Kenya's Hope Night at Roots Coffeeshop

Our Night at Roots Coffeeshop, Highland Village: Kenya's HOPE 

It was a warm but breezy July evening - 95 degrees to be exact! The staff of Roots Coffeeshop, Highland Village assisted Marri and Ryan Stokes, Johnny, Ryan, Braden, Charelle and Josh Raybuck, and Jessica and Jeremy Purvis in rearranging furniture and setting up posters of Naomi's Village and photographs of the orphans all around the coffeeshop. A merchandise table was also arranged with unique items all in preparation for "Kenya's Hope", our team's fundraiser. The Director of Development for Naomi's Village in the United States, Rachel Lewis, graciously supplied our team with stylish beaded-headbands and beaded-bracelets, made of each child's name. She also provided beautiful original handpainted canvas artwork done by the children, along with heather-gray and muted blue super soft Naomi's Village t-shirts for our team to sell - all to benefit the needs of the children's home.

 

The crowd began showing up a wee-bit before 6PM, earlier than we expected. This was a foreshadow of what was to come: a glorious night of support shown by the community for both Naomi's Village and the Raybuck Team. Although we tried to entice supporters to come out and enter our raffle for the infamous BEATS by Dre headphones, ipod Nano and Roots gift cards, many people showed up to fellowship and enjoy a hot or cold coffee in hand, while "shopping" for t-shirts and other NV goodies. Giant, generous checks were written by many people who didn't even enter the raffle, though their odds for winning would have been incredibly high! In the end, Roxanne Brooks of Highland Village, won the highly sought after headphones and ipod, while 10 other lucky folks gained consolation prizes ranging from (donated) large cake plates adorn with bible verses to Roots Coffeeshop gift cards. Even our guest live musician, Jay Howard, won a cool consolation prize. Thanks for coming out, Jay!

 

After 6PM until 10:15PM the crowd swelled, from the front door entrance to the back door patio exit, keeping each of our team members busy with cash & credit card transactions for raffle ticket and merchandise sales. Several times during the course of the night we had to empty the donation baskets, filling the money bag to make room for new donations. The team of precious teachers who just returned from Naomi's Village and Cornerstone Prepatory Academy were amazing at sharing their excitement with us and their leftover Kenyan Shillings, the currency used in Kenya. Each member of our team had opporunities to meet new faces, make new alliances and hug dear, old, trustworthy friends and family members who came to support us.

 

"Tonight was amazing! It was so nice getting to share with the community what God is doing at Naomi's Village. What a great turnout! Super excited and ready to be there! From HV to NV....here we come!" - Jessica Purvis

 

"All in all, a SUPER blessed night. The Lord is so good. Thanks for your hard work...for 5 straight hours." - Josh Raybuck

 

A HUGE "THANK YOU" to Roots Coffeeshop staff, Justina and Ceilidh, and the  owners, Jay & Melanie McWhorter for all your sweet-spirited hardwork and generosity in opening your hearts and doors to Naomi's Village and Team Raybuck! Your seemingly endless energy and incredible computer and social media savy increased awareness & support for Naomi's Village. We are immensly grateful to God for you and your heart to serve alongside us! We hope to have you join us in Kenya one day in the future as team members.

 

And finally, to all of YOU who came out last night in spirit or in person to support us, THANK-YOU!

You did a phenominal job of helping us reach our $5,000.00 goal and raise much needed support for Naomi's Village & the children being rescued, educated and loved there! Without your genuine compassion and sacrificial financial gifts we would not be able to make this gospel mission of love happen!