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The team left Nairobi on the 28th at 1:00 am. 🥱 We’ve landed in Istanbul and after a 3.5 hour layover we’ll be off for 13 more hours. Very thankful for the wonderful weeks we were privileged to have in Kenya. Thanks to the Lord for His care and protection

Today, the team traveled back to Nairobi from Siaya. We boarded a small plane in Kisumu to begin our journey to "the big city". The whole day was spent at a Children’s home called Shiphrah Home. Martha along with her daughter Eva are 2 miraculously amazing women who have taken on the heavy responsibility of caring for about 100 children. They are blessed with a team of helpers to help lighten the load. For some of us, It was our first time visiting, others had gone on previous years. When we first arrived we were greeted by Eva, Martha's daughter, who took us to go and see Martha. Martha was laying in bed resting as she is healing from a knee replacement. You could see that Eva is really stepping up to help her mother as she's recovering. Martha was able to walk to the living room where we started our visit with some devotion time. Afterwards, some of the younger children were brought into the living room, you could see how much of a mother figure Martha is to the kids as she came alive with joy when they arrived. After a short visit with Martha , we went into a hall where we met up with children of all ages and served a nice lunch of KFC and beans. It was wonderful to see how all of the children waited patiently and then joyfully prayed for their food. It was definitely noticeable from the first moment that they are clearly being educated in God's word. After the meal we read the story of Esther and all of the children made a crown and also had a small book of the story to color. The children were so respectful of one another and you could see the older children helping the younger children with the craft and coloring. When the craft was finished we were blessed with some of children coming up to the front and reciting bible verses. You could tell that they were shy but definitely not afraid. Then we were even more blessed when they started singing a song about how God loves them. Their voices sounded like angels and hit you right in the heart with deep feelings. It was powerful, and you could feel that God definitely dwells at Martha's house. These children are being raised with God's grace. Before we left, we had the opportunity to see the new floor of the facility that is being built for the girl's dormitory. The boys still stay in an older section of the home but there is a plan for an expansion for the boys to have a new space as well. Visiting Martha's house definitely had mixed emotions. When our team came together afterwards to debrief we used words like overwhelmed, heartbroken, shell-shocked. But then we also used words like heart warmed, love, security, education and home. It's easy for us to look at the situation with "1st world eyes" and see all the issues. But in reality, these children are being saved from the streets and or abuse, getting three meals a day, Godly education and continual love. We could leave in peace knowing that all these 100 children are in Martha and Evas loving care, but even more peaceful knowing God has his loving arms wrapped around each child leading their lives toward salvation. ~Jenn

Today began with teaching hygiene at the Yogo school.  We expected 50 girls and 50 boys:  instead we were blessed with 94 boys and 93 girls!  They enjoyed the teaching and most received packages to take home.  (Because we did not expect so many, we came unprepared and were so sad to send some children home without a pack.  They will receive them in December.) We then made our way to 6 widow visits, which were a bit unconventional due to time constraints today.  We met outside with each lady and had a time of prayer, sharing scripture, and song.  We always ask each widow for prayer requests.  These usually consist of asking for prayer for health, that their children or grandchildren would do well in school, or that they could find meaningful employment.  When we arrived at Millicent's home, we realized she was not in a good place.  Her home that she shared with 4 children is very small, and in extreme disrepair.  She asked for prayer that she might find help to fix it, as well as to be able to come up with money for tuition for her children to go to school.  What joy filled her face when we were able to tell her both prayers were already answered!  Mary Anne had seen these issues at her preliminary visit, and had coordinated with VOH to be able to build her a new home, as well as pay the tuition for her children to go to school!  (Photos of her home and her family below.)  We also visited Margaret Were and blessed her children with a new soccer ball, which they immediately began to play with.  The sound of their laughter followed us down the trail to the van. Next we made our way to Cathy's drop off point, where we took a group photo before saying goodbye.  Cathy Is our field partner in this area and served as our interpreter for our days in Siaya and Yogo. She is an incredible asset to our team! Goodbyes are bittersweet:  we have grown to quickly love these dear, sweet, welcoming ladies! But, as Jane aptly put it in her devotion tonite, we leave them in the best hands.  We leave them with the One who sees all things, knows all things, and cares for His people more than we ever could.  He goes before them, stands behind them, walks beside them, and holds them in His hand.   Back to the hotel to pack for our flight to Nairobi early tomorrow. Hadi tukutane tena!  Until we meet again! ~Marilyn

