The Church Doors Open

Sunday March 25, 2012 It has been a month of steady, consistent work. Men, women and children have all come together to make this day possible.

My friend Festus who is almost 90 yrs old has insisted in being part of the work crew as well.

The car we rented to carry us back and forth to the work site and to pick up materials has been a blessing. I’ve been able to sit on a nice cushioned seat for the ride! The daily punctures, flat tires, have become part of the memories of building the church. There have been a few days when we actually have had two flat tires! The roads, the pot holes and the visible tire thread all contribute to the daily task of jacking up the car and removing the bad tire and replacing it with something worse. We try to park on a hill or in a way that we can roll because the car doesn’t like to stay going. Many times throughout the day the guys need to get out and push the car to junk start it. Then there are the times when fuel is hard to find and the meter is on empty. We travel from station to station praying we will not run out before we find some.

Trucks have also been hired to carry materials to the site for us. We put fuel in their tank because they didn’t have any money. They arrived in their own time loaded the truck, tied things down and got ready to leave. Then the truck refused to start. Six or seven men gathered and pushed the loaded truck and it still refused to start. The truck had to be unloaded and a search was in place for another reliable vehicle.

While in town gathering supplies the men are back at the site working but not always following orders. The trusses had been finished, placed, and leveled perfectly. That part was done and we all felt like something big had finished. Before we returned one of the new workers felt they needed to be fixed a bit more. When we returned we were surprised to see that the trusses were no longer up straight but all tilted toward the front of the church. The work that had been completed had to be done again.

We fixed up the wheel barrel that we borrowed and put a new tire on it before returning it. It would have taken a week’s pay for them to repair it and it was a good way for us to express our appreciation. It was a blessing to find a wheel barrel here in the village. Some of the men were looking it all over and admiring the work before it was taken back to its owner. We heard one of the men say “This speaks louder than a good sermon!”

We have taken care of some of the needs of widows while here. Mama Rhoda’s well isn’t covered and there are many little children running around. She also has a latrine that needs a door. She has been blessed with baby chicks so that in the future she will have eggs to sell. There are many everyday needs that are never spoken.

Slipper socks have been given out to the many children that have visited us while the church has been going up. All the children love them and their happy faces have blessed us. One little boy put them on his feet and went running and skipping down the road. (Thank you Mom for having a heart for the children of Africa)

We are very tired but very pleased that the Lord has allowed us to work here in Taito and to experience the joy that we have seen and felt throughout the area. This last week everyone has pressed really hard to make sure that things were ready for launching day! In the evenings pastors and church leaders from different areas have come here and prayed over this land. Excitement has been building and today is the day of celebration.

A banner was made and was placed over the road in front of the church. The church will be called “House of Reconciliation.” It is a fitting name with lots of meaning and here in Taito it means even more. This area felt the post election violence. The pain and agony of death was seen and felt by many. Many different tribes are represented here and we want all to feel free to worship together.

The truck has been busy bringing in chairs, music equipment and people for the service.

Smoke has been rolling out of the kitchen window as the women work on a meal for everyone to enjoy after the service.

The day of celebration is here and everyone wants to take part in it! The big red doors are closed and a beautiful white ribbon is tied across the front of it.

The official opening takes place as the scissors are placed in my hand.

Everyone surrounds the area around me and with great joy in my heart the ribbon is cut.

The doors are officially opened to all tribes, all people, men, women and children alike.

The church fills and all the seats are taken, people are standing in the back and children watch through the windows.

About 50 children sat outside on the grass for Sunday school. Music fills the church and a melody floats through the open land around us. The women express their glad hearts as they dance together around the church.

Many pastors from other churches have joined us today and are introduced one by one. Each has a quick word to share and no one is left out. It is now almost 1:00 and the main speaker is asked to stand.

I stand with a heart full of thanksgiving for all that God has done and for all the God has allowed us to be a part of!

