Have you ever been in a situation where you felt completely overwhelmed and helpless? You knew you needed to do something, but you couldn’t see how you would even start?
This happened to me this week.
Our team was hanging out with some local missionaries that the Heptings know here in Nairobi, Kenya. They were so wonderful and generous to us to show us around where they work and live here in Nairobi.
Then they took us to some of the slums here, and I was frustrated.
The people there live on very meager wages. Most of the income that they acquire comes from food they cook over a charcoal fire and sell to whomever is around. A lot of times that means selling food to other individuals who don’t have any more money than they do. And if they don’t sell anything, then they may not even eat that day.
The missionaries focus their ministry on a church that they help lead, and the children around the area. As a means for kids to have some recreational opportunities, the couple was able to purchase a field that allows the local youth the opportunity to play soccer. They were also able to purchase a few soccer supplies so that the kids can play on a team. Their coach is a member of their church who was once a drug addict without any hope in the world, but God saved him by his grace and gave him new life. He is a completely changed man. He volunteers as the coach, even though his only source of income is to take digital photos for people and then sell them. It is a difficult way to get by.
Over on the soccer field where the kids practice, we got to meet several guys who live on the streets. The soccer field offers them a safe place to hang out where they can stay out of trouble. We went over to talk with some of them, and I just remember one of the young guys telling us “I thank God for today because I am a survivor. That’s all I can ask for.” As he sat with his back against the wall, he chewed up some leaves, which we found out were some sort of local drug that is popular among the youth because it is cheap. But that is all that he said: “I am a survivor.”
We shared with him that Jesus loves him and reminded him that the church is a safe place for him to know God’s love and be spiritually restored.
Walking back to the church, I talked to the missionaries about it, because it broke my heart. They have been living and working near the slums for several years, so they are well acquainted with the lifestyles of the youth in that city. They said that targeting the children is their best hope at reaching the people of the town, and using soccer is a way of offering them an alternative way of life. I wished we could do more, but we were only there for a few short minutes.
If nothing else, it was a good reminder that the rest of the world does not live like we do in America. It also got me thinking of how I can best serve God’s kingdom through outreach. I wish everyone in America could experience life as we have seen it. It is humbling and awakening. It is easy to take things for granted when you know where your next meal is coming from, and your needs are always met.
You can be praying for the ministry there. God still has a great deal he wants to do through their ministry. Many lives left to Rescue.
