Opportunities to be Jesus hands, feet, voice, and heart

God throws opportunities to make a difference into our path daily. The question are we looking for them and when we see them how do we respond?

I have to admit I never used to see them very often. I only saw what I was looking for, and that was an opportunity or lack thereof to go overseas. And so often I missed the amazing opportunities God gave me to make an impact here in the USA. Constantly now I notice the request for prayers and donations all over social media. The options and opportunities to help others are overwhelming but such an amazing blessing and gift. God gives us the gift of being able to make a difference in other's lives. Sometimes thats through words of encouragement or interaction, other times through prayer, and yet other times through financial or material means. I never used to see them as equal but they are. God uses us in different ways to help the body of Christ and to further His kingdom on earth.

I don't have a whole lot I can offer of myself right now, I don't have much time I can offer. But I can give my prayers, and I can give my money, to support ministries and missions that need just that. I am constantly having my eyes opened to the needs all around me and it has been such a blessing from God that He is allowing me to see and participate in helping others in a new way.

So I encourage you to look around and see what opportunities God has given you to step out in faith and be blessed by helping His kingdom. You'll be amazed by how many there are and how rewarding it is to be a part of God's plan for this world! :)

So start with one thing. The next time you see a request for prayer or money or willing hands to serve, don't just pass it by and think "oh that's nice". Do something! Knowing about problems and needs isn't enough if you do nothing when you have the ability to do something! Do something for others at every opportunity you get, because Jesus did everything for you!

Give

For anyone interested in donating money to Neema house - the home for the HIV children. Here is the link:
http://discovertheworld.org/portfolio-view/neema-baby-reception-center/

Here is their Facebook link:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Neema-childrens-home-Eldoret/186224768171657

The couple who started this are an amazing picture of servants of God and they just love these children. so please, if you are looking for a worthy use for your money, send some of it their way, it will make a difference and bless children's lives.

Here also are the links for:

Heshima handicapped children's center
- http://www.heshimachildrenscenter.org/
- https://www.facebook.com/pages/Heshima-Childrens-Center/117201841656386

Amani Ya Juu (employs refugees and widows)
- http://www.amaniafrica.org
- https://www.facebook.com/AmaniyaJuu

Walls & Counting the Cost

It's amazing to me, how easily we put up walls around our hearts and emotions, to shield ourselves from hurt, to shield ourselves from the difficulty of life. Sometime in the last few months I did that, without even realizing it. I pushed what I had seen aside, because it was too hard to relive it, too hard to face the inhumanity and suffering when I am surrounding by those indulging their every whim. Even worse I am one of those who indulges their every whim.

I have been seeking an opportunity to use my skills as a nurse to serve in Africa. I found an organization called AIM (Africa Inland Mission). It immediately caught my eye with the description:

"Imagine a sprawling acacia tree casting shade on a hot African plain. And beneath it, there are people. Standing. Moving. Singing. There’s a drummer hammering out a beat on a well-worn skin drum. And the song: you can’t understand the words, but the sound is beautiful, and you recognize the expression on those faces. Joy. The kind that comes from worshiping the One who created us to worship. The scene is but a small part of the African Church. But it’s a scene that describes what Africa Inland Mission is all about.

Our heart is to see the worship of Jesus Christ spread across the continent of Africa – through individual lives fully committed to Him, and collectively through Christ-centered church communities. The Church in Africa is vast and growing daily. But with over 900 African people groups who have yet to hear the Good News of Jesus Christ, the task is far from finished."

I was immediately captured. Not only do I LOVE acacia trees, but the description was so beautiful and hit close to home. I applied and emailed back and forth with a coordinator then had a Skype interview with an amazing, godly woman working for AIM. Everything seemed to be coming along smoothly, I wasn't really sure where it was heading but I was trusting God would show me if it was His will. 

