Blessings with Family and Friends

January 2017.  We've had a good time this month  of December  working on things outside of school.  Our family has had a chance to individually, as well as collectively, visit many of our friends in the community.   While Nate has been here, we went to see our good friend Margaret and her family.   Nate was a big surprise to Margaret,  so much so we thought she might pass out.  We spent all afternoon at her house reminiscing about old times when Margaret took care of the children when they were babies.  Margaret's mom was there too and enjoyed seeing everyone.  

Amanda and I had the bitter sweet pleasure of supporting our friend Steven Mwaura at his Father's funeral.  The death was a big surprise to the family as Steven's dad had been in rather good health.  However, the fact that Steven's Dad loved Jesus was a comfort to everyone.  The funeral was an all day event, I learned a few more Kikuyu words as we listened to many people preach in the local tribal language.   We saw choir after choir share songs of hope and assurance.  To our amazement we witnessed 2 Shoshos' ( granma's) from the village who were nearly 100 years old sing and dance for the Steven's mom and family. 

A week after the funeral Nate had arrived and we went to join Steven and his family again.   It was a great day to celebrate what God was doing in his family, their ministry and to encourage his Mom.   We joined them for an amazing meal and as traditional with our families, we brought a cake.   However, this time was different.  After the cake was finished, Steven's daughter Faith, carefully licked out the left over crumbs and icing.  She said, "When your pastor from America came, I learned I should do this."  Way to go Pastor Denny,  after all, icing is always best after the cake is finished.     We spent the afternoon playing with the children and talking.  It was a great day together and we closed with a sweet time of prayer for one another.   

Evan and I worked on the house for Joel. Joel works for RVA and runs the instrument repair shop.  He is a wonderful blessing to our school and Kenya as our shop is able to repair instruments for several schools in Nairobi.   After almost 2 days, we got all the chainsaw cut timbers made into the joists for the metal roof that was put on the next day.   Joel still needs to compete the inside but he's come a long way on his "dream house".

After this month, we'll be back in full swing with driving buses to get students, teaching classes, teaching Sunday school and various medical tasks to minister to MK's.    We'll be sponsors for the senior class and on our various committees for the school.  We do all this as our " official roles and ministry at our school.  However, we are so grateful to live life along side and with our Kenyan brothers and sisters and we are grateful for the ways get to encourage and love each other. Please pray for our ability to balance ministry to our students and to our neighbors.