Ntulele

Time continues to fly by! We have only 4 1/2 weeks left before our time serving God in foreign countries this year is complete. God has laid something on my heart to write about before we leave Kenya, but I am going to save it for my last blog in two weeks. Kelsey will wrap up the final blog on Monday, December 10th! I hope that everyone has enjoyed reading these and seeing our photos - because to be honest, we both typically dread writing them! Nonetheless, we want everyone to be informed on what is going on where we are at. We are so grateful for the continued support and prayers back home. Today, I want to update you on all that we have been doing in Ntulele (not nutella) - a small town a couple of hours from Nairobi.

The Massai people love for foreigners to wear their traditional wardrobe.

Beautiful skies over the Kenyan plains.

Kelsey getting in on the action too.

Unlike the first three countries we had been in, here in Kenya we are spending time in two different areas of the country. For the first few weeks we were in a town a short drive from Nairobi called Tigoni. There we spent most of our time serving at the Limuru Children's Centre. When Keith and Tanya Tackett arrived with Kelsey's mom, Kendra, and our friend, Rick Walker, we came to Maasai land near Narok, Kenya to serve the Maasai people for four weeks. On Sunday after church we will go back to Tigoni to spend our remaining 4 weeks in Kenya.

Our friends from the states were with us here for about 9 days. We spent a week working with Enkai's Children (Kelsey mentioned in the last blog), and then we went on a 2 day safari before they left for Tennessee (I hope you got a chance to see some of Kelsey's photos from the safari. If you ever have the opportunity to do this do not pass it up!)..The last two weeks, Kelsey and I have remained by ourselves here in Ntulele. We have gotten to work with so many amazing people that have the biggest hearts for the gospel. I want to thank Keith and Tanya for allowing us to stay at their mission house and introducing us to some great people. It has truly been a blessing!

Pastor John Rampei and his family are our neighbors in Ntulele. They have been a huge help to the ministry here.

Jackie (Pastor Rampei's wife) dressing Kelsey like a Maasai lady before church last Sunday.

Kelsey holding the youngest of John and Jackie's children. She isn't too big on any foreigner holding her. I am including this photo for you, Tanya.

Hanging out with Shepherd and Chris in the evenings has become a regular routine.

When Kelsey's mom was still here.

Learning to throw a real football.

Representing his country!

Bonfire!

Here in Ntulele, we have spent a majority of our time serving at the Compassion project, KE465, and Calvary Christian Academy. Schools in Kenya are currently on a long two month holiday, so we have been able to to spend a significant amount of time with the boarding students (most all high school students here are boarders) who are home for the break. To keep the students busy while they are out of school, the different Compassion projects host multiple events each week where the kids are able to compete against the other projects in soccer, volleyball, dance, scrabble, and ping pong among others. This past week, KE465 had matches at home and away against other projects. The boys soccer games are the main events of the day. I have been able to spend a lot of time with the team at our project. Here are some photos from the two matches.

Our goalkeeper, Duncan.

Koikai is a great mid-fielder.

Kelsey and the girls ready to take in some of the action.

Game time.

Everyone rallies around the team for halftime adjustments.

So there is a tree in the middle of our home field. I watched the first half from it (not sure if I'm checking out my bicep here or..)

Not to be outdone, Kelsey has been the referee of the volleyball matches. I think she has everyone's attention.

When we have these events, one of the cool things is, I am given the opportunity to share the word of God with many students from other parts of Kenya that I may never see again. I get to spend time with the kids at KE465 each week, but I only see the others one time. Kenya is a very "Christianized" country, so most of these students have heard the gospel. However, just like in the states, or anywhere else, discipleship is extremely important. When I am given the opportunity to speak, I try to focus in on what it means to be born again, having a personal relationship with Jesus, what it means to be a disciple, and obedience in following Christ. I am able to use a lot of the same new testament stories - Nicodemus, Zaccheus etc. - that I used in the Philippines to illustrate these topics. I also highlight the change in the apostles after the resurrection and the book of Acts as I have done so frequently with this blog.

But he said, "Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!" Luke 11:28

By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. John 15:8-10

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20

Here are some photos speaking with the kids before their competitions:

In addition to teaching at the matches, on Saturday mornings we are also able to do some early discipleship with some new born again believers at the school. We have made so many new friends! Kelsey discussed obedience with the kids this past weekend.

Jesus answered him, "If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words. And the word that you hear is not mine but the Father's who sent me. John 14:23‭-‬24

Friends at Calvary Christian Academy.

Porridge time!

Another place here where we really have an opportunity to bond with the kids is when we are walking from place to place. Some of the kids are used to walking an hour and a half to get to school. From where Kelsey and I stay it is about a 45 minute walk each way. On the way we pass kids probably 5, 6, 7 years old herding cows, sheep and goats. I won't elaborate anymore on comparing those kids to some kids at home. You know the direction I could go..

Anyway, it is an awesome time just enjoying the company of the students and pouring into them too. The other day I taught some of the young boys walking with us the Florida State/Atlanta Braves Tomahawk chop. They thought it was hilarious and wanted to do it the whole walk. I don't know why that came into my head. Your mind is free (maybe mine was just empty) when you spend that kind of time walking. It is refreshing to say the least!

Storm coming in.

Walking is a good thing!

The Maasai people have some of the biggest and most loving hearts. They also love celebrations. They are very proud of their heritage. The parties here happen to be centered around God. They include lots of dancing, singing and preaching. This past Friday, Kelsey and I were able to go speak to the youth (that includes up to like 30 years old here) in a location about an hour away where a party was happening at the church. Here are Some photos from that event:

We have also gotten to experience plenty of traditional dance and worship at the Compassion project too!

One of the main things we did a few weeks ago when the team from the states with Enkai's Children was here was paint Calvary Christian Academy. The school is painted purple, black, and white - their school colors. Here are some before and after photos:

After the team went back to the states we finished (Kelsey finished) painting the side of the building with the name of the school.

One final thing to mention that was really cool is that Geoffrey, the director of the project, saw it fit to present Kelsey and I with our own tree to plant on the property. We each had to pick one student to care for our tree. I picked Koikai!

Our good friend, Geoffrey.

The kids each had a tree for us to choose from.

Amazing things are happening in Kenya in the name of Jesus. We praise Him for the people we have met and the opportunities He has provided to share His word.

If you are interested in learning more about or donating to Enkai's Children or sponsoring a Compassion child in Kenya, the links are embedded below.

Enkai's Children

Compassion Kenya

Thank you as always for following our blog. I have added a few more photos of the younger kids before school let out a few weeks ago below!

Clark