Brooke Fraser summed it up.

 

These words shine brightly on the walls of Wells of Joy Church, which doubles as Brilliant Sharpening School in the slums of Nairobi, Kenya. They are profound. They hit my heart like huge boulders, creating sinkholes of emotion as they hold me captive. This very building is a standing testimony to God's goodness to the poorest of the poor in Kenya. It towers over all the neighboring buildings, offering hope and being a "city on a hill", a becon of light in a very dark place.

 

At Brillant Sharpening Community School, tuition is ten cents per month for families that can afford it. Children are dropped off each morning at 6AM so their parents can look for work. Many come unfed or underfed. The children are picked up 12-13 hours later. During the day, the teachers care for the children, educate them, and keep them safe. All children are welcome - even the babies whose moms wrap cords around their bellies to ward off evil spirits. The "baby room" had 20 kiddos sitting in and laying in plastic picnic chairs.

 

Pastor Geoffrey has faithfully served this empoverished community for 5 years. He has sacrificed his own life AND months with his own family, for the sake of the gospel going out in order to bring hope to this destitute area.  He has entered into their suffering and want. We had a taste of that want, though it is less than it was last June when Charelle visited. Our team had a small glimpse of their daily life's suffering. And then, we got to rejoice in the LORD our God for the mighty things He had done for His church. We got to rejoice in His miraculous provision for His children. As we toured the building that God built, as Ryan and John served the children morning chai, and Katie and Jessica served them their lunch, we were humbled. We marveled at the beauty and pure joy we heard and saw in these little, round faces. The 178 children - 50% more than last year - swarmed Marri, Catherine, Emily and Will Mendonza. Then, they rolled out the red carpet and the children sang and danced for our pleasure. Delightful sounds and sights to behold.

 

 

 

 

RED, LONG, BEAUTIFUL HAIR BEGS TO BE TOUCHED!

 

 

 

 

 

 A GLIMPSE of SNACK TIME!

 

 

 

 

 

^{Matthew 25:34} “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. ³⁵ For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, ³⁶ I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
³⁷ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? ³⁸ When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? ³⁹ When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
⁴⁰ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

 

 

 

 Geniune Love!

The Raybucks and Pastor Geoffrey

 

 

The Raybuck Team with Pastor Geoffrey in the slums.

 

 

 

Carry you with me.....

 

How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, "Your God reigns." Isaiah 52:7

Sunday afternoon gathering of the saints and seekers in Maai Mahiu was our second church service. Sunday morning our team led worship for the Naomi’s Village children and staff but that afternoon we visited Rift Valley Fellowship – a new church planted by Isaac and Esther K. with the support of The Village Church. During the service we sang and prayed in both Swahili and English. The sermon was also delivered in both tongues for the benefit of all in the audience. It was an inspiring gathering because none were turned away. No shoes, No shirt, No problem! All were welcomed no matter your social status or lack thereof, no matter your ethnic tribe, no matter your gender or age. It reminded us, in real terms, of how Revelation 7:9-10 records a heavenly worship scene. The many ministries of RVF include “Women of Courage”, “Street Boys” and “Y.E.S.” which keeps kids in school so they avoid entering the unhealthy lifestyles represented by Women of Courage and the Street Boys.
 

“Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.”

Revelation 5:9-10

 

The Lost Street Boys.

In the streets of Maai Mahiu, population of nearly 1,000, according to Elisha our driver, there are boys who are 11-19 yrs. old and are commonly known as “street boys”. They are young boys who are either orphaned or living with relatives who are unable to send them to school. With nothing to do during the day, no money and no hope of a future, the lost boys spend their time idol, under-utilized and trying to survive. Many of them, out of desperation and direction, take on the job of connecting potential customers to the town’s 600 prostitutes. Each day they go without food, and for some, a place to call home. Sleeping on the streets without shelter is not uncommon for them most nights. Over time, as this lifestyle takes the youth out of them, they start to look to drinking and get into all sorts of trouble. Drunk driving and crime is the next step to life – and death - on the streets. Two youth were killed in drunk-driving accidents just last week. With no education, no jobs available, no parents to guide them, and what seems like no way out, this life is inevitable for most. Many of the churches around do not welcome them as they are seen as outsiders and sinners.

 

Riff Valley Fellowship (RVF) has become a beacon of light to these lost boys. The church welcomes in and seeks out these street boys. As our team worshipped with the saints and seekers, we were able to see the makings of a room where these outcasts, who have nowhere to sleep, will now have a bed. We met an 18 year old in the church that goes out to the streets and starts street dancing as a way to start talking to the street boys.  Pastor Isaac and the people of Riff Valley Fellowship have a heart to show these boys the hope of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Jesus said, “For the son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” Luke 19:10 Through RVF the Lord is seeking out and pursuing these lost boys.

