Sunday, August 5, 2018
Sunday worship
We attended Peter’s childhood church this morning. It has a nice brick building now, which was not the case when Peter was a child. It even has a sound system and boy, was it blasting!! We waited in an anteroom for quite a while before filing into the front two rows. (Have I mentioned the Kenyans love their ceremonies?) We noticed the men sat on the right and the women sat on the left. Soon we were enjoying praise songs in the language of Meru. Then a men’s choir sang, swaying left to right with the music. Next the “young mamas” choirperformed, which includes beautiful singing and energetic hopping and dancing. Then unexpectedly we were summoned to perform “what we had prepared.” Thankfully I had thrown in our VBS song lyrics in the morning so we led them in two songs From Day Camp. I found it emotional to look out on all those precious faces as I sang, “Everything that you have made is beautiful. Oh my God, I can’t believe my eyes.” I was so overwhelmed by gratitude to be included in this little family of God in a rural village. I know the people’s lives are difficult, but you should see them fervently praying aloud all at the same time. They love the Lord with everything they have.
John Lewis delivered a wonderful sermon on offering all you have to the Lord (as with the loaves and fishes). Josephine was his right hand person, interpreting for those who didn’t understand English. Carissa was called on to pray for the sick and elderly.
For the offering, they placed a large container at the front and groups of people processed forward to put in their gifts. Men first, then women, then youth. Many people do not have cash to offer so they bring from their crops — corn (on the cob or dried), dried beans, yams, bananas, or green beans. I wondered what the church would do with the produce. I didn’t have to wonder for long. As soon as the offering song ended a woman began to auction off each item in turn. A teenage boy would take the produce to the winning bidder and bring their money back to the front to deposit in the container. What a beautiful demonstration of the sermon — bring what you have and let God multiply it. The generosity of the people is moving.
When church ended, we were invited to the grassy area out front where I had noticed women scrubbing white plastic chairs. We were asked to go first — washing hands, then grabbing a bag lunch: 4 slices of white bread, a still-warm hard-boiled egg, a whole banana, and a Fanta pop. While we sat in the plastic chairs, the congregants sat on sagging wooden benches completely segregated by gender. This was yet another incredible cultural experience, showing just how wonderfully diverse and beautiful is the family of God.
John Lewis delivered a wonderful sermon on offering all you have to the Lord (as with the loaves and fishes). Josephine was his right hand person, interpreting for those who didn’t understand English. Carissa was called on to pray for the sick and elderly.
For the offering, they placed a large container at the front and groups of people processed forward to put in their gifts. Men first, then women, then youth. Many people do not have cash to offer so they bring from their crops — corn (on the cob or dried), dried beans, yams, bananas, or green beans. I wondered what the church would do with the produce. I didn’t have to wonder for long. As soon as the offering song ended a woman began to auction off each item in turn. A teenage boy would take the produce to the winning bidder and bring their money back to the front to deposit in the container. What a beautiful demonstration of the sermon — bring what you have and let God multiply it. The generosity of the people is moving.
When church ended, we were invited to the grassy area out front where I had noticed women scrubbing white plastic chairs. We were asked to go first — washing hands, then grabbing a bag lunch: 4 slices of white bread, a still-warm hard-boiled egg, a whole banana, and a Fanta pop. While we sat in the plastic chairs, the congregants sat on sagging wooden benches completely segregated by gender. This was yet another incredible cultural experience, showing just how wonderfully diverse and beautiful is the family of God.
Saturday, August 4, 2018
Seminar photo
Seminar photo
Ibrahim looking “smart”
Saturday - Seminar day
WiFi isn’t letting me post a picture, but this was Seminar day! It was quite a crowd! Emily has been here for Seminar several times and said it was a great turnout. The Lewis’s got to meet their sponsored child, Robert. The Boshes got to connect with Patrick some more. The Wenz family got great time with both Ronny and Risper. At one point Ronny and Risper were playing with each other — mind blown!
The day started with tea (an unmovable tradition), then there were formal introductions of the Hope Board and the travel team.
Then there were a few mini-sermons and then the workshops. The kids session included a game where you catch a ball/say a memory verse or do a trick. Lewis got to do some back handsprings when it was his turn. The teens and young adults were together — about 70 young men and women sitting under trees. I (Pam) got to share a testimony about mentoring. The parents gathered in their group and shared testimonies about the transformational impact of Hope Trust/Cherish sponsorships on their life.
Next, everyone lined up to wash hands and partake in a delicious meal of “mashed food” (potatoes and bananas), spiced rice, stewed carrots and meat, and cooked cabbage.
Finally it was time to hand out the backpacks! The families listened so respectfully to hear about the UPPC Day Campers who bought the backpacks and made the stationery. Then again, they lined up really respectfully to receive their backpacks. It was so fun to say our fond farewells as families walked up the hill to head home, backpacks swinging along.
The day started with tea (an unmovable tradition), then there were formal introductions of the Hope Board and the travel team.
Then there were a few mini-sermons and then the workshops. The kids session included a game where you catch a ball/say a memory verse or do a trick. Lewis got to do some back handsprings when it was his turn. The teens and young adults were together — about 70 young men and women sitting under trees. I (Pam) got to share a testimony about mentoring. The parents gathered in their group and shared testimonies about the transformational impact of Hope Trust/Cherish sponsorships on their life.
Next, everyone lined up to wash hands and partake in a delicious meal of “mashed food” (potatoes and bananas), spiced rice, stewed carrots and meat, and cooked cabbage.
Finally it was time to hand out the backpacks! The families listened so respectfully to hear about the UPPC Day Campers who bought the backpacks and made the stationery. Then again, they lined up really respectfully to receive their backpacks. It was so fun to say our fond farewells as families walked up the hill to head home, backpacks swinging along.
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