Going to Church with Ghuka

By Kelvin Njenga Mungai

Kelvin had never seen a church like this before.

A true story from Kenya.

Kelvin carefully stacked the shiny glass milk bottles on the shelf. He had recently moved to live with his grandparents in a village outside the city. They owned a milk shop, and Kelvin liked helping.

“Tonight we are going to an activity at our church,” Ghuka (Grandpa) said. “Want to come with us? It will be fun.”

Kelvin liked having fun. “Yes!” he said. “I’ll go with you.”

After they closed the shop, Kelvin and his grandparents walked to the activity. They passed other shops selling fabrics, fruit, and potted plants. After a while, they reached the church.

Boy and his grandpa outside a church building

Kelvin stood wide-eyed as he looked at the beautiful building. He had never seen a church like this before. Most churches had a cross at the top, but this one didn’t.

Inside, Kelvin’s grandparents introduced him to lots of nice people. They ate yummy food and played games.

But Kelvin was curious. So he wandered the halls of the church. He saw paintings of Jesus Christ. Then he walked into a classroom and noticed some photographs on the wall.

Who are those people? Kelvin wondered.

After he left the room, he saw two young men in the hall. They were wearing white shirts and ties. “Hi,” one of them said. “We’re missionaries. What’s your name?”

Kelvin introduced himself. Then he asked, “Who is the man in that picture?” He pointed back to one of the photos in the room.

“That’s the prophet,” the other missionary said. “Do you know what a prophet is?”

Kelvin smiled and shook his head no.

“A prophet is a messenger from God,” said the missionary. “He teaches us what God wants us to know.”

When Kelvin walked home with his grandparents that night, he was holding a copy of the Book of Mormon that the missionaries had given to him. He was excited to learn more about prophets and this new church.

“Will you read to us?” Ghuka asked when they got home. Kelvin’s grandparents didn’t know how to read.

Boy reading the Book of Mormon to his grandparents

“Yes!” Kelvin said. He opened the Book of Mormon and read out loud. He didn’t understand all the words, but he felt something special.

On Sunday, Kelvin walked with his grandparents back to church. He went to a class for all the kids. It was called Primary. He made so many friends! He learned more about prophets and Jesus.

The missionaries came to teach Kelvin more. One day they asked him a question. “Will you follow the Savior’s example and be baptized?”

Kelvin smiled big. “Yes!”

On the day of his baptism, Kelvin stepped into the water. It was chilly. But as Kelvin looked around him, he saw his grandparents, the missionaries, and all his new friends from church. He felt so loved!

By choosing to follow Jesus Christ, Kelvin was a pioneer in his family. He couldn’t wait to keep following Him—and to help others follow Him too!