Ways To Help The People Of Kamaguta

As we went to Africa, we knew as our trip unfolded that God would tell us what he wants us to do in Kenya. These people do not want a hand out but are soooo hungry for that same life changing Word that we enjoy on a daily basis. The pastors need someone who has gone before them to share insight, revelation and practical advise about what is means to pastor the body of Christ. Getting them Word and training and resources will not only help them but as they are poured into and then begin to pour out, they will help the body be the body and function as God intends it to.
Bibles!!!!!! Something so simply and so taken for granted are very hard to come by in Kenya. This is an easy problem to solve. For $7.00 we can get a Bible in the hands of someone who wants one and has never had one.
Clean Water!!!!! The same river they get their drinking water from is the same one they wash their clothes and even bikes in. School children carry water long distances to have water to clean their school with. Clean accessible water would reduce sickness and disease and make the lives of the whole community better. I have heard before, people don't care what you know until they know that you care. What better way to care but to give them clean drinking water.
School Supplies!!!!!! The government provides one school book for every four students. They don't have supplies they need. Paper, pencils, colored pencils. Some young children don't even know what crayons are. Simple supplies can enrich their learning. Many children attend school without anything to eat all day. At least if they have supplies, their money could be used to buy rice and beans.
Uniforms!!!!!! The children must wear uniforms to school. Many of the children have them on but they are in terrible repair. We are working now to get prices for uniforms for children that need them.
Supplies for young ladies!!!!! Many young girls miss a week of shcool a month due to their period. Some end up quitting school due to getting behind. Many who try to stay in school resort to using rags that must be washed or boiled to get clean. For $7.00 a year we can provide a young girl pads and two pair of panties.
These are just a few ways that you can help. In the United States we sometimes tend to equate poverty with laziness. That is not true in Kenya. These are very, very hard working people. We saw women doing heavy labor that most of the men in our country would not even do. They are in a place where the average per capita income is $300.00 per year. Things are less expensive but not cheap enough for $300.00 to last a year. They enjoy life without TV, and electricity, and indoor plumbing. Their life is not worse than ours, just different. In some ways, it is better. They have less distractions and complications. The people of Kamaguta center their lives around their church, their family, and their community. I was told that companies like to hire people from this area because they have a good work ethic.
When I was in Kenya my conversation with God was "God what do you want me to do"? I had someone tell me one time that just doing what God wants you to do today was being in His will. If each of us would just do what God wants us do, every need locally and internationally would be met. I suppose that is the body of Christ doing what it was designed to do.
Be Blessed!!!!!!
Teresa

Reflections Of Our Trip!!!

The gentleman in the white shirt is Edward. He was our driver and a most valuable member of our team. He was totally with us doing whatever we did. He helped set up and video and gave us so much insight into the people of Kenya. He is married and has a six month old and a five year old. He was away from his family the entire time we were there. He was such a blessing to us and we look forward to seeing him again. He has a sister living in the United States. We told him if he came here we would take care of him like he took care of us. He is a wonderful example of Jesus with skin on.

This is part of the grounds of the hotel in Thika. As you can see it is a beautiful, green place. Just looking at the picture makes me want to just crawl into the computer and be back in this precious place. Each person at the hotel was so gracious to us. I was told that David, who owned the travel agency that provided our driver and land arrangements, told the hotel staff to make sure we had anything we needed and boy did they. We felt totally at home and care for. All the people in stores, businesses and restaurants were so helpful. It is an example of their culture. Before we left for our trip, I read that even if you mess up and do something not culturally correct, the people of Kenya are so polite and gracious that they would love you anyway. Since meeting these wonderful people, I can tell you that is true.

The lady on the right is Pastor Stephen's mother. She was a very sweet lady and would come to me before we left and wish us a safe journey back to the hotel. I could not communicate with her in words but our hearts connected.

This is Jenny. She was one of the children that I had some extra time to get to know. One day she ended up falling asleep on my shoulder. I was told that her father mistreated her mother and left them before she was born. I can't wait to see her and the other children again.

Just another picture of young boys praising God. They were ready to dance as long as the music way playing.

