We were standing at the gate in Amsterdam’s airport waiting to get on the plane when we saw the report of the terrorist attack that had just struck Garissa University in northeast Kenya. After landing in Nairobi and going through extra vigilant security, we met with our 410 Bridge Kenyan leader and got further updates.
We appreciate all prayers for our trip. God gave us great peace and we knew we were in His hands.
We did enter some of the pain of a nation hit by evil, just as people of other nationalities entered our pain on 9/11/01. President Uhuru Kenyatta declared three days of mourning for all Kenya as the final report revealed 147 dead and 79 people wounded in the Thursday attack by four members of Al-Shabaab.
After spending the night in Nairobi, we drove south and reached our ministry destination just in time to join a Good Friday church service. At the close of worship, our American team was introduced and all were invited to exit the building for a time of fellowship. Little cookies and warm bottled soft drinks were served to all, and we enjoyed meeting many brothers and sisters in Christ.
Eventually, many of us wandered back to the little church building where we heard music and laughter. Upon entering, I smiled to see children, young adults, elderly Kenyans, and a few Americans dancing to the music. One of our ladies asked about the lyrics of a song and was given this translation: “When we praise God and dance, God laughs.”
Early in the thirty-minute drive on the dirt road leaving the village, we gave a ride to three ladies walking back to their home. As they rode with us, one of the ladies burst out singing in English and the other two joined: “We are dancing for the Living God; we are dancing for the Living God; we are dancing for the Living God. Hallelujah, Jesus Christ.”
“Joy is gone from our hearts; our dancing has turned to mourning.” Lamentations 5:15
“You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; You have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness.” Psalm 30:11
“Praise Him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise Him with the harp and lyre, praise Him with tambourine and dancing, praise Him with the strings and flute, praise Him with the clash of cymbals, praise Him with resounding cymbals. Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord.” Psalm 150:3-6