The start of my trip to Kenya had me questioning whether I believed what I said I believed about God. Did I really trust Him?
The last few days have had me looking deep into that question as I entered my last week here. Stepping back from myself and realizing that I am not here to serve myself or even others here who have become dear friends, but the God who created and called me. The one who I have learned to call Lord in all situations. So as I watch paperwork try to be submitted, others go on safari to see God's wonderful creation, I am content to sit and have conversations with men who love the Lord and those who are seeking to find answers to questions they don't even know they have. These are the moments God has called me to and I would rather be no where else than where He calls. The last two days as I watch God surprise me with the small gifts of a schedule, answered prayers that only I know about, and peace that can't be explained to return to teach, I see the greatness of who He is amaze me. Who else knows when there will be no traffic? Who else knows how to send water to the thirsty? Who else knows the names of babies that need a home?
We serve an amazing God if we will but stop and listen to where He is calling us. As I go from Africa to America, I will never forget that with each new day He continues to tell us to GO with Him. We have to remember to be silent enough to listen to where that path will lead us, and courageous enough to take the steps that put that into action.
Prayers:
*meeting with neighbors for a fellowship meeting-thursday morning
*meeting with a small community school-thursday afternoon
*spending the night with missionary friends-thursday night
*passing out water from a water truck-friday morning
*completing and submitting paperwork to the new district officer-friday afternoon (praying for a letter of recommendation to accept the children we have identified that same day)
*trying to get paperwork together for His Cherished Ones to take to America-saturday
Praying for babies before I leave Monday, but at peace if they don't come before then, because God is faithful!
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Haven of Hope
This is the staff working at Haven of Hope, the place where I have been living with Trena. They have become like family to me and it will be hard to leave them at the end of the week.
Here's Trena's blog link, she has done a wonderful job of keeping things up to date. check it out.
http://www.thelordprovides.blogspot.com/
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Dedicating the baby center
Tromping down the stairs to deliver Trena her ringing cell phone, still sleepy and in my PJ, I was not planning on staying, but when I rounded the corner I was called by Sarah into the conversation by the staff. Tom, Emmanuel and Sarah were discussing how the devil is the one who tempts (not sure how awake I was for this kind of early morning conversation, but I was not going to miss it) this quickly proved to be a great start of the day.
Someone throughout the day commented about how I have been able to be apart of the start of the baby center full circle, and this morning event reminds me of the first "family" dinner with the staff. Trena has wanted to create a family environment with the staff, so has made Monday nights eating together as a family. The first Monday we were here I was able to see how God has anointed this place because Tom, the Massai nightwatchman, began to ask questions about forgiving others who have wronged him. This conversation led to a discussion about salvation in Christ. How amazing and full circle it was to see Tom again asking questions the morning of the house dedication.
People began to pour into the yard and Trena welcomed them like the gracious hostess of a house filled with love. I have been amazed to watch and learn all that she has shared in the process of "building" a house. Children gathered on the lawn and adults claimed seats in the plastic chairs as Stan began to play his guitar and the Kenyan group began to sing. As Trena shared the process of Haven of Hope and vision for the ministry, we listened to how God has unfolded and sped through the process of getting a house, setting up staff, and bring us to this time ready for babies to come. As I looked around I realized I was surrounded by the hand of God, He had sent me here to build relationships with people and I was delighted to see those around me where not just people, but friends.
Trena had asked Deborah to explain for people to pray over the house as a foundation before babies arrive. This was my favorite part of the day as everyone spread out around the yard, house and rooms lifting prayers for the ministry. As we drove back from town tonight, I shared with Trena the peace I have about not having pressure to feel the need to get the babies before I leave in a week. I have a confident assurance after today, I have come and completed what God has sent me to do as the "second set of hands" I have come and helped set up the house for the babies.
Someone throughout the day commented about how I have been able to be apart of the start of the baby center full circle, and this morning event reminds me of the first "family" dinner with the staff. Trena has wanted to create a family environment with the staff, so has made Monday nights eating together as a family. The first Monday we were here I was able to see how God has anointed this place because Tom, the Massai nightwatchman, began to ask questions about forgiving others who have wronged him. This conversation led to a discussion about salvation in Christ. How amazing and full circle it was to see Tom again asking questions the morning of the house dedication.
People began to pour into the yard and Trena welcomed them like the gracious hostess of a house filled with love. I have been amazed to watch and learn all that she has shared in the process of "building" a house. Children gathered on the lawn and adults claimed seats in the plastic chairs as Stan began to play his guitar and the Kenyan group began to sing. As Trena shared the process of Haven of Hope and vision for the ministry, we listened to how God has unfolded and sped through the process of getting a house, setting up staff, and bring us to this time ready for babies to come. As I looked around I realized I was surrounded by the hand of God, He had sent me here to build relationships with people and I was delighted to see those around me where not just people, but friends.
Trena had asked Deborah to explain for people to pray over the house as a foundation before babies arrive. This was my favorite part of the day as everyone spread out around the yard, house and rooms lifting prayers for the ministry. As we drove back from town tonight, I shared with Trena the peace I have about not having pressure to feel the need to get the babies before I leave in a week. I have a confident assurance after today, I have come and completed what God has sent me to do as the "second set of hands" I have come and helped set up the house for the babies.
