"Same-same"

Processing life in Kenya, as we live among the least, needs God's wisdom.  
Yes, we minister daily - teaching Bible, facilitating scripture-based trainings, 
hosting skills classes, playing and praying with orphaned children. 
Yet... absorbing how life works here, the nuances, the perceptions, the 
cultures of Kenya's 23 tribes hesitantly mixing, brings us to the feet of 
Jesus. Seems we've set up camp at the foot of His merciful throne, 
receiving help in our continuous times of need.

These last couple of months truly tried us: living like itinerant ministers 
for two weeks in Nairobi during the tenuous elections, traveling from 
or to Kisumu (always a "hair-raising" adventure) and getting the news 
that Mark's dad died; our friend here died that same week. We 
battled constant sicknesses, negotiated peace between arguing 
mamas, and confronted a manipulative pastor. 
Lisa's chair broke, which really crimped our schedule. 
Another "hair-raising" trip back to Nairobi to barter for a new one. 

Then, the bizarre experience at a wedding we attended in the slums: 
unpredicted post election violence broke out with automatic weapon fire, 
tear gas and screaming.  The colorful celebration of happy hearts ended 
with us all huddled in the church. Under the cover of darkness, we convoyed 
home. The next morning, while we made pancakes and poured fresh juice, 
the news came - 6 people were killed, 10 wounded.  

For us - raised safe and secure, with healthy families, enjoying pleasures of 
food choices, good education and comfortable homes - participating in
 African life forces us to understand the responsibility to love God with all our hearts, minds and strength and to love our neighbor as our self. We don't 
know why God moved us all the way to Kenya to teach this simple truth.
Maybe to show us the world is our neighbor. That boundaries, prejudice, 
and apathy shouldn't separate His resources, His concern for every heart, 
and His desire to fulfill destinies.

Frequently, the full sense of gratefulness overwhelms us, like at those 
"milestone" moments - a baby's birth, a child's graduation, the time your 
children come to you and say thanks, not for a gift or permission to do 
something, but because they realize love is unconditional, and they've
 been blessed to receive it.   
We're blessed to receive love, from God, from you - our friends and family. 
We're blessed to share that, as Kenyans say,  
"same-same" love with those who are among the least.

Asante sana for your prayers, support and encouragement.

Hugs for the haugers  Ooo0