Ubuntu

Katie Driving the Donkey

What a day! There is so much to tell that I'm sure sure where to start. This morning came with hard news from the IDP camp. Bob and Julie have a friend named Joseph who is a main leader at the camp and is also in charge of running the poultry project. We were so blessed to meet him a few days ago and hear his story of how he landed there. Joseph is an older man who has been through more struggles than I can even imagine. He was forced from his home because of violence and is one of those people that you feel closer to the Lord just being around him. Our team was more than blessed to hear all he has been through and how much he Loves the Lord. We found out early this morning that his son was murdered last night and found at the camp. Not only is Joseph our friend but our brother in Christ and so we mourn with him through this. John 16: 22 really hits home. Even though Joseph has lost his son today, he was still full of Joy. His joy comes from knowing that God is in control, his plan is perfect and no one can steal his joy. What an encouragement and an example of what full trust in the Lord looks like. Bob and Michael spent some time with him today and the team was able to see Joseph tonight.

On a lighter note, the team went back to the CTC today to help with the town beautification project. The city if Maai Mahiu does a town clean up once a month and they invited us to help. There is not a trash system in the city so you can only imagine what the streets look like. We strapped on our gloves and started gathering trash into piles to be burned and planted trees as well. It was such a great time to get to talk with the town people and hear their stories. Praise God for the sweet High school girl I met today. I wish I could pronounce her name enough to spell it so we'll just call her Chimi. We started talking about what America is like and how different Africa is which lead to an amazing conversation about the Lord. She asked me what I was most excited to see in Africa and if you've watched the video- you know....baboons! She began to tell me about how she was scared to go to Kijabe because of the baboons and how they stand in a circle and pray to the Gods. It was one of those conversations where I felt the Lord say "quiet yourself" and truly felt him speaking through me. She kept saying, "i want to know your God." Her view of who God is was so off and He gave me an awesome opportunity to tell her how my God loves her where she's at and all the things she's done in the past are paid for on the cross. AMEN! Praise God! Please pray for Chimi and solid teaching for her. Such a beautiful girl and such a neat way to see the Lord use my excitement for baboon viewing to spur on a conversation that brings Glory to His name.

Even though I haven't seen a baboon yet...I did get to ride a DONKEY TAXI! The team spent several hours today working at Naomi's Village. One of the events involved the Donkey Taxi who brings water to the work site from down the road. The driver let me ride with him and drive them. It was a great break! The team worked really hard today trying to get the ceiling in the main room together. We spent time sanding and varnishing the wood to get it ready to nail up. It was a great afternoon of hard work and funny times.

After Naomi's Village we headed over to the IDP camp for dinner and a movie outside with the kids. We watched George of the Jungle and most of the kids ended up on top of us asleep. Such a sweet time with those kids. I've never seen so many people in one place with so much Joy. It's unbelievable. They know their needs and it's not food and water. Their Joy comes from the Lord and it's what sustains them. Overall this has been a hard day but laced with so much Joy.

Thank you all for your prayers. They are felt here for sure. Please pray for Joseph and the IDP camp- for healing and comfort. Pray for the needs of the kids and the CTC. Pray for our team as we go to the slums for church tomorrow. Pray for Joe as he will be preaching. We love you all and cannot wait to tell you of all the stories and ways the Lord is working here.

-Katie Mayer

Mike, Joe, and Daniel with Joseph