What a night! We just got back (almost 11pm our time) from the school and I am convinced that every day of this trip has continued to get better and better.
Today was our last day at the school and even though it was a long day, it was truly a blessing to all of us. We were able to spend a full day at the school site, and did activities that ranged from coloring bookmarks (the cutest ones too — Thanks Rita!), to teaching the kids how to play board games.
The 4th graders who were decorating the bookmarks took such time, and care into their task at hand. Every single part of their art was covered with intricate, planned designs. Coming from someone with no artistic abilities, I was both humbled and amazed!
After the kids had finished with crafts it was time for games. These kids were incredibly intelligent and talented at Jenga, Scrabble, and Checkers. Watching their every move, they were competitive, strategic, and funny too!
Before we left the school site the children wanted to put on a final performance for us. There was not one dry eye in the audience as the girls and boys sang and danced their hearts out. I am not sure what the names of the dances were, but they were choreographed to match tribal dances from the region — and seeing their smiles, and how proud of their dances they were, provoked feelings of joy, and peace unlike any I had ever experienced before.
Seeing our children thriving is such an emotional experience. When I look back on the last 5 years, I can see how incredible the God we serve is. He takes care of his children, he protects them in ways I could never understand, and he is a provider. The little boys and girls who came into our care started off as malnourished, underweight, lacking in motor skills and were fearful of adults.
Now, they are competing in sporting events, have started a variety of clubs on their campus to pursue extra curricular activities, and competed their way to nationals in their performing arts teams.
I thank God daily that we have all had the chance of a lifetime to spend moments with these children. Frida, Blessings, Boniface, Anthony, and hundreds of other children are growing and thriving because of the work of Imani, and I am so grateful.
Thank you to each and every single person who has been praying for Imani. Your prayers do not go unnoticed, and they do make a difference. The work that God is doing through Imani has just begun and I cannot wait to see what happens in the next 10 years as we gain the resources to provide for more children, and the children we currently have become wonderful adults.
Check back in for more updates as we become tourists of Kenya for a day, and then serve at Seeds of Hope organization tomorrow for one last stop before we head back to the United States. Thank you again!
