Week One in Kenya
After approximately 30 hours of travel, our team landed in Nairobi about 10pm on Thursday, May 28.
Twelve hours later, we arrived in Amsterdam feeling pretty wiped out. Steve and Marina managed to catch a brief nap during our 3 hour layover, before heading to Nairobi
We arrived in Nairobi to find all our luggage and got through Customs and Immigration without a hitch! We were picked up by the nicest man, named Moses, from HEART Lodge. HEART (Health Education Africa Resource Team) is a ministry in Kenya that is similar to what Love Matters Most / LOMAMO does. HEART’s vision is to empower the people of Africa to survive and to thrive beyond HIV/AIDS by providing nutrition, shelter, medical care, education, psycho-social services, protection and income-generating activities for HIV positive mothers and their children.
It was a welcome respite after a long and tiring set of flights! If you’re ever in Nairobi, this is the
place to stay: https://africaheartlodge.com/
Just ONE of the many moms HEART has helped. We are bringing some of her art to the US for our Fall Gala, “From Kenya With Love”, on October 2nd. Mark Your Calendars
The next day, we traveled to Kisumu, settled into our hotel and had a night of sleep before visiting our partner, Christ’s Hope International. We had a lot of fun with the many kids that are sponsored by Christ Community Church and participated in bible studies, playing games and more.
After a fantastic Kenyan Church service, Michael and Pamela rested while Steve, Marina and Bill had a photo-opp at the Equator before visiting friends Marina made during her 2023 trip to Kenya.
Monday and Tuesday we joined the LOMAMO team and helped pack food bags for the many patients that will be visited this week. We either travel by Tuk-Tuk or in the new Hope Mobile, which our team enjoys thanks to many of you who contributed to its purchase!
After a fantastic Kenyan Church service, Michael and Pamela rested while Steve, Marina and Bill had a photo-opp at the Equator before visiting friends Marina made during her 2023 trip to Kenya.
Mungu akubariki (God Bless You!)
Pamela, Michael, Marina, Steve and Bill
HEART Lodge
HEART Lodge Gift Shop
HEART Lodge Gift Shop with beautiful items made by the women in their program
HEART Lodge Dining Room
Pamela & Magreat
Pamela with our sponsored child, Magreat!
Micheal & Magreat
Micheal with our sponsored child, Magreat!
Pamela & Micheal
Pamela and Michael with The Celiceo Family’s sponsored child
CHI Dessie/Nyahera
All the children and some of the staff at CHI Dessie/Nyahera Ministry Care Center
Steve & Washington
Steve and Washington, LOMAMO’s Medical Case Manager enroute to visit patients
Marina with Patients
Team members visiting patients…
Marina with Patient
A still unwell patient receiving a bible and encouragement from Marina
Marina with Patient
Another patient getting some LOVE from Marina
12 Comments
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Judy Peterson says:
Thank you so much for posting pictures and comments. We will definitely be praying for stamina, good health and as always that God order your steps. Thank you for being Jesus hands and feet and for letting us be a part of it.
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Debbie Celiceo says:
Pamela and Michael,
Thank you SO much for the photo of you with Richard! That brought tears to my eyes! I will cherish that photo! Thank you for taking the time to do that with all that you have on your schedule! We’re so happy that you have had a smooth trip to Kenya and pray that your flight home will be the same. God bless you as you minister to the needs of the people there. -
Diana Knoles says:
Wonderful update. I too have a hope international child. Maybe i’ll meet him one day. Praying for your visit and safe return.
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Kelly goligowski says:
Wonderful photos. So glad you all made it there safely.
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John says:
Wonderful update. thank you.
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Deborah says:
Blessings to all of you! May your love for our Lord shine through and be a blessing to all the people you come across ❤️🙏🏻❤️
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Thank you for sharing your experience!! ! May your love for our Lord shine through and be a blessing to all the people you come across ❤️🙏🏻❤️
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Thank you for sharing your experience! May you continue to be a blessing to all the people you come across ❤️🙏🏻❤️
Praying for safe travels 🙏🏻 -
Lynn Lanigan says:
What a mighty and exciting work God is doing through you! Prayers follow you and cover you as you continue on this amazing journey which is bearing such good fruit! Thank you for the pictures which help us vicariously enjoy and appreciate the work you’re doing!
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Leonard Ramirez says:
It’s wonderful to see the good work and success stories happening there in Kenya.
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Cindy says:
Oh, so happy to see you all there safe and sound and loving all your smiles. Some great pictures… I can almost smell that African soil!
Loving the blog too!!!
Thank you for sharing your first days with us, Pamela. I’m really pleased you and Michael took naps to help rejuvenate you both.
It’s wonderful to see your vision of your mission’s expansion taking place before your eyes. ZOOM calls are nice, but actually being there with the people is the best. Stay safe, my friends. ❤️❣️❤️❣️❤️