Cornerstone grand opening:

On May 6, leaders, students, teachers, missionaries, local authorities, and NV stateside board members all got together to celebrate  the grand opening of Cornerstone Preparatory Academy.  What began as a dream to build a first world school in an impoverished community became a reality.  We currently have around 90 kids attending Cornerstone which plans to expand to 780 over the next few years.  It was a day to marvel at all God has done and is doing through the ministry of Cornerstone.

Cornerstone exists to educate, disciple and minister to the kids, parents and the community of Longonot.  The gospel is the central focus that drives all that we do.  Each Wednesday we gather for chapel to sing, pray and hear the word of God taught. Mark helps to lead chapel on Wednesdays at Cornerstone.

Rainy Season in Kenya creates lots of interesting experiences.

A few weeks ago we were in the middle of the rainy season and Steve and I were coming up Old KIjabe Road (the better of the two roads when roads are wet).  It had been raining the last couple of days and things were really slippery.  About half way up we came upon a pregnant lady on her way to deliver along with her in-laws.  They explained to us that their car was not going to make it up and they were in need of transport for the soon to be mother (Ann)  Ann and her mother in law got into our car and we began the slippery journey up the big hill.  It wasn’t long before we slid into a ditch.  For the next 90 minutes we attempted to get out of the ditch by going forward and backwards in 4WD high, and 4WD low.  We tried pushing the gas pedal as hard as we could and then doing the same in reverse.  I am sure to Ann this felt like she was on an amusement park ride that just would not end!  Finally a friend came and was able to pull us out of the ditch.  We were able to get her to the hospital in time for her to deliver her baby girl!

We are thankful that our transition as a family to living in Kenya has gone well as we approach our one year mark next month. The boys enjoy interacting with the Naomi’s Village kids and all the creatures that live around us.

This past rainy season brought out lots of new bugs.  Jaden enjoyed catching the large locusts that were in abundance all around!The boys were excited to find a Rhinoceros beetle next to our house.Josiah was pleased to find this chameleon in the bushes outside our house!

Upcoming trip back to the States:
We will be coming back to America in July and August.  I have listed some of the dates of where we will be so that we can see as many of you as possible.

July 14-July 23: We will be in Pennsylvania visiting Liz’s family.

July 24: Sunday Worship at Ebenezer Mennonite Church, Bluffton Ohio.

July 31: Sunday Worship at Western Springs Baptist Church (We will be presenting about our ministry during a luncheon following the 9:30am service)

August 6: Past & Present Youth group kids and parents!
Ministry presentation at Jeff and Carissa Means house.(10 S. 180 Madison St. Burr Ridge, IL)
If you were ever in youth group at WSBC you and your parents are welcome to join us at the Means house.  We will be enjoying some good food and time together and Liz and I will be talking about our time in Kenya. 5pm dinner followed by dessert and presentation.
Contact Carissa Means with any ?’s at 708-574-2285

August 7: Sunday Worship at Hinsdale Covenant Church (We will be presenting about our ministry during the sermon time at the 8:45am and 10am services)

August 14: Sunday Worship at Western Springs Baptist Church.

If these dates don’t work for you please e-mail us and it might be possible to set up another time for us to get together.

Items for prayer and praise:

Cornerstone Prep Academy: Pray that the students would learn and grow in their new school building. Pray that the teachers would demonstrate God’s love and grace as they teach.

Naomi’s Village: Two new babies recently have joined NV after having been abandoned.  Pray for their physical, emotional, and eventual spiritual health as they grow in their new home. 

Our family: Pray that our time in America would be restful and would bring glory to God as we share about our first year in Kenya.