On our third day here in Kenya, we travelled from Kitale to Bungoma, another site of Buckner work in this country. The countryside is full of green vegetation, the soil is red like Colorado soil, and it rains everyday for about two hours from 2-4 pm. Since we are at an elevation of 7,000 feet, it is a bit cooler here in Bungoma and Kitale in July than it is in Dallas. We have highs in the 70s and lows in the low 50s.
Buckner is building a school in Bungoma to serve the children of this community. The school construction is underway and will be open in January to serve about 360 children. Many of the children served will be orphans and the rest will represent the most needy children in the community of about 10,000. Bethel’s Family Church in Houston installed a water well that serves 3,000 people in the surrounding community. The children walk long distances to fetch water rather than go to school since the nearest schools are miles away and they have no transportation.
Pastor Robert Walukhu serves this area and works with Dickson Masindano to coordinate the construction of the school and ministry site. He calls the area Galatia. The ministry site at Bungoma also features a social worker, care givers, and mentors. Pastor Robert’s enthusiasm was contagious and impressive. He has started 36 congregations in the area and has appointed and equipped pastors that serve with him as he serves two churches. Pastor Robert told the children gathered there that he does not want them to carry water anymore but he wants to see them carry books to and from school.
In our visit today, we were welcomed in familiar Kenyan style with singing, dancing, and celebration from the people in the community. We also met the contractor for the project, the engineer, the board of trustees for the construction project, and the local Political leader called the Counselor. His name is Anthony. Counselor Anthony wanted us to be sure we knew that this project was making an economic impact in the community since the laborers of the project are from the community and employed to build the school.
In my speech today I shared the motto from Andrews University School of Education: “Educar es Redimir” which means: “To Educate is to Redeem.” I shared with the children that the school that is being built is intended to redeem all that God has planned for their lives regardless of their situation. I told them we were there to offer the gift of our time, our presence, and the gift of an education. And I shared that every good and perfect gift is from above, from the Father of lights in whom there is no wavering or shifting of shadows.” Buckner is a conduit for the gifts we offer to this community and is a sign of the fingerprints, the footprints, and the fragrance of Jesus.
Jambo!
So glad to hear it's going well Dr. Reyes. I hope you run into the Project Go volunteers serving in Kitale while you are there. Give them our love and thank them again for their faithful service!
Posted by: Jeff Jones | July 14, 2011 at 01:20 PM