We started this morning in Moheto being treated to tea at Pastor Ken’s house, as we went over the plan for Steve’s sermon in the worship service and for David’s and my participation in the service of the consecration of the well. Such amazing hospitality in the midst of a very busy morning for Pastor Ken’s family!
The worship service at the church started with music sometime after 9:00am. When we arrived at 9:30, the church was about 1/3 full, mostly with children. I really enjoyed seeing so many children in the service! The morning was filled with much singing by various choirs of different aged children & young adults. And always movement is involved with the singing – by the performers as well as the listeners!
After all of the singing, towards the end of the service, Steve from our team gave the sermon. Pastor Ken translated what Steve said into the local language, so that everyone could understand. Just before the sermon, we were introduced to the congregation and we were able to bring greetings from First Church to the congregation in Moheto 😊
At the end of the service each week, everyone exits the church in such a way that they shake everyone’s hand as they walk around to make a large circle outside on the church grounds. It was amazing to see such a grand circle with everyone joined together as the service came to a close!
Immediately after the worship service, we all gathered around the water faucets and engaged in a short liturgy to consecrate their new well. Pastor Ken, David & I led this service of blessing. I was so thankful to be able to be present with the Moheto UMC congregation as we blessed this important water source for their community!
After lunch we met with the Moheto church’s SACCO group. This is a group of 21 men and women from the church congregation who have come together to form a table banking group in order to provide small loans to individuals in the group for their businesses. They have been together since November 2018 & they meet every 2 weeks. It was very interesting to learn more about the processes for borrowing & repaying the loans and how they increase the pot of money they have to work with. The average loans they make are 3000-8000ksh each (about $30-80 each) and right now, the average length of the loan is 6 weeks. Ten percent interest is charged on each loan. They shared with us their challenges & their goals for the future of the group. I was so excited to hear from group members how being a part of this group has positively impacted their individual businesses! These micro loans are so important to this community!!
Tomorrow morning we reconvene for our next training session. I am so enjoying getting to know the people of this community!!
Moheto Go Fish 
Bountiful love with God’s blessing is what I see happening in Moheto – Thank you Barbara, Steve and David for taking us at First Church with you to the well and to the people. Thank you, Pastor Ken and the Moheto congregation for receiving us.
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What a wonderful uplifting post Barb!❤️
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Thank you Barb! Joy Joy Joy
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Hi Barb! You’ve mentioned lunches and dinners in your blog – you know me; I’m always hungry! So I’m wondering what type of foods you are eating and how has it varied by the area you are in! That tilapia that you showed us (with eyes!) was a big fish! Farmed or caught wild?
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The food here has been wonderful! It’s been relatively easy to eat vegetarian for each meal because of the fresh vegetables that are growing in Moheto. I’ve been a bit of a curiosity in Moheto because I don’t eat meat, but since they cook vegetable dishes for everyone to eat with their meat, I’ve had plenty to eat. There have been dried bean dishes available for breakfasts, lunches & dinners – all of which have been very tasty. Boiled eggs have been provided often, so I haven’t lacked for protein either. I’ve eaten cooked kale often & the way it’s fixed is delicious! In Moheto all of our food for lunch & tea is cooked over an open fire since there is no electricity in the village. The baked goods – mostly chapati, but also square fried donuts- have also been delicious. The fish I ate came from Lake Victoria near here.
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