“It’s already better”.
The words painted on the back wall of the African church captured my
sentiments perfectly. Over the past
eight months, I’ve traveled a lot of miles, and taken a lot of pictures. It’s been an amazing experience, for sure,
but it’s been such a long time since I’ve felt like I’ve really
belonged in a certain place, since I’ve
really known that God had brought me for a specific purpose.
Almost immediately upon arriving in Kenya, however, a
certain peace settled over my heart, as if my soul felt right at home. We (myself, Gary, Ashley, Laura, Friske,
Kinsley, and Paul) are spending the month in the Nairobi AIM base, along with a
drama group from Canada. We are
situated on the outskirts of the Kibera slum, home to 1.6 million people, many
suffering from AIDS. God’s love for
these people is so tangible, that our whole group has been renewed with a fire
for ministry.
Yesterday, we spent the morning indoors, out of the light
rain. We moved furniture out of the way
and worked on a new drama that Laura wrote.
I was thrilled to put my old colorguard coach skills to work by helping
choreograph and teach a dance sequence to go along with the drama. Just as we were finishing up, three of the
local pastors arrived on our front steps to take us out into the community for
door-to-door evangelism.
Now, let’s get something straight. There are many aspects of missionary work, and door-to-door
evangelism is one of those that I’m not really comfortable with yet (probably
most of you understand this sentiment).
However, if God wants to work through me this way, I don’t want my fear
to hold me back. So, our group set out,
and I prayed hard that the Lord would guide my steps and give me His words to
say.
We walked down a dirt road, dodging holes, rocks, puddles,
trash, and fumes from the passing matatus.
We passed fruit stands and shops selling used clothing. We waved to groups of schoolchildren,
wearing their brand new uniforms and shouting “Howareyou! Howareyou! Howareyou!” And on I prayed.
After arriving at a local church, we prayed as a team then
split into three groups. Gary and I
headed down the hill with Pastor Jackson.
At the first house we came to, we met three young people: Caroline,
Caroline, and Stephen. They told us
that they believed in the Lord but said they weren’t saved. We spent an hour in their home, getting to
know them and trading stories (thanks to Pastor Jackson’s translation). We told them of God’s love, how our faith in
Jesus Christ has changed our lives, and extended an invitation to them to share
in those same blessings. All three
accepted Christ! Praise the Lord!
At the second house, we prayed with a young Christian mother
(Sofie) for her sick child (Clinton).
Both her parents are dead, her brother is in jail, and the doctors don’t
know what’s wrong with her son. We
prayed that God would heal Clinton, and provide her the strength she needs for
her difficult situation.
At the third house, we met another young mother, Edie, and
she also chose to accept Christ!
At the fourth house, we encouraged another Christian woman,
and taught and prayed for the seven children living at and visiting her tiny
home.
Through all this, God just confirmed in my heart that when
He is ready to work, I can trust Him. I
don’t need to be overwhelmed with worry about what I’m going to say, or how I’m
going to come across. I do need to be
loving, yes, and I need to share truth, yes, but everything else is in His
hands. I know that we know these
things, but the moment they become ‘real’, you can’t help but be transformed
inside.
One week into Kenya, and indeed, I’m ‘already better’.
“I desire to do your
will, O my God; your law is within my heart.” I proclaim righteousness in the great assembly; I do not seal my
lips, as you know, O LORD. I do not
hide your righteousness in my heart; I speak of your faithfulness and
salvation. I do not conceal your love
and your truth from the great
assembly. Psalm
40:8-10
