Being in Kenya and talking to so many different people of various ages has had a significant impact on me. On Friday, we visited a predominantly Muslim school, and I spoke with a few Muslim girls. It was incredible to see that, despite their different religion, they were open to understanding how I pursue a relationship with God. They asked insightful questions about Jesus and compared the Quran to the Bible. I shared with them Romans 6:23: “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” This verse really showed the girls how much God loves us all. I told them that even though they follow a different religion, God loves them and is always open to having a relationship with them. They were so kind, and whether they believe in all the things we do or not, it was just amazing to tell them about our God.
One thing I have had to remember is that God is using me and speaking through me, and I should not be afraid to say the wrong thing. Psalm 50:15 says, “and call on me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me.” This reminds me that even if I am nervous to speak to the people we meet, God is with me.
Something that I feel is often overlooked by Americans traveling in Kenya is that they face many of the same social struggles that we do. On Saturday, I was able to talk to 16-year-old girls about peer pressure. Our group discussed the issues we face, including alcohol, drugs, and sex. Most of us didn’t consider that they faced these issues too, and it impacted me because it showed me how I can relate to them and how God has connected us despite our different lives.
On Saturday, I also visited two people’s homes and brought them some food. It was touching to see that, even in the conditions they lived in and all they have gone through, they have hope that tomorrow will be better. This hope is driven by their relationship with Christ and his precious answers to their prayers in the past. In one of the homes we visited, the father had recently passed away. Despite the family’s financial struggles and grief, just praying with them brought them so much joy. This all shows how far a simple gesture can go.
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