I'm HERE!

Already things are moving so fast I can barely remember. We are so thankful for prayers for our safety. Our plane from Nairobi to Kisumu was speeding down the runway for lift off and the whole plane seemed to be vibrating and making loud noises. The plane began to slow. I was praying we had enough runway if we were going to come to a stop.--we did! Turns out we had a flat tire. How thankful I am that it blew on takeoff rather than landing!!

We were taken back to the airport on a bus until another plane was arranged. it all worked out fine.

We headed out to Eubulechia. They were having a womens meeting. OH it was good to see friends! I wish I could talk more! but I know so many names, now. It was just me and Medine. We were so happy!

Afterwards, Titus took me to see Deacon Bernard's church. It was destroyed from the flooding and rains. Many homes had damage, but his was the whole side and part of the roof. They can't live in there until it is repaired. He has a wife and two children.

Oh My! The blooger connection is failing. I pray I don't lose this blog.

I got to see Mary, the orphan Laura sponsors. I met two other girls, Diana and Celestine (?)

Diana is 13 or 14. I forget right now. but she is not happy living with her aunt. there are other children in the home. she wants to go to school. she does not always have fees. she needs $50 US dollars to get her whole uniform, there are book fees and school fees.

So Joseph thinks we might need to bring the children to one place so the funds go right to them. She wants to go to school to be a lawyer. She wants to go to school.

the other girl, too. She wants to go to school. they both looked pretty sad. and they were not thrilled to talk to me. they seemed embarrassed or ashamed. Diana likes Ugali and she likes reading storybooks. Celestine likes football.

The problem is that we were TRYING to keep them in HOMES! but we may not be able to get them fair treatment in homes. they work like house girls taking care of the children, gathering firewood, fetching water, washing clothes. It is not the end of the world for them to work as housegirls. but they are without representatives in this world.

It rained while we were at Mahalerie church. they brought a P.A. system out there and it was crazy to see them stringing a wire between mud huts!!

Oh we went to a funeral. It was a six week old child who died of malaria within 8 hours. The mother had malaria when she gave birth, too. it was so sad. the little baby was so perfect. we went and greeted the mother and laid hands

Countdown to lift off......3

I'm ready to be on the plane and in Kenya already. The rains have increased the mosquitoes. I pray the rains cease! It has rained every day and flooding has washed away some friends' homes. We pray against malaria. I suffer with my friends. I ask God for mercy.

I'm packed except for the final once-over. I cannot finish because I am waiting on Medical Bridges. They are supposed to complete a hand-carry load of medical supplies. I have to drive over and pick it up in Houston. It will take up one of the extra suitcases. It only takes one suitcase for a two week trip, but I am going for 8 weeks. We usually take another suitcase full of supplies or over the counter medicines. Since Trinity Global Development sent an entire shipping container, I can use the extra suitcases for my personal needs. I already had mine and Sarah's completed. I insisted Steve take an extra so I could put foodstuffs in there. However, with the addition of the medical supplies, I may have to cut back significantly. It is all good. I know God can take care of all my needs and I trust Him for them. As long as I have water and sleep, I can survive. I suppose I am thankful that Sheila insisted I take Malaria preventatives. Looks like those are going to come in very handy! I insisted that Steve go and get some. He's pretty lax about it generally. We got Sarah all that she needed as well. Costly, since she is not on our insurance, but worth it.

I have been praying and reading the Word and preparing spiritually. There was so much physical labor for a while there, that my prayers were not in a quiet time but continual as I worked. I made it through!

Yesterday I was blessed to have Camilla bring her family to church with us. That was fun! and then we went to Ztejas for brunch on 6th street. Lovely. Later I went to Fitzhugh Baptist church way out 290 past the Y at Oak Hill. It was a lovely time with the music minister of Hyde Park Baptist presiding over a small symphony of worshippers. It was awesome. It was perfect. I was lifted. We sang old classic hymns and different members gave personal presentations. It closed with a short message on salvation and rejoicing. I was blessed. I am going to go to Lifeway bookstore TODAY and buy a book of hymns to inspire and encourage during my work in Kenya.

