— Video Update of Liberty School in Bikeke
Roger
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Appleseed Travel Journal
— Stories from Kakamega
Brooks
"… if my fire is not large it is yet real, and there may be those who can light their candle at its flame." - Tozer
Women and their stories I have met along the way:
Brenda
Brenda's husband died of HIV AIDS. She was worship leader in her church. When her husband died, church members brought her into the city to be tested. She had been infected and was now HIV positive. Because of this, they told her to leave; they would not let her lead singing any more and would not touch her or anything she had touched. Excommunicated from her church and community, she felt so much rejection and sadness. Now a widow with AIDS, she was alone and left with nothing, not even self-respect. A fellow widow, Rose, reached out to her to meet at her home with other widows. There they meet every night to discuss their problems, finding solace and comfort in each other and prayer and focusing on the One who does love them and promises to care for them. Today Brenda shares her testimony. She received (and took) the drugs offered to counter the AIDS virus, she walks in faith and courage, knowing God has lifted her and saved her for a purpose. Without fail, she spends every day volunteering to meet with others infected. She goes to their homes, to those who are in hospitals, educating them, encouraging them to take the medicines, to receive the help that is offered to them. Man may reject, but God loves. There is a Hope and a Future. She shares her life as a testimony to this.
Salome
"My husband was a drunkard. In the mornings he would leave without even taking tea. He was away even til late at the night time. I didn't know what to do. I had children and was with this man. I prayed, 'God, what will even you do?' Then one day my husband said to me, 'I want to go with you to church. Wake me in time to go. Get water for bathing and give me something to eat.' I even forgot about this and left to go, but when I passed by the gate, I remembered and went back and woke him up. I was surprised that he got up, ate the little porridge I made, cleaned in the water I brought and came with me. He told the others he was a drunkard, he smoked, he was taking drugs since he was a youth (he is now 28 years old). They prayed for him and my testimony is that since that day he does not drink; he does not smoke; he does not do drugs since even a year ago."
Today this family meets in their home with the husband and wife and their children. Some of the neighbors join them. Excited by her new life, Salome traveled some distance to her parent's home. She told her in-laws about their son and meeting in relationship with God and a community of caring Believers becoming everyday followers of Jesus Christ, living simply and authentically, helping, loving and supporting each other. The in-laws saw and heard and believed. I met the grown sister-in-law. Her lifestyle is changing she says. Where once she was with men, now she finds the love and comfort and answers she has been seeking in God's love and provision. Salome's brother is now embracing his brother-in-law's perspective on marriage and parenting, lifting, supporting, being present to his wife and children. Salome's husband is alert, excited, alive living a life he only dreamed could happen for him. He meets with men in his home now once a week, testifying and sharing the transformational love of God in very real ways.
Mildred
Mildred shared her story of suffering from when she was a young girl of much pain from "female problems (physical)." She was told that she would never have any children. When she married, her husband knew this and accepted it. They were destined to live and be different and "less than" in a society where children are plentiful and a testimony of blessing. Today Mildred has four children. Her testimony is real and undeniable. She shares with many women what she has received … Hope. An unspoken proclamation of generations of struggling and hardship and poverty can and is being replaced with transformation in minds, in hearts, in lives … if you believe.
— Liberty School
Brooks
We are now in Kitale … ahhhh, home sweet home. Familiar faces, familiar places. It's rainy season, so we have been drenched more than once out walking here or there, but the lush, green mountains are so worth it and I'm getting used to using cold water and a bathroom scrub brush to clean the red mud off my feet at night. Today we spent out at Bikeke Village at Liberty School where things continue to change and mature. Director John Wanyonyi started there with a tin-roofed, dirt floored, no-siding building with one volunteer teacher and some orphans because he went to this remote village to reach people for Christ. Today there are almost 300 students, 14 teachers, 2 cooks and 2 watchmen. Because of you and others like you, these 300 are not only being educated, but they are eating every single day. They have somewhere to go during the day; they are happy; they come because they want to learn and they want a life different than what they see around them. I am astounded what is happening at this school. We do what we can; but it is really because we come alongside and support what is already going on. Believe me, John would accomplish this vision one way or another. He believes God gave it to him. He is the one who people all over (and I have been with him when he was greeted this way) call him "Anaweza." This is because his mantra has been, "Jesus is able to do more than I can think or ask." (Jesu Anaweza means Jesus is able in Swahili.) This man believes God told him to go to Bikeke. He believes God told him to care for the children and reach their parents. He was doing it before we ever met him and I am very confident that he will be doing it long after we leave. One day at that school will change your life. Why? Because what you see is humbling. Children are smiling because for this moment they are safe, protected, nurtured, loved, fed, and some are even housed there. They are experiencing the love of God in very real, tangible ways. They have hope; they play; they laugh; they work hard. In an atmosphere of Grace, grace abounds and it shows. Without you and your compassion, your love and desire to see God work in amazing and astounding ways, this vision would not be happening. Over and over again John begs us to convey his appreciation to all of the Appleseed partners. So, again, asante sana (thank you very much)!
