Lodwar, Kenya

June 10, 2016

We arrived in Lodwar late Wednesday afternoon, and we were greeted with such joy and celebration at the airport. I am so thankful to Dickson Maisa, John Lohoi, Bishop Kaaleng and Mama Esther in particular for bringing garlands and flowers to make us feel so welcome. Bishop Kaaleng even invited Harry (our amazing lorry driver who brought us to Lodwar back in 2000), and he was there to greet us.  We were given red carpet treatment, and it felt like a very happy family reunion.

As we drove through town to get to the Share International compound where we are staying, we were amazed to drive on new roads and to see so many new buildings that were not here before.  Like other parts of Kenya, this place is growing and changing with the times. 

When we were taken to our cottage where we get to stay the next few weeks, Taylor was the most excited and already declared that he did not want to leave in 3 weeks. While I have seen pictures of this place that Share International has built, those pictures did not do it justice. The conference center, the dorms and the cottages are absolutely beautiful! This needs to be written up in a Kenyan version of Air B &B!

Bishop Kaaleng's grandson Hakim 

one of the many cups of chai we are enjoying here 

We have loved the meals shared and the time getting to know John and William (the coordinator and assistant coordinator of Children of the Kingdom).  Yesterday morning, we enjoyed time with the Share staff for their staff devotions, and we will get to continue with that as a great way to start the day each day.  (Today, Taylor is sharing at the devotions, and we each are taking turns leading.) We were able to greet the Kenyan pastors who are here for training, and Anna got a chance to play her flute for them while we turned into a family quartet. Good thing Jason can carry a tune so we can follow along! We also started getting the conference area ready for the annual summer banquet for Children of the Kingdom that will take place on Saturday. 

Later yesterday afternoon, we got to visit two schools and greet some of the children who are sponsored through Children of the Kingdom there. Taylor and Anna even did some of the warm ups with the soccer team practicing after school at Lodwar Girls School.  We found out about a soccer tournament today at another school so we are going to cheer for our girls!

The sweet girl I am standing next to is Lillian

 (who is sponsored by the Hutchinsons)- what a gift to see her yesterday! 

We are thankful for this good start to our time in Lodwar so far.  We look forward to these next three weeks ahead of us here to continue to soak up time with these beautiful people and to learn and grow here.  We are praying that God will continue to open our eyes and ears so that we won’t miss one thing He has for us here.