So many needs!

Two years in Kenya - two birthdays, two Christmas', two anniversaries, two Easters, four cats (not all at once), many friends, many frustrations, many joys, and many needs. What has been heavy on our hearts most days are the overwhelming needs we see and are confronted with everywhere.
Wycliff, our handyman, recently shared with us that he and his family have had times of not having food to eat (of course, we pleaded with him to tell us next time that happens) and they need to buy another school uniform for their son but don't have the money; the two young night gate guards of our cul-de-sac express being hungry and ask for food almost every night; Margaret, the fish seller, has needed money for medical care then help to pay for the fare to return to Nairobi to sell fish; Jared, one of the estate gate guards, asked one night for some food to take home for his family; people randomly stop Robb and ask for a job; John, the owner of the shop outside our estate gate, had to prolong his trip upcountry to plant his crops again due to no rains, which left his wife Violet to run the shop alone (where she had been held up at gunpoint several times the last time John was away); barefoot kids begging at our car windows; mothers sitting with their children along the side of the road asking for food and money; children leading to each car a blind adult holding out a cup...
At times we feel so overwhelmed by all the needs around us, and we feel so helpless because we know we cannot help everyone. We pray for wisdom, and we discuss together who, how much, how often, and what else can we do? We certainly don't have the funds to help with all the financial needs that come to us, but we can help with food. When I go shopping, I often buy rice, or beans or maizemeal or flour to give to Dorcas our househelper or Wycliff. We always have packets of biscuits in our glovebox and can easily go through our cupboards to see what food we can offer, even if it is only peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and a banana!
What we also see here in Kenya is a born-into-it belief in God, and a general lack of depth in faith in God. There is an overwhelming number of believers of Mohammad, which we are reminded of every morning at 5am by the call to prayer several blocks away, and as we drive through town and see so many women covered head to toe and men wearing "dresses" (respectfully according to Micah).
We were recently shown a small way in which we are making a difference in a life. Two young cousins of our next-door neighbors come to stay with them during every school break. Abdul spent many hours in our house during the long Easter weekend playing with Micah. We usually always have Christian music playing and Micah is often heard singing along to many of the songs. Also, after church that Sunday, Micah had drawn a picture of Jesus' empty tomb and we listened as he explained it to Abdul.
What also brings us hope is to reflect back on the people we have helped, even in the smallest ways, to recall their appreciation and to remember that this is part of what we have been called to, "Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me." (Matt. 25:40) We are reminded that it is the seeds planted, the small waterings, and the light shining that are used by God to make a difference here in Kenya. We hope that each of you who have pray for us and support us know that you are also a big part of these small differences!