We're Here!

Bob and Julie Mendonsa with Doreen and Kamau

Hello friends and family! We first need to apologize that we have not been able to update you all yet. This is the first opportunity we have had to use wi-fi, so hopefully we did not worry those who may have been expecting a notification of our arrival. Needless to say, we are here safely, and have been so blessed already.

We arrived late last night and got settled in to the missionary house, and jet lag set in, so we all crashed fast, and woke up early this morning. The first place on our agenda was Naomi's Village. We took a long, bumpy, wild ride in the "green hornet"and arrived safely at Naomi's Village...barely! For those who had been on this trip last year, it was such a tremendous blessing to see the progress of the orphanage. Last year, they left a land that was virtually bare, and this year, there was a beautiful orphanage that was getting close to completion. For those of us who are here for the first time, it was a blessing as well to finally experience the orphanage. We were able to visit with the workers over a cup of Uji (pourage), and chapati (tortillas). They also allowed us to join them in a game of volleyball. It was really great to see that the Lord's hand is so obviously on this place, and He is showing it. The workers seemed so eager to complete this project, and get the orphans in here.

After Naomi's Village, we made our way to the IDP Camp (Internally Displaced Persons). I can speak for the entire time when I say that we were all greatly moved by the things that we saw today. As we pulled up to the camp, all the children knew that we were coming, and were sprinting towards the cars, yelling, with huge smiles on their faces! They were so excited to see that we were coming. Immediately after getting out of the cars, we were surrounded, and the wild and crazy fun began. Some of us played soccer, some of us made up games that the kids loved, some of us just held the children, that virtually refused to let go of us. After hours of games and fun, the children left for a break, and we were able to sit down with the workers of the camp to hear their stories about how they got here. These new friends of ours have had some very difficult experiences, seeing family members murdered, having their houses burned down by the very people who were teaching them about Jesus, being separated from their families. Some of them have yet to see their families, as they all had no choice but to scatter for their lives. There was a particular worker whose name was Doreen, and during our share time tonight, she was a huge topic of our conversations. She said a few things that really challenged our team, and brought some necessary convictions. These people have almost nothing, except the Word of God, which means they believe what it says, because they have no other choice. Jesus truly is their only hope, and they stand on that with all that they have. They have such a passion for the Word of God, they have so much joy amidst so much suffering, and they immediately want to give what little they have to us, because God's Word says to. They don't have anything, but the little that they have is not their treasure. They have such a heavenly hope, and are so faithful to pray and provide for all the little children, in hopes that they will be able to find victory for their next generation, whether they themselves get to see it or not. The kids loved the things that were so meaningless to us, yet so meaningful to them. One of the highlights of the day was when we brought out the bubbles. It's a great sight to see a hundred kids chasing a slew of bubbles all over a field. They truly blessed us today.

Last, we would like you to continue to pray for us. Pray for our team, that we would continue to grow together, and lay down our own personal struggles at the cross, so that we would not be distracted from the gospel going out to this place. Continue to pray for provision for Naomi's Village, as well as the IDP camp. And most importantly, please pray John 6:44 that God would draw people to His Son, and that He would bring salvation all over this place. We love you all, and will update more soon!

Blessings!

-Joe Crenshaw