We hope this finds you well, wherever you are reading it from. We are sitting on our porch in Nairobi as we write this, and Simba the cat is doing what Simba does best, which is sleeping in the one patch of sun on the steps and refusing to move for anybody.
We have a lot to share this month, so we will get right into it.
A Church Comes of Age
The biggest news is that the church plant in Kibera officially handed full leadership over to Pastor Daniel Otieno this month. That makes four of our five churches now completely led by Kenyan pastors. David has walked alongside this church for years, and watching him sit in the congregation instead of standing up front for the first time was something neither of us will forget. About 80 people packed into that little building to celebrate with Pastor Daniel. This is exactly what we came here to do. Build something that does not need us to keep standing.
Esther’s Story
Carol wants to tell you about a woman from our Tuesday Bible study named Esther. She started coming about a year ago, quiet, sitting in the back, not saying much. She had been through a hard marriage and was raising her kids mostly alone. Over many months of studying forgiveness and grace together, something shifted in her. A few months back she told Carol she had given her life to Jesus, alone in her house, after thinking about something we had studied together that week. Since then she has brought a neighbor to the group, started a small savings circle with three other women, and last week she stood up and prayed out loud for the first time. These are the moments we keep doing this for.
Prayer Requests
A few things on our hearts, if you have a minute today.
Samuel Koech is leading our newest church plant out in Longisa, and it is slow going right now. The group meets under a tin roof that floods when it rains, and a few families who started coming have stopped showing up. Samuel is young in this and gets discouraged. Please pray for his confidence and for that little group to find its footing.
Carol’s mom Eleanor has been dealing with declining health back in Indiana, and being so far away while that happens is one of the harder parts of this season for our family. Please pray for her, and for Carol’s sister Diane who carries so much of the day to day care.
David’s back has been giving him real trouble again, the old construction injury flaring up from rough roads and long days. Please pray for healing, and for him to actually rest when he needs to, which is not his strong suit.
And our son Ryan, who graduated from Moody this spring, is wrestling with whether God might be calling him to missions himself. We would love nothing more than to have him out here someday, but we want him to choose it because God called him, not because his parents are here. Pray for his clarity in this season.
From the Grandkids
On a lighter note, we missed Noah’s second birthday by a video call screen again this year, and he called Carol “Grandma” clearly for the first time right in the middle of the call, which had her crying happy tears for an hour afterward. The distance from Lily and Noah does not get easier, but moments like that carry us through.
We are so grateful for every one of you who prays for us, gives toward this work, and keeps showing up for our family even from far away. None of what God is doing here happens without you standing behind us.
With love from Nairobi,
David and Carol
If you would like to become a monthly partner or have any questions about the ministry, just reach out, we would love to hear from you.