Harambee - Let's all come together for Kenya!

Sunday night we got to experience something really cool - one of those times when we had a small idea and God made it into something really big. Well, most people would probably not consider an 80-person get-together in po-dunk Abernathy Texas "really big", but in our book, it was.

In Kenya it's called Harambee - it means to "pull together". We wanted everyone in our congregation to "pull together" for the trip Gabe, Vince and Trent are about to make to Kenya. We asked everyone to bring something to contribute, whether it be a written prayer or note of encouragement, books or teaching materials to be taken, monetary gifts, or whatever else anyone wanted to bring. We prepared Kenyan food, which I will describe in the photo.

Planned for about 50 people.

I lost count at 82.

Prayed for God to take the 5 loaves and 2 fish and make it enough, and somehow he did! I'm sure some people would have eaten more if it had been there, but it seems that everyone got to taste the things they wanted to taste and people seemed to have a great time.

Some of the things given at the Harambee-

Beanie Babies, lollipops, cards, books, and about $850.

Gabe, Trent (17), Vince

The participants (my good friend Arnie Faye in her African garb)





Our Spread - top left to right - Beans with Coconut, chapatis (like tortilla), Coconut Chicken.
botton L to R: Samosas with lime, Mahamri (like fried Indian flatbread). We also had Chai - hot tea with milk, sugar and spices.

What fun to see new life breathed into a congregation which has, by all appearances been a little sleepy for the last few years. Everyone was excited and you could feel the energy. We are thankful that God can use this trip for his glory on both sides of the world.

Steve Gauntt, our preacher, wrote a devotional book specifically for this trip - each day has a Scripture and some thoughts. He printed a copy for everyone who wanted one. There is a group meeting each day at the church building here in Abernathy to go through the devotional thought, and spend time in prayer. We started this past Sunday and will continue until they day they come home. Gabe, Vince, and Trent will also be going through this devotional book in Kenya, at around the same time we will be reading it here in the States each day. It's pretty neat to feel the love and support of so many for this venture.

I plan to post as I hear from Gabe while he's away, so keep watching.