We leave for Kenya in 4 days. I just finished up with Governor's School, and Lauren and I are headed to the farm in a couple of hours to rest and spend time with David (after living in a dorm on campus for the past 3 weeks!). We'll be doing laundry and packing Saturday and will enjoy Sunday and Monday together as a family before Lauren and I leave Monday night.

We will be missing a valuable member of our team, Linda, who will not be able to go with this year as planned. She will be GREATLY missed.

In May, our team did a fundraiser to provide funds to purchase jackets and shoes for all of the children served by the Limuru Children's Center. We're bringing nearly 300 jackets with us as well as all of the supplies to measure the children's feet and order shoes when we get to Kenya. Fortunately, there is a shoe factory near where we are staying, and we'll be able to purchase shoes there at quite a savings. To those of you who contributed to this effort, thank you so much for making this possible. Removing their worn out shoes and replacing them with brand new shoes was one of the most moving experiences I had when we went in 2007.

To others who have sent contributions to be used as God leads us - thank you for that. I am blown away be the generosity and love that people have shown. While our team is much smaller, we are able to bring suitcases full of relief supplies - clothing, shoes, vitamins, etc... - and things like colored pencils and other supplies for schools that lack the basics. My Governor's School kids did an amazing job of decorating pillowcases for the boarders who live full-time at the orphanage. Those 40+ kids will certainly feel special and loved when they see what teenagers from the US made for them. We're also bringing supplies for "fun" and will plan more than one party day with the kids while we are there. Of course, we're bringing many letters and special items that people have sent for specific purposes. The kids at the LCC love their connection to the US.

Thanks again for all of you who have offered to pray for us while we are there. Your enthusiasm, interest, and support mean so much to us. Hopefully, my next post will be from Kenya!