Today Nathaniel brought me some of his school work – specifically his journal that he writes in each day. Here is what he wrote today “ There was a man who was very nice. He dide (died). Everyone was sad. Until he was back alive! His name was Jesus.”
Over the past several days ELI staff here in Kenya have been participating as facilitators at an important event in the village of Semit. Here over 40 women from four different denominations gathered together for a four day confererence. Many walked for hours to attend. Yesterday was the closing ceremony and as a final word the women sang (see AUDIO POST) and shared a cake with the 150 people who had gathered for the Sunday Closing Ceremony. As pastors from different churches moved together with a plate of cake – giving each person a small portion they said as the cake was taken: “Taste the sweetness of Unity in Christ”.
The women are going back to their villages encouraged both spiritually and economically as our staff shared insights from Gods Word as well as skills for living and breaking the cycle of poverty for the past four days. The journey to reach this remote place is breathtaking by both foot and also by 4 wheel drive as we taught about God’s love together with skills for empowerment in Semit – otherwise known as “The Hanging Valley”.
Today Amy and other staff took a daring road down to an escarpment called Hanging Valley (Semit). Here a womens conference was launched with our staff and Amy as the keynote speakers. Tomorrow Don and two ELI interns will drive an hour and then hike down to the conference. Don will be sharing about Gods love for their community and inviting all to surrender to Christ. We will all be back in Ilula on Sunday.
Today our son Nathaniel turned 8. Yesterday monring he came to my room quite eraly and with a smile informed me “Daddy, today I am seven and tomorrow… I become a man!” He went on to say “Daddy, Do you know how you acan tell if your a man?” I was all ears ” You become a man when all of your baby teeth fall out.” Not bad insight. Of course he was reminded by his older brother that he STILL has some more baby teeth to loose – so – it seems for Nathaniel that manhood is still a few teeth away.
Fortunately this did not hinder our celebration and a brief party which included about 100 of the children from the home.
ELI - ILULA Children's Home Choir
We thank God for each of you as you pray for and encourage our work here in Africa! You are a blessing to us and the world as we partner together to empower lives!
Just a few minutes ago I was with a dozen people who traveled 14 hours across Kenya to come to our training center here in Kenya. 2 hours of that journey was on foot and as we finished our session of training they all gave thanks. When you come from a village where clean water is a luxury and hope is being drained by the challenges for adequate food and resources – you hold onto those relationships that can pull you through and give you hope for tomorrow. These 12 people from the same church in Mochongoi, Kenya have told me to please express appreciation to all of our staff and ministry family who have helped make this time possible for their lives. It has been only three and a half days and they finish tomorrow but they are not the same as when they came. Today they are filled with thanksgiving to God.
Ideas are now filling their minds and our fellowship together in God’s Word has renewed their spirits. It is this momentum that launches needy lives onto new paths of hope and practical steps to break the chokehold of poverty. As each of our ministry areas here in Africa communicates the results for the year – it is amazing to see that we have reached and impacted 13,860 people so far in 2010. This does not include the 1,750 people that we purchased milk from yesterday (and every day) in Kipkaren through the dairy plant. For this and the changed lives these numbers represents we give thanks!
Recently I visited with Pastor Wesley on the other side of the Kerio Valley. His life has been changed over the past year because of the trainings he received. A gentleman named Timothy on this side of the valley was so impacted by the training that he has over the past two years connected almost 1,000 other people with ELI and our extension program (Farmer Field Trainings). These are exciting days.
The sound of the children’s voices on Sunday morning have touched me deeply as they worship in church. Imagine yourself in our training hall in Ilula, Kenya as 20 kids from our Children’s Home sing with all their hearts to God during todays’ chapel service.
The audio Post was made on my way to the church service. Over 300 people came and for sure it was an amazing time of encouragement. I shared from 1 John 3:3 on the theme Mambo Bado (Things are not yet complete) and challenged them to do all they can to be right with God and to work together to make things right in the villages where they live. After the service I visited Pastor Sainas’ home and saw again the wonderful projects he has established at his small compound as a result of the ELI training he received to help support his family. GREAT people and village – terrible 40 miles of potholes and crumbled road – but I thank God for another safe journey to and from.
The life for women in Africa is difficult and demanding. Many are rarely appreciated for the work they do in their homes. Water Of Life Fellowship (So. Calif.) is right now helping lead a special conference at our Training Center in Kipkaren, Kenya. Pray for God’s favor on this important time and encouragement for the women of Kenya.
