Lausanne World Pulse – From Muslim to Christian: Finding Life in Kenya

Ministry in Action at Kenya’s Kijabe Hospital
By Muhammed Omar

Back to the Gospel
The last two decades have witnessed an incredible surge in missionary activity. Fifty years ago, Christians the world over were challenged to go to more difficult places like Somalia. Then the war started in 1991 and now with still no central government, many Somalis had scattered all over the world, mainly to Kenya. Today, we do not need to go to Somalia to reach Somalis. I thank the Lord that they come for treatment to Kenya’s Kijabe Hospital where I work as a volunteer chaplain.

In order to reach Somalis we have to understand their beliefs, their practice and their culture. By doing this we can reach them one by one for Christ. However, in order to do this we must ask ourselves why it is that a good percentage of the world is still unreached today when the Church boasts of immense power both in human and materials resources. We must examine ourselves and see where we are lagging or have fallen. Let us repent and ask our Lord to help us. When I think of the Somalis who I treat who are not Christians, I remember that the great gap is not between the Somali’s belief and Christianity; rather, it is between God and humanity.

Chaplain Care
My work as chaplain is to:

(1) show love,

(2) ask who told the person about this hospital,

(3) inquire as to what sickness made the person come all the way from Somalia,

(4) ask if the person is getting the right service and

(5) seek help in translation for the person if they do not speak the local language.

Whenever possible, I also share scripture. Often I will share the story of creation. I will highlight the wisdom of God in the process of creation, talk about how sin entered the world and show the picture of Christ and the need for the second Adam. I will talk about the story of Cain and Abel and tell how we are all sinners by nature. I will also touch upon the story of Noah and the details of the flood. I also ask questions such as, “We all agree there is death, heaven and hell. What is your hope if you die today?”

My work is to reach out to patients. I also take part in preaching during the Wednesday devotional time. The doctors, nurses, staff and I work as a team to encourage one another. We are all servants of God with different gifts.

There are many who are serving alongside me and who have encouraged me in my ministry here at the hospital. Pray that the Lord may keep and use us. Pray for support for the needs of translating English tracts into Somali, as well as other needs for the JESUS Film, cassettes and training materials.

The Somalis are 0.05% of the total population in Kenya. Pray we grow in number. We also need your encouragement so that we grow in faith, increase in love for one another, attract hungry souls, lead people to salvation and stand firm in persecutions and trials. We have hope beyond the grave. Let our mission be to reach Somalis through preaching and teaching of the word of God.  

Muhammed Omar was born and raised in Mogadishu, Somalia. He holds a diploma in electronics. Omar is currently reaching the Somali with the gospel of Jesus Christ in Kenya.