HEY friends! The following was written last Sunday (the 21st), but the internet stopped working before I could post it... so here ya go! This week thus far has been incredibly busy... but I've enjoyed getting some admin stuff done with Deanna, flying (!!) to Webuye, and spending time with our kids and staff! Since this was a long update to begin with, I'll just leave you with a recap of my two weeks with the team:
The past two weeks with the team have been amazing/incredible/busy! Last night (Saturday) five of the team made it to the airport and actually on to their plane - they were supposed to leave Friday night, but the airplane that was supposed to 'pick' them hit an antelope on the runway when it was landing... which I still think is hilarious (no one was hurt... except probably the antelope). Only in Africa :)
Today and tomorrow, Deanna and I are getting some administrative jobs done in Limuru/Nairobi. This morning we sent the remaining five team members west to Webuye. Jeremy will be doing pastor training, and Rachael and the girls will be getting lots of paperwork and administrative stuff done, along with spending more time with the kids and working with guardians to complete child files! Depending on how much we get done today and tomorrow, Deanna and I are hoping to fly west tomorrow night or Tuesday.
The time with the team was amazing! We did and experienced so much, I'm having a hard time picking out the things to tell you! We spent time at both MH locations, visited the MH land (!!!!! - more on that later!), ministered in Misri slum, and went up Mount Elgon for evangelism and food distribution. It was amazing to see the team come together and minister together - we had such a great combo of giftings and strengths. And, selfishly, I must say that it was wonderful to be in my favorite place with many of my closest friends! Now I will attempt to give you some of the 'snapshots' of the trip (from my point of view at least!):
One of my favorite moments was getting to walk on OUR land! I had seen pictures, but my feet hadn't actually walked on the ground - it was WAY cool to walk/run/dance on the land and picture doing the same with our kids! The land is beautiful and green and so peaceful... not to mention the breathtaking view. It's quickly becoming one of my favorite places! We spent some time as a team worshiping and praying on the land... which was a super special time for me! It's been amazing to see how He's brought Miracle House in the past three years! And I love how His presence/peace/joy rests there... mmm mmm good!
Visiting Mount Elgon was incredible! Mount Elgon is a region that has had a lot of instability in the past - lots of tribal clashes, so as a result many native to Mount Elgon have been displaced. They are considered an unreached people group as it is fairly remote. This is also a very special place to me because it was on Mount Elgon three years ago that God gave me His heart for the nations! We were able to do two ministry sites and Gospel presentations. At the second site, I was speaking my portion of the Gospel presentation, praying over the people and making eye contact with those in the crowd. I kept making eye contact with one man who was listening attentively. I felt like God was saying, "This one - I want this one to know Me!" I know He feels that about each person, but He let me feel it especially for that man. When Jeremy and Pastor Sammy were leading the response time, I was praying for him specifically. It was obvious by his face and posture that he 'got it,' and when the crowd was invited to respond, he raised his hand indicating that he wanted to know the Lord! I watched and prayed as he prayed to become a follower of the Lord... it was a very cool moment!
One morning in Misri, we went prayer walking with our kids through the slum. We were also going to do a children's ministry time in the afternoon, so we were also inviting all the children that we encountered. It was very cool to see our MH kids praying over those in their community and inviting the children to the ministry time. I specifically remember Joseph Muthiora, who is nine years old, walking in a small housing compound and making a point to lay his hands on each child (there were several) and say "God bless you" as he prayed for them. I love getting to watch our kids minister to those in their community. They are growing up as passionate followers of the Lord! LOVE it!
It was also amazing for me to be at the MH Webuye location! The last time I was here, the team built the building - now there are 36 children! It was so fun to begin to get to know each one of them - I'm still learning all the names and faces! The staff is great, too! They work SO hard, and it's very cool to see the resulting transformation in the children. In Webuye, we were also able to connect with many of 'Pastor Sammy's boys' - many of whom have been our translators in the past. They are like brothers to me and their wives are like sisters... so it was like being with family again!
I could go on and on... God did so much in the last two weeks! Continue to pray for safety, health (we've had a few passing sicknesses, and I have a several pretty large/yucky bug bites), divine encounters, God's best and His will to prevail, and His power to move!
Thanks so much for your prayers - I'm so thankful to know that you all are standing with me!
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