Fun with our Leaders

Hello,

I had a great fun day today. Some of our leaders were here. See them in the picture below in traditional dress.

From Fun with Our Leaders

We had lots of fun seeing them in this kind of attire that we wore about 50 years ago. Sometimes I am surprised how quickly we have changed and learned new things. I guess God is our sight, as our tribe was quickly able to pick up and accept what the missionaries were teaching us.

I will be heading to Uganda tomorrow to lead some of the youth to visit various sites and to evangelize. I was not planning on this trip but the person who was to accompany the youth has not been to Uganda before. He is paying part of my fare. Look for more pictures in the coming days.

Here is a photo slideshow of a cultural event, held in late March and featuring Masai dancers & other Kenyan dancers.



God bless and have a great day!
Jonah

Visiting Day

Hello,

One of our girls that we supported to go to high school is doing very well. The school had a visiting day early this week and I was able to get to talk one on one with her.

From Visiting Day

She is so excited to be in school and she gives all the credit to God. I was so much touched to see her longing to meet anyone to visit her, but she had none. What a joy it was when she saw me coming. She was very excited and she shared with me some of the challenges she had after joining the high school where she boards.

Of course she needs many things. But the most pressing right now, is a change of clothes, other toiletries and even text books. I was told she is doing very well and she was among the top students in her class. Please continue to pray for and her needs. I would like to visit her again this week and be able to take to her some of the pressing needs. I hope I can get them.

From Visiting Day

In the pictures you can see the total number of students at the school. In one of the pictures you see a child with her mother who visited her. But Chepkemoi had none. She was glad to join with the rest in the enjoying the spirit of the day by taking pictures. You can see Chepkemoi (in photo below) near a visitor's helicopter. The helicopter belongs to a senior leader in the government. What a joy this was.

From Visiting Day

Thanks again and praise God for this JEWEL OF HOPE!
Pastor Jonah

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Relief Work in the Village

Hello,

These are some pictures of the relief work that has been going on here in the village. We are trying as much as we can to provide a balanced diet to families as they cope with so many needs.

From Relief in the Village - Part 3

From Relief in the Village - Part 3

There are indeed lots of needs here and we do hope that we can meet them, one at a time as we transverse the community and find those with the greatest needs.

From Relief in the Village - Part 3

From Relief in the Village - Part 3

In the pictures you can see the students that we helped last week. They are coming from the river as they learn to live outside the school community. One thing I have learned is that they are doing very well in school.

From Relief in the Village - Part 3

Praise God for that!

Otherwise have a great day!
God Bless you all and thanks again for your support.

Pastor Jonah

Reflections

Hello,

I hope u are doing great.

I just wanted to tell you that we had the burial of my grandmother a week ago and it is now a time of reflection on the times that we had together. I have now accepted that she died.

From Pastor Jonah's Grandma's Funeral

The week of the burial my mind was still hovering here and there. But I'm glad that now I have accepted that she has died and I hope to meet her in heaven someday.

I am writing this to thank you for your prayers. Without them I could not do much as u know I was vested with lots of work during this time of mourning. We had to look for microphones, battery to power it, tables, etc. it was time consuming but we are glad God came and helped us. So many people came and joined us too; villagers and many friends from far and near.

From Pastor Jonah's Grandma's Funeral

Please continue to pray for us as we come to terms to the reality of her death as we really loved her for the 120 or so years she lived here.

From Pastor Jonah's Grandma's Funeral

Because He lives
Jonah

Reflection & Planning

This week has been quite busy for me and my colleagues. We were all able to attend a small bonding and goal oriented meeting. We were to sit together and evaluate what we did together in the past year and what we are to do in this year 2009.

Every year we re-evaluate and recheck our goals and programs to see that we can achieve them. Some of the goals that we had last year were not achieved mostly because the plans that we had were ran over by the (high) inflation rates that we had in my country.

One thing that I learned is that everyone is a leader in whatever point of life or place we are in. That is the greatest of lessons that I learned throughout this period.
We did also learn some fire drills and it was fun though a bit scary too.

But I guess this was helpful as we have experienced a lot of fire disasters lately.

It is my prayer that most of the goals that we have set for this year can be achieved with God's help. Please continue praying for us.

Jonah

Boys are now Men

hello,

it was pomp and colour, after the boys who had been separated from their mothers to stay with their fathers for a month came out from seclusion. in seclusion (during Kalenjin initiation and circumcision rites) the boys learned life skills that will steer them during their adult lives.

it was a great joy to see them looking rested, happy, and really, very handsome. we (church leaders) have been praying with them and it is my prayer that what they learn during their seclusion will be enough for to help them move ahead in the teen years.

the boys are now 'Morans' and are expected to guard the community (this was how things were many years ago anyway). we taught them God's Word and were happy to see them ready to accept Christ a few days before they came out of seclusion.

have a great day and enjoy the pics.

JESUS CALLS THE CHILDREN (& Pastor Jonah Calls the Children's Writers)

hello friends,

it is always a great joy to see young ones coming to the saving knowledge of Christ through Vacation Bible school (VBS). this week alone we were able to reach about 100 boys and gals in the village through VBS.

in VBS we have games, songs, colouring, making puzzles and memorizing scriptures. this year our theme was God's LOVE

we divide the students into three levels:
-beginners - those in kindergarten
-lower - involves those in lower grades
-upper - those in upper grades.

we do this every vacation (when the term end's and the kids are free, like this month of December ). what a joy to see so many of them committing to serving God even in these last days.

on another matter, i will need your prayers and volunteerism (am sorry i can't pay u). i am greatly involved in writing and editing children's books. if u are gifted in writing simple children's stories, let me know (kericho120@yahoo.com). u will not need to travel over to africa (though u are most welcome). the internet is a great help.

1000 Kenyan Leaders - Part Three

hello friends,

this is the 3rd report of the recent leadership conference held in kericho.

the graduation night was very crowded both with people and with the program. those who attended were issued with certificates of attendance. there were farewell ceremonies for the conference goers as well as our teachers. we sang songs and received the final blessings in terms of the word of God.

our final Word was clear.

"Move with haste......and reach Samaria and Judea and to the ends of the world..."

i believe this is the same message i have for you.

look out, reach out to your friends...pray with them. the Lord is coming soon. have a great day and enjoy the pictures.



Pastor Jonah

Enjoying His LIGHT and LOVE

soon we shall celebrate and and enjoy the "fruits" of this wedding that recently took place here. this is my great expectation as the young couple [in photo above] who married looked very excited. we are so happy that the two young people love God and are ready to serve Him.

many, many years ago, our weddings were traditionally done in the pitch of the night. but when the LIGHT [of God] came calling we had 2 change and now we do this [wedding ceremonies] in the middle of the day.

what a joy it is for the whole community, including the children, to witness this wedding. this is what is happening here as you people in America celebrate your Thanksgiving holiday.

Psalm 118:19 "Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good: His love endures forever."

Because He lives,
Pastor Jonah