Empowering Lives: Teams

Good morning on our last morning in Kipkaren! I’m writing on behalf of the whole team as we are busy packing our things and heading to Ilula. Word on the street is that the road to Ilula is going to be high HIGH adventure! It has rained a lot this week, especially the last two days, making the roads…um, a challenge. We’ll be thanking God for the opportunity to pray as we drive and for the laughter the journey will surely cause.

Last night was our final time with the children. We did devotions with them as usual and wrapped up the week with a physical representation of the gospel message – Bryan acted as Jesus and laid his body down on the ground for Jo to walk across the gap of sin and make it into fellowship with God (played by Christina). After devotions were over, we spent a few minutes taking pictures, receiving letters and small gifts from the children, and saying our tearful goodbyes. These children have for sure taken a special place in our hearts and we will never be the same.

We had an amazing “Bye-Bye Service” with the adults of Kipkaren last night. Representatives from the Training Center, Children’s Home, leadership students, Home-Based Care team, and the missionary community gave speeches and shared the impact that team has left on the community here, then the three pastors on staff prayed for us. We were so touched by their sincerity and kind words…there wasn’t a dry eye in the room! To close, Joshua (our favorite worship leader) started a song and all of our new friends joined in singing in their beautiful Kenyan harmonies. As they sang, they lined up and gave each of us a warm hug, wished us journey mercies, and welcomed us back with a “karibu tena!” We all laughed together as Pastor Peter demonstrated his sweet dance moves, including the motorbike (kickstand, kickstand) and as Bush (the director of the Children’s Home) and Bishop David competed in a jumping contest to the beat of the music. It’s incredible how deep and rich our friendships have become even after only being here for a week. God is so good!

We are so grateful for your continued prayers and comments on the blog. We pray that you are able to get a sense of the amazing things God is allowing us to learn and experience even through our humble and inadequate words. Ben - Roxy misses and loves you too and can’t wait to share all of her exciting and fun memories with you when she gets home. =)

much love,
erin and T.K.