6-17-08

We just got back from dinner with the Myrori family. Steven is one of the sweetest people in the whole world. He is one of the head people of ICM (International Christian Ministries) in Kitali and in Nairobi. A little irony in this story which proves that in the vast world in which we live, it still has its intricacies. Both Steven and his wife attended Fresno Pacific’s MB Seminary from 2000 to 2003 and lived right by where I went to high school. Yeah, what a small world. I loved listening to his heart for his country of Kenya. His family served us an incredible meal and were unbelievable hospitable. Oh, and the chipati was amazing.

This morning we went to see Christian parents and had the chance to sit and chat with them for awhile. What an incredible family he comes from. I was really impressed by both of his parents and their love and passion for Jesus. They are completely self-sustaining by raising chickens and fish, as well as having a full garden. Then we went to see the first of the Milele homes that was built not too far from where Christian’s parents live.
It was amazing to see what God is doing through the Milele homes. I love the vision and passion and thought that is going into getting orphans off the street and giving them a family. We then went into downtown Nairobi to eat lunch, exchange money, and meet up with Pastor Laben who is in charge of the Milele homes that extend into the Riff Valley on the way to Naivasha. We then bought some groceries to take to the homes for the families that are living in them. Pastor Jon and his wife Mary oversee this project for Milele. What a ministries that provides for kids who have been orphaned by HIV/aids in this town. Simply breathtaking. We went through the homes and looked at them, and they were saying that they were hoping to have the third Milele home built on that land by the end of July. It is amazing to see what God is doing in this place and how he is caring for the orphans of the world. We then traveled to the school where the children from the Milele homes went to school. We got to see Rebecca, the girl who Christian speaks about on the Milele tours, and what an incredible little girl she is. The smile on her face shows her excitement to be alive and breathing. Her picture literally brought me to tears when I saw the love and justice of God working in the lives of these kids and how this ministry is saving lives. After this long day, we went to the families house that I spoke of earlier. What a day! God is so good, and it is amazing just to see the work of God in the lives of such people as these.
Oh, for a side note, the kids would run next to the van and yell “how are you, how are you?” but they would have no idea what that meant.

Tomorrow we are having another full day of things to do. I am looking forward to see what God has in store for us. I have been fully blessed thus far. Truly God is amazing. The glory of God is on display for all to see. This morning, Harrison J, led a devotional from Luke 14. 25-35. I was convicted as I read the part about the man’s ego getting in the way of reaching out for God. I found the same thing in my spirit before I left Kenya. I had to totally give my all to God and take up my cross, otherwise I may not be here. Bearing your cross daily is such a tough thing to do. But Jesus never said following him would be easy…