Teleios Ministry: Tom's First Day in Kenya

Our trip to Kenya was uneventful. The flights were good. On the flight from Atlanta to Amsterdam, we had an enjoyable couple who live part of the year in Franklin, NC. Tom had one isle seat and I had the one on the other side of the row. In between us was this couple. So, on the flight to Nairobi from Amsterdam, both us a slept some.

When we arrived at Kentmere we settled in and went to sleep.

Tom's Kentmere Cottage

The morning (Saturday) brought a whole different world into Tom’s life experience. After a breakfast, Bernard came by the Kentmere and we talked about our week. Then, we headed off to Happy Day Academy. By end of the next school term, Happy Day will have close to 300 students. Mary shared with Tom the Happy Day Story. Robert (overseas the OVC program) joined us at Happy Day

We then headed off in the area to visit children who attend Happy Day with Support through the Orphan and Vulnerable Children’s ministry. Our first stop was at Irene’s house. The house was about 10 feet x 20 feet with a curtain/sheet in the middle to separate the house into the living area and the sleeping area. The young girl was joined by her brother, sister, and aunt. The mother was working in the area. Our second stop was at Robert and Lucy’s house. They have a very nice rental apartment with a living room, bedroom, kitchen, and bathroom. Overall the house was about 30 feet by 20 feet. Lucy was at home for short time. Today, she was working in the garden area that they have developed and planted to supplement their meals. Their small garden plot has corn, beans, potatoes, onion, and greens.

The next house was an interesting story. One of the children attended Happy Day Academy on a need scholarship. Her great grandmother obviously is an amazing lady. She has worked hard to instill something in the children—a good education and commitment to work. So we met two of the four generations of the family. Great picture of transformation—the passion of the great grandmother had shaped lives of the four generations living with or near her.

The last house that we visited was a single mother with 5 children. The oldest child of 5 was in the 7^th grade her sister in Nursery School at Happy Day Acmedy. This home was smaller that the previous houses—at 10 feet by 10 feet. No electricity or running water was in the house. In each home we were greeted warmly and had a good time visiting with them. Tom prayed in two of the homes asking God’s blessing on the children.

We then just took a 15 minute walk through a slum area. Two things were noticed: Their contented happy faces and the obvious issue of proverty.

After lunch we traveled to Koinonia Baptist Church, Ruaka, where we met with three young men who have grown up with Koinonia. Victor and Matthias were coming to Koinonia from day one over nine years ago. Onesmo came in 2009. Now they are in college or waiting for acceptance into college. They shared with us their story and their future plans. All are active in working in local schools teaching and counseling seventh graders, the OVC program, and serving with Koinonia in discipleship for youth. We also heard from Pastor Simon, who is now the senior pastor at Koinonia, and Jane, who has worked in the OVC program from the beginning of Koinonia.

We saw the overwhelming need and then we met those whose lives have been transformed by Jesus Christ through the love, prayers, and support of others investing in them in His Name. Today was a great day of touring the area.

We relaxed at Bernard and Mary’s house. Tom was able to meet the “girls” (young women) there: Shirley, Carol, and Margaret. Margaret has a beautiful daughter, Courtney, who did not like two new people invading her area. By the time we finished with dinner later in the night—she gave us one big smile.

Tomorrow we worship at Koinonia and see a little more of the area.