Hello friends and family,
It’s time for another update: August found us continuing to serve in New York City. Late summer saw us leading some short-term mission teams, partnering with NYSUM, and time on the streets meeting the needs of our homeless friends. We also traveled to North Carolina to share how God is at work in and through us. This opportunity was at Heath Church where Naomi’s parents are members.
On August 30th, Naomi and I traveled back to Kenya. Kiwimbi, the organization we work with in that area, was celebrating 10 years of impacting the community. It was great to be part of this effort but was also very different from previous visits. Naomi and I are usually alone, and this time there were others with us from the USA.
The tailoring students were happy to see Naomi. There were new students to meet and time for some instruction. One of the students from when Naomi started is now one of the tailoring instructors. This was rewarding and encouraging. During the celebration, Naomi was honored for her investment in the tailoring program.
My time with carpentry was brief, but it was great to see 10 of the new students continuing with the program. Some have families, subsistence farms, and walk six to eight kilometers one way to get to class. The project that they are currently working on is building chairs.
Kiwimbi is planning to start a building project for a new facility. Naomi and I were part of meetings with a potential contractor. We are grateful to be part of these future plans.
Naomi and I also visited the school where new desks have been built by the carpentry program. Around 60 desks have been completed. Two or three students were seated at each desk, and they were all very happy about our visit.
I also checked on the church building project and preached on Sunday before leaving western Kenya and traveling to the Tanzania border.
This was Naomi’s first time in Namanga. She spent time with the pastor’s wife visiting the sick and praying for various needs.
My time was focused on the need for cabinets and storage in the church kitchen. I had two helpers; they were very helpful and learned a few things. We made progress on the first phase of the project.
This area of Kenya has been experiencing drought. I am told it has been a year since they have had any rain. Every river/waterway we crossed was completely dry. We had provided funds for a well borehole and this trip allowed us to see the success of another water project. It is so dry there that seeing water come from the parched earth seemed miraculous.
Next, Naomi and I traveled back to Nairobi for a couple of days before our return flight. I needed to renew my visa, which required a visit to the immigration office downtown. I had a taxi from the hotel take me, and the office took care of my visa quickly. Then things got interesting.
I had just gotten back into the taxi when three men, one in a police uniform, approached the car. They opened the doors and informed me that the driver was under arrest. They ordered me out of the car, got in, and drove away, leaving me standing there. It eventually all got sorted out, and I got back to the hotel. Just another day in the developing world.
While we were in Kenya, the country was in a post-presidential election that was being contested. In previous years there has been much violence and bloodshed. The court made a decision, and the new president was installed without any violence. We are grateful that everything has remained peaceful.
On September 17th, we arrived back at JFK. We hit the road running as we had teams here in NYC ready to go out, and we had friends ready to see us.
Lord willing, on October 12th, I will be going back to Kenya for a couple of weeks to continue to help and invest in the needs in the part of the world. We covet your prayers as we continue to seek God’s leading in all that we do.
Blessings,
Paul and Naomi
Read more newsletters about building the church in Namanga here.
Read more newsletters about the Namanga water project here.
BLIP 