Sing to the Lord a new song - Lessons from Kenya

"Sing to the Lord a new song" Psalm 96:1

You wont know the meaning of servant until you have spent a few days with these people. They are the most hard working people I have ever met. Our hosts, Vincent and Alice Ogutu do EVERYTHING for us. They wont let you do anything. Everyday they get up at 3 - 4AM to begin preparing the monstrous pot of food for the 21 orphans, 4 children and never ending stream of overnight guests. When we awake around 7AM we are greeted by hot water for our bath, in a place where the nearest water source is .5 mile away and the method of heating is over a fire (which they had to cut wood for and start). By the time we are done with our warm water bath we sit down to our feast of a breakfast. Pancakes, fresh Pineapple, Tea, Bread and often an assortment of other things (which they pile on your plate 4 inches high). Now this may not sound like a feast, until you are humbled to find out that there only source of income for themselves and the orphans is a small Pineapple garden which takes up a good portion of there property. For most people (75%+) in this area, it takes 3-4 days of work to make $1USD (please consider supporting them). After we had been there half the week we found out that they don't normally eat breakfast other than possibly a cup of pourage and tea. After our feast of a breakfast, before we head out to take care of our activities for the day we are asked for our dirty clothes so they can wash, dry, fold (and iron if we would let them, but that is where we had to put our foot down). When we arrive back for lunch they first bring a pitcher of water to each person to wash your hands before serving us another spread of a meal often rice cooked with tomatoes and onions to be eaten with a tomato broth and jupatta (African style tortillas). While we were gone they took care of every whim and fancy (which are many, considering the company and place) of my Son (even while he cries and screams) and carries and watches over our daughter so that we are not troubled by their needs. When we go out to take care of our afternoon business we are often greeted by little surprise treats such as soda, pineapple or other items of which most cost as much as they make in a day to a week. Twice during the week while I was out they washed the car we had rented (which the nearest water source from the car is .75 miles away). When the activities are done for the day we return to there love filled, always clamoring with activity, mud home to sit and converse by the light of hurricane lamps with the many friends and neighbors that are always stopping by. After sitting down we are served a pre-meal of tea and bread prior to our grand feast of Ugali (there staple food), squoomaweeky (greens), chicken in broth, pineapple, rice, tomatoes, jupatta and other delicious items as they cook and prepare for the other 30 - 40 mouths to feed for this meal alone. I rarely ever see our hosts at our meals because as we dine they are still working to prepare food or other items for the orphans.

It would be one thing if they only served, but they also have GREAT faith. With so little, they believe in a God who can and does do miraculous things. Three times a week they meet at 5AM (still pitch black) for what they call "Morning Glory" a time of prayer and worship that advances the Kingdom in Nyansakia, Kenya.

As I read and re-read over this post I almost want to throw it away because I cannot express what is inside of me. I can only sum it up by saying:

'We (the Western church) have a lot to learn from these brothers and sisters. We need to learn that people are INFINITELY MORE IMPORTANT THAN THINGS. We only serve/share/give when it is fairly convenient. If it really impacts OUR schedule, OUR family, OUR finances, OUR personal agenda that is when we put on the brakes. This is not how Christ lived. This is not how His children live. So the question is how am I living. Am I living as His child or not?'

"Sing to the Lord a new song" this is what I learned in Kenya; So we have come up with a plan that will allow this Pastor (who receives no financial support from the fellowship) the church and orphanage to become self sufficient through the gift of the resources to farm a 2 acre parcel of land. I call upon the Western church to assist us in helping them. Look for a video describing our plan and how you can partner with God in Nyansakia, Kenya in the coming weeks.

Blessings in the name of Christ Jesus,

Jeremy Wight