How do you break cycles of poverty that have existed for
years…sometimes for generations? How do
you come alongside a people group and culture to invest in them without
crippling them or making them dependent on you? How do you encourage stability,
self-sustaining practices, and community development? How do you empower, equip
and engage a people who have been rejected and forgotten?
These are not easy questions, but they are questions that
need answers. Over the past three weeks
our Kenya team has started diving into questions like these. We’ve been trying to identify the specific
needs that are present in the IDP camps, the best case scenario for what a
solution could look like, obstacles that could prevent that answer from being
implemented, resources that are available, etc. We’ve been looking into areas
of education, jobs, food, spiritual development, water and sanitation. We are trying to put together a web-site, a
blog, campaign material and start raising money for specific projects. In short, we’ve been busy.
And while it has been taxing and overwhelming at times…I
wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. I
know God has called us to this specific mission during this season. God didn’t promise an easy road for those who
followed Him; for those who fought for things that were close to His
heart. And it took me a while to figure
that out…for it to really settle in my heart. So, instead of looking for easy answers and ways out, I’m starting to
thank God for the challenges and struggles I have. It’s another chance for God to show who He is
and remind me that it’s not really about me anyway. Awesome!
On Wednesday, November 24th Logan and I will be
heading to Kenya. I am currently the
only one on our team who hasn’t been to Kenya and the IDP camps we will be
working with. I am excited to be able to
meet the people God has called me to work with and serve. While we are there we are going to be
gathering a lot of information we need, meeting up with contacts and
organizations, and clarifying the vision God has given us for forgotten
people in Camp Vision. Please pray for
this journey and continue to check back for updates about how the project is
moving along.