Friday, July 24, 2009
While I'm at it, here are some fun pictures...
Adopting my baby elephant Kudup.
Amy and I at giraffe center
"KISSING" the giraffe (i was told I had to do it, it's a once in a lifetime opportunity, uck!)
Baby Rhino at elephant orphange
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Another busy week
Monday-July 20 We were able to meet the HFBC team at Flomina. It was fun to watch the kids introduce themselves and try to shake hands with everyone. Here I am with the kids in their uniforms. I know many teachers from my school donated money to help pay for the uniforms, so it was important for me to see them coming home from school with them on.
Tuesday-July 21 Picking up Hezekiel and Tyson from Nairobi Children's Home with Janice, Naomi, Laura, and Jackie. We were able to see the dining room and hold some kids while Janice and Trena talked with the admin, about picking up the boys. This was the day I was hit with the reality of a lot of the children in the country and their situations. Below is Tyson and Me near the playground at the clinic.
Wednesday-July 22 Visiting Mike Eden's place, again we were blessed to visit with the HFBC team. Since Monday, Trena and I have been without power (cold showers are not fun) and then we lost the ability to pump water from the borehole, so were without water. (we are in Kenya :) So when we were offered to have warm showers at Brackenhurst by the team, Trena and I willingly woke up early that morning to drive to the hotel. Below are pictures of the kids of Eden.
Thursday-TODAY!!! We are going to meet with the lady from Nairobi Children's Home, she has prepared a list of files for Trena to look through to see if any of the babies match the ages she is trying to target and accept for the home.
Thursday-TODAY!!! We are going to meet with the lady from Nairobi Children's Home, she has prepared a list of files for Trena to look through to see if any of the babies match the ages she is trying to target and accept for the home.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Miracles of God are often mistaken for a daily event that has gone our way.
If we chose to acknowledge the event as something we made happen we take our eyes off what God is doing and try to steal His glory. The miracles of God are all around us, are we willing to step away from ourselves so we can see His greatness? A song we sung as children defines a miracle as a supernatural intervention of God, I expect a miracle.
The past few days God has been working soooo fast it is hard to even keep up with what He is doing much less have time to blog about the events. So here's a quick run down of the events:
7/17/09 praying the night before we did not want to have to travel to Kajaido in order to submit more paperwork, but felt a peace about staying home, I think we rested well that night with the thought of a slow morning. Friday morning we had a message from the children's department officer that he would be in Ngong that day, so we could come there instead. (the Ngong offices are 5 minutes from home and the Kajaido an hour and 30 minutes) another of the small miracles was that he even called to tell us. When meeting with him, he said was very polite and said he was even encouraged by our progress with the paperwork. Our goal that day was to get a letter from the department saying that we could accept children. Although we didn't get a letter, we are close, he told us that if we have children identified that needed homes along with their background, then he would give us the approval to accept them.
7/18/09 meeting the Houston First Baptist team to feed the community around Heshima. What fun as the children played and were able to eat rice/veggies prepared by the teachers.
7/19/09 Amy spent the night and we got up to travel to elephant orphange, giraffe center, and market. I was able to drive the two of us around all day and only had to call for directions once!
7/20/09 Flomina orphanage was where we spent the day with the Houston team. We again played with the kids, they were so cute as they would start with a handshake, but then not let go of your hand and cling to it as we walked around the compound. The morning started with an amazingly smooth trip to the area with no traffic and plenty of time to pick out fabric for the rest of the baby rooms.
God is so good, because that is His nature and it is fun for me to see Him reveal Himself.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Visiting Amy at Brackenhurst
Amy's here from Houston! I have been looking forward to her visit for the last few weeks. She had scheduled her trip after I knew I was coming, but we have both been looking forward to our time together here in Kenya. She is going to be teaching this week on discipleship and I have the blessing of being with her on the first day. I have enjoyed the refreshing time of being with a friend, while building experiences together at the same time. Last night as we waited for the fire to die down in the cottage, we remembered how only last summer we were touring Israel together with our sisters. Oh how we wish they were here with us!
We have to keep pinching ourselves as we walk down the path, or sit with Jamie and Mimi at dinner. Are we really in Kenya together? Today after a wonderful time of worship at church, we were able to go to town with friend's of Jamie's for lunch. Building friendships, that was what I had asked for in my journey, what a blessing to see that happening.
We have to keep pinching ourselves as we walk down the path, or sit with Jamie and Mimi at dinner. Are we really in Kenya together? Today after a wonderful time of worship at church, we were able to go to town with friend's of Jamie's for lunch. Building friendships, that was what I had asked for in my journey, what a blessing to see that happening.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Sorry for the delayed update, but here it is...
Moving Day! (or shifting as they say in Kenya)
Rolling over on the new blue mattress we bought the day before at Nakumatt, it hit me, if I were on a mission trip like I have done in the past, I would be home by now. Yet I am seeing God is so faithful to Himself and I continue to be in awe of how He lets us be apart of His work. When I committed to come for seven weeks (as my mom pointed out, not six weeks) many people said, "Wow, that's a long time," and so I began to think maybe it was too long. Two weeks into my trip, I am soooooooo glad that I will not be leaving soon, there is still too much excitement I am getting to see God unfold.
