Kenya update with Doug

Hello friends of Lango Baya Mission, Kenya,

All is well, and very busy. Just completed a three day village "Survey" with two
experienced small enterprise development specialists from Nairobi. We met with many
women and a few men who are now running some type of small business enterprise in
their village. We assess the economic status in the villages and the level of
knowledge and expertise of the business owners. Then try to identify ways to help
them be more successful and help others start small businesses that are appropriate
to the available resources. All this will take several months to several years to
bear fruit, as we start with simple training and move on to help them expand their
businesses if they are successful. We have identified several issues and
opportunities that we can use to leverage the few
resources that the village families have to begin some income generating
enterprises. This is exciting new ground, and the local Diocese of Malindi has an
office that is responsible for Gender Awareness training and business development
that we are meeting with this afternoon, Friday. We may partner with them if they
like what we are doing.

Next, week I start to register new orphan families in the two villages that have not
yet been registered. This is a moving and rewarding experience to visit their hut
homes and talk to them about their life and take the pictures of the orphans.

The rains have come, sorely needed, praise God, and we pray that they continue, as
this area has been in a semi-drought for many years. The people run out of food
between rain seasons because their harvest is so poor. Our Farming God's Way
initiative is helping them to grow their maize so that they get a better yield. It
is starting to make a
difference.

I have included a picture of the food distribution to orphan caregiver families in
Viriko Village, and one picture of a chat I had with some of the orphans from
Sosoboa Village, and a one of the kids I'm talking to. As you can imagine, it is a
life changing experience to get close to these people who live SUCH a different life
than we live. It is hard to imagine how different it is until you come and see it
for yourself. So, I hope more of you will consider coming and having this life
changing experience.

I am staying healthy and well. Thanks for your prayers. All plans are running
smoothly so far, except for when I got Fr. Pedros 4 wheel drive truck stuck in the
mud on the way to Mkondoni Village for Mass. We were only an hour late. They
waited for us. :-)

May God richly bless you as you continue to seek him and serve him,
Peace to you from Kenya,
Doug