Roosters crowing at four in the morning. And then continuing to crow…all day.
Rain pounding down on a tin roof, creating a sweet, cool melody of its own.
Distant laughter of kids playing futbol in the field nearby, or climbing in trees and shouting, “How are you? How are you? I am fine!” any time they see us from their high perches.
Piping hot chai tea being poured into countless cups around a coffee table.
Clapping hands and worship songs being raised to heaven in Swahili in a dark, warm living room.
Cows mooing, chickens clucking, and sheep bleating intermingles with these African sound bytes.
Our time in Kapenguria has been absolutely amazing. The scenery surrounding us never ceases to take my breath away. Every time we walk up to the road, I turn around and amazed by what God has crafted into the Kenyan hillsides.
Our team has been growing individually, and we have been growing as a team. Whether it has been doing a ridiculous amount of laundry together out on the lawn, or taking trips together to the squatty potty for support, or eating more ugali and drinking chai tea, it has grown us closer. God has been breaking us down individually, and drawing us closer together in Him, and it has been amazing. I am so blessed to be a part of this team, and see myself and everyone go through this process together.
The first full week of ministry has held so many different activities, but the one that called my heart to the most conviction and humbled me the most was going door to door to share the gospel and encourage believers. I was brought to my knees in my heart, knowing that I need to be ready to share the hope that I have inside me, and share it boldly. I was so struck with fear several times to share what God had placed on my heart, and I do not want to miss out on what He has for me, and for this team.
But even despite my fears, God was so glorified in our time of walking around a village and sharing His love and message. We saw a new brother enter into the kingdom, what a joyous day! He went from at the beginning of the conversation saying that he didn't go to church, and really had no desire to, to at the end, accepting Christ. How good our God is!
Another moment that humbled me to my core was during a fellowship meeting we attended at a believer's house. It's sort of like a Bible study, but more like a shortened church service. We sing a few songs (and us girls have been called out repeatedly to sing a song for everyone, when none of us are musical, but God is still glorified), share some testimonies, a word of scripture is shared, and another song or two. But then at this meeting, an offering plate was brought out and placed on the table.
It was a simple metal bowl, placed on a plain wooden table. We began to sing another song, and as the song continued, a woman came forward, and placed an egg into the offering bowl. I was so incredibly humbled in that moment. That picture is forever burned into my memory. A simple silver bowl, with a small, brown egg laid carefully inside. It reminded me of the woman who gave all she had in the Bible to the offering bowl. It was small, but so huge at the same time.
I don't know what all the egg meant to the woman that she would place it in the offering bowl, but it moved me to my core. It challenged me, reminding me that I need to give my all to Christ, whatever that is. It reminded me of a quote, and I will leave you with this.
“Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather a skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming, “Wow! What a Ride!”
-Hunter S. Thompson
Life should be that way. I want my life to be that way, I want to live and pray and breath and move for Christ, in all that I do. I want to offer him my everything, even if in one moment that means I offer him an egg.
