Shepherd's Little Lambs Kenya

LITTLE LAMBS, BIG HOPE - JOHN NGURE

LITTLE LAMBS, BIG HOPE - JOHN NGURE — Shepherd's Little Lambs Kenya — Shepherd's Little Lambs Kenya John Ngure was born on 13th June 2018 as the second child in a family of four children to Mark Kuria and Tabitha Wanjiku in Mai Mahiu Village, Nakuru County. John’s elder sister passed away when she was eight months old, and so he is now growing up with two siblings.

LITTLE LAMBS, BIG HOPE - ANGEL NYAMBURA

LITTLE LAMBS, BIG HOPE - ANGEL NYAMBURA — Shepherd's Little Lambs Kenya — Shepherd's Little Lambs Kenya Angel Nyambura was born on 13th July 2022 as the third-born child in a family of three children to George Gitau and Ann Waithira in Korio Village, Kiambu County. Korio is a village bordering Kijabe on the western side.

THIS IS FOR THE BIRDS

THIS IS FOR THE BIRDS — Shepherd's Little Lambs Kenya Hunger is one of the obstacles to learning that we regularly face in Kenya. That is why feeding our “lambs” is such an integral part of what we do at Shepherd’s Little Lambs. Protein is an essential part of a healthy diet, but it is also one of the most costly components of the food we provide...

Full Circle: Returning Changed
April 18–19, 2026

We wrapped up our safari with a leisurely drive to the airstrip. When our plane arrived, the pilot informed us we needed to wait out some threatening weather.

After a half-hour delay, we boarded and headed back to Nairobi. To avoid the storm, we climbed to 11,000 feet—much higher than usual for these small planes.

The flight became quite bumpy for a few minutes as we approached Wilson Airport, but we landed safely. Our transport was waiting to take us back to the hotel, where we had a few hours to repack, shower, and relax. After dinner, we headed to Jomo Kenyatta Airport, where departure procedures felt redundant and frustrating.

Our 15-hour flight to JFK left late and arrived late. In New York, we had to claim our luggage, clear customs, and go through TSA screening, which ate into our planned three-hour layover. By the time we reached our gate, our flight to Chicago was already boarding.

We arrived in Chicago about a half hour early, and everyone made it home safely.

Thank you for traveling with us. We hope you caught a glimpse of the work of Shepherd’s Little Lambs.

Question for Readers
You’ve followed the journey—what part has changed how you see your own life?

In the Beginning
April 17, 2026

The alarm rang at 5:00 a.m., and we were in the Mara by 6. As the sun rose, the landscape slowly came to life—animals emerging and hot air balloons dotting the sky.

After coordinating with other safari vehicles, we came upon a kill. A pride of thirteen lions had taken down an eland. It was fascinating to watch: some lions fed while others formed a perimeter, keeping hyenas and silver-backed jackals at bay. Once the pride was full, the scavengers moved in to clean up.

At one point, our vehicle was surrounded by lions—some eating, others playing or resting. The “Circle of Life” isn’t always pretty, but it is remarkably efficient.

We later encountered a pod of hippos and, after some driving, another kill—this time a Cape buffalo brought down by four male lions, all brothers.

We enjoyed breakfast on the Mara before heading back toward camp, spotting baboons and giraffes along the way. New animals added to our list included hippos, crocodiles, silver-backed jackals, vultures, and baboons.

Just before returning, we visited a traditional Maasai village.

After lunch and a short rest, we set out for our final game drive. We were rewarded with a second leopard sighting—a female with her young. The drive ended with a bit of excitement when our vehicle got stuck. Benson skillfully jacked it up while we gathered stones for traction—a small adrenaline rush with hyenas nearby.

A spectacular sunset and a wonderful dinner provided the perfect ending to an unforgettable safari and our time in Kenya with Shepherd’s Little Lambs.

Wonder in the Wild
April 16, 2026

Breakfast was at 6:30 a.m. because we needed to be ready to depart by 7:30. This team has been very punctual!

Our safari company picked us up at our hotel and whisked us off to Wilson Airport. Check-in went smoothly, and we met up with Benson, our safari agent, who briefed the team on the itinerary.

We boarded our 12-passenger, single-engine plane early and were rolling down the runway by 9:15. We flew just above scattered clouds, giving us incredible views as the Mara spread out before us.

Our first stop was to drop off three ladies heading to a different safari camp, so we got the bonus of an extra landing and takeoff. We touched down on our airstrip around 10:15. Since we arrived early, we waited a bit for our safari vehicle.

Our safari driver and guide - also named Benson—loaded our luggage, and off we went. Over the next two or so hours, we saw all of the following animals in their natural habitat:

* Elephant
* Giraffe
* Cheetah
* Lion
* Impala
* Thomson’s gazelle
* Zebra
* Eland
* Ostrich
* Blue-eared starling

We arrived at Little Zebra River Camp around 1:30 p.m. and enjoyed a gourmet lunch. After checking into our luxury tents, we rested for a bit.

At 4:00, we gathered at the vehicle for our second game drive. We saw all of the previous animals again and added a few more to our list:

* Leopard
* Mongoose
* Saddle-billed stork

A storm was brewing, so we lowered the roof, rolled down the sides of the vehicle, and made a mad dash back to camp. The rain poured, lightning streaked across the sky, and thunder rolled.

As we dined on another amazing meal, the rain eventually stopped. With an early start ahead, everyone headed to their tents after dinner.

Question for Readers
When was the last time creation made you pause in awe of God?

The Ministry of Goodbye
April 15, 2026

Today we returned to the center to drop off a few items. Since the kids are on school break, we didn’t expect to see anyone.

However, as we drove through the gate, a couple dozen children were there to greet us—and of course, to sing for us. It meant saying goodbye all over again, reopening a wound that had barely begun to heal.

