Kenya Team Update 7/17/15

It seems ridiculous to me that we only have one week left here in Kenya. The first few weeks have gone by so fast. And even though we have a week, we really only have a few days of ministry left as we wrap up.

This week we have done ministry in many schools. The schools have ranged in size and in group “personalities.” Until this week we’ve mostly had schools where all the students have paid really good attention, but the schools this week seemed to be somewhat disinterested during the program. However, the students have all been very engaged once we’ve split up to share with them in small groups.

Overall, we are very encouraged by the time we’ve spent in the schools. The team has prayed with so many youth to receive Christ, that we’ve lost count. I would say that around 200 or more would be a good estimate.

Today we found ourselves back in the first school we went to at the beginning of the trip to do another feeding program. It costs around $80 to feed the entire school and our team (it means a lot to them for us to share in the meal with them). The students chose to donate between $5-$10 each to provide 2 full meals for this school today and for another day after we leave. This meal, for most of the young children at this school, will be the only thing they eat today. But it’s not just the food, we spent 6 hours at this school today, playing games, dancing, and singing with the kids. It’s such a privilege to provide both physically and emotionally for these little ones.

Tomorrow the team will go into a market with the Kenyan team. We will grab lunch and pick up some souvenirs. Then we’ll spend the rest of the afternoon and evening with the Kenyan team, having dinner and just hanging out building into the relationships we’ve developed.

As you pray for the team, please pray for continued health. We’ve had very minimal health issues, which has been a real blessing. We’ve also been paying very close attention to the arrival of President Obama (as it has been headlining news our entire trip here, it’s hard to miss). He is currently scheduled to arrive the day that we depart, next Friday. Because of this we will be ending our ministry on Tuesday. We’ll go to the Giraffe Center on Wednesday (shhhhh…it‘s a surprise), and lay low on Thursday with the Kenyan team. Although the news is reporting that Obama is scheduled to land at around 9pm on Friday (our flight is at 11pm), I am praying that he actually lands much earlier, so we don’t run into any additional hassles at the airport.

And with that, I want to share with you a few more thoughts from our team.

“Many people here are a lot like the person I was at the beginning of this trip; they know the facts about Jesus, but realistically they haven’t found the relationship. After talking with them, I find myself relating to them again, this time feeling overwhelmed by the love shown to me everyday. All the students are so eager to learn about God and the children on the streets are excited to experience love shown through us from God.” Olivia C.

“Over the past few weeks, I have learned to trust God in all that I do. With every decision or opportunity in my life I know that God will help to guide me in the right direction. Overall, helping to plant seeds in the Kenyan people and simply leaving the results up to God has helped to enhance my relationship with Him in amazing ways. I can’t wait to see how God continues to direct my life.” David

“God has taught me so much about the importance of the Holy Spirit and what it truly means to be a light. Sometimes I wonder if the reason I attract 5 kids at a time is because they can see the light of God flowing out of me (or at least I’d like to think that). Maybe it’s been in the smiles of the students in high schools with tin roofs held up by sticks or maybe it’s in the open arms of Kenyan hospitality, but I know God is doing big things here and I am entirely thrilled to be a part of it all. PS. Hi Mom.” Lauren

“It has been a truly great experience being here and having so many opportunities to share the Gospel with teens and the love of Christ with wee little kiddies. Despite the very poor living conditions I’ve never seen children so happy, especially children who never know when or from where their next meal is coming. It’s been a life changing trip seeing God work in incredible ways and forming great relationships with Kenyan students.” Bubba

As some of you may know, our team has begun and ended every day with a time of thanksgiving. I believe this time plays a huge part in the life of the team. We experience very little complaining or grumbling, and an overwhelming amount of encouragement and joy. I would like to invite (really challenge) you, as our friends and family, to join us in this time for the last 12 days of our trip. And in doing so, I hope that you have a unique way to relate to their experience and to talk about when they get home. Plus, it’s just a good way to live.

For the Kenyan team,
Margaret

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