We are finally settled into our home. John and I laugh because the two times we have been here, our living accommodations have been much larger than in the States. We are now living in a 5 bedroom home with a large screened porch and a walk-out basement. AnneMarie is glad to have her own room and to have her toys back! Last week was a whirlwind as John was at the hospital and I was home with AnneMarie who was sick (she is fine now). Now that we have unpacked, we are better able to see what the Lord has for us to do here, and it's exciting.
We have already been approached to help with existing ministries and also to start a few new ones. We plan on helping with several orphanages while the missionary in charge is on Home Ministry Assignment. Tenwek currently is involved with 6 orphanages that house over 300 children. We will pay monthly visits to the orphanages and will distribute funds to them. If you are interested in contributing to the orphanages, please e-mail me for more information.
Because of the violence in Kenya earlier this year, food prices have doubled and many in our area are beginning to go without food. Their crops will not come in until August/September, so they will be several months without food. Because of this, I have been asked to start a ministry for single women who do not have land or have a way to provide for their families. We are in the early stages (very early!) of developing a craft center where marginalized women can sell their goods to visitors. My role would be to organize, train, create ideas and see this ministry to fruition quickly so that these women can provide for their families during this and future hard times.
John's interest in esophageal cancer also has a spiritual aspect as well. Tenwek has a large chaplaincy program that trains ministers both for the hospital setting and as pastors in the community. They do not, as yet, have a chaplain specifically for cancer patients. Dr.
Russ White, his supervisor and head of esophageal cancer research, is highly interested in creating such a position, and John is hoping to help get this started.
AnneMarie is adjusting very well. She has 3 Kenyan friends about her age that she played with today. Many children are quite fascinated by her pale skin! When we walk, we are followed by children who just want to touch her. They have a hard time saying her name and end up calling her "Henry" or "Mary"! Thankfully, she is handling it well!
She seems to enjoy all of the attention.
Thank you for all of the e-mails and prayers. We have plenty of room for anyone who would like to come visit!
