With only days left in this country, on this continent, I can’t help but ask myself, “What have I learned? What am I taking from this place?” While the lessons I’ve learned are countless, the memories I’ll take are far greater in price. When it comes down to it, the Lord can teach me whatever He wants, wherever He wants, but when is the next time I’m going to get to sit on railroad tracks and take pictures with these precious African children? When is the next time my brothers and sisters will get the opportunity to show the street children of Eldoret some of the only love they’ve ever seen? These are not opportunities to take for granted, nor are they moments to be forgotten.
While here in Eldoret, we have met some of the most precious and beautiful children. Some of them go to school and church regularly and have a home to return to at night. Others spend their days and night on the street, begging or stealing for food. Some were well cared for; others hadn’t bathed in days. Nonetheless, they were all beautiful. Whether a glue-sniffing street child or one we simply met at the railroad tracks while out taking pictures, the children of Eldoret are precious and beautiful and it is to them that I dedicate this blog.
You are precious.You are loved.You are perfect in His eyes.
Regardless of how much you’ve messed up, what your brothers, sisters, parents, or friends think of you-He loves you just the same.
It doesn’t matter if you sniff glue or if you stole that man’s wallet or if you got a bad mark in school-He loves you just the same.
He knows everything about you and loves you just the same.
He knows what makes you scared and what makes you happy.
He is your Father-not like your dad here on Earth.
He will never hurt you or abandon you.
He believes in you.
So do I.
You have a purpose.
You are gifted.
You have been created to do mighty things.
You are never too small to make a difference.
You matter-in this world, in this city, in my life-you matter.
Don’t ever let anyone tell you you don’t.
I’m not naïve; I know that they won’t read this. But that is my prayer for them. Lord, I pray that each and every child of this city may have this written upon their hearts. May they remember who they are as your children and always know they are loved. May they grow up to be God-fearing men and women and spark revival in this nation, starting with their own families. Lord, I pray these children become world-changers, chasing after your will above all else, at all costs. But most of all, Lord, I simply pray that each and every one of them always knows that their life matters.
