Tom got out of the hospital a couple of days ago, and from everything I have heard is progressing amazingly quickly in his recovery. Pray that it would continue as smoothly as it seems to have so far. In addition to Tom's recovery, praise God that Evans is steadily healing. I got to chat with him briefly and trade emails yesterday and he is doing significantly better, getting the treatment and medications he needs, and noticing improvement every day. For a while after the accident he couldn't talk due to his injuries, but he's now able to. Evans, like the others with whom we've had contact, is incredibly grateful for all the prayers and asked more than once for them to keep coming as they are still deeply needed.
As I write this, the members of Victory Christian Centre in Korogocho are waking up on Sunday morning and getting ready to head to church. I don't presume to know what goes through the heads and hearts of anyone living in a context so different than my own, but with so many of their leadership directly affected by what happened things at the church must look a lot different this week and will for a while. Pray that God would continue to fill the church with His presence this and coming Sundays, that His true Word would be preached, and that in His power the kingdom would grow even further in Korogocho. We know that's the heart of Tom, Anna and the rest of the leadership there, and thank God for their partnership and participation in the Gospel and the spread of God's love.
Mission Korogocho: A global partnership to spread God's love, truth, and grace throughout the nation of Kenya.
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Monday, March 7, 2011
Updates
In the wake of the car accident in which several of our friends in Nairobi were involved last week, we've decided to use this blog, for the time being, to keep everyone up to date on what's going on in Kenya and what prayer and financial needs they still have. Here is the latest:
Tom has already begun physical therapy at the hospital in Nairobi, and may get out of the hospital this week. Evans and Hillary (Tom's father) are both also receiving the medical care they need for their injuries. Ben's funeral will take place March 19th; the delay was Tom's request as he very much wanted to be present for the funeral.
Anna is still in Poland with the children, and has expressed multiple times her gratitude for the support that Celebration and other churches in the US and Europe have provided through this time. Tom's sister Evelyn is taking care of Tom, Evans and Hillary, and I've asked her to keep us apprised of how things are going, as well as any other needs they have so we can continue to stand with them. It is a huge blessing to have someone as capable and efficient as Evelyn to help manage things through a time like this.
To everyone who has prayed or given financially, thank you very very much for all you're doing. I am confident that God will show His power even through this and use it to advance His kingdom in Korogocho. If you haven't yet given but would like to, you can always do so by writing a check to Connection Ministries with Kenya Medical in the memo line, and mailing to:
Connection Ministries
Kenya Medical
PO Box 1973
Oregon City, OR 97045
Jerry Waggener is managing the funds transfer to Kenya, so feel free to contact him (jerry@connectionministries.com) or me with any questions. In the meantime, please keep praying for healing for Tom, Hillary and Evans, for peace and discernment for Anna and Evelyn, and for God's comfort on all of them. Thank you all again, and we will keep you up to date on any news as we hear it.
Tom has already begun physical therapy at the hospital in Nairobi, and may get out of the hospital this week. Evans and Hillary (Tom's father) are both also receiving the medical care they need for their injuries. Ben's funeral will take place March 19th; the delay was Tom's request as he very much wanted to be present for the funeral.
Anna is still in Poland with the children, and has expressed multiple times her gratitude for the support that Celebration and other churches in the US and Europe have provided through this time. Tom's sister Evelyn is taking care of Tom, Evans and Hillary, and I've asked her to keep us apprised of how things are going, as well as any other needs they have so we can continue to stand with them. It is a huge blessing to have someone as capable and efficient as Evelyn to help manage things through a time like this.
To everyone who has prayed or given financially, thank you very very much for all you're doing. I am confident that God will show His power even through this and use it to advance His kingdom in Korogocho. If you haven't yet given but would like to, you can always do so by writing a check to Connection Ministries with Kenya Medical in the memo line, and mailing to:
Connection Ministries
Kenya Medical
PO Box 1973
Oregon City, OR 97045
Jerry Waggener is managing the funds transfer to Kenya, so feel free to contact him (jerry@connectionministries.com) or me with any questions. In the meantime, please keep praying for healing for Tom, Hillary and Evans, for peace and discernment for Anna and Evelyn, and for God's comfort on all of them. Thank you all again, and we will keep you up to date on any news as we hear it.
In Loving Memory: Ben Oliech
Benedict Oliech
September 9, year unknown - March 2, 2011
It's hard to know where to begin this post. There are so many wonderful things I could say about Ben, and I know I speak for Justin and Alisha as well when I say that we were blessed beyond measure to spend time with him last September. Ben was a true servant to Christ and to those around him and, despite living his life in economic poverty, everything about him reflected the spiritual riches he had found in Christ. To spend time with Ben was to feel the love of Jesus in a real and tangible way.
Ben was born in a village in Kenya, and lost both parents during his teen years. Circumstances forced him to move to Nairobi and eventually to Korogocho slum. It was in Korogocho that he first heard the Gospel, at an evangelism rally put on by Pastor Tom Abungu. Sometime after this, Tom began to disciple Ben and through Tom's efforts and God's redemptive power, Ben was transformed into a joyful, selfless, talented and ambitious young man. He devoted himself to service at Victory Christian Centre, playing keyboard at church worship services, helping care for the children at the school and orphanage, and starting a youth ministry at the local secondary school. Alongside his housemate and closest friend Evans, Ben shared the love of Christ daily with people throughout Korogocho, and his testimony has reminded people a continent away that there is joy in the Lord.
Ben's tireless service to the ministry in Korogocho won't soon be forgotten, nor will his brilliant smile. It was a smile that reflected total joy, peace and contentment in Christ, regardless of the circumstances around him. The worship songs he played so skillfully reflected that same attitude, and though we mourn his passing we rejoice that the Ben's faith has now become sight. The temporary problems and distresses of this world are now permanently behind him, and he will forever sing praises to his Savior in Heaven.
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