Philippians 4:19: “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” 

Why does it feel like just yesterday I was that clueless girl who couldn’t even string two sentences together? Oh! Where were we…? Yes, I was working at my first job in Mombasa, adjusting to a new town and culture, and juggling a long-distance relationship with my family—who knew love could travel so far? However, one positive aspect of this exciting journey is that I am finally receiving a pay cheque at the end of each month! Hold on a sec, though—will this paycheque be enough to cover my expenses and still send my parents some “mission work” funds for their mission in Garissa?

Absolutely! Let’s outline the essentials: Tithing, food, shelter, and clothing—after all, a girl deserves to look fabulous, right? So, how can I make this happen? First things first, let’s set aside 10% for God. It’s a wonderful opportunity to give back and honor Him with our possession. Remember Proverbs 3:9: “Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops.” It’s an inspiring commitment, and there’s no debate about that!

Now I am excited to have 90% of my income at my disposal! In terms of shelter, I connected with some amazing newcomers like myself at the same hotel. Together with seven wonderful ladies, we teamed up to rent a spacious house, spending just about 0.5% of my salary on rent. Being young, single, and freshly graduated from college, sharing a room felt like a fun new adventure!

Then let’s come to food! I still have 89.5% in hand, and every day the hotel provided breakfast and lunch; therefore, we were only left with dinner to enjoy. So first, the girls and I came together to buy a stove by sharing the cost, and every evening we whip up something light and delicious. In Mombasa, street food is plentiful and vibrant, especially at night. My dad always warned me about this type of food, but I couldn’t resist! It’s funny how being told not to do something makes you want to do it even more. My dad used to say that only Mary, one of my kids, would be found standing next to the mayai boilo (boiled eggs) vendor, a statement that made me laugh heartily! I’ve learnt some lessons along the way, but they’re simply part of my adventurous journey. So we got some Viazi karai (a famous potato dish from the Kenya coast), made some tea or grabbed a pack of milk, and voilà, dinner was a tasty success! I spent at least 10% of my remaining income on food per month, and it felt great!

So holding on to 79.5%, I remember how much I enjoyed clothing! My aunt always encouraged me to take a refreshing shower, prepare my clean mtumba (secondhand clothes), tidy them up, iron them, dress nicely, and show up confidently, assuring me that no one would even notice I was wearing mtumba. Following her advice brought me joy, especially since secondhand clothes in Mombasa were affordable. Every now and then, I would excitedly visit Kongowea market, where I could spend no more than 5% of my pay cheque and still find great outfits to slay with!

Now that I’ve finalised my monthly expenses, I am incredibly excited to announce that with 74.5%, I was able to contribute a remarkable 50% of my pay to uplift my parents in their extraordinary ministry. So, Mum, if you’re reading this, you’ll discover how fiercely I thrived in Mombasa, even while dedicating half of my income to you!

Looking at this experience, I joyfully realise that there is great reward in honouring God, just as the Bible says in Luke 6:38: “Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.” Because of this, I have always found abundance. God has truly provided in wonderful ways.

There is a wonderful reward in honouring your parents, as highlighted in Exodus 20:12: “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the LORD your God is giving you.” Ephesians 6:2 further encourages us to “Honor your father and mother,” reminding us that this is the first commandment with a promise, leading to a life filled with blessings and joy.

I just finished reading the inspiring book by Apostle Moses Mukisa, THE PRINCIPLE AND PRACTICE OF HONOR. He beautifully quotes, “Two incredible gifts from parents are life & success, and that’s why the promise of honouring your father and mother is that you will enjoy a long life (Life) and that it will be well with you (success).” He further quotes, “God cannot have your heart without having your wallet first! “