Last weekend we went to Nakuru to spend the weekend with this charming family. Isaac and Margret Mwangi went to America about ten years ago for him to finish his undergraduate degree and attend seminary in Atlanta. After graduation they came back to their own area to minister. Here you see them in their front yard with their two sons, Edwin and Timothy.
The AIC (African Inland Church which grew out of the African Inland Mission) appointed Isaac to the Egerton area near Egerton University.
They are being partially supported by Mission on the Move which the Shearouses from Georgia direct.
In the past two years since they returned, the church below has been built. It is nearly complete and they are now planning to install pews like the two Isaac is standing beside.
This is the pulpit area
which Isaac fills
so well. His sermon
in a mixture of Swahali
and English seemed
to be appreciated by
the nearly 100
people in attendance.
Every Saturday a feeding program is held at the church for about 50 children. These are not children who attend the church but very poor children whom they have found in the area through a screening which they have done. Here you see the children playing and singing in front of the make-shift kitchen where their lunch is being prepared.
They also gather in the church building before lunch for a Bible story and singing. At this point they didn't look very happy. We found that easy to understand when we were told that most of them may not have had anything to eat for a couple of days.
The meal consisted of ugali (like very firm grits), sukuma wiki (greens) and a small portion of meat. We were shocked at the quantity they gave each child but we saw none being
thrown away. We did see some sharing with others.
Below they finally gave us some smiles after they had eaten part of their meal.
Isaac is a creative ambitious young pastor. I think we took to him so quickly because in age he's right between our two children, Eric and Esther. He was bothered that some of his congregation had to walk five kilometers to church so he has started another church in Beeston. We visited the home where they first started meeting. It's below along with a picture of the mother and two of her children. The home had no electricity and a dirt floor but it was spotless. We were welcomed warmly and asked to have prayer with the family. What a privilege! Now the church is meeting in the building with the sign. They are negotiating to buy a plot of land nearby. We are so convinced of the value of having African nationals planting new churches in Africa. God is certainly using Isaac.
Part of the time Isaac was studying in America, Margret's mother joined them from Kenya to help care for Timothy and Edwin. They did that so Isaac and Margret could both work (Isaac two jobs at times) and send money back to Kenya to build a house to live in when they returned. You see the results below. We stayed with them in this lovely house. Another privilege!
Edwin and Timothy
entertained us with
singing.
Isaac took us to view the Menengai Crater near Nakuru. We didn't get as close to the edge as the goats did! Behind us in the distance is the equator.
We've led you to believe that we are here teaching at RVA.It's true but Vic decided to become an entrepreneur.
Here's his establishment on the left.
Awesome photos!
ReplyDeleteI especially like the one of you on the hillside with the valley/equator in the background.
I'm so glad and thankful that you are having a blessed time in Africa.