heading back out to host the first day of VBS at our host church.   Our students did a great job with the decorating, skits, music, games, and crafts.  The kids loved it and will hopefully be returning tomorrow and bringing a friend.

We came back for dinner, a quick prayer time and more  practice for tomorrow’s VBS.  Thank you so much for your prayers.  We do feel them!

Sincerely,

Jenni Millet

Church services

  I  
Today our group broke into three smaller groups and went to three different small Masaii churches out in a rural area.  Jon and I and our kids were with Nicholas and Felix at the Mission International Christian Centre Church.  We discovered they had a number of people in the area with various disabilities.  One eight year old boy named John caught our attention immediately as it was obvious he had cerebral palsy and was being carried around by his mom and dad.  Others had some eye problems which appeared to be River Blindness...a result of something in the waters of their river.

They first brought us to talk with their children’s group.  I gave a brief testimony of our own kids disability and how God can use anyone, no matter what they are like to bring glory to Himself.  Jon then told the story of David and Goliath and how they should always be courageous knowing that the Lord will always help them through hardships.  We then went indoors for an amazing worship service full of singing and dancing.  It was really beautiful to see how they all worship.  Jon brought a message about loving your neighbors and told them how we have been praying for the Masaii tribe since we met Mama Ruth’s tribe back in Kenya in 2009.   He encouraged them to keep evangelizing to the Masaii and draw even more of their people into their small church to receive Christ.  This small little church was established in 2005 with only 2 adult believers and 2 children.  They now have about 40 adult believers and 20 children.  Please keep praying for them as they have many needs ...a roof for a permanent building they have been working on for about 10 years, instruments, an orphan center for the many orphans in their area, a bathroom, and other basic needs of the church.  Their pastor has to come from far away since they are in a remote location and the roads are very “interesting”.  We promised to meet an immediate need and bring back a wheelchair for the 8 year old John, so pray that we will find and purchase one before we leave and continue to pray that the Lord will provide for them.

We came back around 2 after the church services and had a quick lunch.  The group then went to a local market to shop for the afternoon and relax a bit.  This evening we had dinner and then practiced the music and skits for our VBS, which will start tomorrow.  Tomorrow morning we will be going back to the Leganga School for Disabled, where we worked last year.   Jon and I will be speaking to the parents of the disabled children while our students paint, play some games, and do some VBS songs and activities with them.  In the afternoon, we will be going to the Arusha Evangelical Lutheran Church to host a VBS.

We are all doing great, just a little worn out from early mornings, all day activity, and late evenings.
Thank you for the continued prayers, and Happy Fathers Day to all of you dads!

Sincerely,

Jenni Millet

Day two at Kindness Orphanage

    
Today was another great day at the Kindness Orphanage.  We started out our day with breakfast and a devotional about our purpose in life...to bring glory to God in whatever we do.  We then headed over to the orphanage for our second and final day there.  Brielle and Brooke took photos of all the children while the Millet kids got them all to smile.  Later I printed them out for them to keep.  They crowded around the printer and watched as each one came out.  It was really sweet how excited they were about having a picture of each of their little family to look at.

Most of our boys spent the morning with Brian and Steve using pick axes to chop through a concrete slab to put in posts for the awning we are putting over their outside kitchen area.  At some point, someone hit a water main, which was more like a black garden hose, so we had to make sure that was repaired.  In our teams defense, the water line was not marked and had a kind of loop in its path so nobody expected it to be there where it was hit.

Caroline, Nicholas, and Brielle spent most of the day painting a quick mural with a Psalm 139:14.  They also painted an acacia tree near the front doorway.  The rest of the team painted black footers around the inside of each room and played with the kids.  I did another short VBS story about Mary and Martha and how we should not get bogged down with worry.

The most exciting thing that happened today was when Brielle accidentally dropped her phone down the latrine and Steve just reached right down and grabbed it for her.  He’s such a missionary!  Haha.  Brielle might never be the same.

After lunch, we had a special treat that our friends, George and Felix arranged just for our son Marshall.  Most of you probably know that our kids have a disability and that Marshall has always loved fire stations.  Everywhere we go, we always have to stop at the local fire station so he can tell them hi.  So George and Felix had arranged with the local fire chief to do an official tour at the station.  He got to see all of the trucks and equipment, and officially sign their guest book.  They let the TCA students climb up on their practice tower for a photo and ended by shooting their water cannons off for Marshall to see.  It was such a treat for him and he was all smiles.

The team then went back to the orphanage and finished putting up the awning and gave out gift baskets to all of the kids. Candace Redden and her sweet class from TCA generously gathered beanie babies and school supplies so we were able to give each child a basket full of small toys and crayons, candy, and toothpaste and toothbrush kits.  Mostly, we hoped we left them reassured that Jesus loves and cares for them.

