Our Trip to Naomi's Village- a firsthand look at the redemption that Christ gives!

When we first got put into contact with Naomi's Village in 2024, we were excited to see the ministry firsthand. We had the pleasure of spending 2 weeks at Naomi's Village in January of 2025 in preparation for our move and were amazed by the evidence of Christ's redeeming power in daily life at Naomi's Village and Cornerstone Preparatory Academy!

Playing on the tire swings at NV with new friends!

The love of God poured into the beautiful children at Naomi's Village was evident from our very first evening with them, when we visited the devotional time in the small boys room. The room full of little boys was brimming with excitement and the joy of the Lord as they loudly sang "Yeshua" and "Waymaker"! When devotional time came, they listened as their wonderful "aunties" read Scripture and discussed the applications to their lives. They closed with reciting Bible verses and prayers. The devotion of boys as young as 4 years old to their relationship with God was such a moving thing to witness, especially considering the lives of many of these children before they came to Naomi's Village.

Moses, one of the boys at Naomi's Village, is a beautiful example of the redemptive nature of Christ. Found abandoned in a dump as a newborn, with the placenta still attached, Moses now regularly leads worship at their Sunday morning gatherings and sings confidently of the Lord's goodness. We were incredibly blessed to hear his beautiful voice one Sunday that we were there! Bob, Naomi's Village's founder, wrote a wonderful post about his story here!

Maddie and Mercy* at CPA!

Our first day visiting Cornerstone Preparatory Academy, we arrived during the lower elementary chapel. One of the two ministers on staff at CPA led the children in some worship songs and dances and then opened an engaging lesson on being "rooted in Christ". The 550 students at CPA, K-12, and LEAP Preschool, which serves 3 & 4 year olds, come from Naomi's Village home and the most needy homes in the Maai Mahiu community. They are provided 2 meals a day, uniforms, and a Christ- centered education at one of the highest ranking schools in the area. Students attend Monday-Saturday and have the opportunity to explore interests outside of education, like sports or dance. CPA and LEAP inspire students to dream in a town that has stifled the dreams of so many.

During a Saturday visit to CPA, Maddie met Mercy*, who is in 8th grade. Mercy helped us understand the depth of CPA's ministry not just to the students, but to the community as a whole. She told us that her mom is employed at the school as a laundry worker, washing all of the student's uniforms. In Maai Mahiu, finding employment is difficult and many women fall victim to prostitution to provide for their families. When Mercy's mom found employment at Naomi's Village, Mercy's home gained a greater sense of financial and spiritual stability as her mom received stable income and recurring exposure to a Christian environment. When student's lives are changed for Christ, and their families are changed for Christ, the whole community can experience the redeeming power of Jesus!

If you'd like to be a part of the redemption happening in Maai Mahiu, Kenya through NV and CPA, please consider partnering with us financially and prayerfully as we join their ministry! You can read more about our voluntary roles and our story here!

God loves you and we do too!

The McFarlins

*Names are changed for privacy's sake!