We're back home in Kenya!

We are home in Kenya! And every bone in our bodies is tired but vibrantly alive! For us, this is what it is to truly live in Christ. To be surrounded by the ones Jesus describes as “Blessed’. For He said, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Heaven is truly filled with such as these.

Already, in just this first week, we have visited six villages to begin surveying for well sites. Mike Perez and Johanna Puls will be staying all four months with us and they have hit the ground running, excited to serve. They’ve faced every challenge with a smile! We’re so blessed to have them with us and we look forward to welcoming Nickson soon from Tanzania. The kids have all been excited to reunite with their friends and our local bible study group.

Our amazing friends and team leaders here in Kenya have been instrumental in getting us to these remote villages and providing us with the best local committee chairmen. All of the villages we have visited are in desperate need for clean water. One village in particular has to walk over 10 km to get water and must pay for water to be sent to their community. Over four thousand people would benefit from just one well in that area! It’s a very difficult village to reach and we are praying for another vehicle that can make the rigorous, almost impassable journey once the rains start.

In one village, the community was so amazed that we would be willing to bring them water they asked us how they would know we are really going to return and do what we have said. One of our Kenyan team told them, “Just as Jesus came and showed up and performed miracles, we will come like him.” What an incredible response. We pray that we will walk in Jesus’ footsteps and bring healing and hope to everyone we have come to serve.

Just as before, God is going before us and directing all of our steps. He is making connections and we are amazed at the opportunities He brings. We are humbled to simply be His hands and feet, moved by His heart. The other day, a lady asked me how I don’t just give in to all the anxiety and worry that is certainly a part of traveling with kids. My response was simply, “I’m in love. And when you’re in love you do crazy things and they don’t feel hard. I’m in love with Jesus. But He loved me first.” He taught me how to love without reservation, how to love without self preservation. It’s His love for me and His willingness to journey to the Cross for me that captured my heart and won it forever. Nothing is too hard for that kind of love.

Mike sent me a picture the other day from one of the villages they visited and it is of a young girl collecting water for her family from the polluted Athi River. We see this everywhere, young children walking miles for water. It sets our hearts as flint to do what God has called us to do:

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” Luke 18:19

We strive forward with the strength of the Holy Spirit and with the Love of Christ. The need is great, but God is greater.

We give thanks to all of you who are partnering with us through prayers and support!

God Bless All!!