Hello prayer partners! We have arrived safely in Nairobi, Kenya! Half of our team arrived early and spent their first day at the Havilla and Horec orphanages and at John's home. The team was reunited this morning at Karina Guesthouse for breakfast. We traveled into the Muthare slums where we spent several hours with a group of children and their caretaker, Mr. Morris. Some of us cooked a lunch of rice, beef (which we bought hanging in a butcher's shop window just an hour before) and potatoes over an open fire while others played with the 85-100 children who call Muthare home. The older boys played soccer with our guys while the younger kids gathered in a big circle and played games with us and sang songs. We were privileged to hold their hands, take their pictures, look into their eyes and be blessed by their bright smiles. Parker was covered up in kids and said he has never been happier. Soon, it was time for lunch and every child came in the small cooking area and patiently waited for a plate and a small cup of water. We briefly wondered if we'd have enough, and we were humbled to see the older children push the younger ones forward to be sure that they ate first. The older children care tenderly for the little ones, and we witnessed several young "mommies" and "daddies" of 8 to 10 years old caring for children under 2. God provided food for everyone, and the children cleaned their plates of every drop. Afterward, we had a bit of time to visit more, sing and Gaylyn attended to a couple of children who had badly infected wounds and rampant ringworm. Saying goodbye came too soon.
We then traveled to the Kangemi slum and the Facodep children's home. We saw another team of missionaries working there, who were from Tennessee. Naturally they were painting the walls UT orange and white, which is offensive no matter where you are in the world...Just kidding...(Go Gators!) We visited their rooms and school room and saw their little garden where they were growing kale, spinach, avocado and bananas. We met young Joy, who told us with a broad smile that she wants to become a doctor. In the school room, the children taught us to make magazine beads which they string together to make lovely necklaces to sell. They also sang with us, and when we ran out of things to sing, we sang Christmas carols. After Kangemi, we made our way to the Panorama Hotel, where we passed the exquisite Rift Valley. Tonight we were blessed by a wonderful dinner and a time of sharing our stories from the day. Grace led us in worship with her amazing voice and guitar. Tomorrow is church at Kwambekenya.
We then traveled to the Kangemi slum and the Facodep children's home. We saw another team of missionaries working there, who were from Tennessee. Naturally they were painting the walls UT orange and white, which is offensive no matter where you are in the world...Just kidding...(Go Gators!) We visited their rooms and school room and saw their little garden where they were growing kale, spinach, avocado and bananas. We met young Joy, who told us with a broad smile that she wants to become a doctor. In the school room, the children taught us to make magazine beads which they string together to make lovely necklaces to sell. They also sang with us, and when we ran out of things to sing, we sang Christmas carols. After Kangemi, we made our way to the Panorama Hotel, where we passed the exquisite Rift Valley. Tonight we were blessed by a wonderful dinner and a time of sharing our stories from the day. Grace led us in worship with her amazing voice and guitar. Tomorrow is church at Kwambekenya.
Thank you for your prayers for safe travel - they were answered.
Thank you for your prayers that God would show us and lead us - they were answered.
Continue to pray for us - that we would be the hands and feet of Christ in Kenya.
Thank you for your prayers that God would show us and lead us - they were answered.
Continue to pray for us - that we would be the hands and feet of Christ in Kenya.
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