Redemption

There are no orphans in the Kingdom of God! Hallelujah!

Today I rocked our newest baby and wept over her beautiful life that was carelessly thrown away by the woman who birthed her. While I hugged her to me one of the volunteers began singing “Jesus loves you, this I know… little ones to HIM belong, they are weak and he is strong” with the toddlers outside. As childish as that song sometimes seems it made me think, if this precious life can bring me to tears how much more does God weep at the thought of someone throwing this little girl away like trash. Not only does God weep but also desires her redemption and healing and has chosen us to be His tools to see that she is raised as a valued and loved child of God.

Baby Precious was found in a pit latrine in a nearby town. We received her at 3 days old sick and worn out from her difficult beginning. I praise God for rescuing this girl and bringing her to us where she can be loved and cared for. Please be praying for her as she recovers and adjusts to life at the AGC Baby Centre.

Click HERE to see an update from the Baby Centre Director, Staci Keter, about Precious. 

This past Sunday Cason was invited to preach at a church about an hour away from our home. Our night guard, John, has planted 7 rural churches and has been wanting Cason to visit their head church. So Sunday we drove the dirt road back to a building with a tin roof, wood slats for sides and dirt floors.

We arrived for the service at ten, and we' had been told that we would be able to leave by 1pm so we could go meet with our youth group (from the church we regularly attend).  Here’s a picture of Cason and John before the service. 

When we first arrived, only the Sunday school children were there, so we were given a tour of the area, and then we went to a local home to drink tea and talk. The pastors from the other churches had been invited, so they slowly started to join us.  The service got going around 11:30am and the first 40 minutes was all people giving greetings and welcome speeches, followed by incredible acapella singing with drums.

Cason spoke to the congregation about The value of discernment and wisdom when listening to God’s word, and not focusing on the things of the world.  His main scripture was Colossians 2:8, which says, “See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.”

His message was translated into Kalenjin for congregation, and they listened attentively.  The other pastor’s especially took notes as he discussed the “deceptive philosophies” and “human traditions” that take us captive from the Lord. 

After being given some gifts of vegetables, we were excused early from the service.  Before we were released to go, however, we had to join John and some of the other pastors for a meeting, lunch, and chai.  We were also presented with a letter to bring with us to the States requesting help with a hospital, school, a bible college, and to send their children to the US for college. :)  We didn’t make any promises, but really enjoyed our time meeting with the pastors and the family of our host. 

Click HERE for to see a few more pictures of our time at the rural church.

 

We had 20-25 children peering into the hut while we ate lunch and when we would look at them they would all run and scream.  It was very cute but I wish they weren’t quite so afraid. It was a wonderful day and we thoroughly enjoyed getting to experience rural Kenya.  We are really hoping to continue to be involved with these churches and support them however we can. 

We left around 4pm… right on time! Needless to say, we missed youth group at our church, but we’re so glad that we stayed to spend time with the church and the pastors. : )  On our drive home, Cas and I discussed how it seems like people from the rural areas, especially the youth, feel inferior… something that we noticed even just spending a few hours there.  Hopefully on our next trip, we can try to share more about how we are all equal in God’s site and that our only true worth comes from Him.

As always, thanks so much for reading!

Colleen (and Cason)

PS – Click HERE for a recent album from Baby Center… there are some really good ones of the kids!