Lessons from the Grass

I was standing there, my arms resting on top of the van roof catching the intense rays that were shining down from the heavens above.  Music was flowing through a wire and being deposited in my ears as I gazed out across the vastness of Masaai Mara.  We bounced and jerked our way across the Savannah catching our breathe at the beauty that was all around us.  Truly my Dad is awesome!! I saw His fingerprints across the sky in the sunset as it framed the hills.  I saw His beauty in the majestic Elephant as it crested the hill in the distance and made it's way toward us... in the giraffe as it gracefully ran through the grass... in the lion as he rested his head in the shade to escape the heat. It all shouted MAJESTY, and GLORY, and HONOR, to Him the Great Creator God... my Dad, the One who dreamed it all up and spoke it into existence.  And as I stood there my head bobbing to the praise that was being piped into my ears and soul, I was astounded by what I saw.  We had been driving for a while across the empty grasslands.. there was not another soul in site... and as we dipped down into another valley I noticed the grass.. tall and graceful, swaying in perfect time to the music I was hearing.  ALL of creation is praising Him... and i get to join in! What a privilege!! There was the grass... not toiling or worried.. just standing where God had put it, praising Him.  Waiting for someone to notice so that they to could join in its song and dance to the One who is WORTHY! And there I had been an hour before lost in thoughts that primarily revolved around me instead of Him.  Consumed with wondering about the future and what it might hold. Worrying about the details as if i could change them.. as if my life was n my hands and i could direct it's course.  And I was stopped in my tracks... that grass beckoned me to come and join it... to just stand where God has planted me and praise Him!! And so moment by moment as I am learning this art of abiding I am seeking to be like the grass...  not to toil or fret but just to stand... arms lifted.. swaying in the breeze of His beauty and grace!!
We are loving the time spent with family! We have felt like we are on holiday.  It has been a real blessing for sure!!  These are the moments when we wish time could just slow down... but it doesn't so we just take every moment... and try to take it in and be thankful!! We have been spoiled by all of the gifts that were brought.  I know many of you contributed and we want to say thank you! We were blown away as we went through the bags.  God does not forget such kindness shown.. and it is our prayer that He will repay!
We are settled in our new place! Trying not to get to attached to these temporal things.. but to remain open and sensitive to the Shepherds leading! You can pray for us! It seems the devil doesn't want our door to be open after school for whatever little one desires to come.  We are facing some opposition but we know the One who is greater will sort it all out!! The faces continue to grow.. in the last week it seems we have been shaking new hands almost daily.  Most of the new ones that are coming are not from this nicer area where we live.  It has been so fun loving on them and playing with them. The shy looks and smiles don't last for long... usually some tickles can drive them out! We don't know what their lives are like.. what they need.. but Jesus does and we pray we can be vessels through which He can work! Some are hard..  dominating by their street smarts.. others are so soft and practically melt when pulled into your arms for a hug.  We love them all and pray that their lives can join those of the Redeemed.. That they might experience life as a child of God!! That they might have a revelation of Christ and like the swaying grasses simply stand.. and praise Him where they are.. trusting Him for what is to come!!

Showing off some of the gifts.

Our lovely visitors!

Saturday feeding

The Valentines meal was a success!!

A typical day!

Mom and Dad had just crossed this.. There may have been some
shrieking involved. hehe

A full table!

Bwana Asifiwe

Just sat down with my bowl of oats ready to write this J We are sorry for the long delay…I actually had a blog written out and forgot to post it in the middle of our move and company. The weather is starting to cool off around here as the rains are coming in. It is a very nice break from the sun and all its family! So yes we moved!!!!! We have a house now with our own compound :D When our friend went to meet the Landlord to confirm that we got the house (but he wasn’t going to pay her until we saw it)  there were 3 other people there wanting to rent it and he had no choice but to go ahead and pay her. So that took care of any uneasiness as we had been praying the whole day that He would give us peace about it if it be His will and close the door if it wasn’t. It was a little bigger than we thought necessary and more than we wanted to pay but that is in the Lords hands. There isn’t much time to think and pray when it comes to renting a certain house… they go fast! Whether He is going to fill it up or we are going to move in a few months we are not sure..but we know He knows what He’s doing :) Moving was quite a site for those watching… we had lots of help. I led a trail of about 12-15 kids through the streets to our new destination, each with something in hand. Most of the somethings-in-hand were too heavy or big for them to carry well but they were all very determined and we finally made it. 1 white girl with a train of kiddos. Dickson had the big green laundry basket on his head dancing all the way and little 2 year old Marvel was carrying a heavy trash can about the size of him, happy as a lark to be helping out J

Our dear friend Crissy is staying with us until Wednesday, a total of 12 days J She was our leader on our very first trip to Kenya! She came without a plan just wanting to do as the Lord lead…We laugh and laugh at what we can find ourselves doing. The other day found us laying under a tent with a HUGE needle stuck in our arms, giving blood at a hospital in town. Haha We had been planning something totally different for the day. A friend had a baby and had lost a lot of blood, so her husband was asking for anyone willing to give blood. You can also be praying for her, as she is still very weak and has been in the hospital for 7 days now. Her name in Norah.