An opportunity was mentioned to me in Uganda working with children. I immediately was intrigued and said I was interested. Then came the email with my acceptance as an AIM member. In that email I was asked whether I would consider serving 6 months instead of 3. I mentally stopped.

My first thought was "that is so long. I would miss Christmas with my family". I mentioned it to my family and asked them to pray about it as I was praying about it. And I waited. I waited for God to show me a sign or give me a clear answer. He didn't and I thought that must mean I wasn't supposed to go, but I continued to pray, all the while overanalyzing myself and wondering why I was so hesitant.

Then came a conviction. "What are you willing to sacrifice?" It may not have been worded exactly that way but the message cut to my heart. I had wanted to do missions on my own terms. I hadn't counted the cost. What good is it if I serve God and it doesn't cost me anything? If it is easy it loses meaning, serving God is supposed to require a sacrifice on my part, otherwise how am I showing Him my love for Him? It became quickly apparent to me that my greatest hesitation was fear and selfishness, I was terrified of the unknown, of being away from home that long, of not knowing how things would be or anyone there, and selfish because I didn't want to miss Christmas and family and food and my friends and modern comforts. But God doesn't use fear and selfishness to lead His children. So I knew instantly that my hesitations were from Satan. and why? because Satan doesn't want me to go and serve and love others, he wants me to stay home in my comfort zone, afraid.

I am still waiting to hear back from AIM, but I told them I am willing. I am continuing to pray about God's will, that be it Uganda or somewhere else that He would use me wherever He sees fit. I ask all those reading this to pray with me. I want to be putty in God's hands, that He may use me to show His glory. I have many failings and weaknesses, but He is bigger than my resume and He can use the weak, in fact the Bible says He delights in using the weak (thank goodness!).

So I am seeking God's will and waiting to see if Africa looms on my horizon again, I know God's plan and timing are perfect. So now I am simply waiting to see what doors He opens or closes.

You can leave Africa, but Africa will never leave you.

Never Forget

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uge_34TY2fI

Never Forget.

Ephesians 1:15-23 

For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength  he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.




Life

Adjust. Not an easy task. A scary task. Returning home there is always the fear that what I have experienced will disappear, that I will go back to my normal life, and that I will not have let it change me.

So for the first few days I cling to what is behind, I struggle, I walk numbly through my familiar life, not sure what to feel. Then all to quickly, I adjust and life is "Normal". A cursed word.

 But then a week has passed, and I feel enormous emotion tugging at my heart. What of the people I met? What of the things I saw and did? Will I allow them to mean nothing? Yet I find the most difficult struggle for me is living in what feels like a separate reality. How can such two different worlds exist on one planet? How can I live in this world and remember Africa when it feels like a dream b/c it is so far disconnected from my life in America.
And people ask why, why would anyone want to visit or live in such a place as Africa. Sometimes I cannot help but feel disgusted. I know I ought to have more grace, what people do not understand, they cannot be blamed for. And yet I am disgusted. I am disgusted with America in some ways, with the lifestyle we live, with the fact that we think we "Deserve" the best, that we are entitled to the best life has to offer.

We live in but a bubble of real life, and yet when tragedy hits us, when reality reaches its hand and shakes our little bubble, we dare to ask why. What gives us the right to complain? What gives any human being the right to complain? We deserve nothing. Perhaps I am being unfair to Americans, not all Africans are innocent of this I am sure, but the difference is that in a culture where the people have nothing, they find many things to be grateful for, whereas in a culture where we have everything, we complain constantly, and look down on those who live in such depths of poverty as though there could be nothing worse.
What is a house but bricks or wood? What is food but something to keep us alive, sustain our bodies? What is all of our extravagances except distractions from real people and real relationships? We have become so consumed by things that we have deceived ourselves into thinking that is what makes life good, enjoyable, comfortable.
I fear that even I may have deceived myself. While in Africa I asked myself: 'Could I live here? Without Chick-fil-a and easy internet access, without my creature comforts?' But then I returned home, and I realized that I really didn't miss them that much, because all they are is "things", things that will not make any difference in eternity. My money, my security, my books, my clothes, etc... I have put too much value on those things. God asks us to give all for His kingdom, to help the widows and orphans, to love people, to spread the good news. How can I do those things if my focus is on 'things'? 

