We went to the Kipsongu slums to evangelize a few days ago. I loved it! As soon as we got there a group of children started to gather around us. By now we are use to this so we happily greeted them and took pictures as they all tried to grab for the camera. Some of the younger children have never seen a white person, so they are scared of us when we approach and they run away screaming and crying. A group of about 15 kids followed us as we walked through the dozens of little houses made out of mud and sticks.
We stopped at several houses and shared our testimonies and the reason we were there with the occupants. Some invited us into their homes which was one or two very small rooms with a couch that filled the entire room. We sat on the couch as we told them how Jesus changed our lives and how He could change theirs. Some of the people we met were already Christians so we prayed for them and they told us their testimonies.
One of the houses we stopped at had a middle aged lady living there. She was very reluctant to let us in, she claimed that she was busy but eventually let us in. She stared at the wall as we talked about our testimonies. I got the feeling that she didn't want us there and she was just putting up with us. So I asked her how she was feeling and she said fine. I told her how much God loved her and wanted a relationship with her. I told her that God didn't care what she had done in the past, that he wants to forgive and heal her. Then she looked at me and then looked away with half of a smile. We asked if we could pray for her and she said yes so we did. Afterwards she said she was a Christian but I knew she was just saying that so we would leave. My heart was broken for her as we left and so I did all I could think of and just prayed for her again as we left.
It is so hard to tell people about Jesus when they have so much hurt in their lives that they can't see through it and realize that God still cares and loves us. He doesn't want us to live in the pain but wants to heal us from it.
My heart was lifted again when I saw the children sitting outside waiting for us. They continued to follow as we went around the corner and met an older women. She asked us to pray for the child she was carrying. "He is sick," our translator told us, "and his father is also sick and missing. She doesn't know where he is". So we prayed for her, the child and his father. A smile spread across her face when we were done. She posed for a picture and then wished us a good journey as we said goodbye.
All the people we met were so kind and welcoming. They have so little yet are always willing to share what they have. Many of the people, where we were, still practice black magic and witchcraft, so it was a little unsettling to be there but I felt the protection of Jesus around me. That Sunday we went to the church there and prayed for the community. I felt a power and energy that I never felt before while praying. I prayed that all the evil be cast out of and for God's holy spirit to be upon this place and He told me that he is working there and that those children are going to grow up serving Him.
I still hate to see God's people live in such poverty but they seemed happy and healthy. I think it is because of their faith and trust that God will provide their basic needs and their hope that even though they are poor in the world they are rich in heaven. No one can take that away from them. It doesn't have to be earned nor can it be stolen, it's free and theirs forever. All they have to do is take it.
Before going home we prayed over the children and of course they all followed us like little disciples to the spot where we were being picked up. We each had one or two on our knees as we waited. I wish I could take them all home with me. I will be praying for each one of them and hoping that they will become the light of this community and by the time they are adults there will be no poverty.
Only Christians helping Christians, living by faith and satisfied by the blood of Jesus.
Check this blog again in a few days for pictures to be added.
