Last days in Kenya

Since we haven’t been able to download anything for several days, we’ll have to send the updates from several days at once. Tuesday was our day to visit the goats and bee hives that people have donated through Global Action for families in Kenya, especially those taking care of AIDS orphans. We even had the chance to milk some! We learned that these goats produce a superior breed of offspring which produce more milk. They provide enough nourishing milk for the family and also some to sell, which they can use to pay for school fees so the children can go to school. The significance of having a goat became very real as we met the families and saw the children benefiting from them. It indeed is significant and a worthwhile, continuing blessing to these families who struggle so much just to have the essentials of life. We were also introduced to a new project, raising silk worms. The one we saw is a trial experiment, and so far, it is going well. There is great potential, also, in supplying the materials and worms to start this small industry that can provide income for the families. We have been awed by the beauty of the countryside; the vibrant greenness, lush vegetation, carpets of tea plants that cover the entire sides of slopes. There is breathless beauty here and rich, fertile soil. Our host homes, as well as all the ones we’ve seen, use every inch to cultivate plants to produce food. It’s amazing to see how much can be planted in a small space. Mangos, papayas, cassavas, pumpkins, beans, watermelon…..there is no spot of ground unused. In many ways, we observed that even though the people in the country lack in jobs, revenue, and education, health-wise, they seem better off than those in the city. At least they can grow nutritious food, and we have certainly enjoyed every bit of it. The Kenyans believe in feeding their guests well, and we feel as though we have eaten our way through Kenya.

We had the opportunity to meet with a group of Christian women connected to PACWA called the Kind Mothers. They are helping 120 orphans to have food and the ability to go to school, a remarkable group indeed, since none of them have a lot themselves. They are trying to start some projects with the orphans to weave baskets and make objects that can be sold to supplement their income. We then went to a secondary school where some of the students from far away board. The team had a great time with them singing, sharing, and presenting the gospel. We had just enough time to begin some serious Frisbee throwing, football passing, and soccer, but were invited to come back yesterday. It was a great time; we are still amazed at the total openness to come into public schools and share the gospel, pray and worship.

Wednesday, Diane shared with the women of the Chuka area who meet monthly for prayer, teaching, and encouragement. It was a great time of connecting with the women, sharing our hearts, praying together, and learning a bit more Swahili. It is such fun to participate in their singing and dancing; can they ever celebrate!

While the women’s meeting went on, the rest of the team was able to visit with two nearby schools, a primary and a secondary, again able to share praise and worship, teachings from Jonah, and clear presentation of the gospel. There are rarely ever any muzungus visiting in this area, so just our presence causes curiosity, but all the kids were anxious to get out and play with our team and a great time was had by all. It was a good, exhausting day, but very fruitful. The team went back to the secondary school and spent more time with the high schoolers. We are still so humbled at the thankfulness expressed to us just for coming; just for spending time with the people. It reminds us of the “power of presence.” The people of Meru have blessed us tremendously. Their hospitality, genuine expression of friendship and welcome challenges us as to how we should receive visitors in the US. In their meager circumstances, we have been treated as such honored guests, and we feel honored indeed.

Now we are in our last day in Kenya. We had another “divine appointment” for this morning. We met the principal of a boys boarding secondary school close to where we were staying and were invited to meet with the 650 young men of the school. So as we left for Nairobi, we got to meet with this wonderful group of young men, sing, praise, share, and pray with them. This is a public school, but their school anthem began as a prayer to God for their lives and future. It was quite impressive to hear about the school, their high academic record, and how many young men are trained for leadership, go on to university, and all with a Biblical base….in a public school.

It was so encouraging to see these young guys, to encourage them how important it is for them to become Godly men, husbands, and fathers. The staff and principal were so appreciate of our visit, even though brief, and asked us to bring another team to spend an entire day or two with them for more times of teaching and sharing. This is how it has been our entire trip; no matter where we go, and especially with these unplanned “divine encounters,” we are asked to please come back, bring more teams, and share more with the adults and children. So be prepared; we’ll be asking all of you to come!!

Now we are on the road back to Nairobi to regroup, sort luggage, and prepare to fly out late tonight. Judy and Richard Mbugua are treating the team for dinner at Carnivore, a well known restaurant that serves all sorts of exotic wild game. We have heard that it is quite an experience, and we know we are going to enjoy it and be blessed by it.

It’s hard to say goodbye to Kenya; we feel such strong attachments to the people, are so inspired the deep faith of so many, the wonderful ministries of our partners, and also so burdened by the tremendous needs. We’re got a lot to process, and it is a process. We all are challenged to truly pray and seek the Lord’s direction on what He intends for each of us to take away from this experience, how He wants us to respond. We know this; the Lord has shown Himself to us in amazing ways. He has pricked our hearts with compassion for others, to examine our own lives to see how we are obeying His commands to love one another, carry one another’s burdens, pray for one another, and care for the needs of the poor, especially those of widows and orphans. And we know that He will continue to work in us, unfolding all the dynamics of this time in Kenya.

A huge thank you to all of you who are praying for us, who sponsored team members to come, and for the encouragement we have felt during this journey. We could not have done it without you! Please continue to pray as we fly home, as we begin to unwrap this experience, and that we will glean all that we need to from all we’ve seen and experienced. Please pray for our ministry partners in Kenya: Judy, Miriam, Leah, and the amazing helpers they have here who are making a difference for the kingdom. And especially pray for the children and youth of Kibera and the thousands of orphans here. We are grateful that we were able to be here; our lives have been touched, and we will never be the same. Natumaini tutaonana; we hope to see you, Kenya, soon.
Bwana asifiwi; Praise the Lord!