Hello friends,
We are now almost into March. Naomi and I were able to be together with our family for the Christmas holiday and enjoy some warm weather in the south before winter temperatures arrived. On January 13, I was on my way back to Kenya, while Naomi stayed in North Carolina to help and visit her parents.
My time in Kenya was productive, with visits to multiple locations, checking in on ongoing projects, and the launch of a new one. It was great to see everyone again, especially the carpentry students. I was pleased that Naomi’s uncle David joined me on my trip. This is the first time I have had someone come along on a trip, and it was interesting to hear things from his point of view. He will give you some details from his observations:
Greetings from David Miller, uncle of Naomi,
Recently, I had the privilege of traveling to Kenya with Paul. It was an incredible blessing to see firsthand the many places and people Paul has been ministering to. He truly has a heart for those in need. Whether it is the homeless—many of whom he knows by name—on the streets of New York City, or pastors in Kenya who do not know where their next meal is coming from, Paul cares deeply for each individual and does all he can to help. I have seen first hand that the contributions to BLIP are sent directly to the needs, and there is no third party. Monies are sent via phone directly to the individual. Paul has never taken a salary from those contributions either.
It was inspiring to witness the many ministries in which Paul and Naomi are involved. I arrived in Nairobi, Kenya, on January 15th. On the 16th, Pastor Simon picked us up and took us to Namanga, a town near the Tanzania border. Paul has been helping with the construction of a three-story Family Life Center that will house a clinic, training facilities, Sunday school rooms, and serve the church located on the same property. Paul, along with several carpentry students from Amagoro, has been designing and building cabinets, desks, and wardrobes for the center. Our purpose there was to assess what remained to be done to bring the project to completion.
From there, we flew to Kisumu to pick up tools for Amagoro and to meet Rueben Kigami, a blind singer and politician who is beginning a ministry in a small village. He has started a food pantry, music classes, and tutoring programs for slow-learning school children and adults with disabilities. He is in need of desks, which Paul will design, and the carpentry students will help build.
Next, we drove about three hours to Amagoro, where we spent the following two weeks. There, Paul and Naomi have been working with an organization called KIWIMBI, which includes a women’s sewing school, carpentry school, library, and art classes. Naomi played a vital role in helping the sewing school become self-sufficient. Their work is so well respected that they now have contracts with schools to make uniforms for students. Paul has been mentoring the carpentry students, drawing on his experience as a master cabinet maker.
BLIP also provides support in many other ways, including snacks for Sunday school children, monthly support for pastors, purchasing and distributing Bibles, providing food for widows, and helping rebuild a pastor’s home that was falling apart, among many other needs.
What stood out most to me is Paul’s genuine love for people. Whether walking the streets of New York, Kenya, India, or elsewhere, he carries food or supplies to give to those in need. He takes the time to learn people’s names—and more importantly, he remembers them. This reflects his true love and compassion for individuals.
I feel very blessed and grateful to have been able to make this three-week trip. Seeing the work firsthand strengthened my faith and gave me a deeper appreciation for the impact Paul and Naomi are making in the lives of so many.
Sincerely,
David Miller
Thank you, Uncle David, for your kind words. To God be the glory, great things He is doing!!
I returned from Kenya on February 4 and flew to NC to be with Naomi. We visited some supporters and ministry partners in the area. I also tried to get some rest. On February 13, we both returned to NYC.
Back in NYC Naomi is once again helping NYSUM get ready for the busy college spring break teams. I was able to check in with our friends on the street. I was concerned about their well-being as I had heard that 18 homeless people frozen to death from the extreme temperatures. I was able to find some of them and was grateful to know they had survived.
An update on our health: both of us are experiencing improvement. On February 17, I had lab work with the best bloodwork results I’ve had in over two years. I am so grateful for the healing we have experienced. Psalm 23 has been such a comfort to me. Thank you for your prayers throughout this difficult season.
On February 20, I returned to Kenya. I have been asked to help complete and get the Life Center in Namaga (on the Tanzanian border) up and running. There have been many obstacles that have kept this from happening, but with prayer and my wife’s blessing, I will be spending some extended time here.
Thank you each and everyone for your prayers and giving.
Blessings,
Paul and Naomi
BLIP 