My first day in Eburru was a very blessed day! We started off with the mobile health clinic. At the clinic, which visits a few villages every few weeks, they charge a small fee to cover the gas, but the medication is funded by David’s Hope. It was very powerful be there and see how David’s Hope’s funders are making a real difference in people’s lives. I was able to meet a woman who was so very grateful to DHI for the drugs that have literally changed her life. She has extreme arthritis and could not walk upright. But with the steroids and ibuprofen she previously received at the mobile clinic, she is now able to walk and work! Praise the Lord!!!

After the morning clinic, Camp Brethren Ministries had their official ribbon-cutting for the new school dining hall. All the students, their parents, and the people of Eburru were invited, which meant we had over 300 people in attendance. The big surprise for the day was that they gave DHI, and me as the DHI representative, the honor of opening the new dining hall — complete with a big shiny (and quite embarrassing) plaque on the side of the building. It was a total surprise, and I was able to bless and pray over the building. The event lasted a few hours and nobody wanted to leave. As part of the event I shared about how DHI was inspired 2.5 years ago in front of Morgan House with little David and Pastor Steve. I also got to tell all of them how thankful we were to partner with a first class organization like CBM. I told them that the amazing work of Steve and Mary and their passion and vision has so much to do with the Lord blessing their ministry and all of the students and parents.

I have been continually impressed during my time here with how effectively Pastor Steve & Mary are at spending the funds DHI sends over. Those of you who know me, know I’m the king of bargaining, but Steve and Mary are getting a real bang for their buck here. This is due to a number of factors, but especially because of the gifts and talents the Lord has blessed them with. Steve is particularly remarkable at getting bargains and going to the product source/manufacturer to cut-out the middleman and associated prices. Steve has served as the project manager for all the construction projects and in doing so 100% of the funds DHI sends over for construction go to real construction. As a result, instead spending upwards of 40-50% on middlemen fees (not uncommon in Kenya) we spend 100% on construction (Steve and Mary do not charge a fee for their services — they do for the Lord and not for money). This enables us to make sure that the buildings are constructed with the highest quality materials that will really stand the test of time. While here, I’ve seen two other (and more expensive) school construction projects, and the difference in quality is remarkable. We are very blessed to be working with good stewards of the Lord’s money, who also are far-sighted and have a vision for how things should look not just today, but into the distant future.

What a day! It is so clear that God is working — in the clinic to heal individuals and in the school to change the lives of a whole generation of children. With the dining hall open, the next step will be to add more classrooms and get the orphanage off to a strong start. I have such confidence in how well the funds for these projects will be used. If you feel led, I know your financial support will make a huge difference here. (you can make tax deductible donations online at www.davidshope.org/give )

In addition to financial support, I hope you will join me in continuing to pray for Pastor Steve and Mary and their work in Eburru. We keep an updated list of their prayer requests on the website at www.davidshope.org/category/prayer/ God is using them in mighty ways and I’m privileged to be here serving with them in Kenya this week.

Have a glorious day!

Scott