Day 3: Bomani
Jambo from Kenya! Thank you all for your continued prayers. There are no words to describe the gratitude the Kenyan students and families have for our continued prayers, love, and support!
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” Philippians 2:3-4 NIV
Today we left the hotel at 8:00 and headed to a government school as O’Neil, our Fox River Kenyan missionary has a relationship with the pastor there. He wanted us to see the government school as there are some large differences compared to what we can provide for our Fox River Kenyan students. He informed us in Kenya all government schools must integrate a religion into their curriculum. Most are Christian, Catholic based, or Muslim. This school was Christian however has about 1/3 Muslim population. During Christian instruction the Muslim students typically leave and go into another classroom, however when the school sings and worships outside they are all involved🙌🏼 We also have many Fox students at our schools that come from Muslim backgrounds that then receive the gospel and are saved. The government schools have 90 children to 1 teacher, very few desks, and the children leave for lunch and go home, some to homes without food. Our Fox River classrooms are 35 to 1 teacher, all have desks, and we are providing a nutritious breakfast and lunch that is deliciously prepared by our staff. We have been blessed to eat with the children and can assure all of you they are getting wonderful meals. The differences made our hearts heavy but we are also rejoicing in that we are currently able to provide over 900 students with a Fox River School placement here in Kenya. Once they are here they typically stay❤️ We met many 9th graders today that will be going to our high-school next year.
Once we got to Bomani to our school, we received an incredible welcome ceremony. Shared songs and had introductions to serving team and Fox River Staff. We are blown away by our teachers here. They all have the light of Jesus and truly love all of these students. They gave us a tour of the school and every classroom is meticulously maintained. All of the students welcomed us and sang to us. They love high-fives and hugs. They also love to hold our hands and ask us questions. One of our students taught them what a “taco” was as they asked her about her favorite food. The little ones are still learning English but as they advance they are proficient. One student told us that they are instructed to speak English Mon-Thurs and can speak Swahili on Fridays.
We then prepared gift bags for student families that contained flour, beans, oil, soap and other essential household items and shared a beautiful lunch with staff.
The relationships we are building here are priceless. When we get to stand as one team with our brothers and sisters here in Kenya we can see, feel, and hear God working and moving through our people and students.
We as leaders are blown away by our student mission team. They are being selfless and serving in ways that are truly stretching them. Thank you to all the families that trusted us to bring them here. We can see that their confidence and love for people is growing and God is on the move! They are truly living out our Fox River Mission.
Tomorrow we look forward to building a mud hut for a family in need. Please continue to pray for our missions team. If you are reading this start praying for God to show you if this is your next YES!
