This blog was written by one of my closest friends from my time on the World Race, Matt Ruple, and I just wanted to repost it. He’s currently preparing to take off and serve in Kenya, getting an initiative started started out there in IDP camps. He and his team are working on starting some exciting things for those people and sometimes just preparing emotionally, physically, and spiritually is crucial. Here’s a story from his preparation time with his team…
…I met God today…
Red “L” shaped structure
Chickens
William
Boy with a green sweater/sweatshirt
Laundry
Chains/Bars
After driving around for a little while and visiting a laundry mat that didn’t have much potential, some yelled out, “We just passed a sign for Williams Street!” So we turned around and went to check it out. As soon as we turned down the road, there was a house on our left that had a handful of chickens in their front yard. By this point, we are all getting pretty excited. We keep driving down the street really slowly and looking around trying not to draw too much attention to ourselves. Outside one of the houses we notice an older woman reading outside her house and we have the thought that maybe we should go talk to her. After we drive past we look back and notice a young boy running around the corner wearing a black and green sweater.
Alright, that was enough. We parked the car and started walking. As we approached the house we noticed the red flag on the mailbox that was upside down. Are you serious God? This is becoming ridiculous. We initiate a conversation and find out that she only speaks Spanish but we are able to make do. We end up talking for a bit and praying for their family. When we finish she tells us about how encouraging it was to have us come and that she saw God in us.So why am I so surprised when events like this happen? The more things like this occur in my life, I’m less astounded at the shear fact that it happens and more taken back by the fact that I miss it too often. I’m not always asking God what He wants me to do. I’m not always listening. And I’m not always willing to obey. When God shows up though…it reminds me of who He is, of who I am, and re-awakens my soul to the fact that God is truly alive and active.
