Wow! We are praising God for humble beginnings, knowing that He has great things in store for Kiwanda Cha Tumaini Christian Academy, opening in Western Kenya next Monday, January 5th. Today was an exciting day because our teaching materials arrived!
We will begin here, in a mud building, knowing that what goes into the minds of our precious students is far more important than the walls that surround them. One day, we will look back at this picture, giving all the praise and glory to God for how far He has taken us!
In addition to the required Kenyan curriculum of math, science, social studies, English, and Swahili, our students will receive intensive instruction in art, music, literature, and Latin (beginning in the second grade). We are confident that God has chosen these children to go out and impact the world in a mighty way!
Who could ever forget this hysterical scene from The Princess Bride? “Mawwiage. Mawwiage is what bwings us togethew today. Mawwiage, that bwessed awwangement, that dweam within a dweam. And wuv, twue wuv, wiww fowwow you fowevah and evah… So tweasuwe youw wuv.”
Weddings, or marriage in general, are vastly different in Kenya than here in the States. The laws of the land make it difficult, almost beyond reach, for people to legally wed. The couple must go to the County Marriage Office to apply, providing passport pictures and copies of their Kenyan ID’s. There is a 21-day waiting period while the pictures and application are posted on a bulletin board in case there is anyone who might object to the marriage. The fee amounts to more than most people can earn in a month. During that 21 days, the couple must have an affidavit signed by the Area Chief, stating that they are known to him, or are living together as husband and wife. (Does this seem backwards to you?) At the end of the 21 days, the couple returns to the county office and is assigned a date in court, Fridays only, for the actual ‘marriage’ and the signing of the certificate.
Alternatively, a couple can wed in a church ceremony, but the certificate process is still the same, except that it is much more expensive.
As a result, most people just live together as a married couple, and when they are financially able (possibly after a houseful of children have arrived on the scene), they have a wedding.
In the U.S., a wedding is the bride’s big day and, ultimately, all the decisions are hers. In Kenya, that is not the case. There is a “wedding committee” involved, and it seems that almost everyone has a say, at least in church weddings. For an American, this is very hard to understand. However, the wedding committee approach offers a “fundraising” aspect, without which, the wedding might never take place.
Marriage is a holy estate, instituted by God, and not to be entered into lightly. We have been blessed beyond measure to witness TWO weddings within our little Tumaini Tribe in Kenya recently. Grace & Ben exchanged their vows on November 8th….
…. and Peter & Carolyne entered into the covenant of marriage on December 5th!!!
Can it get any more exciting that this??
YES, IT CAN!!!!
Michelle, the lovely young woman whose heart God has claimed as His own, whom He called to serve the orphans of Kenya and entrusted with the life of our precious Elizabeth….
….is engaged to marry Moses Makokha, the Clinical Officer who will be joining our team on January 16, 2015, when he completes his internship. Dr. Moses is head over heels in love with Michelle & Elizabeth, and vice versa! We are excited about their future, and about the manner in which God has paved the way for our Clinic to open sooner than we ever expected!
God is good! All the time! Bwana asifiwe! (Praise the Lord!)
The Hope Factory 