Convicting thoughts God has spoken to me. But anyone can know these things, the hard part is what I am asking myself, what will you "do"? Because faith without actions is dead. Words are meaningless without someone to shout them.

The End of a Journey

Time, such a strange concept. As I sat watching the passing scenery on the drive back to the house this evening, I marveled at God’s splendor, how His glory is in the sun streaming through the leaves, in the red dirt, in the smile of a child, God’s splendor is displayed all throughout our world and yet so often we are blind to it.

I fly home tomorrow. The thought confuses me. Where did two weeks go? So much has happened in two weeks, the time has flown and yet it seems like months since I was home or at work, it seems millions of miles away, an eternity. So much life experience in such a short time. So many lives have touched mine in two weeks, I have made new friends, loved on and been loved on by the untouchables of society, and been moved to tears by the stories of people who are living in the center of God’s will and changing the world.

On Sunday we went to church, the market, and then to visit the Massai village. What a sweet time of fellowship.

Monday Molli and I went to the mini-mall and did some shopping, then prepared 100 gifts (toothpaste, toothbrush, and candy tied together with string) for the juvenile prison (Tuesday’s event) while watching a movie. The others had a good time as well on the game drive safari!

Tuesday we went to the juvenile prison- a place not necessarily for child criminals but for children up to 17 who are there because either their parent is in prison, they are waiting for their own trial, or because of minor crimes. While there we watched the Jesus Movie in Swahili, Ron spoke for a few minutes and shared the gospel, then we handed out the gifts. Some of the children were in tears during the movie and when Ron shared the gospel many received Christ. Praise be to Jesus!

We finished off the day at Amani for lunch and a little extra shopping.

Wednesday- we started the morning at a nearby school doing tye-dye, so fun, and the shirts turned out AMAZING!!! Then we took a boda-boda (motorcycle) to Fatima. We arrived at Fatima just in time to help the toddlers eat lunch. After lunch we played and cuddled with the children until their nap. While the children were napping, one of the Sisters gave us a tour of the grounds; they have a farm with cows, pigs, chickens, bunnies (that they eat!!), and guinea pigs. They have lots of housing where many of the nuns live. Also there is a building for elderly ladies. There were only four living there but we met them and spent a few minutes talking to one who was bed-ridden because of a stroke. She used to be a teacher, and despite her disability she had the sweetest and most gracious spirit. When the children woke up we spent a few more hours with them. I spent that time holding a baby- 2 ½ months old- her name- ironic- Alice. Such a sweet baby, she would smile after every sip of her milk, then she fell asleep in my arms for over an hour. Her mother abandoned her but her father comes to visit her and will have custody over her when she is older, but has asked the children’s home to raise her up because he is not able. Another of the children that captured my heart- Dominic- 5 years old and tons of fun, always had a grin on his face; he was sharp and knew a lot of English which is surprising because most of the children don’t speak very much English.

Today we went back to the school to hand out the tye-dye shirts, the kids loved them! Afterwards the children watched the Jesus Movie and ate popcorn, then played games outside.

Next on the agenda was Kibera and Toy Market. At Kibera we visited ‘The Power Women Group’ a group of HIV+ women who are raising awareness in the community about HIV and the importance of knowing your HIV status as well as empowering and enabling women to support themselves.

Tomorrow morning Maria leaves early, the rest of the group is heading the to the Elephant orphanage in the a.m. and then Molli, Jill, Allie, and I head to the airport for our flight home. Prayers would be appreciated, as no one is really feeling well tonight- from colds to allergies to headaches.

Thank you to everyone who has donated and has been praying, we have had an awesome trip- such a blessing, can’t believe it is over.

God bless!!