The latest ...

Our time here is passing fast, which is just the opposite of the way Kenyans look at the clock. One of the many parts of this experience we all appreciate is the absence of the "rush, rush" environment we're accustomed to in America. Many times, the work day grows long, the matutu breaks down and we don't wind up back at Samson's house for lunch until 4 p.m. And while there is hunger, thirst and fatigue to fight off, there are no worries -- or hakuna matata if you've ever studied Swahili or watched "The Lion King."

Our work on the church in Furaha is almost finished. Today's project was to finish cementing the floor. It's strenuous at times there, shoveling the sand, hauling water and mixing the cement with shovels, but we've hired a few locals to lead the project and they are tremendously skilled and dedicated workers.

In the meantime, there are two other projects underway -- both at the church in Tarasaa. (You're probably having a difficult time keeping track of all the names of the villages, tribes, foods and people. We are, too, and we've been here for 10 days!) Yesterday, a group began sawing and cutting wood to build benches at the church. A few feet away, some of the others began sewing Bible covers and showing some of the women in the village how to use the machines we brought. They are very excited about the co-op that has been created, and soon they will begin making school uniforms for the children who don't have them.

There is much left to do, but we're on schedule so far. This is a team of especially hard workers and people with special skills in several different areas -- a neat example of how we were all brought together to participate in this trip. Yesterday was roughly the midpoint of our time here in the village, and a lot of people shared struggles during our morning prayer time about running low on energy. Most of us found a heavenly boost, however, and there was clearly an increase in spirit as the day grew on.

There's a lot to think about and a lot to learn here, and the physical and emotional challenges can be overwhelming at times. But smiles come easy here. Just one bite of a mango or one strum of the guitar or one high-pitched "how ah yoo?" from one of the children, and you can quickly remember how great God is.

More coming soon ...

--Dave (for everyone else)