By: Jen Nyago

Longtime friend, Walter Odayo (in the brown shirt) assisted us in facilitating the Molo youth camp. Since the post-election violence, Walter has invested himself in the reconciliation process amongst his people as he experienced first hand the great damage done. His experience amongst those who have suffered so much has even taught us how to come alongside those experiencing so much pain.

The concept of empowerment is a central idea to our movement.  It is a practice that we are working to embody in our growing communities all over the world.  While the word may be familiar to some, a couple of weeks ago in Molo, Kenya, empowerment took place in a way that left a group of East African youth and their communities changed forever.  This is especially powerful considering the area still suffers with over 250,000 people displaced from the 2007 post-election violence throughout Kenya and especially in areas like Molo.  This particular group of young people were even challenged to see beyond their own tribal differences to come together, reconcile and create a new nation despite the broken, divided one they find themselves now living amongst.

During July 2-4, youth from twelve different tribes came together with our Immersion team, our East Africa cooperatives (both Kenyan & Ugandan), Derek Bargatze, Skylar Aaseby and Gregg Garner to learn from the word of God and discover how they could bring change to their communities.  Centered around passages like Matthew 6, the youth were freed from the ideologies that bind them to the master of money.  These teachings empowered them to partner with God and use their minds and hearts to bring about change in their communities.  They realized that they no longer have to wait on money to answer the questions and solve the problems of the IDP (Internally Displaced Persons) camps in which they find themselves living and surrounded by.  Education through the word of God and other practical topics like wound care, malaria prevention and nutrition empowered the youth to apply their minds creatively to consider how they can improve their communities.

"Youth" in East Africa typically consists of anyone who is between the ages of 14-30 and is unmarried. Here are some of Kenya's youth who participated in the weekend's teachings and events.

Also amongst the teachings, discussions and relationships built, the youth were empowered to facilitate the construction of 3 homes that will house 3 widows and their children, allowing these families to move out of tents they have been inhabiting for the past 2 ½ years.  These 3 widows were chosen by the youth as they sat and discussed who had the greatest need amongst those in the IDP camp.  Their decision was based not on status, tribes or money but according to what they had learned from the word of God.  It is such moments that are now bringing hope to the people of Kenya as they are being empowered through education to come together and help one another.

By Mitchell Buchanan

Visiting our friends in Mutunguru is not like a typical Kenyan church visit.  In fact, they insist that they are more than a church; they are “a team that follows Jesus.”  They are a people who desperately want to learn the Bible.  Last year, their teacher Jophet Matouri charged our organization to do something – teach them the Word of God. In response, the community in Mutunguru has partnered with our East African cooperatives in Embu, Kenya who are taking classes from the Institute of G.O.D Int’l on DVD. Every other week, a cooperative comes to teach and facilitate questions after their time of study.  According to our friend Simon Njeru, every visit comes with the expectation that there is going to be some serious Bible teaching.

After introductions and a few worship songs, I gave an encouraging sermon from Luke 24, emphasizing our call to be witnesses of what God has done in our lives.  A brisk 20 minutes later, I finished my sermon and called Jophet up front to close the fellowship.  Instead of ending the service, he actually informed me (along with everyone else) that I did not go long enough and needed to come back up and teach some more.  So, for the next hour, I continued from Luke 24 and answered all their questions.  I can’t recall any community that I have encountered in East Africa that is so determined to learn the Bible.

I was blessed this past week to visit Mutunguru once more with the rest of the team.  We came with cooperatives from Uganda, along with all the cooperatives from Embu and their families.  The day was highlighted by the power of women.  Pauline Gatanga and Ann Dwega stole the show with solos in the song “Be Holy.”  And for the Bible teaching, Megan Fleeman taught on Mark 6 and God’s desire to meet the needs of a community through his people.  (And of course, she answered many questions afterwards).

Even though we were only able to visit for a couple of hours, it was a special time.  After these visits, I felt just how plentiful the harvest is and how very few the laborers are.  We cannot forget these people who have such a heart to be educated in God’s word.  Let us be diligent to serve and empower these people of faith.  Please continue to pray for Jophet, his wife Risper, and the rest of the community in Mutunguru.