Sunday May 1, I attended church under a very large tent in Kitale. The worship and sermon blessed me and I enjoyed it ever so much. What blessed me the most happened at the close of the service. A beautiful handmade basket is placed is the center aisle near the platform. It is time for all of those interested to give a donation toward cement for the church floor. Any man that wants to donate is asked to walk to the front and place his offering in the basket. Then the women are invited to take part in this as well. When the men and women have finished giving the children come forward. Everyone is participating and eager to be a part of making the church beautiful. A very small framed elderly woman of very meager means walks slowly to the front. It is apparent that she has very little. She goes to the pastor's wife and presents her with some beaded work that she had made. She doesn't have any money but gives her hand work as an offering. She tells them to sell it and keep the money for the cement. She thought she didn't have anything to give but she gave all she had. Selena is a woman from Kipsongo slums with a beautiful giving and dedicated heart. Her gift became a desired item and was sold for 5 times the normal price. She had a gift in her hand and a treasure in her heart.
Monday May 2 Joanne, Gladys, and I returned to Kibagenge to speak to the women in the area. A large portion of the women are widows. The sun is hot but they come anyway. Their greetings will vary depending on where they come from. A few women will slightly bow before you as they greet you. Most women in this area will hold your hand and then place their cheek against your cheek and then do the same to the other cheek. Once you have greeted by going cheek to cheek you then finish your handshake by 3 hand movements. After their greetings are finished they find the shady areas and spread their colorful wraps out on the ground to sit on. In front of us and to the side are massive gardens of corn with beans planted between each stalk. The ground is well used and with the rains it will produce food for many.
As the word is spoken I can see some holding back tears, the pain they brought with them is evident on their faces. The closing is done with an invitation to ask to Jesus into their heart. Today nine women raised their hand. We rejoice to see God work in the lives of these women.
Tuesday May 3rd we listened to Sherry share her testimony. The Lord has touched her life and changed her heart. Even though her decision to serve the Lord brought persecution, pain and heartbreak into her life she continues to serve the Lord with joy in her heart.
It is Wednesday and we have found property near a river that can be leased. We have been trying to find a way for the church women in Rafiki to have some income. Those that have settled here in Rafiki once lived on Mount Elgon. They left the mountain so they could live in an area without tribal wars. It is a quiet village but the people live in extreme poverty. They cannot find work and therefore providing food for their families becomes a big problem. With land near a water source the church women will be able to plant food to sell and have food for their families. They will be supplied with the seeds, pesticides, manure and a one year lease for a little over one acre. It will be up to them to work the land which should produce three crops of cabbage and greens the first year. Along with working the land they are to put some profit aside for next year's expenses. They should be able to continue on their own in the following years.
Thursday May 6 I entered the Kipsongo slum which means "the place of the dogs". My back pack is full of Bibles written in the Turkana language. I also have a few written in English. The meeting is held in a large open room presently under construction at Seeds Ministry. ( www.seedsministry.com or www.seedschildrenhome.com ) The elders from the community sit to one side while all the women sit together on the other. They come limping with their canes, with homemade walking braces and in ragged clothes but with a heart open to the Word of God.
Before we leave we take the time to see if anyone would like to ask Jesus into their heart. My heart filled with great joy as 13 hands went up into the air. We all gathered together and with the interpreter at my side we made sure they understood what Jesus had done for them. Then each one of the 13 asked Jesus into their heart.
At the close of the service the announcement is made that my back pack is full of Bibles. They quietly wait to see if there name will be called. The pastor of the area calls those forward that have been taught to read. He wants to be sure the Bibles are placed in hands that will study the word of God.
When their name is called they come forward and with both hands open they receive a Bible. Several of the women hold the Bible close to them and break into a prayer of thanksgiving before returning to their seat. Their voices roll heavenward as their hearts erupt with praise and thanksgiving.
I prepare to leave and notice that some of the mama's have plastic bags of beaded items they have made. Each one gathers close and begins to show me pieces of her of beautiful beaded jewelry. It does not take long and the little table in front of me is covered with a display of colorful handwork. With the help of the interpreter we try to bless each woman by purchasing one item.
The goodbye hugs are long and tight as they thank me in their mother tongue. I don't understand their tribal language but I know they are sincerely thankful as each hug becomes one of strong emotion.
As we travel the narrow dirt roads out of the slums we pass some of the women. Waves are exchanged as we pass by. Then I notice one woman walking by herself with her new Bible open. She is reading it as she is walking home. Further down the road a couple men are sitting on the ground at the corner. Here at the corner we see another open Bible J
Psalm 72:12-14 For He will deliver the needy who cry out, the afflicted who have no one to help. He will take pity on the weak and the needy and save the needy from death. He will rescue them from oppression and violence, for precious is their blood in his sight.
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