Icing on the Cake

Saroja, Ratnakar, and I hopped on a plane from Lodwar to Nairobi today. Bishop Kaaleng was so gracious to come to the airport to say one last goodbye. :) 

The icing on the cake of our amazing week was that we got to have a wonderful visit with Joshua Matuku who drove up from Kitui to meet with us and we also got to have time with Mercy (Joshua Lemuya's daughter) and Victor (Veronica's son) 

the most fun dinner tonight!!! 

Mercy talking to Janie on the phone

pictures of Mercy, Anna, and Taylor 10 years ago: 

Crowded Table

 

This photo was taken on our last night in Lodwar, gathered outside Veronica's home. We pulled the table out into the yard and made room for everyone to come together. Veronica invited several of the alumni, along with the staff, to share one last meal together. My friend Joshua Ewoi gave me a lesson in making chapatis, while Ratnakar and Saroja prepared a delicious Indian meal for everyone.  It was a memorable feast—not only because it brought us all around one table, but also because many of our Kenyan friends don't typically cook with so many spices. Ratnakar's curry was delicious, though it definitely introduced a few of them to a whole new level of heat!

As I raised a toast, I found myself celebrating something far deeper than the meal itself. For the past 32 years, this place has become a second home because of the love, the relationships, and the gift of "with-ing"—of coming alongside one another and sharing our lives. It was a beautiful moment to name the deep connection that has been woven through these years together. I left the table filled with gratitude for a place that has taught me, again and again, that we belong to one another. 

Crowded Table 

You can hold my hand when you need to let go
I can be your mountain when you're feeling valley-low
I can be your streetlight showing you the way home
You can hold my hand when you need to let go

I want a house with a crowded table
And a place by the fire for everyone
Let's take on the world while we're young and able
And bring us back together when the day is done

If we want a garden, we're gonna have to sow the seed
Plant a little happiness, let the roots run deep
If it's love that we give then it's love that we reap
If we want a garden, we're gonna have to sow the seed

Yeah, I want a house with a crowded table
And a place by the fire for everyone
Let us take on the world while we're young and able
And bring us back together when the day is done

The door is always open
Your picture's on my wall

Everyone's a little broken
And everyone belongs
Yeah, everyone belongs

I want a house with a crowded table
And a place by the fire for everyone
Let us take on the world while we're young and able
And bring us back together when the day is done
And bring us back together when the day is done

Songwriters: Lori Mckenna, Natalie Nicole Hemby, Brandi Marie Carlile. 

Turkana Beauty

 

visiting one of our students on the way back to town 

team photo with all the ladies wearing Saroja's dresses 

making chapatis with Joshua Ewoi 

one last run with Philemon (and Brighton and Dell posing for the photo) 

visit last night to see Joshua and Agnes and the many children under their care 

Celebration Time

so much to celebrate today!! 

Philemon and Kelly 

You are a beloved child of the king! 

with Jecinta and Saroja 

Patrick 

Hakim! (Bishop Kaaleng's grandson) 

a few of the Children of the Kingdom alumni at the banquet 

Our very own Bollywood star: Saroja's dance at the banquet

with Sabina 

not sure if it gets better than this...

with Delilah Kaaleng and David Loreng 

with Dorcas Kaaleng and David Loreng 

alumni gathering after banquet 

with Abigael and Purity Eregae 

crowning Peter Akudinyang

crowning Mary Amana 

Silale's sons 

with Silale's family