Tuesday – “You Shall be My Witnesses”

Day 2, and we are excited to see all that this day will bring!  We are now beginning to know names of the young people, become more relaxed with one another and our surroundings.  Vibrant praise begins the day, and we continue our journey into Intimacy with Jesus by learning how to read and study scripture through the inductive method, using Acts 1:8. “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit come, and you shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Adam and Laura did a great job of taking us through the steps of observation, interpretation, and application of this verse and what it had to say to them as witnesses where they are and beyond.  We broke up into groups and went through this process with other scriptures.  The students did a good job of listening and applying this process, sharing what they gleaned from the passages.  As we moved into our small groups, discussions are rich and deep. 

In our particular group, the girls had deep questions about scripture, fasting, Islam and the comparison with Christianity – not light subjects.  The depth of their questions is impressive, and as they continue to share, our hearts are more knit with them.  Our team is doing an incredible job!  Each one is contributing in special ways, sharing their gifts, building relationships and bonding so well with everyone here.

Bianca, Alecia’s 13 year old daughter, is making friends with the girls, and they really seem to enjoy having a peer here with them. 

Kara, who has worked with high schoolers for some years, is a “natural” in relating and connecting with the young people.  They love asking her all sorts of questions about scripture,  the US, youth at home, and her life as a youth pastor.  It’s wonderful seeing how God designs each team so uniquely and personally as only He can.

Tuesday Kenya teen week pictures

In the wrap-up share time at the end of the day, each workshop group shared what they had worked on today.  It is truly amazing to see what they create in just one session!  The beginning of a play, art theory and technique, choreographing a dance, and yet another original song based on Acts 1:8.  We were all so impressed with the song that we asked Pastor Ben if we could all learn it and sing it daily as a sort of theme song, that’s how good it is.  The chill of the day had given way to sun, which warmed quickly, and just as the workshops concluded, the clouds returned and as we closed, raindrops fell.  Perfect timing!  So as they waited out the shower waiting for the bus to arrive, we had more time to connect and learn more about one another.

Robin shared that the key prayer request from her small group is the worry about not having enough money for school fees to continue to go to school. 

We can’t help but compare to what might be main prayer items for the youth at home….probably not worry about if they will get to go to high school or not.  It really brings us quickly to reality, their reality, and prayer that these bright young people will be able to complete their education, grow in the Lord and go on to have a profound influence in Kibera, Nairobi, Kenya and beyond.

Unfortunately, we have not been able to have internet.  We would love to communicate frequently, but just know that your prayers are powerful and felt!  God is so mightily at work!  We’ve seen God’s hand at every turn, in every detail.  We rejoice today that Kara’s bag has been found and hopefully will be delivered today!  One of ours is still MIA……we are praying that it will be found since it has the projector, photo printer and other supplies that we would like to be able to use this week.

We’ve been reminded as we look into the beautiful faces of these young men and women that regardless of their circumstances, God is with them.  They are surrounded by His presence, and He indeed has a plan for their lives, and it is GOOD.