Kenya – Already Having An Impact At Home

Our whole family is diving into this Kenya thing.  If the kids could go along on the trip, I think they would be game for the idea.  The kids are becoming aware of the financial aspect of this trip.  Isaac actually sat through the first meeting we attended where we learned that the trip would cost $6,000-$8,000.  Obviously, the money thing is a big aspect of whether or not we’ll be able to go.  When Leanne and I submitted our initial applications this past Sunday, we did so by taking a step of faith expecting that God would provide the resources necessary to take this trip.  Together, we’ve been brainstorming ways that we can save money for the trip and focus our attention on the people we will serve in Kenya.

Leanne had the brilliant idea of building and selling chicken coops.  Then she mentioned that I should sell my baseball cards.  The kids want to sell eggs and golf balls.  I’m not sure which if any of these ideas will take off, but it’s great to see the wheels spinning.  One thing we’re doing is eating a meal of rice and beans one night a week.  Not only is it a cheap meal, but it also gives us the opportunity to think about how others in the world eat every day.

I knew all our conversations were hitting home yesterday when I went to pay Isaac for cutting the grass.  This summer we agreed that it would be a good idea for the kids to start cutting the grass (under supervision of course).  This would give them a chance to help out, and it would give me a chance to work on other things outside while they were cutting the grass.  We agreed that they would get a small “paycheck” for completing this task and doing a good job.  Well, Isaac cut the grass on Tuesday, so naturally, I wanted to follow up on my end of the deal.  When I went to pay him last night, he simply said that he wouldn’t take the money – that we were saving for Kenya. 

Whoa!  Needless to say, I was blown away.  I don’t know yet how we’re going to come up with all the money required for the trip, but I’m already seeing that it was worth taking the leap of faith.