Update May 20

Hello dear friends,

We hope you are well and healthy. We are still with Marco's parents in Germany and we are doing well. Although we couldn't do much of what we actually wanted to do during this time here, we were able to use the last weeks in a meaningful way. We had planned meetings online or by phone, contacted different foundations to support our project and had many conversations about the founding of an organization in Kenya. Here we have come a few steps further, but now we have to wait, because we cannot visit the authorities at the moment because of the Corona virus.

Foxfires and Corona:
In mid-March we had to send our students home because of the Corona virus, but we are still in contact with them and know that they are doing well. We are especially happy that they are acting as bearers of hope for the people around them. This is what Branden, one of our students this year, reports: "I have decided to focus more on improving my skills and seeking God. This way I can consciously use the time at home in a positive way. I also help my friends to make the best of the current situation. Some have decided to focus mainly on the pandemic. This drags them down because they are very worried about their future. But this doesn't help. My message to you is: HOPE AND BE POSITIVE!  See how you can best use this time as a young person to improve your skills!" Incidentally, the early Corona measures taken in Kenya have so far served their purpose. There are officially only about 2000 infected people. The number of unreported cases may be higher, but at least we are not living in chaotic conditions like in some other countries.  
 
Centre of hope:
We have been able to discuss the first planning preview, which we have received here from the architectural company, with our partners in Kenya and have thereupon submitted some requests for changes, which are now being incorporated accordingly. The finances for our project continue to develop positively. We have raised 36000 Euro, so only 17000 are still missing. Thank you very much for your support! If you would also like to support us or have any questions or suggestions, we would be very happy to hear from you!
 
Looking forward:
Visiting churches is of course still difficult. Nevertheless, on June 21st we will be guests in our home church in Gau-Algesheim. Whether this will be an online service or whether you will be able to attend this service is not yet certain. We will keep you posted.
It is certain that we will not be able to fly back to Kenya in mid-June as planned, but rather in early July at the earliest. It is not yet clear whether this will work out. Hopefully we will know more when we write our next newsletter.
 
Best regards
Marco and Joy