Dear Friends of MDP,

Change: "A transformation or transition from one state, condition, or phase to another"

Have you ever thought of what life would be if there were no changes? Can you imagine if everyday was the same as the day before? How would we grow spiritually, physically or emotionally? It’s the changes in life that develop us, pressing forward, sometimes through pain in order to advance, to grow, to become the person God created us to be.

God has blessed Maasai Development Project and has taught us the need to depend on Him for everything, vision, workers, leadership, finances you name it. The Bible says, (my paraphrase) "Unless He (God) builds the house, we build in vain." As I look back over the past year I see where a year ago, God was already placing things in motion for the changes He knew would be taking place at MDP today. How awesome!

One of the sad changes and yet happy changes at the same time is that Lynette Cook will no longer be the Director of Girls Sponsorships. While that part of the change is sad, we are proud of her for taking a step in her life to move forward in a dream of her own. That dream was to go back to school for a change of career. Because she will also be working full time as well as going to school, she will no longer have the time to put into the program. Lynette has a real passion for Kenya and the work in Maasailand and we are grateful for the contribution she has made to help provide sponsors for God's precious children. We also appreciate that she has accepted to continue serving on our board.

We are happy to introduce the new member of the MDP team that God has provided, Kim DeWitt, who has agreed to serve as both Director of Girls Sponsorships and Director of Lay Worker Sponsorships. It was about a year ago that Kim had called me and asked if she were to organize a group for a mission trip in March of 2007, if MDP would provide translators and places to work. Her husband, Pastor Curt DeWitt, (you may have read his book "Here I am Lord, Send Someone Else") and another friend also provided training for our Lay Workers. During that mission trip, God laid a burden on both Curt and Kim's heart for the work in Maasailand. A few months later while I was praying, asking God for help, He brought them to my mind. Later yet, as the board was discussing how we would fill some of the work load, due to the growth, their names once again were brought to mind. It seemed the perfect match and we knew that God had the answer to our dilemma a year ago when He brought our lives back together through that one phone call. I first met Kim in 1999, shortly after they arrived at Maxwell Academy. Over the next 6 years during my trips I got to appreciate her and her enthusiasm for life. It was obvious that Kenya was home to her and her heart was there. Kim and Curt have 3 children, their oldest daughter, is a senior at Maxwell Academy. We feel blessed that Curt has also accepted to be a member of our board. We feel that God has had His hand over this change in MDP and has hand picked Kim and Curt to build MDP up even more for Him.

Let me share a bit about Kim from her words:

"When people ask me where I am from, I never know quite what to say. I was born in Mt Vernon, Ohio, and my parents went as missionaries to Kenya when I was two year old. We lived in Kisii and Nairobi, Kenya, for just over 11 years before moving to Beirut, Lebanon. Later in life, while attending Andrew University, I met Curt and we were married in Berrien Springs. After teaching elementary school, he began work as a Pastor in the Indiana Conference. In 1999 we accepted a position at Maxwell Adventist Academy in Kenya. For me, it was like going back home! There we spent six wonderful years before returning to the U.S. Curt is now a Pastor at the Owosso and Chesaning SDA Churches in Michigan, but my heart still aches for Kenya, the place that I call home. You can take the person out of Africa, but you can never take Africa out of the person! God gives each of us a passion, and I believe with my whole heart that bringing Jesus to the people of Kenya is what God wants me to do. No sacrifice is too great when it comes to working for the Lord."

A few weeks ago, I had the privilege of spending a few hours with Gwen Edwards, the lady that God chose to start the work in Maasailand, that has now become Maasai Development Project. We laughed, cried, and prayed together as we looked back at how God has led thus far. Gwen said, "Jan, I know that God chose me to plant the seed in Kenya and then He brought you in to water that seed and He will bring someone else in to cultivate that seed to maturity." I believe that time is now and that God has chosen Kim along with her husband, Curt, to carry His work to the next step.

Jan Meharry

Director