Day 56 Lare-Oibor July 3, 2011

Greetings

This morning we were off to Lare-Oibor for church services.  We arrived around ten and services started somewhere between ten thirty and eleven.  Today it was a large crowd in and out of the church.  There were estimated to be in excess of two hundred people at the service this morning.  There were six elderly people that gave their life to Christ this morning and the spirit of the Lord was upon this little church in Northern Kenya today.

Services lasted for about three hours before we went outside and continued out there for another hour or so (I will speak to the outside portion in tomorrows blog).  So it was a long day at the church but well worth it.  Now many of you might wonder what can possibly take so long.  We Americans are used to about an hour and that is it.  Let me tell you that sitting on a little hard bench for a few hours straight is no picnic.  Not only was my rear end sore but the flies were very aggressive today.  At the beginning of the service there were only a few flying around but by the end of the service everyone in the room had at least a dozen or so to themselves.   The Chairman of Lare-Oibor tried to pull me out of the congregation and sit me up front in a more comfortable chair but I told him that I wanted to sit amongst the people.  The first couple of hours were spoken in Samburu with no translation so I had no clue to what was being said.  This was ok since the first couple of hours were some talking mixed with singing.  The people of Kenya love to sing and they all sing so well.  Once Ken started to give his sermon I finally got to understand something.  Ken does not speak the Samburu language so he gave his sermon in English.  So in order for everyone to understand the sermon had to be translated into Samburu by Pastor Timothy.  So what would normally be a twenty to thirty minute sermon lasts well over an hour.  Ken made it through just over half of his sermon and then decided to make it a two part sermon so we could continue with the festivities outside.

The church at Lare-Oibor

Now imagine over 200 at the service today

After the service we went outside and formed a big fellowship circle around the original church tree for some more prayer.  After we left Lare-Oibor Ken and Susan treated Pastor Timothy, his wife Bernadetta, their four boys, Lawrence, Lawrence’s sister, and I to a late lunch at the Sunbird.  Those of you that have been to the Sunbird know what a treat it is.  For being in the middle of nowhere it has really good food and a very nice atmosphere.

Starting to move to the church tree for fellowship

The fellowship cirlce around the original church tree

This community worshipped under this tree for many years

The kids are so happy

Tomorrow I will blog some more about the church services.  We will also continue to work on the desks and electrical at the school site.  We have two days left before we head back to Eldama Ravine on Wednesday morning.  I feel fairly confident that we will finish with the desks or close to it.  I also feel that the electrical portion could be done as well.  I will have to work on the church and office in the morning.  When the kids leave the classrooms in the afternoon then I can get in them to finish up in there.      

Take care and God bless

Dave