Our lives are a lot like a book.
There’s a beginning and an end and in between, there’s so much of a story to be told. A story can involve romance, adventure, heartache, birth, death, sadness, or happiness. Sometimes a story can involve all of these and so much more.
Most books have chapters. Our lives have chapters. It’s where one part of the story ends but the other part begins.
Our story, Sean’s and mine, is turning the page to a new chapter; a chapter that we are excited to share with you all.
At the end of the summer, our time with Transformed International (www.transformedinternational.org) will be coming to an end. There are big and great things that will be happening with TI in the next year to come but that’s not our story to tell the rest of the world.
Some may ask, “Does that mean you’re moving back to Canada?”
Our answer is, “No. God is not done with us in Kenya.”
As the door began to close with TI, another one opened with a wonderful ministry that we have grown to love. This ministry, similar to TI’s passion, takes care of and loves on the children of Kitale, Kenya.
In the fall of this year, Sean and I will be joining In Step Foundation Children’s Home (www.rehemainstep.com) as house parents. Our dear friends, Jeff & Carla Picicci, are the co-founders of the organization and have run the home, just outside of Kitale, by themselves on the ground, for years now. They have put a lot of blood, sweat and tears into this place but more than those three put together, they have poured an incredible amount of acceptance and love into the lives of the 93 children in this beautiful home.
Ninety-three children???
Yes, you read it correctly; ninety-three children. Well, right now at least. There could be 95 by next week.
All of these children have incredible stories. In most cases, the beginnings of each of their books were usually filled with sadness and brokenness. Not anymore! Each and every one of these children is being cared for and loved.
And Sean and I get to be a part of it. How amazing is that? So amazing! I can’t be thanking God enough for what He has done these past few months; for what He has done in me, in Sean and in our walk with Him.
We hope you’re excited for us because we’re REALLY excited.
We encourage you to check out In Step’s website (www.rehemainstep.com) to get yourself acquainted with it. If you are at all interested in sponsoring one of 93 children that have yet to be sponsored, please look that up on the website. Most of the children need to be sponsored; so go ahead, pick one that melts your heart and tugs at the strings.
And for those of you who love to pray for us, here’s the list:
1. In Step is building a dorm as they need to expand their space. They need approximately $50,000 in two weeks time for the building material. With rainy season having started in Kenya, they need to get the materials on site before it becomes impossible for the massive delivery trucks. Please check the In-Step website on how to donate.
a. Friends, churches, family...any amount works - $10, $100, $1000.....it all counts.
2. Sean and I are going to need medical insurance and it’s quite expensive. If you’d like to donate toward that, please let me know by emailing us at: thestewartsinafrica@gmail.com and we’ll get you the information on where to send it to.
3. Transitions are always sensitive to all involved so pray that the transition runs smoothly and that all gets accomplished.
4. And always pray for the children of Transformed International (www.transformedinternational.org) and of In Step. They are the reason why we love it here so very much!
Thank you everyone for your encouragement, wisdom and prayers. It truly means a lot to us; you have no idea. Please continue to keep an eye on our blog: www.stewartsinafrica.blogspot.com for more information, updates and random life stories. We definitely haven’t reached the end of our book yet.
Much love,
Meredith
