Scripture Reading
· Read 1 Corinthians 3
8The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. 9 For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building. 10 By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. 11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.
Culture Reading
· Read in Culture Smart: Kenya, Chapter 2, p. 56-59
o Although mobility for Kenyans has increased, it is still cost prohibitive. Most Kenyans do not travel much beyond their region. Those who do travel usually have connections with the government or outside financial backing.
o Kenyans love a good garden, especially in central Kenya. They can grow mangos, star fruit, avocados, bananas, corn/maize, potatoes, various roots like carrots, tomatoes, and other varieties of fresh fruits in their backyard. Of course, the further away from Lake Victoria you go, the less likely you are to have enough water to produce a personal garden.
o Most Kenyans do not own personal animals. Cats are rarely seen. Dog are usually feral, diseased, and unfriendly. Cows and burros are owned by wealthier land owners. There is a current crisis with burros. Asians consider the burro meat a delicacy, and they are purchasing and shipping as many of these working animals as possible for food purposes. Meanwhile, many farmers are unable to get beasts of burden to help with tilling soil and hauling produce to market. The Kenyan government is considering restrictions on the sale of domesticated animals to foreign countries for the purpose of food consumption.
o It is not unusual to see Masai tribesmen herding 20 head or more of cattle through the busy streets of Nairobi.
Devotional Thought
Central Kenya is an amazingly fertile region. This is due to ancient and recent volcanic activity in Kenya. The Great Rift Valley is being formed by the separation of the African Content from the Asian continent. This active plate movement has led to several volcanos being formed in central and southwest Kenya. While the current land formations are fairly stable, the evidence of a violently active past is everywhere.
With the fertile land comes great opportunity to grow fruit and vegetables. Kenyan gardens are quite amazing, especially in the regions around the western mountain ranges and Lake Victories. They are quite generous with their produce, and the variety (and sizes) of the vegetables is amazing.
The history of Kenya matches it geological past. When Europeans arrived in late 1400s—and then dominated the area from 1800s to 1960, they brought seismic shifts in culture and trade. These cultural changes are still bringing change and development to Kenyan culture. Christianity has been able to take a foothold as a stabilizing force in Kenya through education and mission development. This does not mean that wazungu (foreigners) have always had the best interest of Kenya in mind. But one can see that Kenya is a fertile ground for spiritual growth. Kenyans are hungry for a better life—and they sense that spiritual development is a part of that growth.
We are blessed to be working with Christians who have already broken ground and planted spiritual seeds. Let us see how we can plant more seeds in these areas, while watering and caring for new growth and reaping the harvest that God has provided.
Reflection and Prayer
·We are blessed to plant spiritual seeds in such a fertile region. Pray that God will use our mission to further his kingdom as we plant seeds of truth and discipleship.
·Pray for “divine appointments” where God will connect you will a specific individual who needs to hear your Gospel testimony.
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