Ingathering !!

Kenya’s First ‘Ingathering’

Part I

For those who have never heard of the ‘Ingathering’, let me offer a brief description. The ‘Ingathering’ is a celebration of a Christian disciple’s corporate Life in Christ. It reminds us that we are not just isolated individuals or churches scattered across the globe, but rather, we are a chosen generation, a distinctive people and a holy nation, living in the midst of this present world. (1 Peter 2:9). It is a celebration of our Unity.

Hence, over two decades ago we determined there would be nothing in this celebration but what would honor the ruler of that Holy Nation. So once a year, all who believe, come together for a holy festival and spiritual fellowship.

Beginning over twenty five years ago in Orlando, Florida, this unique festival is now celebrated by our friends in California, Tennessee and now in Nakuru Kenya.

We believe that one day, this same festive gathering might even be celebrated all over the world. (Zechariah.14:16-21)

But even if we are wrong about that particular interpretation, the ‘Ingathering’ has become the highlight of our year and we hope it will continue to be so, for all of our children in the the years to come.

Normally this event takes place the first weekend in October and corresponds to the Jewish Feast of Booths. But due to the Kenyan culture, the first week in December is the only time children and adults have enough free time to participate here in Kenya. This pictorial post is about our first Ingathering celebration. So, as they say here in Kenya … sit back, relax and enjoy!

After months of preparation and saving up for feast and frolic, the first day of the Ingathering finally arrived bringing friends back together.

Friday morning people came from our churches in Nakuru, Kamwaura, Engasua, and Ndunyu Njeru.

The morning was busy with brothers sitting around finalizing the plans for the next two days.

Then the time came for brothers to pray over the one who would give his all for our feast and thank him for his ultimate sacrifice. Then they prepared him for the feast. Nothing, and I mean nothing … of his sacrifice was wasted. Have you ever tasted goat brain soup?

Our wonderful ladies began to ready the delicious food for the evening’s festivities.

By mid afternoon all sorts of preparations were underway. There were skit rehearsals going on inside the school….

And young ladies primping their hair on the outside.

Some of the primping was a little painful.

As the flags went up on the volley ball and bad mitten courts…

Then the games began.

Everywhere you looked there were the cutest little cutie pies ever!

A midst the busyness, there was still plenty of time for grandma and grandpa to tell the wonderful stories of old.

All that day, everyone was jumping up and down with excitement.

Even Kuja, our watchdog, was leaping for joy.

As we gathered together later that afternoon, each church family introduced themselves with a dance and a song. There was a wonderful sense of unity in the air. The kind of unity described in Psalm 133.

After the introduction of the church families, there was a beautiful song preformed by many of the children from all four churches.

Then we got down to some seriously competitive Volley ball games.

In the evening there were presentations of shirts to honor the teenagers who now are called the ‘Pathfinders’. There are 15 Pathfinders

And to the young adults who are now called ‘StoneHouse Guardians’. There are about 20 Guardians. 

Both of these groups of young people have distinguished themselves as true followers of Christ who 

desire to make a difference in their generation

.Finally we had a wonderful dinner and fellowshipped late into the night around the campfires.It was awesome. 

We all wondered if this day was this good… what will tomorrow bring? Stay tuned for Part II of the ‘Ingathering in Kenya’.

The StoneHouse Family

The Waters of Life

A while back, one of my best friends who is somewhat of an expert on early church history, told me that the early church called the waters of baptism … ‘The Waters of Life’.

For almost a year and a half we at StoneHouse have been looking for a place to baptize our disciples. There is nothing in the Nakuru area that is suitable for baptisms. We have used a swimming pool in the past but that was never our first choice. We wanted rushing waters surrounded by our Father’s beautiful creation. Last weekend … our Father showed us where it was. This is the story.

Last week we decided to visit our newest church family in the rural community of Kamwaura. They were waiting for us with open arms. Our time together was so wonderful… as usual. They are so poor in the things of this world, but rich in the ways of the Kingdom. I asked the responsible brother there if he knew where we could baptize people. He smiled and said that after the Gathering he would take us to a place he thought we would love… and he was so right.

After a short, ten minute walk or a two minute drive from his house we came upon this little valley.

At the bottom of the valley, nestled among some huge trees, lay the prettiest little river I think I've ever seen.

There were people washing their clothes.

The water was clean, fast moving and very cold.

Sara, my little Kenyan granddaughter loved it.

Right before the little rapids there was this little pool that was so beautiful.

One of the little boys volunteered to show us how deep the little pool was.

It was absolutely perfect for baptisms.

After a few more pictures, we headed back up the hill and began planning to bring all our churches together the first of the new year for baptisms. God is so good.

After we said our goodbyes to our family in Kamwaura, we drove home rejoicing at the thought of returning to what will now be for us … the  'Waters of Life'.

Much love from  the StoneHouse Family...living the Life in East Africa.

Part III … The Marvelous Massai

This is the third and final segment of a three part pictorial post, describing our trip to the Massai Mara. The trip consisted of our participation in a graduation ceremony at ‘Threads of Hope’ sewing school. This wonderful facility is run by a good friend of ours Deborah Deren. While we were there, we also spoke to a small local a group of Massai about seeing the Body of Christ formed in them. Here are a few of the six hundred and fifty pictures we took. It was definitely a surreal experience.

The Marvelous Massai Part III

Sunday morning we drove to the center of town and awaited those wanting a ride up the hill, for a Sunday Gathering under a tree.

After about an hour, they appeared and began stuffing themselves into our two little cars.

When we could hold no more, we took off for the hill where Deborah is building her house.

On the way, we were met with kids… the four-legged kind…

And the two-legged kind.

Half way up the hill, we were met by a precious group of adults and their children sitting under a tree.

We all began singing praises to the Lord.

Then we prayed that our heavenly Father would speak to us.

After a brief introduction from Deborah, we began to speak of what the ancient writings had promised them… that they too, could become part of the people of God, the very Body of Christ.

They really seemed to understand what that meant and that we would help them.

But alas… oh, God… the fields are white for harvest… but where are the workers?

When we finished, a delightful friend of Deborah called Joy… put on a puppet show for the kids. Her name Joy is descriptive of her sweet disposition and we could tell that she was clearly a woman of God.

Then the children presented some songs they had prepared for us.

After the Gathering we walked further up the hill to see where Deborah was building her house. What a view!

Another unexpected blessing happened to us. We were given a new motorcycle for our ministry.  This gift will greatly aid our StoneHouse ministers to travel about and teach in our other churches. The next morning we loaded up our motorcycle and headed home.

Even the trip home was wonderful. We witnessed a huge dust devil and a beautiful rainstorm that testified of our Father’s creativity .

We also unfortunately experienced a spark plug blow out, because our mechanic in Nakuru had forgotten to tighten it down. Fifteen miles later, driving at less than 25 mph, we finally found a mechanic who fixed us up and sent us on our way. No wonder the gas mileage was terrible. Still not bad for a 27 year old car. We reached home exhausted but very happy.

Thanks for taking the time to share our journey, Please remember to pray for StoneHouse Ministries, that we would have the strength and resources to do all that our Father has placed before us. Also, please remember to pray for Deborah and the small gathering under the tree.

Much love … the StoneHouse Family.

Why do we do this? Because people who desire to follow Christ, deserve to see why He came to this earth and see what abundant Life really looks like. Living the Life of the Body of Christ is awesome!

Next up… Kenya’s first Ingathering!