Kenya

During our 15 day stay at the Olkoroi Camp, the Maasai people welcomed us with open arms. They quickly showed us how to integrate into the culture and soon enough all of us were clothed in Maasai blankets and walking around with our Maasai walking sticks, which we made ourselves. Whilst staying in the midst of nature with wildlife encircling our tents, we were continuously blessed with the sound of what seemed like hundreds of birds announcing the beginning of each new day and magnificent views that displayed vast forestry. We were taken aback by the majesty of creation, and the majesty of the Creator Himself.
The countless nights around the fire, the kettle-boiled-bucket-showers, and the private space offered by the thin walls of our small tents are all just a few things our team will miss from our Kenyan stay…

Each day looked particularly different to what we as a team have been accustomed to, coming from a western society. The lack of planning and scheduled ministry stretched us to a more spontaneous way of living. We started to wake up with a sense of excitement at the prospect of either nothing or everything, all at the same time. African time is now something we’re all too familiar with, and we’ve learned to love it.

Although our ministry in Kenya wasn’t as busy as ministry normally is for us, we were able to serve in various ways: We helped make benches for the school, fixed roads, counted and moved stones, gathered and chopped firewood, did children’s ministry, moved water to the school, helped to clean up for guests and ministered at a Church service.
We helped the community where there were opportunities to do so, but it was clear to all of us that this time had been set apart for the team to focus on serving one another, and receiving the time of rest that the Lord was giving us.
Although initially, some team members struggled to adjust to the lack of planning and the general uncertainty of things, all of us experienced a change of perspective and learned to take in everything that the Lord was giving to us every day.

Overall, we treasure what a bonding experience this was for us. Sometimes we can become too focused on building outward relationships as we minister that we forget that it’s also important to remain inward-focused. That’s why we’re even more thankful for this time. We feel rejuvenated in our relationships as a team.

Kenya, you were bold, bright, extravagant and breathtaking all at once.
You brought a pop of colour into our lives through your people and your materials. You’ve exposed us to another side of the body of Christ and reminded us that His kingdom is way more diverse than we could have ever imagined.

Here’s a short Testimony from David about how he experienced Kenya:

“The first couple days took time for my mind to relax from the fast-paced thinking I’ve become used to since I’ve started Global Challenge. Once I was truly able to sit and think without my mind racing, I began to pay careful attention to nature and what it reveals about the creator. What struck me most was the effortlessness of nature. “My yoke is easy and my burden is light”. The plants and animals fully understand who the Lord is as their provider, and what role he has given to each of them to do. The trees do not try harder to be more fruitful, nor do the birds strive more to collect food; every creature simply does what it was designed to do, not straining but working at the level intended by God. This gave me a great opportunity to ask myself ‘where have I missed this in my life?’ and ‘how many times have I, and do I still, rely on my own productivity to aid my feeling of satisfaction?’. I cannot count how many times I have projected my thoughts onto who God is, thinking he expects a level of active devotion I simply cannot hold to. It’s not that I am to become lazy on this pretence and do nothing, assuming all work is beyond my capacity. But instead, understand that God has already prepared me for the good works I am to do. There is a level of exertion required to do each good work, yet in a paradoxical fashion, if I truly believe that the Lord has fully equipped me, each task becomes natural and to a degree effortless.”

We’re grateful to the Lord for what He’s taught us in Kenya. We trust He’ll bless our next season.

Please join us as we pray for:

• Olkoroi camp, and that the projects that they’ve started will come to completion. This includes their building projects and their attempts at training up leadership in the church community
• That the stronghold against worship that has previously been mentioned in the camp will be broken
• For the overall well-being of our hosts and the missionaries currently in Kenya