For years, Patrick was trapped within the grips of alcoholism, casting a dark shadow over his academic aspirations and leaving a trail of devastation in its wake. A decade-long struggle culminated in a pivotal moment when, succumbing to the clutches of addiction, he jeopardized his final exam by sneaking in a few beers, losing his exam card, and facing impending expulsion from both academia and personal dignity. This event resulted in separation with his wife and kids, leaving Patrick feeling utterly hopeless against his addiction. The journey back to sobriety appeared as an insurmountable climb, and for four long years, he found solace only in the numbing embrace of solitude and moonshine.

Yet, a divine invitation to salvation, delivered through the airwaves by a local evangelist, kindled a flicker of new hope within Patrick's heart! Shortly after he decided to follow Christ, he went to the only church he knew that opened its doors to alcoholics. There, he met Pastor Stone, who would visit him, disciple him, and give him the courage to try again. With newfound purpose and acceptance in Christ, Patrick emerged victorious, never touching an alcoholic drink again, completing his studies, and emancipating himself from the chains of alcohol.

The narrative of Chepkorio, Kenya, resonates as a collective echo of Patrick's individual journey—a community transformed from the depths of pain to the heights of vision. Through our partners' generosity and unwavering support, some of whom have stood with us for over 28 years, we can celebrate that Chepkorio now stands as a beacon of change. There are no more brewing dens or distribution huts in the entire community, resulting in social, economic, relational, educational, and even medical improvement for everyone who calls Chepkorio their home.

In the neighboring community of Kamelil, witnessing Chepkorio's metamorphosis has sparked a shared vision for a better future. Inspired by the transformation God has sent into motion in Chepkorio, Kamelil now gazes toward the horizon with hope and determination. Just this winter, over 41 women from Kamelil attended an ELI training at our Ilula Training Center. Motivated by the vision of a new story for Kamelil—a story where transformation is not an ethereal dream but an achievable reality—these women learned new skills, shared business ideas, and heard firsthand about the love God has for each of them. The training ended with everyone giving their lives to Jesus, now committed to living differently and letting their light shine where they were once the perpetrators of darkness.

Partners, YOU are the architects of change for countless lives. Through your benevolent giving and fervent prayers, brewing dens are dismantled, strongholds are torn down, and flames of transformation are ignited. Together, we continue to watch as God weaves narratives of hope, where pain is transformed into vision, and communities are reborn into vibrant landscapes of promise and opportunity.