Katie Yates on mission in Kenya

Last month I had the opportunity to travel to Kenya on a mission trip with the World Mission Initiative at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, where I work. The trip was in partnership with the Metro-Urban Institute, another program of the Seminary that focuses on social justice issues in ministry. I was excited to be part of this experience for several reasons. First, I had never been to Africa before – I was excited to experience the people, culture, and landscape of such a new, different place. During our trip, we had the opportunity to see some amazing things. We went on a safari where we got up close and personal with monkeys, zebras, herds of elephants, and gazelle-like creatures called aurochs, to name a few. We got to visit an elephant orphanage and a giraffe center, and we witnessed the beautiful, scenic Rift Valley. Women of the Maasai and Samburu tribes graciously invited us into their homes. We also had the opportunity to buy some truly remarkable hand-made goods, and of course we ate a lot of delicious food!

“I was also interested in how the tribal way of life that is still prevalent in many areas of Kenya affects members of society. Our trip was particularly focusing on issues affecting women and girls in rural areas in Kenya – specifically, female circumcision, child marriage, and other harmful practices. Why do these practices occur? How can we in the U.S. come alongside those on the ground to help them overcome these harmful traditions? These are some of the questions and issues with which our team sought to engage. ”

In some traditional Kenyan tribal societies, such as the Maasai and Samburu tribes, female circumcision, like male circumcision, is viewed as a necessary rite of passage. It’s what officially marks a girl’s transition into a woman. Without it, she isn’t seen as a marriageable person in her tribe. It can be very difficult to speak out against such an important tradition, especially in areas where education is not readily available and members of the tribe don’t often interact with outsiders. Several organizations are fighting against these practices, however, such as the Samburu Girls Foundation and Kakenya’s Dream. These organizations, founded by Kenyans, often fight an uphill battle to ensure a better world for the girls of their tribes. We were honored to spend some time with these organizations – to learn more about them and to encourage and pray for them. Even in dire situations, Jesus is at work through the tireless devotion of those who put others before themselves no matter the cost. Learning about these and other organizations was a good reminder that there is always light in the darkness, even if it is difficult to see.