Let me take you into my world in this moment. I'm sitting in the cozy living room, by two of my team mates. It's about 8:30 in the morning, and we are taking the time to read, write, get ready for the day. There are two open doors in front of us. Through the first door, I can see that our shoes are overtaking the room in front of us. They have exploded into a mass of Chacos, flip flops, and tennis shoes. All coated with mud from our adventures the day before- a testament of adventure and living life.
Through the second door I can see a momma hen and four baby chicks pass by, picking up little scraps of things here and there, and heading on their way. The sun in shining bright today, and I am thankful, because hopefully that means all of our laundry will dry before it rains again. People are walking in and out, Mama is getting breakfast ready for us, ndazi and chai tea. My favorite Kenyan breakfast foods so far. She rings our breakfast bell and we get up to pray and enjoy breakfast together.
It's a glorious day in Kenya today. The air is fresh, the grass is green, the sun is shining brilliantly.
This last week in Kenya is bittersweet. We have seen God move in mighty ways this week, and we have been a part of some sweet adventures. I want to take a minute to bring you into a moment that brought me to my hearts knees with thanksgiving and humility, and a day's adventures that brought joy to my heart.
On Monday, team Wrecked With Love was taken to the Kapenguria prison. We had no idea what to expect from our visit to the prison. We just knew that we would be sharing a message with the inmates.
We arrived a little later than planned, but then again, this is Africa. After greeting the two people who run the church at the prison, we were ushered into the inner part of the prison. As we walked through the prison, my eyes soaked in everything. The rusty, curled and twisted barbed wire reminded me of a war prison. Most of the officers in charge of inmates were dressed in green, some in camouflage. Some had large rifles, but at this point, seeing people carry guns in public around banks and other places doesn't phase me.
Past a row of thorny hedges, and I see an open pavilion, inmates in black and white striped uniforms sitting across the ground around it. Their eyes meet ours. Some are smiling, some pointing and talking, others scowling and standing against posts with their arms crossed. I'm not sure I've ever felt that many eyes so intently on us before in one moment.
There were seats for us, and we took them, facing towards the majority of the inmates. The woman who helps run the prison church stood up and a few songs were sung. She and Pastor Chris spoke for a few moments, and then our team was in the spotlight. Both Lacee and Mike shared their hearts with the inmates. Speaking of Christ's love, and how He reaches out to us in the midst of our storms, waiting for us to take His hand. Speaking of his grace. The Holy Spirit moved mightily through their obedience to speak. After both were done talking, Pastor Chris spoke again, and in Swahili asked if anyone would like to accept Christ as their Savior.
53 hands went up. Fifty three.
Let that sink in. It took me a moment too. To grasp the gravity of the movement that was happening. Fifty three new brothers and sisters in Christ joined the Kingdom on Monday. Fifty three new names were written in the book of life. Fifty three new lives were transformed to go out and share the good news themselves. It got me so excited for how God is going to use and mold them, to bring others to Him, and bring Him glory, and advance His kingdom. And it is all for His glory, not ours.
Because it is not by our power, but completely by His. And because of that, my heart was humbled. Excited. Overjoyed.
Tuesday held adventures of a different kind, but still spoke to my heart is a mighty way. We went with Pastor Chris into the interior part of Kenya, which looked more like what we expected Africa to be. The acacia trees, cactus, dirt, heat, random pools of water and patches of grass.
On the outset of our adventure though, we encountered our first roadblock. A dip where water was rushing under a bridge, followed by a muddy uphill slope. By muddy I don't mean a little wet. I mean there are grooves about a foot deep from where people tried to pass through before.
After our first failed attempt to get up the hill, we get out of the matatu to lighten the load, and step to the side. We start to get an audience of locals, and a bunch try to help get the van up the hill. There were quite a few attempts to go up the hill, each one getting stuck a different way. Finally, our awesome driver found the perfect path with the assistance of many hands to get up the muddy slope.
We got stuck in the mud one more time, but the trouble to get to the interior was so worth it. We climbed up a hill that looked out over the valley between us and a majestic range of mountains. It was breathtaking. We were able to see the plot of land that Pastor Chris and his wife are building a Bible school to reach people over all the interior areas, and to raise up pastors and believers. We were blessed to go into one of their friends house for lunch, and then just soak in all of the scenery on the way back home.
On our trek home, as I stared out the window at the setting sun, saw babies playing on the side of the road, cattle being herded home, men and women setting up and taking down shops in the markets, I was struck with the simple beauty of life. How easy it is for me to be content here. Living this way. Living simply. Boldly sharing the love of God, and just resting in who I am in Him, and who He says I am.
It was beautiful moment of peace, and contentment. Realizing that in this moment, I am so blessed. So thankful. That for such a time as this, I am here. Every day, I am here for such a time as this. And it is the cry of my heart to live each day to the fullest, and fulfill the purpose that God has for me in that day.
I love these moments, and as we head to Uganda, I want to keep my heart open to those moments. The moments that steal my heart. That humble me. That make me laugh. That make me cry. That bring life. That bring love. And it will all be for His glory.
Oh, and in case you didn't catch it before…Matatu vs. Mud…
Matatu wins!
