Prepping for Machakos (catching you up from Monday)

It's another beautiful day in Kenya! We've been fortunate with the weather so far, with warm sun and beautiful blue skies each day.

Today began with an early breakfast at our hotel, Gracia. After breakfast (which is really similar to home, as we enjoy fresh pineapple that's tastes more like heaven than fruit), we met up with our drivers, Anthony and Jorim, for the bumpy trek to Beacon of Hope. We made it to Beacon just in time for their devotional time, which they host daily for teachers and students. After a bit of worship time (some songs sung in Swahili, and a couple familiar tunes), and a short devotional by David, the lead instructor in the weaving program here at Beacon, we were off and running for a busy day of preparation for the medical camp we'll help with on Wednesday.

We've counted thousands of pills and filled hundreds of medicine bottles with medications that we hope will help the hundreds of people that will come to the medical camp on Wednesday – people who might otherwise not have access to such amenities as anti-inflammatories, anti-fungal medication, and cough syrup. We'll travel tomorrow (Tuesday) to Machakos, a rural mountain village about 70km from Nairobi, where Wednesday's camp will be held, to set up. In the past, these medical camps have yielded anywhere from 800-1200 patients. This will be Beacon's first attempt at a medical camp in Machakos (and incidentally, the first ever medical camp in Machakos), where they hope to eventually have a partnership with an existing clinic in the village. We hope to help re-establish the villagers' trust in the existing clinic, so they might see it as a resource for them in their own community.

The experience so far in Kenya has been beyond eye-opening. It's incredible to be on the opposite side of the world, fellowshipping and worshiping with believers in the same Lord – in English, Swahili, and other tribal languages. It's unlike any other experience... watching these faithful followers of Christ, as they live out their faith in many of the same ways we do – thanking him for his Goodness, Love, Provision, etc, even as they struggle to feed their families, and send their children to school. Their faith is unmovable, counting on the Lord for – literally – their every need. It's quite an example, and illustrates such a fantastic picture of the Body of Christ.

Thanks for your prayers. We are all well, and look forward to telling you all about the people here, and all that we've learned. Kwaheri (goodbye) for now.

Cammie