Day 14 –
"God provides. It has been very convicting to me seeing the faith of those here, even of the children who have had less time in their relationship with God than I have. I love how these people give all the glory to Him whenever they are praised. It's been "back to basics" since I've been here in my faith and I cannot wait to share my discoveries about the faith and life in Kenya."
Sunday morning. Church. I was anxious to meet the
congregation at the service and see what it is like. We rode boda-bodas to the school/church
and sat in an empty classroom until it was time for the prayer meeting when
pastor came to get us. Teacher Mark was leading the few people in the room in a
song accompanied by clapping and leading into prayer. He would give us a topic,
we’d sing, and then pray out loud raising voices to heaven. This rural church didn’t have instruments
except for a drum. It was raw and real and probably one of the most beautiful
things I’ve experienced. This was one of my favorite memories; worship and
prayer at church. Next, we left the chapel and walked to an empty classroom for
Sunday school. Out of the small amount of children in the classroom, I
recognized a few of them from school,some I did not know. We
stepped into the classroom after Mama Nora and Blessings and Sunday school
began. Priscilla, a girl who was in grade 7 (class 7), led worship (more upbeat and with
dancing) and the Sunday school teacher began her lesson.
Back to the chapel we went for the service and the singing had already started. Bea and I went to sit on the back seats just as we have been taught by our culture when being tardy for a meeting/conference. Yet, the oldest man in the room came to us and ushered us straight to the front saying with a grin, “Do not sit there. Come sit in the seats of honor.” Both of us didn’t like attention and certainly didn’t like being up at the front and in seats of honor - another moment that made me feel uncomfortable, unworthy, and it humbled me greatly. Standing, I clapped and danced along with the worship choir, occasionally catching on to the lyrics with a smile. It was my faithful partner’s turn to “give a word” and I could feel her tension as she stood next to me and as she walked up to the podium to preach. Pastor gave an introduction and Teacher Mark came up to translate. Most of the congregation was women and most only spoke Kiswahili (with the exception of the elderly gentleman mentioned above). Bea’s sermon was short and concise. I couldn’t tell you what she said, but I thought she did a great job. We decided that we both were not gifted in preaching from the pulpit, so we would do our best to prepare as best as we could and let God use us however He wanted. Sometimes, I realize how much my faith frees me in life. There is freedom from worry and assurance in my steps. What a great gift I have received. Being dependent upon Jesus actually makes me so much more independent and free to live life to the fullest. Why wouldn’t anyone else want that? Bwana asifiwe (praise God)!
After greeting and meeting the congregation, we headed home. I loved talking to Mama as we walked to the village from the main road, and I also loved how she interacted with the people we passed. She called out greetings and answered with salama (peace/well) - I listened carefully. We rested with the family the rest of the day. Mama finally allowed me to help a little with the cooking. She had made chapatti (bread, like tortillas) and taught me how to roll it out. It hurt my pride a bit that she didn’t think I knew how to cook, but that wasn’t a bad thing as you will see. We were constantly learning from them and they were constantly learning from us. All the while Caleb and Blessings were running around doing what they did best; laughing, screaming, and quibbling. I allowed Caleb to draw in my journal with a smile. Blessings and Caleb was a constant for me that allowed comfort – they didn’t care about the cultural mistakes we made, they were just content to be around us.
I was also able to process more in my journal that evening. More of my experiences were becoming clearer and the lessons from them were becoming more apparent as we rested. I had room to think. Thinking also led to thoughts of home in the U.S.A. That day, Bea and I realized that it was Father's Day and I longed to talk to my dad. I wasn’t homesick, but I wished that I could communicate everything I was experiencing and learning to my family. Faces from friends and family would pop up in my head when there was room for my thoughts to stray there. After dinner, Pastor spoke with us a bit. Even now, I am so blown away with all this man did for us and how he took up the role of an earthly father so quickly. He encouraged us and reminded us that it is not about us; God will use us no matter how inadequate we feel because He is in control of our uncontrollable circumstances.