 

 “For I will restore health to you, and your wounds I will heal, declares the LORD, because they have called you an outcast….for whom no one cares.” Jeremiah 30:17

Women of Courage.

About 15 former Maai Mahui prostitutes, currently living with HIV, gathered to testify to God’s goodness in their lives currently. Such sweet sisterly community, loving one another and bearing one another’s burdens as we all lifted up prayers to God in English and Swahili. What an emotional setting to hear such groans and cries for God’s provision and help drip from these women’s hearts and lips. Praising God for healing from weeks of being sick with pneumonia in both lungs, Esther challenged all of us with a short word from Genesis 4:9 “Then the LORD said to Cain, ‘Where is Able your brother?’” Presenting us with the same question…..where is your sister? Now that the women of our team have seen and know – the cares of these women of courage; the cares of our neighbors back home; the cares of members of our community - what will we do about it? Marri closed the gathering in prayer and with words of encouragement. The Holy Spirit spoke to the hearts in the crowd through her letting them know we will not forget them, for we are traveling through the same narrow gate. This gate leads to a way that is hard  and often times difficult but there is life at the end. (Matthew 7:14)

 

Nearly half the W.O.C. brought their handmade wares for our team to consider. Many of us felt moved to support these sisters by buying their beautiful handbags. What a sweet way to carry these women with us back home.

When we leave we will miss....

The beauty of the sky, clouds and bright sun mixed with Mt. Longonot.  Cool evenings at 50 degrees and cool days at 78 degrees - if that, make for spectacular weather that has aided in the enjoyment of this trip!

The utter beauty of this backyard and the peace & quiet that can be found there. Knowing that just through those two wooden doors a hot meal awaits all who walk through them.

The front yard's full view is a site to behold! From it you can enjoy your morning chai as the birds chirp and a mild breeze whisks through...or watch the children play basketball.... or see visitors approaching down the private dirt road...all behind the safe gates.

A sign of hope, of love, of laughter and of faith!

 

Our home-away-from-home! Our nightly retreat area to regroup, recap, pray and worship in. Our gathering place.

Our eat-in kitchen area....A table large enough to hold all 11 of us comfortably at breakfast time simultaneously! All the ladies want a table this size in their homes. Today, it served as a wrapping station and held 40 packages given to the 40 older children as gifts from their sponsors. It was Christmas in July!

Maai Mahiu......home to NV, Rift Valley Fellowship church (RVF), CTC (Comfort the Children), the IDP Camp currently called Vumillia  (by its elders) aka Mwangaza (by its youth) and the Trans-African highway that runs through it. Can you believe we visited them all?

The bumpy road that leads from the highway to Naomi's Village is super fun to travel down via a taxi motorcycle called a Piki. LOVDED riding with this " motorcycle gang" from Texas.

A village where hope is rising, faith in Jesus is increasing; where real community is happening while amazing Perseverance (Vumillia) and bright Light (Mwangaza) co-exist.

A very strong, humble, godly man - an elder in Vumillia/Mwangza - Joseph, who allows us into his home which Habitat for Humanity built. Grateful to know him, his story and his love for the word & God.

 

 

A wonderful IDP Camp tour guide, historian, story-teller and comedian! Joseph!!

 

Grandma Jen! That 88 year old lady of Vumillia Village has the strongest grip and handshake I've ever experienced. A man! What a wonderful smile.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AND LAST but not LEAST.........

 

 

 

When we leave we will miss the little smiles, tears, hands, feet, faces and personalities of all the children who captured our hearts at Naomi's Village.

Dance! Dance! Dance! - Sweet Fun!

P.S.  CLICK HERE for more insider details of Daniel's amazing journey to finding faith.... as told by Bob Mendonsa

"Shout aloud and sing for joy, people of Zion, for great is the Holy One of Israel among you!"

Isaiah 12:6

Like most children, the NV children LOVE a party.....especially a dance party. We were suppose to have a bond fire dance party Saturday night but light rain hindered our fun. Raincheck!! Sunday night after dinner the party commenced. Swirling arms, creative breakdancing moves and tons of laughter and fun was had by all.

Ryan Ryabuck's perspective:

"Willy caught on the most of all the boys to American dance moves the robot and the wave. It could have gone on longer (45 minutes before bedtime on a school night was not enough!) It was energetic! It was a great way to bond with the older kids."

