The last few days have been so packed so I have some catching up to do. The Internet connection was very slow in Kitale Kenya so even getting emails has been a challenge. So here goes….
Tuesday
We went to Kitale prisons, where CR first began in Kenya in 2005. First we visited the CR group at the Main prison for men. The chaplains that lead the CR ministry were all transferred to other prisons in the last year but it was great to see that the inmates carried it forward and are now leading the group. One man of the original group that we trained in 2005 was still there. They had a graduation of 20 men who have completed a step study group. What an honor it was to present these men with their certificates for completing a step study. It was heartwarming to hear their testimonies of forgiveness and transformation. They had a very nice graduation program and it was great to see all that God is doing there in that prison. It bought back so many memories of going into that prison for the first time and to recognize all that God has done in the prisons throughout Kenya with CR since then, something only God could do.
We visited the women’s prison. We had a nice program with them too, the choir sang so beautifully and I even got to join a tribal dance with them. The inmate that was leading their CR group was transferred to another prison in Nairobi, maybe she can help lead CR there J. As God arranged it, a chaplain from Kakamega women’s prison who has gone through CR was transferred to Kitale women recently so she will take over leading the step study group that is going.
There is new staff at both the men and women’s prisons so we spent some time training them on CR and how to lead step study groups and for the men to hold the large group meetings.
Wednesday
We drove about an hour northeast of Kitale to Kapenguria Prison. It’s a remote area with rolling hills and farm land with tall maize all around, a very peaceful place. One of the chaplains from Kitale was transferred there and had begun teaching CR large group lessons. We met with several officials and had a CR training, some had been through seminars previously. They are ready to move ahead on a larger scale and will be starting step study groups soon. We spent some time with the inmates encouraging them and introducing the step study groups. They are very eager to get started.
Thursday
I went around Kitale connecting with friend. I also visited some churches and heard testimonies of lives that have been transformed through CR. One day at a time, one life at a time. I enjoyed taking my kids shoe shopping in town.
Friday
I rested in the morning and began to pack and prepare to leave for Rwanda tomorrow. In the afternoon I spent time with my kids, playing games and just enjoying being together.
Saturday
I left Kitale at 5:30 am for 1 ½ hour drive to Eldoret by taxi to catch a 45 minute flight to Nairobi. I changed planes then flew to Kigali, Rwanda via Bujumbura, Burundi. I was met by Moses at the PEACE office and got settled in at Iris Guest House. I had a relaxing afternoon and evening.
Sunday
This morning I attended church at Prayer Palace with Moses and Bonita. The senior pastor is someone I met during my second trip to Rwanda. It was good to see him again. The service was lively with great worship with songs and dancing and a very inspiring message. This afternoon I had a chance to rest and to get prepared for the next few days when we will have seminars in Muhanga and Karongi districts then meetings back in Kigali. I also had time to catch up on the blog.
Please pray for travel mercies as Moses, Jean Baptiste and I travel about an hour to Muhanga Monday morning, have a seminar then drive on to Karongi (about another 2 hours) where we will spend the night. Pray for the seminars that we will have for churches that have started CR in Muhanga (Monday) and also in Karongi (Tuesday). Pray for wisdom on how best to help them take the next steps with their ministries. Pray for travel mercies as we drive back to Kigali on Tuesday evening after the second seminar.
No comments:
Post a Comment