— Grassroots Change Without Outside Dependency
Roger
Here is how a small, house church disciples new believers and lifts people out of poverty all at the same time. Because it is simple and reproducible, it is transforming communities in Western Kenya.
George, a wonderful church planter there, explains an example of what he does.
I look at the four people in front of me and I examine what each one has. I look at the first one and say, "You have a little land, let's use that to get the clay to make bricks." Then I look at the second one and say, "You have some trees, let's use those to build the fire to cook the bricks." I look at the third person and say, "Well, you don't have anything, but I know you love Jesus. So, you will add some extra labor when we need it." I look at the fourth person and say, "You live in town so you know who to sell the bricks to. You will move around and market them."
We then set a target of how many bricks we will make. When we are done, we set something aside for the next project and then split up the profit. Each one will take away something to feed their family and a little left over to share with others.
As we do this, each person learns how to work with others, set goals, and complete a project. In this way, he will be able to pass this same ability to others.
While this may seem simple, it is actually extremely profound when people who have been trapped in poverty-mindsets develop some basic skills that lift them up and that they can pass on to others. This is micro-development combined with church planting movements at its best. It requires no outside help and it's fully sustainable!
I'm humbled by what they are able to do as they look to God's help and work together as a true, spiritual family.
YOU have sowed the seeds that make this kind of grassroots transformation possible!
George:
— Esther Speaks
Brooks
I really don’t consider myself an activist of too much, but it’s very, very difficult here in Africa to stay silent on the subject of women. The oppression, the victimization, physically and mentally, is very, very challenging to understand, much less accept. Along with the 55 very unique countries in Africa, there are many different tribes within each nation. All of these social systems are extremely complex and complicated, particularly for this western mindset to take in and/or accept. However, as one human being trying to value and respect another, I find generational customs of lack of equality, not only shocking, but completely demoralizing as well as debilitating.
Suffice it to say that being a woman in Africa is not only demoralizing and gender equality is simply not present. Perhaps you think I speak in extremes. I think not. Rural Africa is where these women live and they are the foundation, the heartbeat and tears of suffering Africa.
But, lest I drop to despair, I am privileged to be encouraged by surfacing ripples that show me life is stirring and change is happening. Nearing the end of our time in Tanzania doing trainings, one woman who had been silent for three days suddenly stood. She spoke clearly, confidently, securely in her message of conviction and hope to those around her, not the least intimidated by wzungus or the mostly all-male attendees. Esther was her name. Her husband Samuel had invited us to come and build on the message previously brought to that region by church planting trainers Dawson and Omondi. Courageously and clearly, Esther began. She announced because of what her husband had been taught, he had come to her repenting and apologizing with true humility. By profession he was “a man of God” and very important (in his own eyes)… so important that he left his family to fend for themselves while he abandoned them to do “God’s work.” The wife and the children did not have money; they did not have food. Even when he was at home, he would receive a call and leave immediately to go and help this person or that person. He would take tea in a hotel (restaurant) with white people or other men, while the family is only suffering. He would travel to far away places under the guise of preaching “God’s Word,” while abandoning all responsibilities at home.
Now, he was coming to her requesting forgiveness, saying without practicing true Christianity at home, loving God with all his heart and loving others as himself, how could he practice or even preach Christianity anywhere else. He knew it was a system he was in that was keeping his family down and not lifting them up out of the poverty they were suffering in. Esther continued by testifying that now their home is a place of peace. She has a husband who is present and contributing. The children have a father who is providing and protecting. With tremendous conviction and courage, she vehemently challenged the men present, “Many pastors have left their families. The women are left with kids and absolutely nothing to eat, no blankets, no school fees. You men tell your women that you have been ‘called’ by God. Even though the woman accepts what you say, you men know that your wives are hurting and they are suffering badly. Please, I am here to testify there is another way and it begins in your own heart and it begins your home. Today there is so much joy in our home, with my husband and with our children. We are happy and we are sharing something that is real and full of hope. We can see ourselves lifted up and our family is prospering.
Today, Samuel is, in my estimation, a true “man of God.” He is practicing true Christianity at home and out of that he is also attracting husbands who are seeing marriage and family as a joy, not a burden. Loving his wife and children enough to be present is lifting them to a place of importance and value. Worshipping and loving God together, as a family, is attracting others. Husbands and wives want to know this Peace. Conviction comes and change happens…sometimes quickly, sometimes polle polle (slowly), but it is happening!
Samuel:
Esther:
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