Here is a picture of Carlmats. He is named after Pastor Carl of course and his birth will mark a special time in the community of Kamaguta. His birth was not the only new thing in the time we were there. There is new hope, new faith, new joy!!!!!!! From the emails we have received we are told that they people see things differently and praise God that curses are broken and the blessings of God are on them and their land.

Endings and Beginnings

We are home safe and sound in Stanly County. As we complete our trip we are so thankful to God for our safety and the favor we experienced on each leg of our trip. Although our trip has ended the time we had in Kenya marked the beginning of a wonderful work God is doing. I will post more pictures and updates as they come in. We spoke with Pastor Stephen today and he said that their community was so blessed by the Lord during our time there. Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers!!!!!!

Our Last Day!!!!!!

The pastor cf the church wanted to give his best and therefore they gave Pastor Carl and Connie their best goat and rooster. What a blessing. Others gave fruit and vegatbles. Of course Pastor Carl sowed it right back into the church. Connie did very well with the rooster.

These people are not smiling for the camera. They are praising God.

Dancing before the Lord!!!!!

Today was bittersweet. It was a celebration of what God has done but also a day of goodbyes.

God has really touched these people. We leave a people more free than before, with the knowledge that in God is everything that they need. Many more smiles and shouts were heard today that when we first arrived.

Saturday in Murang'a

Edda and Charles work at the hotel we are staying at. They are very nice and treat us as those we are at home.

Praising God during yesterday's service.

Pastor Stephen and Catherine's living room.

My sweetie!!!!! Isn't she beautiful. She is so spunky!!!!!

The young people praising God during the open air crusade!!!

Praising God with Pastor Carl and Connie.


Today was awesome. God moved on the children and adults. We are humbled by the week!!!

Friday in Murang'a

Today has been such an awesome day. I know you love pictures but it takes long long to upload each one (about 5 minutes) that today I decided to just write you.
We started out today meeting a new pastor from Nairobi. He wrote into the website this week saying he wanted to know more about the ministry and to invite us to come to Kenya. I emailed him back and invited him to the meetings. He was a blessing and we blessed by the Word delivered today.
Pastor Carl started the service today at the church. He shared his testimony and encouraged the people saying that people in every country share the same hurts and struggles. Many came forth in the alter call for people suffering abuse or addictions. There were men and women, young and old. It was an awesome time. I felt such a peace come over the service. I have never felt peace come in in such a tangible way before. You could literally feel turmoil and struggle leave. God is such a miraculous healer. Freedom from abuse and addiction is not something these people have heard before.
We may sometimes wonder why God would want us to come all the way from North Carolina to minister to these people. To see one person leave the service free and with their broken heart mended answers the question why. Many could come but perhaps many don't come.
How blessed we are that Blessed Hope Ministries was entrusted with this assignment.
Your prayers in the US are so important. Not just for safety and provision but for the chains that have held these people to be broken. This is a prayer that can go on even after we are home. We think about leaving these people that I have fallen in love with. We are reminded that even when we are gone they are watched over by God and He sings over them. We are also reminded that He has begun this good work and He will be faithful to complete it.
The people here live a hard life by our standards but their praise and worship to God is extravagant. Our heart is not to make their life like ours but to make their life the life God would have them live.
We were told today that the companies look for graduates from this remote area we are in for employees because these school turn out very educated children. While the kids in the larger cities go home to playstations and tvs, these kids only have their books, their school, their church, and their community.
They work together in many things they do. They are building new road and you should see all the hard work they put in each day. If one family needs to plow and area for a crop, they community all comes with their hoes to till the ground.
Well, I could write all night but I should go to bed. I pray that this will paint a picture in your mind with words. Each of you are truly a blessing.

Thursday In Murang'a

Pastor Carl delivering the Word. All present received such a blessing. They got to enjoy the wonderful preaching we have every day at home.

A little girl carrying a baby. They all help each other. This little girl didn't even know who this baby was.

This is a young girl from Tanzania. She is here with her father. Isn't she beautiful.

The meetings today were awesome. Pastor Carl preached on Possessing. I know the people were blessed and encouraged.

Thanks for the prayers and comments. We love you guys!!!!