Our day began bright and early with breakfast in the dining room, kicking off at 6:30. Then, we were off to church. Arriving a bit too early, we decided to squeeze in a visit first. Our time with Mary was lovely. The roads were so bumpy and rough from all the rain, which gave us that classic “fashionably late” arrival at church—truly embracing the African spirit! Pastor Charles delivered a brief yet impactful sermon about forgiveness, a message that we all could learn from. After church, we all crammed back into the van and set off for three more visits. Each encounter with the widows was a blessing to all our hearts. Our second visit ended up lasting longer than we had planned, all thanks to a torrential downpour. At times, the rain was so heavy that we could hardly hear one another speak! This year has brought us more rain than usual, but nothing could dampen our spirits. The joy was palpable—not only do the widows cherish our visits, but we feel just as uplifted in return. It's hard to say who left more blessed! After a drive to the equator, we finally wrapped up our long day with some fellowship with Monica. She shared her remarkable testimony, recounting a life filled with loss and trials. Monica is an amazing example of a woman who has been so mistreated and yet has such a forgiving spirit, with a love for God that radiates from her very being. It’s inspiring to know that we serve the same incredible God that our widowed women do, even when separated by half the world. What a blessing it is to be part of such a beautiful journey! ~Lydia

Praise the Lord; Amen.  Praise the Lord again; Amen.  This is the introduction greeting that we as a team have heard since we have been in Kenya. It is so uplifting and much more significant than the simple "Hello" we use back in Canada.   We started our day traveling to Yogo to host our Women's Day for both the Siaya and Yogo women.  We had the pleasure of having a local preacher-Pastor Eric bless us with a sermon. During his sermon, he spoke about having deep everlasting faith through difficult trials. He also blessed each woman with 4 theology workbooks,  and even mentioned that he would supply bibles in their native language if they did not own one.   You could see how special this was for them, as the cheers rang through the building. Afterwards we played games and then shared a special meal of samosa’s with all the women. It was a wonderful morning of fellowship and sisterhood.   When we left, we were able to do 2 visits with Joyce and Grace.  It amazes me with each visit how faithful and courageous these women are after having times of deep sorrow. Some are even still in the midst of deep sorrow but their amazing love for the Lord shines through.   It makes me think that we are actually learning more from them, than they are from us.  We had the privilege later in the evening to go to Maureen's home,  where she and Elizabeth cooked us a real Kenyan meal of beans, rice and cabbage.  It was delicious and so comforting, not only because of the great women who made it, but because we all shared it together while giving praise to our great Lord.  I know that our whole team has a great appreciation for this time that we get to spend in Kenya with the widows.  To say it's humbling is an understatement.  Kenya and these women seem to open your heart and move in!  I think I can speak for the whole team when I say we welcome them with open arms to live in our hearts forever!! And last but not least, Marilyn was blessed with a healthy grandbaby girl back at home. 🎀 ~Jen

The day has come, for us to say our goodbyes to our dear friends, Julia, Maggie, and Aggrey. Our Kenyan friends sang the beautiful song "kijito cha utakaso". We also sang “God be with you till we meet again". After our good byes, Tom our talented driver navigated the hustling and bustling roads to Siaya.  We stopped at the new high school being built. Bishop Silas gave us a tour of the high school that is still in the building phase. Their prayer is to encourage & educate young people to love the Lord, but to also be compassionate young men and ladies.  We met up with Cathy (our field partner in Siaya), who will join our team in widow visits. As the team was being blessed with the testimonies from our widows, Lydia and I shared Bible stories with the many kids that love to hear these stories, receive colouring pictures and a "sweety". ~Idelette

