Last Saturday we gathered together to celebrate the grand opening of the new training center for pastors, pastor's wives and youth in the Maasai community who hunger for God's word.
Teresia and her 'crew' busy preparing our lunch to be served later in the day...
I set up my camera to be able to pose with Teresa...
Pastor David, a Starfish board member, bringing bags into the future computer center...just waiting for some new computers to come in :)
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| Tender moment between Rhonda, founder of Starfish, and Daniel |
Yum - chapati...like a tortilla only better!
Pastor David at our book table...many of these books were given out to the pastors in attendance by the end of the day...
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| Moses and David arranging the venue... |
Moses is a good friend of Rhonda's and loves to help!
Meanwhile the kids set out to put up balloons to help guide the way to the training center (which is actually a large house...
Finding strategic locations...
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| Look who's coming! |
A shot of the various transportation options...
Sign on the street at the bottom of the hill...
And of course cows!
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| Assisting her brother to tie the balloon |
I heard sweet voices repeating "hi, hi" so shot their picture...
It was a long, hot, dusty walk back up the hill!
The house, AKA Training center, from the dirt road...
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| Sound equipment arrives |
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| Shot from inside showing the 'dorms'...on the left are another bedroom and bathroom |
Moses 'wiring' for music...
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| First arrival - Pastor Emmanuel |
Pastor John, Starfish board member, and his wife Maria, looking at pictures of past functions, literacy classes and events.
Pastor John signing the guest book...
Rhonda reviewing the program with Pastor David, who will translate from English into Kimaasai
Pictures from past literacy trainings - of pastors and also of women in various villages
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| Tea service setup |
David showing Emmanuel the library...
Rhonda greeting pastors as they arrive...
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| David LOVES to read! |
David has such a servant's heart...
Rhonda and John reviewing the program...John is part of a network of Maasai pastors from different denominations. He helped us get the word out for this dedication...
Keynote speaker, Pastor Ken, from Rhonda's church arrives...
Pastor John's wife, Maria, reading one of the children's books she selected for her young son.
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| Kitchen helpers taking a break |
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| Waiting patiently |
Meanwhile cabbage is being cut...
...and mixed
Meat stew - yummy!
Chatting before the festivities begin...
Rhonda welcoming all of us as she begins the program...
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| Leading a prayer before we begin |
Pastor Ken and the owner of the property, Jacob, are old friends!
Praise and worship...
Moses, the official videographer...what a guy!
David translating as Rhonda talks a bit about the history of Starfish and how the training center came to be, as well as it's purpose...
Acknowledging the board members who are present; Pastor David (translating), Pastor John (in the dark suit), Peninah (to the right) and me (behind the camera!)
Jacob, owner of the property, says a few words. He is well known in the community as he has been actively involved in ministry for years. He didn't say it, but I had the sense that he considers the low rent he charges for the training center to be part of his contribution to Starfish Charities.
Prayers before our keynote speaker...
It was clear from the beginning that Ken truly has a pastor's heart.
He had spent two years in South Sudan working with pastor's there, most of whom were illiterate.
Even though we were dedication a training/study center where we have many resources available to these pastors, I know they were encouraged by Ken's message of the 'stories in the Bible'
He encouraged them to "tell the stories"...this is a story-telling culture and they can use what they know; How to tell a story & the stories in the Bible to share the gospel in a powerful way.
Then he launched into his sermon. He made 3 main points. First point: in the beginning the world was perfect...
He asked us to describe what would be in a perfect world; peace, trees, many cows :)...
His second point was actually the third point and that is that the world will, once again, be a perfect place...and we will live in that perfect place with resurrected bodies...
His third point, which was really the second part; After the fall, the world and it's people were broken
He divided the Bible into 3 sections...the first section is two chapters; the original perfect world that God created...
...the second section tells of God's redemption in the midst of a broken world...notice that is the biggest section...
The third section is the last two chapters in the Bible which tell of the New Heaven and the New Earth - perfection and eternal live with God.
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| Peninah |
Very animated; great story teller
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| Maria and Rhonda |
Rhonda showing appreciation for Ken's message and announcing lunch is coming!
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| Pastor John closes with a few words |
Washing before lunch...
Politely waiting his turn...
The food was delicious and the service was great :)
I think the guys enjoyed the meal...
I forgot to take a picture before I took a few bites...
Moses expounding about something!
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| Jacob with a book that Ken co-wrote |
Emmanuel has a servant's heart...he is serving more chapatis...
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| Our awesome servers |
Teresia and Maria catching up...
A prayer circle to bless the training center...
Looking at photos of Starfish literacy classes
Pastor John and Pastor Ken making plans for Ken to come minister to other Maasai pastors in the bush.
Time for clean-up
What a great day we had! It was wonderful to see the excitement and anticipation on the faces of the pastors who were able to be there...I know the word will quickly spread of the many opportunities the new training center will afford.
