DAY THREE -
Sent: Wed 8/16/2006 12:18 PM
Family & Friends:
Jambo!
Before we left for Africa, one of our pastors preached on the Beatitude, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” That message has continued to be real for us on this trip. We can say
with absolute certainty . . . TODAY we saw God, and He (again) was amazing. There is simply NO end to what He wants to show us. Today we had to get up early (See picture 2 of how God started our day) to catch our 1 hour MAF (Mission Aviation Fellowship) flight to Kisumu (See picture 16) – which is about 350 miles west of Nairobi next to Lake Victoria , the second largest fresh water lake in the world. THEN, we had a 1 ½ hour drive to the Mahaya Project.
When they opened the gates as we pulled up to the church,
you could see the children lined up in what looked like a military formation. They had an elaborate ceremony planned (See picture 57) and treated us all like dignitaries. A well was dedicated as Wess Stafford cut the ribbon (See picture 68) and pumped the first bucket of water from it (See picture 72) – and then 3 trees were planted, one with Wess and a child, one with the Country Director of Compassion Int’l. Kenya and a child – and to represent the Compassion Sponsors of their children, Julia got to plant the 3rd tree with a child (See picture 82).
Tons more went on but want to keep this short. Discussion tonight at dinner with our group centered on what do we do with what God has shown us when we return home? This is more than saying we had a “great trip” – or even that it was a “life changing experience.” This goes much deeper than that. We will continue to pray and process what we have seen.Tomorrow – we won’t be able to send an email update as we are packing up in the morning and checking out of our hotel here in
Nairobi and taking a flight to Kichwa Tembo for our photo Safari. We’ll get back to you on Friday night (Friday morning for the rest of you).THANK YOU so incredibly much for your prayers! There is NO doubt in our minds that they are what is under-girding this entire trip and experience.
Oh – this last picture is for you, Peg. “How was the flight with MAF, Julia?” (See picture 113).
Ndiyo!
