Sustainable Living

My concern for Sarah as of late has been that she and Ruth (her caregiver) will be able to get food and continue living and eating well after I've left. I've told them that I'm returning to the States and that Ruth needs to find some sort of work because I cannot support them long-term. However, jobs are pretty hard to come by in the slums. 

We've decided to start a business for them so that they can live and eat for years to come without having to rely on someone else. Of course we will supplement funds from the U.S. as needed, but I don't want them to rely on us for monthly support. It's better if they can do it on their own. 


The great thing about "starting a business" in a slum in Kenya is that you don't need to tell anyone. Meaning, you don't need to get a license, or ask for permission, or pay any fees. You just start selling. Maize is one of the main commodities in Kenya, and is very cheap right now. We will buy Ruth a 50 kg. bag of maize to start selling in a few months when maize is harder to find and becomes more expensive. Until then, she can begin selling the charcoal that we are also going to buy for them. Charcoal is also a big commodity, and everyone needs it or they can't cook or boil water. Can you imagine having to rely on charcoal for all of your heating needs? Most of us just flip a dial on our stoves to heat things, or better yet, poke the buttons on our microwave. But here in the slums of Kitale there are no dials or buttons. You have to buy charcoal or find wood. 


We have spent all of the funds that we have received for Sarah, which was about $300. We spent $150 on her hospital bill (which was only 1/3 of what she owed) and the other $150 on her rent and getting her house ready, beds, mattresses, household items and food. So now that we'd like to start a business for her, we have to use more of our own support money. 


BUT, God did what He always does, and this morning we received $50 from some friends who wanted to help Sarah. That is almost exactly what we needed to buy her maize and charcoal. God is good. All the time. He knows our needs even before we do. He is always steps ahead of us. Good. Faithful. Loving. All-knowing. 

"He will respond to the prayer of the destitute; he will not despise their plea. 

Let this be written for a future generation, 

that a people not yet created may praise the Lord . . ." Psalm 102:17-18

Thank you!!