In Mtawmu, our contact, Pastor Chris has such love for the people and for God that we were encouraged to press in more and bring even more kingdom to the bars. First, we listened to several stories of salvation from former commercial sex workers (prostitutes). While rejoicing in their salvation, we were crying because of the hideous things they have experienced while selling themselves. For example, one girl was being held captive and had to escape out of a second story window while naked. She ran for help after punching him, even though he was holding a gun to her, and eventually she found help, then went back to where he was. There are more stories that I can share later, but I'm still processing and asking what we can do to bring justice.
Later that night we ventured into the clubs, which are mostly open air with music bumping and people dancing. The former commercial sex workers found some girls to come sit with us. We bought them a soda and just began conversation. The hunger for love and for healing is overwhelming. Holy Spirit has been working there, and we were so blessed to be apart of what He is doing. What I mean is that in the few nights we spent at the bars, three girls were saved. They were practically begging for us to pray with them and to tell them more about Jesus. We met with them the following morning at our hotel to continue building into their lives, but we are longing to show them more kingdom answers with money, jobs, and food. Jesus is alive and will provide for them to support their families in ways that aren't harmful and hurtful. Please continue to pray into this situation for answers, for jobs, and for true favor to fall on their lives.
Another place where the music blares is in the African church; however, it is painfully loud and excessively long. I had my first taste of African church where they yell their sermons, they cast Satan out of most of the congregation, and sing at the top of their lungs out of key. While I did not enjoy it and was praying for it to end, I am glad I got to experience it - now I am so thankful for the fact that we only have one sermon to listen to per service and that we focus on Jesus, instead of kicking Satan out.
Finally, the last couple of days we have been recovering and processing all the prostitute stuff and pressing in for our next step into Congo while at the beach. At this site there are so many Italians that the Kenyans speak Italian to us, we had some authentic gelato, and in fact, it feels like a sort of "Little Italy". In addition to those favors, we have enjoyed being with Jesus in the beautiful ocean scenery that surrounds us. This rest was really needed to help sort through the heartbreak of talking to girls who literally have no money and will go days without eating or feeding their children. This rest has also been working to fill us up again so that we can go hard into one of the hardest places on earth right now. Every time you think of me, please pray for our trip.
We need more Jesus. We want more provision and love to pour out wherever we tread. Pray that we walk with such authority of His kingdom that people will encounter Him and his extravagance in a tangible way as they talk to us. We want His kingdom to come on earth as it is in heaven. We want to love Him more. We want freedom to reign, for love and honor to lavish the people we meet.
Yay God!
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