So, what’s a girl to do when her heart is filled with
compassion for “the least of these�, the people living below poverty level in
countries that are now on the other side of the world again…?
Being back in the US has many benefits and comforts.
Consistent water and electricity, an abundance of flavorful foods, and the
greatest pleasure… spending time with the people I love!
I’ve done the “re-entry thing� many times over the past 5
years. I thought I was quite good at it, until I realized that in the past 5
years, I haven’t spent more than 6 months at a time in the US… perhaps I’ve
never fully re-entered. The US has become a place for transition: from teaching
at RVA, to going on the World Race, to moving back to serve among IDP in Kenya.
At times it feels a little strange to not have a ticket to some other country
with my name on it. Other times it feels really good to know I’ll be able to
spend a more significant amount of quality time with my friends and family.
It is great to still have an impact and help the families I
love in Camp Tumaini as the stateside fundraiser for the project. I love being
able to share with people about what God is doing in Kenya. These “forgotten
people� if ever remembered, are most likely just a statistic to people in the
US, but to me they are my friends. They are Purity and Stephen and their 5
girls who live in the corner tent along with Stephen’s mother. They are Elizabeth
and 13-year-old Dennis who loves soccer and takes such great care of his two
younger brothers (Peter and Jimmy) and his little sister Salome who has
struggled with her health this past year. These are real people, who face real
problems, that YOU can REALLY make a difference for!
My role on the Kenya Initiative team has changed and
evolved, but my heart has stayed the same. The desire for my friends in Camp
Tumaini to become self-sustaining hasn’t dwindled. My heart to bring God’s
Kingdom to the nations has not depleted.
Last week I got the chance to do something hands-on and
tangible outside of my mission work. I went to pack food for Feed My Starving
Children. In one evening our team was able to pack enough food so that 17
children in Haiti will have food for a year. Seems like a very worthwhile way
to spend an evening.
After packing the food, we watched a video of children
around the world who benefit from FMSC. As I watched the video, I longed to
scoop up those kids and hug them. I wanted to demonstrate God’s love to them
and provide the physical affection that they seemed desperate for. As I put
together my own videos, I miss my own little kiddos in Camp Tumaini and
I’ve
become keenly aware of the emptiness of my arms.
Please keep me in your prayers as I transition into this new
chapter that the Lord is writing. Also consider gathering some friends,
coworkers or neighbors and invite me to share what God is doing in Kenya.
If you’d like to make an online donation toward the Kenya Initiative click HERE
