First of all I would like to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of you who gave in ANY way towards this trip to Kenya as well as those who give to Kenya in any way. You have and are investing into God's bank and His returns are eternal. I pray that God will bless you 100 fold for your generosity and thoughtfulness, and that you will see marvelous interest.

My Grama used to quote something like this: "I used to complain about my shoes until I saw a man with no feet." As a little girl I could certainly have a very visual picture of this poor destitute man who had no feet and to this day I try to be thankful for what I have instead of being ungrateful about what I think I need. Unfortunately, I have been known to be caught up in the materialism of this country (not that I want anyone to know this), and the wants all around me can be overwhelming. Going to Kenya for a third visit, was like a cup of ice cold water on a sweltering hot day; it gave me an instant reality check of the difference between need and want, and need and greed. Although I had had this reality check before, this time was a more intimate time with our brothers and sisters of Kenya and we experienced a fraction in two weeks what they live everyday of their lives.

• Have you ever complained about your shower; it's just not good enough, long enough or warm enough?
  How about showering by bucket with freezing cold water that smells like your neighbourhood pond where your kids go frog hunting......

• Have you ever complained about your tap water, that it smells like chlorine and it tastes like chemicals?
  How about having no water at all because of drought and the water that you do find is full of bacteria that is lethal, never mind the smell......
  

• Have you ever complained that you're sick and tired of the same old food, and if only you could afford something a little nicer like t-bone steak maybe?
  How about running completely out of food with no such thing as a food bank, food stamps, and no where to turn but heavenward......

• Have you ever complained about school, it's just too long, too much homework, and too far to walk?
  How about not being able to go to school because your parents can't even afford the uniform you need, or the school fees even if you had the uniform......
  How about having to go to school from 7:00am until 10:00pm because you don't have any school books (the teachers don't either) and so everything must be written down by hand and then the work completed.
  How about having to allow your elementary school children to walk 4 km's a day to get to school (each way), through the dangerous bush, and often without shoes on their feet or food for lunch.
  

• Have you ever complained about those pesky ants that keep invading your personal space and dare to enter your home?
  How about killing cockroaches that you thought were the neighbour's cat because they were so big (a little exaggeration) and not having the lovely sprays and bug killers that we take for granted here.

This is NOT to make anyone feel guilty about what they have, but certainly it gives us so many reasons to be thankful, each and everyday. Everyday I thank God for the bountiful blessings around me and I try to remember to ask Him how I can make a difference in the lives of my friends back in Kenya who I love so much. Sometimes it's just to pray for breakthrough for them in rainfall or provision; sometimes it's to give a little more money that month so that another orphan can have a home; and sometimes it's just to tell someone about God's goodness because He is the one who makes a this difference.

Before each trip, I usually have at least one person, if not more say to me, "if they need money so desperately in Kenya, why are you spending so much on a trip instead of sending it directly to the people?"
This question was weighing heavy on my mind one day, especially when we had run out of water and the children were low on food with failing crops at the same time. So I decided to ask Dickson (our Kenyan brother who oversees the orphanage and high school) "would you rather we send you the money we spend on the trip to come to Kenya"? His answer was amazing! "Sister Tammy, money can not hug the children; money can not play with the children; money can not walk through the village and love my people here, or sit and talk with the high school students and appreciate them. Money cannot bring healing to our hearts and teach us the ways of forgiveness.

This trip for me was really about hearing the Heart of Father God, to go when He says, "go", to give when He says, "give", to teach when He says, "teach" and to do when He says, "do". Hearing Father God and obeying Him and trusting Him have been the most significant lessons from this trip, and they are lessons that I need to keep putting into practice everyday of my life, not just when I'm in Kenya. I so look forward to the next trip when I will once again be united with my brothers and sisters who live so far in distance but so close in my heart.

Tammy Murphy

This as usual was a wonderful trip and staying in our new house and property was great. Seeing the marvelous things that God has done in such a short time is just phenomenal.

It cannot be over emphasized as to the need of spiritual healing as we are seeing the results of this already.

The accomplishments there with the school and orphanage have far exceeded all our dreams and to realize that all these children are being looked after, fed, clothed, and educated is just awesome. There are now 133 high school children of which 78 are orphans, 48 young orphans, and a lot of local children being educated, fed and spiritually fed.

How could I thank God enough for letting me be a part of this and realizing that this was only a dream for Dickson 5 years ago.
The people in the Maritimes who God has used to make this possible need to be commended for listening to Him and giving so generously. I pray that many of them will have the opportunity to go, see, and meet these precious people.

Certainly there can be nothing better in life or more rewarding than doing this, the will of God. As the Scriptures say in James chapter 1, "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."

Charlie Passey

This was my second trip to Kenya and I felt like I was going back to family this time around.  It was a trip of faith building exercises as we came upon many obstacles from the practical (lost passport, no water and too many cockroaches) to the spiritual.  I felt as if we were given supernatural grace beyond what we experienced here at home.  It seems most things go to a higher/deeper level in the spirit when you are on a mission’s trip. I think it is because we cannot rely on ourselves as much and our biggest resource is God himself.  I saw his faithfulness to us as a team and also his compassion and heart for these children in a new way.  God spoke to me that we were literally rescuing children off the streets and I know that he is going to continue to provide and breathe his life and hope and destiny on this little village of Bura.  The children are amazing! They are nation changers in training as their faith stands strong and firm in what God can do and God is doing it! 

On a personal note I felt less overwhelmed this time at the need and more encouraged and excited at what God has done and will be doing.  There is much more to teach, learn and discover with our brothers and sisters in Kenya and I see great things coming for these people.  I hope to go back again soon and pour out what God has given us in revelation and healing ministry.  This is a gold mine for the kingdom and I am so thankful that I have the privilege to be part of this work.  Thank you Jesus.

Christine Bragg

Where do I start in regards to my experiences on my first trip to Kenya with Heart Beat Ministries? First of all it was a great experience to be with the team. I have been to Zambia Africa several times on short-term missions but this was my first time with a team. We saw God move in awesome ways. From seeing individuals set free and healed emotionally to having prayers answered for practical needs.

I was asked when I returned what was the one thing that God did in my life or spoke to me about that impacted my life from the trip.  I guess I would say that he again brought home to me the fact that He is a God of the Heart. It does not matter what culture or country we are from. He is more interested in the things of our Hearts than anything else. He will move Heaven and Earth to get to our Hearts. He wants so much to heal the Heart of His people so that they may experience Him in His fullness.

Doug Cleveland

January 2010 marked my third trip to Bura, Kenya and the most productive one thus far.  Our group was blessed this trip to fly to the village from Nairobi with a missionary airline rather than making the exhausting 5 to 8 hour bus trip on rather frightening roads.  Upon our arrival, our high school students and teachers were waiting at the gate with smiling faces and clapping hands to give us a warm welcome.  I felt eager to get to know the new faces among them as well as see our recently acquired farm house and the new high school that was built last year.  As I walked among our friends I felt like I was coming home. 

During our first week in Bura, we provided seminars about spiritual healing and the deep love our Father has for us.  It was amazing to see how God moved among the leaders as well as the high school students who attended and I feel a deep joy in my heart as I hear reports of the life changing events that continue to follow.

I find with each return visit, our relationship with the workers, leaders and children becomes more intimate as we continue to build trust and show our love for them in a tangible way. 
There is a part of my heart that lives in Africa and it becomes increasingly difficult to say goodbye.  I look forward to the next time the Lord allows me to return and in the meantime will love these orphans and friends from a distance.

Ruth Goodwin