Posted by Elise:

After doing three trainings at Nairobi Gospel Center for teachers, the Sunday School teachers know me and love me, and the feeling is mutual.  Last Sunday when we were arriving I greeted them with a lot of familiarity, in my jeans and flip flops.  We were so excited to see each other.  This is what my friend Pamela, the children's pastor told me.  "Sister Pastor Elise, we have a new teacher that was at the teachers meeting you came into today.  Before you came, there was so much excitement about your arrival.  When you came to greet us, everyone was so happy, but my new teacher.....who after listening to the other teachers thought the Messiah was coming.....asked after you left, BUT WHEN IS THE PASTOR COMING?"  She did not expect a pastor to be so casual and informal.  That is not part of their culture.  My prayer is that I will always be able to model a different approach to pastoring children.  One that is relational and even a little casual.  My prayer is that these dear teachers will see that being intentional with these children in relationships will make a big difference. 

We returned to Nairobi last night in a rain storm.  More than once I left grip marks somewhere, it is not a drive for the weak of heart or spirit.  The roads flooded and it took Max and Carolyn 3 hours to travel across town. 

Our work this week includes meeting with the team here in regards to our vulnerable children partnership.  We will also do a one day camp in the slums of Kibera and prepare for three days of sports camp and 4 days of training. 

The new building that Nairobi Gospel has built has taken over our basketball area for sports camp, but if we have not learned flexibility now, we never will. 

Jeff Bechtle, who is now also in love with Kenya will write the majority of the blogs from here out. Jeff and Max do not act like this is their first time.  It has been a great team!  Thanks for your prayers!  You are a part of a big team!