Day 2- BACKPACK DAY!!

 This is one of the BEST days of the trip! Before coming and while all of us were raising support, we also participated in a Fitness Challenge through Project Lucas. The purpose of the challenge was to raise money specifically for backpacks. Our goal was to raise $15,000 to bring and give out 750 backpacks to vulnerable children all over the city of Ruiru. As we progressed toward our goal, it was such a blessing to see the faithfulness of God. We reached our goal with about two weeks left in the challenge. At that point, Scott upped the goal to $20,000 or 1,000 backpacks. We reached it on the last day of fundraising! Again, the faithfulness of God to not only meet the goal but then exceed it by $5,000 is just a testament to His character and His promises.

This has been the constant theme of the team as we have walked through the fundraising process. When we were wondering where the money was going to come from, God brought it. Sometimes He brought it in a weird way, sometimes He brought it at the last minute, but, either way, He brought it! This is why I constantly said, "If God is calling you to go on this trip, He will provide the way! He wants your yes!" Was it trying for most and testing for many? 100% Yes! Did we see God answer everyone's prayers? 1,000% Yes! As they say here in Kenya, "God is good! All the time! All the time! God is good!"

 

We woke up this morning and headed to the Center. When we were within sight, there were already kids from different schools there waiting on us. Due to COVID restrictions, instead of doing one large ceremony where we handed out these 1,000 backpacks, we had to do two ceremonies back-to-back. The ceremonies lasted about 45 minutes each with singing, presentations, acknowledgements, and the Gospel being presented with a response time. Seeing all the kids was so sweet! The joy and the fun we had with them was inexpressible. 

As the ceremony started, we had a DJ there to play music and get the kids moving. We got to dance along with them and do the motions to each one of them. Some were spiritual in nature (a song about Jeremiah 29:11) and some were just silly songs (the chicken dance- but not like the US version). We recognized some local officials that were there as well. 

 

 

 

 

The Gospel is simple. The Gospel speaks for itself. The Gospel relies on God to illuminate it in the heart of a person. We don't water the seeds and cultivate them, but we just plant. However, it's easy to know this and also feel ineffective as a speaker. As I got up to share the Gospel in both ceremonies, I was reminded of how hard I make it. Speaking with a translator is different and difficult. Speaking slowly with pauses is hard for me. It's not what I am used to or the context I am accustomed to. BUT, God is the one who is doing the work. It was a sweet moment to share the Gospel with 1,000 kids that morning in the midst of all the head games I was playing with myself. Hearing the kids pray at the end is something I will never forget! 

 

 

As we moved over to hand out the backpacks, the kids all lined up behind there school sign. As they walked up individually, we got to hand them a brand new backpack with school supplies in it. The pure joy on their faces and the excitement in their bodies was palpable. You could feel it in the depths of their soul and it touched the depths of ours. Each child's "Thank You" was tender and meaningful. Their words spoke of more than just thanks, they spoke of eternal gratitude and blessing. Their future was now impacted by the gift of a simple backpack. At least this is how we see it in the US. Here, though, it is so much more than a simple backpack. It represents hope, a future, education, and getting out of poverty. 

 After each ceremony, we fed every child and teacher present. For some, this would be their only meal of the day (or possibly even for a couple of days). As the kids all left and went with their schools back to their homes, we cleaned up and reflected on what just happened. Through the faithfulness of those in America who gave, 1,000 kids were impacted and their futures changed. Each donor can know and be assured that their gift had an eternal impact AND a temporal impact. Thank you for being obedient and answering the call! Much love from Magical Kenya!