Our friends introduced us to a school called Rusinga that we will now be doing school ministry at every Wednesday morning! We went last week for the first time and had sooo much fun! We each have our own grade so we are very excited to get to know the kids well.

Saturday, our friends watched Eric Ludy’s mens conference simulcast at our house while we did the feeding program. So it was the 3 of us Americans with 200 kiddos. We were very thankful when a friend showed up and helped keep the wet firewood burning. It was soo much fun…the kiddos are really getting comfortable with us and we are starting to get to know them pretty well. The guys have started a mentoring program for the kids 10 and up so they stay after lunch and learn more in depth. This coming Saturday we will be serving the kiddos at their Valentines dinner with Jesus J The guys came up with this idea and we want to help make it as special as possible for them. The kiddos are from rougher homes and I doubt they have ever done anything very fancy! The boys will be escorting the ladies to their seats and they will each receive a flower J

Thank you all for your prayers! We are very excited to pick up Holly’s parents from the airport this Friday J Like very very excited! May Jesus Christ receive all honor and glory. We are so thankful for His life, to be clothed in His righteousness and salvation! We don’t have to spend our days worrying about earning our righteousness and salvation, but we can spend them rejoicing that we already have it! All PRAISE to our GREAT GOD!

I will greatly rejoice in the LORD; my soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. For as the earth brings forth its sprouts, and as a garden causes what is sown in it to sprout up, so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to sprout before all the nations.  Isaiah 61:10-11

The Battle

Every day around 7:00 in the evening an epic battle is fought in our little abode.  It is the battle of wills.  It is a battle of strength.  The cause is simple… the sun has retired for the day and the ladies who live at the house are ready to clean up and call it a day.  However, the forces of the smallish visitors are quiet considerable and so the show-down begins.  Some days it is short lived and both parties happily wave, smile, and bid adieu. Then some days like yesterday the battle ends with the gate slamming shut and little fists pounding in irritation.  Then the whiter party runs indoors before the opposing forces decide to give it another go.  My view from the window yesterday was quiet amusing.  My comrade inarms had taken the skirmish out the door… she was successfully shoving them out the gate when one with a ornery gleam in his eye ran past.. I was shaking my head thinking “here we go..” when suddenly to his surprise her arm shot out and caught him by the overalls.  He swung around, eyes wide in shock, and was forced to submit.  The taller, whiter, party stood and with a sense of satisfaction in her eyes turned around to discover the friendly construction workers peering around the corner fully enjoying the show.  The evening came to a dramatic finish with one of the friendly viewers ran at the opposing forces brandishing a stick in warning.  All quickly vanished.   
                Some days this little drama is amusing.. other days we don’t have such attitudes.  However we are thankful.  We are thankful for the dirt that is left on the floor.  The pencil marks on the wall.  The friendships that are being formed.  The opportunity to have our door flung open wide as an invitation for them to come, and relax, and play, and we pray.. see Jesus. The other day we had a matatu(a small van used for public transport) in our living room.  All of our chairs were lining the wall and business was in full swing.  It was unclear where it was headed at any one time.  There were several conductors shouting out their price and intended destination from on top of the table.  Others were scurrying around collecting fare from the somewhat battered passengers.  I just had to stop in the middle of the chaos and smile because they were getting along and playing as friends… that is something we have been noticing lately and it is exciting!
                We seem to be hitting a pretty consistent number of around 200 kiddos on Saturdays.  Sometimes we wonder how much they get from the devotion but we are trusting God to do a work.  After all, our words aren’t what affect the change it is a personal revelation that they must receive from Christ.  January is the hottest month here so it can really get blazing.. the heat radiates through the metal roof.. but that doesn’t seem to deter them.  I am thinking a massive water fight might be in order one of these days!!
                Recently we gained a young roommate.  Her mother works at night and so the only option was for her to stay alone.  We heard the result of this as we were eating supper the other night.  I opened the door to find her standing outside crying in the dark.  Her mother asked if we could help and so it was decided! She ran around in her new fuzzy pajamas in delight as we prepared a mattress for her.  Life changes and we thank God for yet another opportunity to learn more of Him.  We gladly admit our weakness because we know it is THEN that He is strong!!!
                And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come.  Whoever desires let him take the water of life freely!  Revelation 22:17

Face painting before lunch on Saturday

 

Trying to hold still

 

Patiently waiting for their turn

 
 

Cuties that fight in the opposition ;)

A Fresh Start

A new year! We typically think of a fresh start and new commitments for the year. But isn’t it amazing that as Christians we can live every day as a New Year?… everyday we have a fresh start. Every day we have a clean slate…our filthy rags are wiped away by His perfect righteousness. Every day we get the opportunity to recommit our lives to the Lord. Every moment we have the choice to surrender to Him. Everyday we have the opportunity to live fully right where we are.  We are sooo excited to see what the Lord has in store this year. These past 4 months have been incredible as the Lord has been revealing more of Himself and what it means to live as children of God, daily picking up the cross and following Him. Although they are not what we expected we wouldn’t change them for anything!

