Back to the Village  July 3, 2022

It’s the last Sunday before I go home. I found a church here in town that I love. It is called international Christian Center of Mombasa. I was excited to attend this last Sunday because it was culture day at church. Members were encouraged to dress in their cultural garb and bring an authentic dish to share. I decorated a white shirt like the Fourth of July and brought a watermellon cut like a pocknic basket. I didn’t consider that “cultural day” looked a lot different in a country with mostly the same nationalaity. It was more of a tribal celebration party. People came in their bright colors and local village pieces. It was beautiful. We danced and sang all morning. Then, the preacher began his message on unity. He spoke about unity for Kenya. Now, let me preface, I wouldn’t believe it if I had not heard it with my own ears. His main point….

The best way to help Kenya… is to go back to the village and grow your family’s farm. 

It turns out, this preacher has a degree in agriculture. He took the next 30minutes to share statistics proving the Kenya has the most fruitful and opportunistic land in Africa. He compared the low production of goods from Kenya to the mass production of Egypt. Egypt has one of the most hostile growing environments. However, They are making the absolute most of what little they have. Kenya, on the other hand, has been given so much and is producing so little that they cannot even feed themselves. 

He shared stories of mistrust, corruption, and competitiveness that has disabled their agricultural businesses and Kenya as a whole. Instead of working together, farms will cut off their competitors water supply. They steal their cows. They sneak onto neighboring farms to take goods during the night hours. 

In Kenya, there is a prevalent victim mindset. Many Kenyans will confess that they believe they are owed more than what they are receiving. There is a very socialistic view point that if others have more, they must share. This takes away ownership and handicaps individuals from working hard to receive the rewards of their labors. There are some who try to rise above. He shared stories of successful farms that are quickly tore down by greedy and selfish neighbors. There is a sad but common quote in Kenya, “All Kenyans are corrupt.”

Pastor commissioned the people to reach back into their villages and make use of the resources God has already given them. He asked how many had farmland back in their village and almost EVERY person raised their hands. One of my huge mantras is to look at what you already have. If you aren’t sure what to do or which way to turn, let your resources speak to you. Look at what your currently hand in your hands and grow that.

So, here I am. I grew up in a small community of farmland. I have a Masters in Communications and leadership. I have experience training and development businesses. I live in the U.S. within a community of resources and The best way to help Kenya… is to go back to the village and grow your family’s farm. 

love Kenya.

So, I’ll end with this story I heard that keeps coming to mind. 

It says in the Bible that the Israelites “looked” like they were ready for battle when they left Egypt. Yet, the Bible also says that if they had been in battle, they would have lost. So, they traveled 40 years in circles around the desert. So many years later, when they finally did make it to the promise land, they were truly ready for battle. 

Sometimes God leads you from the middle of the city, across the bridge, through the market, and into another town. Sometimes it cost you a lot of money, tears and time. He does all this, just bring you back to the same spot that you started. But when you return, you don’t just “look” ready for battle, you are ready.

That journey through the city made me into a different person. 

So what did I pick up in Mombasa, I have resources, Imani, Greg and audry, Alice, church, rest and retreat location, 

Clarity, I don’t want to work with Muslims or Arabs or Indians.