Pastors
Yesterday was the last day of the pastor’s conference. John Rushing trained around 200 pastors from all over the region. A governor from Uganda was in attendance in addition to people from Tanzania and Congo.
During the conference, my friend Johnathan Abongo showed up. He was returning from the Masai Mara where he has been ministering to the Masai.
Johnathan drives out “into the Bush” with a portable movie projector and shows “the Jesus film.” Many times, this is the only movie that these people have ever seen.
Johnathan then preaches the gospel and leads people to Christ.
Recently, a tribe held him overnight and threatened to kill him. But Johnathan is faithful and did not allow that to discourage him. He stayed and witnessed to them.
The Kuria tribe are known for stealing the cows of Masai warriors in order to fulfill their dowry. It’s tradition! But, cows are the source of life for the Masai, so they protect their cows by any means necessary.
It is not uncommon for Kuria to be killed by the Masai while attempting to steal cows.
Recently, Johnathan led some Masai and Kuria to Christ. For the first time, they set aside their hatred for one another and forgive each other. The Governor of the county was so happy with this new peace that he granted some land for Johnathan to build a church. Now, Masai and Kuria worship together. What a miracle.
Cloth
During the pastor’s conference, Dave Grumme and I left to buy more cloth and thread for the sewing project. If you can imagine, me and another large guy with a goatee standing in a shop debating over fabrics for dresses. I never thought I would say, “I like these colors better, plus that pattern is just horrid.” Too funny. I wish I had video.
The sewing project is going well. There is a need for further training with regards to how to run a business and make it profitable. I discovered that there is very little understanding about how to cost out a product in order to arrive at a price.
Until they get a handle on what it costs for a product taking into account the materials and labor, they cannot even try to conduct business. Mandy is going to put them in contact with a group that provides advice and training to business owners here in Kenya.
Drugs
While we were out, I went to see my friend Shakur at Lakepharm Pharmacy. When I entered his shop, he was overwhelmed with joy and insisted that I come behind the Chad at the counter in order to have tea. Shakur has been a good friend. On past trips, he has extended me prescription writing privileges in his store in order to get medications for our team members and the locals that may need medicine.
Dave Grumme ended up having to leave me at the pharmacy with Shakur because tea takes longer than 20 minutes.
During our conversation, Shakur and I made an arrangement that would allow me to purchase antibiotics and malaria medication in the future via email.
I do hope that one day I can come back and see Shakur. Whether he realizes it or not, his cooperation in the past has saved many lives.
Shakur is a Muslim and our conversation turned to our respective faiths. We shared with one another and had a good visit. While I was there, I purchased some malaria medication with the limited funds that I had and then I had to leave.
