AFTER THE FINAL PRAYER: THE SWS KENYA RETREAT

There are gatherings that end when people go home. And then there are gatherings that continue living inside people long after the final prayer is said. The 2026 Stand with Students (SWS) Retreat was one of those.

For one week, young people from Tanzania, Rwanda, and Uganda came together carrying different stories, different burdens, different personalities, and different expectations. Some arrived after exhausting two day bus journeys. Some came shy and uncertain. Some came spiritually hungry. Others simply wanted to understand where God was leading them next. But somewhere between the worship sessions, the Bible studies, the seminars, the shared meals, the laughter, the tears, and the honest conversations, something deeper happened. People encountered God.



From the very beginning, the retreat carried an atmosphere of warmth and intentionality. Students spoke highly of the organization, the hospitality, the meals, and the sense of family that was created throughout the gathering. But beyond the logistics and schedules, what stood out most was the way students felt seen, heard, challenged, spiritually awakened, and inspired.

Again and again, participants and retreat activities returned to one central theme: “Empowered for Impact.”

This theme, drawn from Matthew 5:14-16, “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden… let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven,” was not merely a statement.



Lahash has walked quite a long journey with the students we serve under the SWS program. We have nurtured them from when they were just little children through sponsorship, discipled them through the hands of our local ministry partners, and empowered them in every possible way. Now, many of these students have reached a new season of life. They are pursuing higher education, continuing in mentorship, and preparing to step into the world with purpose and conviction.

We want them to shine their lights so brightly in their communities, countries, and society that the world encounters a different breed of young people, moulded by the hands of Christ and ready to serve and impact the world in diverse ways. This was the heart and intention behind the retreat theme.

And indeed, by the end of the retreat, through their own words, the students spoke of a fruitful, transformative, and deeply inspirational week.

One of the strongest spiritual anchors of the retreat came through the Bible study sessions led by Samuel Muchira. For many students, these sessions became defining moments of reflection and spiritual clarity.



Jane Christopha Yohana shared, “The Bible study session was the most helpful for me because it helped me understand the Word of God more deeply and reflect on how to apply it in my daily life.”

For Livingstone, one message stayed in his heart throughout the retreat. The message preached by Pastor Samuel reminded him “that I can do anything and all things through God who strengthens me.”

Others described how the Bible studies challenged them to trust God more deeply during difficult seasons of life.



Emmanuel Selemani reflected with honesty and vulnerability:

“The part of the retreat that impacted me the most was the time of prayer and reflection on the Word of God. During that time, I had the opportunity to be quiet, think deeply about my life, and reflect on how I live my faith every day. It helped me feel closer to God and realize the areas in my life where I need to improve.” He continued: “Listening to the teachings and testimonies of others also touched me deeply. Their experiences encouraged me and showed me that it is possible to live a strong life of faith even when facing challenges.”

Throughout the retreat, students wrestled with real life issues that young people across the world face every day. There were powerful seminars on mental health, social media engagement, purposeful living, sexual purity, relationships, and Christian identity.

And students listened attentively because these conversations were not merely theoretical. They were deeply personal. Kirenga Angelique said, “The part of the retreat that impacted me most is the purposeful living session because we learnt about self discovery and skills that help you to stop copying other people…” Another reflection from Angelique carried even more depth: “Self awareness helps you to focus on what truly matters and ensures your actions reflect your values and beliefs. It also births feelings of peace.”

For young people constantly pressured to imitate others, chase approval, or fit into expectations created by society and social media, those lessons struck something very real. Jesca Yoram John described the session as one that “helped participants understand and discover their purpose in life.”

But perhaps one of the most timely conversations during the retreat centered around social media and digital life. Many students openly admitted how social media had affected their focus, emotional wellbeing, discipline, and spiritual life.

Ndayishimiye Delphin shared: “Many teenagers use social media wrongly and it affects their minds, but for me I now know I should use it for good things that bring glory to God.”

Another participant, Mukundwa Christian, spoke honestly about distraction and purpose: “Using social media a lot distracts in one way or the other, which isn’t right for our daily living…”

For Umutoni Flavia, the mental health and self care sessions became deeply personal. She reflected on hearing the stories of other students who had experienced painful life situations: “I learned about other children who have gone through difficult and painful lives. It encouraged me and helped me realize that I am not alone, and that God is there to take care of us and do good for us.”

That spirit of vulnerability shaped the retreat in such a powerful way. Students prayed together. Shared testimonies together. Ate together. Worshipped together. Cried together. Laughed together. And somewhere in the middle of those ordinary moments, strangers became family.

One student remembered the joy of simply seeing a giraffe for the first time. Another remembered late conversations after sessions. Others spoke about worship moments that brought peace back into their hearts.



For some, the retreat became a turning point spiritually. Ndayishimiye Delphin said:

“First, the retreat helped me trust more in God, and secondly, it strengthened my commitment to praying and reading the Bible more.” For others, it awakened courage. Imani Zebedayo captured the heart of the retreat beautifully: “I learned that God gives every person unique gifts, abilities, and opportunities to make a difference in the lives of others.” He added: “This means that my faith should be visible through my actions, decisions, and how I treat people.”

That was the spirit of the retreat. Not just inspiration for a few days, but transformation that follows students back into classrooms, campuses, churches, homes, friendships, and communities across East Africa.

As the retreat came to an end and buses prepared to leave, many students repeated one request again and again: “The days should be increased because they are not enough.”

And maybe that was the clearest sign of all that something meaningful had happened here in the Machakos and Nairobi area in February, 2026.