“JOY” REVEALED IN AMAZING WAYS

This is a a blessed ”Village Visit Report” from Linn Asbury, JVP Education Global Partner, who visited Kager village for the first time in September 2009:

“Mission trips to Kenya are not new to me, so I had a clear expectation of what my one-day visit with the women of JOY Kitchens in September, 2009 would be.  I was familiar with Jubilee Village Project, a rabid devotee of Community Health Evangelism (CHE), and looking forward to the type of ‘nice’ conversation which occurs when women of different cultures briefly cross paths.  My goal was to simply encourage these women who face more challenges to basic existence in one day than I can even imagine.  My expectations  could not have been more wrong!

 When you read the description of the JOY Kitchens Initiative,  it’s likely you will be impressed by the comprehensive approach to this significant component of community transformation.  It’s well planned, concise, sensible and simple.  What you can’t see is hidden between the lines, and is what I experienced in my visit with the women of Kager village.  Beyond the ‘hard goods’ of improved stoves, fireless basket cookers, etc.,  what I found was incredible strength of character, desire to follow Jesus’ teaching in all things, (including being evangelists, something we Western women are often fearful about), and the willingness to push themselves beyond what they know for the benefit of their families and community.

The JOY Kitchens women (there are currently 16 of them – two groups of 8 women each) have complete understanding that they are the backbone of their community, and if their children are to survive and thrive, they are the ones who will be instrumental in making this Project happen.  Perhaps that is why they’ve grown an entrepreneurial spirit, and are eager to take advantage of every resource which is given them, sharing eagerly what they learn with other women in Kager. 

JOY Kitchens Group 1 with Luo Bibles

It’s all about the heart of JOY Kitchen women, aligned with the heart of the God we all serve.  It’s a Kingdom heart, for certain.  Never will I forget looking into each woman’s eyes as I was introduced to her and seeing warmth, a depth of love for a Sister in Christ, and a longing to grow deeper and stronger not only physically, but spiritually.  They seemed to sense that I could provide a link to resources which would assist in their spiritual growth.  When I asked how I could best help them, they were pleading not only for Bibles in their native Luo tongue, but for women’s Bible studies which they could use for practical application in their daily lives.  What an honor and blessing it has been to play a very small part in helping provide the resources for these women.  As I write this, they now all have Luo Bibles and are on their second study which is focused on praying in spirit and in truth (John 4:23).  My LIFE group from my church in Indianapolis decided a nine-session course on prayer would provide a good foundation as we strive to learn and listen how we can best serve them with what they say they need, rather than what we think they need.

JOY Kitchens Group 2 with Luo Bibles

This visit, intended to be a blessing for them, blessed me more than I can explain in mere words.  My new expectation is that God in His goodness will allow strong relationships to develop with the women of JOY Kitchens, not just for me but for so many others who pray for them, provide study resources for them or simply contribute support to the JOY Kitchens initiative.  JOY has been revealed……and it’s not going away.  Praises for sure!”

Linn Asbury, JVP Education Global Partner