Using their fleece blankets as capes as they ran throughout the dining hall, which doubled as a disco studio, it was inevitable that a few tears would be shed as a result of accidental injury. Poor John, a newly arrived orphan, he suffered a bonk on the head as a fellow sibling tripped and dropped him during our dance party.  Quincy totally got the line dance, Cupid Shuffle, down to a science as the beat called to him. All the kiddos seem to love that song.  Sassy Soni found her way into the middle of every circle we made. Even the House-Moms joined the fun, encouraging the children to get out and shake it! Auntie Chris (Tarter) wanted to teach the kiddos how to form a soul-train line but our time was limited. But Uncle Ryan Hamilton was able to open up and bond with the kids while he “shook it like a polaroid picture” to Outkast. It was his favorite portion of the day!

Uncle Josh, Auntie Jessica and Uncle Ryan were on toddler bedtime duty in the boys dorm after our dance party. And without a House-Mom present, mayhem ensued!

“We lost all control of the kids! Lights were being turned on and off, only one toothpaste tube was found and it was nearly out but all 13 boys were eager to brush their teeth and would not leave the bathroom without brushing…..there was a hole in one of the rinsing tin cups, so water was everywhere!” – Jessica

Chris (Cage) was luckier and able to put the older boys to bed that night! Man! They were much more efficient at bedtime. They even told him what to pray for them. The boys have school exams coming up and wanted prayer for both good marks and good health. The sweetness of bedtime is that the kiddos prayed for “Uncle Chris” as well. He counted it as a sweet and touching experience to share with four boys.

Aunties Katie, Catherine, and Chris T. had the easy road, along with Auntie Charelle, putting the girls to bed. The 20 gals, be they toddlers or big girls, were so sweet and orderly. Picking out uniforms from the laundry bin for school tomorrow, the Aunties found themselves engrossed in story reading and prayers, as well.  What a special ritual to share with our little darlings!

 

" In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.

Psalm 4:8

(Katy dancing with Julius, Jessica dancing with Brian)

 

 (Girls' dormitory)

 (Prepping for bed, brushing our teeth in the bathroom)

 

(Stella age 7 - showing off her bright, white clean teeth.) 

Once blind

 

 

 John 9:25

He answered, “Whether he is a sinner I do not know. One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see.”

 

We had the great pleasure of meeting Daniel the day of our arrival to Naomi's Village. If you have not heard his story CLICK HERE The name Daniel means "God is my judge" according to the ESV study bible. Because we know that The Lord is a righteous judge, we know Romans 8:28 to be true; "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Hindered by boundaries of language barriers and blindness, many of us were unable to communicate with Daniel. However, Daniel spoke through a translator to Marri and Charelle on two different occasions. On this divinely appointed day, on this very bench, Daniel sat with Charelle and held her hand in the courtyard as he exclaimed in Swahili, "God is good!" repeatedly. Why would a man who recently lost his sight, wife, home and two precious sons - through no fault of his own - be able exclaim the goodness of God with zeal and passion?

 

 

 Because he knew without a shadow of a doubt that God not only heard his prayer to be reunited with his sons after 8 months but also provided security and care for them by way of Namoi's Village. This is the same man, who just weeks ago, talked without hope to Julie and Aunt Flo about the hard circumstances of his life, and his love for his wife and sons. On this sacred day, our team witnessed the reunion of Julius (4) and Isaac (3) with their father Daniel, and them being made part of the Naomi's Village family. What holy ground we stood upon in the courtyard as we watched and cheered the boys upon their arrival. What holy ground we stood upon as we watched a blind father scoop his children into his arms and said, "I didn't throw you away."

(Julius on the left, Isaac on the right)

 

Daniel expressed genuine love and concern for the boys, assuring them of his tender affection and desire for their safety. He explained to them they were now going to live here at Naomi's Village, where they would be well taken care of.

This emotional reunion was followed by a ceremony of acceptance. It took place in the dinning hall and included singing a song of welcome, "Welcome! Welcome to Naomi's Village! Please come and sit down!" by all the children and staff. We all also sang "You are ours" to the boys. Finally, the breaking of bread together which was actually the sharing of cake concluded the ceremony. The giving and accepting of cake was an important event that signifies being bound to one another in friendship.

