time than I am accustomed to finding during the semester at Duke
Divinity School. As an intern with the Umoja Project, I am usually at
the mercy of my host(s) to plan my schedule or to be excused and
dismissed. Sometimes I wait for meetings to start, or for my ride to
come, or possibly for my eyes to feel heavy enough at night to close.
After a couple days of adjusting to the system, I decided to use the
"extra time" to read through as much as the New Testament as possible.
I have not only greatly enjoyed this given opportunity to read the
Word, but I've also gained knowledge, faith, and experience.
Daily as I read through the Gospels and Letters, I compare what I read
to my own visit and ministry here in Kenya. I find myself stuck in a
contradiction. I am received here as if I were a savior, the answer
to everyone's prayers. Everywhere I go, the welcome I am given is
nothing short of what I read in the Gospels about the crowds that
followed Jesus hoping to receive lessons and miracles. Yet,
everywhere I look here, I see the face of Jesus. Thus, I am stuck in
a limbo position -- am I supposed to see Jesus in others or be Jesus
for others.
Today, I went to Ulala Primary School. When I arrived, the children
rushed to the car I was riding in to shake my hand. Some reached and
felt my arm, touching it to seek assurance that I am real and also to
compare it to their own. This reminds me of the story of Zacheaus,
found in Luke 19. Out of curiosity this tax collector climbed a tree
to see Jesus. The children run after our van when they see us with
excitement and to get a better look at us. They come running from
their homes when they hear us passing by if we're on foot to greet us.
Moreover, when I meet a group of people, no matter if they are men or
women, they generally desire to tell me their personal concerns and
ailments. For example, I met a women's group and they presented every
problem they were currently facing. They need an income generating
project (and assistance in starting it), there are many widows in the
group struggling to provide for their children and relatives in need,
and they have started some projects that have failed. I felt as if in
this meeting they were seeking a miracle from me as they asked for
assistance. They were wondering if, perhaps, I could be their savior
and solve all their problems one by one until they were all in a much
better situation.
The Gospel of Mark tells us that the people brought ALL who where sick
or possessed to Jesus. They did this to such a great extent that a
man needing healing had to be lowered in the through the roof to reach
Jesus (Mark 1:32-2:12).
Although I haven't been asked to literally heal someone, I have been
asked to help the people here in their state of suffering. The crowds
followed Jesus for the same reason. Now that I have been here for
almost a month, people are beginning to know me. I might meet a
person for only one minute, but they know my name from that minute.
Or, perhaps through speaking in the churches here on Sunday mornings
people have learned my name. Nonetheless, today I was walking on a
small path through a pasture and some shouted, "Laura!" I had no idea
who the person was, but he knew me and wanted me to come over to his
home. Furthermore, when I do stop and talk to people, many times
someone will ask me if I will take them or their relative to the USA.
For example, I met a women yesterday and she immediately called her
niece and wanted me to talk to her on the phone. When she handed me
the phone, she told me to ask her (the niece) to come to the United
States with me. After Jesus heals the man with the demons, he begged
that he might be able to go with Jesus (Luke 8:26-39).
Thus, I feel like I've been elevated to the status of a savior here by
the way I'm received, treated, and followed.
Yet, that is why I am currently in a contradictory position. In
Matthew 25:40 Jesus tells us, "Just as you did it to one of the least
of these who are members of my family, you did it to me." I meet my
Savior everywhere here in Kenya. I meet Jesus here daily as I
encounter the "least of these". Therefore, in the same instance that
they hope I might be their savior, they become Jesus to me. Yet, not
only because they might be sick or hungry, but because of their loving
way of serving. In John 13, Jesus washed his disciples feet and tells
us we are to follow his example. Yet, my feet have been washed here
as I receive hospitality (literally, my feet have not been washed.
However, one night my shoes were by the door and the next morning I
realized that my host had washed them for me).
It is only recently that I came to discover that it is okay to live in
the "contradiction" of being Jesus and seeing Jesus. For some time,
I thought that as I visit here, I am supposed to bring Christ to these
people, not in an evangelical way - but by showing love and inspiring
hope.
Through my experience of encountering Jesus here, I am reminded that
the Jesus Christ who gave so much to the world did not indeed have
much. He came into the world by the lowest means as he was born in a
manger. As I receive indescribable hospitality, I know that I have
learned so much from my brothers and sisters here in Kenya. Thus, I
am humbled to know that as Christians, regardless where we are from,
or whether we are visitors or the host, that we are all called to
serve and love one another.
Yet, as I am received as a hope for aid, I must recognize that I am
not God. I alone cannot fix everything -- even if it is my greatest
desire. I must acknowledge that we serve an awesome God who created
us and cares for us. Thus, just a Jesus prayed to his Heavenly
Father, tonight as I reflect on my day of visiting schools and seeing
children in need, I lift them up in prayer to God for healing and
wisdom. In addition, I pray that when I meet people who are hoping
for a savior that they might see even a glimpse of the love of Christ
through me, but that ultimately that they might know the true
Redeemer.
Speaking of Jesus -- Time Journal from Sunday, June 27 -- Two churches
on Sunday.
6:32am - woke up to roosters again, thank you God for your
creation...even at daybreak
7:20am-7:31- sponge bath
8:10am- after putting on sunscreen and bug spray I'm ready for the day
8:30am-breakfast: three pieces of bread with spread and PLUM jam (so
good!) with tea
9:15am- MY FIRST TIME DRIVING IN KENYA! Exciting moment for me (and
easily made my team members jealous). Drove about 4Kilometes -- it's
a automatic car, but if you let off break the engine dies (I drove
with both feet).
10:12am- arrive at first service for the day (it was in English). The
sermon was on "being real" and the sermon started with American
wrestling (it's pretty popular here). Sermon texts include Gen 32:24,
Psalm 51:10-24, Jonah 2:1ff, Mark 14:30. It was a sermon on real
faith and real salvation.
11:15am- arrive at second church for the day. I give a "word of
encouragement" based on Jesus feeding the 5,000 in John (this story is
found in all four Gospels, but only John tells us the fish came from a
small boy). Long story short, there are three lessons that I shared
from the text: 1, Jesus loves his followers. 2, We are to be thankful
and acknowledge what God give us. 3. When we give, God multiplies it
for the good of all people...this doesn't have to be material good --
I said if you have love, give it; if you have strength and power,
offer it; if you have knowledge, God can use it too.
11:24am- Pastor Tom added to my message to make it the sermon. It was
in the mother tongue. He told me later he spoke about salvation,
because I only talked about faith.
1:05pm - service ends with two more chances to give offering
1:18pm - Stop by Tom's friend's house (unannounced) for a bite to eat.
We had sodas and bread for a light lunch
2:35 - arrive at Chulaimbo ACK to meet Form Four students
2:50pm- It's raining so hard that we can't hear each other (tin roof).
meeting paused.
3:30-5:16pm- talk to Form 4 (seniors in High school) about what they
hope to do next.
5:21 - Laura reads scripture: Isaiah 40:28-31 and Romans 12:9-12
(Thank you God for putting these words on my heart!)
5:24- Brandon and Sanetta are prayer warriors and cover these students
with prayers!
5:28-Sanetta's photo shoot with the students
5:32- Sanetta and Laura get a Matatu -- Sanetta sits on Laura's lap
due to no space and she leans across two men. Matatu's = GETTING TO
KNOW ONE ANOTHER.
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