During this season of COVID-19, even with things in lockdown, God continues to open doors to new areas so that more people are ignited as World Changers. The town of Bogoria is only one example of this movement of God that is happening. Peter, a Bogoria resident and follower of Jesus, helped open the door to this community—aided by your prayers and the power of the Holy Spirit! 

Once light spreads, darkness cannot maintain its hold. Entire villages in Kenya have been held in the darkness of brewing and alcoholism, including the town of Bogoria. Known for thousands of flamingoes flocking to its lake, Bogoria has been filled with fathers who are alcoholics and mothers who only know to brew in order to provide for their families.

Peter grew up in a family centered around alcohol and brewing, which showed him the darkness that surrounded this way of life. As his eyes were opened to the love of God, Peter noticed how many people in his village were having their lives destroyed. Even those who had large plots of land weren’t using them to provide for their families. 
Instead, they would cheaply rent them out and use the quick money to fuel their addiction. Those who did grow maize would harvest it to make alcohol, leaving their children without food. When they were finally desperate, they would be forced to buy food at an inflated price, digging them even deeper into poverty. Peter saw this vicious cycle and knew there had to be a better way to live.

One Sunday while at church in another village, Peter heard radical testimonies from women who experienced life-changing transformation because of a program called Women of Change. Hearing their stories, Peter couldn’t help but notice the contrast between their lives and those of the women in his own community: these Women of Change were running dignified businesses, building healthy families, and demonstrating the way out of poverty. He knew this was the light his dark community so desperately needed!

After the service, he approached some of them and shared his desire for helping the people of Bogoria. Arrangements were made and ELI staff, along with some Women of Change, made the long journey across the rough roads to Peter’s hometown. Initially no brewers showed up to the community gathering because they believed it was a trick to arrest them. Eventually, though, a few brewers, pastors, and local administrators came, and ELI staff began the meeting by saying, “We are friends of brewers and alcoholics.” While the local government leaders didn’t like this statement, everyone was curious about who these people were! Stories were shared of how brewers changed their lives. Those in attendance began to picture the transformation that was possible for their community. 

With renewed hope, 16 key leaders from Bogoria went to ELI’s training center for 3 days, learning how to use their own resources to start small businesses and then share this information with others. When they returned and shared what they learned, 24 women decided they wanted to quit brewing and learn how to become Women of Change!

Unfortunately, COVID-19 meant that these impassioned women could not come to ELI’s training center. Instead, over the last 6 months, Peter and the 16 other leaders have been able to directly share their knowledge with them and the larger community! ELI staff has visited a few times to check in and help, but really Peter and the others have been leading the way. They have creatively engaged their community to plant seeds of hope. For example, with ELI’s assistance providing soccer balls, Peter organized soccer practices and tournaments to keep the youth out of trouble. And the ladies who wanted to come for training received vegetable seeds, fertilizer, and Bible study materials. Now they are on their way to setting an amazing example through the many acres of maize they’re harvesting and using to feed their families!

Bogoria is now being filled with God’s light because of your support! God has granted access to more and more communities even during this coronavirus lockdown. The Seeds of Hope program has allowed us to build relationships in areas that have been filled with darkness. We anticipate more transformation in the days and months to come as God’s powerful light shines even more brightly and drives out the darkness!