Ruth Goodwin

This was my third trip to Africa and the most exciting because we were returning to a place where we already loved the people, the church and the village.  In addition to this, was the thrill to finally see the children’s home set up and running, in person rather than just through a picture.  When our bus turned into the yard of the orphanage, the children all came running and I immediately forgot the difficult and long trip it took to get there.  It only took a few minutes before one of them leaned in and whispered, “Did you bring sweets?”  It was my pleasure to respond “Yes…lots!”  It amazing how somethings about children don’t change, no matter where you are.  During our stay, my heart was touched by the African women who each do the work of two, sometimes three people.  It is my first desire to bless and encourage these women.  Now I am home, praying and preparing for when God sends me back to where have I left part of my heart.

Christine

I had no idea what to expect when I went to Kenya in Oct.07.  This was my first trip to Africa and I was definitely excited and nervous all in one.  It all seemed surreal and I was unaware of the impact that the trip was having on me until I got home.  Each morning I would go to the "roof" of the house where we were staying to pray.  I could feel the heartbeat of the Father for these people and it overwhelmed me.  I could sense his love and the depth of his compassion for all their suffering. He sees the beauty of the people even in the midst of the poverty and living conditions.  Their faith is amazing.  There is a depth of faith that comes from the kind of suffering they experience that I have not seen before.  

It is difficult to put into words what the Father revealed to me about His heart for them.  I was especially drawn to the teenage girls and the women as I could see in their eyes a desire to have intimacy with the Father and to be affirmed in his love for them.  I wanted so much to bring life to them and hope and revelation of this big heart the Father has for each one of them.  When I returned home I missed this level of intimacy but am so thankful God chose to reveal this to me for a short time.  It has given me an urgency that every day matters and every day I want to give life to someone and my passion is to reveal this wonderful God that we have to others.  Thank you Abba Father.

Jesus loves you with an everlasting love..........
He Really Does!

Ian M

It was a privilege to be a part of the Heartbeat team and service in Taita Hill, Kenya.  It was humbling to witness God’s love working through the hearts and hands of the men, women and young people who daily pour out their lives for the children at the orphanage.  I could call them orphans but they are so loved and cared for and part of a large family that “orphan” seems unfitting.  A memorable event was to speak and minister at a church an hour into the African bush.  The people love God and worship with all their hearts.  Lifting up their beautiful voices in praise.  And I know I could hear angels singing. 

A lesson I learned in Africa, was if I had to take time to prepare to speak to them in a service, I would probably be already too late.  In other words, be prepared at all times in prayer.

Charlie

This was my third trip to Africa and I think maybe the best of all.  The reason for this was to see all that had been accomplished in the small community since we were last there.  To see the children and doing well to see the adults doing well and everyone happy, to see the water now available and small beginnings of self-sufficiency.  Cows, calves, turkeys and chickens creating a way for more food and income.  Small micro businesses in their infancy stage beginning to bring in funds.  To see over one hundred children being fed and educated and to see 45 of these children now having a home.   To see the crops growing and the children being taken care of and most of their needs being met.  What a miracle!  And all because God put in the hearts of people in Canada to support his great project through Heartbeat Ministries.  God, Thank You!  What a privilege to part of this effort to help and encourage the poor, the widows and the orphans. 

Elaine

This year's trip to Kenya was both thrilling and encouraging! To see all the work that the Lord has accomplished through Bishop Dickson, Catherine and all their wonderful staff and workers was a great surprise. The children's smiles and good health was reward in itself as we had the privilege to build relationship with them and their care workers. The Children's Home, the offices, the crops, the water supply, the food, the livestock, told a story of hard work and perseverance. It was a great joy to be able to begin to establish the first of two small businesses, thus to start the process of self-sufficiency. The first, a brick building machine and also a welding machine.
 
Another exciting first was the time we were able to spend in the village and schools and to begin to build relationships there as well as see what some of the many needs are within the village itself. Time with the children in the orphanage was precious and over all too soon. The seminars both in Bura and Marikani were so well received and timely. We're so thankful for this privilege and humbled by the love & graciousness of our Kenyan Family.

