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.

Keeping you up to date...

State of the Nation

With our time getting shorter here before returning to the US, we’ve not been able to spend as much time updating everyone with the specifics of the ministry. We apologize for keeping you in the dark as so much is changing here. Let me take this time to give you a “fly-over” with the various projects and ministries taking place during this important stage in Only Servants Ministries life. (We encourage you to write us questions and interact with us on these areas. You’re part of us and we enjoy your inquiries)

Livingstone Guest House

We’ve recently enjoyed a couple from NC that spent several days with us here. They were such a blessing as they simply wanted to come and volunteer with us as we worked with the Saint Boys, Chicken Projects, and other ministries. Their son Miles has stayed with us for a couple more weeks and will be helping us to create another video update for everyone to see the changes on-going here. (It should be available when we return stateside)

Thomas, Zippy, and Noah are all doing well. They continue to solidify themselves as our family here. Watching Noah take on the duties of manager for Ebenezer Farms has been so encouraging. Thomas and Zippy are in a new place that gives them more room and they are closer to us. Livingstone House is a great place for us all. (And our friends, the Austins, are doing well as they draw a tiny bit closer to the end of their adoption process here.)

**We are unable to show baby girls face since she is not legally adopted yet

Saint Boys

We started our new program with the Saint Boys (Street Boys of Kawangware) at the Hope Center in Kawangware Slum. Deo Nangoli, our national leader in Kawangware, along with John Karuna interact, teach, play games, take meals, lead devotions, and build relationships each day with 10 young men. They are doing an exceptional job. The boys recognize the genuineness of their actions and are receiving them well.

Right now we are constructing their own multi-purpose room there on the Hope Center Campus. This room will serve as a classroom, game room, conference area, office, storage facility, and other needs for the project. This will give the boys their own facility to grow comfortable with. We have raised the funds to build 80% of it, however we still are looking for another $600 to out-fit it with desks, chairs, shelves, games, and other needs for it to be fully functional.

Miles and Daniel

Dennis and Calvin having Chai and Mandazi's during their morning break.

All the boy and John

Ebenezer Farms

Who would have ever imagined we’d be involved in raising chickens? This whole project continues to point to a promising future for our national partners. The chickens are growing at a rapid pace here in our control. They are approaching 4 weeks and in another 2.5 weeks, should be ready for market. In fact, a new batch of 120 chicks are arriving today into our early development wing (it’s a fancy way of saying we’re putting them into the right side of the tin chicken house).

Thomas working at the chicken house. He usually sings to them and gives them frequent "pep talks" about getting fat and "making us money".

They are getting so BIG!

Noah Chagwi has agreed to serve as manager for Ebenezer Farms. He will oversee this chicken house and the development of the projects at our national’s sites. There is no one better than him. He is so careful and experienced with raising poultry and our partners have found confidence in his direction.

This past week, Noah spent time with Pastor Vitalis in Kasarani developing his chicken house. He is the first partner to have an Ebenezer Farm plant project. With the aid of investors (which we seek for all future plants for our partners) Vitalis has the funds to construct a proper chicken house, purchase the needed resources, order 2 rounds of chicks and all the feed, meds, and other sundry items needed for the first 2 months of his project. Noah created a handbook for every partner and we have had them come here to the house for a short tutorial on basic poultry care. Noah has been great. They ask great questions and he gives easy-to-understand answers.

"What do I do with this chisel!?"

Vitalis and Joyce outside their new money-making chicken house!

Deo Nangoli will be the next partner to receive a project for the Kawangware area. He will soon be able to do so much more for his family and his church there through the income generated by Ebenezer Farms. Along the way Noah will visit each site, inspect it, offer recommendations, report on their status and the chickens health, and keep them pointed in the right direction.

Noah is a gifted associate.

We will give more updates soon. I will also spend more time speaking specifically on the recently-conducted “Mobile Body” church training we conducted in Kibera for our partner’s church members. It was an encouraging time to say the least!

Now,… ASK QUESTOINS! GET INVOLVED! Or else I’ll just start blogging about Star Wars all the time. (which I can certainly do)