Physical & Spiritual Hunger

December 29, 2013 (Sunday) It doesn’t take long for the early morning sun to beam its hot rays down upon us. Inside the church we have some relief but there is no hiding from the rising temperature the fills the land.

 

The dust that fills the air around us has become a problem for me.  I’ve developed a cough that will not stop. I’m finding it necessary to wrap my head with a cloth while traveling on the motorbike to keep from breathing in more dust.

Pastor Paul stands in the midst of the intense heat and leads us in worship. The drums beat, the women dance, and everyone claps and sings. They are hungry, weak, tired and some ill but nothing stops them from praising God with all of their heart.

It is wonderful to see the church that we built in good condition but best of all it is good to see that the church is strong and growing even in the midst of such hard times. They have added new wooden benches to their stack-able plastic chairs because more are coming to their services. 

The men sit on one side of the church and the women and children sit on the other. The heat is extreme within the metal sheeted church but they are attentive and are soaking in every word.  Johnson waits for the end of the message and then just about runs to the front of the church. He has an intense hunger to know Jesus.  He welcomed Jesus into his heart and went home with the biggest smile on his face and a New Testament held tightly in his hands.

Alice, an older mama, also came forward and accepted Jesus in her heart. It’s wonderful to see the quick response and an appetite to learn more about Jesus.  The hunger is great in this land, both physical hunger and spiritual hunger. 

December 30, 2013 (Monday) Our service is held in a traditional built church with a thatched roof and sides made out of mats. If it rained we would get wet.  We lack a door to open and close so the goats are free to join us.  They visit but leave quickly.  

  

 The church is small and very full. It is good to see the need for expansion.  

 

Usually children run to greet me but today there is a little one that is fearful of the white skin!  I keep my distance so that she will not be afraid but it doesn't seem to help.

Peter one of the leaders receives a message during the meeting. There has been fighting in the interior parts and his brother has been shot.  The Pokot Tribe and Turkana Tribe have been fighting for generations.  They fight over land boundaries, cattle, goats and camels.  In years past they would fight using the bow and arrow.  Even today they use the bow and arrow but they have also added  machine guns to their weaponry.  It will take someone four hours to ride out into the interior to pick up the injured and then the return trip back before they can get to a hospital.

Eight adults came forward to accept Jesus in their heart at the end of the service.  There were also sixteen children that wanted Jesus in their heart as well.

After praying with each adult we took the children aside to make sure they understood what was happening. We talked with them and asked them questions. It was clear that they understood and wanted Jesus in their heart. We put the microphone to their mouths and each one that came forward said the sinner’s prayer out loud without hesitation.  Twenty four accepted Jesus into their heart today! We thank the Lord for drawing them and opening up their eyes to see the truth. 

We know the needs are great here and we want to encourage them and show them love. Today they will leave with a new message in their heart and food for their family. 

We wanted to pass out the food without fighting and chaos so we called for the women to stand in line first. They came with their old plastic bags or a tin can.  Some women took their colorful wraps and used them to carry their maize and beans in as they didn't have anything else available.

Before I came to Kenya a very special four year old girl took some of her toys and put them in my suitcase while I was packing. She wanted me to give her toys to the children in Africa. This was her idea and her heart as no one had suggested that she do this. A special thank you to my granddaughter, Vanessa, for sharing her toys with the children here in Kenya. I love you Vanessa!

John 3:16  For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.