I just read Tony’s post and realized that we are on different days; pretty weird considering we are on the same trip. I am not counting the travel days so my day four really is day six. As I read Tony’s post I was smiling and holding back tears at the same time. It really was an amazing service and the Pastor, Peter Kaunda, is an awesome, humble man of God. When you meet Peter you are automatically drawn to him by the spirit pouring out through him.

And the bridge, it really was that bad. Tony, Mike L., Joel and I all rode over in a van. When Tony and I walked across it I felt it sag under my weight. Tony and I both could only laugh and thank God that the driver didn’t try driving across it again.

We spent our first day working in Garissa today. Part of the team was preparing for the medical clinics, the youth went to a school and ministered along with the youth from AFC

Madaraka and AFC Garissa. The rest of the men went to work on the school. We cut muthangi posts to use as supports for the roof. We built wooden forms for the concrete ring beam, and we moved dirt. Now don’t get me wrong, the Kenyans moved a lot more dirt than we did but we moved our fair share one wheelbarrow load at a time. Tony and I decided to shovel for a while to take a break from driving the wheelbarrows. Peter, a mzhee(elder man) from AFC Madaraka, came over so we could fill his wheelbarrow. Tony and I shoveled until we were both out of breath. We stopped and mzhee Peter frowned at us and waved his hand saying “more.” It is pretty humbling to be outworked by someone who is probably 15 – 20 years older than you and quite a bit smaller.

God continues to bless us. We made real progress on the construction project, have everything set for the first medical clinic tomorrow and the youth were able to share at a local school. When the youth were preparing to perform a drama at the school several Somali children left. A few minutes later they came back and were peeking into the room. Eventually several of the children came back in and watched the remaining dramas. This is what this trip is all about. We are here to make relationships with the people who live in this area and the youth were able to take the first step in making a new relationship today. When we were planning for the trip Dan told Tim and I that sometimes we harvest and sometimes we must till the soil. This trip is definitely about tilling the soil – and not just the dirt we moved on the building site today. Someday a great harvest will come in Northeastern Kenya from the soil we are preparing to plant now. I am thankful to the Father that we can come be part of what he is doing to further his kingdom.

Please continue to pray for us. It is hot here but we are doing well. God has blessed us in so many ways. We need to continue to receive the blessing and guidance of our Father. We love and miss you but we are also proud to be here serving as your hands and feet.