Oxen, Donkeys and Deformed Cows- Oh My!

Jambo Sano friends and family. We are having a great time in Kenya. We planned well so we have a bit more down time which feels strange to us. I realize it is difficult for me to just relax when I am here. I find myself wanting to be ministering in some way constantly.

We had a GREAT team meeting on Monday. We have been blessed with the best staff EVER! God is moving in some incredible ways through Fruited Plains. Peter (our farm manager) mentioned purchasing our own oxen to plough the 10 acres. Mike had already done the figuring and the oxen pay for themselves in 2 years time. Yes, you heard correctly, we are actually discussing purchasing oxen! How surreal is our life? We are constantly shaking our heads at how God has chosen to use us on this earth. We would not change it for anything in the world. It is just comical to us. As we discussed the possibility of having live stock, we realized we need an acre to graze them. I asked about the cost of an acre. Summary then said, "By the way, the land the government gave us is really more than 10 acres. It is actually 11 acres!" Peter and Leonard then chimed in and said one of the acres is bad for planting but perfect for grazing cattle. We can retain our 10 acres for planting and demonstration plot and we still have an acre to spare!

Peter then asked about having water at the site. I asked about drilling for a well and Sammary again said, "By the way, there is actually a water pipe running right through our 10 acres and it is very cheap to just hook into the water supply that already exists." God just blows my mind!

We are going to distribute to 600 new families again in February. We will have about an extra 100 bags to sell which will help us with a bit of our overhead. Because we will be selling the maize as food, not seed, we will not be competing with the seed companies. We will also sell the produce from our demonstration plot. We are continuing to look for ways to become self-sustaining or at least lower our overhead.

We had the opportunity to visit the animal park. Once again we saw the donkey's with no tails (perfect for a game of pin the tail on the donkey), the cow with 4 horns, 3 functioning eyes and a cleft pallet, and my personal favorite, the female cow with a testicle growing out of its back! No lie. It's Kenya! You got a love it!

We visited some of the Building Hope recipients. They are all repaying their loans and the businesses they have established are helping to care for the basic needs of their families. We are grateful for the committee that over sees this project. They are doing a great job.

Chris is having a great time. Today he played soccer with the street kids at Oasis of Hope. He was so in his element. He plans to go back again tomorrow. He is also connecting with Lucy. She LOVES her cousin!! She has connected to him like no one else. It warms my heart.

We have met with Lucy's counselor two times now. We are impressed with the head counselor. He seems to get her and what she needs. Now that the assessment period is complete, she will be transitioning to a new counselor experienced in grief counseling. We are learning some new details of what has transpired over the last couple of years. I won't go into detail on the blog but it breaks our hearts. I hate that we could not have done a better job of protecting her. What she has experienced most of her life is heart renching. To see how far she has come is such a blessing from God. Please continue to pray that God would give us wisdom on how to guide her. We can absolutely see how God has and continues to have his hand on her life. I don't know what He has for her but one thing is for sure, He loves and cares for her so very much! I sure hope she sees it. Her value and worth in His eyes is so evident to us.

We will head up to Mt Elgon again on Saturday and will spend 2 nights. Sammary and I will be doing a girls youth conference. Mike, my dad, Chris and Abraham will be doing a boys youth conference (the first ever). Sunday we will visit another one of the chruches that received seed this past February. I have been asked to give the message again. Pray that God shows up and blesses the people through me!!! I covet your prayers! Monday Mike will do his business seminar with the recipients who have not yet attended while my dad, Chris and I go visit past recipeints and hear testimonies from the people. I can't wait!!!!!!!

Love you all. Keep praying for us. We are all healthy and doing well.