tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-89794952011-07-31T23:37:59.290-05:00This Is AfricaTonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06345936738580848852noreply@blogger.comBlogger411100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8979495.post-81159217314612413952008-07-12T14:32:00.005-05:002008-07-12T14:47:06.755-05:00

Greetings from Kenya!I just wanted to write you all a quick update to let you know that we have arrived safely back in Nakuru after some fruitful ministry out in the bush. Of course, there were problems and setbacks and a van that almost rolled over (with half of us in it) but those stories will be told when I'm not so tired or far away.The time we were able to spend with the Samburu people was

Tonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06345936738580848852noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8979495.post-2645410613555621552008-06-26T22:28:00.003-05:002008-06-26T22:40:07.896-05:00

Greetings from Kenya! We are here, and we are safe, so thank the Lord for that! We ran into quite a few problems along the way as far as flights go, but God showed us who was in controll and got us here, even though it was about twelve hours later than we had first expected. We are doing a fine job at getting adjusted to the schedule and we all got a good night's rest on the very first night,

Tonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06345936738580848852noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8979495.post-42947819573817284912008-04-09T21:12:00.001-05:002008-04-09T21:16:37.469-05:00

Hello out there! I'm not sure who's still reading this, but if you are reading this right now, then I thank you! I am here at Moody, in the last leg of my second semester, and have my eyes on Kenya once again. Please click on the image below if you want some more info. Thank you so much!

Tonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06345936738580848852noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8979495.post-6326089360994422642007-05-14T11:25:00.000-05:002007-05-14T11:44:11.573-05:00

This will be my last post for a while, and if you are still reading, then you rock. I've been back for over a week now, and am starting to re-adjust. It's been weird getting back into a schedule, where I have to preform actions/activities at pre-specified times. It's great to be back, and I am loving seeing all my friends and family again. It's weird having graduation next week because I feel

Tonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06345936738580848852noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8979495.post-53435964979010806002007-05-02T11:34:00.000-05:002007-05-02T12:03:23.052-05:00

I think we all know that it's true that you appreciate things more once you go without them, but it's a whole other business to experience it. While I loved my time in Africa and plan to go back someday, it feels so good to be back home. These three months have been the longest I've ever been away, and I now have greater respect for Eric and other missionaries, as well as our troops, who have

Tonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06345936738580848852noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8979495.post-22860053114194197472007-04-27T15:45:00.000-05:002007-04-27T17:15:23.492-05:00

Tonight is our last night at Eric's house here in Nakuru. Tomorrow we leave for Nairobi, Sunday we go to church with Shane and his family, and that night we get to have dinner at The Carnivore, which we have been looking forward to since the trip started. On Monday, we fly for almost a day, but arrive in Minnesota only a few hours later.There is a lot going on in my head right now. I miss my

Tonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06345936738580848852noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8979495.post-15900610928978306322007-04-24T17:09:00.000-05:002007-08-15T01:56:45.144-05:00

Our time in Sudan is now over, and we have returned to Nakuru by bus. It was an extremely long trip, and we are sooooo grateful that God got us here. We were really wondering sometimes...The bus from Yei has a report time of 3:00 a.m. and goes all the way to Kampala. So the trip started with nine hours worth of waiting at the bus stop, and a little sleeping on the bus before it left. Then we

Tonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06345936738580848852noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8979495.post-40066067479814964302007-04-15T13:13:00.000-05:002007-04-15T13:35:13.075-05:00

Hello again!Now let me take some more time to fill you in on what is happening out here.We will be staying in Sudan for one more week, and during this week, we will be working with Harvesters here at the compound. During the day we'll be working and helping with some work projects that are going on, and in the afternoon we'll be doing evangelism and small group bible study. We've already had a

Tonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06345936738580848852noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8979495.post-4411047226971969472007-04-13T02:15:00.000-05:002007-04-13T02:22:57.636-05:00

We made it, praise the Lord! We sure have some stories to tell, and the journey was very long (over 24 total hours of bus travel, and we have another 24 ahead...) but we were able to cross the border and are here at the Harvester's compound in Yei, Sudan. There is another team of about six guys here from Austin, Texas for a work project. In the morning we'll be working, and in the afternoons

Tonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06345936738580848852noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8979495.post-86974464212417284552007-04-06T12:19:00.000-05:002007-04-07T00:03:38.762-05:00

One of the things we have been wanting to do since before this trip began is go to Sudan. I remember Eric telling me he wanted to go when I was last here, and I told him I would go with him but I didn't think that would actually happen. Having a desire to go someplace is one thing- having a plan to get there is another.We've been praying for God's guidance regarding this trip for the past two

Tonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06345936738580848852noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8979495.post-36759855290692492892007-04-05T05:57:00.000-05:002007-04-05T06:33:29.708-05:00

The second half of our time in Samburu was supposed to be split between two locatoins: Liangilani (not sure on the spelling for that one) and Nkisseu. The former trip never took place for bad reasons. A church in Wamba wanted to go on a mission out there, so we were going to take them and work with them. In Kenya, there are a lot of well-meaning people who will never find the means to do what

Tonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06345936738580848852noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8979495.post-56772185254931287772007-04-03T15:34:00.000-05:002007-04-03T16:38:12.686-05:00

Here is a more detailed report on how our trip to Samburu went.Like I stated before, a very clear thought went through my head when we first reached Eric's small house in Wamba. "My standard of living just dropped through the floor," I thought as I surveyed my new surroundings. I pulled the cobwebs I had walked into off my face and gazed at the numerous insects that covered the white cement walls

Tonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06345936738580848852noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8979495.post-36089262296307278442007-04-02T14:47:00.000-05:002007-04-02T15:08:35.985-05:00

Today, we returned to Nakuru from our one-month stay in Samburu District, and let me tell you: it's good to be back. I had over forty e-mails waiting for me, and it was nice to read them all and know that so many of you have been praying and have had us in your thoughts. While we've been back we've bought some coke, candy, and went out for French fries (here they're called 'chips') and chicken,

Tonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06345936738580848852noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8979495.post-77017729817777553462007-03-04T10:04:00.000-06:002007-03-04T10:32:43.974-06:00

Well, it seems like the time has finally arrived. Our big trip to Samburu lays just ahead of us, and we couldn't be more ready for it. The truck looks better than ever, our planned lessons are complete, we have cut our hair short, and we have had plenty of time to adjust to life here. Both Bryan and I feel like we have been here for a lot longer than a month (in a good way) and are very happy to

Tonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06345936738580848852noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8979495.post-19670366240969400382007-03-03T01:22:00.000-06:002007-03-03T03:37:00.618-06:00

Yesterday we traveled to Nairobi and back, mainly to meet with Lilly Klepp, the women who founded an organization called Harvesters with her husband, Dennis. They have been living in Southern Sudan for six years now, and have had a very fruitful ministry. We had lunch with Lilly and a friend of hers, and they told us some amazing stories about their ministry. They run a compound similar to the

Tonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06345936738580848852noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8979495.post-7984744101747442902007-02-28T08:15:00.000-06:002007-02-28T08:39:06.765-06:00

Yesterday, there was a man on a latter at Eric's wall working on something to do with the electrical and phone box. We didn't know what he was doing, all we know is that he messed something up, and it was just too bad that we didn't notice until after he had gone. We were left with no phone or internet. This isn't too big of a deal, but Eric had just paid $150 this month to have it hooked up,

Tonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06345936738580848852noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8979495.post-16274795473346261512007-02-26T06:45:00.000-06:002007-02-26T06:56:26.421-06:00

In case you didn't notice, I changed the title at the top and here's why. While we were in Nairobi, we saw the movie Blood Diamond. I don't recommend the movie to those of you with weak stomachs for violence because the movie is very real, but if you can handle that sort of thing, you should see it. The main character in the movie shares a saying with his African friends: they simply say, "TIA

Tonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06345936738580848852noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8979495.post-90717787653464761342007-02-25T12:21:00.000-06:002007-02-25T14:26:23.163-06:00

And we're back!We have returned to Nakuru today after almost a week at a place called Osegel (which is around 9,000 feet above sea level) in an area where the Massai tribe lives. Most of Eric's ministry is done in Samburu, but the Massai are very closely related, so he can easily work with them as well. They speak almost the exact same language and have a very similar culture. Most of the

Tonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06345936738580848852noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8979495.post-26686845702549768782007-02-19T10:50:00.000-06:002007-02-19T11:03:35.196-06:00

As some of you might have heard, I haven't been feeling well for the past couple of days. At first I was showing signs that I could have malaria, but the worst of the sickness lasted only for one night and now I'm just left with no appetite and a very weak body. I'm doing alright now, and I assume I'll be fine by tomorrow.Which is very important, because tomorrow we leave in the morning for a

Tonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06345936738580848852noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8979495.post-88671238411532184232007-02-14T08:30:00.000-06:002007-02-15T11:47:46.486-06:00

Because the Blogger picture upload is rather fickle, I've started to post my pictures on my photo blog which you can access by clicking the link to the right. I'll be posting the rest of my pictures there for your viewing pleasure so check there often. I'd like to have a new one up every day, but I can only do my best. By clicking on the "large" button at the bottom of that site, you'll be able

Tonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06345936738580848852noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8979495.post-45445203709646354882007-02-14T04:53:00.000-06:002007-02-14T07:22:02.722-06:00