Hello all! I’d like to say we accomplished a lot today, none of it possible, without God’s gracious hand! We started the day off visiting two lovely ladies, Miriam and Sulemena.  Next we went to a school where they had gathered the kids ages 13-19. We taught them the importance of hygiene, puberty, and how to be Godly men and women. It rained “pigs and cows” while we were there, so Marilyn got the chance to practice her inside shouting voice! After that we made our way to Felisters home. This beautiful woman has marked her house with the text- “Faith without works is dead”. At around 3:30 we jumped in the van to visit dear Leah and Jones, who with much patience and grace taught us how to make chapatis and green grams. They have some very impressive skills! We ended the night singing How Great Thou  Art as a true Kenyan thunderstorm rolled over us.  ~Jane https://www.hungryforlife.org/team-blog/kenyan-lifestyle-101

Our day began with the adventure of mudding Regina’s new home. What an experience that was! We have so much respect for these resilient and resourceful women after attempting to mud the walls ourselves!  We were also invited to join them in collecting water from the river to make the mud for the house.  Again, so much respect for these hard working women! Praising the Lord for this opportunity to witness this and seeing their complete trust in the Lord for every small detail of their life. Next we were greeted by approximately 80 very excited children at Arise & Shine Preschool.  After serving all of them a snack we made crown crafts with the older children and colored with the younger ones. We finished off the days activities by visiting 5 widows and Brenda’s sons. Our hearts are full! ~Sue Guliker

Our day began early going to Beatrice's shamba. We were given the opportunity to prepare her garden for vegetables. It was hard and hot work, hoeing, spreading compost, and seeding. But many hands makes light work. From gardening we continued on to visit our widows. It is such a blessing to have fellowship with our Kenyan sisters. They share with us how God provides for them time and time again. While we visit with the widows many children follow us and come for a Bible story, coloring picture, and of course a "sweetie" Our day was concluded at spiritual group. This is where a group of widows come together weekly to support and encourage each other. It was such a blessing to share prayer, singing and scripture with these ladies.

https://www.hungryforlife.org/team-blog/fellowshipping-with-our-sisters

Matthew 18:20.  “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, I will be with them.”  What a powerful time these last few days have been!  We have seen God’s hand in so many things, from missing luggage showing up, to having luggage taxes refunded, to thunderstorms.  This morning began with a church service, followed by teaching the ladies about hygiene.  The girls and ladies were very engaged, and seemed to really enjoy their time.  They blessed us with 3 large sugar canes and a huge bunch of bananas.  We then made our way into the country to visit a couple of widows.  Their resilience is truly humbling:  they have suffered trials we cannot even fathom, with none of the comforts we enjoy at home, but yet, their faith in God is unwavering.  God is Good.  All the time, God is Good.  After the visits we attended a Spiritual group where the ladies meet and encourage one another with scripture and singing.  We ended by singing for them, and then singing “What a Friend we Have in Jesus” together, in both languages.  The host of this gathering was Jennifer, who has suffered with health trials of her own, but also has a son, Brian, who was crushed in a gold mining accident.  He was buried in 8 feet of dirt, and subsequently paralyzed from the waist down, but today he thanked the Lord that he is alive.  While we were ending our visit, Mary Anne and Idelette went into their home to talk to him about some care for the sores he is experiencing, and we were hit by a thunderstorm.  As a result, we ended up inside their home, once again singing, accompanied by Jane on guitar.  While there, we became aware of a great need for lighting in their house.  Then, as we sang, Brian asked to strum the guitar, and his whole face lit up.  He has been really struggling with feeling purposeless, so perhaps this is an answer to alleviate the long hours sitting.  Please be in prayer that he would experience healing for the pain he suffers, and that he will find purpose in life.

On Saturday morning, six eager but weary women from the  Voice of Hope team landed in Nairobi. After traveling from Vancouver, through Istanbul, they finally reached their destination! Lisa and Mary Anne, who were already in Kakamega, enjoyed surprising the team at the airport. 😳😲 We soon set off for our first visits with Alice and Jenifer, and their stories truly lifted our spirits. Despite feeling tired from the journey, we felt recharged by the strength and faith of these wonderful women sharing their experiences of God’s care. We are thankful for  God’s protecting care over each one. ~Mary Anne