It has been just over two weeks since I left my amazing team in Kenya. I definately miss them and am praying for them as they have 1 month left.
Upon leaving my team i flew to Atlanta and met up with Eric, my boyfriend who went to India, we flew to Orlando and stayed at a hostel in Kissimmee. During our time there we had a much needed vacation, visiting medeivel times, univeral studios, Island of adventure and Aquatica, we even went to a few really good restaurants. We got home on Oct 30, and had a halloween party, I dressed as a Maasai woman an Eric dressed as an Indian.
We did find it a little weird coming from a place that has little and is poor to a rich place with theme parks, culture shock, but we chose to enjoy ourselves and talk about our experiences on the mission field. there was a lot and we have not covered all of them. I am glad I kept a journal for every day of my trip. Now let me share with you some memories and revalations of my trip.
I want to first thank all those who prayed and donated to my Kenya trip, it would not have been possible without you. I also thank those of you who sent encouraging messages while I was away, they were very uplifting.
As I sit here reflecting and drinking Kenyan tea and dreaming of Mandazi I know that the Holy Spirit is working miracles through my team right now! There was a day in Kenya (Oct 6) that made the whole trip worth every penny, sickness and hard work, it was a tuesday, the team went in our Matatu to the middle of no where, on a road that was carved in the grasslands. Kyle, Judson and I were put on a team to do house visits. We visited a woman named Alice Moloi, she welcomed us to talk to her outside undfer a tree full of thorns, her sons were also there, Kyle offered them a drink, the children all had Bible names so I assumed after talking with Alice through a translator (Salomon) that she knew Jesus. So I pulled out my Bible to share a word, I asked her if she knew who Jesus was. to my surprise she said “no” she said she lived traditional ways and had never heard of Jesus. So with her permission I read Matthew’s account of the crucifixion and ressurection of Jesus. She wanted to know more so Judson explained creation, sin, forgiveness and how to have a personal relationship with the father, we explained how she can continue to learn of God, by going to Church. Alice wanted Jesus in her life so I through the holy spirit led her through the prayer of salvation. After this she said she had a peace she hadn’t had before. She said she would let others know of the good news and we asked her sonsto teach there mother about God and take her to church. I welcomed Alice as my sister in christ. We prayed with her and fealt this wind that we knew was the holy spirit pouring into us. Alice told us that for some reason she fealt she was suppose to stay home that day and now she knew why.
that day was very fruitful, we visited another lady who had already been visited by some other team members ad was extremely joyful, hugging us and shouting. we god a picture with her.
This missions trip was a huge eye opener to the presence of the holy spirit, the needs of people and how easy it is to help someone with so little, even if you have little yourself. during my time there I was able to preach, give my testimony, hear some amazing testimonies, learn some African dancing, pray with hospital patients and there families, help at schools, feed many in an IDP (internally displaced peoples) camp, visit the Maasai for 5 days in Musul and help a woman Marguaret Njoki who I am still praying for who I think has Typhoid and is very sick (her eyes are yellow), she trusts God to take care of her, please pray for her.
My time in Kijabe was very blessed and my hosts pastor Simon, Marguaret and Vicky were absolutely awsome, the work that they do so selflessly for us to further God’s kingdom here on earth will truly be rewarded in heaven.
I will be sharing excerps and stories from my Journal in the next couple days, I still have so much to tell you. I realize I fealt an amazing comfort and peace doing Gods work in Kenya and am now a little restless, I know that I will find that peace here as I find ways to be a missionary in my own community.
In Christ
Cheryl
Thank you,Cheryl Hardy for mentioning my son Judson in your blog. Your house visit to Alice Moloi sounded amazing. So amazing…it brought tears to my eyes. Sincerely, Regina Diehl
Cheryl, its so good to hear about your time back at home and how you are processing everything that the Lord has shown you. Im so very proud of you! We miss you and think of you often.
I wanted to tell you that I ran into Marguaret Njoki yesterday on the road and she ran up to me with overwhelming excitement! She looked amazing! I kid you not I almost didn’t recognize her. She was full of thanks for all your prayers and help to her in her time of need. She said she is feeling much, much better. She was beaming, im telling you! I told her that I would be sure to let you know how she is doing, and she sends her love to you.
Keep up your passion for His Kingdom, you are a strong warrior, and a woman of virtue!
We love and miss you, Cheryl!
wow thank you Angie so much for that, I have been praying and wondering about Marguaret…praise God for great miracles. Glad to hear that life in Kijabe has been good. I miss you and am praying for you. If you see the team, Marguaret Njoki, Marguaret, Vicky and Simon give them my love, I am working on getting over a cold that I caught in this cold country, but I am still planning on finding out about those Gideons. Keep on prophesying
cheryl