A Monday Morning to Remember
nathan.
May 29, 2007 · 8:58 AMMonday morning was one of the most unforgettable mornings of my entire life.
Half of our team woke up at 6am to head into the town center for a Professionals Breakfast, sponsored by |CC, at a hotel. Heather Z. did a great job talking about Daniel (particularly since she threw up outside the bus window on the way there) and Brian Hill gave an amazing talk about character and integrity in the marketplace. But the ability to connect and have conversations with the professionals was awesome. It helped me understand the diversity of the people of Nairobi. Among our new friends at Heather and my table were a dentist, an investor, a woman from WorldVision, and a great guy named Alan who has his own film-making and post-production company. It’s just great to know that no matter what continent, we all struggle and strive to live out our faith in the marketplace.
What came next was nothing short of cultural whiplash. We got back on the bus, met with the rest of our team, and headed into the slums of Nairobi (known as EastLeigh). Our mission was to take the Book of Hope into a school, with the help of our new Kenyan brother Eric. We got off the bus and started walking with our boxes of books, with most of us puzzled because nothing looked even remotely like a school amidst the shacks. Finally, we made a left and walked through a brief alley and into the school. What we found were dark, musty, concrete rooms filled to the brim with smiling faces. The conditions wouldn’t even be fit for an American jail, yet these students were anxious to learn and happy we were there. We did our presentations and handed out books, but I know we were the ones forever changed.
We finished out our morning at the church/school headed up by Pastor Vincent (which is also an extension of ICC). But before I got there, Eric pulled me aside and said he needed me to pray with a man wanted to receive Jesus. Of course, I thought it was something I should probably do. :) So I walked around behind our bus, stood over a stream of raw sewage, and prayed with Patrick (known as a pretty bad guy in the neighborhood) to receive Christ. It all happened so fast and it’s still surreal, but it shows what God can do if you just make yourself available.
At the school, we were met with more bright and smiling faces and were treated to a presentation where they sang songs and recited memory verses for us. We have plenty of pictures and video that we’ll try and post as soon as we can. Words simply do not do justice to our experiences thus far. But we at least wanted to give you all a taste of what we’re. Your prayers are appreciated, needed, and working!!!
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