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.