Bethany Bible- Carolyn Reports

Jambo, rafiki!



We are enjoying another afternoon rain shower as I type. We do wish that somehow we could bring the rain home to Southern California.

Our evenings start with dinner at 7pm. Usually, some staff member shares his or her story and our hearts are broken and encouraged by what we hear. It is amazing how God is the same wherever in the world we are. Tuesday night we had a special treat as Pastor Peter, his wife Ruth, Pastor James, and Cosmas all came to play games after dinner. Peter showed us his motorbike moves that he uses to encourage people to be tested at the AIDS clinic. We laughed so hard and can‘t wait to share them with all of you. He shared about some traditions of the Nandi tribe to which all four of them belong. We ended with singing praises to God in Kiswahili. What a blessing. It wasn’t until Wednesday evening that we finally played “Pass the Pigs” with Peter and some of the others. Although our mornings can be filled with tears, our evenings here are filled with laughter.

Wednesday morning Julie, the American nurse, gave us an update on the fight against HIV/AIDS in this area. She quoted Mother Teresa, “Every AIDS victim is Jesus in a distressing disguise.” I think that for me, I am seeing Jesus in many disguises. Giving that cup of cold water in His name has never been so real. We divided into two groups and hiked out into the community to visit HIV/AIDS patients in their homes. Our team stopped to talk with an old man in tattered clothing who carries his Bible in his backpack and ministers to whom ever he meets. We fellowshipped in the Word and in prayer. When we arrived at the home of our visit, only an eighteen-year old girl was there with the two young children. The gogo (grandmother) had gone to Kipkaren to get rubber gloves. The HIV patient is a 20 month old girl who had so little energy that she just sat in Charlotte’s lap and leaned her head against her. Flovia lost her mother to AIDS in December. Her gogo and aunt are now her caregivers. Before we left, we prayed for the family, and the aunt accepted Christ. Home visitation teams go out several times a week and will do follow up with Prisca, the aunt. Please do pray for both Prisca and Flovia. The other team had a good visit with an adult man, David Kabet, who has been positive for a number of years. His case is more encouraging as he can farm to support his family. In the afternoon Char worked with Kipleget who has muscular weakness and lives in the boarding home here on the compound. She plans to give him therapy each day we are here. He, along with 71 other children, attends Brook of Faith Academy, but will go home to their parents on July 29th when the school recesses for a month.

Scott shared devotions about Jesus being a cook rather than an engineer with the staff at the Children’s Home at 4 pm, Ann gave her testimony to the children for their devotions at 6, and we all enjoyed singing with the kids. Boy, can they sing loudly!! Tonight we plan to eat ugali and veggies with the children in their homes. Hugs and smiles will be our dessert.

Today we met Betty who is HIV positive. She met the Lord in 2004 and knows Him more intimately because of being rejected and living through the pain of being positive than most who have known Him much longer. Our time here has been filled with stories, more than we can ever recount. After breakfast everyone split up. Ann and Charlotte walked to the clinic to work with the babies and sick. Tom and Scott planned to do woodworking. Smitty helped Daniel fix a very important generator (Will we have electricity tonight?). Becky washed clothes and assisted the teacher of the Baby Class at the Children’s Home. Ida took pictures (she has taken more than 600 since we’ve been here!). I wanted to visit with the headmaster of the school, but taught a social studies lesson instead. God is using all of us.

Tomorrow brings the graduation of a number of agricultural students, one of whom is a friend of the Crockers. The busyness and excitement fill the air. Right now the men are slaughtering a cow with the assistance of Scott and Smitty. This place is empowering lives one by one to change the world for Christ. Thanks for praying for us and with us as we continue on this journey!