I’ve been in Kenya for a little over a week now. Africa is so differant from Asia. I am living across the street from one of the biggest slums in Nairobi.
Going into Africa from Thailand i felt this month to be so differant from the rest. Not only because of a differant continent but spiritually as well. Sometimes i find it difficult to write about things you want to hear because to me it has become life. The slum across the street has become home…yes even in a week this feels like home. The people are welcoming and always friendly so far. The crazyness of the city has become normal and sharing the gospel of Christ has become a river that flows out. So this is my attempt to give you some insight into life thus far in Kenya…
Pastor Joseph is an amazing host. Before we even arrived he was working hard to work out housing for us. He and his family had been asked to move out. That meant we didn’t have a place to stay nor did his family. He would just say “I trust God, its ok. He will provide”. That He did! Actually God provided MORE THAN ENOUGH! We left our hostel for the church where we stayed for a few nights. Joseph told us that he has two houses he can move into, he just had to choose. So we are now settled in our house with Pastor and his family. Praise the Lord!
My first day in the slum, I went door to door. If I may insert a side note…I am not a fan of door to door evangelism. NOT AT ALL! This day I decided to change my mind. I chose to find the goodness in it. I chose to find JOY in what I was doing. I chose to go for it. In my walk through the slum I met Evelyn and Ben. Evelyn is a 17 year old girl. Her father recently passed away and her mom is the sole provider for her and her brother. God hooked me…How could I not share my life with her right then. Evelyn told me her prayer requests. She needs money for school. She wants wisdom and knowledge to do well in school. She didn’t think she was smart enough for high school. I sat listening to this girl with tears welping up in my eyes. I connected with her. I told her I grew up in a single family. My mom took care of my brother and I as well. I told her I struggled with those very feelings of not smart enough, not pretty enough, or just not having worth. Then God poured JOY out of my mouth for her to hear.
TRUTH:
Evelyn is smart.
Evelyn can finish high school.
Evelyn is beautiful.
Evelyn is worthy of great things.
Evelyn, there is a God who is fighting for you.
Evelyn, God does provide.
I know that my words can’t fix her life. She wasn’t even looking at me to fix her life. I believe Evelyn and her brother Ben are fighters. I belive they will fight for a better life. I belive they won’t give up that easy. I pray they make it. I pray God gives them a way out. I trust God with them.
My team is enjoying Kenya. We ourselves are able to walk through some healings. Life has been difficult to us at times, yet here we are fighting for joy and living life with our Kenyan friends. I am excited to see what God has for me here. My spirit tells me something is going to happen…I’ve tasted some of it already. My squad is going into a two day fast tomorrow. Pray for us and with us. We just want more…so what we want, we ask for.
This time…for once i have lots of pictures. I will post soon. 🙂
ALL MY LOVE FROM KENYA!!!
