Kenya Update...

Friends,

We have been blown away by the number of friends and family who have wanted to partner with Sophia and I in our trip to Kenya this Summer with Jump for Joel. THANK YOU!!

However, due to transitions in their ministry, this summer's trips have been canceled. Jump for Joel has spent the last 5 years working with an orphanage just outside of Nairobi called Gathiga Children’s Hope Home. They have come alongside the orphanage to help provide food, school fees, shoes, school supplies and many other needs for the kids who live there. Jump for Joel has sponsored students from the orphanage to go on to college and university programs. But as the staff and board of directors have prayerfully considered their work, and the things God has taught them along the way, they have been led to close this season of ministry. Jump for Joel has fulfilled its purpose and they are excited to celebrate all that God has done! Because of the end of their partnership with Gathiga Children’s Hope Home, Jump for Joel did not feel that they were able to offer us a well thought-out trip to develop relationships in Kenya this summer. For more information about Jump for Joel's decision, you can check out the complete statement on their website.

Although we were disappointed in the change of plans, Sophia and I both agreed that it wouldn't be right to jump into another trip. We're sure that God will open up another opportunity in the future when the time is right. I'm so proud of her maturity!

In the meantime, we will be returning the donations that were given for the trip. Checks that were already deposited will be refunded; donations through paypal will be returned through paypal, and checks that haven't been deposited will be voided and returned. Some people have asked if their donations can be re-directed somewhere else. If you'd like us to do that, we'll direct your gift to the Jump for Joel program expenses and scholarship commitments as they work to finish strong in these next few months. Unless we hear from you otherwise, though, your gift will be returned to you.

Again, we can't thank you enough! Thanks for your patience and understanding in this awkward situation. Don't hesitate to contact me if you have questions about the whole thing.

In Christ,

Gretchen (and Sophia!)