For the last few days I have been preparing for our weekend retreat with 50 people who are Worldcomp’s Network Partners from all over Kenya. They are doctor’s nurses, heads of NGO’s, pastors and many professional people who have joined the “Worldcomp Family”. Here in Kenya, Worldcomp is a “Membership Organization”. Becoming a member means that you believe in what we are doing and that you will work with us in our efforts to serve the poor and needy. Actually the number of people who are members is now about 150. It really blesses me to work alongside of people who have a heart to bless others. I was thinking the other day of God’s blessing on Abraham in Genesis 12, as he called him to serve him. The Lord told him, “If you go with me, ‘You will be a blessing” and “All the people’s on earth will be blessed through you”. There is no doubt in my mind that God chose Abraham because he truly wanted to be a blessing to others. There is also no doubt in my mind that Abraham cheerfully obeyed the Lord because blessing others was what he was all about. I believe that every one of us should meditate on this, because there is nothing more fulfilling than blessing those around you. While I am on this subject Valerie and I want to thank all of you who have been such a blessing to us and to the children of Kenya. Thank you so much.

Valerie and I have been busy shopping for the kids at the Worldcomp Orphanage. The kids just arrived a few days ago and they arrived with nothing. Not one of them had a pair of underwear, pajamas, a toothbrush, a pair of socks or a nice outfit to wear anywhere. That is not to say that they were not happy. Believe me, you can spend the whole day with these kids and never stop smiling. Several days ago we brought them 24 chairs, because they had no place to sit. Yesterday Valerie and several of her friends shopped all day for clothes at the Toi Market (the closest thing to Value Village in town — as a matter of fact I think most of the stuff comes from Value Village). We went out to the home for several hours and the girls had fun fitting each child with pajamas and new outfits. Val went back today with some girlfriends to finish shopping for the kids. Finding bargains for other people is one of Valerie’s absolute joys in life.

Mesheck, our administrator just came in from the Orphanage and told us of a wonderful thing that just happened there. An old woman who lives about 100 yards down the road came by and, out of curiosity, came into the orphanage. The kids came out and lovingly greeted her. She was overjoyed to see the kids and ended up spending the afternoon teaching them songs and praying with them. She told Mesheck that she and her husband live alone and she misses having children around. She told the cook that she had a field of vegetables close by and to help herself to fresh greens to feed the kids. She also said that her cow was about to have a calf and she wanted the kids to have milk so she would be bringing fresh milk regularly for the kids. For those of you who are terrified about “fresh milk” the milk is boiled and then used for tea. It is highly nutritious and very good for the kids. She also gave our cook (Eunice) a lovely place to live at their house for the ridiculously low price of $30 per month. A real answer to prayer. Mesheck took this as a real sign that God is blessing the orphanage in the neighborhood.

By the way! I was so blessed by the number of people who responded to my request for sponsors for the attendees for our upcoming retreat. We now have 2/3rds of the attendees paid for. Thank you so much.

More later. Bless you all

Richard