The former UN secretary, Kofi Annan, has been in Kenya this week along with other influential world leaders attempting to moderate a plan for peace. The violence has been decreasing for a day or so with only sporadic news of riots and bloodshed. I can tell the mood is hopeful because we were given permission to leave the hospital compound for a brief excursion.

I went by foot with Mrs. Linda into a nearby village to visit, Rachel, one of the ladies involved in her weekly Bible study.  We walked about fifteen minutes outside of the hospital into the village on the side of the sloping mountains to visit Samuel and Rachel’s home.  They met us atop a hill to walk us the rest of the way.  Rachel has been in poor health lately suffering with leg problems related to her diabetes.  She hasn’t been able to attend any of the meetings and needed some encouragement.  Samuel, admittedly, has had problems with drinking.  After Rachel became a Christian, the women in Rachel’s Bible study group began praying for his salvation and he eventually came to know the Lord.  He is a fairly new Christian, his walk has not been easy and he still struggles with the temptations of alcohol. Today he is at home, sober and very hospitable.

We were warmly welcomed into their two room stick and mud hut. Rachel and Samuel have 6 children, 3 grandchildren and many great grandchildren, many of whom live in or around their house.  Samuel farms and sells his crops to provide for his large extended family.

I could tell this was a special visit for Rachel and that she had made special preparations for us. She had a doily spread across her simple table and plenty of handmade wooden stools ready for us all to sit.  She had prepared chai and had her best mugs ready for us to use.

We discussed the state of Kenya, their hopes for peace, Rachel’s health, their children and their financial difficulties. We ended in a time of powerful prayer and thanked them for their hospitality.  It is the custom here in Kenya for each guest to say a word or read a scripture and address the hosts.  I thanked them for letting me share chai and fellowship with them, and told them that I knew Jesus was indeed the answer to all of their needs and He would provide. I told them I would share their story with my church at home and we would remember them and their family in our prayers.  As a special request to these sweet people, I asked for permission to take their picture to share with you.  They graciously agreed.

Please pray for the Kenyan people who are coming to know the Lord and are growing in their faith while overcoming poverty, addictions, sickness and, now, violence. Pray also for the men and women who are sharing their faith and encouraging them in their walk with the Lord.

Today I glimpsed into a family with struggles not unlike the kind many face all over this nation.  The difference is—someone introduced them to Jesus, the hope of the world.  I came away feeling so glad that I can pray for them and be confident they are safe in His hands and He is watching over them.

~Jenn

Good morning America! How’s it going?

Everything is great here in Kenya, we have just gotten back from church. I was so honored to be able to play a piano special at church. I played “All in All”.  It went well, everyone enjoyed it. Church itself was great, each week there are different speakers and this week the Kenyan dentist spoke.

Dad has been so busy in surgery; sometimes I think I’ll go crazy. The last few days he has been able to make more meals though…there has not been a single thing that I haven’t liked here (food wise). Everything is great; especially the pineapple.

Much love,
Georgia Grace

Hello…everything in Kenya is starting to feel normal again! Some of the head ‘people’ in Kenya have agreed to share equal power (I really do hope that works).  It could lead to peace or just the opposite. Yesterday we had a huge soccer game, everyone played! And after that we played a football game. That was so much fun! Oh my goodness we had a blast. At 6:30 we started to head over to Dr. Russ and Mrs. Beth’s house. There we had a Friday fun day. We ate pizza (homemade) and played Apples to Apples.

It is so different to have my dad come home at an unpredictable time everyday. I feel almost overwhelmed sometimes, because I am so happy for my dad. He is doing what he loves to do and I get to be apart of that. I’ve never seen this side of my dad before…I am so proud of him. And not to mention my mom, she has been incredibly patient with us! At times it gets hard we have to make due with what we have…and what we have isn’t much.  But we are making it anyway- just fine!

~Georgia Grace

Hello America!

I hope all is well in the US.

You have heard, I am sure, of some division over here in Kenya. Yes, it’s true…but you have only had an adult’s perspective of the situation.

Here is mine:

At times I feel a bit frightened about all that is going on around here. It truly amazes me how people can hate one another. They destroy things, kill others, but what they don’t realize is that they are hurting themselves too! It isn’t safe to go down to the waterfall by yourself anymore, or for that matter to go to Bomet which is the city closest to the hospital. It is CRAZY!

Well, let’s get on a good note, a night ago at two o’clock in the morning we went to another doctor’s house to watch the Super Bowl! Okay…stop and think…Super Bowl…Africa….does that make sense to you? It didn’t to me at first. After the first two quarters I started feeling really sick, so my dad took me back to the house. And today I am still feeling a little sick. Please pray that I would get better! We have been praying for God to touch my health and He is.

~Georgia Grace