I just arrived home after dropping off four friends at the airport. They are traveling to Nairobi Kenya for the next 12 days.

Tim (our lead pastor), Carrie (housemate #1), Ryan (housemate #2), and Ric (videographer friend).

This is a scouting trip primarily to find out what the needs are with our partner church in Kenya. This smaller team will be going to speak on our behalf and help to form a relationship with the Kenyan people we are working with. So far, we as a church have sponsored over 130 kids to help them eat, learn, and be sheltered. We have also paid for a well to be installed to bring clean drinking water to thousands in the area. Our little church in the west side of Cincinnati OH raised money last year to increase the teacher’s salaries and meet some practical needs by paying for toilets to be installed for students and staff to share.

I’m slightly jealous that I don’t get to go on this trip, but there will be other chances in the future. Our God is a God of Justice and I believe once we understand that, we will no longer be okay with the things that aren’t okay. Hopefully, our scouting team will bring back stories and information that will help us to lean a little closer to God’s heart for these beautiful people.

Another thing that’s been pressing on me lately is just how relentless God is. He wants us and He will stop at nothing to reach us. So often our arms are jammed so tightly into our sides that we won’t let Him embrace us, but He doesn’t quit. He doesn’t give up on us. Ever.

That was evident with Heather’s story as she shared it with our body last weekend. Click the image to hear it if you’re interested: