Danana High School (Huruma Girls)

I had a great day planned out to go, visit the HS girls from Huruma. I was
pretty excited about my visit to meet Sylvia, she is the daughter of Lisa Winters,
Lisa had adopted a teenage girl from Huruma children home. You see before my trip here to Kenya Lisa had talked about her daughter, Lisa really wanted me to take
the time to get to know her... I was so looking forward to meeting her and learning about her, so when the time came for visitors at the school I was so ready to take the trip to meet Sylvia. Let me share my experience with you on my little journey
to Danana HS first let me say the school was about 2 hours away, but my adventures
experience getting there was longer than I anticipated...

I was so ready to Spend the day with Sylvia and the others girls, but honestly!
The ride to get to Danana High School was ridiculous... I had to rush people out
of the way... my driver hit a car and a fence went through a million pot holes, I inhaled a pound of dirt, drove through where Africans came out of the woods with spears, fog of dust half way through getting to the school, I saw the High School from a distance thinking... I was going to a prison all of this before getting to Sylvia Wow! I made it safe unbelievable it's a good thing I had the protection of the Lord's angels around me. Woo got home in one piece.
Praise God!

What a great Sunday morning service. Mama had some visitors here from New Jersey; the worship was off the wall to say the least. It was so strong lot’s of singing and dancing… I Love it… We played games with the kids, colored, had story time learning about Gideon… Oh! And we made bracelets learning about colors and what it symbolizes in the bible.

Meanings:
Yellow-Gold-God has prepared heaven for us
Black- Sins- It separates us from God
Red-Blood-Life and Sacrifice
White-Snow excepting Jesus, our hearts are made clean
Green-Grow in faith by praying to God/sharing the word
Clear-Gods promise

After the fun time we had in church I took the children to have some more fun, quality time with me. We headed for the park in front of their school hung out played on the slides, swings and goofed around just acting silly… it was just fun in the sun. It was time for dinner, so we headed back to the orphanage,
What a day… I was exhausted by this time, so ready to turn in. When I got a chance to decompress my thoughts were all over the board.
I was thinking wow... I never thought I'd be serving and sharing my love and having this incredible opportunity to tour Africa. Africa? Africa? I kept saying over and over to myself. I can't believe I am here! I've always wanted to visit Africa, but always hoped someday in my life, but never knew how, or when and of course never thought missions my, my how Beautiful and Awesome is the "Lord" how he works in our lives in ways and in areas we could never imagine. The Lord is so working through me in ways that I can't even explain... the Love the desire to serve and share my heart, the overwhelming appreciation for how I live in such a world of convenience. These children who crave my love and attention it's draining, but at the same time joyful and when I find myself tired, I can't seem to stop wanting to play and give them more of my time and love. Everyday that goes by I grow closer to the children I could see how it’s so difficult to leave here.

Prayer
Dearest God, You have a purpose for my life. You have plans to prosper me. I put my life, my heart, my spirit, and my soul in your safe hands, this minute, this hour, this day, within you firm grasp. I need not worry about what tomorrow may bring. I know you have my life planned. I just need to keep close to you and to keep walking in your way looking neither to the right nor the left but straight ahead toward you. Thank you father for all you works you have blessed me before and I am confident you will continue to bless me as I serve you. Amen

Today was a fun day... I got a chance to see, spend some time with my friends from back home Rich and Shauna. They also attend Cornerstone. Shauna has been here since July, 2008 and her "Now" fiancee came this past January. We have stayed in contact through emails and when they found out that I would be arriving to Kenya we made plans to get together. They picked me up this afternoon, to take me around we went to an area call Junction it's a pretty nice area where they have a shopping mall, movie theater etc... Our first stop was to grab something to eat "Can Anyone Say Hungry"... Yep we're so ready to Chow Down at Mediterraneo, it's an Italian restaurant really nice the food was Yummy! To say the least. After lunch we headed out to a park call Giraffe Center WOW! What an experience... I got a chance to pet and feed the Giraffe's, a little window shopping was next at the souvenirs shop.
Well what an evening it's time to do a quick stop at the grocery store and go home... I could not stop thinking about my experiences up to now, me in Kenya? Who wouldn't of thought.

Your Word say that you actually guarantee a blessing on everything I do! That's a promise I can count on, and one I revel in. It gives me the confidence that you will be with me in all that I do, blessing me at each and every turn. What an awesome promise! I arise today, assured of your assistance, guidance, and approval of every good thing. There are no words to express how you make me feel. I am humbled in Your presence and renewed in Your light I praise You, Lord!

