Pressing On

The front doors of Rift Valley Fellowship

Monday morning began with a team meeting and devotional. John's wife, Marsha, has been so thoughtful in sending him scriptures and prayers for our team. This morning's devotional was Philippians 3:7-21 and Psalm 65:4. 

This particular verse from the devotional spoke to each team member in a personal way:

Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 

Philippians 3:13-14 

Yummy sugar cane

When we arrived at Rift Valley Fellowship Monday morning, Nellie had a bag of sugar cane and she was generous to share it with us. Some of us weren't exactly sure what to do, but she showed us that we just needed to chew on it to get the sweet sugar water. We had never seen this, however we all loved it! 

Our team getting the hang of eating sugar cane

Pastor Isaac asked the congregation if anyone had a testimony to share today and a woman named Sarah came forward. Sarah, who knows Christ, had never been to RVF before the training, but she was walking past and heard God speak to her that she should come in. Sarah is in a difficult circumstance. When she entered RVF, she heard a team members testimony and it spoke to her about her unforgiveness and how believers should forgive others because God has forgiven us. Sarah repented from her sin to God and others and is already beginning to bear good fruit. On another note, she has a 7 year-old boy who came Saturday and Sunday with her and copied all of Michael's notes from the white board. He studied every diagram and picture. He was so brilliant!

John giving his testimony

John shared with us his personal story of God's love, grace, discipline and redemption. The audience was captivated. They could relate with much of his life experiences and said they were so encouraged by his testimony. 

John's toilet paper illustration

To lighten things up, John used toilet paper to illustrate a biblical truth. The sheet of toilet paper represents our life on earth. When we look at that sheet in the context of the entire roll, case, etc...this represents our momentary suffering in light of eternity. 

Michael with the Street Boys

Before Michael began his message, a few curious 'Street Boys' approached him and asked many questions about the previous day's message. Michael was grateful for the opportunity to engage with them.

He then began his teaching on repentance and how it is a supernatural changing of our heart toward God - we desire to follow Him and be obedient. His teaching came from the Parable of the Prodigal Son from the book of Luke. 

He explained that we have been given all things in Christ at no cost to ourselves. We often fight in the world for the things we already have in Christ: love, a perfect family, peace through the Spirit, security, stability. We keep leaving Him and going back to the world. The way back is to turn and repent. 

He also outlined the difference between worldly sorrow and Godly sorrow. 

Rebecca giving her testimony

Next, Rebecca gave her testimony of how in the past she made an idol of her husband. She explained that she had put her husband in the place in her life where God once was, the only place He truly belongs. Not only did this cause friction in her marriage resulting in unmet expectations and subsequent anger, it also put distance in her relationship with The Lord. God changed Rebecca's heart through her repentance and brought restoration to her relationship with Him and her husband. 

Mwangaza Village IDP Camp

In the afternoon, we went to the IDP (Internally Displaced Persons) camp known as Mwangaza Village. We visited several families from church who live there. 235 Kikuyu families came from Eldoret where their homes and businesses were burned to the ground by the Kalenjin tribe. They fled without anything more than the possessions on them. Some had to watch as their husbands or children were killed in front of them. In 2008 in the middle of the night they were taken to a field in Maai Mahiu where they were dropped off and  lived in tents for 3 years.

Inside a home at Mwangaza Village

Ceiling adornments in a home in Mwangaza Village

At this particular camp, families live in homes built a few years ago by Habitat for Humanity. Each 3-room home has a small plot of land were they can grow vegetables and raise chickens. 

Not only was our team excited to visit these families who had befriended us during our stay in Kenya, they were so excited for us to be in their homes, as well.

Hand-painted wall art in a home in Mwangaza Village

John, after praying for the ladies in Mwangaza Village

We were humbled for the opportunity to pray for 5 families. They requested prayer for God's provision of food, healing for their bodies and their families, school expenses, and for their wayward children. 

They are so grateful to have homes of their own and a place where they can put down their roots. As we traveled from home to home, those who were at the last home would join us at the next one. By the time we arrived to the last home of the day, we had quite a crowd with us.

Our team was unanimous that visiting this camp was the highlight of our day and perhaps the trip itself.