It doesn’t seem possible, but it has been 5 months since we returned to Kenya. Since our last update we have truly settled in, established routines, and figured out what day-today life will look like. There have been a few big changes for us recently. In July, Jessica started working at Rosslyn Academy, where she will work 3 days a week as the Alumni and External Relations Liaison. In August, Sophie started KG at Rosslyn. She absolutely loves going to school. The adjustment to going 5 days a week was a bit much for her to understand….she keeps coming up with propositions of adjusting the school schedule to allow for longer weekends, half-days, or holidays, that she wants to take to her principal, but we have encouraged her to embrace it and she will get used to it. 🙂 Sophie starting school has been a bit of an adjustment for Ethan, because for the first time he is staying home alone. He does well with it, but we hate the idea of him being home without other kids and with only a very small yard to play in, so we take him to the office with us and on project visitations, when it is possible. In late July, President Obama made a visit to Kenya. It was a very exciting time for the country, not only due to having a visit from a US President, but mainly because of his Kenyan roots. It was also exciting for us personally, because Rosslyn Academy was chosen as a landing site.
Overall, things are going vey well for us, and we are so thankful to live and serve in this amazing country.
Sophie’s 1st Day of KG Family Shot in Kanja, Kenya
With V-22 Osprey (3 of these landed) Marine One (2 of these landed)
People to People and Ministry:
The last couple of months have been extremely busy, with many miles driven, and we are so thankful for it!
In July, we were able to visit our People to People feeding program in Isiolo, Kenya. We delivered food for a feast with the community and provided all of the students with school supplies for the coming school-term. We spent an amazing day with the people in this community. During the visit we felt led to start a project that will provide more support for this feeding program, as well as others (Lokichoggio and Kakuma Refugee Camp). You can read more about our visit and the Northern Kenya Feeding Project here: Northern Kenya Newsletter
PtoP child with school supplies Sophie and Fartun, two lovely girls
During our weekend in Isiolo we were also able to visit Kianthatu Academy in Giithu, Kenya, to see if there was a way for us to partner with them. It is a wonderful school with an incredible mission. We are hopeful that we will be able to partner with them more in the future.
Students of Kianthatu Academy A student returns to school
In late July, Jamie and Joe (People to People Assistant) also made a trip up to Southwestern Kenya to distribute 150 mosquito nets in 3 different locations for People to People Ministries. This is the most prominent area in Kenya for malaria risk. If you would like to read a more in-depth recap of this trip, click the following link: Mosquito Net Distribution
Distributing nets in Southwest Kenya
We have also been able to visit several of our feeding programs, delivering food, getting updates on People to People children, and checking on Sustainable Development Programs (more below under “Projects”).
Sophie and Ethan helping deliver food PtoP Updates at Nakuru CMD
Students waiting for lunch. Delivering food in Isiolo
Several doors to lead and participate in Worship Ministry have opened up for us. In the last couple of months we have had the opportunity to lead worship at International Christian Fellowship a few times. Jessica has also continued serving through music ministry at Calvary Worship Center occasionally. Jamie also continues to have opportunities to speak.
Jessica on worship team at CWC
Eastern Pastor’s Conference in Mwingi District
Project Updates:
Construction on the Tilapia Fish Pond sustainability project at Hosanna Children’s Home is complete! Unfortunately, Beatrice Wambui, the director of Hosanna, was in a car accident and has been recovering. She and her family are all ok, but healing has taken some time. Now that she is better, the fish pond will soon be stocked with Tilapia fingerlings. This fish pond will provide support for Hosanna in a variety of ways. It will, first of all, provide a sustainable income source that will assist the orphanage in meeting the many costs of feeding and housing the 51 children. It will also provide an additional source of healthy protein that can supplement the feeding program. Thank you for your support of this project!
We have also started an additional Chicken Project at Calvary Community Prep. School. We assisted in purchasing 200 broilers, that will be raised for 6 weeks, and then sold in a local market. The income will allow for the purchase of 200 more broilers, as well as a financial supplement for the school feeding program!
If you are interested in supporting projects like these, and many others, please follow this link:
Opportunities to Support
Also, would you consider sharing this with others that may be interested in supporting these projects?
Recent Happenings:
(Because everybody loves pictures of the kids)
Growing fast Ethan and Daddy walking with village kids in Kanja
So it begins…. The little ladies love Ethan….at Nakuru CMD
Kindergarten Scientist… Visiting the waterfall at Karura Forrest….
At the end of a long, hot day of service in Isiolo. Ethan and his new buddy at the Karura waterfall.
So thankful that both of our kids enjoy hiking! Camping for a night on the way home from Nakuru.
Ethan overlooking Crater Lake (he was a trooper hiking and scrambling to the top!)
Prayer Requests
- That we would love God and others as He loves us, and that we will be faithful in all the areas that He is calling us.
- For continued direction, favor, and wisdom in our ministry.
- For our marriage to grow stronger every day.
- For Sophie and Ethan…that they will feel a meaningful connection to our ministry and that they both will grow to love and serve Jesus.
- For the Nation of Kenya, and the individuals, ministries, and churches we support.
- For our extended families as they adjust back to life without us and the kids.
- For good health, safety and protection.
THE DUNNINGS IN KENYA 