Safari Story

“You and your household shall be saved.”

Acts 16:31

In scripture, there is the story of a Philippian jailer. A jailer was committed to his prisoners by his life! If his prisoners escaped from his watch he would be put to death himself. On this particular evening, this jailer was in charge of two disciples of Jesus- Paul and Silas. This was no ordinary evening because there was an earthquake. The shackles broke off of his prisoners and the doors of the prison flew open. Paula and Silas shouted at the jailer that they were still present so he must not kill himself. The jailer had evidently heard the testimony of Paul and Silas and asked “What must I do to be saved?” The answer he heard was “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved- you and your household. Paul and Silas spoke the word of the Lord to the jailer and all the others in his house. They believed in Christ, were baptized, and prepared a meal for Paul and Silas in their home.

Through our years of living and working in rural Kenya, we have seen numerous families and individuals make decisions to follow Christ. The grandparents are the most hesitant to believe because they cling to their old ways and traditions. Male and female circumcision is a struggle for that generation, even though it is now illegal. Young adults are reaching some through their changed lives and courage to stand up for what they believe. Illiteracy is prevalent with great-grandparents and grandparents. In the last decade, we have seen women spend time reading scripture to older women which is very productive.

Culturally in this area the husband does not take the petition of strong leadership and care for the family. However, we have seen a change in this community with men in recent years. Men now come regularly bringing their children to the clinic and indicate other healthy decisions for their families.

The picture below is of a family that decided to confess their belief in Christ on their mud hut in this rural area of Kenya. What joy this brings to me as well as the diligent local staff that works daily in Tharaka.