I cannot wait to see my Kenyan family. I cannot wait to go around to the villages. I am eager to deepen relationships. I rejoice in overseeing the work there. It is good to be about the Lord's work. I am a Son of God!

Blogger issues!

I wanted to post how excited I am to go to Kenya. Instead, my blogspot connected this blog with a different profile. I have a google profile which gives me a trinityglobaldevelopment@gmail.com email address. Then I have the one we use for Trinity usually anyway, which is sarivers@sbcglobal.net

Obviously, I cannot get concerned for privacy when I am a public charity--however---I wanted these identities separate electronically. The systems merged them.

Frustrating! For a moment there, it wanted me to set up a whole new profile.

Another weird thing is that I have a Picasa album online that holds all the photos from this blog. I did not even know it. I ran into it somehow. I am setting up different things on this new Apple computer so I am just going down different rabbit trails. Weird again.

My friend Jana keeps pulling her facebook down for privacy concerns. I have several friends who don't even do facebook because they are afraid of exposure or identity theft. Identity theft is serious. We had it happen twice. Wells Fargo caught it for us both times quickly, plus pegged us wrong on two international trips---which is FINE. We worked it out quickly because we really are who we are.

And I have a thousand passwords now. I had forgotten my YouTube account for a long time. It really upset me. It is a very hard password. I have old passwords and so many different log in names. You cannot be a dim wit and do this stuff! I am border line, obviously!

More posts about Kenya next time. I have to get my thoughts in order afresh.

The Rivers minus our Kevin

Kevin was too tired to come over for photos--so we'll try again in November! Glad the puppies made it! They were precious!

I love this picture. No, it is not our most favorable--but we are cracking up! We'll be married 27 years on May 26th. Then off to Kenya on May 27th.

trinityglobaldevelopment@gmail.com

trinityglobaldevelopment@gmail.com EMAIL FOR KENYA TRIP

email me while away

while in kenya, i will not be able to access my sbcglobal.net email because i do not know how to get to that server or what my passwords are--or anything! so I am using my trinity email because I can access it from anywhere as long as I can get online. maybe I'll make it my apple laptop email receiver--if I can figure out how to do it--or get someone else to do it for me.

I've been praying and reading the Bible and encouraging my spirit today. I've been packing. I emailed Medical Bridges about taking another package of medical equipment and supplies on the plane. I messed up on needle sizes but I will have Dr. Kennedy fill out an order form for me--to show me what he knows he will need. Joy Joy Joy. God is good. I'm beginning to have freedom from worrying about food. I'm ready to go.

Packing for shipment

No, this is not a picture of me packing. but i am on my new Apple laptop and to import some pictures--i pulled out my dusty external drive and found this cool photo. Looking through several years worth of old photos is difficult and makes me wistful about the past....BUT I AM MOVING FORWARD! and the forward is delightful! so much good work to do for Jesus through TGD.

Today I packed up my nursing books and midwifery books to send with the shipment. I really want to focus on maternal health and safe prenancy/delivery. There is so much to be improved upon. Many women need iron. They need blood pressure monitored. and when bleeding becomes excessive, they need intervention. I want to teach and promote healthy behaviors to the women who are already teaching others. then they can do the good work of saving lives. i'd love to do it myself --but i see now that my best gift is to empower others--not be the doer. sniff sniff. i'm okay with that.

and back to work I go....packing and planning and training on the mac for long breaks. :-)

FIRST FLOOR COMPLETED!!

I just got news today that the building has an enclosed first floor and they are beginning the second floor!

Building Progress!

You can see here---we have walls! Rose, Immanuel and Samuel all give us a wave.

Hooray! It is a wonderful blessing. Thank you for supporting www.TGDonline.com and the people of Kenya as they grow in their skills and ability to work and feed their families.

