I really didn’t know what to expect as we drove through the night from Uganda to Kenya. I have learned to just go with the flow and to not have expectations on the race. Because, even if you are told details about your next ministry, it will probably change. You simply have to be in the posture of open hands and ready to serve the Lord in whatever ways you are asked, sometimes at a moments notice.
After about 20 hours of bus rides and pit stops, we finally arrived at the base camp for YWAM (Youth With A Mission), about an hour or two outside of Nairobi, Kenya. We set up our tents and waited for further instructions.
As the next few days unfolded, it came with many unexpected blessings…
At the same base camp, was a medical team of 33 people, called Soulteam, primarily from Oklahoma. Three of our World Race teams got to partner with their ministry from the company Success Vision as they served the surrounding communities with free eye exams and a free pair of glasses to everyone. I quickly felt welcomed into their group as they invited us to help with all the stations; including greeting, ministry, auto refraction, VA’s (visual acuity test), health checks, eye health, and dispensary where they received glasses. Honestly, I was amazed to see how well the team worked together, how organized they were, and consequently how many people they were able to serve in each village. Moreover, I was blessed to see the joy that they carried, which overflowed to every person that came through their clinics, including myself. My favorite part of partnering with Soulteam, was the fact that they made God the priority of their ministry. Each patient that came through got to watch a drama that exposed them to the love of Christ, hear a personal testimony from the team, and was given the opportunity for prayer and to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. During their 10 days here, Soulteam was able to serve around 2,500 – 3,000 people and see many come to know Jesus Christ, including a man of 91 who received Christ for the first time. In addition, through their prayers, many were blessed and even a girl’s eyes were healed. I was honored to work with them and witness the smiling faces on these Kenyan people as they were able to finally see clearly for the first time… both physically and spiritually.
Not only was it a blessing to work with this team and experience their joy and the way they do ministry, but it was also just so sweet to hang out with them. I have absolutely loved experiencing all the different ministries we get to do each month, and partnering with the amazing people in each country. However, there is something special about being with a group of missionaries from your own country, who can relate to you on a deeper different level. It’s especially special to meet new friends who also have a strong relationship with the Lord and automatically, you connect on a deeper level with just the first conversation. Kindred Spirits. I met a lot of Kindred Spirits these past few days.
Several evenings after ministry, all the teams came together (World Race, Soulteam, and DTS – the YWAM students) to worship our Father as one big family. It was so beautiful to worship with teams who came together from all over, singing in unison to our Creator, just as it will be in heaven.
*Sigh* Corporate worship has been my absolute FAVORITE thing I’ve experienced since launching in January.
So, here’s to Soulteam! Thanks for letting us join you in your ministry these past few days! Thank you for being lights and bringing joy to every person you encounter! Thank you all for being Jesus here in Kenya. Safe travels home and I pray that you take what you have learned and continue sharing God’s love wherever your feet are planted.
