Having Church

We could hear the singing from outside the gate. Inside the compound, it became clear that the "congregation" had started the service without us! At the door of the classroom, David motioned for us to follow him through the crowd of singing students to the front bench, the only empty one in the room. Although the song was in Swahili, we clapped and danced with them, joining in the spirit if not in the language.

We'd heard that the services at the high schools were full of life, but the students at St. Valentine's Mixed Secondary School exceeded our expectations. Two young men were at the front of the crowded room, leading out in song and dance in the call-and-response style. Another student laid down the beat on a goatskin drum in the corner. Had you peeked into the room, you never would have guessed that the students had been herded to the service by the headmaster! (David, one of the Scott Theological College students assigned to this high school, told us that since STC started sending students to run the service, the headmaster believes that he's observed a positive change in the students. Therefore, even though it's not a Christian school, he forces everyone to attend.)

When they were finished singing, another student came to the front and called various individuals up to the front for "presentations."
Students came up and sang songs or read Scripture for the group. The songs (which were in the hip-hop/R&B style mixed with African church music) were met with wild applause from classmates.

Presentations by the students were followed by presentations from the visitors. Each of us stood, introduced ourselves, and took a few minutes to encourage the students from a passage from the Bible. I spoke from Hebrews 11:6: "But without faith, it is impossible to please God, for the person who comes to God must believe that He exists, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him." I challenged the students to seek to know God above all else, because when we make Him our goal and our treasure, He does reward us. I don't know how well the students understood my English, but they were responsive and quite welcoming.

The best part of this trip has been connecting with other believers here -- the ABO orientees, and the Kenyan believers. Our lives are so different (most of my life in the States is inexplicable to the high school students I talked with today), but we share the same God and the same Bible. The seminary students here at Scott are particularly noteworthy. Their passion for Christ and love for others is contagious!