Into The Bowels of Ruben Slum

Can You Say "Bed Head Extraordinaire"

Friday 9/28 started with a visit to the Java House to meet with David Hatley, the founder of Christian Ministries in Africa.  The 26 yr old ministry has founded numerous orphanages, schools and close to 300 churches which are known by the name, “Church on the Rock”. I fully endorse them and their ministry as they continue to empower the local people and communities to be a source of change from within rather than being totally dependent on those from outside the county.  You can keep up with them at www.christianministriesinafrica.org

My Morning Coffee Ritual

After a refreshing and encouraging meeting with David, Martin and Ray picked me up and we headed down into the Ruben slum to deliver the first part of the sound system for the 3 day Crusade.  Struggling with a cold and severe allergies to the dust, they took me back to the Guya’s home pick up the remaining sound system and I went to bed for a couple hours.  Around 5:30 we headed back Ruben.  The Ruben slum is a very large slum and extremely populated.  We went into the bowels on Ruben, I would say close to a mile, down very narrow and rocky roads and into a large open area that had turned into a marketplace.  Hundreds had already gathered. The music started, the artists sang, the praise team led the group in praise and then Martin took the stage.

Copies at Cyber Cafe

Sites of Ruben Market

Martin or “Gooya”, as he is known professionally, has a unique charisma that is both endearing and encouraging.  He started rapping and the place started hopping.  They loved it.  They loved him.  They loved the message.  They loved the fact that although many crusades happen in Nairobi, very few choose to go to the time and effort it takes to go into this part of Ruben where the people are hungry for the truth and word of God.

The Rope Illustrating of Our Existence!

Martin Rapping His Heart Out!

I was so warmly greeted and the people were so engaged.  I can’t even fathom what it would be like to stand in a public square in America and start sharing the Good News of Jesus, much less watching more people start to gather rather than scatter.  Supposedly it was a small crowd which I still estimated to be about 600+.  They say the 2^nd and 3^rd night expands exponentially.  I taught them the English phrase, “I am a big deal” and let them know that the ground is level at the foot of the cross.  They are not any less of a “big deal” because of who they are, what they have done, where they live, or how much they have. “But God”, those two words that transition the thought in Eph. 2:1-10 when we are reminded of what we were before Jesus and the gift of grace we are given freely because of Jesus and in spite of ourselves.  

My New Friend Mary Selling Kale & Potatoes!

Children of Ruben

I invited them all back to the party the next two night.  Jannekay had chapatti burritos when we got home and then I crashed for the first 8 hrs of sleep since arriving… enhanced by a little Benadryl.  Looking forward to a relaxing Saturday morning and another amazing evening Crusade in Ruben.