Community/World | Serve somebody | Serve somebody

Hello friends, family, and supporters,

Wow, our time in Kenya has been an amazing experience!

On Wednesday morning, we were able to drive out to Nakuru (two hours north of where we are staying) to visit and pray for the expansion site of Miracle House, our missionary partner here. Leaving after breakfast, we boarded our vans in the crisp morning air (high 50s in the morning) and started making our way towards Nakuru. The elevation is much higher than I anticipated and we even past a sign at a lookout point over the Great Rift Valley that was 8000ft high. We descended into the Great Rift Valley and it was hard not to be caught with a sense of awe as we became surrounded by a geographical wonder that spans over 9000 kilometers. We drove past Zebras, gazelle, and monkeys and were thankful that we had digital cameras or we would have burned through a few dozen rolls of film!

When we arrived at the site in Nakuru, many of the students after said they felt a strong sense of peace as we drove onto the property. 10 acres in total, the Nakuru property was breathtaking. After learning the history of the property from Deanna, we spread out as individuals and as groups and prayed for the future of the property for over an hour. To think that this site will one day raise up the next generation of Kenyans for Christ…and that we were able to be there and pray…was truly remarkable. It reminded me of the moment before a film starts, a film that you have been looking forward to seeing and you know will be good. That moment when the lights get dark and the audience cheers with anticipation because they know a great story is about to unfold. That’s what it felt like as we looked forward to a great story unfolding on that property.

We then traveled back to Misri Slum where we prayer walked the streets, visited homes door to door and shared our faith and prayed, and invited children to our afternoon children’s ministry. There were some amazing moments as we watched our students step outside their comfort zones and pray with boldness for healing and blessing on the people that we met. We were a LONG way from home and each student on our team didn’t let that hinder them in any way. I was so impressed by their attitudes. They are quick to encourage one another, quick to help out, quick to keep a positive attitude, and quick to pray and thank God in the midst of each circumstance.

We have been spoiled with the food here. Breakfast includes a short order chef making omelettes and dinners have been buffet-style traditional Kenyan food…so good!

On Thursday we had our busiest day yet. In the morning we visited a Christian school and encouraged the staff and teachers in their work. We worked alongside of them and did children’s ministry for an hour. Meredith Reiten and Martha Davis both shared their testimonies and did a phenomenal job. Parents, you would be so proud!

We then returned to Miracle House where students played with kids and assisted the teachers in their programming while a group of us went to the streets of the slum again for prayer walks and door to door evangelism. I probably had one of my most memorable moments as we were invited into the home/shop of a tailor named Jackson. A few of us had met him on Tuesday and were immediately struck by his generosity and bright smile. Making good on our promise to return to him on Thursday, he invited us in and offered us every chair that he owned (two) so we could be comfortable. He offered us soda pop and we felt like it would have been too much money for him to provide soda for our entire group of 15 crammed into his 10 foot by 10 foot shop. We didn’t want to refuse his generosity so we thankfully asked if we could share one Coke. He sent his wife Joanne to the store (no more than a dilapidated shack) where she bought a half liter of Coke and upon returning poured a few ounces into a hodge podge collection of cups. As we sipped our Coke and talked with him in the cramped room as sunlight poured in through the doorway, I was struck by God’s goodness and presence in the midst the smell of cow dung and flies. Courtney Germann prayed for Jackson, Joanne, and their son Elvis (really). As a Christian family they were encouraged by our visit and Jackson kept repeating that he felt that it was God’s providence that set up our meeting one another. We gave him a new bible and in return he gave me a traditional Kenyan shirt that was the perfect fit (amazing since I am taller than most Kenyan men). I was overwhelmed by his generosity and I will never forget that moment. He also gave Garrett Hart a pair of trousers that fit him perfectly (though the style was really baggy!)

We met many more people including an older lady named Helen that Brian Field initially met the first day. He returned and gave her a bible and she immediately opened it up. It was humbling to see her excitement over holding a paperback New Testament that many of us take for granted.

The day ended with another hour of children’s ministry in a field located in the heart of the slum. A hundred or so kids showed up and we did skits, worship, games, and testimonies. Claire Adams and Garrett Hart both shared their testimonies and did a phenomenal job. Parents, I wish you could have been here to see them share with confidence, eloquence, and boldness.

Friday morning we got up early and made our flight to Uganda. We were greeted at the airport by Darren Yui and Pastor Dongo. It was great to see the familiar, welcoming faces. We spent the afternoon at God Cares School and then went to celebrate Paige Smith’s birthday at the Pearl Restaurant – owned by the mother of Calvary member and Ugandan Julius, a close friend of Paige’s.

We appreciate your continued prayers and will continue to keep you updated!

Drew

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