No pain, No gain- No problem!

Let me introduce you to my other brother. This is Rusty and his gorgeous wife, Sarah. Being my brother's best friend, we grew up together. He did all the things a brother would do for his sister. He picked on me yet protected me. He was the other child my mom always wanted. He spent A LOT of time at our house. We all loved it! Then he moved away and we were sad... but he met his precious bride and we are all so thankful for that.

In the spring while CT and I were home and staying with my brother, Rusty came from NY to visit. He asked about ministry and we joked but seriously told him "you should just come!" His response: "Okay!"

This couple took their vacation this year to come to Kenya. Not just come, but to participate, serve, work hard, play, cook, love on boys and be exhausted. They lugged a bunch of stuff over here that wasn't even for them. In fact they packed all their stuff in less than one suitcase!

They were naturals with the boys.

They even brought real soccer uniforms for them.

But wait a second... What happened to that guy's foot? The Sunday before the they were to leave for Kenya (on Thursday), Rusty broke his ankle playing soccer. Most would have probably chosen to hang close to home due to the timing and pain of it all. Not Rusty. Instead, he told the doc that he didn't have time for an MRI and didn't want to deal with a cast. So, they put a boot on him and told him to come back for his MRI after his return. He was determined to come. He started taking Motrin around the clock and the rest of the pain he just tolerated.

So with a very swollen and very purple leg and foot they came and boy did they serve!

THE BOYS LOVED THEIR NEW UNIFORMS!!!!

...not to mention all the hugs from Sarah

(Sarah reading and doing crafts with the kids at Berith school)

2 good ankles... AH- who needs em when you have serious skills on crutches

James all but crawled into Rusty's lap!

Rusty shared his testimony with the boys. I have never heard them ask so many questions and be so attentive. They asked questions about how he overcame difficult circumstances and how he dealt with seemingly unmanageable trials. They all felt a real connection with him through hearing his story and how the Lord brought him through those things, gaining strength along the way and allowing the Him to lead his every step.

As difficult as it was to break his ankle just a few days before leaving to share his gift of soccer with street boys, Rusty trusted that the Lord had something different in store for him. He trusted that there was much more to this trip than what he could have taught boys in soccer skills. He was looking so forward to using what he was good at to minister to the boys. But the Lord didn't necessarily want to use his obvious soccer abilities, but instead his obedience and his ability to relate and love on the least of these.