 

(Julius with orange Fanta and cake)

 

The next day Daniel returned to Naomi's Village to find his boys bathed, clothed, well fed and happy. As they passed by on their way to lunch, they caught a glimpse of him, ran to him and crawled onto his lap. As the boys ate lunch, Daniel, Bob and Julie, and the translator, retreated to the office where Daniel gave his testimony of how he had come to know Jesus as His savior. He said that mere strangers would never have come and done for him and his family what Bob and Julie and a host of other teams visiting Naomi's Village, had done. It was God who heard his prayer and did all this!

 

Romans 2:4 "Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?"

 

The exact details of Daniel's future are unknown to us. Though Bob and Julie have offered Daniel a job at Naomi's Village as a means for him to take care of himself while also being a part of his sons' lives, no one knows what the future holds. But we can be assured of this truth: Daniel used to be blind to the good news of Jesus and now he can clearly see His savior's hand at work in his life.  What a great story of eternal salvation and acceptance, restoration of a family, and hope added to the Church.....and we were privileged to witness it.

 



(Julius on the right, Isaac on the left. First night at NV in the playroom)

 

 

Posted by Charelle and Marri

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Is it still “today”?

Really! 

We thought we knew what day it was. It was Tuesday, July 23^{rd ,} 1:30PM CST when we all arrived at DFW airport, all set to say goodbye to our family of supporters. The first sign of God’s grace on our team was that we were the first in the queue to check in for our American Airlines flight. Since we needed to check-in as a team, Mike, the Operations Supervisor, assigned us our own individual American Airlines agent: Rhonda Everett!  She was a sweet instrument of God’s grace as she checked 9 passports & 27 checked bag pieces, three of which were “oversized” and over the 50 lbs. weight limit, despite our conscientious efforts to keep each and every bag under fifty pounds.  Amazingly cheerful and personable, Rhonda joked with Charelle, Josh and Ryan Stokes, who selflessly served us by volunteering to help lift each back onto her scale. Two hours after arriving at the airport, checking in, hugging and kissing our families and Naomi’s Village staff/board members/mentors and getting through security with our individual carry-ons, we reached our destination: Gate 23. Fully confident that we were on time for our 4:45PM flight, the first domino effect causing snafu hit us – two new tires needed to be replaced on our very new Boeing 777-300 – setting us back 60 minutes and consequently, devouring  nearly half of overlay time once we arrived in London.  Jessica, Katie, and Josh, all reacted well to the maintenance delay, not fully contemplating the butterfly effect that was set into motion. Marri thought, “This is gonna be close but God must have something in mind.”

 

You see, there is only ONE flight on British Airways to Nairobi each day.  Josh and Charelle knew this very well and had requested that the travel agent book an earlier AA flight that would leave DFW in the afternoon, allowing us a 3hr. layover at Heathrow with plenty of time to make flight 65 on British Airways .  It leaves at 10:45AM (Wednesday) without fail. With our landing gear repair, we would land at London Heathrow Airport at 9:47AM (Wednesday), leaving us a mere 35 minutes to deplane, walk the never-ending length of Terminal 2, take a 10 minute bus ride  to Terminal 5 and go through yet another security line. We made it to the terminal only to find that the gate had just closed and we would not make BA flight #65. No Nairobi for us today! Although Charelle saw that scenario being a very real possibility upon hearing the new tire replacement PA announcement, she dared not dash the hopes of the team with her negative thoughts while sitting in DFW. Instead, people watching and a lesson in patience commenced for us all.

Our flight to London has not gone as we planned.  However, we are all together, safe, well fed and in good spirits, though a Chris T. is sleeping like a stranded air traveler whose flight has been cancelled.  She naps….at the table at Dining  Street Restaurant and Bar with her fish and chips sitting in front of her…..she naps on the row of plastic chairs strung together with a pillow to cradle her head. I hope she naps on our new flight! A little jet lag won’t get the best of us! Ryan and John have really enjoyed window shopping in the seemingly endless miles of upscale duty-freel shops. However, they have inquired, “When are we going to stop waiting and get on the next plane?” To which we responded, “The fruit of the Spirit is patience.”  Ryan’s clever comeback was, “I’m getting full of that fruit!”

 Since our original British Airways flight left without the Raybuck team this morning, we have spent 11 hours enjoying the sights, sounds, smells and people watching of Terminal 5, waiting for our Kenya Airlines flight 101 to take off at 8PM London time, Wednesday night. The following 9 hours will we enjoy the food and hospitality of the crew of said flight. This little God ordained “detour” saved us a night’s stay at Gracehouse in Nairobi and the expenses associated with those accommodations: a whopping $650.00 USD!!  We were also given 9 food vouchers worth $26.00 USD each, by British Airways, to absorb the cost of feeding us during our ½ day layover.  Another point of His grace: $234.00 in free food! WHOOP! He showers us with more financial blessings and we are eager to use it to build His kingdom in Kenya.

