Upon arrival to Kenya, my team got together to watch The Lion King.
What I love most about watching movies with my team is that we like to draw parallels between the movies and the Gospel. One of our new revelations that popped out at us in The Lion King was the similarities between Scar and Satan. Like Satan, Scar preys on the hungry, in this case: the hyenas. He sees their desperation, makes empty promises, and recruits them to do his bidding — to steal, kill and destroy.
This parallel was especially meaningful, because earlier in the day the church youth told us a about a new "trend" in local boarding schools, one that is reaching out to students from poor backgrounds…students hungry for money.
This trend surprised us to the point that we had to ask them to repeat it…because we did not believe what had just came out of their mouths…
Devil worshipping.
I do not know too much about this, only the brief explanation I was given: Children in boarding schools are recruited into this group they call "Illuminati," in which they hold ceremonies, give sacrifices (yes, human sacrifice) and worship Satan. And, supposedly, he gives them money — what they think is the solution to all their problems.
This is all still sinking in and seems so crazy…but, to the youth here, it is reality.
This week, I will share my testimony with the youth small group. Although, I didn't worship Satan in high school, I, like them, looked for easy solutions to my problems.
I partied, because I believed that that was satisfying fun.
I would steal liquor from my parents liquor cabinet, because I thought that was a source to confidence.
I kissed boy after boy, because I wanted to assure myself I was desirable.
I lied to my parents, because I thought I knew better than them what I was supposed to do with my life.
I forced myself to get sick, because it was easier than having self control over my eating.
I kept my darkest secrets to myself, because I thought my problems weren't big enough to merit someone's concern or that it was better for me to fix them on my own.
I said "yes" to things and people, because it was easier than saying "no."
All of this was the work of the enemy trying to "steal, kill and destroy" in my life. (John 10:10)
The enemy uses human desperation and hunger for a better life and promises us fulfillment he cannot give.
Just like Scar in The Lion King, who promised the hyenas that when he is king he will make sure there will always be food for them to eat — these promises are empty. In the movie, Scar lets the hyenas run wild without any restrictions (which they think sounds cool), and they end up chasing away all the herds — their food source. The situation in the Pride Land spirals downward. Scar lied. Once he became their leader, everything became dark, hopeless and fruitless.
African children join the Illuminati with the promise that life will be easier, they will have money and their problems will be solved. All they have to do is deny Jesus and pledge their allegiance straight to Satan.
Satan is manipulating them to do his work, by promising them fleshly rewards…stealing, killing and destroying the children of God.
If there is one thing I have learned from my rebellious years, it is that those things that look like they promise an easier, more fun life, only lead to emptiness and darkness.
The things of this world are temporary.
Jesus is the only water that quenches, the bread of Life that always satisfies. (John 4:14)
Please, join me in fighting for the youth of East Africa — praying for their physical safety and their innocent hearts. Pray that they run to Jesus and become truly fulfilled.
