I feel like I don't even know where to begin when talking about Kenya. These people have stolen my heart in ways I'm not sure they even realize. And I'm continually amazed at how the Lord is working in people's lives here. It is truly an honor to serve God in this country.
I think that one of the things that I've done here would, to some, seem insignificant and unimportant, maybe even worthless. But to me, and I believe to God, it's truly showing His love. I've fallen in love with a boy named Jacob. He is an orphan that was dropped off at the children's home we're working at. Jacob is quiet and doesn't smile. He doesn't play a whole lot with other kids and tends to do his own thing. But he's stolen my heart in a way that's hard to explain.
Every time we go to the orphanage, I go find Jacob. He never smiles when he sees me, but he always lets me pick him up and snuggle him. He never says a word to me, but I always tell him how much I love him and that God loves him infanately more than that. Two times now he has fallen asleep in my arms, arms that I pray are like the arms of God around him. I pray that he feels safe and comforted, as we find ourselves in God, as He is our refuge and strength. I try to love Jacob the way that God loves him every time I see him. I know it may not seem like much to hold a little boy and kiss his cheeks. It may seem silly to tell that boy about Jesus' love for him when he doesn't even speak English. What can holding him while he sleeps actually do?
But aren't these the things that God does for us? Doesn't God lavish His love and passion on us? Doesn't God make it clear through His Word how He feels about us? Doesn't he hold us and comfort us when we need Him to and even when we don't? So this is why I do it for Jacob. I just want to demonstrate what the Lord has done for me time and again. My prayer is that this leads Jacob to a relationship with the Lord. My prayer is that he'll remember the "mzungu" (white person) that came and snuggled him and told him about Jesus' love. My prayer is that his life will not be defined by his circumstances, but rather that his life will be a testimony of the Father's unending and unchanging love for him.
So while kisses and snuggles seem insignificant to some, I believe it means everything to the one who needs to receive the Father's love. It makes a difference. So who are you demonstrating God's love to today?