Saturday feedings, separating beans, Swahili lessons, kids filling the house, laundry, daily chores. Our days always seem to fill quickly. Two days ago we got a call about a missionary from a neighboring country in need of somewhere to stay for a few weeks because of the war soo we have an American roommate! J  She is really sweet and we are so excited she is staying with us. What an adventure life is! You never know what this day may hold. Whether “good” or “bad” it’s all good, ridding us of ourselves so that He may have fill us. We are looking for another house now as we will be having several different guests in the next few months!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We are just a little excited about our guests as you can tell… :D And having more room for the kids to run around would be great since our compound is a little crowded and the neighbors don’t always appreciate the commotion. The kids will be heading back to school in a few days…we are going to miss the older ones who are heading to boarding school. They are sooo precious! Anyway we love you all and thank you for your prayers and support!!!

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23

They thoroughly enjoy playing Sorry!

                                                

Cleaning beans :)

 

No longer waiting

Waiting… It can consume so much of our lives.  We wait until we are financially stable, we wait until we are older, we wait until we think we are prepared… we wait until NEXT weekend, next year.  So much of what we do hinges on this “waiting game.” 
Simeon was a man who was waiting.  He was waiting for that promise.  To behold with His own eyes The Christ, the Consolation of Israel.  God had promised and He stood there knowing His God would not lie.
In our lives there are various seasons where God may ask us to wait.  And certainly we are ANXIOUSLY awaiting the second coming of that same Christ.  However this Christmas season we are rejoicing that we are no longer waiting to know Him.  We don’t have to wait for peace in our hearts, for joy in our lives, for love, acceptance, forgiveness, and salvation.  It has come… He has come.  Often we can catch ourselves waiting for something that He is ready to accomplish in us.  In our humanity we wait and try to find fulfillment in other people… in other ways outside of Christ.  Oh what joy is found in the revelation that we no longer have to wait.  He is ready… are you?
Christmas time in a warm climate for the first time.  Seems quite strange.  Instead of looking out our window and seeing snow falling we see clothes drying on the line.  It will be a different Christmas but it will be good!! Celebrating the birth of Christ does not have to depend on circumstances and environment… we are thankful for that.
We are settled back in here at home after a short visit to the U.S.  We are so thankful for that trip.  It proved to us again that God knows best.  What we thought was a last minute crisis was shown to be a great blessing.  His ways... tested and proven to be better!
We are just continuing to live life here.  Taking one day at a time.  Learning to abide. One thing that has become very clear to us is that we needed to live here.  As we look back over these past months we are completely overcome with gratitude.  The Lover of our souls has certainly blessed us.  He has taught us so many invaluable lessons.  Our souls have not always eagerly embraced them, but as we reflect we can clearly see that it was needed.  We needed to emerge from our cocoon of the familiar and the comfortable.  Our souls needed stretched and softened.  We needed to see our complete incapability.   We have been given a glimpse of Him… and He is nothing short of amazing.  As we continue down this path however long or short it may be, we look forward to the further cultivation of our souls and the souls around us as He works. 
MERRY CHRISTMAS to you all.  He has come.  He has lived.  He has died.  He has RISEN! And He is coming again!!

Fortification

Well sometimes life has a curve that you are completely unaware of that takes you to a place you hadn't intended to go. On Wednesday 27th, as we woke up to a steady drizzle outside the window, we would have never dreamed we would be flying to the states that night. In short, we found that when our visas expired on Thursday the 28th we couldn't just extend them.. we needed to leave East Africa.  We had been under a false impression after a trip to the Embassy we made last year concerning this. So we got online and found that tickets to the States weren't too much more than tickets to Ethiopia, so we booked them.  And here we are.  We kept looking at each other and reminding ourselves that this was no surprise to the Lord.  He knew, and He knows. So we will rest in that.  I was reading in Psalms yesterday and came upon this verse-- Psalm 32:8 "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye."  We are in good hands :)

