Well, the last few weeks have been quite different. Life in the bush is fun but definitely has its challenges. I have surrendered many things to the Lord again and again over the course of the last 4 months. This month included some of the comforts of home, like a flushing toilet with a seat, running water and a kitchen stove. It’s amazing what you begin to miss when it is no longer at your immediate disposal. Still, the Lord uses my conditions to strengthen my dependence on Him. I have realized over and over again this month, how little we really need to be happy and satisfied. The Lord provides for our every need, although it looks different than the provision we receive at home. Its shocking how much we take for granted.
I am surrounded by families who have been torn apart by a 20 some year war, and children with little or no clothing whose parents are nowhere to be found. They watch us as we cook, fellowship, carry water and worship daily. Some of them are longing for love, while others are just curious. It’s a heartbreaking sight.
A sight like this would cause some to question why the Lord has neglected these children and where He is in the midst of all this pain and poverty. Truth be told, I see Him everywhere-even MORE here then I see Him at home. I see Jesus in each of these children as they come running up to greet us with “How are you?” I see Jesus in the large number of NGOs in this area who are seeking to provide love and support to as many men, women and children as they can. I see Jesus in my team as they step out daily into the surrounding community to show God’s love and share His Word with everyone they meet. I see Jesus in the local African people who work at Child Voice, at their clinic, or in the surrounding area as they too reach out to everyone in the community and do their part to bring life and hope to their villages. God IS here. He’s all around, in the people and the beautiful scenery. He is rising up young people with hearts for Him and for the friends family and strangers struggling in the aftermath of war.
“Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, ‘I will never fail you, I will never abandon you.’ So we can say with confidence, ‘The Lord is by helper so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?'” Hebrews 13:5-6
