Our community living has allowed us to form quick bonds. We are truly a family in Christ – complete with a Kenyan surrogate father – Jonathan! He is our beloved translator, who ministers with us, eats with us, fellowships with us, and laughs with us. Think of King Julius in “Madagascar”, and you will know exactly how he talks. Since he has no children of his own, Jonathan has gladly adopted us 15 “mazungus” (white people) for the month of June. Parents, rest assured that he takes great care of his “daughters” and his “son”. For example, Jonathan makes sure that our bags are not too heavy, and he always tries to get us to eat 5 platefuls of food (at least).
There is something beautiful about forming relationships with these Kenyans that will last all eternity. The bond we have in Christ overshadows any cultural differences, because we worship the same Heavenly Father.
Shirley
Shirley
Here are some thoughts from a few of our “family members”:
Rachel:
Today is our 11th full day here in Eburru. I am experiencing the Lord in powerful ways. Our team has had several ministry opportunities at “the Center” in Eburru, where we are living this month. “The Center” is basically a shanty town where flocks of kids run up to you, latch on, and have no intention of letting go. The other day my teammate Katy and I had the opportunity to travel in a matatu (taxi) with some of our Kenyan friends who translate for us to a small, poverty-stricken village outside of Eburru to visit a family with a very sick 16-year-old girl. She has a heart condition that caused her to have a stroke, and she was numb all over her body. Our friend Jonathan prayed the most powerful prayer I have ever heard over Hannah, asking God for His will to be done in her life and if the enemy had a hold on her, Jonathan claimed victory in Christ, asking Him to release her and bring healing. Katy also had the opportunity to pray for her. I know that God changed me as I looked at Hannah’s beautiful face, her eyes filled with fear and hopelessness. I sat there in a mud hut, heated by a small coal fire, surrounded by brothers and sister in Christ who have nothing, yet because of Jesus possess all things.
Rachel
Kim:
God is so amazing. He has blessed me with being part of such a wonderful team. It’s such a pleasure to serve the people of Eburru alongside them. It’s so wonderful how close we have all gotten in such little time. I have been inspired by everyone on the team in some way. It’s such a joy for me to be around such Godly and loving people 24/7.
Throughout my time here God has really been teaching me so much. He’s been showing me that He can use me in my brokeness, despite my faults and failures. Even when I feel God can’t use me, that’s when He works through me the most. God has also been reminding me that He is my ultimate Comforter, Provider, Healer, and Lover, and that I need to rely more on Him.
I miss you all so much and can’t wait to see you! Kiss Boston for me! God bless.
Kim
Katy:
I wanted to tell you a little bit about what God is doing in Eburru. This past week our team saw two people get saved, Bwana Asifiwe! Praise God!
For a few mornings we went to this dam to plant grass. The roots in the soil prevents erosion, and this will stop flooding during the rainy season. On the last day of planting, families from houses surrounding the dam came and helped us. Our service was very meaningful to them because it is their crops that get destroyed during floods. These neighbors were honored and deeply touched that we had come all the way from America to show the Lord’s love to them.
We’ve been spending alot of time with Pastor Steve – a local pastor who plans alot of our ministries. A couple of days ago he showed us this giant house that he had recently purchased. It was the largest house I’ve ever been in. It was initially built for a colonial statesman but has recently been inhabited by several families (all at once) that would build fired in the rooms, severely damazing the infrastructure. Pastor Steve’s vision is to renovate it into an orphanage and ultimately, a school. I thought this was really neat.
Please pray for these two ministries.
I’ve been having a wonderful time pouring out love to the children who hang out at our camp. I’m still soaking everything in. I love you, and I miss you.
Be Blessed,
Katy
