We had a glorious time celebrating with Kakamega town PEFA Church today. Those of you who have been here with us will know what I am talking about. The Kenyans heard that Garth was a worship leader so they begged him to sing a song for them. He has a cold, but he stepped up there anyway and it was glorious and moving. The Lord gave me a great word! Even I was touched by my own words.
THE KENYAN WAY
After church we went to lay the cornerstone for the new orphanage just outside of the city on one of the most beautiful pieces of land I have ever seen. Osborn had warned me that this event was going to be done in a “Totally African Way”. He told me to be prepared but wouldn’t share the details. While we were resting for an hour in our hotel, they set up two tents, 50 chairs, and a complete sound system. The power had to be run from over 300 feet away. They invited all the neighbors from all the adjoining properties to join us and had a gigantic program planned. Both Valerie and I thought, “Why all the hoopla”, but believe me, we just didn’t get it. This event was truly one of the highlights of all of our days in Kenya. Magnificent speeches were made about the background of this vision and about ministry to orphans. All of us were moved to tears as we listen to the passion of the Kenyans for this orphanage to be built and heard about the sacrifices they were willing to make to see this be a place that produces generations of dynamic world-changing young people. As we cut the ribbon to walk into the property powerful scriptures were read, and prophetic words were spoken. We then, unveiled the architectural drawings of the proposed building. I just can’t wait to show you what it looks like. It is truly an amazing vision. The next step was the laying of the foundation stones. There was a stonemason there who had prepared everything. Both Garth and I had the privilege of stepping down into a hole, laying our hands on a stone and praying over it. Then we took trowel and cement and laid it in the ground. Simeon Obayo and George Matimbai followed in the same way. Finally we planted 4 trees at the top of the property. Val and I, Garth and Danielle, Simeon and Mary, and George and Margaret all planted trees as a perpetual reminder of the things we shared on this day. What we first thought was lot of hoopla, turned out to be a deeply moving and spiritual experience for us all. None of us will ever forget this day. It was a landmark occasion.
With the donations of only two people, we have enough money to begin construction and frame in the building. As we move forward we will need to raise about $35,000 for the windows, doors, plumbing, electrical work and the well. I have no doubt that the Lord will speak to certain of his servants about participating in this project. Please keep this in your prayers, because this orphanage is going to have a powerful impact on this community.
Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world. James 1:27