Some impact in Kenya

Our Christmas Eve with the interns=reading through the birth of Christ in the Jesus Storybook Bible.

 Several weeks ago we heard that the international airport in Kenya was closing down to not allow flights in or out. We had to once again make a tough decision about the interns well being, and have them fly back to the United States. We were not worried about them getting sick but about there being possible food/water shortages within the country causing unrest and them getting "stuck" there. We had left the Bensons in charge of the interns and they also flew out of Kenya. They  and the interns have already arrived back safely, gone through quarantine for 14 days, and are now processing their shorter internship and quick exit. There are 2 Bethany missionary families that have remained in Kenya during these different times. They have been facing a curfew, they are required to wear masks in public and they have seen malls and stores in their areas shut down. I praise God that both families have peace being there and hope that things will get better soon. Relatively Kenya still has a low number of cases of the virus, but this is most likely because of a small percentage of testing being done. With all the restrictions in place we are believing that the spread will slow down.

There have been no cases in Gtown up to this point. Work on the farm has been able to continue on as it normally would (there are everyday glitches on a normal basis). Two weeks ago there were 12 goats born in a row adding to the pack. We are so thankful that we have been able to pay the full salary of all 15 of the farmworkers because of the generosity of our supporters. These 15 workers have wives and multiple children so their salaries are crucial for them to buy food for their families and other necessities. We think of those we have left behind often and look forward to returning in a few months. We have many fond memories of doing life with them. I have posted pictures of when we got to build houses for some of the farm workers which was a long process that went on for weeks. This process allows time for the friendship to grow and deepen because it went beyond just harvesting the crops. With anything that is worthwhile lots of time has to be put in. As we are away we pray for the salvation of individuals by name.

 We have been told that the streets of Gtown are quieter as less people are out and about. I have been able to keep in touch with several neighbors through WhatsApp and some are getting their houses in order by thoroughly cleaning from top to bottom before Ramadan starts. Ramadan will be in just a few days on the 23rd or 24th. It usually is a time when the community joins together in the evening to break the fast. It is hard to know how it will look this year. Once again we pray for Muslims as they get ready to fast, pray and have expectations of an encounter from God during the 30 days of Ramadan.

Swahili class graduation day for the interns, back in January.

Amos feeding the goats at the farm.

Goats trying to get something to eat.

Samara looking out of the farm pickup truck.

The chicken house on the left and the squatty potty on the right.

Walking past the banana trees.

Amos teaching Righteous how to work on the farm.

Eating greens from the farm with Ugali.

First stage of the houses being built.

Jason getting his hands dirty.

Mixing cement, soil, water and rocks by feet.

I took pictures before getting in to get my feet dirty.

Walls all closed in.

Smooth cement finish.

Painted.