Kenya Friendships

Kenya friendships are one of the reasons we continue to travel back to Maua. One of our friends is John the Carpenter who is quite an outgoing and personable man. He works under a wooden shelter across the street from the hotel in Maua. John’s charm lies in his story of reformation. There was a time when he did not know Jesus. He was only concerned about selling his carvings and making money. Through the years, something happened, and God changed his heart. He began to take an interest in the orphans he saw on the street. He confessed that they had always been there, but he was too busy and self-centered to see them. John began to take in one or two orphans and teach them to carve. Shortly, there were lots of children hanging outside his door and they were hungry. He began to share his limited food even as he struggled to feed his family and keep his own children in school.

This story grows and grows, and today John the Carver has created a school that is housed in 4 stick shacks. He has convinced grandmothers to come and teach the kids and neighbors to give food. John is also teaching the children traditional Kenyan drumming and dancing as well as carving. He has given these children a purpose and a hope in life, all because his heart changed from stone to flesh.