 

  The question remains: “Is it still today?”  YES!!  It just depends upon where you are in the world. When we awaken in Nairobi from a night of slumber, movies and food it will be 6:30AM Thursday morning.  Our plan is to hit the ground running and arrive at Naomi’s Village within a few hours. We make plans and God laughs!

A Mere 24 Hours....

A mere 24 hours from now we will have awakened to a new day full of new mercies reset and enough grace sufficent to comfort the anxious and heavy hearted, tear-filled family members that we will leave behind at DFW airport. A mere 24 hours from now we will stand in terminal D, being covered in hugs, kisses, and prayer by family and friends, and Naomi's Village staff and board members. A mere 24 hours from now, after we have released all twenty-seven checked luggage bags, full of generous gifts and supplies, to British Airways representatives, we will wait.....

We will wait in the customs lines & security lines, presenting our passports and identification; we will wait in the seating area to board our aircraft; we will wait in the narrow aislesways to find our seats, which are clustered together, and stow our carry-ons; we will wait with hearts ready to burst with anticipation to see, hear, taste, feel and experience all that our God has for us as we leave the comforts of home and take this obedient step of faith into the mysterious unknown....unknown only to us but not to Him.

Unknown only to us but not to Him are the people we will encounter as we journey to London and Nairobi, and then onward to Maai Mahui. Unknown only to us but not to Him are the unforeseen snags in our plans we will face and the solutions we will employ to reach resolution. Unknown only to us but not to Him are the good works He has predestined for us to walk in as we go, taking His gospel and love to the hurting and the lost. Unknown only to us but not to Him are the joys He has for each team member in getting to see Him more clearly, hear Him more definitively and love Him more deeply than we did a mere 24 hours ago.

A Labor of Love

How Many Bags? Twenty-seven (27) !?

Well, that's the number of checked bags British Airways has allowed our team of 9, who leave in just 7 days, to take with us to Nairobi as an official "missionary team". As a result of so many wonderfully generous folks, our team managed to raise nearly $19,000 in a very short period of time and purchase our airline tickets in May, just in time to qualify us for missionary fares - which were lower than their published fares. An added benefit of traveling with  "missionary status" is that each member of our team was alloted 3 checked bags. Simple math: 9 X 3 = 27 bags to fill. Oh, man! Did we fill them!

15 bags were packed on Sunday afternoon with the mountain of donations recieved: bottles and bottles of children's gummy vitamins, mounds of diapers of all sizes, heeps of baby wipes and pull-ups, crib sheets, bags of new stuffed animals, warm clothes, althetic shoes and flip-flops, 18 twin-sheet sets, bath towels sets, office supplies, craft paints and materials and a few school supplies.

Our living room was transformed into a miniture Fed-Ex sorting area and assembly line! After the donations were sorted, Marri, Jessica, and (Big) Ryan began filling duffle bag after duffle bag to the rim! (Teen) Ryan R. and Johnny labeled and numbered each bag with brightly colored duck-tape written in black sharpe. Next, Josh (and Michael and Ginny Mitchell, our trip leader mentors) would weigh each bag on the hand-held scales to ensure no bag was over 50 lbs. If the weight was too low more items were creatively shoved into all remaining crevices. Final step was to record what each bag contained. This would be helpful in case a specific bag went missing. If that were to happen we would know exactly what items were lost.  Charelle electronically documented the bag description and its contents. After a few hours, we had miraculously packed and labeled everything. What a team effort! Our dear friend, Dr. Harvey Castro popped over and was able to review our "medicine bag" and give us a few pointers on what meds were missing and what we needed more of.

We are not done!! We left some room for the sizable donations that were promised by several folks. A sweet group of Frisco women have an extraordinary amount of  supplies for us and will deliver them tomorrow, Wednesday. New fleece blankets have been lovingly made by citizens of Flower Mound with special bible verses sown into them for the new children who have arrived at Naomi's Village since last June. They will be delivered to us on Wednesday, as well. More items requested by NV are being supplied by several Lantana families and we expect them sometime today.

Your overwhelming generosity has flooded our home in an effort to meet the felt needs of the orphans at Naomi's Village! Our team is so grateful for your support. Thank you!! You have encouraged our hearts and built up our faith by being so open-handed with your gifts. As we travel across the ocean and continents, please know we will gladly and joyfully bear the load of each duffle bag and suit case in your honor. We consider it a labor of love!