Jesus in the Slums

Today has been absolutely amazing! It started out a little slow because we were trying to get Mary ready to leave since she is flying to America tonight, but once afternoon rolled around everything was sent into high gear. I have been waiting all week to get the chance to participate in "Bring the Light" which is an evangelism tool that the CHE workers use when speaking to people in their homes in Mathare. Finally this afternoon I was able to go along and it was awesome!

We went to two homes and at the first one Leann shared the gospel with the evange-a-cube which is a cube that tells the story of the gospel as you twist and turn it. Here is a picture of it. The cube seems a little cheesy, but it has had so much success in the slums for the sole purpose as a visual aid to the story you are telling them relationally. The first home we visited Leann shared the gospel and I listened intently so that I might be able to do it at the next house. But along with sharing the gospel, we ask people if they would like to have more light in their homes by cutting into the tin and adding a fiber glass sheet to let more light in. We then use this as an illustration to show that when Jesus comes into our lives he lets in the light and shines into the darkness. He brings hope to our lives and joy to what was before despondence.

It was a super hot day today and the houses we visited were so dark and extremely humid inside. After praying with one woman and her child, we moved on to the next house and it was my turn to share the gospel. I was honestly really nervous because I have never done anything like that before. I am so thankful for the Holy Spirit though and Irene's (a CHE worker) graceful translation skills :) I shared with a young girl named Jen who allowed me to hold her 5 month old baby Maureen in her hot, cramped little home. Jen is just 20 years old (my age!) and as we got to know her a little better she revealed to us that her husband is not saved and usually comes home drunk. When he is home, he beats her. But even through this all she realized the hope she could have in Jesus and she desperately wanted it. So we prayed with her and she accepted Christ into her life! Here is a picture of Jen, baby Maureen, and I.

Eventually we had to leave the two and head back to the center, but we made sure to give her information about local churches and let her know that we will be visiting her soon. It was such a great experience! Here is a picture of Leann, Irene and I. And as you can tell from my embarrassingly glistening pitt, we just came out of Jen's home :) Prayers for her right now would be greatly appreciated. Pray that she would hold strong and persevere through the rough times coming ahead for her. This is a precious time and although Jesus will be working on her heart, Satan will be trying to dissuade her as well. Pray also for baby Maureen and Jen's husband Nicholas that he might be saved as well. What a great day! Bwana Safiwe?