Fighting the Good Fight.

Paul's (our intern) parents brother and friend came to visit. They painted my living room, and blessed us in so many other ways.

I appreciate Facebook so much because I live overseas. It allows me to stay connected to my loved ones lives. I am able to pray alongside, through the battles of health, and join in the grief of loss. I can rejoice when God joins two together in marriage and delight in a new baby being born. I also read the many hot topics that are going on Stateside and have seen how there will be backlash when someone takes a stand. Hateful words are often exchanged as a result, and the separation of opposite views seems to grow wider apart. Immediately, this brings me to my knees because I don't know how it must feel for those living in America. My earthly home is in Kenya and God wants me to be present with the people who are here. But it doesn't change the fact that I make requests to God to grant wisdom, the courage to forgive, and contentment to my loved ones so far away.

At the farm almost all that are employed, are of a different faith than our own. We have had to rely on God's help to make decisions about how things should run and how to display Christ as foreigners in this land. All farm workers have always been allowed to pray on the farm and this is something to never deny. The farm is located in a village area, of the poorest of the poor. Families are large and it is a challenge to make sure mouths are fed. In their religion it is okay for multiple wives- But it is not a must, and more specifically it is for men who can afford to care financially for more than wife. None of the farm workers are in a well off position. All have taken out loans from us; some loans are bigger tha n others. As we have considered all this, built a relationship with each individual farm worker, and regarded the words in the Bible in the highest esteem, we have asked if a farm worker takes another wife then he will find a different means of employment. This has always been understood.

 Two weeks ago, one of our farm workers was taken to the courts to start the several step process of being married to another wife. When we got this news, we were saddened and distressed with what must happen next. The very next day, the meetings at the farm began with the headman being the mediator. (It is such a comfort that the headman is also a farm worker and supportive of how the farm has blessed the surrounding communities. ) After hours and hours of talking it all through, the farm worker asked for forgiveness. He told us he felt like he had no choice except to take the woman as his second wife because of the pressure of the woman's family. (The mother of this woman is also employed at the farm.) He further explained that the wedding ceremony was never completed and he went home to his first wife's home and will not go see this other woman. It was obvious he doesn't want to lose his job. The conclusion was that he and woman's Mom would be suspended from work until the decision was finalized either way. If the wedding ceremony is finished up then both farm workers were asked not to return. There seems to be only 1 villager who has taken the case to the court. He said we are denying religious rites at the farm. The headman was brought in for questioning and he defended the decisions of the farm. The case was dropped. We are not ignorant that there still could be opposition that comes. Ultimately it belongs to the Lord. The gospel can still go forth with us being there and even without us. As long as it is open to us being there, we will be available to serve. So for now plowing still needs to be done while another piece of land rests. Seeds are being planted and vegetables are being harvested. We can see this with our eyes each day. By faith we believe this process is also being done in the spiritual realm, in the hearts of the farm workers and our neighbors. To Jesus be the glory!

In the beginning of every month we gather together with like minded people and pray for salvation to come to the people here.

Our family got to minister together in one of our local school. I told the Bible story in English, Jason translated it into Swahili while our daughters acted it out.

A visual reminder of God's promise.

Righteous loving on one of the school children.

Cheyanne took this picture of the farm.

We have found another homeschooling family to do things together with.

The human knot.

Cheyanne, Kay, and Sarah started off a Drama Club for my children, the other homeschooling family. And Amos and Grace's 2 boys.

This is Joshua and Caleb, Amos's sons.

Practicing under the shade of the trees.