an updated view on different aspects...

We think that it has been a while since we have updated you on some logistics on the building side of things here in Ngong. 

* The contract with AIC has officially been signed, sealed, and delivered!! This has been the missing link we have been waiting for in order to begin building. This means that we can now begin the process of digging up red soil on the property to get the fields ready for the great harvest of building. 

* Meeting with the survey and architect this week in order to get the final paperwork on everything. They will be bringing things before the city council to get our permit to build at the church. Pray that this process goes smoothly and quickly as possible. 

* Pray for the juocoli workers that we will be hiring to build the fields. We will be hiring local people from the slum areas and the community. There have already been some who have surfaced but pray for the other workers needed. Our goal is to bless as many families as possible. 

* The discipleship is going very well. Brett is meeting with 8 men from the leadership team consistently and Trishia is meeting with 3/4 women weekly for a bible study. Continue to pray for the spiritual growth of these men and women who we feel will be leaders within the ministry upon our departure. 

* Daily we are faced with people in very real and very difficult need. Pray for the overflowing love from our Father to sustain us. That we may respond out of the wisdom and the grace of God's heart. Its difficult to aid others without crippling them, so pray that God daily reveals to us how to "teach men to fish, rather than give them fish." 

Housing update: We looked at the apartment on Sunday and the landlord is saying that come Sunday, we should be able to move in. We are ready to have a place to open our doors to the many relationships that we are establishing here. Pray for the quick finishing touches of this week to be solidified for our moving date. We will keep you posted! 

as the least of these...

An alluring song,  sang passionately out of native tongues, ushered all within its pull into a great praise before the Lord's presence. A universal God spoke life into incomprehensible words for us. Swahili could very quickly wedge a gap for us in the worship realm of truly connecting with other believers. With hands raised and dancing displayed, we instantly found our bridge to connect the gaps. 

If you remember us talking about Gichagi and the precious John and Francis, God spoke His bounty to us thru their presence in church today. After many songs that we could not comprehend, a familiar tune ushered our hearts. Na wewe tu bwana: It's only You, My Lord. It is natural for us to view our experiences thru our own cultural lens. Yet, the truth remains that is often dismissed is that we, as believers, serve a universal God: One who can speak all languages and who can connect all hearts. In the middle of this praise song we look up to see John and Francis kneeled down, whispering Its only you, My Lord. What a captivating moment to see a 9 yo. and a 4 yo. kneeled before their Creator. Knowing they do not fully grasp the power behind their kneeled whispers, it was evident why Jesus extended himself to be approached as these little ones. God is the Father of all tribes, all tongues, and all nations. Unbiased and unconditionally, He opens himself for all to enter His gates. It was a powerful and tender moment where we could feel the presence of our loved ones who have already entered Heaven's gates, who at this same moment in time, with hands raised and dancing displayed, were praising our same Father. 

If you proclaim to know and to believe in this same God, then next time you enter your church's doors come before the Lord's presence in remembrance of John and Francis: uninhibited from tradition's stains...their hands were raised and their dancing proclaimed a joy before the great Author of their life- May we all be fully engaged without distraction of other's view. 

God pursues us with deep love and speaks to us in differing ways. Bwana Asifiwe, Praise the Lord, that God has pursued us today thru the example of a 4 yo. and a 9 yo who in this context is to be considered the "least of these." 

down the Nile...

We just returned from a most amazing vacation down the Nile. Traveling down the Kenyan roads crossing into Uganda, we witnessed the bountiful and beautiful land. We were able to spend 5 days in Jinja, Uganda on a great campsite overlooking the Nile river- the sounds and the sights of the Nile were breathtaking. We then had the opportunity to white water raft down the river (don't worry Moms, it was safe:). An incredible experience to say the least. Class 5/6 rapids. 

The community was a coastal life pace and we loved being able to meet the hospitable people- The homes were mud huts all around and little naked kids filled the view of the roads. It was a most perfect time enjoying the nature and the people of Uganda. We definitely fell in love with this new land. 

Time to leave EmBulBul...

A place not sought after yet graciously given during our weighing circumstances, EmBulBul welcomed us with open arms and now it is time for us to push forward into the embrace of another. We will be moving on Sunday, the 6^th, into a holding ground until our place opens up mid-month. Our precious friends, Michael and Lesley, have opened up their home to us as we seek refuge in this yet once again waiting period of our home to be ready. We are so grateful for the extension of their generosity and their hospitality. We anticipate living with them for the next 1-2 weeks, depending on all finalization of our flat in Ngong Hills.

 We leave with an array of mixed emotions, ranging from a readiness to have a place available to open the doors to all who enter and a pain in leaving behind a community who has stretched our hearts on a continuous basis.

