Two Kinds of Joy

Pastor Edward Simiyu understands life's hard realities. His church, City Harvest, meets in Kibera, the largest slum in Nairobi. Perhaps as many as 1.5 million people live there in an area about the same size as New York's Central Park. Visiting with Edward at City Harvest's HIV testing center, I asked him how the church is able to help those who have the least amount of power in society. Posters feature smiling women and the word "Abstain." What do you tell the victims of spousal abuse or others who do not have the power to refuse?
"That is the whole point of micro-finance and micro-business," said Edward. "These programs empower women to negotiate and to create for themselves a new future."
Later, when he introduced some of the women being served by City Harvest, the tears on Edward's face evidenced a genuine pastor's heart. He rejoices in the creation of new futures.

The little boy who kept grinning at me during church was too young to understand the things that made Edward weep. He was full of spunk and innocent exuberance. For me, the sighting of delight was in seeing both their faces. The realistic pastor, no less than the giggly child, can smile and laugh to the glory of God.

Bob