Jambo from Kenya

Jambo Sana from Kenya! We are having a wonderful time. Our first day here we went to the Cottage Hospital and walked the farm with Richard. Oh how I love that man. I treasure every moment I get with him. After lunch in the cottage we headed out to feed the kids in the pre-school at the Cottage hospital. These kids live in the slums and most don't have food to eat. The Cottage Hospital has a pre-school where the kids come 6 days a week for breakfast and lunch. A few years ago Richard and Freda shared with us that most children do not eat again until they return to the school on Monday. Mike had a great idea of providing a pre-cooked meal to distribute to the kids on Saturdays so they would have a meal on Sunday. After we served the kids lunch we but beans and rice in 70 bags and distributed them to the kids. With big smiles and a gracious "Asante" (thank you) they took their bag. After all the children received their food they closed there eyes and thanked God for the meal he provided. I looked over at Chris and he was a goner! Tears were streaming down his face. Oh yeah, Kenya has gotten a hold of him and it was just the first day. The people and this place have a way of grabing hold of your heart and you are forever changed.

Today we headed up to Mt. Elgon for church (my happy place in Kenya). We went to one of the churches that were recipients of the planting seeds project this past February. We heard a testimony from a man whose children attended the church but he and his wife did not. The church decided that since the children attended the church they could be recipients of the seed if the father or mother attended all the necessary trainings. The father did so. He shared how he really saw the love of God demonstrated. Even though he and his wife did not attend the church and were not Christians, they still wanted to assist. He and his wife are now Christians and active members of the church. God is so amazing!

I was the pastor for the day. I found out about 5:30 Saturday night that I would be delivering the message. This is very typical in Kenya. At least I had some notice! God gave me a few passages of which I built on prior to leaving for Kenya so I at least had some notes and was semi prepared! There is nothing greater than being used by God. I loved every moment of it! To see the faces of those in the congregation as God spoke through me was something I will never forget.

Chris started crying from the moment he stepped in the church. For a big strong tough guy, he sure is a softy! He is loving this place and the people. The choir got up and sang and there was a guy playing a guitar and another who kind of tapped on the guitar like a drum. Two instruments in one! So innovative.

Two years ago during the clashes Mike and I had the opportunity of meeting a woman with 11 children. Her husband was a pastor and was killed in front of his family. I remember feeling so helpless as we sat with the family and prayed for them and gave them a Hope Span Mosquito net and blanket. The husband had just died the week before and was buried in front of the small hut they were staying in. I wept because I felt so incredibly helpless. This family was at the church today. The eldest son was the one playing the guitar. They too were recipients of the Planting Seeds Project this past February. God is brillant in the way he works. He never ceases to amaze me.

My dad is doing well. He is enjoying every moment with Lucy. Yesterday was a hormonal teenage girl day but today she was all smiles and laughter and talkative. This is the first time we have really seen her be so free to communicate with people outside of Mike and I. We played Frisbee and Soccer and just had a great day together. Tomorrow we go for a counseling appointment with her. Mike and I can't believe we are going to counseling in Kenya. This ought to be an experience!

Well, this is kind of it for now. Other ministry stuff happened but these are some of the highlights. I love being in Kenya with the 3 most important men in my life. What a treat for me.

Love you all. Please continue to pray for us.