On Saturday myself, Nathan, Lyle, Trent, Todd, and Anette journeyed on a 4-mile hike to the peak of Motigo Mountain. It was absolutely stunning!! The views were incredible...I stood in awe of God's creations! It was a morning filled with bonding and fellowship! We took our time on our 4-hour adventure and we were able to capture God's beauty in some of our pictures...I can't wait to post them! On our journey to the top we passed a church that was in the midst of a worship/prayer service. We were welcomed and encouraged to join, so we stopped by to enjoy the music coming from the choir. After a few songs, we continued on our hike to the peak of the mountain! It was a glorious site! The view was breathtaking! We stayed for awhile to take in all the beauty that surrounded us and to enjoy the company of some of the native children! A short time later we began our trek back down the mountain. Thanks be to God, when the daily rain began to settle in we were passing a locals home whom Todd happened to know. We were invited in to take chi tea. To many in the US this home would be considered a shack, but to the Kenyans this home was above standards. It amazes me how very welcoming every Kenya is! We sat as the rain passed over us in this Kenya home, everyone taking chi except me (I don't really care for the taste of chi) and sharing in fellowship! It was an uplifting experience! Once the shower had passed, we continued back down the mountain. As we passed back by the church we were invited to come say some words in front of the congregation. The reason for this "Prayer Day" was in preparation for the high-school exit test. The community gathered to pray over the children as they prepared for their studies. The education system is quite different here...one test can truly determine your future! We all walked to the front of this overfilled church and the pastor welcomed each of us! We each took a moment to introduce ourselves, say a short message, and to thank them for letting us share in their worship. Todd prayed for the children, then we exited the church. On the outside of the church many children stood that were unable to find room on the inside. All of the children wanted to shake our hands and to take pictures with us...we were so very honored! It was an incredible experience! Throughout the rest of our decent we were greeted by children running along side of us...it still amazes me how friendly all the natives are!
On Sunday myself and Lyle were invited to return home with an intern, Elijah, and join him at his church. This morning started off with about a 2-hour ride through Kenya. The sites were breathtaking! Tea leaves are grown throughout Kenya and tea factories exist everywhere! The tea crops are a bright green and make the mountainsides stunning! Our destination was Elijah's parents home. In Kenya anytime guest are expected, food is prepared. We had a wonderful Kenyan breakfast waiting for us when we arrived. I was very honored to meet Elijah's mother, father, and one of his 10 siblings! Large families are traditional and are only beginning to get smaller with this generation. After a wonderful breakfast and being welcomed into Elijah's childhood home, we were able to take many pictures to capture our experience! Shortly after we piled back into the car to head to church. We were among the first to arrive...Kenya time is slow time, so many ventured in late! The service lasted about 2 1/2 hours. It was such an incredible experience!!! About 30 minutes into the service and the entire church was filled...there were no seats left available!! One of my many thoughts was why are the churches in the US not this full?? Why are there seats left available during our worship services?? We have so much to be thankful for in the US...we are so blessed, so why is that the Kenya's who are given so little are so much more thankful?? Why is it that the Kenya's live out their faith so much better than us Americans? I was left baffled by the worship experience that I took part of this morning. Shouldn't every worship experience in every church be so uplifting? My brothers and sisters in Kenya welcomed me before the congregation to say a few words...it was a powerful experience! The sermon was given in part by Lyle with Elijah translating, then Elijah finished up the last half of the message. HIV/AIDS is such a huge issue in Kenya and one that carries a stigma. The topic for the sermon was education/treatment for HIV/AIDS and how to love and care for those carrying the disease. It was a message that was well accepted! The gospel used to support the message was Matthew 15:29-31, "Jesus left there and went along the Sea of Galilee. Then he went up on a mountainside and sat down. Great crowds came to him, bringing the lame, the blind, the crippled, the mute and many others, and laid them at his feet; and he healed them. The people were amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the crippled made well, the lame walking and the blind seeing. And they praised the God of Israel." Jesus healed the sick, so we must treat the sick as Jesus did! The 2 1/2 hours was filled with praise, worship, fellowship, and love! At the end of the service 4 cokes were brought out...one for myself, Lyle, Elijah, and Elijah's wife, Emily. Guest are always greeted with a treat...and in Kenya a coke would be considered a treat for most! For those that don't know me, I have not had a soda since I was in middle school. It was impossible for me to turn down such hospitality...they were honoring me, and it would have been rude for me not to accept! So after almost 18 years I had my first coke today! I have to admit it wasn't bad, but I think I'll stick with my water. As we were exiting the church after service, the crowd continued to follow us to the car. Our car was surrounded with children and adults wanted to greet us, just to shake our hands. Many reached in to the car to touch us...it was a very surreal experience! We made our way through the crowd and began our journey back to Tenwek! What an amazing way to start my Sunday!!!
Elijah's parent's home. His mother made breakfast for us!
Elijah's families tea fields! Tea fields are in abundance in Kenya.
Elijah's family:
Church:
In preparation for this coming week I ask all that are following my journey to pray for the sick here at Tenwek! Pray for those that don't have a relationship with God! And pray for those that live in despair!
While I am praying over those here in Kenya, I am also remembering my church family at the Gathering at Hillvue Heights Church in my prayers! I am blessed to have such a strong group of believers as my church family! I miss them dearly and I pray that they are continuing to preach the gospel in our Bowling Green community and that others are coming to know Christ through them! Be an example...be a missionary as we are all called to be! No matter where you are today, follow Christ and share the gospel!
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