When people hear I am from Kenya, most often they think that I came 8,000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean to go to school at Taylor University. Actually, I came 8,000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean with my parents, who came to work as missionaries in the United States.

I didn't know I was black until I moved to the states. The difference in the pigment of my skin was never an issue in Africa, however I have always known one thing, and that is that I am a Christian and I am loved by God.

My relationship with God has always been the most important part of my life. I was raised in a Christian home and I first was introduced to Taylor when I met Taylor University students who studied at Daystar University's Nairobi branch, which was near my home. After I graduated from high school, I looked at a number of colleges and universities but I sensed in my heart that the Lord was drawing me to Taylor.

The experience I had at Taylor was incredible. I majored in mass communications with a concentration in journalism and minored in public relations and met many faculty and students who helped shape my life. Beyond my education, it was at Taylor that I became the man I am today and grew in my faith. When I had the chance to come to work for our admissions department in 2006, I wanted to stay because there was so much I could share with students who are looking at Taylor. I have a closet full of stories and memories.

I don't view what I do as a job. In my role of recruiting ethnic and international students, I am excited to be a part of the journey for students heading into college. Hopefully their walk through Taylor will be as great as mine was. There are a number of students from countries all over the world who attend Taylor, including students from Kenya and I hope to see those numbers increase.

The unrest that has come about in Kenya since the presidential elections in December has left an imprint on my family and me, as well as many others here within the Taylor University community.

The social structure in Kenya is comprised of many layers. The first layer is made up of immediate family members. The second is extended family members. The third is clans; the fourth is the tribal layer. Fifth is our identity as Kenyans. I'm thankful for my Kenyan background. But more-even more-I am thankful for my life as a Christian. We serve a God who loves us no matter who we are. And therefore we are called to love others no matter who they are.

Ever since my country gained its independence, Kenya has been a model of peace where numerous ethnic groups and tribes have historically intermingled. We come from different backgrounds and in some cases you can see a physical difference. Through it all, we have been able to live at peace with each other and rejoice in our differences.

Since the start of the fighting, I have lost members of my extended family. Places that I remember from my childhood have been destroyed. Members of my family have lost property. Over 1,000 people have died and thousands more are homeless. As a nation, we are racing backwards. It will take a long time to heal and for people to be able to trust each other once again.

I believe Kenya is stable enough that we can avoid a civil war. It is so imperative that the international media continue to report on what is happening so that the world may take notice. My hope is that the power-sharing coalition government that will give all the people who feel they have been disenfranchised a voice in the politics of Kenya.

I believe with all my heart that Kenyans are a peaceful people. I also believe that if we, as God's children in Christ, pray that God will bring about a solution, He will. I've always been thankful for my Kenyan background. I love my country and its people.

But more than that, I am thankful that God loves us regardless of our ancestry, family or tribal ties or even the color of our skin. Because of His great love, we are called to love others.

-- Dereck Kamwesa