GodSighting: Witnessing God at work in Kenya
Ryan and Lindsey planned to spend 8 months serving the church in Kenya and Sudan. However, civil unrest took hold of Nairobi after a disputed presidential election in January 2008, forcing a move to Tanzania to work with the ReachGlobal team in that country’s capital city. The outbreaks of violence grieved the church in Kenya, a nation where 80% of the population claim Christianity, leaving them confused as to how this situation could happen in their home.
Ryan writes:
"But God would see to it that He is glorified in His body. Churches around the country took in refugees, feeding and clothing them, teaching their students, providing for their needs. There was unity in the church as it pulled it’s resources to bring healing and reconciliation to their broken country. The long road to recovery is still going on and God is still at work mightily.
"I was able to see the body of Christ working to fulfill the Great Commission in the world first hand. I got to see how big the world is and how Christians from all over the world are using their gifts to make the name of Jesus Christ known. It’s beneficial to take some time to see how others in the world live their lives, relate to one another, care for the needy in their communities, and seek to make Jesus known.
"I was also able to see how much God is in control and how much he loves the world. When you enter into a different culture and out of your comfort zone you are able to really see how God is the center of everything and He is working in many nations and peoples to glorify His name. As I was met with challenges I experienced the love and perseverance of the Lord carrying me through."
Through their time in Kenya, Sudan and Tanzania, Ryan and Lindsey built relationships with long-term missionaries on the field, coming to a better understanding of what their life is like, their hardships, their joys and how they cope with culture shock and relate to people in a cross-cultural context. They partnered with ministering in evangelism, community development, missionary support and education and theological training. Being a firsthand witness to varying aspects of the mission field helped them realize their gifts and how God might use them in ministry.
Ryan continues:
"The most significant thing I learned about myself during my term was the necessity of staying focused on God’s ultimate goal in my being overseas, namely glorifying God. We were faced with a number of obstacles that could have easily left us frustrated and defeated, but remembering that God is in control and is working things for his glory helped us to press forward knowing that those challenges were for a greater purpose.
"Someone interested in going on a short-term mission trip should be someone who has some idea as to what they want to do but also extremely open to how God might use you. As we go to minister to a lost world we must remember that God works in His own ways and many times our plans are merely a starting point that God uses to take us where He sees fit. Staying faithful to God rather than our plans results in joyful serving when we’re faced with circumstances requiring our flexibility and adaptation."
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