Shepherd's Heart 3/27/25
I have visited Kenya many times, yet each time I return, I am deeply moved when the gates of Cherish Watoto Learning Center open. The air fills with the sound of children singing and dancing, their faces glowing with excitement. As the gates swing wide, I can’t help but feel a rush of JOY. This vibrant welcome is a living testament to the warmth and spirit of Kenyan culture, a culture that touches the soul in ways words can’t capture. In these moments, I feel God’s undeniable presence, standing before hundreds of smiling students—children who have come from the surrounding slums, each with a story too profound for words.
More than 20 years ago, God invited Good Shepherd to join the work He was already doing in Kenya. By His grace, we have witnessed incredible transformation. Today, Cherish Watoto stands as a safe haven for over 260 students—children who are not only learning but also healing and growing. For eight hours a day, they are able to forget their struggles and simply be students, children, and friends. It’s a place where they receive a meal, experience hope, and begin to dream of a future full of possibilities.
Our time in Kenya was filled with meaningful work, and I’d love to share a few highlights from our visit:
One of the most powerful parts of our trip was visiting some of the students' homes in the surrounding slums. During each home visit, we brought groceries and prayed with the families. While I’ve often shared the living conditions of these students, nothing compares to standing in a sweltering 12x15 metal shack with no running water, no electricity, and no front door—only a curtain. There are no kitchen or toilet facilities—just one bed, one couch, and a single mother raising seven children in these cramped, heartbreaking conditions. It’s in these humbling moments that God reveals the why behind our work. These are the students we serve, and each child has a unique story—whether it’s losing a parent, enduring abuse, facing abandonment, or experiencing extreme poverty. These are the families we walk alongside. This is why we continue to press on, tirelessly working to support the 100+ students still in need of sponsors.
Because of your generosity, Good Shepherd has made a lasting impact on over 300 students (260 Primary/Jr. Secondary and 83 Secondary) on the other side of the world. These precious children—entrusted to our care by God—are receiving the love, education, and nourishment they deserve. It is both an honor and a privilege to be part of their journey, helping to lift them out of poverty through education and the transformational power of God’s love.
The work in Kenya is just one part of our larger mission. As I write this, another Good Shepherd mission team is currently on the ground in Guatemala, continuing the work God is doing in Pueblo Modelo. Together, they are building two cinderblock homes, working on the Good Shepherd Learning Center expansion project, and teaching new math techniques to the teachers and students. For more than 20 years, Good Shepherd has been working in this impoverished community, helping to bring about positive change.
Friends, whether you’re part of a team serving halfway across the world or here in our own community, each of these efforts is a tangible expression of God’s love for our neighbors and the world around us. I am deeply grateful for your partnership in helping bring about positive change in the name of Jesus.
Over 100 students at Cherish Watoto are still in need of sponsors to help them continue their education and dream of a brighter future. If you feel called to support one of these children, please reach out to me for more information on how to get involved. If you are interested in joining a future mission trip, please complete the mission trip interest form.
With JOY for the journey ahead,
Jeannine Allen
Missional Engagement Executive Minister
More than 20 years ago, God invited Good Shepherd to join the work He was already doing in Kenya. By His grace, we have witnessed incredible transformation. Today, Cherish Watoto stands as a safe haven for over 260 students—children who are not only learning but also healing and growing. For eight hours a day, they are able to forget their struggles and simply be students, children, and friends. It’s a place where they receive a meal, experience hope, and begin to dream of a future full of possibilities.
Our time in Kenya was filled with meaningful work, and I’d love to share a few highlights from our visit:
- We dedicated the new 9th-grade classroom, teachers, and curriculum—thanks to the Ken Holland Memorial Fund.
- We distributed 21 handmade quilts to students living at Cherish, along with 200 school supply kits, over-the-counter medicines, and essential personal items.
- We took students on an educational field trip, broadening their horizons and exposing them to new opportunities.
- We updated photos and videos of each student to help connect them with current sponsors and introduce them to potential new ones.
- We unveiled an expanded computer center, launched new software, and provided training to both teachers and students to improve digital literacy and test scores.
One of the most powerful parts of our trip was visiting some of the students' homes in the surrounding slums. During each home visit, we brought groceries and prayed with the families. While I’ve often shared the living conditions of these students, nothing compares to standing in a sweltering 12x15 metal shack with no running water, no electricity, and no front door—only a curtain. There are no kitchen or toilet facilities—just one bed, one couch, and a single mother raising seven children in these cramped, heartbreaking conditions. It’s in these humbling moments that God reveals the why behind our work. These are the students we serve, and each child has a unique story—whether it’s losing a parent, enduring abuse, facing abandonment, or experiencing extreme poverty. These are the families we walk alongside. This is why we continue to press on, tirelessly working to support the 100+ students still in need of sponsors.
Because of your generosity, Good Shepherd has made a lasting impact on over 300 students (260 Primary/Jr. Secondary and 83 Secondary) on the other side of the world. These precious children—entrusted to our care by God—are receiving the love, education, and nourishment they deserve. It is both an honor and a privilege to be part of their journey, helping to lift them out of poverty through education and the transformational power of God’s love.
The work in Kenya is just one part of our larger mission. As I write this, another Good Shepherd mission team is currently on the ground in Guatemala, continuing the work God is doing in Pueblo Modelo. Together, they are building two cinderblock homes, working on the Good Shepherd Learning Center expansion project, and teaching new math techniques to the teachers and students. For more than 20 years, Good Shepherd has been working in this impoverished community, helping to bring about positive change.
Friends, whether you’re part of a team serving halfway across the world or here in our own community, each of these efforts is a tangible expression of God’s love for our neighbors and the world around us. I am deeply grateful for your partnership in helping bring about positive change in the name of Jesus.
Over 100 students at Cherish Watoto are still in need of sponsors to help them continue their education and dream of a brighter future. If you feel called to support one of these children, please reach out to me for more information on how to get involved. If you are interested in joining a future mission trip, please complete the mission trip interest form.
With JOY for the journey ahead,
Jeannine Allen
Missional Engagement Executive Minister
Posted in Shepherds Heart