The Blessing

Today, I completed a three day teaching journey with the families here on the center.  We have been busy exploring the importance of passing the heritage of faith to children.  How do we pass the blessing of growing in the ways of the Lord to our children?  The first day we explored in scripture the importance of children, why we have children, what children bring to community, and how God sees children.  The second day we explored how to teach, train, and instruct our children in the ways of God's truth.  Many of these families come from traditions and cultures where there is great wrestling with tradition.  Each family begins this day teaching me about the ways of his/her tribe.  The rites of passage are very significant but many can be influenced by darkness.  I often have to help them sift through tradition.  Not to loose who they are as a people but to bring light into some of the practices that are against God's word.  These are life changing things to wrestle with so we ask for your prayer.  For example when a baby is born there are many things in these tribes that are done out of witch craft.  One of our learning activities included splitting the class into two groups.  One group was to read in 1 Samuel when Hannah presents Samuel to Eli and the second group the passage in Luke when Joseph and Mary present Jesus to Simeon and Anna.  The groups were to read the passage, figure out how to act out the scripture using elements of his/her tribe, and give concluding thoughts of what the passage is telling us of elements of blessing.  Here is a short clip of the second group presenting Jesus to the temple Nyaturu Style!    

These moments move me to tears.  Seeing scripture acted out in the ways of unreached nations!  Darkness is shattered and God's marvelous light shines bright.  

Day three of class was spent talking this morning about discipline and how to provide loving instruction for children.  How discipline comes from the word disciple.  That is a journey we all are on!  Instruction that causes children to know God's word and be obedient.  Each family as homework arrived today with areas to pray asking God to help them to be Godly parents.  After Chai each family took turns praying for another family.  I spoke with the kids before hand explaining what we were going to do.  They would play as a group outside but I would bring in the children of the family praying and the family being prayed for.  That way the kids didn't have to remain the entire time.  They were so respectful and such little prayers!  They laid their little hands on their friends and with such purity joined their praying parents.  


Before hand I selected a passage of scripture to be read as a prayer of blessing for each family.  They would share their list with the group and then the partnering family would pray as we laid hands on them.  It was a very special time for all of us. 


We concluded the time of prayer and blessing with worship.  Young and old we gathered to thank God for being our Heavenly Father and for the blessing of children!   

After lunch we talked of the love languages of children.  How important it is for children to have security and love from both parents and those who care for them.  In the afternoon with grateful hearts we spent quality time together with finger paint!  Oh how young and old love finger paint!  As a family they made pictures of things they were thankful for!

Please pray for these seven families who have a desire to be Godly parents!  Here are the families by name and the scriptures that were prayed over them today.

Familia Musa married to Ester and children are Emanuel, Suzana, and Tody.  2 Corinthians 1:3-7

Familia Paulo married to Nonguta and children are Mukes, Solol, Leah, and baby soon!
1 Thessalonians 1: 2-6

Familia Leonard married to Selina children are Samweli and Pendo. Psalm 106: 1-5

Familia Yohana married to Debora children are Zakaria, Witness, and Winifrida.  Psalm 91: 1-6

Familia Lameck married to Rose children are Peresi, Ezekieli, and Kesia.  Isaiah 43: 1-5

Familia Yeremia married to Elizabeth.  They have seven children who are not present with us here at the center.  Their oldest is 32 years old (my age) to six year old twins!  Genesis 22:15-19

Familia Samweli married to Penina children are Pendo and Tamari.  2 John 1:4-8

Bwana Sifiwe!  Praise the Lord!  

My joy overflows but I am a very tired teacher!