Students for International Mission Service (SIMS)

Outlook 2001

Kenya
Jeanne Beckner, BSN, RN
instructor
School of Nursing

Out of Africa: SIMS in Kenya

When Candy Hamp, Saul Saavedra, and I boarded our British Airway 747 jet in Los Angeles, we were definitely excited. Also on board with us in the baggage compartment were six large, extra-heavy, filled-to-the brim suitcases.

I had carefully chosen a few items to take with me to read on the airplane. One book that I took, a gift from Dr. Behrens, was a shortened version of Ellen G. White’s, Steps to Christ, with the title of The Happiness Digest. It was a great comfort to me on my entire trip.

The last Sabbath that I was there, I was invited by the director of community health, a nurse named Seth, to come to the open house and have lunch with him, his wife, and their six children. Seth had made special arrangements for me to attend the Sabbath services, and asked me if I would like to speak for church. Me, Lord, who am I? As we continued to discuss, we decided that I would tell the children’s story for the church service. Now, I only had The Happiness Digest with me as I had left my Bible in my car at home in Loma Linda. On the very first page, was a text that was perfect for this precious church in East Africa.

One of the men on the platform found me a Living Bible and I began to read through Seth, also my interpreter. I told the people to turn to Psalm 145, verses 15 and 16.

“All eyes look to you, oh Lord, for help; You give them their food as they need it. When You open Your hand, You satisfy the hunger and thirst of every living thing.”

Shadrack, the other nurse for community health, had taken me during that week to visit George and his family. George also has AIDS. He had worked in Mombasa, a city on the coast of Kenya, and would send his money home for his family. Now, he has come home to die. He was worried for his family. He apologized that his home was not tidy. I gave him feedback of all the loveliness of his home. He smiled. I said to him, “George, is there something that I may do for you?” He said, “Yes, I would like something to read.” And I told him that I would do my best to send something back with Shadrack for him read.

As Shadrack and I were driving home, I said, “Shadrack, can we stop at the Kendu Bay Adventist Press to see if we can find something for George to read.” I bought a Bible for George, and the press had a wonderful, colorful book on health. They had a book about HIV/AIDS. These books were all in Lou, the local Kendu-Bay dialect.

The next day Shadrack reported back to me, “Jeanne, after you left, George stayed awake most of the night wishing that he had told you to buy him a Bible. He also, after you left, walked to our Adventist church, met the pastor, spoke with him, and asked to be baptized. I was so happy, the Lord certainly had worked in a marvelous way.”

While I was reading this text in Seth’s church, looking at these people, one third of whom have HIV/AIDS, knowing that the Lord has more than supplied my daily needs, can He also meet the needs of the people in Kendu Bay? Because I am made of clay, I contemplate, can He really meet their daily needs? Oh, Lord, help my unbelief.

Then I remember, “He loves the people of Kenya.” Thank you, my Heavenly Father.

[Outlook 2001]

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