Extremes in Kenya -2005
An African Journal
Written by: Staff
Post Date: May. 26, 2005
Dear Supporters,
Please continue to lift us up in prayer for God's work in Africa during the last 10 days of our 2 month mission trip to Africa. While were still working with the government officials to get clearance for the 40-foot container filled with donated goods for the children at the orphanage. Prayers for our safety were requested. While walking back to the car after meeting with a government minister in Nairobi, Carol was hit and robbed of her cross necklace her children had given her. She is fine now, but it was upsetting to know someone had been watching us so closely to find the right moment to assault her and rip the cross from her neck. Poverty is no excuse for stealing. A grown man did this. If he was strong and fast enough to run quickly away, then he was strong enough to go to work and live righteously like most of the good hard working people in this land.
But God is so good. Right after this happened we prayed for the thief who did this and released him into the hands of God. Then we went into the biggest slum in Nairobi, called Kibera, which has an estimated one million people living in it. The conditions these
people live in are horrible.
Our hearts broke as we walked deep into the slum. The muddy walkways with open sewage draining down the middle of the 15-foot wide 'streets' weave through the mud shacks that are the homes and small storefronts for these people. The people who live here are the laborers of this country, making about $3 a day. This is barely enough to survive and feed their families, but not enough to pay for better housing. There is no grass for the children to play on. They play outside their homes, along side of the chickens, dogs and goats that wander the area. There are no bathrooms or running water. Each individual must wrap their waste and carry it to waste collection drop off sites. They get water at distribution centers located around their community. After a while you hardly notice the mushy mud you are walking through. Yet, our hearts were filled with compassion and love for these people. One must set aside your personal concerns about hygiene when you see the butcher cutting fresh meat just inches away from the filth.
Surprisingly, there was profound peace in the middle of all this. Each man, woman and child were family. Some connected by blood, but all by the poverty that surrounds them. There was a presence of safety in this community, each one looking after the other. They respect each other's efforts and struggles. So what the devil meant for bad that day by the earlier assault and theft, God was triumphant in the way he put us in an even more needy place and showed us so many good people and victory over fear. We could not have gone into this area if we had fear in our hearts.
A young girl around six years old tugged on the edge of our coat, quietly stating, "Please money for milk for the baby." As we turned and looked we saw horrible scars on her face. They looked like burn marks and on her little back was strapped a small baby. Steve gave her some coins. She did not go away. She continued to plead for
more money for milk for the baby for over a block. We asked the pastor with us if we had given her enough for milk. He said yes, more than enough. But her persistence came from not her own will, but her obedience to her mother or father who were using her to beg for money from strangers. They knew this small-scarred child would gain more sympathy from us than adults begging would have. Our hearts went out to her as a child slave being taught to beg for her
parents for a living. Our hearts also cried out to God for justice for this child as we wondered if her burn scars were caused by accident or if they were inflicted on her to make her look more needy. The despair and pain could be seen deep into this child's
eyes. Tears had long ago dried up in her abused mind and body. This child was begging on the main business streets of Nairobi, not in
the Kibera slum. We wondered where is the government program to intervene and stop this child abuse. We realized how short we fall in making a difference as ministers and as a Christian community. Each corner has another sad story of poverty, physical despair and spiritual bankruptcy. One interesting contrast: When we walked deep into the Kibera slum we did not see one person begging, not one.
We met a wonderful lady who had lived in the Kibera slum for over 10 years. She was called by God to serve these people, was ordained, and started preaching daily in the Kibera. Three times a day she holds services with up to 100 people attending. She no longer lives in the slum. On the outer edge on the other side of the railroad track is one of the nicest areas in Nairobi. By hard work as a businesswoman working in the very slums she preached in, and with God's provision, she was able to buy the nicest house in this development, next to lawyers, doctors, and bank managers. It is a
lovely home. It has many rooms to host all the missionaries and pastors who come to visit her church. We had no idea she lived in
two very different worlds as we sat and had a meal in her nice home.
But after the meal was through, she took us to her back door. As she opened it, all the beauty and splendor of the house and nice neighborhood disappeared as we looked out on the vast rusted metal roofs of the thousands of mud huts nestled in the valley below. Within 100 feet of her home we found ourselves walking the railroad tracks with hundreds of people, watching them as they strive to make a living from new and used clothing and the meager fruits and vegetables they have gathered. Each hoped to earn enough money to buy the food they would need for the day. Basic survival was all most could hope for each day.
Reverend Elizabeth had a calm presence about her as she elegantly walked to her church in the Kibera slum. It is a simple structure
with mud floors, wooden benches, a rusted metal roof, and banners giving glory to the Lord. Her calmness overflowed into beautiful praise and worship as she preached the Word of God. The people came for their daily time set aside for God. She has a faithful congregation, each coming during the time they are not working. She has so many services because the people work different shifts and she wants to be there when the people are able to come. The joy of the ministry outreach she does is so encouraging. She could leave and start a church anywhere in Kenya, but she chooses to stay where she is and serve these people. She gives them a hope for a bright and prosperous future when you stay on course with the Lord Jesus Christ and are obedient to his Word.