I have been reading through Nehemiah.  One day I was sitting down where we serve lunch on Saturdays.  From my perch I had a great view of Kibera.  I could see people walking along the railway line headed off for another day.  I could see shop owners opening windows and wooden doors.  Mama's sitting our their goods. I could see children running through the streets leaping over ditches.  Then my eyes fell back to the pages in front of me. The pages that contain Life.  Those pages that mean more to me as the days go by.  As I read through Nehemiah I saw the parallel.  It quite nearly jumped off the pages.  The walls of Jerusalem were broken down,  they were vulnerable to attack.. their enemies had a clear view, unhindered access.  And it grieved Nehemiah.. he wept, he prayed, he fasted.  Then God moved Him to action.  I read quickly eager to devour the words.. the parallel burning in my mind.  I read how Nehemiah called them to rise and build.  I read of all the households committed to the fortification of this city.  Me eyes came to chapter 4 verse 17 and I had to stop and take it in.  Read it a couple more times..  With ONE hand they worked at construction, and with the OTHER they held a weapon.  I looked up and again watched the people walking, fetching, running, living another day they had been given.  I wondered within myself.. how many walls are broken down?  How many of these souls are living day to day unfortified... giving the enemy unhindered access.  God wants to rebuild.  He is in that business.  Am I willing to be used?  Am I willing to pray, fast, and weep?  Does He have my life to use in the fortification? Does He have my knees.. bent to the floor.. where the work is the most taxing but the most victory won?  Do I have two hands given... one for building one for defending?!  And then as my eyes continues there journey across the pages they came to chapter 6 verse 16 and it says when the wall was completed..  When all their enemies heard of it, and all the nations around saw these things, that they were very disheartened in their own eyes; FOR THEY PERCIEVED THAT THIS WORK WAS DONE BY OUR GOD.  Oh hallelujah!! All praise be to the Master Builder!!
He is looking for men, women, households who are willing to be used in His global construction project.  All around us there are walls in need of repair and restoration.  On our own we can try to slap up some bricks, cover the holes the best we can.. but they will never stand.  It is only when we come under the direction and supervision  of our Lord that change can be affected.  He wants to make us strong and repair the breaches and gaps in our walls so that we can then be poured out on behalf of those around us.  It is a glorious invitation to serve under the Great Master Builder. He knows very acutely what it means to stand in the gap for someone... what it takes to repair a breach that has been made... to put up walls of fortification.  His body filled a gap for us,  His blood poured out, His life breath expired, He was crushed so that the enemy could no longer have unhindered access. 

"Then I (Nehemiah) said to them, "You see the distress that we are in, how Jerusalem lies waste, and its gates are burned with fire. Come and let us build the wall of Jerusalem, that we may no longer be a reproach (desolate)."  Nehemiah 2:17

Unworthy Servants

As I was sitting in church half listening to the sermon in Swahili, I was skimming through Luke when I came across these verses which I never really noticed before.

“Will any one of you who has a servant plowing or keeping sheep say to him when he has come in from the field, ‘Come at once and recline at table’? Will he not rather say to him, prepare supper for me, and dress properly, and serve me while I eat and drink, and afterward you will eat and drink’? Does he thank the servant because he did what was commanded? So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.’” Luke 17:7-10

We are unworthy servants. Oh we are truly unworthy servants who are only doing what is our duty. We deserve no honor or praise or thank you’s or good job’s. The King of kings and Lord of Lords, the Most High God, the Holy, Holy, Holy One, the Creator of the world, the Redeemer of the world, has asked us to be His servant…and not only that but His child. He treats as His children. Oh how we are unworthy…

 Sometimes it hits us that we are in Africa. We are so privileged to be here. We are unworthy to be the vessels of Jesus in such a place. And we love every bit of it J The feeding program is growing weekly; this week we had around 180 precious little kiddos filling the benches and stirring up the dirt. We pray that the Truth may be grounded in them and that they may know the Lover of their souls personally. We were very thankful one of the guys translated the devotional this week on their heavenly Father, since most of the younger ones can’t understand deep English yet.

When we come home from the feeding on Saturdays or when we are standing in the kitchen in the morning we can count on being greeted by a kid or 2 or 5, popping up in the window or peeping through the flap in the door :)The kiddos that come over everyday are really becoming just like family. These kids are so precious and bring so much joy to our lives... Juma’s enthusiasm and determination to clean, dancing around with the “rasta man”… aka the mop; Boaz’s sweet smile and ability to see through the cards when playing match…he always wins; Felix’s bold, sassy personality and smile that lights up the room; Emmanuel’s dimples and grand sense of humor; Jane’s big brown eyes and talking to us in Swahili completely confident we understand every word she is saying; Wycliffe walking in and greeting us with a great big hug J They keep our house lively and full. We glimpse our Father's joy, beauty, and who He is through these kiddos. They are such a gift and we love them to pieces!!! And we love you all too and thank the Lord for you! Thinking of each of you and how you all have blessed us in different ways. Press forward and seek Him!

Thanks be to God for His inexpressible gift! 2 Corinthians 9:15