Children eagerly huddled under the shade tree listening carefully to a message of love. “Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love” (Ephesians 5:1-2). When asked, the children commonly responded that obedience and helping demonstrated walking in love with others.
The ministry team visited 11 village schools and churches throughout coastal Kenya. Every Sensible Shoes ministry opportunity adds to the number of villages visited since this ministry began in January 2012.
Delivering this message about walking in love included a song written specifically for this ministry. The African culture—with an ancient history of music that is both rich and diverse—enabled the children to quickly learn the song written by Aunt Jean. The leave-behind flashcards and the intuitive hand motions prompted children to the next line. Even after we were finished, pockets of children could be heard singing on their own.
In each of the 11 village schools and churches we visited, 100 children (mostly children without shoes) received personal prayers as we washed their feet and fitted them with a new pair of shoes. That’s 1,100 children and 1,100 pair of shoes.
Our final prayer exhorted the children to walk in love and to grow to be more like Christ. We called upon the Lord to establish them as leaders in the church, business, and government so that their families, communities, country, and the world would be transformed for Jesus.
Sensible Shoes ministry continues even after the team departs. Surprised by Hope empowers local pastors to minister alongside us in the places they see as needing Jesus. Visit our website to make it possible for us to continue ministering to children throughout coastal Kenya with a message of walking in love and a pair of sensible shoes.
Surprised by Hope 
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