As Steve walked through Kibera, he asked Carol, "What can I say to these people?" The contrast of most American lives with this is just so extreme. But later, Steve got up to preach. After speaking
briefly in Swahili, Steve repeated the question. He went on to preach that he had the truth of the gospel that is for all people
and God's promises are for all people. Jesus came to preach good news to the poor, to proclaim freedom for the prisoners. We should do no less. Steve preached and sang to the people what the Holy
Spirit had placed on his heart. He was filled with compassion and was lead to share God's blessings on them and words of encouragement about the truth of the gospel regardless of where we are. He was also blessed by the wonderful way in which we all worshiped.
Carol preached about the gift pastors give their congregations when they share the Word of God. She had Reverend Elizabeth hand out thirty eggs to some of her members as Carol shared how precious it is to receive an egg when you are hungry. But if you don't take care it will break and be ruined, or if never used it will spoil. It is only when you carefully open it that you are able to be nourished by it. So it is with the Word of God. When a pastor shares and places scripture into the hands of the people, they must be open to read and study the Word of God. When they take the time to be nourished and fed by the Word of God they grow spiritually, opening the doors to be healed and grow strong in the knowledge and wisdom of God's Word.
Carol, teaching on the individual's responsibility to be fed by God's Word provided an opportunity to teach about God's desire for our hearts to give back to him. God's Word never says only if your rich and healthy are you required to tithe or give offerings. God calls us all to give. He only asks for 10%. He lets us keep 90%. It is all His anyway. The congregation was challenged to give to the church and pastor their tithe, regardless of how much or little they have.
Give to God what is God's, whether it's 10% of millions of dollars or whether it's a few shillings. God honors the willingness of our hearts. It is also a matter of character and good stewardship. As each individual and congregation honors God and His directions on tithing, pastors will be equipped to help the church grow, providing for the church and helping the needy.
As Reverend Elizabeth closed the meeting she prayed for the offering, telling people no gift is too small and if they don't have a tithe tonight some might have an egg to give or a prayer or their time. But all are called to give something of each day's blessings. These
people who in the world's eyes have so little, gave so abundantly.
This day we went from the highest of the highs as early in the day
we met with a Minister of the nation of Kenya with grace and elegance to the largest slum with grace and elegance. Dining with
both was like dining at the King's table. Each is able to serve and be used by God. May that be true for all of us.
Grace In God's Hands,
Steve and Carol Carlyle
Please continue to lift us up in prayer for God's work in Africa during the last 10 days of our 2 month mission trip to Africa. While were still working with the government officials to get clearance for the 40-foot container filled with donated goods for the children at the orphanage. Prayers for our safety were requested. While walking back to the car after meeting with a government minister in Nairobi, Carol was hit and robbed of her cross necklace her children had given her. She is fine now, but it was upsetting to know someone had been watching us so closely to find the right moment to assault her and rip the cross from her neck. Poverty is no excuse for stealing. A grown man did this. If he was strong and fast enough to run quickly away, then he was strong enough to go to work and live righteously like most of the good hard working people in this land.
But God is so good. Right after this happened we prayed for the thief who did this and released him into the hands of God. Then we went into the biggest slum in Nairobi, called Kibera, which has an estimated one million people living in it. The conditions these
people live in are horrible.
Our hearts broke as we walked deep into the slum. The muddy walkways with open sewage draining down the middle of the 15-foot wide 'streets' weave through the mud shacks that are the homes and small storefronts for these people. The people who live here are the laborers of this country, making about $3 a day. This is barely enough to survive and feed their families, but not enough to pay for better housing. There is no grass for the children to play on. They play outside their homes, along side of the chickens, dogs and goats that wander the area. There are no bathrooms or running water. Each individual must wrap their waste and carry it to waste collection drop off sites. They get water at distribution centers located around their community. After a while you hardly notice the mushy mud you are walking through. Yet, our hearts were filled with compassion and love for these people. One must set aside your personal concerns about hygiene when you see the butcher cutting fresh meat just inches away from the filth.
Surprisingly, there was profound peace in the middle of all this. Each man, woman and child were family. Some connected by blood, but all by the poverty that surrounds them. There was a presence of safety in this community, each one looking after the other. They respect each other's efforts and struggles. So what the devil meant for bad that day by the earlier assault and theft, God was triumphant in the way he put us in an even more needy place and showed us so many good people and victory over fear. We could not have gone into this area if we had fear in our hearts.
