Kenya Update 4 - The Dividing Wall

As we close our time of ministry, we enter our period of debriefing. For decades Royal Servants has found it vital to the growth and health of a student to give them the opportunity to end this summer of service well.

As I reflect on this summer myself, I think of how our ministry partners spoke of us. We work with DICE Ministry Kenya, a discipleship ministry that runs a 6-month program for teenagers just out of high school to learn practical life skills and receive intentional spiritual development. Maurice, the director of the ministry, has been a good friend of mine for several years and working with him has been everything I’d hoped.

A couple of weeks ago, Maurice’s pastor, Pastor Albert, came and spoke to our team and the DICE team. We had already tackled two weeks of ministry together so they had formed good friendships by this point. Pastor Alberto asked many great questions to get what our students had been learning to the surface of their minds. He then asked the DICE team what they have appreciated about the Royal Servants this summer. There were several who answered but a few of them mentioned the same quality. It was how welcoming we were to them. We were guests in their country but as soon as they met us our students embraced them as their own.

It brought tears to my eyes as I understood immediately why this was the case. It was because of the energy and joy Fiona and Rachel bring. The intentional questions Ellen and Abigail ask. It was because of how friendly and open and welcoming Josiah and Adeline are. Saige and Ben’s jokes, Briellah and Arax’s passion for others to feel valued, and Toby and Chloe’s quick kindness. Every member of our team brought something this year that made our Kenyan brothers and sisters feel like they were exactly that. Brothers and sisters in the covenant of grace.

The tears at our goodbye party were many. Email addresses were exchanged and hugs lasted long as they savored their last few moments with new, yet strong friends. Though we are separated by oceans and cultures, when we operate in the love that Christ has for us, there is no longer separation in spirit, but unity and friendship in Christ. I would venture to say that the friendships our students and staff made with the DICE team this year will be the most impactful memories as they return home and continue to grow in their faith.

“For He (Christ) is our peace, who made both groups one, and tore down the dividing wall of hostility….”

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭2‬:‭14‬a

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