Christmas has come and gone. Many of us have resolved this New Year to lose weight gained during the holiday season. As you can imagine, this isn't the case for most of the world. Many of the students at our school feared the holiday break (a month long here in Kenya) because they depend on First Love's breakfast and lunch to get them through the week. It was a blessing to identify 40 of the neediest families and give them groceries to get them through the month. The mothers in these families are participating in a weekly Bible study and business training.
Many of these mothers are the unsung heroes in the Kibera slum as they are widows who care for not only their own children, but orphans that have landed on their doorstep. The smiles on their faces and their heartfelt gratitude were an amazing testimony of God's provision.
What's the saying…the weather is always better on the other side? Somehow after escaping the blizzards of Minnesota, the windswept plains of Kansas and the bitter walks to the Metro in D.C., we still miss it at times. Something about Christmas lights hung on palm trees doesn't work for us. To cure our withdrawal, we ventured to the only place in Kenya where you can see your breath – the top of Africa's second highest peak, Mt. Kenya!
We can't decide if the twisted ankle, blisters, tainted water and exhaustion was worth it…yes we can. It was great! Sadly it took over 10 porters to help haul seven climbers' food, tent and gear up the mountain. Our guide translated the group's daily devotions into Kikuyu for the porters. It was great to see the porters listen with intent to our friends who play professional soccer in Kenya as they shared their testimonies. We were blessed to make the trek with five amazing friends who encouraged us and made us laugh for the 32 mile hike. We camped at 13,000ft the night before the morning of our summit (we started climbing at 2:30 am!). Somehow that evening we managed to teach our porters and some European climbers how to play American football. Tyler may have missed out on this year's bowl games, but this pickup game in a 2½ mile high, natural "bowl" stadium was a good alternative. We are thankful for safety on the mountain and the chance to escape to a climate that is more familiar this time of year.
We spent Christmas Day with the Director of First Love and his family. We had delicious lentils, goat, and chapatti as our Christmas meal. Here we are with Chris (the director), his family, and the Dellamaters (the other First Love missionaries here in Kenya).
We were blessed to have our friends Alden and Emily Fahy in town for a week and a half. We had a great time seeing some sights, but then also getting involved in ministry during their time here. We did four home visits in one day in Kibera, which is a new First Love record!
Praises:
-A rejuvenating couple weeks in December, which have prepared us for the busy month ahead!
-Safe and successful climb
-Blessed time with friends Emily and Alden as they visited this past week
Prayer Requests:
-Guidance for Tyler as he works with an entrepreneur developing a line of conservation agriculture implements - Tyler
-Multiple business workshops to be held throughout January – Tyler
-Wisdom while surveying business owners involved with Partners Worldwide
-First Love International short-term missions team January 18-31
-We are moving 21 girls in to a new First Love girl's home in just 3 weeks! Preparation and logistics, and grace for the girls as they transition to a new home - Lydia
As this New Year begins, we are reminded of God's providence and incredible blessing in allowing us to be here this year. We are so thankful for you and the different ways God uses you to spur us on in the ministry here. Thank you for your emails, cards, and words of encouragement. You are a blessing to us and we thank God that we are never alone... one of our favorite quotes is: "Sometimes the hand of God looks like that of your neighbor's". How blessed we are to see God's hand active in and through each of you.
Much Love,
Tyler and Lydia