Here's a recap of the last week:
Monday, June 29, 2009-With a plan to return to Kaijado in order to turn in registration papers, we walked outside, opened the gate, were ready to lock up the dogs, and latch the door; only to realize the car would not start. With a clicking sound when we turned the key, we realized something was wrong with the battery, what could three girls do to figure out how to fix a car on such an important day. Trena called her "normal" contacts, and Julius, the administrator of Heshima came to save us for the second time in the week. (We had two punctured tires only a few days before he came to fix.) Thankfully we realized that the folder of registration papers was laying on the table inside the house and we would have drove off without them. Arriving at the children's administration office, we had to wait for the assistant to return from lunch, but then saw the sovereignty of God's hand as Trena was able to share the heart of her vision and ministry. The fun part of the day was I drove back, making a driving record of 100 kilometer drive.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009- Thinking back on this day later in the week, we really could not remember what we did, so knew it had to be busy. This was the day that Alice and Lynette came to the baby house, they had a pool of water on the floor to mop before we even thought about getting one out. They are incredible women! Tom was also here for the first official day of work, he is the Masai night watchman. We are so thankful for him and feel completely safe knowing he is out watching at night. (Trena claims she didn't steal him from the current landlord, but as they say in Kenya, "that is a long story."
Wednesday, July 1, 2009-Moving day, and up at 7:00 (ugh!!!) Silas, the contractor who is making repairs on the baby house, was able to get us a guy with a Toyota truck as a transporter for the furniture. Unfortunately the day started with negotiations about pricing for how much it would cost to move things. Trena offered to "top off" his truck, which means to fill it up all the way, but he said that he would rather have the money, because if his truck got carjacked, then all the fuel would be wasted. With the pricing settled for the day, they had three rooms cleared, furniture disassembled and waiting to be loaded in the truck within the hour. The three guys had the whole house moved within two trips to the house, and one trip to the furniture shop with a quick stop by to pick up the big refrigerator at Nakumatt. We were thankful, because we had been invited to a friend's house for dinner that night and it was a great fellowship time for a long day.
Rolling over on the new blue mattress we bought the day before at Nakumatt, it hit me, if I were on a mission trip like I have done in the past, I would be home by now. Yet I am seeing God is so faithful to Himself and I continue to be in awe of how He lets us be apart of His work. When I committed to come for seven weeks (as my mom pointed out, not six weeks) many people said, "Wow, that's a long time," and so I began to think maybe it was too long. Two weeks into my trip, I am soooooooo glad that I will not be leaving soon, there is still too much excitement I am getting to see God unfold.
Here's a recap of the last week:
Monday, June 29, 2009-With a plan to return to Kaijado in order to turn in registration papers, we walked outside, opened the gate, were ready to lock up the dogs, and latch the door; only to realize the car would not start. With a clicking sound when we turned the key, we realized something was wrong with the battery, what could three girls do to figure out how to fix a car on such an important day. Trena called her "normal" contacts, and Julius, the administrator of Heshima came to save us for the second time in the week. (We had two punctured tires only a few days before he came to fix.) Thankfully we realized that the folder of registration papers was laying on the table inside the house and we would have drove off without them. Arriving at the children's administration office, we had to wait for the assistant to return from lunch, but then saw the sovereignty of God's hand as Trena was able to share the heart of her vision and ministry. The fun part of the day was I drove back, making a driving record of 100 kilometer drive.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009- Thinking back on this day later in the week, we really could not remember what we did, so knew it had to be busy. This was the day that Alice and Lynette came to the baby house, they had a pool of water on the floor to mop before we even thought about getting one out. They are incredible women! Tom was also here for the first official day of work, he is the Masai night watchman. We are so thankful for him and feel completely safe knowing he is out watching at night. (Trena claims she didn't steal him from the current landlord, but as they say in Kenya, "that is a long story."
Wednesday, July 1, 2009-Moving day, and up at 7:00 (ugh!!!) Silas, the contractor who is making repairs on the baby house, was able to get us a guy with a Toyota truck as a transporter for the furniture. Unfortunately the day started with negotiations about pricing for how much it would cost to move things. Trena offered to "top off" his truck, which means to fill it up all the way, but he said that he would rather have the money, because if his truck got carjacked, then all the fuel would be wasted. With the pricing settled for the day, they had three rooms cleared, furniture disassembled and waiting to be loaded in the truck within the hour. The three guys had the whole house moved within two trips to the house, and one trip to the furniture shop with a quick stop by to pick up the big refrigerator at Nakumatt. We were thankful, because we had been invited to a friend's house for dinner that night and it was a great fellowship time for a long day.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
I'm still here, the internet is just not :(
Just wanted everyone to know that we have moved into the baby house, and I have tried several time to update the blog, but so much has happened and each time I run into a problem with either the battery or internet. I hope to post all the fun pictures soon.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)