Sunday, June 12, 2005

Mzungu Invasion!!!

I can’t believe it! After five months of preparation and anticipation, the mzungus have landed! Pulling gigantic suitcases and bulging carryon bags, the Grace Community Church team greeted Nairobi for the first time! Unfortunately, the airport experience wasn’t perfect. Eight pieces of luggage never showed up! To the amazement of all, there was no complaining (despite the prospect of sharing underwear and toothpaste!). These guys are such troopers!




I got to see my sister for the first time since leaving in January! It was great! With a couple inside jokes and small talk about her journey here, we were right back where we left off! Honestly, it is so great to have her in Nairobi with me! Though we won’t see each other much this week, we’ll have plenty of time to catch up at Massai Mara next Tuesday and Wednesday…



After finally getting transportation sorted out, it was time to leave the airport (about 2 hours after they landed!). With bleary eyes and dazed expressions, the GCC team filed onto three shuttles bound for the Methodist Guest House, where they spent their first night here. Many of these guys hadn’t slept in two days! But guess what… They weren’t allowed to go to bed! Following the advice of several “jet-lag experts” in the group, the team was required to stay awake until at least after dinner!



They did whatever they could to stay awake. Playing cards, talking, drinking tea, playing more cards… drinking more tea… Honestly, I admire their efforts. I know how hard it can be to fight the urge to sleep! If only there was an easier way to get on the rhythm of a country halfway across the world!



I don’t think have any idea what they are in for this week! After receiving a very Kenyan welcome at church tomorrow, they’ll be spending the rest of the week living with host families. During the daytime, they’ll be visiting prisons, helping at children’s homes, experiencing the slums, doing street evangelism and prayer walks, etc. When they go home at night, they’ll be eating Kenyan food, enjoying Kenyan hospitality, greeting visitors, and trying to figure out this extremely different culture! It will be a busy week!

Stay tuned here for more updates and pictures!

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

What a great blog!! Thanks for the info about our group getting there safe and sound. We'll be checking back for more updates. Can't wait to hear what God does!

Anonymous said...

Super coverage, BR...especially the pics of the kids arriving at the airport. "J's" eyes are closed...probably b/c she was sleep-walking about that time. We'll be looking for updates and pictures. Any pics from the slums this week to enable more educated prayers? - GB

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the update on the mzungus. Family and friends back here in the States really appreciate the news on the Grace team. Keep the photos and updates coming! We will keep praying! -DFG

Anonymous said...

Barry - this is great. Good to see a picture of you and Lucy together. We are praying for you to have a great couple of weeks - It is fun to see pictures. Keep them coming! Bob and Pam

Anonymous said...

We live in Gilbert, AZ and are friends of the Beaversons. Love ya Jordan - we are praying for you and the whole team.

Anonymous said...

Great to see some of the faces of the mzungus. We're continually praying for the group and the impact they might have on the Nairobi community. Keep the pictures and comments coming. We parents are anxious to see the faces of our children! Blessings to you!

Anonymous said...

great pic's good to see Lucy's smiling face even after flight delays lost luggage and sharing her brothers undies. Dont work them to hard we have great a project coming up next month at Grace. Let us know when the remaing family memebers arrive; MB

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the update, Barry. We are praying for you all--night and day. Say, did the lost luggage ever arrive? Love and Love, the Skinners

Anonymous said...

What a marvelous way to keep in touch with the families ~ thanks so much. We were able to get a glimpse of our daughter, Liz. We are keeping everyone in our prayers ~ sent out prayer request cards to about 100 of our closest family & friends! Look forward to more updates and photos and to hear about the wonderful ways God is working. Blessings to all, Eric & Kathy

Anonymous said...

Barry your blog is great. Especially with pictures. Any more news you care to send our way would be wonderful!