 We will miss the sights and voices of the tin shanty on the edge of the road, where many children would shout “mzungu, mzungu—howayu? Im fine…” We gained much strength in witnessing their constant display of togetherness and community.

 As we greeted each child, the walk would then take us to Whecliff’s corner store, where we would purchase our daily milk and 4 eggs for 8 bob a piece. His smile is contagious and we pray that God will continue to plant the harvest within his life for a total surrender upon His abounding love.

 The next block of community was a long stretch nestled within a trash heap that we would find many kids rummaging thru the ‘treasures’ that they could savage from other’s left overs. Oh Lord, that you may provide the nutrition that these little ones need and that you may restore their bodies so that they may grow to know you and to live a life centered in your love. Protect them Father in the providence of your Hand. 

 Greetings were then extended in each direction: to the men working diligently to create their own wood working masterpiece, to the workers who put forth their best smile and hello for us to purchase fruit from their stands, to the row of tin shanty homes where women and children were working quite intently to sow as many garments as possible, to the workers who all extended a friendly demeanor standing guard at the three stores where we alternated buying some daily foods and on some days sweeties for the little ones. Oh Lord, that you may continue to bless their efforts and bring them the business that they need in order to carry out providing for their families. You are the one to sustain, to provide, to uphold- May you bring upon them your blessings and an acceptance of your Hand in their life.

 Our steps then led us to what we called the “corner”. A tin stand filled with fruits, vegetables of various kinds and daily manned by Mama Eliza- From our stretch between the three stores and “corner”, kids would flood our path in great magnitude, jolting toward us with arms raised high for us to greet them. The three kids who daily surfaced in our minds and in our path were: brothers, David and Ian, and precious Eliza, along with her older twin sisters. David has this generous way about him, as he takes my hand upon each meeting together and twists it for quite some time, rubbing every ounce ever so gently all over his face. I guess its his way of showing us how excited he is to see us. His eyes and sweet smile look up to us with a rare gentleness and a consistent kindness. Ian, his older brother, has eyes glazed and tainted by malnutrition’s dreadful hand. The ring leader of the group, his interactions are finished once he assesses if the mzungu’s have any gifts for them that day:)- His presence is a constant reminder of the survival that these kids daily face. Oh Lord, that you may pursue after these little ones with a passionate love and with a great zeal. May you restore their lives and protect them from falling into the slum’s street kid mentality of sniffing glue. Take these young boys and their many friends and allow a harvest to come forth in their life. May they come to know your love and live a life fully embracing your salvation.

Within this magnitude of little ones, we daily see Eliza from a distance, arise from her mound of dirt pile, and run towards us with great persistence to get thru the others and cling to our legs ever so tightly. Eliza will latch onto our legs with such tenderness, sweetly gaze up at us with her bright eyes, and raise her arms for us to pick her up and hold her. It is a moment that we will both miss terribly. We will miss learning from her tender attention and God’s many lessons thru her sweet presence. Oh Lord, we already see the independent ability of this little one to keep up with life’s strives and ways- Grow her Father in the shadow of your wings and plant your harvest in her life. Continue to bring people into her path who will fall in love with her as much as we have and who can teach her your amazing love. We pray for her salvation and for the family that you have born her into. Draw them together in your love. 

We walk yet another stretch to discover another slew of little one’s huge grins and many greetings- wazungu, howayu, im fine…This group of precious ones holds more of God’s abundant teachings for us. A little one, with the greatest smile, takes all ownership over us as he grasps our hand tightly and slaps any other little hand that attempts to take hold of ours. He has been our ‘watchman’, as much as a little 4 year-old can be. Ha. We will miss the daily games of soccer that the kids passionately play. This side of our Bul community also holds our nightwatchman’s little twin girls, that we have both fallen so much in love with. Their sweet smiles are ones that are forever etched in our hearts. Oh Lord, that you can grow this community in a passionate love relationship with you. Teach them to fear you and to obey your commandments.

John Paton stated, "This is strength; this is peace; to feel, in entering on every day, that all its duties and trials have been committed to the Lord Jesus — that, come what may, He will use us for His own glory and our real good!"

In no way, can we fully articulate our great love for this community of Bul and the lives that have been strategically used to keep the eyes of our hearts opened in order to be sensitive to God’s Spirit stirring within us. It is with a difficult step that we move outside of these daily joys amidst their beautiful presence. But, we trust that God had us here for a purpose and that He will protect and pursue after these little ones consistently.

"Nothing so clears the vision and lifts up the life, as a decision to move forward in what you know to be entirely the will of the Lord."  --John Paton

 We know that it is time, but pray for us as we release the daily love these kids and this community provides for us. Pray for the seeds that have planted during our presence here and that in their lives God will bring forth the great harvest.

We will let you know, as soon as we knowJ, the next move into our Ngong home.