In order for us to effectively communicate God’s Word to the Kenyan people, our first year in Kenya had a focus on learning language and culture. The importance of learning the language of the people is easily understood, but why take the time to learn culture? The culture in which a person is raised shapes their thinking. The language that a child learns upon the knees of his mother has been influenced throughout the generations by the culture. For a person to understand the Gospel Message of Jesus Christ, it is communicated within the confines of language and culture. Having an understanding of the Kenyan culture and knowing Swahili opens doors for us to present the Gospel to Kenyans in an effective way.
In order for us to effectively communicate God’s Word to the Kenyan people, our first year in Kenya had a focus on learning language and culture. The importance of learning the language of the people is easily understood, but why take the time to learn culture? The culture in which a person is raised shapes their thinking. The language that a child learns upon the knees of his mother has been influenced throughout the generations by the culture. For a person to understand the Gospel Message of Jesus Christ, it is communicated within the confines of language and culture. Having an understanding of the Kenyan culture and knowing Swahili opens doors for us to present the Gospel to Kenyans in an effective way.