What a great trip to Kenya! We ministered in six primary schools, visited and ministered in four orphanages, and followed it up with a three-day outreach program for kids right in the area of the six schools. There were over 2000 in attendance each day.
On Sunday morning at the New Mathari Valley Assembly of God Church in Nairobi, where the kid’s outreach was held, over 1700 children showed up for the children’s church service. They normally have 300.
All over the place were Muslim children, who had given their lives to ChristSitting on the front row and in the second row, and all over the place were Muslim children who had given their lives to Christ at either the schools or at the outreach.
It took my breath away. Many of them came knowing they could be beaten for following of Jesus.
Mathari Valley is the main slum of Nairobi. Kibara and Mathari Valley are home to over one million people. It is the largest slum area in all of Africa. And we had the privilege to minister in their schools, huts, and churches. We saw over three thousand kids of different tribes and religions make decisions to receive Jesus Christ into their lives.
Debbie and I thank my daughter Shauna Whidden, who grew up in Kenya, for leading a team from her church to join my family in ministry in Kenya. Many of the team members commented that they will never be the same. Sadie, my thirteen year old and JJay, my fourteen-year-old, could not hold back the tears as they reflected on how little these people had, but how happy they were. I watched as my kids held and played with the orphan kids who were HIV positive, as they loved them and ministered to them.
Even though Kenya was our home for eight years and I return there twice a year, my heart never stops beating for the children of Kenya. Whether they are from the slums or are wealthy, from the Luo tribe or the Maasai tribe, whether they’re Muslim, Hindu, or of no religion, God loves them all and they must be reached with HIS love. Every child needs a hero and every child needs a savior. Every child, therefore, needs Jesus. We will continue to life’s end to see this happen. Enjoy the pictures of Kenya. God Bless!!!
From February 2013 Kenya trip
