How Did This Get To Be My Job?

It is amazing how many days come up during the summer, whether in Ireland, Nepal, or Kenya, that I say to myself, “How did this get to be my job?” Do not get me wrong, I mean this in a great way. I used to think playing left field for the Boston Red Sox would be the ultimate, but I cannot fathom how it beats this.

Granted there are times of little sleep for the leadership, people problems to navigate through, a gaging pungent aroma from the gray rivers that are trickling from the roads we walk on, and let's not forget the ever-changing schedules, which is why I have adapted the local saying T.I.A (this is Africa). That doesn’t even mention the endless peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. All of this seems to fade into oblivion when you get to work with a team of students like this one that gets it.

I have been blessed beyond measure to have a team that gets at it during ministry times and stays engaged during discipleship training/teaching times, even sometimes late at night after long days of ministry followed by longer, sometimes violently bumpy, coach rides home. Watching them light up when they come in contact with the local people here in Kenya gives me hope for the church in the future when, sometimes, it appears there is little hope in our ever-changing world.

During the church service at Hebron City, Katie Simonsen, Lydia Clausen, and Paige Petersen did some songs in the church service, and Malachi Unruh and Caleb Murphy gave testimonies. Katie and her guitar have not only been such a blessing for ministry but also for times of doing team worship at night. We also broke up into three groups and did Sunday school classes. 

God Makes A Way For Ministry

After church on Sunday, we entered into the week with no ministry opportunities on the schedule due to the pandemic. After all, T.I.A., and like our ministry partner, Maurice, says, "Thank you, Covid." Yet we had faith God would provide some ministry to do. On Monday, a school opened up last minute and asked us to come. Then Tuesday the same, Wednesday, and the rest of the week. 

One of those places was Clay City Girls School, where we did the Facebook live. We had planned the live video for 5:00 Kenya time. When the alarm went off in my pocket to get ready to do it, we were still in groups sharing the gospel. Then, as typically happens, the sim card in my phone would not connect to the internet, and my phone died-TIA. So we hurriedly used Maurice’s phone (which explains the awkward ending). All this to say that, in reality, it was perfect because you witnessed them doing actual ministry and one in which, as far as we know, seven girls gave their lives to Christ.

Today, we will take in a little culture and heritage as we head to Bombas where they do some traditional tribal dances and explain Kenyan history, a well-deserved afternoon off.

Hank Dahl and the Kenya Team