This morning began with a proper cup of coffee and a heartfelt and vulnerable devotional. The devotion was on the subject of humility and was presented by Jacque.

Our driver, Charles, then drove our team to Machakos county to a town called Kyangala (pronounced Chan-ga-la). This is the location of Pastor Levi’s church and Bible training school.

Tyler, Karen, and I visited this spot in November of 2023. We each planted trees that day. It was nice to see how our trees have grown (Tyler was more than estatic that his tree has grown the largest thus far).

We had sermons by Pastor Joseph Masunga and Tyler. Their sermons worked well together (not by plan as there was no collusion). Joseph spoke on the united theme of the Bible divided into scenes, like a movie. Tyler asked what is the central theme of the Bible…

GOD WITH US

It was good to have lunch and minister with these wonderful people, some of which we knew, others we met for the first time. We will remember, Levi’s wife Abigail, his daughter, Irene, pastor Silas, Dennis, as well as many more.

Ray was able to get some beautiful photos and videos of Kyangala with his drone. However, that footage is still being processed. So, you will have to settle for the photos and videos I have embedded in this post. I wish you could have been there and seen the place yourself. So much beauty, and yet so much struggle.

One of the videos has my dad speaking on the circumstances which first brought my grandpa to Kenya and the good fruit that came out of a tragedy (my grandma’s death).

JOKE OF THE DAY:

This morning I was excited to greet our driver. With a big smile on my face I said confidently, “James!!! It is so good to see you.”

He responded, “it is Charles. but I am happy to have a new name.”

I never got his name wrong the rest of the trip. He is a great driver. Nairobi has some of the craziest and unsafe driving I have ever seen. Charles handled it out without any issues.

TEAMMATE PROFILE OF THE DAY:

Kamar

He is in his 20s. He was born in Iraq to a catholic family. His family left Iraq when he was 5. He has been in America since he was 10. He has been going to our church, Phos church, for about a year or a little more. It has been a real privilege to get to know him more on this trip. He is a real and genuine person, not afraid to get vulnerable. He is always looking for opportunities to serve and help and would give anyone the shirt off his back. Indeed, one of the things he loved giving out on this trip were bracelets with the gospel written on it. He must have given out over a hundred.

Upon arriving back to Openhand Kamar and dad engaged in a deep conversation about sin. The conversation began with Kamar stating, “do you think you could ever stop sinning? I am just so sick of it!” My dad related his experience with certain struggles and sins that have indeed been overcome by the grace of God. The conclusion was that we do have hope in Christ to overcome our particular, specific sins. However, the struggle with our sinful nature, in general, will always be there.