Sunday, July 22, 2007

Bethany Bible- Graduation Time!

Jambo Rafiki,

This has been a full week. Yesterday was the graduation of the 9 month students from the ELI training center. It was their largest class ever, 33 young men and women. Many come from neighboring villages but some come from as far away as Uganda. We were able to meet and give support to Joshua, the Ugandan student that the Crocker’s had sponsored. He was delighted to meet us and he told us we would be his family. The students’ families came and celebrated with us. The church was full to past-capacity, then there were many standing outside. They had huge speakers and enjoyed the loud worship and booming announcements so all could hear. The ceremony was to start at 10:00am. The worship began but the women were still making food in the nearby kitchen and not all the famlies had arrived yet, so it actually didn't start till 12:00. We (the women) helped make traditional Chipatis (like tortillas) and finished just in time for the start of the ceremony. The students were honored by the presence of dignitaries and their teachers shared about them too. We enjoyed being a part of the 6th graduation at ELI. Afterward they fed over 600 people. And we thought our luncheon for 200 was a lot of work. Ha! Then we (the women again) helped wash and rinse the dishes from all those people. There was amazing fellowship with the women in the kitchen. The men helped out with sweeping and moving tables and the like but are not supposed to do dishes!! We were exhausted and slept well. This morning we led kid’s club for over 200 children. Recreational games with the equipment we brought and I shared the wordless book with them also. They are so well behaved but it was another exhausting day. We are so thankful to God for all He is enabling us to do while we are here. Thanks for your support and prayers. We send many greetings from all of our new African friends. Love in Jesus, Ann

3 comments:

Lynnette said...

Hello Ann, Scott, Rebekah and the rest of the Kenya Team. We are in Huntington Beach this weekend visiting family and we are praying for you. Thanks for taking time to keep everyone posted on what you are doing. We love you all. Mom and Dad also send their love.

Anonymous said...

Kenya Team,
Keep up the good work. We are praying God will keep blessing all of you and the individuals you come in contact with.

Bev said...

You guys have sooo many people upholding you in prayer!! I don't think too many have figured out the blogging thing, but you can catch lots of snippets of conversation as you walk around at church about what you are all doing. Can't believe your time there is half over. When you get back, I hope we can all catch just a bit of your excitement about what God is doing way beyond the walls of Bethany. Love to all of you,
Bev