Jambo and Karibu.
Greetings from Kenya and welcome as teen camp begins!
Once everyone was registered, got their name tags, Bibles and notebooks, praise began with Pastor Ben leading. Praise songs led by students and Homecare helpers filled the air. As we praise God together, we bond with these students who are so eager to come, grow and share. Laura and Adam are leading the Bible studies this week, and we began our journey into “Intimacy with Jesus” with looking at “Transformation.” They did an excellent job of explaining what takes place at salvation and how God transforms us from the inside out. As we broke up into small groups to discuss the lesson, it is apparent that these young people are bright, thoughtful, and full of questions. Though a bit timid at first, they soon reveal deep questions about what it means to grow as a Christian, also revealing many misconceptions about what one must “do” as a believer – great discussion. After lunch we began our workshops in the arts – art, music, dance, and drama. What creativity these young people have!! I had the joy of observing all the groups in progress, amazed at what these young people were learning and creating on their own. Alecia led her art group in amazing exercises of drawing, how to “see” objects and transfer that to paper. Robin’s drama group began by acting out the key verse of the day: John 15: 1-5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. Abide in me…..” Their interpretations were amazing! Then they went on to exploring expressing emotions and different scenarios. Alexia, one of the Kenyan interns joining us this week, led the dance group, and they created and learned a dance in one setting! In music, Pastor Ben had the group write lyrics, based on John 15, then put them to their own melody. We were all astounded at the song they created in one session!
Monday Kenya teen week Pictures
Once everyone was registered, got their name tags, Bibles and notebooks, praise began with Pastor Ben leading. Praise songs led by students and Homecare helpers filled the air. As we praise God together, we bond with these students who are so eager to come, grow and share. Laura and Adam are leading the Bible studies this week, and we began our journey into “Intimacy with Jesus” with looking at “Transformation.” They did an excellent job of explaining what takes place at salvation and how God transforms us from the inside out. As we broke up into small groups to discuss the lesson, it is apparent that these young people are bright, thoughtful, and full of questions. Though a bit timid at first, they soon reveal deep questions about what it means to grow as a Christian, also revealing many misconceptions about what one must “do” as a believer – great discussion. After lunch we began our workshops in the arts – art, music, dance, and drama. What creativity these young people have!! I had the joy of observing all the groups in progress, amazed at what these young people were learning and creating on their own. Alecia led her art group in amazing exercises of drawing, how to “see” objects and transfer that to paper. Robin’s drama group began by acting out the key verse of the day: John 15: 1-5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. Abide in me…..” Their interpretations were amazing! Then they went on to exploring expressing emotions and different scenarios. Alexia, one of the Kenyan interns joining us this week, led the dance group, and they created and learned a dance in one setting! In music, Pastor Ben had the group write lyrics, based on John 15, then put them to their own melody. We were all astounded at the song they created in one session!
Monday Kenya teen week Pictures
At the end of the day, all the groups presented a sample of
what they had done in their sessions.
The results were even more than we prayed for or could imagine for the
first day!
What an amazing, encouraging day, meeting and getting to
know these young people, the volunteers from Homecare, the church interns, and
ourselves as a team!!
An incredible day of great delights - the chill as we wrap
up in jackets and scarves {very unlike
Houston!!), the eagerness of these young people, their knowledge of scripture
and desire to understand it more and build it into their lives, the sacrificial
service of the volunteers, interns, Homecare staff and the wonderful ladies
serving us here at the Homecare Retreat Center.
After all the struggle just to get here, we are thankful
beyond measure to be here with wonderful young people and share life with them
for a while. We know we have walked into
the middle of the work God began long ago and will continue for years to come,
but what a privilege to be able to step in for a time like this. Our prayer:
to stay connected to The Vine that together, we might bear fruit.
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