We then came back for dinner and our evening devotional.  The students are working so hard and are having so much fun loving on the kids here.  Thank you for allowing them to come with us!  Tomorrow we will head to 3 different Masaii - Christian churches where Steve, Jon, and Brian will each preach.  In the afternoon we will have some free time to go to the local market and relax for a bit.

Thank you so much for continuing to hold us up in prayer!

Sincerely,

Jenni Millet

Kindness Children Care Orphanage

Jambo!  Today was our first real day of ministry.  We all woke up feeling much better after a good nights sleep and a good breakfast.  Jon led our morning devotional and then we headed out on our team bus.

We spent today at the Kindness Children Care Orphanage.   They currently house about 40 kids aged 2 - 25 in a very small facility with only 4 bedrooms.  Each bedroom has two sets of bunkbeds and sleep as many as 14 kids in one room.  (2-3 Children per Bed).  The property they are on is rented so there is not a whole we can do to help with space, but we were able to paint all of the walls inside each of the bedrooms.  We broke into teams and the students took turns either painting with Jon and the other adults or outside playing with the kids with me.  We did a shortened version of our VBS programs teaching about the parables of the lost sheep, the woman with the lost coin, and the prodigal son and told them that if they have Jesus, they are never alone.  We played with the parachute, sang some songs, played lots of games like the old favorite, Bada Bada Goonie (Duck, Duck Goose), and mostly just loved on the kids.

Our students have been amazing, jumping right in to their work with great attitudes and helpful spirits.  They finished painting the inside walls and will be painting a mural tomorrow inside the main living area.  We have also agreed to help them place a metal awning roof across an area in the back where they cook and eat so they are able to eat and cook shielded from the elements.  Tomorrow will be our last day there as we will be focusing on the schools for Disabled next week.

Everyone is still doing well.  We celebrated Nicholas Wong’s birthday this evening after dinner but we did not request a “cake” because the last time we were offered Tanzanian cake it turned out to be a roasted goat staring at us.  It was delicious, but not the traditional birthday cake we are used to.  Nicholas graciously came along with our group as a TCA graduate sponsor this year since we needed more adults and he has been a fantastic help to us already!  Happy Birthday Nicholas!  Also, happy Birthday to my brother, Kelly Green back in Dallas.

I don’t know how many know this, but this year we were scheduled to have one of our long time favorite sponsors, Ty Westfall, go along on the trip as our one and only additional sponsor from home.  But just 3 weeks ago, he came down with some health issues and was told by the doctors he could not travel.  So Jon put out a call for help and we ended up getting 3 fabulous people to come along, including Nicholas, Brian Millet (who has been with us 7 times before), and my sweet friend, Tammy Carroll from our Adult Bible Study class at our church in Rockwall.  We are so grateful for their willingness to rearrange their schedules on such short notice and come along with us, especially since it was at their own expense!  Of course, we are also happy to be joined by Jon’s cousin Steve (who has been a missionary with AIM in Africa for many years), as well as our good friend, George Ndungu, who has spent countless hours making arrangements for us before we got here, and our local host, Felix Mwetha, from the Arusha Evangelical Lutheran Church.  We also are joined by our interpreter from last year, Joyce, and our driver, Charles.  All work right alongside of us painting and give of their time, taking leave from their own jobs while we are here for almost two weeks.

I am trying to get pictures on this blog but I’m having some technical issues.   Hoping to have some added tomorrow when I have more time to look into it.

Thank you so much for the prayers and please keep them coming!  We are honored to be representing our TCA community, our faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, and so many of you who have supported us and entrusted us with your resources.

Sincerely,

Jenni Millet

Made it to hotel

We have finally arrived at the hotel and are settled into our rooms.  Thank you for the prayers for safe travel.  All of our luggage is here and only one bin was squished in the flight.  Jon and a few of the adults went to check out the orphanage where we will be working tomorrow and get some supplies from the store.  When they come back we will have dinner, a short devotional and an early night to bed.  Most of us are having trouble staying awake but it’s daytime here so we are trying to get on their schedule quickly.  Everyone is well...just tired.  More tomorrow.

Sincerely,

 Jenni Millet

Safe in Nairobi

We made it safely to Nairobi.  Waiting on our last flight to Kilimanjaro airport.  Great flights so far!  And special shout out to Philip who has been rolling Marshall’s carry-on around for him in all airports.

Airports

Currently in London waiting on flight to Nairobi!

Today's the Day

Well, today is the day we leave for Africa!  Please pray for safety for our group as we travel.  Thank you so much to all who are partnering with us on this mission trip!

Jenni Millet