This past week I went on an incredible adventure. God called me to Kenya and so I went. I met up with a small team from America that came over to work in Kibera, a large slum in Nairobi, for one week.
I left Kigali on Saturday morning (Nov 10) and flew to Nairobi. (I enjoyed flying alone, probably a little bit more than I should have.) A driver was waiting for me at the airport, holding a sign with my name on it, making me feel rather dignified. I made it to the guest house, without any complications and I met up with the rest of the team. Throughout the week I met a lot people (some who quickly became good friends), I compared and contrasted Rwanda and Kenya, I learned many new Swahili phrases, I ministered to kids at
Trinity primary school, and I learned more of God’s calling for my life.
Nairobi is very different from Kigali. In fact, it’s so different that I’m not even sure where to begin. I continuously felt like I was in America. (The American team found this a bit odd.) Nairobi is very developed and crowded with buildings and cars. The traffic is intense. The driving happens on the opposite side of the road (comparing it to America and Rwanda) but it’s not disorderly. It’s just really backed up. Personally I think the driving is crazier in Kigali, just with fewer cars. I guess, to give those in America a bit of a perspective, comparing Nairobi to Kigali is a bit like comparing New York City to High Point. There are numerous malls with food courts, there’s a KFC, there’s a Feeneys (Planet Yogurt), and nice paved highways, large buildings, and lots and lots of cars.
This trip was a perfect opportunity for me for numerous reasons. First, I needed a break from my normal life in Rwanda. Second, I have had a desire (and still do) to do more ministry projects, and that is exactly what this trip was all about. Third, God strengthened and challenged my faith in Him and taught me how to sacrifice seemingly important things for Him, my academic grades being the primary example. Fourth, this trip was my first experience with following God’s calling on my own – it was my first adventure, with many more to come.
During the week we (from now on when I refer to “we” I mean “the American team and I”) worked in a small compound, called Trinity, on the edge of Kibera. Some of us taught in the elementary school, some ran a soccer camp for kids, some worked in the medical clinic, and some offered counseling and the good news of Jesus. Together we made a great team. I worked with a class of 4-6 year olds during the week, teaching Bible stories, playing games, and sharing the love of Jesus with them. Our days followed a similar pattern with the exception of Wednesday, which I will address specifically in a minute.
Daily Routine:
6:15am wake up and make breakfast for the team with my roommate
7:30 board the bus and travel to Trinity
8:15 arrive at Trinity (It wasn’t that far of a drive, it just took a while to get there because of traffic)
8:30 brief devotion and prep time for the day
9:00 begin teaching and playing with the kids
1:00 (sometimes after 1:00) lunch
4:30 leave Trinity and stop at a store on the way home to buy supplies to make PB&J’s for the kids at Trinity
6:30 eat dinner
7:30 debriefing time with the team/preparing lessons/making 225 sandwiches for the next day
Please note: All these times are susceptible to change. We operated on a very relaxed schedule, without much awareness to the time of day – a very African lifestyle. Our pastor at church once said, “You in America have the watches, but we in Africa have the time.”
Wednesday was a very special day, my favorite day of the week. In the morning we went to Trinity for a couple hours and then we went further into the slum to visit a school and church called Emmanuel. (This is the place where my mom was when she went to Kenya in 2009.) Emmanuel completely defines Africa. The smells were beautiful, the people were beautiful, the sights were beautiful - everything about it was just perfect. I wish I could effectively explain to you what Kibera is like. The only thing I can say is; while living in Africa, I went to Africa. I experienced a real Africa. It was incredible. Those few hours I spent in the depths of Kibera were some of the best hours of my life. The children were so respectful and sweet. It costs just under $4 a semester to attend school at Emmanuel and most families cannot afford it. The children that have the privilege of going to school take their education very seriously. After being at Emmanuel for a couple hours we went to the women’s prison. That was another incredible experience. When we arrived at the prison the women were in the middle of their church service. Some of the women were worshiping and praising God in a very sincere way while others stood along the wall with their arms crossed. Two of the ladies on our team shared their testimony and several women accepted Christ for the first time in their life. After the service we handed out small bags containing toilet paper, toothpaste, soap, and a tract. It was amazing to be around all of those women who had committed crimes – it’s not the first place I would have chosen, but it’s definitely were Jesus would have been, ministering to the criminals and the poor in spirit.
I am sure there are many details of my week that I’m failing to mention. It’s hard to explain what I experienced to those who have never been to Africa before. It’s a little bit like trying to explain augmented chords to someone who has never heard of music before. If God ever calls you to Africa, do not hesitate. It will change your life.
My life didn’t change when I went to Kenya. That’s probably because I had already been living in Rwanda, and so it wasn’t that big of a cultural adjustment. My life has been changing ever since August 2011 so going to Kenya was just another step in the changing process. What did change was my perspective of life – walking the streets of Kibera and experiencing that “Africa” – is what changed me.
God has been teaching me so much. I could fill blogs only about what God has been and is currently teaching me.
One thing I learned prior to my trip to Kenya was what it really means to have faith. I have been watching my parents step out in faith for many years, but I this trip to Kenya was my first opportunity to step out in faith by myself. If you step out in faith God will provide. Another thing I am learning is that stepping out in faith is not all about God providing, sometimes it’s about you making sacrifices. And God always “works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)
It’s amazing how hard and how easy things can get when you turn your life over to the Lord. Yes, you will face challenges and trials. We, as Christians, are called to a life of hardships, that’s just a part of it. But, if God is in control things somehow get easier too. I don’t have to worry, because He’s got it all figured out. God has big things in store for the rest of my life. I got a little taste of those plans this past week. I’ve sensed God calling me far away from the “American lifestyle” for some time now, and this week it became even clearer that I am not meant to be in a place where the people already know about God and they have electricity, and running water, and all the other necessities. I am called to be in a poor, poverty-stricken area that does not have the general necessities and does not know about the greatness of our Lord. I am called to put everything on the line for Him. I long to live among the ugly-beautiful, to embrace them, love on them, help them, and comfort them. But more than that, I long to serve the Lord for the rest of my life. Wherever He leads me, I will follow.
