Meet the 4 new Bethany interns.

At a mall in Nairobi, they day after arrival. 

 It's that time of year again- when we get to welcome Bethany interns to the Gtown team. Jason and Righteous traveled to Nairobi to pick up Annika, Lucas, Josh and Jaynisi from the airport. They spent a few days there to complete tasks before driving to their final destination. The first important thing they had to get accomplished was to make sure their phones were unlocked and then purchase Kenyan Sim cards so that they could successfully use their phones here. We usually have them take out some cash from the ATM to ensure their cards have no issues now that they're overseas. The interns get to walk around the grocery stores in one of the malls to see all that's available and to keep that in mind and know what to buy to bring to Gtown where there are limited options. A few days after being in Nairobi they started the journey and " left the big city" to officially land in their new homes- land of the camels (and the heat, and thorns, and people who Christ died for).

We would like to give a shout out to Paul and Ashley and Sam and Marissa who finalized getting the interns houses ready- while Jason and Righteous were getting the interns in Nairobi. It is such a huge praise to have a team on the ground that steps up to serve and help. 

This past week was dedicated to Orientation. We do this by going through the handbook and taking time to tell stories about some of our experiences. I personally love taking new people around town and ask them to be observant of what they notice are differences between here and where they are coming from. We spent time discussing these things using all 5 senses. Some things they noticed when in town was a digital prayer counter- that Muslims can click when reciting Allah's names. When they went walking inside the market one of them noticed a device that shreds coconut and another one noticed the clay incense burners. The guys immediately noticed the call to prayer at 5am because there house is very close to a Mosque. They all noticed the smell of burning garbage and heard the name "Muzungu" (White/British person) be called out by those passing by. 

Our family has appreciated how thankful these interns have been and how respectful they are. The have told us that they specifically want to come alongside to help out in the ministries that are already happening and bless the people who live here. We have gotten to pray and worship together and they shared some songs I have never heard before: "When You Walk into the Room" by Bryan and Katie Torwalt and "Yeshua" by Jesus Image and "One Look" by MBL worship. What a privilege to add more people to pray for salvation to come to Gtown and the surrounding areas!

On Saturday our whole Bethany team went to the farm to greet all the workers and just hang out. Jason called up a friend who rides a motorbike and asked him to go buy 2 tarps from the market and bring them to the farm. In Swahili the word for tarps is Hema and Jason's phone auto corrected the word to hens- sure enough the man came on the motorbike bringing 2 chickens (alive) to the farm! The farmworkers had a good laugh. So far the chickens are safely staying in the chicken house...for now.

Next week the interns will be plugged into a local school for a few weeks before starting Swahili class. As I pray for them- I look at Paul's encouraging words he gave to Timothy "Fan into flame the gift of God" 2 Timothy 1:6 " For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self discipline. So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord" verses 7-8. "He has saved us and called us to a holy life- not because of anything we have done but because of His own purpose and grace" verse 9. May the Lord fill them and use them for His Kingdom.

Jaynisi caught a pic of the Sim card process for the phones.

Taking the luggage to the guys house.

Setting up the mosquito net in the girls house.

Cooking class with Jason.

Jason taught the interns how to make pilau.

Taking interns around the farm for their first time. 

Lucas is trying out the chaff cutter.

Josh is gathering up the chaff that went flying everywhere. 

Interns got to greet all the farmworkers.