The doors of the new church in the village of Taito are open to all! It will be open on Sundays for service and during the week for the women to meet. The church will be used for a two year Bible course for pastors and leaders during the week as well. This area has never been given such an opportunity. We are excited to see what God will do in the land of Taito. We are expecting great things!

The Chief was not able to attend but has visited and is so pleased that his village has been blessed by you. A great big thank you is sent to all of you who have made this possible!

Monday March 26, 2012 We head out of town to visit the children at the orphanage. There is much happening here as a building is going up for the older boys to stay in and a fish pond is being made! It doesn’t take long for the girls to surround me and the braids are applied to my long hair. I fear sometimes it might break off as the braids are done so tightly! Small little individual braids are place all over my head from front to back. It’s not uncommon for them to try out new styles with my hair and I know I can fix it before I leave but today I forgot to bring my comb!

Tuesday March 27, 2012 Pastor Samuel is a mighty man of God and has an amazing testimony. Today we sat in the garden together and listened as this blind man explained how he became ill and died for 12 hours. His burial was being planned and people were in mourning when God sent him back to finish his work. One of his memories of heaven included hearing the songs of praise that were being sung.

We have also met a woman who died for 8 hours. She was a cripple and could not speak before her death. She had a whistle to blow if she needed someone’s attention. God sent her back and told her she was to have a child. She is now in her 90’s and she fluently speaks as she tells of what God has done for her. She doesn’t need the crutches anymore but carries them as a reminder of what God did for her. She gave birth to a little girl who is now an anointed pastor.

There are many street children of different ages here in western Kenya. They come running when they see me in town. I can hear my name from afar and when I turn I see them gathering.

Christine is a mama that I’ve known for several years. She has given up her children and one of them we have helped rescue from the slums. Today she sees me and she is so happy. She has a taken a grain sack and placed holes in the top of it for her to hold on to it. She tells us with a great big smile that this is her new brief case! As I ask to take her photo she runs to a nearby car and leans into it and says, “And this is my new car!” Her happy eyes then turn to sadness as she asks about her little boy Ian. She could not care for him but still loves him. The street people go without so much and they can only dream of a life they will never have but one day with Jesus in their heart they will walk on streets of gold!

Friday March 30, 2012 Christine’s little boy, Ian, was only 4 years old when he was taken out of the slums. His little body was so small he cuddled in my arms like a baby. He is now 7 and living with a 9 other children in home with native parents. He is a happy healthy growing boy! Before visiting Ian we walk through the open market looking for clothes that will fit him and the other children in the home. The grain sack fills up as we go from stall to stall looking for something warm as the rains are coming and the nights will be cold and damp. We travel way out into the country area, over hills and massive pot holes to a beautiful area of farm land and gardens. Ian and the others have heard of our arrival and are very happy to see us.

It is like Christmas morning in the house as they each wait to see which piece of clothing will fit them! Mom and Dad are just as happy!

Several men went to the petro station with their cans and filled them with fuel. Everyone thought they were going to pay for it when they were done but they ran instead. A mob formed and they chased after them. One of the men slipped and fell so the mob caught him. They covered him with the fuel, slid a tire down over him and set him on fire. His body was left for all to view until later the next day when the police came and took it away. Mob justice is something that is quite common here.

Saturday March 31, 2012 We are leaving western Kenya today and my heart holds back the flood of tears as I say goodbye to those that are so dear to my heart. We have received hugs and given hugs, shaken hands, taken photos and looked under the bed one last time. We are completely packed!

With a few minutes to spare we sit on the steps of the veranda one last time.

While waiting for the plane to arrive we had a small tornado/twister hit the building we were in. There wasn’t any warning. We just heard a loud noise and then everything started shaking. The noise of the wind along with the windows and doors banging gave us the eerie feeling that we had no control over this situation. I slid down in my seat some not knowing what was going to happen next. It sounded like gun shots were going off around us and then it left as fast as it can. Everyone was stunned for a few minutes. Our flight took us from the fertile land of western Kenya to the busy city life of Nairobi, the capital of Kenya.

