Jambo for hello and kwa heri for goodbye were the sum total of my Kiswahli vocabulary before my trip to Kenya. However, once there I learnt a new phrase – Hakuna matata which you may think is just a Disney song from 'The Lion King' but in Kiswahili it really does mean ‘no worries.’
Prior to travelling I did have some worries and was somewhat apprehensive. Would I be able to eat the food? How could I survive a three-hour church service? What would all the long journeys be like? How would I be able to talk to all the different people?
Having now completed my trip I can say that Hakuna matata sums it up nicely, and also reminds me that God’s Word in Philippians 4:6 is true: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."
So, starting with the food – it was definitely not worth worrying about this one – there was pasta, burgers, rice, chilli and the best homemade muffins and hot oat granola in the world. I also got to try chapati, an unleavened flatbread.
The church services weren’t so bad – in Lake Navaisha there were hundreds of children and young people, enthusiastic, singing and dancing and an interesting sermon. With good food before and after, the time flew by.
The following Sunday we had a church outside under a tree which was a great experience, as was the hairy drive to get there! Thirteen hours in the Land Rover to Tuum wasn’t bad at all – I bounced around as we crossed the equator, went over unbelievable bumpy roads and watched giraffes, ostriches and zebra out the window. I slept quite a lot too!
Flying in a five-seater plane from Tuum to Nairobi was awesome. Everywhere we went people were friendly and caring and the Kenyans were happy to practice their English or just smile and shake hands if they couldn’t speak any.
Some of the experiences I had which I won’t forget are feeding giraffes with Silas and Aaron Leremore, and touching a baby elephant’s back at the elephant orphanage (whilst it, to our huge surprise, passed wind very loudly). Sleeping on top of a Land Rover under a starry sky and waking up to the sound of the dorm kids singing, was an incredible experience as was sleeping in a house where the monkeys jumped on the roof! Thanks to Gary Reid I got to be a mechanic and drive a digger as well.
Most importantly, on this trip I have experienced how God is working in Kenya. I saw how people have become Christians through the work of the global mission workers, others have been fed, trained for jobs or had school fees paid so they can have an education. I saw how some have become young leaders who are helping others learn more about the Bible.
This trip has encouraged me to be more appreciative of the work of the missionaries in this part of the world, ministering joyfully in often difficult situations and to become more faithful in praying for them. It has also made me rely on God more and know the importance of Joshua 1:9 “Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” Hakuna matata!
Connor travelled along with his sisters Bethany and Megan and mum, Nora to Kenya as part of the Moderator’s Overseas trip. Dr Henry wished for his three children to experience part of the tour to get a sense of ‘mission’ and what it looks like on the ground so covered their travel expenses.
Photos: (1) Sunday worship in Kenya under the tree (2) Connor and his dad, William with iServe girls, Neema and Kedogo who work with the Cowans in Tuum (3) Connor getting to mechanic at the Reids