The Feeding of the 5000

Just after posting the details of the Garissa trip yesterday, the Preston's sent out this update from Tammy.  For those of you who may not know, David and Tammy have been involved with Brackenhurst Ministries from the very beginning, Tammy was primarily involved through her work with WinShape Wilderness.  When David came on as Director of Operations, it just seemed so natural to have the Preston's on the team.   I thought you would enjoy this story from Tammy.

I must write while it is still fresh! So much was packed into our experience in Garissa. Thank you so much for lifting the trip up in prayer--we could feel it!

Everything went like clockwork, which can be a surprise in Kenya! As we were flying up to Garissa early Saturday morning, I looked down at the desolate land below: no vegetation, dried up river beds, no apparent life anywhere.There was a muddy river that ran nearby, and we were warned by the Kenyans to stay away from the river banks because of the crocodiles and the fact that they prefer "white meat"--haha! I thought to myself 'how can anyone actually live here...and why would they willingly do so?". I am not sure I got an answer to that question...

After we landed we drove about 45 minutes outside of town to the village. People had walked into the main location where the food would be distributed (I use that term loosely-- "main"= about 7-8 mud huts randomly scattered in a random spot in the desert) from a total of 7 different villages. These people were absolutely beautiful. They are Somali refugees whose families have actually been in Kenya for about 19 years...it is because of the time they have been here that they are not "qualified" for aid going to other Somalis...they are not considered current refugees.

Anyways, the elders of the village invited the older guys in our group into one of the huts to talk and share a blessing, so the rest of us just hung out with the people and did our best to communicate and love on them. That was easy. They were very curious about us and had no trouble interacting with us. I was so taken with the contrast of the dry, desolate desert with the vibrant and colorful fabric the women wore--it was amazing!

When the men came out of the hut, everyone gathered around the Convoy of Hope truck which had all the food. We were expecting to distribute a large bag of food containing maize, flour, beans, rice, and some tea that would last 2 weeks per family to a total of 140 families. Right before we got started though, we were informed that another village had heard about the distribution and had walked hours to come and see if they might also receive the food. This group of people were made to sit separate from the others--definitely singled out--so that they wouldn't get in the line and take rations that others had officially gotten themselves on a list for. We were told we would likely run out of food before we could give any to this last village.

I instantly got a lump in my throat: at WinShape Wilderness whenever we would feed a large group and the meal appeared to be not enough to feed them all, we would sincerely pray the "feeding of the 5000"…that God would somehow multiply the food--and the Lord would provide! It almost became a joke…So there we were in the desert, and I was praying that prayer with what seemed like such higher stakes: Chick-fil-A was not right around the corner if we ran out of food! Neither was WinShape Retreat...so we all prayed silently (we could not be overt in the midst of these Muslim people), and I am happy to report that not only did EVERY person who came that day receive food, there were extra bags leftover! I mean, tears!! God is so amazingly faithful in His provision. What a blessing.

We were unable to directly share the Gospel with these people, but hopefully they felt the love of Jesus in and through us as we were able to interact with them. They are SO SO SO precious and my heart is burdened for them. I hope to have the opportunity to return one day. Again, thanks for praying. There is a Christian school that has been started nearby and these Muslim people are gladly sending their children--they know that through education the next generation will have the opportunity to break the cycle of poverty in their people. Some children have become believers as a result...so amazing.


Please continue to pray for these people!