A young girl around six years old tugged on the edge of our coat, quietly stating, "Please money for milk for the baby." As we turned and looked we saw horrible scars on her face. They looked like burn marks and on her little back was strapped a small baby. Steve gave her some coins. She did not go away. She continued to plead for
more money for milk for the baby for over a block. We asked the pastor with us if we had given her enough for milk. He said yes, more than enough. But her persistence came from not her own will, but her obedience to her mother or father who were using her to beg for money from strangers. They knew this small-scarred child would gain more sympathy from us than adults begging would have. Our hearts went out to her as a child slave being taught to beg for her
parents for a living. Our hearts also cried out to God for justice for this child as we wondered if her burn scars were caused by accident or if they were inflicted on her to make her look more needy. The despair and pain could be seen deep into this child's
eyes. Tears had long ago dried up in her abused mind and body. This child was begging on the main business streets of Nairobi, not in
the Kibera slum. We wondered where is the government program to intervene and stop this child abuse. We realized how short we fall in making a difference as ministers and as a Christian community. Each corner has another sad story of poverty, physical despair and spiritual bankruptcy. One interesting contrast: When we walked deep into the Kibera slum we did not see one person begging, not one.
We met a wonderful lady who had lived in the Kibera slum for over 10 years. She was called by God to serve these people, was ordained, and started preaching daily in the Kibera. Three times a day she holds services with up to 100 people attending. She no longer lives in the slum. On the outer edge on the other side of the railroad track is one of the nicest areas in Nairobi. By hard work as a businesswoman working in the very slums she preached in, and with God's provision, she was able to buy the nicest house in this development, next to lawyers, doctors, and bank managers. It is a
lovely home. It has many rooms to host all the missionaries and pastors who come to visit her church. We had no idea she lived in
two very different worlds as we sat and had a meal in her nice home.
But after the meal was through, she took us to her back door. As she opened it, all the beauty and splendor of the house and nice neighborhood disappeared as we looked out on the vast rusted metal roofs of the thousands of mud huts nestled in the valley below. Within 100 feet of her home we found ourselves walking the railroad tracks with hundreds of people, watching them as they strive to make a living from new and used clothing and the meager fruits and vegetables they have gathered. Each hoped to earn enough money to buy the food they would need for the day. Basic survival was all most could hope for each day.
Reverend Elizabeth had a calm presence about her as she elegantly walked to her church in the Kibera slum. It is a simple structure
with mud floors, wooden benches, a rusted metal roof, and banners giving glory to the Lord. Her calmness overflowed into beautiful praise and worship as she preached the Word of God. The people came for their daily time set aside for God. She has a faithful congregation, each coming during the time they are not working. She has so many services because the people work different shifts and she wants to be there when the people are able to come. The joy of the ministry outreach she does is so encouraging. She could leave and start a church anywhere in Kenya, but she chooses to stay where she is and serve these people. She gives them a hope for a bright and prosperous future when you stay on course with the Lord Jesus Christ and are obedient to his Word.
As Steve walked through Kibera, he asked Carol, "What can I say to these people?" The contrast of most American lives with this is just so extreme. But later, Steve got up to preach. After speaking
briefly in Swahili, Steve repeated the question. He went on to preach that he had the truth of the gospel that is for all people
and God's promises are for all people. Jesus came to preach good news to the poor, to proclaim freedom for the prisoners. We should do no less. Steve preached and sang to the people what the Holy
Spirit had placed on his heart. He was filled with compassion and was lead to share God's blessings on them and words of encouragement about the truth of the gospel regardless of where we are. He was also blessed by the wonderful way in which we all worshiped.
Carol preached about the gift pastors give their congregations when they share the Word of God. She had Reverend Elizabeth hand out thirty eggs to some of her members as Carol shared how precious it is to receive an egg when you are hungry. But if you don't take care it will break and be ruined, or if never used it will spoil. It is only when you carefully open it that you are able to be nourished by it. So it is with the Word of God. When a pastor shares and places scripture into the hands of the people, they must be open to read and study the Word of God. When they take the time to be nourished and fed by the Word of God they grow spiritually, opening the doors to be healed and grow strong in the knowledge and wisdom of God's Word.
Carol, teaching on the individual's responsibility to be fed by God's Word provided an opportunity to teach about God's desire for our hearts to give back to him. God's Word never says only if your rich and healthy are you required to tithe or give offerings. God calls us all to give. He only asks for 10%. He lets us keep 90%. It is all His anyway. The congregation was challenged to give to the church and pastor their tithe, regardless of how much or little they have.
Give to God what is God's, whether it's 10% of millions of dollars or whether it's a few shillings. God honors the willingness of our hearts. It is also a matter of character and good stewardship. As each individual and congregation honors God and His directions on tithing, pastors will be equipped to help the church grow, providing for the church and helping the needy.
As Reverend Elizabeth closed the meeting she prayed for the offering, telling people no gift is too small and if they don't have a tithe tonight some might have an egg to give or a prayer or their time. But all are called to give something of each day's blessings. These
people who in the world's eyes have so little, gave so abundantly.
This day we went from the highest of the highs as early in the day
we met with a Minister of the nation of Kenya with grace and elegance to the largest slum with grace and elegance. Dining with
both was like dining at the King's table. Each is able to serve and be used by God. May that be true for all of us.
Grace In God's Hands,
Steve and Carol Carlyle
Images
Rev. Elizabeth Nyanjugu