New AIDS Photo Gallery
There's a new photo gallery up in the Lahash media section. This gallery focuses on the current HIV/AIDS situation in Kenya. The photographs were taken by me (Dan) and by Nick Kipkorir in the past 2 months.

Corruption
Corruption has hit Kenya hard. It seems as if every politician in the past two decades has been corrupt in that country. And it shows. Kenya - along with the rest of the continent of Africa - has declined in life expectancy, healthcare, and the standard of living. The selfish leaders have been storing up the cash, creating false projects, buying new cars, and even knocking off those that try to tell the truth about the crisis. All this is happening while millions are in desperate poverty, suffering from AIDS, and recently actually starving to death in Northern Kenya. You can read the BBC Article here.

Praying for Blessings
Sojourners just posted a new article on The Prayer of Jabez author Bruce Wilkinson and his failed dreams for Africa. It's a very interesting read - tackling the question of what to expect from the "prayer-in-blessing-out approach". Why are there families in Sudan that pray with way more faith than I do, and yet they are starving to death, being shot, and suffering from AIDS? I think it's a question we all seem to wrestle with at some point in our faith. Those simple formulas promoted by some just don't always compute. From my own personal experience, I have decided that God still enjoys our prayers, and we are supposed to pray with faith. But ultimately we aren't guaranteed what we want or "blessings" just because we follow a formula. In fact most of the prophets, disciples, and saints (including the Messiah) all suffered terribly. It is more mysterious that a simple prayer - I know that much.

Other News
I'll be posting the new Amazing Grace music video tomorrow, so stayed tuned for that!

I met the other day with Victoria Trabosh, who runs the organization itafari. She just went live with a website, and is promoting a concert by Samputu Ingeli here in Portland. You can read about more details regarding that event on the foundation's website.

Enjoy your day everyone, and pray for the Lahash team, please. We are making big plans right now, and want to understand how to best use our resources, time, and energy. Pray that the right people will form for the board as well. Thanks so much for your participation in the hopes of Africa.