Africa Part 3

Well, tonight as I write this, it's Friday night at 11:11 and some type of frog is belching some tune that Tom and I haven't heard this late of the evening before. I don't know if the frogs stay up later on Friday night or what, but it's loud and makes me either want to go gigging or yell out the window, "shut up!" or maybe I should just start singing hakuna matatana. Anyway, today was a different day than the rest but very intriguing and interesting.

Today we met with one of the lead pastors of Jublilee Christian Center in Nairobi http://www.jcckenya.net/index.htm. This is a church of approximately 4,700 worshippers on Sundays. We had a good discussion about various church related issues, but when Pastor Gilbert from Reedley's Redeemer's Church asked, "So what can American churches learn from Kenyan Churches," Pastor Morris responded that he believed the American church had gotten away from the basics of Christianity like prayer. He shared that after Sunday services their church held a time of prayer that lasted for four additional hours. He said he felt like the American church had many wonderful things to teach Kenyans, however, he felt as if we neglected connected with God through serious times of prayer.

Afterwards, Tom and I had some time with two of the young leaders of Furaha Community Foundation. It was an informative discussion and here are a few of the mind boggling things we learned: 1) It takes only $11 per month for 1 child to attend school, have one meal a day, school supplies, uniform, cover teacher's salaries and other expenses…Let me repeat that…only $11 per month!!!!! How many of you reading this would give at least $11 per month for a child to have this opportunity? 2) Other needs they have are for mosquito nets for families (approximately $10 per person), and 3) medical and educationally trained people to come and train their teachers and staff. These are only a few of the needs they have.

Next Pastor Gilbert and I met with three pastors in the Huruma slum and they their concerns for their community and their craving for training. When Gilbert and I shared the possibilities of training that we were thinking about bringing them, one of the pastors smiled widely and said, "you are an answer to our prayers." The possibilities are so affordable and yet so life changing!

We finised our day by attending a worship service with the kids. They do this each Friday before leaving the school. The music and dramatical presentations were inspiring (as well as Tom's dancing). We left with the smiling faces of children surrounding us and wanting to slap high fives or shake hands with the "marangos" (white people).

Gilbert treated us all to a very nice dinner this evening and I had the privilege of sitting beside and speaking with one of our drivers for the week. Ben is a former military Warrant Officer 2 or "captain" in the Kenyan Army. He now owns a safari company and runs us all over in his vans called a "matatu." He is such a pleasant and friendly person. I asked him, "So Ben, what would you say if you could tell Americans anything?" And he said, "I would say, "Asante," or "Thank you very much!" Why? Because he has personally witnessed the life change that Americans can bring. He also has a dream of coming to California and touring our beautiful state. He also shared so many things that I would love to share but time doesn't allow.

Tomorrow, Tom and I have the opportunity to take six of the teachers from the Furaha school to Nairobi National Park for a safari. Afterwards we are taking them out to eat at a "Brazilian" style restaurant where we will get a taste of the meats of Africa…more on that tomorrow.

Today I was reminded again of how blessed we are and how much we can do with a little. I'm looking forward to the future possibilities we will have in expanding the Kingdom of God in Africa. Blessings to you all.