By Anita Harnish
Monday Aug. 20
“My name is Anita, and I love Jesus.” I learned last night in Bible study with the Kenyans that that is the way you introduce yourself here if you are a Christian. Reminds me of the New Testament greetings by Paul. And why shouldn’t I introduce myself in that manner? It is a part of who I am.
The joy and faith of the Kenyans is amazing and overwhelming. Our worship time with them during Bible study at the Bemm’s was a wonderful way to end the day after a sobering tour of the Tenwek Hospital – a whole story in and of itself. We spent the evening singing many songs – in English and Swahili.
I finally managed to stay up until 11pm Kenyan time – prior to this I was convinced I had a mysterious ‘sleeping disease,’ only to realize it was a severe case of jag lag. The same went for everyone else. At any given point – during Bible study, a meal, down time – someone from the group would be nodding off in a corner. I think we are all on track now.
Today we got up bright and early and spent our first workday at MOSOP orphanage. We started preliminary work on assembling the pieces for the roof. We ran out of wood in the afternoon so we were able to take a tour of the compound – see the kitchen, dorm rooms, gathering rooms and spend some time with the orphans. So sweet, shy (especially the girls) and funny. We had a serious session of jump rope with some of the little ones. As we were waiting to load up the van for the ride home at the end of the day, Deb asked one of the orphan girls who she met last year to sing a song for us. All the children joined in. That led to and impromptu teaching of ‘Unconditional Love’ by Greg and Rebecca.
Two thoughts have stuck with me so far in this trip. The first is a result of Deb’s awesome testimony during church yesterday. So told the congregation how she came to know Christ and about her initial trip here last year. Last year she originally came to Kenya to go on a safari and had learned about the Bemm’s from ACAC. She thought ‘I’ll be in the neighborhood (so to speak) and should stop by.’ She told us that she had great apprehension as she got closer to Tenwek. The anxiety was so profound that she literally got to the intersection to make the right turn into Tenwek and had the driver stop and stated she wanted to turn around (mind you, this is after driving 5 hours). The driver in his wisdom suggested that they stop and get out of the car and just rest for a moment. Well, she did end up making that right turn and coming to visit the Bemms. And I thought ‘what a difference that right turn made.’ It made all the difference in the world to her and to our church because look where we are today.
The second thought is a result of the prayer Kevin made yesterday as we began our tour of the hospital. We had learned earlier in the day that the hospital was running out of oxygen due to a malfunctioning part. Doctors has gathered after church having the hard discussion of who should get the remaining oxygen, knowing repairs would not happen until Monday. Should it go to critical care? What about the premmies? What about emergency surgeries? As we got ready to step foot into the hospital Kevin stated in his prayer, “That no one would die for lack of this (oxygen) valuable resource.” What a statement that also has profound spiritual significance.
We are anxious to get back to the orphans tomorrow and learn more about them. We are so grateful for all the financial resources that got us here and all the prayer support that surrounds us.
Peace
Anita Harnish
Chuck & Amy Bemm
Serving at Tenwek Hospital with World Gospel Mission
PO Box 39
Bomet, Kenya 20400
East Africa
Land line: 254-52-22495/22496 Ext. 259
Mobile: 254-734-510708(C)/735-120293(A)
chuckbemm@tenwek.com chuck.bemm@wgm.org
Monday Aug. 20
“My name is Anita, and I love Jesus.” I learned last night in Bible study with the Kenyans that that is the way you introduce yourself here if you are a Christian. Reminds me of the New Testament greetings by Paul. And why shouldn’t I introduce myself in that manner? It is a part of who I am.
The joy and faith of the Kenyans is amazing and overwhelming. Our worship time with them during Bible study at the Bemm’s was a wonderful way to end the day after a sobering tour of the Tenwek Hospital – a whole story in and of itself. We spent the evening singing many songs – in English and Swahili.
I finally managed to stay up until 11pm Kenyan time – prior to this I was convinced I had a mysterious ‘sleeping disease,’ only to realize it was a severe case of jag lag. The same went for everyone else. At any given point – during Bible study, a meal, down time – someone from the group would be nodding off in a corner. I think we are all on track now.
Today we got up bright and early and spent our first workday at MOSOP orphanage. We started preliminary work on assembling the pieces for the roof. We ran out of wood in the afternoon so we were able to take a tour of the compound – see the kitchen, dorm rooms, gathering rooms and spend some time with the orphans. So sweet, shy (especially the girls) and funny. We had a serious session of jump rope with some of the little ones. As we were waiting to load up the van for the ride home at the end of the day, Deb asked one of the orphan girls who she met last year to sing a song for us. All the children joined in. That led to and impromptu teaching of ‘Unconditional Love’ by Greg and Rebecca.
Two thoughts have stuck with me so far in this trip. The first is a result of Deb’s awesome testimony during church yesterday. So told the congregation how she came to know Christ and about her initial trip here last year. Last year she originally came to Kenya to go on a safari and had learned about the Bemm’s from ACAC. She thought ‘I’ll be in the neighborhood (so to speak) and should stop by.’ She told us that she had great apprehension as she got closer to Tenwek. The anxiety was so profound that she literally got to the intersection to make the right turn into Tenwek and had the driver stop and stated she wanted to turn around (mind you, this is after driving 5 hours). The driver in his wisdom suggested that they stop and get out of the car and just rest for a moment. Well, she did end up making that right turn and coming to visit the Bemms. And I thought ‘what a difference that right turn made.’ It made all the difference in the world to her and to our church because look where we are today.
The second thought is a result of the prayer Kevin made yesterday as we began our tour of the hospital. We had learned earlier in the day that the hospital was running out of oxygen due to a malfunctioning part. Doctors has gathered after church having the hard discussion of who should get the remaining oxygen, knowing repairs would not happen until Monday. Should it go to critical care? What about the premmies? What about emergency surgeries? As we got ready to step foot into the hospital Kevin stated in his prayer, “That no one would die for lack of this (oxygen) valuable resource.” What a statement that also has profound spiritual significance.
We are anxious to get back to the orphans tomorrow and learn more about them. We are so grateful for all the financial resources that got us here and all the prayer support that surrounds us.
Peace
Anita Harnish
Chuck & Amy Bemm
Serving at Tenwek Hospital with World Gospel Mission
PO Box 39
Bomet, Kenya 20400
East Africa
Land line: 254-52-22495/22496 Ext. 259
Mobile: 254-734-510708(C)/735-120293(A)
chuckbemm@tenwek.com chuck.bemm@wgm.org
2 comments:
Dear Mom (Rebecca Sparks),
What you've been doing is really cool. I think that I would like to be there helping you. It's awesome that I can hear what you have been doing in Africa. I have been having a lot of fun with George and Lois and Carol and even Rachel. I got to go over to Rachel's when we were hanging out at Carol's house. I hope we can continue to hear updates.
Love,
Alia (Sparks) and Carol
Hi Friends,
I am soooo proud of you all and wish so much that we were there to share this awesome experience with you. Extend love to the Chuck and Amy on behalf of the Booden clan. We are praying for your safe travels and are encouraged by what you have already experienced. God's Peace and Protection.
Love
Joe, Christie, Jackson, Jerrod and Jullian Booden
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