This time the grass IS greener!

When one thinks of a country in Africa, you think: poverty, disease, famine, starvation and just over all unclean living conditions. In some places of Africa this is certainly true but as Americans all too often we fail to see beyond their physical circumstances and we miss out on what their true circumstances are. What could be more important than the physical circumstances, you ask? If you don’t know where your next meal will come from, out of a job and you might be evicted from your house for lack of rent money, what else would take precedent?! 

This month I was once again amazed by the children and just in general, the people here in Kenya. I was blessed to prepare VBS material for Kayole and Kisii. I took part in aiding the teacher in Kayole but was unable to take part in the classes for Kisii. I had wanted to test and see what the spiritual knowledge of the children (ages 5-15) here in our school in Kayole and was completely blown away.  For some reason I automatically used my knowledge of what American children know and their ability to grasp spiritual things as a barometer when preparing lessons for the Kenyan children.  And once again I stood corrected. From day 1 the children exhibited a solid foundation in not just biblical knowledge but also an understanding of how to use apologetics in order to expand their understanding.  When they did have questions they were insightful and thought provoking.

Children in Kenyan have the ability to learn and adapt by simply being content with their surroundings. They find their fullfillness in community and their love for God and each other. Their need for entertainment and the latest gadgets is non-existent. There were over 80 children packed shoulder to shoulder in a small, 1 window class room, after school hours just to hear and learn about the Bible. There were no exciting dramas, no silly video with catchy phrasing to help them learn verses, no props on a stage or puppet time. There was simply a building, benches for seating and a hunger for the Living Water. Wow, how refreshing it was to be there in their midst!

When it came time for the salvation invitation I was quite confident there would be none. We announced that after class if they wanted to make a personal decision on how to accept, believe and confess in the Lord, that they should stay behind.  There were 27 who stayed. One by one each child stood up and prayed either out loud or silently and in their native tongue, to accept Christ as their Lord and Savior. Two children who were present decided they were not ready to pray and so as a class we all laid hands on them and prayed for the seeds that were planted in their hearts that week.  

The week was wrapped up by every child making the Power Band bracelets. They learned about sharing the Gospel and the Scripture for each color bead in their bracelet.  Needless to say they were very enthusiastic.

I look forward to hearing the results from the VBS classes in Kisii. We will be sharing the information as it is relayed to us by the leaders there.

As I reflect upon our time here, I come away with many thoughts and lasting impressions. Most of them being along the lines of desiring to see Americans realize we can learn many things from the Christians here in Kenya when it comes down to what it means to truly follow God and care for one another!