Day 1 - A Heart Full of Gratitude
Carrie Reichartz Reichartz 
Day 1 in Kenya
Good morning from Kenya! As I lay here at 2:30 a.m. wide awake, I can’t help but feel overwhelmed with gratitude. After a long journey and days of travel, we’ve finally arrived safely—and even though our luggage hasn’t yet caught up with us, I’m thankful for every detail of how God has already been at work.
We were warmly greeted at the airport by Jocelyne and a wonderful surprise—Winnie, our amazing manager and social worker at Mercy’s Light Family. They do so much to make our arrivals smooth, and it’s always a joy to see their smiling faces. These women are truly family to us.
Light on luggage, our trek through the airport was quick and easy. Before heading to our lodging, we managed to run an errand and then enjoy a delicious lunch by the ocean—a treat after 1.5 days of airplane food!
A Conversation Filled with Miracles
What really stirred my heart in the early hours this morning was a conversation we had in our van as we left the airport. For nearly two hours, our team shared about all the miracles God has done this year—and I couldn’t stop reflecting on His faithfulness.
Miracles We’re Celebrating
🎉 Legal Breakthroughs:
Court cases for our girls have been resolved, and after four years of waiting, our Kenya ministry and business registrations were finally approved last week!
🎉 Lives Transformed:
Every day, we’re witnessing the lives of women and girls in Vipingo being changed by Jesus. Transformation is becoming our “normal”—and we never want to take that for granted. Coming on a trip like this truly changes your life. (If you’d like to experience this firsthand, we’re already filling up for October/November mission trips—reach out if you feel called to join!)
🎉 Financial Provision:
God continues to provide through incredible donors and supporters! This year, we’ve seen miracles like new water tanks, fire escape installations, fresh windows, the purchase of a van, and ongoing daily support for food, water, and the house baby projects at Mercy’s Light.
Focusing on What God Has Done
Even as we face deeply difficult issues—
❤️🩹 Ending poverty (spiritual, emotional, and financial)
❤️🩹 Ending human trafficking and healing its wounds
—we make it a priority to pause and reflect on all that God has already done. Because as we remember, we strengthen our faith for what He will do next.
Thank You from My Heart
Before I (hopefully) get some more sleep, I want to say a huge thank you:
💡 Thank you, Jesus, for Your wisdom and provision.
💡 Thank you to every donor who makes this work possible.
💡 Thank you to every volunteer who keeps this ministry moving.
💡 Thank you to every prayer warrior who covers us daily.
We truly couldn’t do this without you.
Take a moment today to remember what God has done in your own life, even as you wait for all He will continue to do.
What’s Ahead
We’re excited for today’s meetings—
- Reconnecting with our girls and staff at Mercy’s Light (always my favorite part!)
- Big updates coming soon about our Bethany Leadership House project—please pray for wisdom as we discern next steps.
Stay tuned for more from Vipingo, Kenya, as we continue seeing God’s hand at work!
Thankful beyond words,
Carrie
Want to be part of what God is doing in Vipingo?