I am currently greeting you from behind my desk in beautiful Kakamega, where the Lord has decided to make my home. I am here and am doing well. I have had the opportunity to travel to see Salvation Army work around the territory, to meet new friends and strengthen relationships with those around me, and I have even been taught how to do some Kenyan dancing (but its not quite tolerable yet, give me a few months).
Since my last post I have been keeping busy, but not too busy. I have been enjoying the company of those around me, have been getting more involved in my corps (church), and have really enjoyed working on our farm. We could start a salad company, since we have more lettuce and cucumbers than we know what to do with.
On the 10th of July I had the opportunity to go visit a friend named Mike in his hometown of Moi's Bridge. It is a small town, but with a lot of Salvation Army ministry occuring within it. Mike is an active PSS member (as defined in earlier entries) and is the leader of 4 PSS groups within that area. I had the opportunity to lead a meeting where we discussed the Way Forward for the PSS program and discussed ways of how we can work together. I was then taken to see the PSS ministries that are occuring within the Kaptien Outpost (a church plant by the Moi's Bridge corps). When I arrived in Kaptien I was greeted by the community who was excited to have a visitor, since I was the first person from THQ to ever visit the outpost. They showed me the income generating projects that they are doing to raise funds for the youth and then allowed me to be a part of their Kids and Youth (KAY) Club.
Since my last post I have been keeping busy, but not too busy. I have been enjoying the company of those around me, have been getting more involved in my corps (church), and have really enjoyed working on our farm. We could start a salad company, since we have more lettuce and cucumbers than we know what to do with.On the 10th of July I had the opportunity to go visit a friend named Mike in his hometown of Moi's Bridge. It is a small town, but with a lot of Salvation Army ministry occuring within it. Mike is an active PSS member (as defined in earlier entries) and is the leader of 4 PSS groups within that area. I had the opportunity to lead a meeting where we discussed the Way Forward for the PSS program and discussed ways of how we can work together. I was then taken to see the PSS ministries that are occuring within the Kaptien Outpost (a church plant by the Moi's Bridge corps). When I arrived in Kaptien I was greeted by the community who was excited to have a visitor, since I was the first person from THQ to ever visit the outpost. They showed me the income generating projects that they are doing to raise funds for the youth and then allowed me to be a part of their Kids and Youth (KAY) Club. During the KAY Club we played games, sang songs, had a Bible lesson, and had a lot of fun. After a small group time, the youth went inside the church building to have a time of displaying their talents. There was singing, dancing, reciting poems, dramas, a fashion show, and others. There was even a three year old boy who recited a long poem complete with hand motions, dramatic actions and pauses, and a very professional bow. I picked him up out of joy, but he was a little bit scared. I am happy to see that God is moving within the PSS program and is doing something good in the midst of his children.
This past weekend, I had an opportunity to lead a youth seminar in Kapsabet District. We arrived on friday to see all of the officers (pastors) and youth workers waiting for us. The place where we were told to arrive was called "Dangerous Forrest" so we were a little bit sacred of what was before us. But they were anxious to have us come and teach them so that they can grow in youth work. Kapsabet is a brand new district (only one year old) and they are facing a lot of financial problems, yet their leaders felt it was important for a youth seminar to take place and the corps were able to fund the whole weekend. I am very happy to see a District within the Army that is so dedicated to youth work. On friday, we led the youth workers through several seminars and tried to encourage them to work tirelessly for the youth in their corps.
On Saturday, the youth arrived and we have a day full of seminars and teachings. The youth were so excited to be together and praise God. They listened intently to every word the TYS (the man in charge of all youth in Kenya West) and I said and were eager to put it into practice. On Saturday afternoon we held a very wonderful crusade, where the youth marched proudly and sang loudly. One child held my hand, and when the others realized I would allow them they all grabbed on. I had one child on each finger and several on each arm. During the open air, which was filled with dramas and dancing, i was pulled onto the "stage" and was told to dance. I tried my best.
On Saturday, the youth arrived and we have a day full of seminars and teachings. The youth were so excited to be together and praise God. They listened intently to every word the TYS (the man in charge of all youth in Kenya West) and I said and were eager to put it into practice. On Saturday afternoon we held a very wonderful crusade, where the youth marched proudly and sang loudly. One child held my hand, and when the others realized I would allow them they all grabbed on. I had one child on each finger and several on each arm. During the open air, which was filled with dramas and dancing, i was pulled onto the "stage" and was told to dance. I tried my best.The youth were very excited to have us there. For many of them, I was the first white person that they ever talked to, so they kept me up late asking me questions, which i was happy to do.
When we travel to other cities we use a vehicle called a Matatu (which means "for three" but I'm not exactly sure why). They vehicles are kind of like Hippy Vans and are used as buses. They are only supposed to hold 14 people, but they will not leave a city with less than 20. So it is common to be sitting in the aisle on a piece of wood or to have someone leaning on you or sitting on your lap. I have several interesting matatu stories, including oddities with breastfeeding mothers and vomiting grandmothers, but perhaps another time.
Thank you all for continually praying for me and reading this blog. I really feel your love more than you can know.
When we travel to other cities we use a vehicle called a Matatu (which means "for three" but I'm not exactly sure why). They vehicles are kind of like Hippy Vans and are used as buses. They are only supposed to hold 14 people, but they will not leave a city with less than 20. So it is common to be sitting in the aisle on a piece of wood or to have someone leaning on you or sitting on your lap. I have several interesting matatu stories, including oddities with breastfeeding mothers and vomiting grandmothers, but perhaps another time.Thank you all for continually praying for me and reading this blog. I really feel your love more than you can know.Please pray for:
-Music Camp
-Territorial Finances
-The Divisional Youth Officers (DYS')
-The Divisional Youth Officers (DYS')
-Our crops
-For me to continue to adapt to the new language and culture
-My family in the US
-My corps (in Kenya and the US)
Much love,
Justin
2 comments:
i'm really lovin the new format of your blog. good thoughts. thanks for sharing!
Yep...You are definitely in Kenya! I've only driven through Kapsabet...not been to the deep forrest...and Roy has a namesake in Magoo, not too far from Kapsabet and Kakamega!
Keep up the good work. While you may think your days are long and slow, you are making a difference...many of those young people you are meeting will remember the words of advice and the words of Christ you are sharing with them.
Blessings,
Major Jackie
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