Everyone: thank you so much for taking time to write comments! I love reading them. I get the comments sent to my e-mail, and this morning there were lots of em, so that was nice. It's good to hear from you. We've been staying pretty buys over here. We've been in Nakuru for the past week continuing to prepare our lessons and our hearts. We have also spent some time catching up with

Tonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06345936738580848852noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8979495.post-38051394768132294732007-02-09T05:40:00.000-06:002007-02-09T06:28:52.925-06:00

Hey, got the first picture up. Wow, that only took 10 minutes to upload each one. But hey, I'll take what I can get.So there I am, sitting at the computer in Eric's office (a small room adjacent to his house that's probably more comparable to a sauna than anything) working on the lessons I'd been assigned. I am doing Heaven and Hell, Justice and Judgment, and the Bible. These lessons are what

Tonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06345936738580848852noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8979495.post-26492744598237231462007-02-05T04:45:00.000-06:002007-02-06T00:29:03.963-06:00

I thought we would be in Nairobi longer, but we actually left on Thursday. Eric, Bryan, and I have been in Nakuru till yesterday, when we came back to Nairobi (where I am now). We just got DSL back at Eric's house, so I should be able to get some pictures up once we get back.It's been a quiet few days. I've enjoyed some time to get into some good books (C.S. Lewis is my homeboy) and we have spent

Tonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06345936738580848852noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8979495.post-27771839628377428542007-01-31T00:37:00.000-06:002007-01-31T00:51:32.090-06:00

For the past few months I've been waiting for something to happen. I've been waiting to go to Kenya. And now I'm here! It almost feels as if I never left. This place is so familiar to me- it's not a forign country anymore. I feel so at home. And I love that feeling.We are at Shane's house right now, in the capitol city Nairobi. We'll be spending a few days here before going to Nakuru where

Tonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06345936738580848852noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8979495.post-33751561870457527892007-01-26T12:24:00.000-06:002007-01-27T16:53:11.647-06:00

I am writing to you from Minnesota and from my brand new (used) laptop (courtesy of Sarah McFadden). And let me tell you, the missionary life so far is kickin'. We are staying at Eric's grandparents house where his brother lives also. His grandparents aren't around so it's just us. His brother has an Xbox 360 which I've made use of, and I've been able to relax and eat some good food. Eric's dad

Tonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06345936738580848852noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8979495.post-71215741455979276532007-01-11T11:38:00.000-06:002007-01-11T11:54:01.760-06:00

There is a lot of change happening in my life right now. I'll be leaving for Kenya soon, within the next week I'll get a letter from Moody, and today I get my haircut-- a lot. When I returned from Kenya last July, people noticed that I had changed. I had darker skin, still short hair, many new experiences and I talked different for a while (in Kenya, we learned to speak a little slower and

Tonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06345936738580848852noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8979495.post-10715262552460410932006-12-11T09:13:00.000-06:002007-01-06T23:58:18.606-06:00

I have heard from Eric and he has told me that the date we will fly out is January 29th, from Minneapolis, where he and his friend live. He will be speaking at my youth groups winter retreat, and when that is over I will drive with him to Minnesota where we will spend a few days before flying out. I return there on the first of May, and have yet to decide how to get home. But I'm not worried

Tonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06345936738580848852noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8979495.post-43730578842839182872006-11-18T22:38:00.000-06:002006-11-18T22:49:07.427-06:00

If you are reading this then most likely you have received one of my support letters. That letter tells the most of it, but I'll be updating this site with more information as I get it concerning my trip, and I will also use this site to communicate and send updates to people while I am away. If you like, you can brows the previous posts to get an idea of what my last trip was like.For now, you

Tonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06345936738580848852noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8979495.post-1159309405028091382006-09-26T17:14:00.000-05:002006-11-18T22:38:35.112-06:00

If you remember my last post, I talked about wanting to go back to Kenya...Well, I think I am. That's if, God wants me to.I think he does.And that's why right now I'm raising money to go on another trip to Kenya; only this time for twice as long. A three month trip to Africa. I'll leave right at the start of February and I'll see you all again in May.How do I feel about this? I'm giddy.

Tonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06345936738580848852noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8979495.post-1156560672884021062006-08-25T21:44:00.000-05:002006-10-24T15:45:38.207-05:00

Sorry it's been a while, but I thought I would just post one more time here...Until the next trip...But it's been a great ride. Ever since I've been back, life has been moving pretty fast, (camp, work, school, church, work...) but thought of Kenya haven't left my mind. If there is any chance of going back to work with Eric, I'm going to take it. First chance I get. I miss the place, the

Tonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06345936738580848852noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8979495.post-1152799651130943312006-07-13T08:45:00.000-05:002006-10-24T15:45:38.121-05:00

I'm back here in Nairobi now, and I'm sad to say that this trip is almost over. I'll be seeing everyone soon so I won't write much, but I wanted to let everyone know that we're back safe and sound, and that we were able to do what we went out to do. We had plenty of problems along the way (three flat tires! THREE!) but by God's grace and expert planning, we've arrived and the end. I have very

Tonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06345936738580848852noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8979495.post-1151409933340495932006-06-27T06:53:00.000-05:002006-10-24T15:45:37.876-05:00

Once again, I write to you from a cyber-cafe in Nakuru...greetings!So for the past few days, we've been getting to know the new members of the team while we go around to different schools in the area for ministry there. Tomorrow we will be purchasing all of our food and suplies that we will need for our next 12 days in the bush, starting on Thursday. The both of the new girls and John are

Tonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06345936738580848852noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8979495.post-1151043629427550192006-06-23T01:05:00.000-05:002006-10-24T15:45:37.821-05:00

Well everyone this is the last time I can use the internet without paying per minute because we are leaving Nairobi soon to go back to Nakuru to Eric's house. The rest of the team is here now and we are already having fun.Fellow Halo 2 players: I had a 22 killing spree last night...it was cool. We had the game projected onto a big wall in their living room- you would have been proud.So we will

Tonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06345936738580848852noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8979495.post-1150922514629195432006-06-21T15:28:00.000-05:002006-10-24T15:45:37.759-05:00

Currently, we are back in Nairobi, the capitol of Kenya and the center of civilization here. We are once again staying with Shane and his wife (two very nice and welcoming people) and it's great to feel at last some rest. We arrived to dinner after a three hour matatu ride (a small van that holds 14 people); tacos and cinnamon rolls. Not the most common combo, but good all the same. We did some

Tonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06345936738580848852noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8979495.post-1150805965717982972006-06-20T06:55:00.000-05:002006-10-24T15:45:37.704-05:00

Hello WORLD!So, right now, I wish I could sit here for a couple hours and give you all some great stories and a full update, but that would cost my more shillings than I have....and please ignore the spelling errors- I'm typing this fast because time is money at this place...I want to let you all know that I'm doing great. We just got back from two weeks in the bush, and it was a very good time

Tonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06345936738580848852noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8979495.post-1149257372062649702006-06-02T09:00:00.000-05:002006-10-24T15:45:37.648-05:00

Well, I'm here and so far so good. We just finished up a day of training, and I'm in a cybercafe. This will probably be the only time I can give you an update for about three weeks or so. The flight was fine...Just very, long. I was delayed in Chicago for two hours. I boarded the plane, and then we just sat there on the ground for two hours. It was wonderful. And when I finally got to the airport

Tonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06345936738580848852noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8979495.post-1149000917313951532006-05-30T09:43:00.000-05:002006-10-24T15:45:37.593-05:00

Yesterday, my mother and I were doing some last minute shopping, when we witnessed a car accident while on the highway. Well, we didn't really witness it, but it happened right in front of us. I don't know why we didn't see it, but just a few cars away, a man had managed to flip his car and he landed it right in the middle of the two lane highway. The amazing thing was that no one hit him. I

Tonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06345936738580848852noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8979495.post-1148747851140654662006-05-27T11:27:00.000-05:002006-10-24T15:45:37.537-05:00

Here is the flight information I got from Eric a few days ago.Traveling to Nairobi Tue 30-May-06 Chicago (ORD)Depart 4:40 pm Terminal 5 to Amsterdam

Tonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06345936738580848852noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8979495.post-1148665617273274352006-05-26T12:36:00.000-05:002006-10-24T15:45:37.482-05:00

It all started a few months ago in a note to a friend. I was writing about what it would be like to just pick up and leave. My youth pastor Arol had taught on reckless abandon once, and I wondered what would happen if someone really did that. That night I wondered what people would think if I were to just up and go to Africa and see what happens.The next day, I had dinner at Julie's house and

Tonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06345936738580848852noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8979495.post-1148655089754247792006-05-26T09:51:00.000-05:002006-10-24T15:45:37.424-05:00

It's five days before I leave for my trip, and I decided that this is the median that I will use to keep people updated while I'm away, and share the pictures that I will take while I'm there. Right now I'm really excited...I'm going to get commissioned by my church this Sunday, and I leave for Amsterdam on Tuesday. After a couple hours there, I will board a flight that will take me to Nairobi in

Tonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06345936738580848852noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8979495.post-1148654953947606662006-05-26T09:49:00.000-05:002006-10-24T15:45:37.361-05:00

Tonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06345936738580848852noreply@blogger.com0