February 22, 2009—It’s so hard to believe that the week is over. It seems like time has flown by and yet we have tried to savor every moment. Today was filled with many goodbyes, some tears, at least on my part, and prayers for my new friends. I feel like I’m home and yet I know that on Wednesday I, along with my traveling companions, will get on a plane for home, in the United States. It has been such an honor to be here with the students, many of whom have sacrificed so much to be here.

February 21, 2009—It’s been an exciting day. Second only to the recording of the African choirs, on our agenda this week, is the dedication of the newly expanded CBH Studio, the “Neno la Uzima” studio. Neno la uzima means word of life.

February 19 & 20, 2009—The music of Africa is something that I love. The rhythm of the drums, the tribal sounds of the voices lifting songs of joy in a mighty chorus, and especially African worship—there’s just nothing like it. One of the main goals of this trip has been to capture this sound in our newly renovated studio, but it’s for much more than just posterity.

Wednesday, February 18, 2009—The work of Christians broadcasting Hope began in Nairobi many years ago. However, the radio broadcast was moved to KIST soon after Kima Theological College was restarted as Kima International School of Theology. This CBH effort has now grown into not only a thriving radio broadcast that covers most of east-central Africa, but also a hub for the CBH radio effort in all of Africa. The vision for the ministry of CBH here in Africa includes a new French broadcast originating from the country of Cote d’Ivoire, west Africa, as well as the possibility of satellite broadcasts, and communications programs; all supported by the staff right here in Kima.

Tuesday, February 17, 2009—Are you focused? That was the subject of Andy’s sermon in chapel today. He spoke directly to each and every one of us about our relationship with the Lord as well as how we approach our preparation for life and ministry. The thing that caught my ear and has stayed with me throughout the day is this, “You will never be the person you want to be unless you are becoming that person right now.” In other words, becoming the person you want to be is a process not an instantaneous happening. It begins with the choices you are making right now. How often do we think “I would love to be…” and yet we are not willing to take the first and subsequent steps to run the race by the rules, and with perseverance—to take the steps necessary to nurture the seeds into full growth to become that person? Today’s chapel service was very inspiring and we all enjoyed it immensely.

Monday, February 16, 2009—Kima, Kenya. The word kima in Swahili means monkey. Many people mistakenly believe that Kima takes its name from the many monkeys that inhabited this area long ago. Rather, the story of Kima is quite interesting.

By Logan Ritchhart

Sunday, February 15, 2009—So it was six years ago that I first set foot on the ground in Kenya. I was working in Global Missions, and had the opportunity to travel half way around the world to a place that I had heard about since I was young. Kenya; going on safari; mud huts; Massai...all these things I had heard about, but never had the opportunity to be there—until then.  When I left to go home I was ready to see my family again, and when I set foot back on American soil I was ready to go back to Kenya. Six years later I’m finally back.

In December 2008, Christians Broadcasting Hope (CBH) began publishing videos on YouTube. CBH is a radio broadcast ministry that impacts individuals across the globe. Each of their eight language broadcasts is completely produced and distributed by indigenous people at six production sites around the world. In order to tell more people about the ministry, one professional video is published every month that tells about lives changed by God through CBH. They’re hoping to launch the ministry into the future by developing a movement of financial and prayer-based partnerships with churches and individuals across the country. These videos are just one way that CBH has found to get the word out about this effective ministry and to better inform people who are already involved.

January 13, 2009—They all crowded around her. "what's your name?" "hello!" "it's lovely to meet you." "you come from America?" "how do you do?" "where are you from?"

A barrage of questions in very limited English. She shook each of their hands and laughed with them as they tried to communicate with each other. "Hi!  I'm Joy, yes I'm from America. Hey!  Well hello!  Shalom!". Joy, a woman from our group, had been accosted by a group of school children who had been visiting Caesarea on a school field trip.

January 12, 2009—Today, we walked where Jesus walked. Is it even possible to describe the feelings attached to that experience?  We saw the ruins of the ancient cities where he spoke, we rode in a wooden boat across the Sea of Galilee where he walked, we even listened to the beatitudes where he revealed them for the first time.

Can you imagine what it must have been like to have been among the first to have heard the beatitudes?  They're so contrary to the way we think: blessed are the poor, the meek, the weak of spirit. It's so revolutionary, even today. And yet even today we sat in a quiet garden and heard those same words spoken again.  I think they affected us deeply in the same way they must have affected those first listeners so long ago.