Moments never forgotten...

Our last moments in Kenya were marked with an emotional embrace that could never be articulated fully in words. Our hearts are pierced by the lives of faith who have taught us deeply about true compassion and extended love. Through the heart of Christ, we have abundantly been blessed to receive a Kenyan family that will stretch across all waters and distance apart. Releasing day to day proximity is no easy feat as we value the ways God continues to use each of their lives and their presence to sharpen us and to challenge us in the faith.

This week we were able to work alongside a group of men from the States as they spent time in fellowship with our leadership team and prayed over them thru a footwashing and a time of encouragement. It was a beautiful moment as Daniel expressed the story of Saul being lifted down by ropes (in Acts) so that he could continue to share the gospel. He voiced the picture of all of us being the ropes for the men- that we are all serving a part of advancing the gospel, but that as we are away from Ngong, we serve as their ropes- supporting them, encouraging them, working together for the sake of Christ- such a beautiful depiction of our family in Christ. The Ngong leadership team then joined in a circle, hand in hand, as many prayers were lifted on their behalf- prayers for unity, for passion, for devotion, and for vision as they take on the reigns to carry out the mission in Ngong. We are now holding the ropes as they go forth and fiercely love the community of Ngong. We are eager to return and to witness the many kids who will be mentored thru the devoted efforts of our Kenyan family.

As we spent our last moments on the site, we looked across the track, the field, Gichagi (the slum), and the Ngong hills and were filled with inexpressible joy for the Lord’s faithfulness over these past 16 months. The Lord has powerfully revealed that He works thru our weaknesses to display His strength. We have felt like Noah building the ark many times over this time- in moments feeling the impossibilities that are seen from our own view, but in the Lord’s plan His purpose always prevails. Once again, hand In hand with our guys, we will remember this last moment singing together, Na we we tu Bwana- Its only you, my Lord...Their voices will forever ring in our hearts as we know that the it is the Lord who has raised them up for service and it is the Lord who will make all things grow. As Paul expresses to the church in Corinthians, Who is Paul? Who is Apollos? For it is the Lord who makes all things grow. We have only been used as a vessel to bring the vision to the hearts of Ngong- Each of you were holding the ropes as we were released into Ngong 16 months ago, and now it is our position to hold the ropes for each of our guys. We believe in them and we trust that the Lord will boldly use their hearts as a vessel to pour out His love and His purpose.

we wish that we could have captured this moment ‘live’ yet it is permanently etched in our hearts for any moment of recollection. As we are making our final steps down Ngong hill, little Lucy skips out of her home with the most captivating smile we have seen from her yet. Life’s hand is displayed upon her torn dress and her dirty frame. This hug is unlike any other we have known- an embrace that only the Lord has orchestrated and a connection that can never be torn. Lucy is like our own- thru and thru- and quickly tears became a waterfall as we knew our moment had come to release our daily proximity with her and the other ‘least of these’. The Lord beautifully connected our lives as one and her life’s testament will be one that pushes us in our life decisions back in the States. Making this transition ushers a culture shock almost impossible to fully articulate, but one that we will not make without carrying each Kenyan family with us. May we not forget how we can organize our lives to continue in close, daily proximity with each of our Kenyan brothers and sisters.

Grayson is Kenyan thru & thru as he has spent 8 months of his life with the people and amidst the bounty of the land. Each person has poured deep love over him, prayed over his days, and encouraged his life in more ways than I express. He has many little friends who are awaiting their day to walk hand in hand with him. We were humbled by his life as we were able to welcome our brother Albert’s little girl- Trishia:)- into the world. We enter the hospital that is situated in the heart of Matheri- the slum where children are plagued by the effects of a trash heap as their home. Albert’s wife welcomed their little one along with 3 other women in the world who were also receiving their children at the same time. Sweet Albert was the one responsible to fix his wife chai and bread so that they could have something to eat that day. A much different experience than State side. We do not want to forget the ways that the Lord has generously protected Grayson and continued to grow him to this point. Even though we will be delivering State side, Grayson will be welcomed into this world by many family across the world. May the Lord grant us the provision to connect them together once again...