What a day in Africa. I went to Karen today which it is known to be a nice area here in Kenya. Karen is known to have a lot of Americans people who reside there, a nice place to do some shopping. And that's what I did some shopping! George (Mama son) took me around a bit, then we went to do a Huruma pick up of bags of beans that were donated to Huruma from an American missionary group; they donated to the orphanage 20 bags of beans... Woo! That here is a Huge blessing. Arrived back to the orphanage, sat and talked business with Mama on my new project that I will be taking over here at Huruma Children's Home (the News letter) It's their news updates on what's going on at Huruma it goes out to the community and all Mama Zipporah supporters. Looking forward to taking on that task... Afterwards I spent the time taking care of baby Joseph (see pic below) then went to the school, to check on the children to see how they were doing in class. The class I ended up at was the music class. I peeked in the room as they were practicing their songs and started to sing along while standing at the doorway the children looked at me, started to giggle, then the teacher looked over at me, said please come in... he asked, would you like teach the class today, I looked over at him and I began to laugh out loud
Me TEACH! Music swinging my hands in the air saying Oh! No... No Way... but he insist my reply was are you serious... he proceeded to say come, come in, I entered the class and followed along with the teacher and then he turned it over to me saying sing go on sing... I started singing, all the children had smiles on their faces, started to clap yelling yeah! The teacher said let's show her we appreciate her, that was Cool I finished up with the class and then I took a bow with a big smile while the children kept clapping. My next stop was the staff Room I got a chance to met the teachers while they talked and listened to music. Towards the end of my day I watched children play basketball, soccer, and practice dance, Now that was Awesome... to watch. My day ended by attending worship had some dinner and turned in for the evening... What a long and great day. I can't wait to find out what tomorrow brings.

Some of the Children leaving school for the day.



George driving me into town





Me with baby Joseph

The Night of my arrival
I was so tired after such a long day I was so looking forward to just getting to Huruma. I arrived 3 hours later than everyone anticipated, but when I did arrive what a great feeling. I was coming through the gates of Huruma Children Home when I noticed a group of children just waiting to welcome me to their home... my thoughts as I'm approaching closer... Wow! How wonderful they are waiting to greet me... Once I stepped out of the taxi the children started to approach me one by one handy out their hands to say welcome, but I was overwhelmed with seeing them I told them that hand shakes was not acceptable, I am not a person who greets with a hand shake I greet with hugs; not to mention I really needed a hug after my experience. If only you could of seen the expression on those children's faces as they all started to giggle out loud... It brought tears of happiness to my eyes as I've been waiting for this very moment to meet them months in advance, one could not imagine my feeling and thoughts at that time to have this incredible opportunity to serve these children. I loved them before I knew of them... I have so much love to share and I could not wait to share it with those children.
I was unable to sleep that night do to change and the excitement! It was surreal to me. "Thank you Jesus" I will do my best to be your hands and feet and to serve those children and Mama Zipporah to the best of my ability. Stay tuned...

Feb 26th
I am so excited about my trip, however I'm not looking forward to flying, and those who know me well know that I don't like to fly. My departure time is 10:25 am. I was heading to Minneapolis as my flight was approaching to land the pilot had announced that the plane could not land due to weather conditions so we had to fly around in the air for 1 1/2 hours. It was getting down to our last 45 minutes of fuel everyone on that flight was getting nervous and impatient people on that flight had to catch connecting flights as well as myself... finally we got the OK to land, to find out that a plane was stuck in the icy snow, we waited for the plane to be manually pushed out of the way by workers I was rushing to meet my connecting flight.. shuuuuu! I couldn't believe my luck I had little time to reach my gate before departure I made it. I was already tired running from one terminal to another and not to mentioned... I was up half the night making sure that I had everything I needed for my trip, needless to say I was in need of some serious sleep.

My adventure continues.... I jumped on to my connecting flight to find out we can't fly out we were stuck on the ground for about 3 hours until they deiced the plane. When clearance was given we finally departed arriving in Amsterdam just in time for me again run to my other connecting flight WOO!!! At last I landed in Nairobi by this time I was impatiently waiting to get to Huruma. Went to luggage claims to pick up my luggage, to find that it was delay for a day so I had to file a report the next day I retrieve, my luggage. After all of that... I was Pooped to say the least... however I am so grateful that regardless of my difficult travel time... this was definitely a blessing, a validation from the Lord that he was testing my patience and obedience to him Knowing that I really don't LIKE TO FLY. I could've easily gotten off that flight and head home, but It was his will for me to do his work no matter how long it took for my arrival the Lord has a plan and I know the plans includes to prosper me, not to harm me… that night his angel was guiding that plane holding it up, I was being protected from any harm making sure I arrive to Huruma safely. AMEN!!!

Upon arrival I had to exchange US dollars for Kenyan shillings...

