Our day began with visiting a government school. The school has 1800 students. Classes have 80 - 120 students with 1 teacher. They welcomed us in Kenyan style with songs and recitations. We presented them with a gift of much needed water tanks followed by a tour of the campus. We have enjoyed a good relationship with the school over the years. I am personally challenged by this community that works so hard, with few resources, to make a better life for their children.
Traditional Dances
Singing
Planting a tree
Precious children!
The children at New Life Academy welcomed us by singing us onto the property before making their presentations of songs and recitations. After the children ate lunch, we enjoyed a special lunch prepared for us with traditional Kenyan dishes. It's my favorite meal of the year! We enjoyed visiting with the teachers while we ate and afterward, enjoyed some fun and games with all the staff.
Unwrapping hidden treasure
Teamwork to transfer balls
Depicting the Garden of Eden
Gifts for staff
So much laughter! So much joy! We walked today in the spirit of partnership. Partners across the world to reach this community with the Gospel and change the trajectory of hundreds of lives.
Delicious lunch
Ginger brought chips and salsa for the Kenyans to try. It was a hit!
I had the joy of spending time with one special young lady today. Her sponsor is my friend and that connection brought her into my life too. One year ago she told me between sobs that her father passed away suddenly. We shared some moments of tears and and encouraging hugs. She wanted her sponsor to know so for just a little while I got to stand in the place of my friend to comfort her. Today, when we saw each other again, it was a joy fulled reunion until the tears flowed again. She misses her father terribly. He was the breadwinner of the family and the mother is not well. Older siblings are trying to help fill in the gaps, but food is often scarce and life is hard. We are helping this family get back on their feet in several ways, but the journey into loss and self sufficiency is hard.
So we share their burdens and joy, successes and failures with them. We cry with them, hug them, pray for them and love them with all the love God flows through us. We are humbled to be a part of this and so very grateful to act as Fox River's representatives in this part of the world.
Please know that you are making a HUGE difference in the lives of so very many people! Thank you!