April 22, Thursday Joanne and I went looking for Christine in Kipsongo slums outside of Kitale. She is a mother who out of desperation gave her baby boy to the home for children. Her son was 8 months old and weighed 8 pounds. The doctors said he would not live the month but he is now 15 months old and very strong.
Friday, the 23rd we picked up Christine and drove an hour out of Kitale so that she could spend the morning with little Evan. The narrow dirt road took us to Kesogon with great views of the Cherangani Hills. The Children's home run by Jeff & Carla Picicci is beautiful and well planned out. Here at the home they care for 75 young children. Forty children out of the seventy five are under the age of two.
Each child has a story. Pendo (Love) is the newest little baby girl. She was found in the bushes badly beaten up. Her face was badly bruised and eyes swollen shut. Even though the beginning of her life has been harsh and unfair her face radiates loving smiles to those who care for her.
Christine and Evan are reunited and a chair is provided for her to sit and comfort her baby. Large tears welt up and roll down her checks as her arms wrap lovingly around him. It was a very tender moment for all those around.
We toured the facility and saw the magnificent hand of God at work. In six years a home, a school, and a clinic (now in progress) has been provided for 75 unwanted children. www.instepfoundation.com
Last Friday & Saturday (the 16th & 17th) I completed a two day teacher training course along with doing a presentation. I have been approved to work with and use the 10 courses written for the "Bible Training Center for Pastors and Leaders". I am excited to have this material available to me to use where ever God might ask me to go.
Sunday April 25th I returned to the village of Rafiki to speak. This village began when a group came down from Mt Elgon in 1992 seeking peace for their families. They were fleeing the tribal wars within the mountain that were killing so many. They named their new village Rafiki or Friends.
Now Rafiki represents around 5000 children with only one small public school. Many children do not go to school in this area. It is hard to find work here so many go without. Month by month people are being buried because of AIDS.
Inside the small church made from the mud of the earth there were testimonies from the people of how God has been blessing their lives. Children passing by the open door of the church stopped in their tracks to watch and listen to what I had to say.
One person from every family present was called up front by name and given a bag of salt. This is something that they could never buy on their own. Purchasing daily food for the family is a challenge not just once in a while but every day. Smiles and appreciation poured out of their hearts as they received the bag of salt.
Monday morning the 26th of April I spoke to a group of about 70 women in Kibagenga. Our meeting was in the open air under the mid morning hot sun. The women each found their spot on the ground and as close the shade trees as possible. My interpreter held an umbrella over us as I spoke. Before the women returned to their duties of the day they were given a gift from Joanne. A long line was formed from the back of Joanne's vehicle. Each woman was given enough maize to make a meal for her family.
Joanne picked me up early Tuesday morning the 27th of April and we headed to Moi's Bridge with Gladys our interpreter. Many women were already in the church singing and praising the Lord as we drove in. One by one the women continued to enter the church and soon it was filled to the brim. Every bench was full and then they started to sit on the floor. About 250 mamas plus children took the morning and set it aside to learn more from God's Word. Life is very hard for the women here. Many women are widows and that makes life even harder. Very often when a husband dies his family will immediately come and take everything the widow owns and disown her and her children. She and the children are literally left with nothing. The Lord worked in a marvelous way today as the women sat in full attention to the words spoken. At the end of the service four women stepped to the front of the church. With tears in their eyes they asked Jesus into their heart.
Before leaving each woman was given a bag of maize/corn that had been prepared by Joanne. They were free to go but they chose to linger outside the church. With smiles and waves from many they sent us on our way. Each woman would now return to her village to share what the Lord had placed in her.
We rejoice at what we are seeing God do with the women here in the villages around Kitlae. It is Wednesday morning the 28th and I have been invited to speak to another group of women. We traveled 30 minutes outside Kitale to a beautiful village called Kipsiana. It is a peaceful area with green rolling hills. The river visible from the church is bursting at the seams because of the heavy rains. The large church fills with about 300 women and three men. We even had a chicken sitting on the platformJ At the end of the service I ask them a question. Is there is anyone who would like to ask the Lord Jesus into their heart? Oh, my heart sings when I see hand after hand boldly raised in the air. Four women came to the front and asked the Lord into their heart today. The bondage of the past was replaced with a fresh new beginning. A cleansing took place that saturated the heart as tears and cries for forgiveness went heavenward. It was so rewarding to hear them release themselves into the care of Jesus. There were also those that came forward for other needs.
The women were also encouraged with a bag of maize from Joanne. At the end of the service a line was formed and each woman was given food for the day.
A good report has been received from Kawangware Slums Nairobi. Fanice has been released from Kenyatta Hospital. She had been in a coma because of severe abuse at home. We went to pray for Fanice in the hospital and at that time were told she was close to death. God has restored her health. She is walking, talking and thinking clearly. We serve an amazing Father!
This week has been full but so rewarding. A total of eight women gave their lives to Jesus.
Psalm 9:10 Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.
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