This proverb came to mind after our daughter, Jessie, and her Sri Lankan /Nigerian friend, Vajini, washed the car last week. These two very bright young women did not understand why I recorded their finishing touch. With their African backgrounds, they are still confused by Americans not recognizing a nearby bush, barbed wire fence or even the ground as an appropriate drying rack! 
Often while on Stateside Assignment, we are asked if we regret raising our kids in another culture. Our answer is always, “No, we are thankful for how it enriched their lives.” Our children have had friends from all parts of the world and teachers from many different cultures. They have viewed poverty and wealth, pain and joy, sickness and good health, peace and discontent,
horrors and beauty firsthand. Their hearts and minds were opened and they learned that different does not require good/bad or right/wrong judgements. The best school (quality of teaching, curriculum and discipline) our kids attended was a Hindu school. Yes, they did learn about Hindu and Muslim beliefs, but we were able to openly and freely share our Christian beliefs. Studying other faiths does lead to questions and thoughts about one’s personal beliefs, yet this has strengthened our relationship with our Saviour and most importantly strengthened our ability to be used by Him.One of the painful situations that our family
has often experienced in Kenya is famine, not only a lack of food due to drought and political unrest, but a lack of hope. If we were in Kenya this week, we would be helping with a feeding project to the Maasai. Bob and Nancy Calvert, your missionaries to the Maasai, ask that we pray for peace, patience and an awareness of God’s love as women and children “in the direst need” ... receive their portion of a bale of maize meal (24 kg/52 lb) and a 2 kg (4.4 lb) tin of cooking fat (like shortening) ... there is not enough food for everyone and even the neediest cannot receive food immediately. Pray for wisdom for those who decide those “in the direst need.” The Calverts share that “While some of the recipients are Christians, most are not. Please pray that God's love will be demonstrated through this act of compassion and that many will come to trust the 
Lord Jesus as their one and only Savior.”Nancy shared this story from a feeding project earlier this month: “One petite older Maasai lady, who probably only weighed 100 lbs soaking wet, struggled to raise up the 24kg maize meal bale onto her back. As Bob helped her get it on her back, he asked if she was able to carry it home. A large smile broke out on her face, she gave a little chuckle, and said, "Oh
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yes. We have nothing to eat but tonight we'll eat well thanks to the Baptists."Thank you for allowing our family, the Calverts, and others to be a part of God’s work in Kenya as you support us in prayer and through your gifts to Lottie Moon, the Cooperative Program and relief work through Baptist Global Response. Bert Yates
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