Rhythms to Remember (Part two)

Part one continued...

As we sat and talked the older gentlemen reached for his 1958 (personally-made handcrafted) acoustic guitar that had finger imprints - experience showing - embedded in its fretted neck. The old rustic classic came alive in his hands as he played to a tuning that was charming but unfamiliar to me, I just sat there joy-filled at this visit (yes, I fully realize that the acoustic guitar is a western influence – globalization isn’t all bad). He played songs softly and it sounded great as he sang tunes in his native language. He then looked up to me and asked if I would play?  I humbly took this gem of an instrument and tried to find a tuning that could match a song I have written and this tune surfaced… an untitled song (I wrote it just before leaving SSU in April).

(Verse one)

Rendezvous at the meeting place on Main Street,

Just above that pioneering river,

Right besides Professor Fitch's house,

You know the place I’m talking about.

(Chorus)

Where crosses and culture’s collide x2

And as we fumble our way through,

May we be the fragrance of You.

(Verse two)

We go to this university,

In an old and worn out town.

But both have resurrection in their bones,

Lord, please keep breathing on these bones.

(Chorus)

(Verse three)

There was a vision of a mountaintop,

And everyone trying to get there their own good way,

But may we always remember

The King laid a narrow passageway.

(Chorus)

(Bridge)

I know that we

may not always see,

him the same,

but may we, always try

and honor Him.

I thank God for this visit, for music, and for the opportunity to have been there to hear this man play. But also for Him giving me the strength and willingness to play for this older gentleman as well -- I could not do this without Him and without the strengthening love He has shown me. I also thank Him for life lessons such as this one regarding hospitality.

Rhythms to Remember (Part One)

Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. -- 1st Peter 4:9

The older gentlemen welcomed us into his hut (we were doing follow-ups). When we sat down for chai tea he began to tell us stories of the ancient days. He mentioned how in generations past their people (the kalengin) were more hospitable folk (and to my surprise, as I have felt very welcomed by so many here). As we sipped tea he told us of a probable reason -- western influence... 

“We used to eat outside,” he said “so that when neighbours walked by they knew that they were welcomed to join us in the meal [a communal affair]. We would also do this to ensure that if there were any hungry neighbours they would see us and be welcomed at the “table” for some food.  Now we eat inside like they do in the West." 

Sad, eh? I don’t know how I can practically incorporate this hospitable tradition into my own life, but when I was back at in St. Stephen’s at the Turners visiting Kate (quite frequently), they always welcomed me to their table for food, (great cooks btw). I hope to reflect this sense of hospitality in my own life – in Jesus’ name.

Oh Oh this sullied melting pot -- globalization -- that you would cease your incessant boil and brewing in regards to cultural identity mishmash. And that the remnant (traditional) indigenous groups would realize that the west surely doesn’t have it best in most regards.  To evangelism: that the salvation of nations does not mean that everyone becomes like the western folk, especially the Hollywood version of our culture, after all... surely Jesus was Jewish.

This blog continues in part #2...

Treasure in Heaven

¹⁹ "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. ²⁰But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; ²¹ for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."  -- Matthew 6:19-21

                
                Untitled

I've been to the green mile,
where harvest fields and people smile.
Children come up and grasp your hand,
"Please toss me into the air my friend."

Here in Kenya, rural Africa.

In the 50's oh how they drew,
their prayers were answered and in they flew.
Pastors, developers, and doctors too,
wisely understanding that the American Dream just won't do.

Welcome to Kenya, rural Africa.

Jesus telling tales of treasure,
decide you which barn, in heaven or earth below.
Cause where your heart is your love will show,
Oh where will your treasure grow?

Here in Kenya, rural Africa...

-- a poem/song I have recently penned.

My stay in Tenwek is almost through. Yet, not all together, I will revisit this green oasis consistently in the days to come; on weekends I will venture back from my rural village hut to do reports and data entries in Tenwek's main offices. 

This place has inspired me, the family physicians and surgeons here are humble and down to earth, as one might expect -- they are serving on the mission field! These medical workers could be accumulating much wealth here on earth to further their earthy kingdom with barns (banks) filled with gold (money), but instead they work for nothing, in fact they have come here on the wings of generosity. Many of these family physicians and surgeons actually need to raise financial support from churches and individual donors to be able to finance their time here. Like most longterm missionaries working overseas, they work for the glory of Christ and are storing their treasure in heaven to one day reap abundantly. Yes, meeting people like this here in Tenwek and seeing the work they do is truly inspiring.  

