Scripture Reading
Philippians 2:1-11
Therefore, if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in very nature[a] God,
did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
7 rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very nature[b] of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
8 And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
Culture Reading
· Read in Culture Smart: Kenya, Chapter 2 Value and Attitudes, 40-42.
o Tribal identity is a matter of life in Kenya. It can be beneficial (social order, processing and understanding the world, community solidarity) and also misused (injustice, prejudice, and economic instability).
o Cultural Bias does exist in Kenya, but it generally is not the same as American racism.
o Language, Socio-economics, and education are more likely to produce cultural separation than skin color.
Devotional Thought
Most Kenyans have a clear identity within their immediate clan (family group), within their tribe (including cultural identity and language), and within their national heritage. Many Kenyans have dual tribal connections through intertribal marriages. Most Kenyans are at least “tri-lingual” by the time they finish primary school. They are exposed to their tribal language when they are young—and they learn Swahili (an Arabic-based trade language) and English (the British variety) while in school. However, if students are not able to afford school fees and transportation costs, they may miss out on the advantages that come with this early education. Of course, the larger and more economically advanced the city in which they live, the more opportunity they will have to advance in language studies and basic education.
While we may not see typical racial tension, there is a tension between those who have economic advantages and those who do not. There are also clear advantages for some tribal groups than others. For example, the Kikuyu tribe is the largest by percentage (23% of the total population), and their traditional tribal land is located in central Kenya—giving them an advantage in fruitful land and in political location (near Nairobi). The second largest group is the Luo tribe (21%) near Lake Victoria. They are moral rural and represent the interests of Western Kenya’s agricultural centers. The rivalry between these two groups was at its highest point in the Mau Mau Rebellion—and there are still political tensions between the two regions. The possibility of us working with various tribal members is very high. Promoting Christ above all other interests must be a priority for us.
Amazingly, you will find that most Kenyans are quite positive about their lives—and also carry a healthy optimism in their daily duties. They tend to avoid conflict and embrace unity wherever they can find it. This is a great lesson for those who may attempt to bring partisan opinions into their Kenyan conversations. Kenyans value unity and are willing to sacrifice to maintain it.
Reflection and Prayer
· Pray that our team will be unified in our desires to bless our host family and ministry partners.
· Pray for Nash's EPIK team. Pray for unity in their own diversity. Pray for clarity for their own mission and vision.
Pray for Joyce and Russell Academy teachers--that they too are unified in the teaching goals and vision for the children at the school.
· Pray for humble hearts as we enter into a new cultural dynamic.
· Pray for peace in our pastor training. There are likely to many tribes represented among our Christian leaders.
Pray for Cornerstone Family Chapel: for unity under the leadership and Nash and his staff; and for God's provision for their financial needs.
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