Monday, December 31, 2018

Boabob--Africa's Tree of Life


Another post from guest author, Cindy Faber.

The majestic baobab tree is an icon of the African continent and lies at the heart of traditional African folklore. Baobab trees grow in some of the driest, remotest and poorest parts of rural Africa. There is no such thing as a baobab plantation; every tree is community or family owned and wild-harvested.



They can live for up to 5,000 years and can grow to a huge 50 meters (approximately 164ft.) in circumference and the trunk can hold up to 4500 liters (approximately 1188 gallons) of fresh water, which is enough for 100 showers or 10,000 glasses of water.

The baobab is an intrinsic part of the culture for many African nations. Legend has it that a mighty god had a baobab within his gardens in paradise. He grew annoyed with the baobab arrogantly displaying its beautiful foliage and flung it from paradise to the earth below. It landed upside down, with its roots jutting into the sky and its beautiful foliage buried beneath the earth. This taught the tree and those who witnessed it humility, and this is why it’s also known as the upside down tree.[i]

While many people know of the baobab tree, not many people know that it has a fruit. Baobab is the only fruit in the world that dries naturally on its branch. Instead of dropping and spoiling, it stays on the branch and bakes in the sun for 6 months - transforming its green velvety coating into a hard coconut-like shell.



[i] https://www.treeaid.org.uk/baobab-tree-life/?gclid=Cj0KCQiA05zhBRCMARIsACKDWjd29m0_EsZ1r7Oop5IZKtG6QmHTzrOPwAaDLft--3vqfLXYKjKkv8caAjHlEALw_wcB

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Tuesday, December 25, 2018

100 Christmas Dollies 2018 Ceremony



Our seventh annual 100 Christmas Dollies ceremony was held at Sanctuary of Praise in Watamu. Meal preparations began well before the service in a giant cooking pot. Chicken with rice and stew, pilau, and sweet fruits would fill our stomachs after the service. As the cook quietly prepared for our meal, we praised and worshiped our loving Father on this special day. 





















Fifteen girls from Wings of Compassion, a rescue (emphasis on rescue) home for pregnant teen girls, led us in worship and introduced themselves. Some were sophomore girls with two-year-old children  through no fault of their own. We were blessed to have enough sponsored dollies to send home for their children (photos coming later).



Our guest preacher reminded us that knowing God comes through revelation not intellect. A thought-provoking and important message. Cindy shared the story of Jesus's birth as seen in the book of Luke in a child-focused way and made a great connection between the gift that Jesus is to us and the gift the dollies are to the children. With the help of some awesome women from the church, we served the children with your dolly gifts.



































































The funds raised through these dolly gifts were used in dolly-making, the Christmas meal, and will be used to construct a children's classroom on the church. Read the beneficiary announcement to learn how the Sanctuary of Praise church qualified for the gift. Expect to read more about the progress of constructing that classroom as the project begins.

God bless you for your generosity. Please pray for these children throughout the coming year.
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