This is me arriving in Nairobi.

My taxi driver, Rufus.

Lisa is on her way to Kenya!

Lisa flew out of Sky Harbor Airport in Phoenix this morning at 10:30 AM, the beginning of a 24 hour trip to Nairobi, Kenya. Pray for her as she travels today. She is so excited to be going to Kenya and being able to share her heart with the children and be a blessing to Mamma Zipporah and everyone at Huruma Children's Home.




Lisa, you will be missed here in Arizona by all your friends! God bless you as you go and do the work God has called you to do!

Thoughts before my departure

The time is close for my departure for Kenya. I am really excited to go do God's work. I have no expectation I feel that it's premature to have expectation going into a country that's so unkown to me, however I'm definitely going with an open heart and so willing to share my heart.

Funds Still needed $1,500, I am asking if you have a heart for giving please consider donating for such a good cause at Huruma Children's Home. Help children who are in need.

Thank you for your prayers and support
God Bless

Please check out the video below

Letters

Spaghetti Dinner Update

I like to thank everyone who came out to support me at my spaghetti dinner. This truly was Gods doing... May God bless you. Know that God is writing all of Our Life Stories. I am so excited to find out what he has planned for me and all of you. Love you all... And again thank you.

Money raised from the Fundraiser: $1,590
Airfare by other donation: $1,500.00
Total: $3,090
AMEN!!!!

About Me

Hi, My name is Lisa Lopez.

I wanted to share a little about me and where I am going in my life. I moved from Cleveland, Ohio to Arizona back in January 2008, so it's been about a year now...
Cleveland, you must be saying yuck! I know... nothing too exciting, even though it's cold there 6 months out of the year and the sun does not shine as often as Arizona, but it was home for me and I loved it... I really had a difficult time in the beginning adapting to AZ, because I moved here not knowing anyone, leaving my friends, family and job.
My plans were to prosper in my new life with the intention of sharing this wonderful journey with a love in my life at that time. As my life started to unravel, I started searching for new direction and I fell in love with the LORD. Wow! I had no clue what life had in store for me.
I was looking to go back to church, since I've always been in love with the Lord, but I had no idea how to have a relationship with Him. All I knew, was that I needed God in my life to give me direction, so I stumbled across this church called Cornerstone. When I walked in for the first time to listen to the Word I had this feeling that I belonged. I said to myself, " this is it... this is my church."
Cornerstone has transformed my life..."Who New" that I had to travel 2,200 miles to find God. Wow! He works in mysterious ways... It's been an amazing journey, I am learning more everyday and excited about being involved, learning the word. One cannot imagine how wonderful it is to walk with the Lord until you totally surrender... God has brought me a sense of calmness and peace into my life... ...And for that I am so grateful for all his works, as he continues to work and walk with me. Romans 11:36 - "For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things"

Thank you most of all for supporting me in prayer!

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If you are led to contribute financially, then I thank you for that as well and may God richly bless you for your contribution.

All sponsorship money is being handled by Cornerstone Church in Chandler, AZ. You can now contribute online! You can contribute with a credit/debit card or an E-check. This is a secure site through Cornerstone Church. You will be asked to create a user account. Just an additional FYI— you will need to create an account to log in the first time you go online; by creating an account, this does not add you as an attendee to the church, but will help enable that you get the tax credit for your donation by allowing us to send you a statement at the end of the year. Also, your log-in can be used at a future date should you want to make an additional donation.

My Mission

Hello, my name is Lisa Lopez. I started this blog site as a way to communicate to my friends and family on what is happening in my life. Most recently, God has put on my heart to do some mission work and has given me the incredible opportunity to go to Kenya, Africa on a missions trip for 3 months. I will be working at Huruma Children's Home which is situated on the edge of the Great Rift Valley, on the slopes of Ngong Hills in Kenya, about 25km (about 15 miles) from Nairobi, the capital of Kenya. Huruma Children’s Home currently has over 150 children, both girls and boys ages between one day and 18 years. While at Huruma, I will be doing various jobs to assist in the day to day life of the children that live and attend the school there.I am working with the Missions group from my home church, Cornerstone, in Chandler, AZ to organize and facilitate this trip.I am asking that you prayerfully consider a financial gift to help send me to Kenya. The immediate needs are funds to purchase airline tickets, immunization and medication. Long term funds are also needed to help with living expenses while in Kenya for 3 months.I will be updating this site often and adding additional content, so please come back as often as you can for updates on what I am doing and what God is doing in my life. If you wish to contribute financially, please click on the SPONSER ME page.Thank You and God Bless You!
I recommend you check out the Huruma website for details on the children’s home and school and also see pictures and bios of the children that are there.
Huruma Children's Home