Preparing for Kenya

After preparing for the last year we are finally in the home stretch and counting down the days until we leave for Kenya. Our trip has been delayed by almost two months because of the political tension in the area but we have the go ahead from our contacts in Nairobi that things have settled down and it is safe to come! Originally we were traveling with 3 other families. Then it was down to just us. Our dear friends, the Haywards, just purchased tickets and are going with us! We could not be more excited!!!

The purpose of our trip is twofold. First, we have very dear family living and serving as missionaries in Nairobi, my brother Dave and our sister-in-law Carrie and their 4 boys. We are so looking forward to spending time seeing what their life is like. We can't wait to play with the cousins and to reconnect with them. We look forward to seeing and experiencing life as they have described it to us.

The second needs more explanation. A few years ago we heard about a group of guys at the Chapel who made a trip out to the Maasai Mara in Kenya and fell in love with the people there. They met a Maasai pastor named Joseph who had a God given vision to reach the Maasai people by influencing their youth. Joseph spent many years in the slums of Kibera in Nairobi trying to minister to the young people that ended up there. Most of them had come to the city looking for hope. They found none and ended up escaping by getting high on glue. By the time Joseph got to them they had so destroyed their minds that a future for them was empty. Joseph decided that he needed to reach these young people before they reached the slums. The group of men from the Chapel made it possible for Joseph to move back to the Maasai Mara and began supporting his vision for the Maasai. These men together agreed to start a mission organization called Oasis that houses, educates, and cares for orphans. Two years ago 11 orphans entered Oasis' care. Just last month, with a financial blessing from the Chapel people, phase 1 of an orphanage was completed. Over the last two weeks 41 orphans have been moving in!! See oasisfororphans.com .

Our hearts have been captivated by these children. We are going out there to meet them, play with them, and love on them. We are looking to learn as much as we can about each one of them so that when we return we can find families who support their physical, and educational needs and who will pray for them. Please be praying as to whether you would like to be a part of this.