Easter has been reduced to celebrating new life with bunnies and egg hunts. i discovered the real meaning of “New Life” today as i spent the day with Ben, one of our team members from “A future and A Hope”.
First of all i slept about 30 min. last night. I was anxious all night, not in a nervous way but an expectant way. i left with Ben early this morning to get directions to a local church. By the time i ran a couple errands i decided to forego the “Traditional Easter Sunday Service”. We located the church for future reference but my day really began in one of the slums of Nakuru where Ben ministers everyday. Here are a couple of pictures to let you see the main thoroughfare and the typical apartments available. One of the apartments are usually about 10’x10’. One of the households we visited had a widowed mother and her 6 children living there. When we arrived mom wasn’t there and the oldest child said their mom had gone to “find some foods”.
Ben had been made aware of a hideous case of child abuse and we went to check on a certain little 7 yr. old girl who had been raped multiple times. I found out this morning while talking with Ben he had rescued her 3 yr. old sister about 2 yrs. ago from the same circumstances.
After earlier medical consultation she was taken to a very good home for children in situations such as this. It is also where she was reunited with her sister after a 2 yr. separation. Now they both reside at “Springs of Hope” home for orphans, abandoned and abused children. Joseph and Molly Bail who operate “Springs of Hope” have become good friends and a great resource for cases like these.
As God would have it they were having a Resurrection Celebration with their staff and the over 35 children they have rescued. Ben and i were invited to be guests and of course with choma (roasted) buzi (goat), kacumbari (a pico de gieo) and ugali (stuff) on the menu how could we refuse. So we checked in with the sisters, played with all the children and celebrated the Resurrection of Jesus with them.
Here are a few pictures of the celebration at “Springs of Hope”.
Left to right TOP: Joe & Molly Bail, “Springs of Hope”. Ben either taking candy from a baby or unwrapping it. MIDDLE: Molly passing out marshmallows. Ben surrounded by children as usual. BOTTOM: Springs of Hope dining area and last but by no means least, our first plates of the celebration meal.
We also enjoyed music, dancing and drama by the children as well as the Biblical reason for the season as told by the staff.
Today i witnessed the miracle of 2 ministries working together for the Kingdom of God. There was no competition between them only completion. What one couldn’t do the other did and vice versa. i was privileged to see with my own eyes children being given “A Future and A Hope” at “Springs of Hope”!
So simple but we hide our eyes as well as eggs during this Resurrection Season! My love, honor and respect to Johnny & Kate Brooks and their team from “A Future and A Hope” and Joe & Molly Bail and their staff from “Springs of Hope”.
Living proof that HE”S ALIVE!!!
i am,
Babu Lonnie
