APRIL 2023

Over the last month or so the political unrest seems to have calmed down with protests stopping. However, at the time of writing the opposition leader has called for further protests so we will see how that plays out. Against this political unrest it is a joy to be able to report some good news and let you know that there has been a lot of rain. On the drive down the mountain, from Kijabe to Mai Mahiu, there is a small river that, after being dry for about 2 years, is now flowing again! The sense of relief that the wet weather has brought is palatable. Sometimes there are days here where it feels like a snapshot of heaven on Earth. Often this can happen when children are welcomed home to Naomi's Village. There is a big homecoming party with singing and dancing which is a picture of heaven for us being welcomed home as the children of God. The same thing happened over the Easter weekend. For the first time Naomi's Village held an Easter Sunday service for all of the families and community members connected to the 5 programmes of the ministry. Over 1,600 people gathered on the field at Cornerstone Preparatory Academy to sing and worship our risen Saviour. A number of different nations and generations were represented as we all worshipped King Jesus together. The gospel was then shared, being preached in multiple languages, reminiscent of the day of Pentecost in Acts 2. Then after the service there was a huge lunch where everybody was fed. The whole community, those served by the ministry and trapped in generational poverty, widows and orphans all eating together, just like Acts 4 and 6. Then in the afternoon there was a huge celebration with games, bouncy castles and laughter filling the air as we all came together, delighting in the risen Saviour. It was such a beautiful day and a glimpse of heaven on Earth that will live long in the memory. This month we also had a number of church leaders come and visit the ministry and stay with us. First we had Ben and his family from our home church in Greenwich London, then we had Rev. Tim from All Saints Wellington, the church Rachel grew up in. It has been a privilege to have them stay with us and share what Naomi's Village is doing through the 5 different programs to empower and equip a generation to break the cycle of generational poverty. An added extra to having visitors come and stay with us is that they are able to bring treats from home which has been perfect timing with both Sean and Anna's birthdays this month. It is hard to believe that Anna is one already!