Do Justly, Love Mercy, Walk Humbly with God

~ by Allison Tjaden | ELI Kipkaren Staff

Jeptum, in blue, worshiping with the children at the Kipkaren Children's Home

It was Monday morning, May 12th, that God reminded me of what He requires of me to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with Him. He did this through an encounter with a new friend, Emily Cheptum.

When I woke up that morning, it was not in my plan for the day to visit Cheptum. Juli had planned to do so and invited me to come along. We had heard about Cheptum through a doctor at a nearby clinic who asked us to follow-up on her case: 17-year old diabetic; untreated to the extent that it has caused her to go blind; unstable home.

Two years ago she completed 5th grade but was unable to continue her education due to her untreated diabetes. The doctor wanted to start her on insulin; however, he was concerned about her home situation: 2nd born of seven children, alcoholic father and mother, mentally challenged and crippled 1st born child, no one to take care of Cheptum. Those were the facts we knew going into the situation though none of us knew exactly what to expect.

As we traveled 20km to the base of the beautiful Kaptebee mountains to reach Cheptum’s home, the beauty of the surroundings were about to collide with the darkness of what we encountered inside the home. We parked the car near the home, got out of the vehicle and did not see anyone around. However, immediately we heard the piercing cries of a young girl. With no one around to welcome us, and cries coming from inside the house, we welcomed ourselves into the home where we found Cheptum.

She was lying by herself on a bed, crying in intense pain from the fire she was feeling from her calves down to the tips of her toes. Though unable to see us or recognize our unfamiliar voices, she showed no fear in allowing us to come inside. We began asking her questions and she quickly answered each one as the tears continued to stream down her cheeks.

“Where is your mom?”

“Washing clothes at the river.”

“Where is your father?”

“I don’t know. My father drinks and when he comes home drunk, he beats me. In his drunkard state he asks me, ‘Why don’t you just die?’ I answer, just leave me to be with my Jesus.”

About 10 minutes later, Cheptum’s mother, Priscilla, arrived. Slowly more children entered the room along with some neighbors whose curiosity was aroused by our visit. Before asking more questions to gain a better understanding of this desperate situation, Stone (ELI Anti-Alcohol staff member who had joined us) asked if he could pray. He was given permission.

I was sitting on the bed, and not knowing what else to do, I tried to comfort Cheptum (and admittedly myself) with a soothing touch. As I put my hand on her back to massage, I was disturbed to feel every bone—every single rib could be counted. She seemed to be wasting away from a combination of the diabetes that is eating away her body along with the lack of nutrition from no food being present in the home.

Stone came close to Cheptum, put his hand on her head and began to pray in his mother tongue, Nandi. “Kiptayat Jesu,” my Saviour Jesus—the tears fell from my eyes. I did not understand every word he was praying, but could sense that he was powerfully interceding on Cheptum’s behalf, asking Christ to intervene and heal her, to have mercy on her. When he finished praying for her, he walked over to Chebet (Cheptum’s older sister who is mentally and physically handicapped and the mother of a baby boy) and continued to pray for God’s intervention, healing, and mercy.

The tears were flowing down the cheeks of Priscilla, their mom, as well. Justice and mercy. My heart was moved, for lack of better words, by my encounter with Cheptum and her family that day.

On the drive home, we debriefed about our visit and I began to feel anger in my heart. I was angry at the way Satan entangles people and binds them into destructive things like alcohol until fathers and mothers cannot even care for their own children.

I was angry at the way Satan can use people to abuse an innocent young lady like Cheptum’s older sister—a girl who cannot defend or speak for herself.

Jesus said in Luke 4:18-19, “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” He was speaking from Isaiah 61 where it also says, “He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted…to comfort all who mourn…to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.”

Let it be so in Cheptum’s life. Even in the life of her mother, Priscilla, her father and her six siblings. As we left her home that afternoon, all I could say to Juli was “Lord, have mercy on them.”

We left Cheptum and her family that day with no answers, only a prayer for God’s justice and mercy, which did not seem like enough. We knew what God required of us—to be moved to act; and so we sought wisdom from Him and from our team.

Two days later, after consulting with ELI Directors, team members, government officials from Cheptum’s location, Cheptum’s family members and neighbors, we agreed to bring her to our center. For the last two months, a team of unbelievably loving individuals have spent their days and nights caring for Cheptum.

Our social worker, Ruth, has learned to give Cheptum injections of insulin in the mornings and evenings. Juli has created a special menu to help regulate Cheptum’s blood sugar levels. Karemi (one of our Home Based Care clients) has diligently spent her days cooking these special foods for Cheptum. Others have stayed up all night comforting Cheptum because of the extreme fiery pain in her legs and feet. Cheptum’s younger sister comes on the weekends to take care of her.
All of these people remind me of the verses in 1 John 3:16-18: “And by this we know love, He laid down His life for us and we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. If any of you has this world’s goods and sees your brother in need and turns from him, how does the love of God abide in you? My dear children, let us not love in word or in tongue but in action and in truth.”

