Arise & Shine School

Friday, September 03, 2010, 8:00pm Bungoma Time

Before I get going I need to tell you that last night’s Open-Air Crusade had another 20 or so that gave their lives to Christ.  I’m not sure what the count is but I ‘m thankful for every single one of them!  Today was a little slower pace but it was still very full of ministering to the people here.  We went to Arise & Shine Christian School in Natima which is the school we have been praying for since it started last year.  Pastor Ferdinand Muchanga is the Director of the School and is doing a wonderful job.  He is an administrator with the public school system so he has the credentials to start the school and has the government’s blessings.  His wife is a teacher and administrator in the school and his son is involved along with 7 other teachers.  They now have 125 students in the school!  This is the only Christian school for many miles and the children are doing great.  They test out several levels ahead of the public schools already.  I got to address the teachers first and I just wanted to encourage them and remind them of the great responsibility they have as teachers and especially at a school that is based upon teaching Christian values.  They all have a heart for the children and that was evident just by visiting with them.  After spending a while with the teachers we went outside and the kids were all in place and ready to go.  Some of the kids were not here because school officially starts on Monday, but the ones that were here were excited.  Director Muchanga talked about the changes that the school has undergone in the short time that it has been a school and the plans for the future as well.  Several of the parents were there and a couple even stood up and testified at how important the school is and how well their children are doing in the school.  After the report the children stood up and sang a song and recited some memorization that they had prepared, it was very cool.  Then I got to stand and address the teachers, the parents and the students.  I just reminded them God loves them very much and that He has a plan for their lives.  They are already experiencing the favor of the Lord because they are attending a great Christian school with teachers that love them and pray for them.  Then we had yet another great lunch and I was stuffed once again.  I have forgotten to mention some of the other great things that they eat here.  Part of lunch the last few days has been what I thought was mashed potatoes but it turns out it was actually sweet potatoes and bananas mashed together.  Fresh bananas are usually on the menu as well and some are small and they are “sweet bananas” while they also have the bigger ones like what we are used to.  Oh yeah, the grow Avocadoes here so they have them fresh off the trees.  Alex reminded me that also here on the side of the road you will see people grilling and ear of corn over a small fire to sell for a snack.  Bishop Ogara gave me one the other night and it actually wasn’t too bad.  When you drive around you see many people especially children who are chewing on the sugar cane that grows here.  Leonard has told me that when there is no food that they will chew on these sugar canes to get them through the day.  I’ve included some more pictures that show some more uses of the bicycles that you see around town.  It was a good day and tomorrow is going to be great as well.  The Lord is working here and we need to keep praying for these people, they are counting on us.  On to the afternoon meeting at  Musakasa with all the youth.  When we arrived there were already a bunch of them gathered in the church and ready to go. We ended up with about 25 or 30 youth and some adults as well.  I just tried to encourage them and assured them that I knew they were in a tough place being a youth in today’s world.  When I started challenging them to live their lives for Christ I reminded them that the next generation of pastors and worship leaders would come out of this group.  When I asked who was going to fill those roles a bunch of them raised their hands and said they would be, that was cool to see from a bunch of youth.  They listened very well and heard everything that I was saying.  I know that the Lord has great plans for this group of young people because I’ve already seen them working all week during the seminar and at the church service.  This church is going to have a lot of strong leaders for Christ and I’m excited about their future.  I had to say my goodbye’s to them as I won’t see them again before I leave.  I assured them that we would lift them in prayer and keep up with their growth.  Love you guys!

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