Arriving in Kisumu

I must tell you that our hearts were mixed with feelings as we prepared to say goodbye to the team. We enjoyed them so much and were so blessed by their visit. The day they left was Matt's birthday. It was an interesting day as we got to enjoy time together just the two of us in the morning and then lunch with the team at a beautiful place called Amani Ya Ju but then we started having major car problems and Matt had to take the car in to get the car checked out. That is when we discovered that the car was falling apart. The timing was fairly interesting as we were to leave the next day for Kisumu. We knew immediately it was spiritual warfare. KG and I got to spend lots more time with the team which was a huge blessing. When we discovered that the car would not be ready for Kisumu we called our housemates for help. Jacob and Noelle let us take their car to Limuru and then to Kisumu. We praise God for family in Kisumu. :)
The goodbyes to the team were so hard especially to Uncle Brian. I started crying when KG began to kiss every member on the team. (She knew it was goodbye.)
The Lord really blessed us as we woke up and started getting the last things organized and packed. Everyone from the school came over and even Pamela and Joyce came to say goodbye. We loaded the truck and then headed out around 10:30. We were able to carry some of Stephen’s things (remember he is the man we are coming behind here) and some things of our dear Kisumu friends Steve and Diane. The drive went well and we praise God for how wonderful Rachel is with KG. KG adores her. We stopped in a little tea town called Kericho and it was pouring rain. It is so fun to have rain and so needed in this country. We arrived in Kisumu just after 5pm with no problems. PTL!
Now this next part is really unbelievable but true. I just want to prep you all by saying that we knew Mama Grace our new landlord is a believer in Jesus and we could tell she liked us and really wanted to make repairs on the house so it would be nice when we arrived but we had no idea what the Lord had in store. She had wanted to paint the whole house because it needed it and agreed to paint the master bedroom and bathroom with some purple and KG’s bedroom pink. That in itself is unheard of here because the tenants usually do all the work when they move in, so needless to say we were grateful. Well dear friends when we stepped into the house what we saw brought me to sobbing tears. It was absolutely incredible!!! First of all she had put screened doors on the front door so we could have it open without critters and such coming in but as we looked down we noticed that the entire floor had been retiled in a beautiful light green color! Three walls downstairs had been painted purple and brand new, beautiful light fixtures had been put in. It is so incredible I don’t even know how to tell you! Then she had the kitchen painted purple as well. This is all in addition to the other repairs the house needed. (If you know me you know that my house colors are purple and green.) Then in KG’s room she put the most beautiful light and in our room as well! I cried not just because it was so beautiful but because I have never known anyone to do something like this who hardly knows us.
Mama Grace told us that we were now her children and she wanted to bless us. This is truly amazing! We learned yesterday that Baba Grace was really nervous because not everything with the house is finished and he thought we might be really upset. (It makes me wonder what kind of experiences they have had with white people.) When he saw that we were not upset and just so grateful for everything he told Mama Grace that he loved us too and we were like his children. Guys this is unheard of and totally our LORD! We are still in a bit of shock at this gorgeous house the Lord has provided and don’t totally understand but I am learning not to question the blessings! I spent yesterday at the house doing what I could do as a woman named Anna helped cleaned and lots of workers came in and out of the house finishing up projects. Mama Grace helped us order some “twin” beds that were handmade and they arrived yesterday. They are the largest twins we have ever seen! :0 They had to take them apart so they could get them in the room. I think our guests will like them.
The best part about yesterday was serving everyone Chai outside where Mama Grace sat in her chair supervising everything that was going on on the house. The men were a little awkward about it but super happy to have chai and biscuits. (cookies.) Mama Grace shared her testimony with me and it was so amazing! I am not quite sure what God is doing but I can tell He is doing something. It feels so right to be here and like we are home! We are staying at a little cottage down the street from the house until we can get beds set up and nets, etc. It is so interesting to be setting up house sort of like a newlywed again but this time a really large one. I am already enjoying opening the things that were on the crate and excited to put them around the house. May it be a home that is always filled with Christ’s presence and brings Him glory by all that goes on in it.

Enjoying Visitors

We are thoroughly enjoying the team from Shoreline Calvary Chapel and must admit the days are flying by. We have been so busy between packing, moving Jacob and Noellie and the baby, and then moving ourselves to Nairobi and now being with the team. There hasn't been too much time to blog but before we hit the month mark, we wanted to let everyone know how things were going. God is doing amazing things among and through this incredible young team. We have been amazed by their sensitivity to the Spirit and their willing hearts. We love them all and Kenya Grace has not only warmed up to them she is praying for them and wants to know where they are and what they are doing when we are not with them. :) We have been so blessed to come along side their ministries here and help translate a bit and encourage them and see God working through them. We confess that the pace is a bit fast for us and we are grateful our normal life is not like this but we are soaking up every minute with them and trying to be wise about our time too. :) Matt had a great experience this week as we had to have some car work done. He got to share with two Indian men, a father and son and sat and talked for a few hours about Jesus and the truths of the Bible. The team's departure as well as ours is rapidly approaching and we will be sad to say goodbye but look forward to all that God has in store for Kisumu. Please continue to pray for us for rest, strength as we move this Friday, wisdom and sensitivity to His Spirit. Please also pray for safe travels for the team as they head back to America and for us as we travel with Rachel to Kisumu! :) God is so good and we are so grateful for your prayers. And don't forget Matt's B-day is Thursday. He will be 29! :)