Not but a few kilometers southwest of Mt. Longonot, well removed from the highway, lives a small community called Mwihangeri which means “the people who fend for themselves.” After being forced out of their original homes elswhere in Kenya by the violent political crisis of 2008 these internally displaced people (IDP) found refuge in this flat semi-arid land. While similar areas of IDPs closer to the highway eventually received recognition with some, albeit very little, attention and aid from the government, the Mwihangeri went largely unnoticed for several more years. Approximately three years ago members of Naomi’s Village “discovered” this group and began what has blossomed into a beautiful relationship. When the Mwihangeri were asked in what ways they would like to receive help first and foremost, their immediate response was not for food or for individual residences but for help to build a meeting area for their church! Joining efforts of the Mwihangeri community and Naomi’s Village a small church building was soon erected. It was in this very sacred space my family and I had the privilege of worshiping Sunday morning.
Introductions were made and songs were sung, mostly in the mother tongue but one or two in English. I got a deep sense of their faith as they sang to God with enthusiasm even among obvious poverty and need, “You are so faithful…you are so faithful. That is why I praise you in the morning, in the noonday, in the evening and all the time.” They had been given good rains in October and were able to do a second planting of corn that God had caused to grow. They were now harvesting this crop with extreme gratitude and sent us home with about six or eight ears as a “thank you” for our visit.
During the service each age group stood up front to share a song; even the older members of the congregation.
Just about every member participated in the service in some way. How inspiring! We were even joined by the set of goat twins recently born to the community.
I was asked to preach and willingly did so. I confessed my fears of coming to a different country and encouraged each one of them with words from 2 Timothy 1:5-7. I told them that they are a beautiful people and eventhough we are separated by many miles in the United States, we are still One church. I felt honored to be a part of this worship service with my family and my African brothers and sisters.
