A week of learning

Everyday we wake up to the sound of birds’ songs welcoming in a new day. It’s a reminder of Gods new mercies.

This past week has been full of learning and growing, sacred and ordinary moments living in the village. After the Bridgeway team left we had a couple of rest/adjustment days where we learned the rhythms of daily life. We stop to take chai breaks, wash our clothes in a bucket and hang them on a line to dry, see the cows go out to feed and return each evening just before sunset. We linger around tables at meal times and stop to shake hands to greet everyone we pass on the road because this is the Kenyan way. We’ve been so well cared for by our friends who cook delicious meals for us each day, do our laundry, and clean our rooms so we can be free for ministry It’s a gift, especially as a mom!

Some highlights from this last week include:

• Worshipping God through songs (in Swahili or Kalenjin or English) under the canopies of trees at Kimbilio (Refuge) hospice center. Our family interspersed with Living Room nurses/ caretakers and guests wheeled out in their beds or chairs (from children suffering with cerebral palsy to adults with cancer). Truly a sacred space.

• A visit from Tony, our ELI sponsor child -who is now at university. They arranged for him to spend the weekend with us. The kids played checkers and Code names and really enjoyed conversations- getting along so well. He joined us for church, dinners with friends, and a sports rally. We’re so proud of him for how he’s studied and applied himself and how he loves God. He’s studying to be a doctor in community health.

• Brook of faith school sports rally- an outreach to the community for teens home for holiday. Volleyball and soccer tournaments. Daniel helped “coach” the school team decked out in new Jessup jerseys, Joshua captured a lot on video for a documentary he’s working on. Titus was welcomed to the announcer microphone to sing karaoke with guitar, and Chloe made friendship bracelets with the youngers and played catch with hackey sacks. I sat on the sidelines with other Children’s home moms and we cheered like soccer moms!

• Children’s home devotions each night. The sound of their voices singing to God with all their might is something we treasure- they share verses they’ve memorized and even preach for each other. These kids are “world changers.” Each of us Glucks have also shared our testimonies and we have made many friends. The house parents are saints and we learn so much from them about servant leadership and loving with sacrifice.

• Home visits- these are our favorite! Walking on red dirt paths, through corn fields and across streams to be welcomed into a small mud hut. As you approach the home you say “hodi!” (We’re here, are you home?”) and the response is “Karibu sana (“welcome very much!”). To have a visitor is a blessing. We sit on the chairs/ couches covered in doilies and share songs, prayers, scripture, and encouragements. To “love your neighbor” and “offer hospitality without grumbling” is real here!

• A hike to the Capstone rocks with Children’s home kids- Great Conversations while exercising and climbing a tall rock that overlooked the whole valley. Again we lingered and sang and Chloe shared a message to her peers (on the Sermon on the mount and not worrying)

• Church services filled with multiple choirs and dancing, many introductions, and a messsage. This last Sunday we visited our hosts’ (the Moibens’) home church! Every person in the congregation is involved in at least one choir including the gogos (grandmas) or kiddos with special needs.

• Long dinners with old friends- having 25 years of history together we have seen so much transformation! With a longer stay this summer we are getting to catch up with many people!

We are humbled by your prayers and support! Everyday the Lord surprises us with adventures, sacred moments and profound learning through the examples of our friends here. For sure we will come home changed. To Him be all the glory and honor and praise!