Getting my Goat

Greetings from the Ukarima conference center in Molo, Kenya. We are gathered in front of a crackling fire after a delicious dinner, enjoying Grace's beautiful rendition of Blessed Be Your Name on the guitar. We are weary but blessed by what God did today. We started the day at the Crest school, where our House of Hope children attend school. It was such a pleasure to see them, grades preschool through 4th, pouring out of the school, looking so "smart" in their brown uniforms, ties and sweaters. We walked what we southerners call "a fur piece" to their P.E. Field, which doubled as a large cattle pasture. We played games, kicked around the football, and jumped rope.

Next we gathered at the Molo Revival Mission church, where the Project 82 feeding program takes place. Our team was able, through your donations, to purchase several goats and a couple of calves to provide milk and a small income for local men and women who have taken in orphans. We had the honor today of meeting the livestock recipients and deliver their animals to their homes. Unforgettable memories were made...one team was unable to get their "lazy calf" to walk farther than a mile. After they picked themselves up from the floor with laughing at the mazungas, our Kenyan friends Phoebe and Kennedy came to the rescue and were able to motivate the calf to finish her journey. A special recognition goes to Mackenzie, who sacrificed her water bottle in an effort to energize the lazy calf.

While this drama was unfolding on the side of the road, the rest of us walked our goats to their new homes. We were told it would be a 20 minute walk. Two and a half hours later and 1000 feet up in altitude, we finally made the last goat delivery. This is a typical walk for these women and kids every day to go to church or school, but we prayed our way through it step by step! The scenic views from the mountaintop were beautiful to behold...green farmland, pastures, trees, mountains in the distance and a gray blue rolling sky for as far as the eye could see. By the time we reached the last house, we were so thankful to be asked to sit and rest while the women served bread and chai tea. Ben said that this is one house he would have loved to have been invited to spend the night, and he wouldn't have even needed an Ambien to drop off to sleep.

After livestock delivery and covering in prayer, we ate lunch at the House of Hope. The women served a delicious meal of cooked cabbage, mashed potatoes mixed with banana, rice, stew, mangoes, and chicken (including the chicken's feet! Oh my!) which they raise on the property.

At 3:30, we met the children at the church for vacation bible school. Mackenzie led the lesson, we sang songs in English and Swahili and made two crafts. Afterward we served about 140 children chai and mandazi (similar to a doughnut). The children were incredibly sweet and attentive, and we were amazed at how calm and orderly the room was. We couldn't have pulled off something like that, with that many children, at home!

Finally, we loaded the House of Hope kiddos on the bus with us and took them home to Mama Jane. We had brought donations of Mt. Bethel Academy uniforms to give the kids. Every team member paired with a child and selected a pair of pants or a jumper, a long-sleeved shirt and a fleece jacket for them in their size. We had them try on their new outfit and made over them and took their pictures. They were so pleased and happy, and we told them that every time we see our Academy kids in their uniforms, we'll think of their faces and be anxious to be with them again.

What a full day! What blessings God showed us!

Please pray today.....
For continued health and strength and a renewal of our energies tonight For a day of deep connection and love between us and the Molo children tomorrow For every child in Project 82 in Kenya to be sponsored so that they may have food and an education For the House of Hope...that every child there may experience the love of God and a family. For the strength and courage of the women who are choosing to mother the motherless.

Good night,
Kenya Team 2011