A BUILDER'S TROPICAL PARADISE
The Nyagono church is only a year old and has outgrown their current church building. The congregation was born due to dire circumstances. The last rioting and clashes has caused many to return to their homeland and tribes for safety. Some of these were of our CBF members (Christian Believers Fellowship) and they requested a church in this particular area. Nyagonda is a hour away from Kisumu and is now pastored by Ivan and Kay Peachey and their family. The attendance is approximately 250-300 even though the current membership is 25 people. Thus the compound pastors saw the need to build a church building. These are simple, tropical, open-air structures and very simple compared to some elaborate cathedrals we have seen in the world today. The breeze will ruffle the hair and flutter the veil. A bird may twitter in the rafters and a mother hen with her multi-colored peeps may nonchalantly walk through the congregation clucking and pecking as they go. Regardless of the surroundings, God is worshiped in sincerity and truth.
This makeshift building (17 X 30) was packed with people including many orphan children. Many sat outside on reed mats. The men originally planned a typical size bilding, but decided to extend it (32 X 60) because of the growth and interest.
Sam and Daniel are viewing the old church.
Jevon Beachy, Daniel and the welder extending the rafters.
The Nyagono church is only a year old and has outgrown their current church building. The congregation was born due to dire circumstances. The last rioting and clashes has caused many to return to their homeland and tribes for safety. Some of these were of our CBF members (Christian Believers Fellowship) and they requested a church in this particular area. Nyagonda is a hour away from Kisumu and is now pastored by Ivan and Kay Peachey and their family. The attendance is approximately 250-300 even though the current membership is 25 people. Thus the compound pastors saw the need to build a church building. These are simple, tropical, open-air structures and very simple compared to some elaborate cathedrals we have seen in the world today. The breeze will ruffle the hair and flutter the veil. A bird may twitter in the rafters and a mother hen with her multi-colored peeps may nonchalantly walk through the congregation clucking and pecking as they go. Regardless of the surroundings, God is worshiped in sincerity and truth.
This makeshift building (17 X 30) was packed with people including many orphan children. Many sat outside on reed mats. The men originally planned a typical size bilding, but decided to extend it (32 X 60) because of the growth and interest.
Sam and Daniel are viewing the old church.
Jevon Beachy, Daniel and the welder extending the rafters.
The equipment available is rather primitive but workable. Note Merle Beachy holding the rafters until they are welded into place. This scene made me think of the e-mail forward, "why women live longer than men".
These two elderly brethren like to keep their feet on the ground, and let the younger men brave the heights in mid-air. Tomorrow they plan to put on the tin roof. Next Sunday the first services will be held. Eventually a partial wall (half-height) will be put in and, and maybe a platform and concrete floor. This will take place as funds allow. Some of the older established churches even have glass windows, which bars the roaming hen and crowing rooster.
For us as a family, life is very interestingly different. We have acclimated quite well by now and are in the scheduled routine. School has begun for the younger three with Rosalie Beiler for their teacher. The total school attendance is only seven students. The children will learn what's it's like to play with the big and small children, and remember their mama's small one-room school stories. Monica and Daniel do their high schooling at home and go with the rest of us to visit the poor and sick. Continue your prayers and your comments. We love them.
Mattie for the Kauffmans in Kenya
No comments:
Post a Comment