It began in ‘baby Hebrew' class, singing the 133rd psalm and being captivated by Jamie's stories of joy and life of a different kind. It continued in Kenya with a summer long practicum with another people, experiencing rich community in ways that left us permanently changed. That joy and that life continues to haunt us, to challenge us, and to bless us, even today.

Psalm 133 was sung in anticipation of communal worship to the King. It is about how good and how marvelous life is when we share our lives together in community, when we "party" together. The blessing commanded by the psalm is enjoyed by being together. A life lived in concert with brothers and sisters is life to its fullest potential.

At home, Jamie taught us of the syntax and semantics of Hebrew poetry, but it was the time alongside Enos Weswah and the KBTC pastors, Patrick Musembi and the Daystar students that we learned the significance of habarakah, the blessing - life worth living.

Though we were dubbed the preachers and teachers, it was they who taught us - by their bright-eyed smiles and continuous laughter, by their faithfulness to each other, by their hunger for biblical teaching, by their generosity, even though they have nothing.

It was in Kenya that we experienced what faithfulness is and what it requires of us. We began to learn about the love God has for those suffering under the weight of injustice, and how we are called to help loose those bonds. The examples of love which our African family demonstrated for us convicted and challenged us. We were burdened by the desire to love and care for the needy, even thousands of miles away. The Spirit showed us that by telling their stories, telling our stories and continuing to strive for life in community, we can still party.

Our minds have been renewed, and our lives transformed. The memory of their patient eyes - so familiar with hardship, yet so delighted with their King - these are the things that haunt with their beauty. True Joy, once experienced, is not an image easily forgotten. As we dwell upon these memories, they still take away our breath. Our minds are being renewed. Their lives remind us that whether in a Hebrew class room, or a slum church, or now in our full time jobs, we still must party and sing together, in worship to the King.

We hope to visit our African family again soon. In the meantime we now live our lives more fully here, striving to be faithful to God and to our brothers and sisters who taught us so much. Will you join us? Pray. Give generously. Serve willingly. Live transformed. Party.

Ben, Justin & Jack