The next blog entry is our newsletter--but all the titles and squished together with the paragraphs and all the pictures are missing. I just wanted to post it on here for those who want to read through it online.

Trinity Global Development
May 2010- What’s New?

CHECK OUT OUR VIDEO: http://www.photoshow.com/watch/IP3bp9FC

TGD Services: Our Profit Arm Gets Some Focus.
We are so excited to announce that Shanker Karpe has joined the Trinity Global Development team. Shanker is developing the business model for the new for-profit arm called TGD Services. We are so excited to welcome him! His knowledge, skills, and his abilities will be a great benefit as we move forward towards the consulting business that will help fund the medical clinic and computer lab. Sarah Rivers will oversee the billing for TGD Services. She is training on the accounting software now. She will be going to Kenya with Steve and Stephanie on May 27th along with Medine Watson, Doug Tyler, and Anita Nenonen. Welcome Shanker and Sarah!
Now is the Time to Purchase Items for the Computer Lab!
We are working diligently to ship many items. We had a snag with the paperwork for the official NGO status in Kenya. We’ve had to start over again. Now it should proceed smoothly and be finished within the month. Now is the time to purchase items for the computer lab because we are preparing the shipping container. We can fill it with your donations and get them to Kenya! Donations from literally change the reality of the people in need. Scroll down, BUY so the industrious can LEARN and WORK!
We Have T-Shirts for Sale!
Special Purchase: We purchased a very luxurious soft t-shirt and got a super cool graphics design from The Sanctuary Printshop. (See attachment to email for a sneak peek.) Order for yourself and as gifts for those you love. They are high quality t-shirts in chocolate brown or heather gray with a shield logo graphic on the chest. WOW! Only the best people will have them. YOU!  Come pick one up for $20 or we’ll mail it to you for $25 in Small, Medium, Large or X-Large.
Second Floor Going Up on Trinity Global Development Community Facility
Building Update: You are changing LIVES! You are directly connected to the people in need. Walter says that the progress is remarkable. They are almost putting up the slab for the second floor. He asked me to, “Please include the fact that it has continually touched lives. It has been a source of livelihood to most families.”
Orphan Sponsorship On Hold
Well, I think the orphan program is going to be put on hold even though it is featured in the videos I made for TGD. We do not have a system of oversight created. Obviously, the time is not right. When we can be certain about the children in need, their circumstances, their guardians, and someone watching over the administration of the money—we will proceed. I know many of you are poised to sponsor a child and several of you have chosen that certain child. I hope that when I get everything ironed out, that you will have the flexibility to begin then. Until then, please give to a general fund for TGD, which will benefit the whole community. I will proceed with orphan sponsorship when I can guarantee the program. I am confident that the time will come!
God Encourages Us!
Steve went to the hospital for knee surgery and God sent him two Kenyan nurses! One woman is from our area and speaks a Luhya dialect, Maragoli. We are so thankful to have met Jackie and look forward to partnering with her for the benefit of her people!
Determined To Donate Somehow—God Made A Way!
Anita has been blessed by those who determined that they would give something. She tell us: “One friend saw on my Facebook page that several pastors in the Cornerstone churches need transportation and that I was collecting money to provide bicycles for them. She determined that she would donate $100, which would cover one bike, even though family funds are less than usual at this time. Within a day, she was cleaning out summer clothes and found $100 she had forgotten she had.
A group of ladies in the Southern Illinois area have sponsored an orphanage in India for several years and when they saw that we are trying to provide bicycles for the pastors, they sent $100 because they have provided Indian pastors with bikes in the past and understand the need.
One friend’s company moved out of the area and she is unemployed. It was time for her unemployment benefits to end. When she saw the need for the bicycles, she really wanted to help but had no provision to do so. She told the Lord that if He would provide, she would send me $100 each for each additional benefit check she got until I leave to go to Kenya. That afternoon she got word that the benefits are extended and now she can provide two pastors with transportation!
Another friend really wanted to help by providing sewing machines to the women in the Cornerstone churches. Many people have come to the Lord by first coming to see the machines in the churches. The machines provide many of the women with a way to provide for their families. I told her that I wouldn't be able to take the machines that she owned for several reasons-- so she sold them and was able to provide $500 which will buy two machines and notions and material to get them started. We are BOTH thrilled!”
Together we are all making a tremendous difference in the lives of others.

