Before Msafara reached Nakuru, the volunteers hadn’t had much chance to touch people suffering in the wake of post election violence. They approached Nakuru eagerly knowing that they would finally get a chance to touch a few lives and minister to those living in the IDP camps.
The opportunity they had been waiting for came on Wednesday morning. While the pastors spent the morning together in a private meeting rededicating themselves to God, the volunteers went to Nakuru Showground. Although overwhelmed by the human suffering they saw there, they immediately moved into action. As things were set up for a service, the volunteers lived up to their title. They moved among the tents, listening as people shared their stories, praying for families and putting their hands to good use. Some washed laundry, while others bathed children and helped carry water. Through these simple acts of kindness, they become God’s hands and feet.
During a beautiful one and a half hour service, a large crowd of IDPS gathered to worship God in Kiswahili, English and Kikuyu. As they lifted their voices and danced before God, joy was visible on their faces. The short sermon related their plight to that of the Israelites in Egypt and later the wilderness. They were reminded that all of the Israelites over the age of 20 never reached the “Promised Land” because of one thing…complaining. The crowd responded to the message with tears and open hands.
The service ended with a time of prayer. The volunteers and pastors laid hands on the children, asking God to heal them and to remove the pain and bitterness so in future they will not demand revenge for their suffering. After that, the sick came forward to be prayed for. With much weeping, the volunteers prayed over them, laid hands on them and held them as they cried before God.
It was so hard to end the service and leave after only a few short hours, but Msafara left seeds on hope in a seemingly hopeless situation as they pulled out for Eldoret.