Back to the chapel we went for the service and the singing had already started. Bea and I went to sit on the back seats just as we have been taught by our culture when being tardy for a meeting/conference. Yet, the oldest man in the room came to us and ushered us straight to the front saying with a grin, “Do not sit there. Come sit in the seats of honor.” Both of us didn’t like attention and certainly didn’t like being up at the front and in seats of honor - another moment that made me feel uncomfortable, unworthy, and it humbled me greatly. Standing, I clapped and danced along with the worship choir, occasionally catching on to the lyrics with a smile. It was my faithful partner’s turn to “give a word” and I could feel her tension as she stood next to me and as she walked up to the podium to preach. Pastor gave an introduction and Teacher Mark came up to translate. Most of the congregation was women and most only spoke Kiswahili (with the exception of the elderly gentleman mentioned above). Bea’s sermon was short and concise. I couldn’t tell you what she said, but I thought she did a great job. We decided that we both were not gifted in preaching from the pulpit, so we would do our best to prepare as best as we could and let God use us however He wanted. Sometimes, I realize how much my faith frees me in life. There is freedom from worry and assurance in my steps. What a great gift I have received. Being dependent upon Jesus actually makes me so much more independent and free to live life to the fullest. Why wouldn’t anyone else want that? Bwana asifiwe (praise God)!
After greeting and meeting the congregation, we headed home. I loved talking to Mama as we walked to the village from the main road, and I also loved how she interacted with the people we passed. She called out greetings and answered with salama (peace/well) - I listened carefully. We rested with the family the rest of the day. Mama finally allowed me to help a little with the cooking. She had made chapatti (bread, like tortillas) and taught me how to roll it out. It hurt my pride a bit that she didn’t think I knew how to cook, but that wasn’t a bad thing as you will see. We were constantly learning from them and they were constantly learning from us. All the while Caleb and Blessings were running around doing what they did best; laughing, screaming, and quibbling. I allowed Caleb to draw in my journal with a smile. Blessings and Caleb was a constant for me that allowed comfort – they didn’t care about the cultural mistakes we made, they were just content to be around us.
I was also able to process more in my journal that evening. More of my experiences were becoming clearer and the lessons from them were becoming more apparent as we rested. I had room to think. Thinking also led to thoughts of home in the U.S.A. That day, Bea and I realized that it was Father's Day and I longed to talk to my dad. I wasn’t homesick, but I wished that I could communicate everything I was experiencing and learning to my family. Faces from friends and family would pop up in my head when there was room for my thoughts to stray there. After dinner, Pastor spoke with us a bit. Even now, I am so blown away with all this man did for us and how he took up the role of an earthly father so quickly. He encouraged us and reminded us that it is not about us; God will use us no matter how inadequate we feel because He is in control of our uncontrollable circumstances.
My journal entry that night flushed out my feelings and thoughts
from that conversation – I wanted to keep taking leaps of faith knowing that
God will catch me and overshadow me with His power. I was determined not to
worry about what people thought of me. Easier said than done when I wanted to
fit in so badly, for the teachers seemed resistant at having me there. My
desires were becoming strong as I thought about the students. Their eyes
telling stories that would fill your eyes with tears and I wanted to embrace
them, radiating my love over them. Even with a touch of my finger, will they
soak up the love from my heart? Do they know they are loved?
The next day we were expected to give devotions to the students and Bea and I had no idea what to speak about. There was my task oriented mind panicking again – I had to get something prepared before I went to sleep. Even after Pastor gave us that encouragement…? Oy. I’m a slow learner but fast to go back to my erroneous ways. I finally picked my topic and sleep overcame me. The next thing I knew I was waking up to the sounds of the Coast once again.
The next day we were expected to give devotions to the students and Bea and I had no idea what to speak about. There was my task oriented mind panicking again – I had to get something prepared before I went to sleep. Even after Pastor gave us that encouragement…? Oy. I’m a slow learner but fast to go back to my erroneous ways. I finally picked my topic and sleep overcame me. The next thing I knew I was waking up to the sounds of the Coast once again.
