Day 9: 2025 Kenya
Sharing a meal and our hearts
I think we all woke up feeling awe-struck and blessed by God’s creation yesterday. We had a great breakfast and devotion to start our day and began our seven-hour trip back to Nairobi. Although the journey back was long, it allowed us all to rest, bond and fellowship with each other, and enjoy seeing the Great Rift Valley. We reminisced on how the Lord worked in and through us, talking about our favorite moments during this trip, sharing our personal stories, and deepening our bonds as a team. We arrived back in Nairobi by mid-afternoon and had about an hour to unpack to get ready for dinner.
It was such a sweet time getting to enjoy an amazing homecooked Ethiopian meal from the Crowder’s friends, Tibarek, Nellie, Joseph, and others. The Crowders served in the mission field for many years, and we were hosted by friends they served with for an authentic Ethiopian meal. It was a blessing to see families reconnect and the Lord's faithfulness in their relationships. Our team was encouraged by the Lord working in and through his people in Kenya, Sudan, Ethiopia, and America. To hear their stories of faith, survival, and redemption was so beautiful. One especially tugged on our heartstrings. We got to pray over the family and came away with our hearts fuller than before, as well as our stomachs! 😊
It is bittersweet knowing tomorrow is our last full day in Kenya - the time has really flown by! It has been a blessing to see God work in and through all of us, as well as the people we have encountered here. God has been faithful and has stirred our hearts on this trip. I know we are coming away with deepened faith, love, and yearning for him!
HOw we saw god at work today:
In the joy and hospitality of Tibarek and her family to welcome us into their home, feed us physically, and encourage us spiritually as they shared their stories
God lifting up our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, helping them see their value and worth
People here filling us up in more ways than we could imagine, giving us a glimpse of what we’ll see in heaven
In Kenya and the way God uses this country as a ministry and sending place
Seeing the Lord’s faithfulness and how he has worked in and through our lives over the last week
prayer requests:
Travel mercies as we leave Nairobi and fly home
For us to take the work the Lord has laid on our hearts in Kenya and continue his mission back home
For ATL's continued growth and development as a ministry, leading to kingdom growth
For God to return the blessings upon all those who prayed for us