January 23, 2014 (Thursday) Each morning brings the same sunshine but there are no two days alike. As we go through each week we are faced with new challenges as we try to help those around us. It makes it a little more difficult trying to travel here and there when there isn’t any fuel around! Not only are the fuel tanks empty but the water tanks are too! We are now using rain water that has been drained off the roof and saved in heavy water tanks. The electricity has a way of going off as soon as the sun sets …just when you need it the most. These are norms here and somehow it fits into the way things unfold before your day. A worrisome challenge is when you go to the ATM machine and it rolls through the process of debiting it from your account but does not release any money into your hand! The challenges of daily life in a third world country never cease to amaze me :)
The children love to sing!
They were delighted to learn a new song about Zaccheaus. They sing with the words pretty much in order
but with a brand new tune:) We have a few chickens around us and even a
goat as we sing it over and over again. The little girls come with small babies
tied to their back and for a few minutes they enjoy being a child as we all
make the motions to climb the Sycamore tree.
The school children travel from three villages each
morning. They come from homes that are
going through extreme hardship. Not only are we teaching them the ABC’s of
education along with Bible but we are teaching them how to care for
themselves.
One thing everyone is being
taught is that they must wash their hands after using the latrine and before eating.
We have two water buckets with faucets placed close to where they should
be used.
January 24, 2014
(Friday) The warm wind is blowing the dust around us as we travel into the
village of Wamuini to Evangelistic Grace Revival Church. It is a new area for me and as we travel we
are quickly surrounded with the sounds and smells of country life. Donkeys pull their heavy loads through the
same dusty roads we travel. The mountain ranges line the distant sky and speak
peace to those that sit and look their way.
I hear the ever so common phrase “Mazungu” (white woman) as we pass them
by. Children run to the road and wave while deep inside they long for a wave in
return. The dust whirls around us and
picks up in force. Papers and debris collect in the air as the small whirl wind
shows its strength before us.
There is a starting time for our service but things seldom
start on time here. One by one the people
slowly enter the church. When the pastor feels there is enough in attendance
the service then begins. The music is in its natural form as they lack the
popular key board or drum that is sometimes used. Their voices harmonize and their song ascend
heaven ward. The have grown from the early days of using a tent to a metal
sided church with a dirt floor. It has not been an easy road as the church
toppled over once after a heavy wind storm and they had to rebuild.
The response after our study was grand! Men and women lined up for prayer and it was
obvious that God was moving among them.
The pastor was surprised that the people opened up their heart in such
a way to be touched by God. He said “they
don’t usually respond like that!” God is
great and he touches and changes the hearts of all those who welcome him.
January 25, 2014
(Saturday) We are ready to celebrate with the students that have completed
their Foundational Course. Last year
another missionary, Joni, and I started two study groups in the slum areas
around us. One course was held in Mitume
the other in Shimo. They were mostly
attended by women but we did have a few men attending as well. We could see them growing and applying the
Word of God to their life. It was a wonderful
thing to see each one feed on the Word of God. Many would stay after class for
a time of prayer knowing that they had to carry water, fetch fire wood, wash
clothes by hand, go to the market and various other chores before they day ended.
Part way through the course we received a warning from the
US Embassy and it implied that we were in dangers way. We were told to change our daily habits and
patterns of travel and be on guard. So it was necessary to turn the classes
over to our interpreter, a wonderful native woman who loves the Lord.
We are delighted to see that they completed the classes. Each
one has studied the word of God for one year while completing a work book and
memorizing scripture. They have grown spiritually and we are very proud of them.
Along with the laminated certificate, which they will cherish, each graduate took
home a new Bible!
The place fills with happy and proud spouses, pastors from
different churches and relatives. It is a happy occasion which turns into six hours
of singing and dancing. It’s celebrating the African way! They danced and danced some more. They sang
and sang some more never showing any signs of being tired. We had a few
testimonies from the students and they shared how the course has touched their
life.
As teachers they honor us by asking us each to
speak and then the final speaker of the day shares. There is a special time and prayer and blessing said over each student before we cut the
cake! Now cake is a big treat here and
it is expensive. It is cut up in very small pieces so that everyone can have a
taste. We finish the day with a cup of chai, bread and butter and then everyone
goes home very happy.
Never say you’re too old to learn!
This mama is 79 years old and she just received her certificate for completing
the Foundational Course. She completed one year of studies and was willing to
walk 12 miles to class. Like a lot of older mamas here in Kenya she has out lived her children and is
responsible for raising her grandchildren. Esther has six grandchildren that
she is responsible for. This woman is a great example to all of us.
January 26, 2014 (Sunday) Christ Life Center holds their services
under a very large tent. An added tent off to the side has been set up for
overflow. The sun beats down on us
throughout the morning and the temperature rises and so do the songs of
praise. They praise the Lord with all that
is within them and never hesitate to sing the song just one more time! The music can be heard by all who pass by
whether walking on the roadway or finding their way by using the railroad
tracks. Pastor Richard and Helen are very dedicated workers for the Lord and
they have asked me to take the service today.
Pastor Richard and his wife not only oversee the church but many other
churches throughout the Mt. Elgon area and beyond. They also care for 189 children
who have been taken out of Kipsongo slums along with a school
and a feeding program.
The church is full and the
guests from an international school located in Nairobi are brought to the front
of the church to sit. It is the customary way of honoring quests. They have come to western Kenya to experience native life within the villages.
2 Timothy 2:15 Study to show thyself approved unto God, a
workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
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