Sunday in Kenya!

Greetings and Happy Father's Day from Lake Naivasha, Kenya. It's late at night here after a fitful and restless night's sleep, replaying in our minds all that we saw, heard and felt in the Nairobi slums. So ....short and sweet will be our update, if it is even possible to put into words what we experienced today.

We traveled the bumpy and muddy roads to Kwambekenya today, where our team reunited with dear friends and brothers and sisters in Christ. Your messages, letters and greetings were relayed and received with joy. We were privileged to split off into small groups to accompany our friends to worship services throughout the community. Carey got to spend his father's day with his son Ryan, delivering a message of gratitude to the Glory Outreach Assembly congregation. My group attended Mary's church, where we were treated to songs, the recitation of scripture and the shy smiles and giggles of about 30 kids from the community. I was charmed by a little girl in pink who sat across from me, mimicking my crossed legs and bouncing foot...Mom, you know how hard it is for me to sit still in church!

Later, Phoebe and Gaylyn's group departed for Segera while Carey & Ben began their pastor training and the rest of us took a long (very long) walking tour around the community. Along the way, children joined us two or three at a time, content to hold our hands, marvel at our strange skin and hair and repeat our names. More and more joined in until we became something of an entourage, with maybe 20 or so kids following us. Back at our starting point, Parker and Gayle played a rousing game of duck duck goose while Harriet and I tried not to embarrass ourselves too much with our singing. They requested it, really! It was a sweet moment when several of the kids joined in with Jesus Loves Me. Before we left, Gayle got to see her sponsored child Julius and his brother Robert...what a sweet reunion as they ran toward each other with open arms and happy tears.

Tonight we were encouraged and touched by our "mail call" from home...Gayle said she felt like a camp counselor! We were grateful for your wonderful words.

Pray for us ...it rains even now which means a slippery and adventuresome ride to Kwambekenya tomorrow.
Pray for team Gaylyn in Segera tonight.

We love you all,
Kenya Team 2011