New Dawn

Tuesday we were given the opportunity to visit New Dawn, a school located in the Humera Slum.  This slum is home to approximetly 5,000 residents whom were told the slum was “temporary” hoursing, a 25 to 30 years ago.  The residents of this slum are living in extreme poverty, often going hungry and usually living on only one meal a day. 
 

In Kenya high school aged students attend boarding school for their four years of high school or secondary school.  This is something that families and students must pay for.  The residents of this slum are not able to afford secondary school.  Irene Tomgoi, one of Rockpoint’s missionaries,  started a school in this slum which would allow students who couldn’t afford secondary education, a high school education, to attend school for a full twelve years.

The school is built from shipping containers on a beautiful hill overlooking a lush valley and the students are learning and being taught about the Lord.  We were amazed to hear the student’s stories, where they came from, and the heart that they still had for the Lord and the desire they had to learn.  Each member of our team met with a small group of students sharing our stories and our testimony.  During this time, Mark led two students to the Lord.  Praise God!!

We were also given the opportunity to share with the students on a larger setting, the women with the girls and the men with the boys.  We couldn’t believe the respect the students had and their desire to learn and listen to us.  We have been beyond blessed.

It was also Nancy’s birthday today and we were able to celebrate together.  Bob brought in a cake for all of the students and Nancy, the kids were on top of the world and we couldn’t believe the excitement.

The ministy that Irene has in this school and in this slum is incredible, we were blessed to be a part of it.

Monday

We visited Pastor Steve’s church in Kichera Slum. This was some of ours first expierence in a slum. It was heart breaking to see how these people live. We were privliged to spend some time with the children and distributied stuffed animals. They were overjoyed that they had received a present. Just yesterday he had been contiplating suicide untill pastor Steve meet him. Pastor Steve introduced him to Jesus and he is now saved.   

We also spent the evening with Denis and Irene Tongoi who we support as a church.  God is using them in amazing ways and we look forward to sharing with you all what they are doing both in Kenya and around the world.  God has His hand on this special couple and they are impacting many leaders and future leaders .

Tomorrw we visit Irene’s school in the slum and Roy will be training pastors who are associated with John Sulai (the pasotr of the church we support.)  We have been wlecomed into homes and warmly received wherever we go.  God is working in amazing ways.  We give Him praise for all He has done!

Margaret's Home

We were given the opportunity to visit a woman named Margaret’s home, a dear friend of Bob and Nancy Brydges.  We have never seen a woman more excited to share her home with us.  It was amazing to hear the excitement in her voice just to show us her ‘proper’ kitchen and ‘proper’ drapes.  It was even more humbling to hear that a ‘proper kitchen’ was simply defined by the fact that she had pots and pans!

Margaret’s fire for the Lord despite her circumstances was inspiring for us all.  She has found joy in His promises and continues to serve him in an amazing ministry in which she disciples people for the Lord. 

Sunday Morning Church

We traveled to an African church this morning where Roy was giving the opportunity to preach to the congregation.  Meanwhile, the remainder of the team was given the opportunity to teach the children.  The passion for the Lord and His message was indescribable.

While speaking with some of the younger children we were struck by their knowledge and passion for the scripture, even at such a young age.  Each child was enormously grateful to have us present and the extent warmth we received caught us all off guard.

The church we attended is seeking to purchase land for their church, after the service we were given the opportunity to pray over the land they were seeking to purchase.  The community and body seen in this church was incredible.  The faith that they shared was a passionate faith, something seen throughout the congregation.  Yet again we were welcomed and they were honored to have us there.  Their gratitude was incredible.

Brydges Center

Upon our first arrival at the Brydges Center we were astonished at the warmth and welcome we received by the children.  The children sang and danced for us while we walked through the gates and honored us by placing us at a head table in their dining hall.  We were truly humbled. 

They performed skits and plays for us all morning and into the better part of the afternoon.  These skits and plays were most often their own stories, bringing many of us to tears hearing the abuse and terror they have gone through living on the streets.

It was astounding to witness how well behaved the children were.  There were so many of them however they were respectful, knowledgeable, and loving regardless of their circumstances prior to their arrival at the Brydges Center.  We were all given the opportunity to plant a tree while they sang and danced to honor our arrival and the support of Rockpoint Church.  We are humbled and blessed to be supporting this ministry as they are incredibly grateful for our support.  The hand of God is evident on each child’s life and the ministry they are so grateful to be a part of.

Arrival

We have arrived!  

After two long flights we have landed in the Kenyan airport.  Only by the hand of God we were able to arrive safely and without losing a single bag.  Kenya is beautiful, despite the aggressive driving, but we cannot wait to see the hand of God move over the course of the next week.