It is a simple yet challenging message.

We are continuing to love and care for Cheptum until she is strong enough to go for an eye operation, which God-willing, will allow her to see again. Please pray with us for the following:

• Cheptum’s evening sugar levels to stabilize so she can go for an eye operation.
• Wisdom for how to empower her family members so she may return home after the operation.
• The chains of alcoholism in her mother and father to be broken. Her father recently came to visit her and asked for help with his alcohol problem.
• Complete healing, especially the pain in her legs and feet. I believe the heart piercing cries we heard that day when we arrived at Cheptum’s home are the cries that God hears all the time. The cries of His children do not go unnoticed. The cries of His children should not go unnoticed. Let us do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God.

Thank you for walking this journey with us. May His mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you.

ELI Anti-Alcohol: New intake at Ilula

On Thursday, a new group of just 5 men and women moved into the training center at Ilula for rehab. The one-month program starts with "cold turkey" detoxification, followed by the Christian 12-step program. It's an intense time of healing and discipleship, and the men and women need your prayers.

Please also pray for Mark and Francis, our staff members who are leading the program in Ilula, for revelation and wisdom as well as for endurance during this difficult month.

Rejoice!

Mark Tarus (in green), giving Mama Chiri the graduation certificate to present to her husband

Today was truly a day of celebration. One after another, graduating members of the Kenya Anti-Alcohol group walked up and praised God for the transformation in their lives. They then asked family members to come up, and publicly asked forgiveness for how they had acted in the past, or how they had treated them. Many tears rolled. Many hugs were exchanged.

What struck me most about the day was that of the 18 graduates, more than half were women. Until now, ELI has not offered rehab for women due to housing shortages. But since the rehab program has moved to our training center, we could also accommodate ladies. And they came. Many of them were brewers who were also addicted to drinking. Many of them apologized for ruining other people's lives through brewing.

ELI's KAA staff: Mark, Francis, Wilson and Stone. All four men have powerful testimonies of how God delivered them from alcoholism, and have devoted their lives to bringing that Hope to others

What struck me was how many of the graduates--the women, especially--were from our neighborhood, in an area where ELI recently started doing outreach. Realizing how many alcoholics there were (and no churches), ELI started doing Saturday-afternoon rallies at The Rock. Several of the brewers attested today that they simply couldn't make good brew any more since ELI came and prayed there. Praise God!

Each one of the 18 represents many, many stories, and each one truly is a miracle. Two that stand out for me are Jesire and Joseph. I wrote about Joseph (Baba Chiri) on my personal blog earlier this week. Jesire has strong ties to this community: His younger brother (David) is our director. For as long as David can remember, Jesire was a drunkard. Today, his mother stood up and preached, encouraging others to keep praying.

Jesire, asking David forgiveness

For each of the graduates, the true test begins. Today, they returned to their communities. For many, people at home will truly rejoice. But they'll also be watching them closely to see if they'll stumble again. ELI's anti-alcohol program has a success rate of 80%. That's how many of our graduates stay sober. It's a very high percentage, compared to typical rehab programs. The reason? Our graduates are taught that they cannot conquer the disease of alcoholism in their own strength. Jesus Christ is the "higher power" who can help them.

Please join us in praying for each and every one of the men and women to remain strong, and to be able to be a strong witness in their communities to the work God has done.

Stories of Empowered Lives: New AA Intake

~ by Kelsey Sheehy

Second Corinthians 5:17 says, “If anyone is in Christ he is a new creation; the old has gone and the new has come.” That verse gives hope to those embarking on a new life with God. Knowing that their sins have been forgiven they are able to move forward from past mistakes and start anew according to God’s word. As I sat with several members of the alcohol treatment program, taking in their stories, the hope which comes from a new life in Christ was a common thread.

Overcoming any dependency is a struggle, but a chemical dependency like alcoholism or chewing tobacco is especially difficult. Each of the participants in the program has made a first step by acting on their desire to change their behaviors; but as I listened to each story, they expressed how their decision to follow God was what truly allowed them to change.

. . . . . . . . . . .

Emanuel, 32, began drinking at his grandmother’s home at the age of 16. As a brewer, she would have him taste the alcohol in its different stages or send him to fetch alcohol from other brewers who would also have him take a taste. Little by little, he developed an addiction which affected him physically, financially and emotionally.

While his drinking first started at home, by the age of 22, Emanuel says he was looking for alcohol on his own and drinking with friends. He describes how the alcohol would cause him to argue with people and, feeling ashamed, he would force himself to drink so he would not feel any shame about what he had done. Unemployed, Emanuel would work labor jobs when to make a small amount of money, only 500 or 1000 shillings. But, instead of spending it on clothing or good food, he would buy alcohol.

Eventually, the alcohol began to take a toll on his health, and he describes running “like a mad man.” Unable to sleep, Emanuel said he would run from people he thought were chasing him, only to find out there was no one there. When his concern for his health grew he went to the hospital and was told his drinking was causing his hallucinations. That, he says, is when he decided to get help.

