Friday we left the Dados behind and come here to the Vocational Training Centre at Dirubi. This is the place where God began the orphanage work at the Dirubi church, and also where we train our students in a vocation before they leave our system. We looked in on all the classes at the VTC first, and they are really doing well. We have some new teachers here in the automotive and computer departments, and they are very stong. I was especially impressed with the new automotive teacher, James, who seems to be doing a great job. Then we spent some time with the Dirubi widows and got the nutritional information that we needed and saw the newly renovated kitchen here. It is spectacular, as befits the “flagship” of the KWO system.
That evening we shared a brief devotional with the VTC students before dinner. After dinner, we showed them, along with the 11th and 12th graders from Dirubi, the movie, “The Passion of the Christ.” I have to say it was a profoundly moving experience for me, and the students.
The film is hard to watch, particularly for Christians since it is so graphic in its depiction of Christ’s suffering. If you have seen it, you can remember your reaction, maybe stunned, disturbed, deeply moved. Now imagine that you have never seen any movie in a theatre before, there is no violence on your TV at night, and no violent video games, either. If you are not “inoculated” with violent imagery the way we Americans are, the movie is even more intense for our students. Some could not finish it, many kept their eyes covered, only peeking from time to time, and every one of them shed tears. For me, as much as the film still moves me, and convicts me, it was even more moving to watch them experience it for the first time, especially on Good Friday.
This morning we visited our orphanage down the road at Mahana, Lee McGraw. That place has really made some nice improvements, and the kids looked so good. I was very happy to visit them again. When we returned, we had a lazy afternoon relaxing and preparing for our departure tomorrow.
Tonight, at evening devotional at the VTC, I asked the students to comment on the film and ask any questions they might have. I was stunned at the response. Several of them expressed how much it moved them, and how they were convicted to turn away from sin after seeing how much our savor suffered. One even asked how then can we deal with our sin, knowing how much He gave up for us. That sparked a good discussion about living a life free from sin, knowing that Jesus had paid our debt for all time. It was very cool.
Unbeknownst to me, all day the principal, John Kariuki had been counseling with students in his office. Many of them sought him out to confess sins, rededicate their lives, and ask hard questions. At the devotion, John told us all that nine of the students had requested baptism, as a result of the film. God is Good!
Later we attended evening devotion at the Dirubi Orphanage and I was so blessed by their singing, and their genuine love and affection that they have for me here. Truly, my cup overflows today!
Tomorrow is Easter Sunday. Resurrection Day! I am bringing the word to the Dirubi church, and for once I can’t wait! He Is Risen! Be blessed.
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