Kenya Adventure!
“You are Alpha and Omega! We worship you alone! You are worthy to be praised!” was the song often sung during our time in Kenya; and today, as we are currently in the air heading back to Alaska, it is the song joyfully resounding in my heart!! What an incredible ten days we’ve had visiting our ROCK Ministries International family to include the children’s home and school in Malava, Kenya. Thank you so much for your prayers!!
We were greeted at the airport by Teresa Boyani (director of ROCK) and her husband Victor, George Philip (Kenyan board member), and two amazing drivers and friends of ROCK Ministries, Ken and Joel. What a wonderful reunion! Kyon had come alone the last two years but, this time, was joined by myself and four young adults from our Bible study in Alaska (Michael, Josh, Beth, and Julianna).
We arrived on the ROCK campus on Saturday evening, May 10th, and jumped right in connecting with the children, dorm parents, and staff. Every evening for the devotional times our team prepared skits, Bible teachings, and songs to share and were taught many songs and lessons in return. How convicting and humbling to listen to even Levine (age 7), the youngest in the children’s home, lead us in songs of worship sweet and clear with a heart full of joy.
Our first Sunday we were joined by all the staff and their families, along with the children in the home, for a time together of prayer and intercession, Bible study, and worship ending with a delicious lunch together. To experience the love of the staff for us, and see their unity with each other, brought us so much joy!! We have gone through some hard times including the firing of staff for immoral behavior, but we could see a notable difference in the spiritual atmosphere. Teresa is leading the ministry forward with the wisdom from the Holy Spirit.
Monday morning Beatrice, the female house parent, was in the kitchen at 5am preparing porridge for the school children and breakfast for our children in the home. By 6:30am the weaver birds were loudly chirping and children talking and singing right outside the window as the older ones, grades 6-8, head off to Machemo Primary School. At 7am the guard at the front gate was greeting parents with “habari asubuhi” (good morning) as they were bringing their preschoolers through 5th graders to Malava Christian Academy. And at 7:45am all 148 students were gathered around the flagpole for the raising of the Kenyan and Christian flags. The scouts had practiced and were ready. We were amazed by their discipline and organization. They invited Kyon to inspect their formation. My heart was bursting with gratitude to our God who invited us five years ago to have faith and engage in this adventure of blessing this home, this school, these children and staff, along with their families and surrounding community, with financial support, encouragement, and love. To God be the glory for keeping us steady when there were so many days we wanted to give up. We have been amazed by all the Lord has done and have been growing in confidence that He who began this good work will complete it (Phil. 1:6). Your love, your faith, your prayers, your financial support for the ministry, and your partnership joined with the power of our Almighty God is what has brought us this far. THANK YOU!
Kyon and I were also bursting with joy sharing this experience with four friends!!! Beth was assigned to the “baby class” to help Teacher Anne and Teacher Jean (Teresa’s daughter home on break). It was hard work and Beth experienced the challenges of teaching 23 three-year-olds packed into a little round hut with very limited resources. An occupational therapist by profession, she was able to make some observations and give some good recommendations to Teresa to pass on to the teacher at the end of her seven school days. Josh was assigned to the kindergarten class to assist teachers Milda and Victoria. Many of these children had never seen white skin and were shy around Josh, but by the end of his time in the classroom they had grown in confidence around him. His presence was such an encouragement!!
Michael, a soccer player and athlete, was given the exhausting responsibility of arranging games for the children at recess. They all LOVED him!! We had brought soccer balls, jump ropes, frisbees, and bean bags, which he utilized and Julianna jumped in to help as well. They made a great team and were constantly swarmed with children!
Julianna had the special task of helping us capture the story of this beautiful ministry and community. We all were so amazed by how much has been accomplished with the funds lovingly donated in faith by many of you. Money for two cows purchased three, and two are now pregnant soon to give birth in June!! The dung from the cows has made our corn crops more productive. A much-needed fence has been erected around the property. Everywhere we looked, we saw the wisdom given Teresa from God in managing the funds donated. Also, our staff are being paid a good wage which, for example, has allowed Rhoda, whose husband is blind, the ability to build her own two-room house with cookhouse behind. We are so grateful to God and for you!! As we grow, though, we still need more partners to join us!! The vision God has given us is a big one that, as we are faithful in the little things, we believe He will one day bless us with a school building to house the three preschool classes, a school building for grades one through twelve, a clinic to provide medical care for the community, pigs, chickens, and a bakery to help subsidize the ministry and teach skills to others. Will you reach out to friends and family and invite them to join this faith journey with us? Our email address, phone number, and website are listed in the banner below 😊 We would also love to add more people to our newsletter list.
We are so very grateful for all that the Lord has done, and will continue doing, at ROCK Ministries International and beyond. And we are so grateful for all of you, our partners and friends in this great adventure!!! Asante sana (thank you very much)!!!!!