Tuesday Afternoon

I never thought of adding this to my "bucket" list until today, and now I can gladly cross it off!  After leaving Comfort The Children International (CTC), as a team we got to ride the Piki-Piki (Kenya motorcycle taxi) a few miles down the road to the IDP (Internally Displaced Persons) Camp.  Before leaving, Pastor Isaac led us in a prayer with the team of Kenyan drivers, and then we loaded up and hit the road.  With the backdrop of mountains and 16 motorcycles riding together, the ride was such a thrill that was added to the day.  

As we arrived at the IDP Camp, I had tried to mentally and spiritually prepare for this, but wasn't sure what to expect.  To give a bit of history, this camp came into existence back in 2007-2008 due to the internal conflicts in Kenya.  At that time, there were people from several different cities that were put in tents here in the Rift Valley due to their homes being burned to the ground and being driven away from their towns.  

Now, instead of tents, there are actual houses for the people that were provided by Habitat for Humanity.  One of these houses is the home for Samuel and Terri, believers from Rift Valley Fellowship who have started a Home Group.  We started as a team in Samuel's home where we prayed for their family and our afternoon of encouraging the people.  As my team was invited into Jane's home, Lauren and I were humbled and encouraged by her faith in Jesus.  She talked to us about how the past few years of suffering have allowed for her to be more conformed to her Savior.  

Our next home was to visit George and his grandmother.  George is a 17 year old who is passionate about music and has recently started going to RVF.  I got to hear some of the pain from the day he saw his house burn to the ground and one of his best friends die.  Words cannot express how to respond.  George's grandmother spoke of her faith and hope in the Lord and reminded us of the story of Job.  Even if all things are taken away, God is still worthy of worship.  She also spoke how the Lord provides and is meeting their needs.  I was amazed to see the hope that these people have in the Lord.  

I pray that hope will continue to rise for this community of people.  After our home visits, we had another Open Air where we got to hear Brent's testimony and Truth preached from Pastor Isaac.  During the Open Air, we also heard Rose's story.  Rose is a part of RVF and talked about no longer wanting to be known as an IDP Camp, but as a community that has persevered and has hope.  Hope can be stirred in many ways, but only the true hope in Jesus will satisfy.  

Towards the end of Open Air, Isaac introduced a youth soccer team.  This team won first place out of seven other teams in the surrounding towns.  This is huge for this community.  This team is currently practicing with a volleyball, and RVF's hope is to provide the team with two new soccer balls and eventually jerseys for the team.  

Part of our prayer tonight was for a name for this community.  A name where they are not known as a displaced people, but as one that has hope.  We also prayed for the Lord to work through the youth in the soccer team.  Wouldn't it inspire these kids to have a name on their jerseys other than IDP?  I pray for the Lord to unite this community for his glory.

Let hope rise. . .

-Jake Bunger