Gabriele Maxwell

When I went to Africa for the first time I didn’t do it because I felt like it or because friends or family urged me to.  I did it because I wanted to do something for Jesus’ children.  This last time I took a bit of advantage of it.  I did so, because I wanted to shop and to learn some things to write about.  When I got there I couldn’t keep up my plan.  As soon as I saw the poverty stricken streets and the beautiful children my heart just melted.  During the many wonderful crusades we had there my pride and my nervous heart just got totally ignored and words and worship music just poured out of my mouth.  Jesus just urged me on and gave me prophetic thoughts about what I should speak about.  So I did get a little time to shop but the absolute most exciting part for me (just a normal 12 year girl) was the way God just lit me up, the other members of heartbeat and the other Africans we met.

Shawna Maxwell

How can I possibly say what impressed me most in Kenya most this trip in one paragraph?  Impossible.  I would have to say the highlight of this trip to Kenya for me was falling in love with the orphans.  It is impossible to describe in one paragraph the absolute joy, love and laughter they brought us.  How incredible it was to experience their tiny little arms wrapped around my neck or six of them each hanging off one of my fingers. 

Their contagious smiles and giggles caused my heart to flip flop every time one of them called me Mama Yangu (my Mother.)  I think of them and pray for them everyday and yearn for the time when I can go back and kiss their sweet little faces and tell them again “Nakupenda Suna Suna” (I love you very very much.) 

Tammy Murphy

I thought my first trip to Kenya was a life-changing experience never to be beaten, but then I went a second time. I was left without words to describe the incredible passion put in my heart, not only for the friendships we had already forged but for the new friendships and relationships that were waiting for us. Can you imagine how I felt when I arrived in Bura and there were arms outstretched to us waiting for life-gripping hugs, saying ”you came back, you came back”. I was enveloped into many hugs that day and that was just the beginning.

Shortly after arrival we had the opportunity to meet the children. Then, for the first time we saw the Children's Home that we had sent the money to build. Next we were absolutely mobbed by out-reaching little arms trying to grasp a hand, an arm, a finger, anything to make a connection. I gladly took advantage of each little arm, making contact with them using not only my hands but my eyes and my heart for sure. I knew I was in for a treat to spend the next few weeks with such precious treasures, and it took only a short time to see just how precious they really are. Each one had a different story, a different personality, a different talent; each one was truly a gift from God. The time I spent with these children was one never to be forgotten. How do you put into accurate words how children who are parentless pour out buckets of love from their hearts into yours. You would think it was the other way around but I know I was receiving buckets of love and affection from each child and they loved me whole-heartedly and unconditionally.

We played games, (which made me despise skirts once again, due to the several nose dives I took into concrete and red dirt), we sang songs, we soaked in God's presence, we taught each other our languages, and most of all we loved.  Often I just couldn't get my swahili right, but they laughed and they loved me even more. I loved the children and they loved me and I miss them very much.

Then there were the trips through the market and the people greeting us and welcoming us. Our escort Remi who was a delight to our hearts with the biggest heart and the greatest laugh...We cried when we said good-bye. Then Evans and Sophie and Pricilla and Ben and Dickson and Catherine, are incredible people with incredible hearts who will be part of my family forever. Edward was another blessing to our team, walking us to and fro and answering our endless questions about Kenya; he is my Kenyan brother. The ladies who cooked and cleaned for us; Margaret, Fanis, & Mary & Catherine too; how do you thank people who serve you like royalty and embrace you as family. Margaret & Fanis worked tirelessly to care for us and we knit our hearts to them forever as our Kenyan mamas.

The people alone made the trip an experience of the heart. What they accomplished with what they had been given was not only an incredible surprise but a great delight. To see the orphanage in place with the beds neatly made; with the chickens bopping about and the cow tied out back was a thrill. The water tap flowing with clean water, buckets being filled endlessly, not only in the church yard but also being shared right in the village made our hearts glad. It made me think of how often I shared my blessings with others (definitely not often enough)... Every move I made and every scene I saw, made me reflect on how incredibly blessed I am for my brothers and sisters in Kenya. I was constantly reminded of the scripture that “to whom much is given, much is required”. My Kenyan brothers and sisters are living out that scripture with each one of their blessings so how much more should I be diligent to obey that scripture daily.

Once again my eyes were opened, my heart was pierced. I hope these lessons will last forever and never fade from my memory.
 

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