BUY NOW! GIVE NOW! In addition to the many opportunities that are available via our web site www.TGDonline.com to give, we have a few short term targets, as well. The final stages of the new TGD Resource Center are nearing completion! We are making plans now to furnish the building with the equipment needed to implement our vision for the medical clinic and the computer lab.
Below is a list of the items that we will be shipping and quantities of each needed.
First we will be shipping all of equipment and supplies to Kenya via sea cargo shipping. We will be loading a 40 foot shipping container with the cargo and it will depart from Houston. The port of landing will be Mombasa Kenya. We will then truck the container from Mombasa to Kakamega via an overland carrier. HELP!

40’ Class A Shipping Container and transport from Houston to Mombasa. Cost $3,985.00.
Transport of container from Mombasa to Kakamega $1,250.00. Total cost $5,235.00.
In addition to the 14 pallets of medical equipment and supplies that we have from Medical Bridges, we will be shipping the following equipment and furnishings:
FOR STUDENTS! 21 Dell Inspiron 400 Zino HD Desktop Computers with keyboard and mouse, basic configuration. Unit Price $293.00 Total Purchase $6,153.00
FOR SERVERS! 2 Dell Inspiron 400 Zino HD Desktop Computers with keyboard and mouse, advanced configuration. These boxes will function as servers for the computer lab.
Unit Price $560.00 Total Purchase $1,120.00
22 Dell Inspiron 19” Monitors. Unit Price $119.99, Total Purchase $2,639.78

FOR CLASS INSTRUCTION 1 Casio Slim Line DLP Projector, $499.00
1 60” X 60” Wall/Ceiling Projection Screen, $108.13
1 Royal Sovereign 10,000 BTU Portable AC Unit, $358.00
Oh My! We SO need these…2 Lasko 30” Industrial Oscillating Fan w/Wheels, Unit Price $169.62 Total Purchase $339.24
1 Gentron 10,000 W Generator w/Electric Start, $878.00
10 6’ X 4’ Folding Utility Tables, Unit Price $49.37 Total Purchase $493.70
2 8’ X 4’ Folding Utility Tables, Unit Price $79.74 Total Purchase $159.48
1 60” Round Utility Table, $99.88
Come On! Only 20 Bucks! BUY ONE! (or more) 40 Black Utility Chairs, Black Metal Frame - Black Vinyl, Unit Price $19.99 Total Purchase $799.60
4 Gorilla Rack 6’ x 4’ Steel Shelving, Unit Price $57.98 Total Purchase $231.92
2 Commercial Bin Shelving, Unit Price $113.24 Total Purchase $226.
3 6’ X 4’ Stainless Steel Work Tables, Unit Price $109.76 Total Purchase $329.28
1 Multi-Media Projector Cart, $217.18
5 Commercial Pneumatic Work Stools, Unit Price $29.34 Total Purchase $146.70

Your donations are changing the world.

WE APPRECIATE YOU SO MUCH! THE PEOPLE OF KENYA APPRECIATE YOU SO MUCH!!
We are so thankful to those of you who donated in March and April through Dell Matching Program which DOUBLES your gift!!! And we are so thankful for every gift, large or small and every donation of time, talent, and effort. God bless you!


Send your check to: TGD, 1008 Vanderbilt Circle, Pflugerville, TX 78660
or
Go online at www.TGDonline.com to use Paypal and Please send an email to sarivers@sbcglobal.net noting which item you are purchasing.

or Dell Direct Giving for those who can give online at Dell and double their gift up to $10,000 this year!!