Sunday April 1, 2012 iIt is Palm Sunday and once again we find ourselves in a Matatu full of people with music so loud you cannot speak to the person beside you. We are on our way to the slums for church this morning. The vendors line the walk ways and some approach us with the morning newspaper. The headlines read “Twin explosions rock Mombasa” another grenade has gone off at a bus station and one in a restaurant. A short distance away other explosives were hurled at a Christian prayer meeting injuring at least 26 people.

The heavy fumes from the over crowded streets of Nairobi consume the air until we step into the slums. There are piles of garbage to walk through.

There are small piles of garbage burning here and there along the way and the smoke rolls into the air. The hot sun beats down on the raw sewage and the stench from it becomes common air for all to breath.

We travel through the small winding paths that take us to the church. The children have gathered outside in the back section for Sunday school. The numbers are increasing so the children now meet in two separate groups.

At the close of the service we acknowledge those that have finished a beginner’s course. They are given a certificate and a Bible for completing the course. The service is over but there is much to do it will be a full and busy afternoon. The children gather and are given medicine for de-worming and new blankets are carried home by some of the mama's. Their hearts are happy!

Our walk now takes us out of the slums but before we leave there is one person we must see. Jackie gave birth to a little girl on the 9^th of March. This little girl has been named Favor.

Her parents know how great God is and have seen his mighty hand work in their life. In 2005 I traveled into the slums for the first time. One of the places I was taken to was Jackie’s home. She had given birth and she had serious complications. They were without money and she needed surgery. The Lord healed Jackie completely that night. She regained her strength and now God has blessed them with a very healthy and beautiful baby.

As I hold this little one in my arms my heart full of thanksgiving reaches toward heaven. The sky is full of wonders and the earth below shows forth his mighty hand. Cradled peacefully in my arms is a miracle. How great and marvelous is my God!

Psalm 100 Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.

http://www.nation.co.ke/News/Twin+explosions+rock+Mombasa+/-/1056/1377838/-/7jakw1z/-/index.html

Forgiveness

Tuesday March 13, 2012

Those in the village of Taito continue to meet in Mama Rhoda’s house for church until the new church is finished. Even though the room is small and overcrowded there are a few more that come and join them each and every Sunday.

We are learning of visions and dreams that different ones have had concerning a new church that was coming to Taito. A blind pastor tells us how God showed him a church being built here in Taito. He saw bricks and many people coming and going. Another pastor has also said they he had a dream about a big church coming into the area, he knew that God was sending him help to minister in this area. The pastor of the new church recently told us that they were praying as the New Year came in. A few minutes into 2012 he stood to his feet and told everyone that this year God was going to bless him with a church! Others laughed at him as they understood the financial difficulties he would face for such a venture but his faith remained strong!

This church is well on its way to completion. We have a two door latrine that is 29 feet deep, it should last them years. The strong red door and iron window frames are in place.

The ground is being leveled and fence posts are marking the church property.

Men and women work within the church to prepare the floor for cement. Many are rejoicing here in the land of Taito!

Back at the lodge there is a monkey that waits to be fed every morning and evening. With Theresa away this now becomes my job. I enjoy the animals and birds and welcome the opportunity. Every morning somewhere close to 7 am a mango and a tomato is placed in the same bend of a tree. It doesn’t take long and the bushes start to move. He is sitting close by and knows that he has not been forgotten! Watching him play is enjoyed by most people, that is unless he is bouncing up and down on your roof at 5 am. He is starting to feel like he lives with us and we have seen him try to join us on the veranda. There is also evidence that he might be in trouble, the area were the fruit is kept has been tampered with! One mango has been eaten. Of course with all of the fruit and veggies he receives he must get thirsty and he has learned how to quench his thirst. We’ve had a little lamb born here and we have seen him toss the lamb aside……he wants the milk! Now that doesn’t happen every day or just anywhere but it has happened here.

