In the Beginning...

Where to begin?  The Kenyan Orphan Project began in 2009 when Pastor Martin Shikuku traveled from Eldoret, Kenya to Aitkin, Minnesota (in April...it can be pretty cold in Minnesota in April!)  Pastor Martin and Pastor Randy Stauter (our pastor at Glory Baptist Church) had been communicating via email for some time...thanks for the wonderful invention of the internet, the two pastors had discovered each other and that they both pastored a "Glory Baptist Church"...one in Kenya and one in Minnesota.

Pastor Martin had saved some money to buy a van for himself, which would save him 14 miles of walking to and from his church each day...but instead of buying the van, he heard God telling him to buy a plane ticket to Minnesota instead...never having personnaly met Pastor Randy or having any idea where Minnesota was!  That's faith, right?!

While in Aitkin, Pastor Martin spoke at our Missions Conference...his faith, passion and love for Jesus were evident from the very first minute you met him - he is one of those people who "ooze" Jesus...with such light and joy!  Listening to Pastor Martin talk about the school he created and the children he cared for and worked to hard to provide schooling for was a life changing experience... Our hearts were broken for what was breaking Jesus' heart!

What is amazing is that our Children and Orphan Outreach Ministry had been praying for a way to become involved with orphans somewhere in Africa and had explored what we could do in Kenya, but God had always gently shut those doors...we had no idea when we met Martin how quickly God would throw those doors open!

Over the past two years, our small church in central Minnesota has been able to financially and prayerfully support the Glorious Academy at Glory Baptist Church in Eldoret, Kenya - the school has expanded from 14 to 52 children.  We are able to help give them food each day, medications and some school supplies.  What a blessing that has (and continues) to be...how amazing how God provides to take care of their needs if we just ask him to use us!  (and by the way...if you ask God to use you, please be prepared to hang on for an exciting and amazing ride!)

These children need so much more...it is our goal and prayer to help raise funds and build an orphanage...a HOME for this children who do not have a home, no warm bed to sleep in at night, no blankets, no comfort, no safety!  We have been able to help Pastor Martin purchase land next to his church...we are so excited to see how God provides and to be able build a home for these children.  Will we be able to start building the orphanage this summer?  We're not sure...this is a faith journey for sure!  An experience where God is stretching each of our team members...helping us grow in faith...showing us how to trust Him more...to rely on Him!

We are traveling to Kenya the first part of August 2011...we appreciate your PRAYERS more than words can say!  We hope you find this blog interesting and a fun way to keep in touch with us as we continue our journey...