Emmy Launchs New Album in Eldoret

My time in Eldoret is mostly going to the hospital concerning little Kigen's care, and back to my hotel. But I had a change in routine this Sunday,

After a visit to church then to the hospital, I was happy to visit the launch of a new album by Emmy Kosgei. Emmy is a renowned gospel artist in the country of Kenya though she sings mostly in the Kalenjin language.

I was happy to see her father the Rev. Jackson Kosgei, who has been in a wheelchair since he was young because he had polio. He thanked his wife for accepting to marry him, the way he was, and now his kids are making him even more popular.

He himself is a great speaker and very knowledgeable speaker.  He is now pursuing his Ph.D studies even though he started Grade one when he was 21 years old!

I have been able to make friends in Eldoret and it is a great place to be. Enjoy the pictures of the launch.

Have a great day.

The Loss of a Bright Kalenjin Light

EMO society chairman, James Kiprop Bett died. See the news story here http://www.emosociety.org/

He died after his car hit buffalo's on the way to Nairobi. He was with his family and I know them personally.

A fundraiser was held this afternoon to cover medical and funeral expenses, and I attended, though we were disturbed a lot by the rain. The burial has been set for this Saturday.

James was born in 1966 and is one of the Kalenjin community's leaders. The Kalenjin is also my tribe and his life has really impacted me in a positive way.

I am thinking of attending his funeral in Eldoret on Saturday.

Please continue to pray for this family and the Kalenjin community as whole, as we come to terms with the loss of a young and great leader.

God bless.
Jonah

New Beginnings

Last Friday I went with a team of Christian leaders to take food to the displaced in Eldoret (see my January 11th post). The next day I attended a wedding and it was a great break. It was also great because it is a demonstration of the blending of western and African cultural backgrounds. Not only that, it speaks to the love of God for all his people and how christians should be able to transcend racial divides.

The bride has been a missionary here in Kenya for several years and has been running an orphanage that cares for 29 children. The groom is from my tribe, the Kalenjin tribe of Kenya.

In Kalenjin culture, the family of the groom must pay a dowry to the family of the bride. In this case, the father of the bride is "planning" on taking the dowry (of cows) back to Ohio, USA. Dowries can also include sheep and/or goats.

Life is not yet back to normal here and the political situation is still tense. Please continue to pray for peace here in Kenya so that celebrations like this will continue and peace for all Kenyans will prevail. Thank you so much for your prayers.

Pastor Jonah