I suppose I admire these surgeons to a degree because they are seemingly (outwardly and visibly) reflecting a life (an inward reality) of deep commitment to Christ, they could be the kings of our society, yet reflecting the character and life of the King of kings, Jesus, they are giving up this role to serve to poorest of the poor. Reflections to think about.

Love in Christ,

Geoff

Two Weeks in Tenwek

"Therefore Jesus answered and was saying to them,“Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, unless it is something He sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, these things the Son also does in like manner."

                                                                             ~ John 5:19

Hi and welcome to my first blog post from Kenya, Africa! I plan to keep these entries short and concise. 

The above scripture verse struck me the other day. We read it during a staff devotion (incredibly, the staff have devotions every morning for an hour to start off each work day -- how's that for a Christian work place), this verse still resonates in my heart and mind. Why? Maybe it's because the devotional book we were studying brought to our attention that Jesus only ever did what He saw His Father doing and nothing else. Do we aim to have this same objective? Or do our own agenda's take centre stage? Do we wait, seek, pray and watch to see where God is working so that we can try and humbly enter into His work, as His servants, and do as the Father is doing? This is something I hope to work on.

Touchdown

Peter and I (we are internship partners here in Kenya) arrived May 16^th.  Jet-legged and tired we were happy to be staying at a guesthouse for two nights in Nairobi before heading off to Tenwek, located in southwest Kenya. After a few restful days in Nairobi we hit the road. It took us four hours of driving from Nairobi to get to Tenwek (a rural oasis), the highway takes you right through the awe-inspiring Great Rift Valley. On route we past many villages, some of whom were inhabited by the revered / traditional Masaai tribes—I am told that we will be working with them to some extent; for this, I am both honored and excited.

Tenwek

My amazing yet temporary residence.

A hike to the top of Montego, in Tenwek.

Tenwek (my abode for the last two weeks) is an oasis in Kenya—comparable more to a resort destination. It’s lush and green everywhere and there are lots of homesteads with plentiful harvests. It is a village centered around a hospital founded by Western missionaries back in the 1950’s. The hospital is state of the art (for the most part) and serves thousands of Kenyan’s; it also acts as a training school for indigenous medical school students (doctors and nurses).  The villages that I work in/with are not so prosperous, and even here in Tenwek people are still lacking clean water and other expressions of poverty exist (unemployment, inability to pay school fees, etc.)

Work Involvements

My work here is mainly expressed by aiding in the task of providing clean water via the Biosands water filter to local villagers, and data monitoring. The filter is simple technology (slow sand filtration) that uses local materials and is extremely effective, and that’s why it is so great. With the Lord's help I also hope to minister the love and truth of God while I am here as well.

My first two weeks in Kenya has been focused on orientation and some field work. I have met the community health & development department (a great team who I will be working with). I have also been on excursions to various schools in near by rural villages to see how they are progressing in health and sanitation practices, and I am glad to report that they are doing well (cleaning hands, building and using latrines, collecting rain water from roofs, etc). This may seem primitive to western readers but here in rural Kenya open defecation is widely practiced and proper hand washing is prodominately out of their health and hygiene agenda’s (these are major contributing factors in contracting many disease). I have also been involved in installations and follow-ups regarding the Biosands water filter, and the beneficiaries feel so blessed to have the filter in their homes, it really improves their health to have safe, clean water, to drink, praise God.

A last note: We (Peter and I) go to Mengit in a week (1 hour from Tenwek, SW Kenya). We will be moving in with a indigenous family on their rural homestead. The mud hut we will be living in for most of the remainder of the trip (five more months) has no running water or electricity -- should be interesting, I am actually looking forward to it. I hope to learn about farming and animal husbandry while I am there. I have met the mother, Sarah, and one of her six children. Sarah is very hospitable, intelligent, warm, and now considers us (Peter and I) her new sons, we call her mama Sarah. 

Me, Fetus, Mama Sarah, and Peter, at the homestead.

I am really enjoying my time here and have met some great people. 


I also know that I am in Kenya by God's grace and need Him daily, I welcome all prayers. Please pray that God would open mine and Peter's eyes to see what God is already doing here so that we can try and humbly (with his wisdom and strength) enter into that work. All honour and glory be to the Lord.

Blessings, 

Geoff