Here's the last email from Kenya....breaks my heart!
Hello Friends,
Today is our last day in Kenya. We have mixed emotions about it. Neither Nathan or I are ready to come back home. We feel so close to the friends that we have made this week and will miss them very much.
What is most difficult is that although we have encouraged them and provided some special things for them this week, most of them are still getting up each day and wondering how they will provide food for themselves. There is so little to go around today that it is very difficult to save for tomorrow. What is so impressive is that even when there is so little to go around, they share with each-other and with us. Nathan has been very moved by the fact that we are still leaving them with very desperate situations. We are humbled by the fact that even though we focus on the widows, all of our Kenyan friends who are helping them every day also have nothing. They know that is is just the right thing to do.
There is hope. On Wednesday we took the team out to a restaurant to signify an event. We met together to formally discuss the ministry to the widowed women and orphaned children in Kiambiu. It was a very profitable time. We worked on strategy and set some short term and long term goals. We discussed topics such as the food program, micro loans, funding education. All good things that will help this ministry grow and be a blessing to one another. For my Starbucks partners and friends: as I prepared and facilitated the meeting, I realized that I was using tools and experiences that I had learned as a manager and classroom facilitator at Starbucks. We set some ground rules, a parking lot and SMART goals for the meeting. Thanks for those of you who have invested in me over the last several years. As we closed the meeting I encouraged them not to forget that day. We will look back and remember when it began because we will reflect and rejoice in the work that is yet to come.
I've been encouraging Nathan over the last couple of days not to forget these experiences but mostly the emotion that he is feeling. May it remain on our hearts to move us and encourage us to not be bystanders.
I also encourage you, if you have been moved by the pictures and stories we shared this week, to stand with us and allow those emotions to seep into your soul and make a decision to help shape the world around you.
When we get home, Nate and I have a long to do list for Kenya along with the normal things in life: work, school, mow the lawn... We have some goals and a strategy. Please stay tuned into what we are doing. There will be more needs. We will ask you to continue to serve with us in practical ways or to help fund some projects. Here are some things to consider: micro loans to start a small business, fund someones education, donate your clothes for them to wear & trade or sell, buy the bead necklaces were bringing back, plan on coming back to Kenya with me on a future trip.
A big "?" for me right now is when to formalize the 501c3 non-profit status for I Am Not A Bystander. Having that set up would allow us to do larger scale fund-raising events, apply for grants and a better way of funneling the resources for Africa. The biggest hurdle is the initial cost of $1,000. Please consider helping us raise that money.
So, today we say our goodbyes to Kenya but leave filled with hope and joy. Today we are also memorizing (I Corinthians 13), the love chapter. Perhaps you would like to memorize it with us.
"Love is patient,
" " kind.
It does not envy,
" " " boast,
it is not proud.
" " " rude,
" " " self-seeking,
" " " easily angered,
It keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil
but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects,
" trusts,
" hopes,
" perseveres.
Love never fails."