Prayer Safari Touches Hearts in Kenya

Traditionally, people taking a safari trip to Kenya are going to see lions, zebras, and other animals living in the wild. But seven people recently traveled there for a different type of safari – a prayer safari.

Mwaya Wa Kitavi, Christian Reformed World Missions East and South Africa regional leader, led the safari, which included five people from CRC churches in Canada and the United States and two other individuals.

Every day for a week, the team joined a group of Kenyan Christians in traveling to various prayer points. They stopped at schools, churches, offices, markets, hospitals, homes, and government buildings. They also went on prayer walks in parks, neighborhoods, and marketplaces, sensing God’s powerful presence through prayer.

Rev. John Algera, pastor of Madison Avenue CRC in Paterson, New Jersey, joined the team. Algera had attended several prayer trips to CRC mission fields overseas and when Wa Kitavi heard about Algera's experiences, he knew he had to organize a similar trip.

On the safari, Algera vividly remembers praying with students and leaders of a Christian fellowship group at Kenyatta University. Over 1,000 students gathered for the Wednesday night meeting. “They were full of passion for worship and prayer,” he says. “I was struck by how many future leaders of Kenya were in that room.”

The prayer team also had a memorable visit with police and government officials in Machakos County. After praying there, the county commissioner asked Wa Kitavi to help them launch a Bible study and prayer fellowship group.

While the prayer safari has ended, its impact remains. Wa Kitavi has returned to Machakos County to help government officials begin a workplace Bible study ministry for 50 staff members.

Several pastors have committed to doing regular neighborhood prayer walks. Students have been inspired to pray for their teachers. People have drawn closer to each other and to God.

"This experience taught me that we are often guilty of prayerlessness because we depend on our strength instead of God’s,” Algera says. “Prayer is a powerful way to join with Jesus and the Father in the work they are doing in our world today.”

With this safari’s success, Wa Kitavi plans to make the prayer safari a yearly February event.

“I’m reminded of Paul’s call to the church in Colossians 4:2-4 to be devoted to prayer, be watchful in prayer, be thankful in prayer, and be intercessors in prayer,” he says. “God works in response to prayer; prayer should be part of our ministry.”

Mwaya and Munyiva Wa Kitavi have served with CRWM since 2008.