Greetings from Masai Mara, Kenya to you and all the folks at Mosaic.

Tari and I are doing well, a little frazzled, but well. We are in the midst of a very busy few weeks with trying to meet our self-imposed deadline in opening a new area of ministry for our community. Utilizing our old tin house in which we lived for 15 years, we are now converting it into the Emunyani Learning Center which will offer after school reading and programs for students of all ages. Emunyani is Masai for “blessing”. We anticipate this Center to be a blessing for not only Primary and Secondary School students, but for adults, too as we implement literacy, ESL, and computer training programs for  their ongoing education. We are currently giving the building a new coat of paint inside and out. Lord willing, we will begin building all the bookshelves, tables, etc. next week as we quickly march toward our September opening.

This past Friday night, we hosted our second Weekend in the Word for our upper Primary School students. A few of our church mamas came early to peel potatoes and help cook a big pot of beef stew to feed the hungry kids. It was work, but I am not sure that they didn’t have more fun than the kids in the end. It was a great opportunity for fellowship for them and once again they proved what true service is, even doing all the dishes that fed nearly 50 people.

The children also buckled down and worked hard in studies as we look at David’s great prayer of repentance in Psalm 51. Complete with Bible, pen, and workbook, our students dove into a verse-by-verse study of that great chapter in Scripture. Two sessions on Friday night were highlighted by a break in the middle when all the boys went to use the “facilities” outside in the bushes, while the young girls climbed our extension ladder to our second floor (we don’t have the stairs in yet) and used the only functional guest bath in our house at this time. For many, it was a double adventure in being the first time for them to climb a ladder and also a first for many to actually use a toilet. For those few adventurous souls, we gave a lesson of introduction reinforcing the principle that toilets seats are supposed to be sat on and not stood on. Somehow, we all survived those experiences without injury and the lessons in Psalms continued.

This morning (Saturday) we finished the final two sessions and had a great time of singing , too. In the end, we feel that the Word was indeed planted in the hearts of many who came and we chalked it up as a great time of instruction and fellowship for our church kids. We look forward to tomorrow’s service where the emphasis will be Youth Day, and one of our young men who is currently in his second year of bible college will bring the message.

May God bless you all and thank you for your involvement in His ministry here in Masai Mara.

Shayne and Tari in front of the new church

Climbing the ladder the the second floor. No stairs yet!

The students studying for Bible class.