sheila's Kenya Mission Trip Testimony
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My first impressions of Africa were that even though it was spring it was hot. It is a dry land, very different from Ohio. Cow’s sheep, goats and donkeys graze by the roads. Sheppard’s are often seen near their animals. Zebras, monkeys and an occasional giraffe were also part of the picture. People seemed to be walking everywhere you went; most do not own a car. Transportation was by privately owned vans and small buses that you paid to ride in. One ride we even had little chicks in with us who chirped the whole ride. The roads are in poor shape especially the secondary ones and it can be a very rough go to get from one place to another. You were often walking which was healthy, and the food was very good, different but tasty. The soil had some red and orange clay in it and if the wind kicked up you felt as if you were in a dust storm.
The people were friendly and welcoming. The people lived in small homes often attached to one another with small personally owned beauty parlors, tea shops, and other places of business one next to the other so that the neighborhoods had everything a person could need. The children would follow us and want to be close by holding our hands when we were walking. They were sweet and loving with big smiles on their faces. |
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We ministered house to house and many were well put together and pretty. One family we ministered to had been middle class but were forced out of their homes and had to flee and they became refugees. They were left with nothing and my heart broke for them. I went back that night after a day of ministry to the hotel and cried. How easy it would be for any of us to go from our comfortable status to this state of need. We were able to pray with them and help some with the love and generosity of our sponsors and through the wisdom of the Pastor there.
We were embraced by the people of Africa. They were welcoming and loving. We all quickly made friends. I became especially fond of Pastor Peter, his wife Rachel and their family and church members. They traveled with us and took care of us and educated us. I am so grateful to them. My connection with individuals deepened as the days moved forward. I came to love and respect these wonderful people.
God met me every time I had to speak, teach or preach. We had no time to prepare so we all depended on Jesus to give us a word in due season. God never let us down. My heart broke at times for individual situations, I cried for what my eyes saw. Rachel the pastor’s wife shed much light on what was needed and on their culture that I will be forever grateful for her council, wisdom and strength.
I will be honest a few times I wanted to click my heels together like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz and just go home. But God had me where He wanted me to be. On a long bus ride to Kisii for us to do more ministry, I beheld the beauty of the countryside. Beautiful fruit and vegetables were piled on stands being sold. They have three growing seasons. Some parts had mountains and other areas were flat. In the more congested larger towns we also experienced the darker side of the human condition.
We had the privilege of ministering in four churches and in multiple services. One church we went down a red clay path to an open thatched hut. We had all been very tired after much travel, but when we heard the singing and excitement from the people, then big smiles spread across our faces. We were not allowed to join them at first, but ushered into a small room and they began to allow us to wash our hands by pouring warm water over our hands and giving us much needed food and water. They said, “You have traveled a long way and we want you to rest and be refreshed.” The singing and high energy worship went on right outside where we were being taken care of. Our spirits were restored and refreshed. After a small rest my husband took his bodhran, an Irish drum, and joined them in worshiping Jesus. The smiles on everyone’s faces were priceless. The rest of us hurried out to be a part of this special moment. We worshiped together and brought what God had given each of us to say. It was a beautiful evening.
The next day was a marriage conference at another church of Bishop Thomas and his wife Bishop Cecilia. I so enjoyed ministering with my husband and the message seemed to go deep into people’s hearts. God gave me many moments where I was surprised at the preaching, teaching and words that came out of my mouth. Despite having little time to prepare God always gave the people what their hungry hearts needed; I was just as blessed to be His vessel.
I had so many moments where God met me. He came through for me in an amazing way. His love for the people of Africa was apparent. My trust and faith in God grew and grew. I made some deep friendships, and I can truly say I love these people. They are strong beautiful lovely brothers and sisters in Christ. I am excited to see the plans Jesus has for them.
“’For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. ‘Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”’ (Jeremiah 9:11, NIV)
We were embraced by the people of Africa. They were welcoming and loving. We all quickly made friends. I became especially fond of Pastor Peter, his wife Rachel and their family and church members. They traveled with us and took care of us and educated us. I am so grateful to them. My connection with individuals deepened as the days moved forward. I came to love and respect these wonderful people.
God met me every time I had to speak, teach or preach. We had no time to prepare so we all depended on Jesus to give us a word in due season. God never let us down. My heart broke at times for individual situations, I cried for what my eyes saw. Rachel the pastor’s wife shed much light on what was needed and on their culture that I will be forever grateful for her council, wisdom and strength.
I will be honest a few times I wanted to click my heels together like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz and just go home. But God had me where He wanted me to be. On a long bus ride to Kisii for us to do more ministry, I beheld the beauty of the countryside. Beautiful fruit and vegetables were piled on stands being sold. They have three growing seasons. Some parts had mountains and other areas were flat. In the more congested larger towns we also experienced the darker side of the human condition.
We had the privilege of ministering in four churches and in multiple services. One church we went down a red clay path to an open thatched hut. We had all been very tired after much travel, but when we heard the singing and excitement from the people, then big smiles spread across our faces. We were not allowed to join them at first, but ushered into a small room and they began to allow us to wash our hands by pouring warm water over our hands and giving us much needed food and water. They said, “You have traveled a long way and we want you to rest and be refreshed.” The singing and high energy worship went on right outside where we were being taken care of. Our spirits were restored and refreshed. After a small rest my husband took his bodhran, an Irish drum, and joined them in worshiping Jesus. The smiles on everyone’s faces were priceless. The rest of us hurried out to be a part of this special moment. We worshiped together and brought what God had given each of us to say. It was a beautiful evening.
The next day was a marriage conference at another church of Bishop Thomas and his wife Bishop Cecilia. I so enjoyed ministering with my husband and the message seemed to go deep into people’s hearts. God gave me many moments where I was surprised at the preaching, teaching and words that came out of my mouth. Despite having little time to prepare God always gave the people what their hungry hearts needed; I was just as blessed to be His vessel.
I had so many moments where God met me. He came through for me in an amazing way. His love for the people of Africa was apparent. My trust and faith in God grew and grew. I made some deep friendships, and I can truly say I love these people. They are strong beautiful lovely brothers and sisters in Christ. I am excited to see the plans Jesus has for them.
“’For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. ‘Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”’ (Jeremiah 9:11, NIV)