You know those days where everything within you burns to be somewhere else? Where everything reminds you of a time and place in your past? Today has been one of “those days.” I miss Kenya with the kind of hurt that I can physically feel. Some of my former teammates are going back to Kenya for a few weeks and have promised to carry some letters to my friends there (I wish so bad that I could go with them). I fell asleep last night reading letters I have received from Kenya and praying for people by name. As I fought back a tear I prayed with all my being that God would allow me to return to Kenya soon (this is a common occurrence). To return, especially, to Eburru where I fell in love with the people and the land. My God is at work there among His people, and I got to be a part of it. This morning I awoke with Kenya on my mind and it hasn’t left my brain all day. I can’t help but surf the internet here at work, looking for updates from the AIM base in Kenya and its missionaries. Looking at maps. Searching for pictures. Little things remind me daily of specific memories of people, places, and events… …a song… …a stranger on the street… …a picture… …a stray memory… …a map… …a smell… …a landscape… …a voice… …an intense moment of worship… …and God. I think God is continually reminding me of what transpired in Kenya because He never wants me to forget their struggle and pain. More importantly, He doesn’t want me to ever forget His love for them. “For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died.” (2 Corinthians 5:14) He died for ALL. Jesus’ heart burns for His people around the globe. Therefore mine must, because His love compels it to. I have to die to myself for Him to be glorified. This is the only option. There is no other way. If that means constantly being reminded of Kenya and to weep tears the Messiah holds for his people in need, then may it be so. If that means leaving everything behind for a year to go be Jesus’ hands and feet in this hurting world, may it be so. May it be so.
