Life Challenges

Secluded in my room today I am disappointed that it was necessary to cancel a speaking engagement at Nairobi Teen Challenge and an appointment with the General Superintendent of the Kenya Assemblies of God.  It was sometime in the afternoon yesterday that something I ate caught up with me.  If we were in Mexico or South America I might call it Montezuma’s revenge.  I am unaware of the name of the African equivalent although now I know first hand there is such a thing.  The upside is I was able to head to bed early, 1:00 am.  Ron and Amy (local IT director) worked until 4:00 am and were back at it by 7:00.

Today has actually been good for me.  I’ve had time to pray and I’ve had time to study for Sunday services.  Far from being a wasted day it has been productive, a day to reflect.

I’ve also taken time to reflect on the stories of the African people.  Amy talked of the financial challenge of makings ends meet.  She spoke of the rise in the cost of commodities, how milk is now 23 shillings. ($.30 U.S.)  how sugar and bread have seen similar increases.  She was so thankful for the Biblica lunch plan for employees.  The cost for lunch is 80 shillings of which Biblica contributes half.  “For 40 shillings ($.52) I can get lunch including a fruit.”  These lunches are simple.  One day a casserole type spaghetti dish and orange slices.  Another day pinto beans and corn with thin slices of fresh pineapple .  (The corn appeared to be a dried field variety that was re-hydrated in a pot alongside the dried pinto beans).  Amy was just talking, never complaining and always with her brilliant smile.  Next time I shell out $4 for a combination meal at Wendy’s I’ll remember that the same $4 would buy Amy lunch for 8 days.

   Out in the courtyard I sat with Amy and Peter.  I asked about the unrest and violence that accompanied last year’s elections.  They told me that the problems were tribal in nature.  They then shared how both of them were from an African tribe which was the target during the uprising.  Amy excused herself and headed back to work while Peter continued to talk of prejudice and the culture of hate.  He spoke of a time not too long ago when one tribe killed nearly one hundred thousand people from another African  tribe.  His pain was visible as he used his hands against his face to demonstrate, “this violence was all because their noses and foreheads were shaped differently.”

When you think of them, pray for Peter, Amy and the Kenya Biblica team.  These are lovely Christian people living in a country with unbelievable challenges.  They choose to work at Biblica where they have given their lives to spread the Good News that Jesus came for all tribes and every people group.  Although from many different tribes, this Biblica team works side by side fulfilling the same goal.  To me it’s a living testimony of the power of God to unite people and give a purpose large enough to transcend prejudice.