Sunday March 18, 2012 We have a break from the church being built in Taito but not a break from church. Today is Sunday and we use the motorbikes and head out of Kitale. Our ride takes us through the main dirt road of Kipsongo slums. On the other side of the slums the view changes the fertile and rich land of western Kenya surrounds us. The majestic mountain is in front of us and around us the open garden land is being tilled and prepared for the next planting. It is their lively hood and if they sleep now there will be nothing to eat. They must be ready for the seeds to go in the ground when the rains come. The heavy dust rolls around us to the point that we can taste the red Kenyan earth.

Today we are on our way to Rafiki which is a small village forgotten by so many. They have settled here because of tribal wars and have very little to live on. I’ve heard reports that children from Rafiki were passing out at school because of lack of food. We hear the word Mazungu ring through the air and the children come running to see the white skin! They all run to greet us and use their one English phrase in a sing song type of way, Hi how are you? In there on cute little way they sing and jump up and down at the same time. Just a wave from a white woman brings happiness into the eyes of those we ride by. They will talk about the visitor all day long!

We arrive at the church made out of the mud of the earth and are welcomed to our seats. The first service is just ending and it is almost time for the main service to start. It is awesome to see how God leads with the message when they both come together as if we sat and talked about it first.The church is full today and used during the week to school 53 children.

As we walk the grounds we noticed that the well cover was broken and has put the children in serious danger. We would see that this was fixed soon.

All the children from baby class up received slipper socks made by my mom, Charlotte Towne. The rains are coming soon and they will feel the dampness especially at night. These little ones will now sleep with warm toes!

In the early fall the women of the church started a small business of raising chickens. It was good to see that they were taking this seriously and that they were working hard to see it succeed. They are like so many here; they just need someone to give them the opportunity to step out on their own. It was a great day spent together.

Monday March 19, 2012 Day by day the church goes forward. Today we started putting the metal sheets on and there is no doubt in any one’s mind now that there is a new church in Taito. The opening date for the service is Sunday the 25^th. The rush is on as we want to have it completed when the doors are opened! It will be a day of great celebration.

My friend, Joni, helped a missionary couple, John & Eloise Bergen, who were brutally attacked in their home here in Kitale in July 2008. Tonight we sat together with John and listened as he shared the night of terror to us. With tears gently rolling down his face he spoke of God’s goodness and how he saw God caring for them and protecting them through the night of terror, a night that should have taken both of their lives. John and Eloise have written a book called “Forgiveness in the face of Terror.” John went to the prison cell to visit the men that raped his wife and took machetes to both of their bodies. He shared the salvation message with them and told them he forgave them.

Acts 7:59-60 NIV

While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep.

http://canadianchristianity.com/nationalupdates/2008/080717kenya.html

http://www.bergensmission.com/id7.html

http://archive.org/details/JohnAndEloiseBergensMissionTripToKenya

http://www.debbiehaughlandchan.com/2010/02/forgiveness-in-face-of-terror-by-john.html

Pray For Peace

Tuesday March 6, 2012 The church proceeds daily with all of the challenges that come with living in a third world country. The posts for the walls are all in and it is a joy to walk through the door way of the church even though it is not finished. Daily we have come up against a wall of obstacles but a team of prayer warriors are now in action and we are moving forward.

The day ends and we sit on the veranda enjoying the coolness of the night air.There are those that have a goal to do harm and the best security measures have been put in place for our protection. We are thankful for the new friends that God has placed in our path.

Friday March 9, 2012 There are many children in the village of Taito and so many will stop and spend time with us at the building site. They will take anything they can and make it into something to play with. The left over pieces of wood have become trucks, cars, tractors and towers! They sit and play at our feet for hours; maybe that is why I’m covered with the red dust of Kenya at the end of the day! Plastic bags are a luxury and they are quickly scooped up and kept for another time. Today my sandwich bag became a pocketbook for one of the little ones. She cut holes in the top of the bag so she would have straps and it would be like other pocket books she had seen.

