Safari to Idunda

Our visit to Idunda was profoundly moving.  We were greeted with enthusiasm, friendship, and love.  We met hundreds of people who embraced us, sang to us, danced with us, and welcomed us into their lives with open arms.  We appreciated the many thoughtful gifts, including shirts, jewelry, and handmade baskets. We were excited to learn about how the people of Idunda are carrying out God’s work in their village.  A meeting with the Bega Kwa Bega (Shoulder to Shoulder) partnership committee of the parish was one of the highlights.  We learned about Pastor Baraka Mponzi‘s need for a new motorcycle to travel the village’s difficult roads.  We were excited to hear about plans for the new dispensary and to see the foundations of a facility that will provide much needed medical care.  We visited all four preaching points, each with its own church building, and we met the evangelists at each station. Our Sunday worship experience was especially memorable — filled with singing, dancing, and thunderous praise of Jesus Christ. Our own Judy Twedt-Jensen gave a very thoughtful sermon responding to the principles of our partnership: prayer, presence, and projects.  Our friend Pastor John Mhekwa, who travelled with us and led the service, served as sermon translator.  We also shared communion with our Idunda friends. The service seemed to pass all too quickly, despite its 2 1/2 hour length. We appreciated how much effort the Idunda congregation put into our visit, as well as Pastor Mponzi’s invitation to St James to send visitors every year!  We look forward to seeing him again at St James in the autumn.