Sunday – “Kibera, we will preach…..”

Sunday Kenya teen week pictures

Today is the day, the worship service at the Langata Church where the young people will share what they have created this week in their workshops.  We were told that they could have ten minutes – ten minutes to condense what they had created and prepared to share.  While that was a challenge, they did it!  With the guidance of those facilitating the workshops, all four groups (art, music, dance and drama) combined their efforts to come up with a compact, wonderful presentation. First, the drama group presented their play about grace and forgiveness (incorporating the story of the Prodigal Son), along with backdrop designed and painted by the art group.   Then the music group fine tuned their song from Matthew 18…..”Kibera, we will preach; Nairobi, we will witness.  Kenya will know that Jesus is the Lord!”  The dance group choreographed dance to the song so that they would present a group effort together.    This is the first time for these young people to be inside a large church like this with so many people in the congregation; there just isn’t room for such a place in Kibera.  

 For most, they hadn’t ridden in a bus and had enjoyed just riding to and from the retreat center each day, much less going into “town” to perform in a large venue!  We had tried to prepare them for this new experience, assuring them that they would be warmly received and appreciated; they were.  And you would have not have known of any jitters, if there were any; they seemed poised and confident as they presented.  Those of us “helpers” in the congregation sat there like proud parents as they shared their hearts with such conviction and talent!  Pretty much flawless; JOY – PRIDE – BLESSING!

It was hard to see them enter the bus one last time as they left the church at the conclusion of worship, our last time to be with them, give them hugs, take pictures, and relish all we that had experienced together. But we bade them a sweet “see  you later” – not goodbye, for we know we will spend eternity together. 

From there, we were invited to the home of our ministry director, Judy Mbugua, and her husband.  This is always such a TREAT and a highlight of a stay in Nairobi!  You never know who else might be there; their home is always open with so many invited in to share in food and fellowship.  It was a delight to have some of the Masai women there to greet us, along with one of their sons, Moses, who for many years had taught women in the school Tirzah helped set up for them (Masai women traditionally are never allowed to go to school).  He is now involved in a business venture, but his wife is now teaching.  They brought some of their amazing, beaded creations so distinctive of the Masai people, and of course, we must support their efforts J.  Then an amazing afternoon of sharing, singing, dancing (Masai/Kenyan style!)…….wonderful fellowship indeed.

The close of an amazing day; the culmination of a week’s worth of learning, creating, exploring, and then sharing with believers who were hopefully as proud and compassionate about these young people as we have become.  Our time is coming to a close; tomorrow is our last day in Nairobi.  It has gone by way too fast.  It’s hard to take it all in, all that God has shown us and allowed us to experience alongside amazing young people and those who have such a heart for them.  It will be an ongoing process of unpacking this most special time, not just as we prepare to go home, but for months and years to come.  Our hearts have connected in such a special way with our special Kenyan friends.  We will forever sing along with them and pray and watch for how God will “preach in Kibera, witness in Nairobi, and show Himself Lord of ALL.”