I didn't really know what to expect when my team arrived in the village of the Masai and Trukana people. Dirt roads, kids with no shoes, mud houses that are smaller than my bathroom back at home…The proverty you see on tv was right in front of my eyes. I was honestly speechless and couldnt really understand or even begin to comprehend why life is like this, but i knew i had a purpose. I knew that God sent me to these people all i had to do was wait to see how i was going to be used. Our ministry for the week consisted of door-to-door envangalizing, church ministry, as well as helping out with local schools.
Im going to share with you one specific story that really got the best of me this week. Just one out of MANY. Meet Simon…Simon is one of our translators brother. He's a 6'5 24 year old that has a heart of a little kid, the curiosity of a cat, and wisdom of an elderly person. When we were invited in to talk to him he greeted us with a handshake and a huge smile, but quickly that smile wore off and once we were inside the conversation got serious. We began to talk to him and ask him if he knew or had a relationship with Jesus. From this point on his head was always looking down. Eye contact was rarely made and my heart begin to slowly break. I saw such potential in this young man. But there was something…just something that was stopping him to live freely. We asked him what his testimony was because when we asked if he knew Jesus he responded "Yes..but i dont know anymore, i am addicted to sin" so as a team we wanted to get to the root of this all. It ended up being that Simon worked with the church, he as a matter of fact has worked with previous AIM teams, but found himself neck deep into sin and fell into temptation..so much so that he didnt belive that God can love a sinner like him. He truly thought that he was too far gone to even be restored back to life. He stole, harassed, did drugs, and didnt even give God the time in his day. When I spoke to him i really couldnt see any of these sinful attributes..i saw a young man ashamed of what his life was looking like..the enemy had him on a foot hold.. but he wanted freedom. Our team began to throw scripture at him, we began to pray and pray and pray, we encouraged him. at that very moment God anointed us with words that pierced this mans heart. We were tools that God used to restore him back to life. By the end of the day Simon said "wow you really inspired me, im going back. God is good and he loves me!"
God restores lives, not ust in Kenya…but ALL over the world. I saw Simon at church that sunday and he began to let go of the things that had hindered him. The chains were broken and Simon found his identity in Christ. He updated us that he has been in his word and has been raying. "im so happy and i feel so good" were his words to us as we were eating dinner. I made a life long friend and Simon's story really touched me, inspired me, and taught me so much. God is SO good. His love endures forever. The enemy may lie and keep us down for a second, but Simon was HIS child…and the victory goes to God.
In His love,
Chris
