Greetings from Nakuru (from Douglas Poole)

Dear Cypress Family and Friends,

After 29 hours of riding on and waiting for planes, trains and automobiles...Jacque, our daughter Bethany and I arrived at Springs of Hope Kenya this last Tuesday night. A little weary and stiff but no worse off for the wear of travel. We are still adjusting to the seven hour forward jump in time but that too shall pass...just about when we board a plane for the return trip home I'm sure!

We are spending two weeks with our partners here and Bethany is with us on her "senior trip" graduation present. I marvel again at what a beautiful place SOHK is both as a facility and more importantly as a sanctuary for some 30 children who have been orphaned by the horrid disease of HIV/AIDS. This place is a sanctuary for me as much as it is for these kids. For in this world where evil seems to triumph far too often, SOHK is evidence that gates of hell shall not prevail...evidence that we can bring a little heaven to earth. The worth of this orphanage is far greater than the number of children we rescue...for sometimes I think we rescue ourselves in the process as well. And to that end SOHK is more than a place, it is a place of hope. Keep us in your prayers...we want to serve the leaders and staff of this ministry well. There are times when I think one of the best ways to serve God is to serve His children.

Cypress you will be served well with the teachings the next two Sundays. Chuck Deitch our director of family life ministries will teach this weekend and one of our favorite ex-Cypress employees Jan Cox will have the teaching baton the following weekend.

Blessings,
Douglas (A.K.A. "The Mzungu Pastor")