Jannekah, Martin,  Ezriel and  Amariah Guya

One of the things I love most about Kenya and her people is the beautiful, colorful, vibrant, creative, innovative culture. I have learned so many things from the Kenyan culture that I treasure. The most precious lesson of all has been one of true, selfless, sacrificial hospitality. I have many times been treated like a queen in a tiny little mudhut, simply because I am a visitor, nothing more, and nothing less. A Kenyan will borrow a teaspoon of sugar from a neighbor just so they can offer a visitor a cup of tea. They will give a visitor the only food they have and will go hungry themselves just for the honor and joy of giving to another. A visitor is NEVER an inconvenience, but is always a blessing. Whatever duties were being attended to immediately become secondary when a visitor shows up, whether they were expected or not. This, among many many others, has been a heart-changing lesson for me, which I have gleaned from Kenyan culture.

But as in every country, there are also dark sides of the Kenyan culture. Ungodly beliefs and practices that place God’s precious creation in bondage and cause unnecessary struggle and pain. I mention this because I believe the biggest enemy of beautiful, empowering birth experiences in Kenya is its culture. A culture that says women are second-class citizens, or worse - in more rural areas they are listed in importance after the livestock. A culture that says pregnancy and birth are private, embarrassing, and even shameful topics that are not to be discussed openly. A culture that says a woman’s husband cannot attend the birth of their child. A culture that says a woman has no say and is ignorant in regards to her own body. A culture that says if a woman cries out or shows much emotion she is weak.

These deceptive and destructive cultural beliefs create such a desperate need for a revelation and triumph of Biblical culture – God’s culture. Because God’s culture says He created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them (Gen 1:27). God’s culture says children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him (Psalm 127:3). God’s culture says the righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; He delivers them from all their troubles (Psalm 34:17).

In this new year may God’s culture reign in our hearts, lives, and service to families.


God bless you and Happy New Year!
Jannekah