Having tried to quit before without success, Emanuel says he came to ELI after hearing from other men who had success through the program. Since beginning his treatment, he says he has learned how alcohol can affect his health, and that he is not alone in his fight. Talking about the role that Christ has played in his recovery, he said, “I discovered Jesus Christ is a higher power that can help me to come out of these dependencies,” and he has also learned “Through prayer everything is possible.”

When he completes the program, Emanuel said he plans to stay sober by staying away from friends who drink and becoming part of a church. Instead of being shameful of his drunken behavior, he says he can sleep well now and is looking forward to finding a wife and starting a family.
. . . . . . . . . . .

Even though she was not a drinker, alcohol still took its toll on the life of 30-year-old Milka. Ten years ago, she became a brewer in order to try to bring her family out of poverty. Now Milka says, “I have decided, let it be the end of brewing and I received Jesus Christ as my personal savior.”

Milka says brewing was the easiest way she knew of to earn an income. But while she had many clients bringing money in, she never saw any change in her family’s situation. After buying the basics of food, soap and salt, the money was gone. What her brewing did do to her family was give her husband easy access to alcohol, which he would also share with his friends at no charge. As her husband began getting drunk more often, her health began to deteriorate and she would often become ill when brewing.

Since becoming a part of the treatment program, Milka says she has received Christ and now feels relief. Instead of being ill, she says she now has good health and feels peace. She tells how through the program she has learned about forgiveness, both for herself and others, and was also taught about responsibility.

Now, Milka is looking forward to a life without brewing. Along with a group of women, she is planning to provide for her family through horticulture. Instead of worrying of being fined by the police for her brewing, she tells how she wants to do good work for her family and says that joining the church will help her make the transition.

. . . . . . . . . . .

When Frances, 44, began drinking at the age of 18 it was out of curiosity. He saw alcohol as a way to celebrate happy occasions. Eventually though, drinking became an outlet to relieve stress and no longer brought happiness, but rude and violent behavior.

His drunken behavior has left scars on his arms from knife fights and he tells of a time when he broke his employers hand during and argument over a job he was asked to tend to. When he was drinking he said he would his rude behavior would lead to fights and arguments, and if anyone pointed a finger at him he would become angry and bite them.

Fights were not the only consequences of his drinking, his wife and 5 children suffered as well. Frances said his drinking often kept him away from home, and any money he earned was spent on alcohol instead of providing for his family’s needs. When he did return home, he was drunk and said his violent behavior would continue at home.

Frances says he saw how his dependency was harming his family and made attempts to quit, but was not successful. It was after attending another ceremony that he joined the program at ELI. This time it was a harambe, or fundraiser, being held at the clinic. He heard of others speaking of the success they had with the program and said he “felt the spirit of God was driving him here.”

Frances talked about the different between this program and his previous attempts to quit and said the difference is now he is fighting his addiction according to the word of God. Now he no longer has the desire to drink, but instead wants to tell others who are drinking about his experience so he may help them change their behavior. He also plans to use what he has learned to help heal his family and prevent any of his children from taking the same path he has.

Julius Kemboi: A Road to Freedom

Currently, we have 16 men enrolled in our drug and rehab program. We only have sleeping space for 10, and when 26 showed up during the newest intake, we sadly had to show some away. However, six refused to leave, insisting that they will sleep in tents, or outside. But they wanted to be free from the grip of alcohol.

Following is the story of one such man: Julius Kemboi. Julius was born handicapped. His family could not afford to buy him a wheelchair, and no-one could take him to school or take him around school, so he never had a chance to be educated. As a young boy, he convinced a friend, however, to teach him to read.

Julius felt trapped, not being able to stand or walk, and as a teenager, found an escape in alcohol. Later in life, he met a woman and got married. Once he had a wheelchair, Julius would go out to drink. Returning home drunk, his chair would get stuck in the mud. Upon reaching home, he would take out his frustrations on his wife by beating and abusing her. She took their four children and left him for about a year, returning recently because she had mercy on him.

Soon after her return, their pastor encouraged Julius to join the alcohol rehabilitation program. At the center, “my eyes were opened,” Julius explains. “I met men who were physically well, but like me, were addicted to alcohol. Some had had good jobs which they had lost to alcohol. Some were policemen, bankers, or government officials. It dawned on me that alcoholism has no prejudice. It affects even the rich.”

Since having been at the rehab center, Julius discovered that God loves him and had given him skills to use in life: repairing shoes, fixing bicycles, and even do poultry farming. “Someone once gave me KES20,000 (about $300) to start a poultry farm. I blew the money on alcohol!"

After completing this program, Julius wants to return to his family and be a responsible husband and father. “I want my family to be able to rely on me once again. I want my wife to be happy, and I want to provide for my children’s education. I pray for God’s forgiveness and his assistance. And I thank God for this place of refuge during this process of recovery."