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 9th 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
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