Reunion
A beautiful Kisumu sunrise and a cool breeze greeted us this morning. When the trip itinerary was released Archbishop McLaughlin was pleased to see that he would get to see the work of Revd Joshua Atieno on this day. Archbishop McLaughlin ordained Joshua 10 years ago in the United States. After completing his education in the United States he followed God’s call and returned to Kenya to begin St. Luke’s Mission which is a part of our church here.
The trip to St. Luke’s mission was a little over an hour in length into a rural agricultural part of Kenya situated at the foot of a mountain. When we finally arrived we were greeted by Dn Joshua, his wife, and scores of school children, orphans, and widows. Everyone gathered in the chapel for the formal introductions, and several songs performed by the children and widows. Dn Joshua and his wife gave praise to God for the ministerial grace given to Joshua at his ordination, and for all the things the Lord has done to use them in His service since that time. I was then asked to bring a message from God’s Word. Using Romans 6:21 as the text for my message I told the children and all of those assembled that they will only find lasting satisfaction in Jesus Christ and not in material goods or sinful behavior.
Following the service we were treated to lunch in Dn Joshua’s home, and were then given a tour of the facility which includes 25 acres of land and roughly a dozen buildings. The Archbishop blessed several of the buildings and then we said our goodbyes. We returned to Kisumu rejoicing to have seen God using one of our brothers in such a mighty way.
St Luke's
Revd Atieno and Archbishop McLaughlin
Pictured below is 3 month old baby Kathleen, she is the adopted daughter of Dn Joshua and his wife. Kathleen’s mother died right after her birth, she was quickly embraced by “Mama” Atieno. Joshua’s Uncle, Bishop Hesbon Njera baptized the little girl just three days after she was born.
Kathleen
Revd Atieno translating for Fr Gordon
classroom with two desks
Pictured above is one of nine classrooms at the school. There were only two desks in this classroom; most of the children sat on the ground and wrote their lessons on old plastic bottles instead of a desk. Thanks to the individuals and parishes that contributed funds to this trip, Archbishop McLaughlin was able to give the school the money needed to buy desks for this classroom and other classrooms. The children lack an adequate number of textbooks, and even enough chalk for the blackboards. It is our hope that we will be able to continue financially to help this school and ministry.
classroom
Fr. Tom,
Jeanne and I are following your trip with great interest. Who determines your intinerary? If you care to comment, what is the sociological factor that has necessitated orphanages? Is it war (and/or) sickness that is creating so many widows? What’s the temperature and humidity there (typically). We wanted to thank you for giving us a close account of your visitations. And your pictures are quite good.
r,
Paul Hubbard
St. Timothy’s
Paul & Jeanne,
I had a chance to talk to Joshua on Monday and he said that 28 of the children there are orphans and that the number one cause that they are orphaned is AIDS.
Abp gave them the dates we will be thre and the things that needed to be accomplished, but the people in Kisumu put together most of the schedule.
The weather there at this time of year is not so different from North Carolina. The big difference is that they don’t air condition everything. =)
Glad you enjoyed the updates.
T+
Charlotte, NC