Feeding Project B Completion – Sunday, October 11, 2009
Dear Praying Family & Friends, Thank you so much for praying with us for the successful completion of the second feeding project. Last week, one truck was stuck in the mud for the night, but the food was delivered the next AM. This was a complication but not an insurmountable one. Southern Baptists gave money to Baptist Global Response, who entrusted money to Bob for this project. Here are the specifics of this project:
We off-loaded, then loaded a total of 29,280 bales of maize meal, each over 50 lbs. each. We off-loaded, then loaded 29, 280 tubs of cooking fat (shortening like Crisco). This number represented the number of names of poor families we had written down earlier this year. Each family had from 3-10 children so in reality we fed over 180,000--twice (once in May-June and then again just completed project). These families live from Mt. Kilimanjaro (town called Loitokitok) to the Maasai Mara (town called Olokula). Look these places up on Google earth so see how large the distance as well as the terrain. We had 43 different trips in big trucks, called lorries here in Kenya, who hauled the food.
Our pastors and church members off-loaded, counted, and stacked the food inside the local church. The pastors then briefly shared the Gospel before distributing the food to each name on the list. There were no conditions put on those receiving food; however, we kindly asked each
person who did if he/she would be able to give one of the 12 packets inside the maize meal bale to someone not on the list. There were always many, many hungry people gathered just outside the church property, hoping for someone to be compassionate. Most gave the one packet and therefore we helped even more people with the food. One old woman, after receiving the food parcels exclaimed, "This is better than rain because we can eat tonight!" She went home smiling. Even those who have yet to place their trust in the Lord Jesus Christ also give thanks to Baptists for showing love to the entire neighborhood, not just the member of our Baptist churches.
Thank you all again for giving so these people do not starve. Thank you for giving so these people could hear the Good News of the Lord Jesus Christ. Thank you for your prayer support during this very difficult time.
The rains have indeed begun in some areas of Kenya, though we've only had sprinkles here at our house. The Rift Valley, for the most part, still remains dry. We are still expecting rains to come, though it's our prayer that they be gentle and lengthy, preferring that to the hard rains that bring flash flooding on drought-dry land.
We are grateful for YOU! Bob and Nancy
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Feeding Project B Update – September 28, 2009
Thank for you for notes of prayer and concern during these very dry, dusty, and hungry days for the Maasai and for the logistics of the Maasai Feeding Project B. The current feeding project, the second half-million dollar feeding this year financed by Baptist Global Response, is almost halfway completed. Just this weekend, Bob helped to deliver food for 65,000 people! During the May project, the government's "go slow" meant that only a limited number of bales could be delivered each week. Now that has now been lifted and Bob is now encouraging the maize dealer to deliver a maximum amount each week. If all goes as planned, he could conceivably complete the project on the 12th or 13th of October or earlier, if possible. Many Maasai are so very grateful to have some food to hold off starvation for a month.
Meteorologists here are predicting that the heavy El Ninyo rains that seem to be hitting other parts of the world are indeed on the way here to Kenya. If they are correct, the rains will allow much-needed grass to grow and the cows will then be able to eat, which will in turn give the Maasai milk and a means of support! However,
along with the rain also comes mud, which does not facilitate the delivery trucks arriving at bush churches for food distribution.
Please continue to pray with us not only for the rains to come, but that they will come in our delivery areas AFTER food has been distributed there. Please pray that the necessary logistics will completed so the project can be completed next week before the rains and subsequent mud start. Please pray that as the people on the list receive food, they will be willing to share one of their 12 packets with someone else who is not on the list and who is also very hungry. Please pray that as people receive food, whether or not they are Christians, they will hear and perceive that it is the love of Jesus in tangible form, given from generous hearts.
There is another short promo on the Feeding project available at: <http://www.youtube.com/watch? =QkmsBPbJuvM>.
Celebratin' Jesus, Bob and Nancy