After our second farewell, we headed down the highway toward Nairobi. Along the way, we stopped in Naivasha to meet an artist who hand-paints cards. The team heard his story and made a few personal purchases of his unique work.

We had lunch before getting back on the road. Traffic was light, and we arrived at our hotel around 4:30. At dinner, we debriefed, sharing stories and impressions from the day.

Everyone then packed into small bags for our flight to the safari.

Joy in Every Place

April 14, 2026

(Travel to Nakuru & time with children)

Today began with a drive of more than two hours to Nakuru, where Little Lambs operates another school and child development center.

We needed diesel fuel for the van to make the full journey. Availability has been spotty, so we started our search early. After being turned away at several stations, we were finally able to find some.

This delayed our arrival in Nakuru by about an hour, and we didn’t arrive until nearly noon.

We enjoyed chai, and then the performances began. Once those were completed, we shared another amazing Kenyan lunch.

The afternoon passed quickly with crafts, games, laughter, and growing friendships.

Today, another team member shares their impressions from their time with the children of Shepherd’s Little Lambs.

Kris Binninger
Matthew 25:40 says, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’”

Whatever you did…whatever you do…
What is that “DO?” Is it resources? Is it money? Or is it simply love?

Witnessing these caregivers and parents and teachers and principals and cooks of Shepherds Little Lambs love on these kids is what Jesus called us to do.

Believing these kids can have a better future and instilling in them that belief and faith is what Shepherds Little Lambs is providing and equipping the local community to do.

There’s that word again. DO. What are you DOING to change your local community? I am walking away from this trip with a whole new definition of DO.

We visited both a rural and urban setting for these schools and the only difference? The difference was the faces of the staff and children. We found children of God in both places. We found staff that exemplifies Matthew 25:40 in every way.

Before visiting the children at school, we went on home visits. The principal came with us. She cried with us as a Shosho (grandmother) shared how she came to care for these little ones. My heart broke.

But the kids are the same here as they are back home. They want attention. They want to be recognized. They want you to believe in them so they can believe in themselves. They want…love.
So we love them like Jesus does.

So that’s the question I’m walking away with: What am I doing to love others in my own community?

Because maybe “doing” starts there. ❤️

Question for Readers

Where have you discovered joy in unexpected places?

Joy in Every Place

April 13, 2026

It rained all night, so we sent a quick email to our prayer partners asking God for good weather for our day with the kids at Green Pastures.

God responded with bright sunshine and scattered clouds all day!

Rather than recount the day’s activities, I asked two team members to share their first impressions of the work that Little Lambs does.

The pictures provide the backdrop for their words…

Sue Binninger

To put into words what I have experienced over the past two days is incredibly hard. As much as you think you’ve prepared yourself, nothing can truly prepare you for being in the moment with these children. And yet, I know God was preparing my heart in ways I didn’t even realize.

When I was first asked to come on this trip to visit Little Lambs, my immediate thought was: What can I bring? How can I help? But the reality is so much deeper than anything you can pack in a suitcase. God quickly showed me that this wasn’t about what I could bring—it was about what He wanted me to see, to feel, and to carry forward.

Walking into a “home” with a dirt floor, mud walls, and a 4x4 space—no water, no electricity—and meeting a young mother with three children all under the age of 10… it changes you. In that moment, all you want to do is give her and her family the world. It’s heartbreaking in a way that words can’t fully capture. And yet, even there, you can feel that God has not forgotten them.

When we ask how we can pray for them, and they simply ask for a better life, your heart breaks into a million pieces. Their reality is unfathomable. No child—no person—should have to live like that. And yet, it reminds me how deeply we are called to be the hands and feet of Jesus—to not just witness, but to respond.

And then comes a day at Little Lambs.

It’s more than a school—it’s God’s provision. A place where these kids receive an education, likely their only meal of the day, access to a restroom, and most importantly, a chance to just be kids. They arrive with the most beautiful smiles—even with the hardest circumstances.

They sing. They dance. They play. They learn.

And in those moments, you see a joy that can only come from Him.

Shepherd’s Little Lambs is filled with the most incredible staff—people who show up every single day to love, care for, and pour into these children. You can see God’s love in action through them. They are living out His calling in the most tangible way.

These past two days have reminded me that God is present in both the heartbreak and the hope. He is moving in ways we can see—and even more in ways we cannot. And He invites us to be part of that work. My life will forever be changed.

Josh Petersen

Today felt like our team got a glimpse of heaven. Maybe it was because, just two days ago, we had experienced the opposite. Visiting homes smaller than many people’s sheds, we wondered where these children could possibly find hope.

Then we drove onto the grounds of Shepherd’s Little Lambs.

Just beyond a set of orange gates was a place of beauty, peace, and joy—swing sets, vibrant classrooms, and a nutritious meal. Ask any one of the 60+ kids why it’s all possible, and they’ll tell you: Jesus. His love. His care.

This isn’t a feeding center doing the bare minimum. It’s a place kids want to be. A community meeting more than physical needs. Adults who love deeply and show up every single day to prove it. You can feel the hope in the air, hear it in their songs, and see it in their faces. It’s a happy place in the middle of so much despair.

It took less than 10 minutes to know—Little Lambs changes lives. It changes families. It changes communities. This is true religion. This is the Kingdom on earth.

Just ask Alfred, John, Elsa, Duncan, or Domerice. They’re proof. Janet is proof. Prince is proof. Every face I saw, every hand I held reminded me: Jesus really does change everything.

That’s why I felt heaven today.

His love for the little children isn’t just a good idea—it’s real.

And you know what? This pastor from America found hope there too today.

Question for Readers

Where have you discovered joy in unexpected places?