“I think I see an object lesson here…” I think as I’m editing pictures from a recent event at the end of May when GC President Ted Wilson came for the opening of the Library of the Adventist University of Africa. President Wilson had invited President Kibaki of Kenya for the event and he accepted. Needless to say, it was a busy day! I had been part of the press taking photographs of the event. Having never been taking pictures as part of the press for such an event, it was all new to me! However I got a lot of good pictures in spite of the security personnel that managed the press. I remember how grateful I was when at one point when I found people all in front of me and no way to get a good shot how someone took me and forcefully moved me to a place where I was able to get a shot. I remember the first thing President Kibaki did after he came out of the University administration buildings, the small tree that he planted in front of the large building. I remember him pulling the curtain away from the plaque by the front door, then cutting the ribbon, signing the document, and then seeing the modern technology of the place and how lecturers in the lecture hall could teach and interact with students from other universities in the country through a camera and projector.

Adventist University of Africa, Ongata Rongai, Kenya

A teacher explaining the setup to President Kibaki. Security Minister George Saitoti is on the left.

As many of the high officials from the government had been accompanying the President, I think what a witness opportunity it was. Then I think of how when I returned from Tanzania someone told me about how George Saitoti had been killed when his helicopter crashed and all on board were killed. The Kenyan Internal Security Minister had been a prominent figure in Kenyan politics and also had been the countries longest serving vice president, and was to run for president in the coming elections.

Ted Wilson greeting George Saitoti

Kenya President Kibaki and GC President Ted Wilson

I think of how Ted Wilson had given a short message speaking about education and how true education began with a knowledge of God. He thanked President Kibaki for the level of religious freedom that exists in Kenya and he mentioned other things as well… I think of what an opportunity to witness that had been. That could have been the last time that George Saitoti or others for that matter heard the truth. What if Ted Wilson had not invited the president? Would the eternal salvation of Saitoti be different? What if Ted Wilson decided it wasn’t important to come to open the university? How many opportunities of witnessing would have been lost?

Ted Wilson preaching

I think of how Jesus commanded us to be as a light. He said: “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.” Matthew 7:14-15  Being a light on a candlestick means taking every opportunity to be a witness… not hiding under a bushel ever! I have to admit that I hide under a bushel a lot more than I should. I think many of us struggle with actually getting out there and sharing Jesus with people, but it’s not something we should be afraid of! Jesus promised that all power is given to him and that we should “Go and teach all nations…” What if we really took this command seriously? What if we really obeyed it? What if we determined never to miss an opportunity to witness for Jesus?