A tiny little boy carries his teddy bear around and holds it close in his arms. His teddy wears the burn marks of getting much too close to the fire. He finds the left over wrapper pieces from the pocket book and uses it for a blanket to wrap his teddy bear in.

Saturday March 10, 2012 The motorbikes continue to roll through the roads, dodging the bikes, animals, people and vehicles that are back and forth on the road trying to miss the never ending pot holes. There are times that Edwin, my driver, has taken me off the road into the ditch to avoid cars moving full steam ahead in the wrong lane, our lane! Yes they see us and they warn us that they are coming by the beep of the horn but they don’t slow down. The beep is only a warning that you better get out of the way!

We travel off the main road up into the village. The road is dry and dusty and the dust covers your body by the end of the day. Bushes have been cut so that church can been seen at a distance from those passing by. It has been said by those in the village that “God has surely visited Taito.”

The numbers of children that are coming to the building site are increasing daily. We can already see that there will be a large Sunday school attendance. We sit in the shade of the bushes to color and have a Bible story. Coloring is not something that is common here and is a very special treat. They will sit for hours and carefully color and work on their masterpiece.

My sandwich is dry and with the heat of the mid day sun my appetite isn’t that big so I break off small pieces of the bread and throw it into the bushes for the chickens. The men come back from break and it is time to work again. While near the church I look back toward the shade tree where we rested for lunch. I see little children in the bushes picking up the tiny pieces of bread that I left for the chickens and they were eating them one by one. My heart hurt as I saw their need.

Another week comes to an end, the days have been long, the sun has been burning hot, there have been many hours of work, but we rest and thank God for all that he has allowed us to do.

The cross on the church sits high in the sky and is a reminder to all that the time has come to rest from the daily routines and come together to give thanks to God for all that he has done.

Sunday March 11, 2012 The beautiful song birds of Kenya opened up the sky and welcomed the sun to rise above the mountain ranges. Their song never disappoints me. It is a consistent and timely reminder of the new and bright day that is ready for us to step into. Today the sweetness of their song was covered with the news of more grenade attacks. Four grenades went off consecutively in Nairobi. One went off at a bus station and the others were about 7 meters apart. The report is that 6 people have been killed and 63 wounded, 11 of them are seriously injured. It is the deadliest attack in Nairobi since the August 1998 bombing by Al-Qaeda of the US Embassy. The attack has been blamed on the Islamist Shabaab militia. Pray for the peace of Kenya.

http://www.mchuzimix.com/2012/03/11/death-toll-in-nairobi-grenade-attack-hits-six/

The day continues on and we travel through the slums outside of Kitale into a new area called Bosnia. This IDP camp consist of many widows and orphans, they are victims of tribal classes in 1992 and 1997. So many of these children have the memories of war and violence, even the pain of watching their parents die before them.

The land they are living on now is small but it is a place that brings peace into their life. The land continues to get smaller as the population increases. Many daily and basics needs are missing from their life and children that have never gone to school.

We walk the paths within this territory that is now their home and view the many needs. A woman sits on the ground as a young boy removes jiggers from her feet with a needle. Many suffer from jiggers. The sores fill with puss and very often infection sets in. It becomes painful for them to walk and can become serious if not treated.

Titus, the pastor that walks with us, has started a project called the Holy Cow. It is his desire to see that the widows from his group here in Bosnia are each blessed with a milking cow. The group that walks with us increases and we have many around us. In the middle of their village I share the gospel story to them by using the beaded salvation bracelet. One woman asked the Lord into her heart and many others along the way asked for prayer as they were sick in body.

It is time to leave but first we gather together and share something from God’s word to encourage them. They long for the day when they can return to the land in Mt Elgon that was theirs before their homes were torched and they were pushed away.

Psalm 4:8 I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.

Psalm 138:7
Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me.