The Real Kenya by Katy Corcoran

This Blog is actually a reflection by a traveler on a recent Missions Trip to Kisumu, Kenya. It was shared by my friends Wayne and Mary Lynne\ McLemore and shared with you by permission of Katy. The words in BOLd are my accent.
The Real Kenya by Katy Corcoran

I have two experiences that I want to share with you. They are very different experiences, but both are very real. I believe it is important for people’s eyes to be opened (as mine were) to the reality of the living conditions of and people in Kisumu, Kenya.(many other places in Kenya as well)
Poverty. On Monday, our team hosted the first pastor’s conference of the week at Pastor Joshua’s church. We started out the morning, as usual, with children arriving to the conference several hours before it was to begin. They were so anxious and excited to hear our stories about Jesus, sing songs, play games, etc. The morning was quite normal. Katie, Jandy and I taught the children “The joy of the Lord is my strength. Nehemiah 8:10” and two new songs, “I’m in the Lord’s Army” and “God is so Good” with hand motions. Larry told the children the story about the four friends who cut a hole in the roof so that their friend could see Jesus. The children also taught us several new songs and games. We let the children have some free time to play soccer, football, or Frisbee. Then, it was time for lunch. The children in line began pushing and shoving to be the first for lunch. We settled the children down and began to serve them lunch. Then the team members went to eat their lunch. As we were finishing lunch, we saw some children by the fence. There had been leftovers and one of the boys had obtained a plate. Five boys began fiercely grabbing for the food on the plate. They shoveled hands full of rice in their mouth at a time. Then they began tussling over a water bottle that a church member had given one of the boys. I was witnessing the effects of true hunger and poverty at that moment. They had pushed and shoved to be first in line because they wanted to make sure they received food. They shoveled hands full of rice in their mouths because some of them had no idea when they would eat next. They fought over the water bottle because they do not have clean drinking water or containers to collect water. I will never forget that scene. I wanted to tell that story because it is the reality of the poverty in Kisumu. The houses and shops are mud and stick walls with dirt floors. There is no running water. Most people do not have electricity. Their clothes and shoes are tattered and torn. There are few jobs. There is little money. There is very little food. That is their reality.
Love and Jesus. I was overwhelmed every day by the outpouring of love from the Kenyan people, and how they loved to talk about Jesus. Saturday, Mary Lynn and Wayne hosted a luncheon for the Kenyan pastors and our team. Each of the pastors greeted us with a handshake, smile, and hug. I sensed these pastors truly and honestly loved each one of our team members, although we had just met. We showed the Jesus’ film on Saturday night. The members of Pastor Joshua’s church all greeted us with hugs, handshakes, kisses, and smiles. Every adult we met at each of the pastor’s conferences was the same. They would go out of their way to make us feel welcomed and loved. Each child would want us to shake his/her hand. The children wanted us to hug them and hold their hand while we sang. They wanted to sit in our laps. The children didn’t know us, and I could sense that they loved us. This happened the entire week that our team was in Kisumu with everyone we met. I realized that they loved us and showed love to us because we are their brothers and sisters in Christ. I was challenged to show my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ unconditional love and support as I was shown in Kenya. Also, they were all excited to talk to us about Jesus. The children would ask us to tell them Bible stories during their free time. They would cheerfully recite their memory verses and perform songs for us. The adults would inquire about our salvation experience: how old were we, what church, how our life was changed, any challenges. They would share all of this information with us also. They would ask us how God has blessed our lives. They would share earnestly how God has blessed their lives. They would share about hardships and how God overcame them. They would ask about our church in America and tell us they would be praying for us. And they would ask us to pray for them and their church. Through all of the conversations and experiences I had, I was challenged to speak more openly about Jesus and my relationship with Him.
Of course, there are countless other experiences I could share, and it was difficult to narrow down. But I know that I am a different person because of my trip. Prayerfully, I touched at least one life while I was in Kenya. And I strive to touch many other lives at home…