My African Diary | What I'm Seeing and Learning in Kenya

Real Talk with Rachel Awtrey

Rachel Awtrey

Christianity, Personal Journals, Society & Culture, Relationships, Religion & Spirituality

4.9 • 661 Ratings

🗓️ 21 January 2026

⏱️ 54 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

I’m recording this episode from Africa and it’s unlike anything I’ve experienced before. In this episode, I’m sharing a real-time look at what we’ve been doing here: visiting neighborhoods and slums, walking through schools, sitting in family homes, attending church, and hearing firsthand stories from people who are shaping their communities in powerful ways. You’ll hear about the joy and energy inside classrooms, the pride families have in their homes, the faith woven into everyday life, and the moments that surprised me most along the way. This isn’t a polished highlight reel, though! It’s a journalistic snapshot of what I’m seeing, learning, and processing as I go. Some of these stories are light and joyful. Some are sobering. All of them are human. If you’ve ever wondered what life actually looks like beyond the headlines or what it feels like to step into another part of the world and really pay attention, this episode will take you with me. SPONSOR A KENYAN CHILD WITH COMPASSION: compassion.com/rachelkenya CONNECT FURTHER WITH RACHEL: https://rachelawtrey.com/ SOCIAL MEDIA: https://www.instagram.com/realtalkpodcast https://www.instagram.com/rachel.awtrey/ CONTACT: podcast@rachelawtrey.com This video/podcast may contain affiliate links, sponsorships, or products I’ve received for free. I only share things I truly love and think will bring you value. If you purchase through my links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support! ADVERTISE ON THE SHOW: To inquire about host-read ads or to become the show’s next Presenting Sponsor, please send an email to podcast@rachelawtrey.com or those at That Sounds Fun Network. EPISODE CREDITS: Podcast Cover Photography: Jay Barr Photography Intro Music: "Luxurious" by Sunny Tones DISCLAIMERS: The views and opinions expressed in each episode are those of the individual contributors and do not necessarily reflect those of the podcast host and team or the owner of this Intellectual Property. This podcast is not an authority of legal advice, and listeners are encouraged to seek professional counsel with regard to their brand, business, and otherwise. We all hope you enjoy and find value in each episode. Many of the product and service promotions in each episode are under the negotiated terms of affiliate or sponsorship agreements. If a link is clicked and a purchase is made, an affiliate commission may be received. However, we recommend products or services that we personally endorse and believe may be beneficial to others. This information is disclosed in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	Olivia Culpo here to tell you all about the launch of the new Abercrombie spring denim collection,
0:05.5	made the way denim should feel. Their denim has always been a staple in my wardrobe and has a wide range of fits,
0:11.4	styles, and washes. Every jean is available in both their classic fit and viral curve love.
0:17.5	Shop in the app, online, and in stores.
0:33.0	Jambo, welcome to Kenya, an amazing country. Hey friends, welcome to another episode of Real Talk with Rachel Autry. This one, this one's a little different.
0:46.0	If you are listening to this, I am recording from Africa, from my hotel room in Nairobi right now.
0:53.3	It's wild. I'm thinking about you while I'm here.
0:57.1	I'm thinking about all of you while I'm here. And I wanted to take a minute to bring you into what I'm
1:00.7	doing, why I came, and what I didn't fully expect to learn because this trip didn't come from
1:06.5	nowhere. And it's definitely not a look at me kind of moment. It's a look at the work God is doing,
1:13.2	not only in the villages that you are about to hear and even your imagination is going to try
1:19.6	to visualize, but the work that God is doing within my heart too.
1:31.5	So I want to start with the honest question that I feel like I've been asked a lot lately from my friends in real life and then my friends online when I found out this trip was going on.
1:37.1	They were like, why are you going to Africa?
1:39.1	And the simplest answer is this, I'm just a silly girl.
1:43.0	And I said yes before I had all the details. This trip came
1:46.8	from a nudge. And it didn't like it wasn't loud and expectant didn't come with a five year
1:54.3	plan. It came with truly just obedience and a little certainty. I didn't have the margin in my life. This is not easy or convenient and it
2:03.6	definitely does not fit on my calendar. It did though feel like I would be being disobedient by not
2:12.6	showing up. There's actually a real online that I'm going to play for a second because I feel like this is so
2:18.2	good and it describes exactly how I feel about this whole entire thing.
2:23.0	Someone once told me that when you feel nervous about doing something and then your heart
	...

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