First Day of JOY

Teachers and board members with our team!

It was smooth sailing from JFK to London, London to Nairobi. Thank the LORD! Easy peasy flowing through immigration, customs, and  baggage retrieval. No lost luggage was a miracle. Ten bags arrived safely - all our donations in tact. Thank the LORD! A quick scenic ride in the dark to Grace House proved to be a sweet traveling relief to these weary travelers. We woke up ready to greet Pastor Geoffrey & Jane,  the Lunga Lunga slums and see the children. However, it was impossible to actually prepare our hearts for the encounter we had with these sweet children! All we had to offer was a tender smile, a friendly embrace, and the presence of being. Conversely, they sang beautifully for us. They danced rhythmically for us. They befriended us. SO INTENSELY HUMBLING to meet them.

Josh: hand in hand

As Melanie served the morning porridge, we found our concept of joyful contentment challenged. We saw deep contentment in the Wells of Joy students as they energetically engaged and reached out for our hands, our hair, and our attention. Ultimately, they grabbed our hearts. Such an emotional experience is difficult to describe adequately using words. Since a picture is worth a thousand words....we will let them tell a small part of our story.

Matt was nearly overcome with emotions as children welcomed him. On the ride over he carefully and thoughtfully considered how he would interact with the little ones. Amazingly, he lived in the moment instead, drinking in all their  sweet Swahili chatter and enthusiasm. Language was no barrier to their hearts connecting. 

Look  a bit closer at  this photo. See how she holds Matt's hand and the cultural miles between them disappears while friendship is born!

Can you see the happiness on their faces? If you didn't know they were in the slums of Nairobi, Kenya would you be able to spy out their contentment? Impactful day of JOY!

Phillippians 4:11-12

"I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want."