The Bridge: Day four

Bwana asifiwe! (Praise the Lord!) Today, we took a walk out into the surrounding community and met two ladies who have been trained through the ELI training center.

The first lady, Esther, showed us the bread baking oven she now uses to bake and sell her goods. We enjoyed her rolls and muffins. We also had an opportunity to pray with her and ask God's blessing on her and her business. It was amazing to see how excited she was about working and how she had been empowered by ELI.

When we went into her home, there were beautiful blue skies, yet in the middle of our prayer (about 20 minutes into our visit) the wind kicked up strongly and a torrential downpour started. We waited it out for a few minutes and it passed. We were told that in the Kenyan culture this is considered a sign of blessing. Esther gave us some of her rolls and donuts as a gift to take with us.

Next, we went to the home of a lady named Paris who works as an assistant parent at the children's home. She also has a business of raising baby chicks which she sells to the community for extra income. She told us how she is using her income from the children's home to pay for her sister's schooling. It was incredible to just be walking down a dirt road in the middle of Kenya and soaking in the experience.

We continued to work on the brick wall today and it now stands taller than John. It should soon be finished and we hear we will be doing some more demolition tomorrow.

This afternoon we spent more time playing with the children again. They are such a joy to be around and are truly contagious. They are opening up more and are talking much more with us. I spent some time with a girl named Scopia who showed me the children's garden that they themselves work in and run. They do amazing work and are so proud. She shared with me that she wants to work hard and do good because God has done so much and has forgiven her sins and she is saved. Also I asked about school and she said she likes it very much because it is her future. It was really touching to hear her enthusiasm. This is common among all of them. We also went to devotions with them. It is awesome to hear them sing praises. We try to keep up with them.

We have a great time at our meals with the staff. We usually laugh until we cry. They shared how good it has been to have us here as an encouragement and to bring laughter and joy with us.

It is wonderful to see the messages everyone is leaving. It is incredible that half a world away we can receive the love and support from all of you. We cherish each and every one, even though everyone is complaining that they are mostly for me. :)