MAY 2023

One of the things we have noticed about living, working and doing ministry in Kenya, is that death is a lot closer than it ever was in the UK. A week rarely goes by where we do not hear news of a friend or colleague losing a family member or someone from their community. It is a stark reality that forces us to remember life is short and tomorrow is not promised. As James 4:14 says: "You do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes." Over the last couple of weeks, we have stood alongside a staff member at Cornerstone Preparatory Academy who lost her husband. A few days later, we learned from a friend that a teenage girl from her community had been repeatedly raped before being murdered. Death and mourning never seem to be too far away. But "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." (John 1:5) As the reformers declared Post Tenebras Lux! After darkness, light! In the midst of this brokenness there is an alternative story being written in the Great Rift Valley. In the midst of mourning, there is a story of hope. A story of redemption, a story of things being made new. William was just a child when he was made aware of the reality of death. He did not attend school and spent most of his time tending to and caring for his sick mother. He was just 9 years old when she died. With no one to care for him, William was brought home to Naomi's Village. When he arrived, he could not read or write, he had no self-confidence and very low self-esteem. He was extremely withdrawn. It was no surprise that he found school difficult and therefore hated it. Fast forward about 10 years and now William has graduated from High School and this month started University! Over the years he has grown in confidence, become a great communicator and is a joy to be around. If you have ever been to church at Naomi's Village you would have probably sung "Jehovah turns my life around. He makes a way where there is no way. Jehovah has the final say." Indeed, God has turned William's life around, He made a way when there was no way! Redemption. Hope. Light overcoming the darkness. Not just in William's life but now for generations to come. It is not just William; it is a joy to be able to say that 100% of the first High School graduating class from Cornerstone Preparatory Academy will go on to attend University. Outside of the classroom, six students have recently made it through to the final trials for the U16 Kenyan Basketball Federation team. If successful, they will represent Kenya in the U16 Africa Basketball Championship which is taking place in Rwanda. Children from some of the poorest backgrounds and orphans potentially representing their country. Redemption. Hope. Light overcoming the darkness.

In fact, at the start of this week Naomi's Village received news of a 1-month-old baby boy who had been abandoned along the road near a flower farm in Naivasha a week ago. The Children’s Officer asked if Naomi's Village could accept this baby and it was agreed to go and collect him yesterday! A few members of staff headed to Naivasha District Hospital to collect him and bring him home. He will be called Nelson (after Nelson Mandela. This name means “champion”) Faraja (“comfort, release, rest”). Nelson Faraja. An abandoned baby boy being welcomed home. Redemption. Hope. Light overcoming the darkness.

An alternative story is being written in this community and is it a privilege to be able to see it. Behold, He is making all things new!