Sanetta, Duke Divinity School student and 2010 Umoja Project intern  

I accompanied my host, Margaret, to her church’s Harambee service. About 12 churches within the Holy Trinity Church of Africa (HTCA) came together for one worship service and fundraiser. They were raising money to build an office for the district bishop. The church at which we were to meet was beyond walking distance so we needed transportation. To my surprise, a pick-up truck pulled up and we all packed in – 3 in the cab, 18 (including myself) in the bed. Yes, you read correctly, there were 21 of us riding in one pick-up truck. When we all finally packed in the most amazing thing happened. As passenger 18 boarded and took her seat atop the lap of another woman she began singing and clapping, bellowing out songs of praise to God. Within seconds everyone was singing, clapping and dancing as best they could in the confined space. The truck swayed, less as a result of the bumpy road and more so because of the unified sway of a chorus of praisers and worshippers. I was thrilled that I could join in as Margaret had already taught me one of the songs. Indeed we drew stares from others on the road, no doubt wondering about the noise, but no one seemed bothered. By the time we arrived at the church, 45 minutes later, we had already experienced God for ourselves in our safe, Spirit-filled journey.We took our seats inside and Margaret reminded me to be prepared to say a few words of encouragement when I am introduced. All I could think about, however, was praising God. That very morning I had prayed that God would open me up to praise Him in a foreign country with people of a foreign tongue. (I had found it quite difficult to participate in worship services because I felt like I missed so much given the language barrier. I yearned to participate not only in smiles, claps and gestures, but in word as well.) Within seconds I knew exactly what to say to the congregation. I had to speak, very briefly, about praise.

Throughout my stay in Kenya, I have been reminded of the power of praising God. People regularly sing Christian songs and hymns for no apparent reason other than that there is a song in their hearts. So I shared with the congregation what I was feeling, that I, too, needed to join the chorus of praisers and worshipers. As I looked out the window of the church I saw a rock (there are rocks everywhere) and I was reminded of Luke 19:29-40. In the passage, Jesus is entering Jerusalem on a colt. As he rode along, passersby threw their cloaks to the ground and began to “praise God joyfully with a loud voice.” (Luke 19:37 NRSV) Annoyed, some of the Pharisees in the crowd asked Jesus to order his disciples to stop and Jesus answered, “‘I tell you, if these were silent, the stones would shout out.'” (v. 40) WOW! Here I am in Kenya, among more rocks and stones than I have ever seen in my life and what does God bring to my remembrance? That if I do not praise Him, the stones will! That is quite a mission.

What I have learned from my time here, however, is that the people I have encountered have been more than up to the task of praising God. Believe me, rocks will not take their places. I am reminded of the pastoral home visits in which the pastor and other visitors enter the homes with a song. And then there are the overnight gatherings before a funeral where members of the community spend the entire night praising God in the home of the deceased. I am reminded of the faces of elderly women who achingly take their seats looking completely worn but who, minutes later, spring up and sing and dance with power and joy. Their faces light up when they think of God and they begin to praise Him. I think of Diallo, a shy, young teenage boy who dances to worship music. I think of the children at Agulu Primary School who sing songs of Zion at the top of their lungs as they prepare to take their Umoja-sponsored school lunches. And there is Angela, a young single mother of a 15-month old, who keeps Christian music videos on loop in the DVD player. And Kennedy, 20 years old, who begins the evening family prayers each night with a song of praise inviting all present to join in. Praising God is not relegated to Sunday morning. No (and to borrow from the song), praise is who they are. Through the people I encountered, God reminded me that He is still God and worthy of praise whether one’s table is overflowing with food or one is going hungry. The people I met understand and practice the verse, “I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.” (Psalm 34:1)

As my time in Kenya draws closer to an end, I feel it quite befitting that I take this opportunity to praise God for my experience. I look back in awe at how He has taken care of me and provided for me these past six weeks. I was nervous beyond belief when this journey began but every step of the way God’s hand was upon me. When I did not think I could get used to the food and accommodations God gave me the strength to endure until I became comfortable. When I was nervous about traveling alone, He calmed my anxiety and showed up in the smiles and conversations of strangers. When I felt sick, He kept me well. When I traveled over oceans, mountains, and plains, He protected me. When I longed for home, He reminded me of His ever-presence. When I felt overwhelmed by a story someone shared with me, He gave me a word of encouragement for them and for myself. He gave me rest when I needed it and awakened me to the splendor of His handiwork each day. He reminded me of my blessings and also allowed me to bless others. He kept my family and friends safe in my absence. He worked through my three classmates to encourage, support, and minister to me. He answered my calls each and every time.

Since I am to take the lessons I have learned in Kenya and bring them back to the United States and share them with others, I may as well start now. I invite you to take a few minutes and just think about God’s goodness in your own life and praise Him now. Make praising God a practice, make it a habit, make it as natural as breathing. Come on, you can do it. “O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together.” (Psalm 34:3) Remember, there are rocks in America, too!