Self-employed

Young artisans, trained, equipped, and now self-employed.  2014-2017
Just this month, a sweet lady provided this young worker (center) with a
 sewing machine, part of the church's investment in her life.

The economy in coastal Kenya is loosely organized, and in the rural areas, there are few regular jobs.  Most household income comes from doing a little business here and there.

The critical elements for progress are perseverance, education, and skills.

Dressmakers and tailors are useful in the community, but it takes skill and equipment.  Support provided through the fellowship of local churches helped these folks work their way up to self-employed status; progress indeed.

About those churches ... it takes a good heart and personal sacrifice to serve.  This young pastor makes his living operating a motorcycle-taxi.  Where he serves, there's little regular income, and the typical church has no financial means to support a pastor.  If he wants to give his life and serve them, he still needs to make a living just like everyone else.  Friends in the states joined in to help make the motorcycle possible, and now he's got the means to provide for his family while serving others as pastor.  Impressive fellow.  Kind of like the apostle Paul when he was making tents in Ephesus ...

"I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing.  You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions.  In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ” Acts 20:33-35

The church that serves these folks is many things - a fellowship, a refuge, a place to be encouraged and to encourage others, and a help along the way.  Thank you, Father; give them good success.

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So church can be practical, too.  There's much more to the stories here, of course, and opportunity for friends to make a difference.