Looking Forward

I have to say that my vision has changed. Being in Africa, seeing Africans, opened my eyes.

I now see my life through changed eyes. I see the blessings that have been heaped high all around me. My loving and supportive husband. My terrific daughters. My family and friends. Running water, electricity, walls, floors, ceilings, and doors. Food to eat, clothes to wear, and shoes.

I have a great job with awesome people. I am so excited to go to work each day and tell the world about what God is doing through Reaching Souls International.

There is so much I take for granted. I'm hoping that my new vision will help me see. I'm praying that God will keep the scales He removed in Kenya permanently gone.

I do have one regret. We have 300 faithful men, waiting for the support they need to be raised, so that they may be launched into the field to spread the Word of God. I wish I had it to give. Just $100 per month. That's all. It's a middle class wage in Africa. MIDDLE CLASS! For $100 a month, thousands will hear the message that God loves them. Thousands will come to know Christ as their personal Savior.

I will start where I can and pray for more. I will shout it from the rooftops. I will not stop until the work is done.

Can you see it? I can.

peace.

There's No Place Like Home

I think part of me has always known this. There is no place you can rest and renew like home. The smells, the familiarity, the comfort are all there. I know I easily take them for granted when I'm here and miss them desperately when I'm not.

Home took on a whole new meaning for me recently. Due to the Kenya Air strike, flights were canceled, people were stranded, planes were grounded, chaos ensued. We came very close to being stranded in Nairobi. Even the American Embassy was closed and their life and limb number, disconnected. It was the most bizarre of circumstances in one of the most neglected places I have ever been.

Due to the absolute diligence and persistence of our CEO Dustin, we made it out. 3 countries, 4 airplanes, 5 airports, 5 days, no change of clothes, 1 shower, 103 hours of travel.......coming home = PRICELESS.

I have never had an experience like this one. I hope never to again.

There is no place like home.

peace.

Can't choose....

My daughter asked me to bring her something cute back from Kenya and I can't choose. Could you?

peace.

More Pictures...

The children of Kenya are captivating! The ones that live along the road near our compound have begun to recognize our vans. They start yelling "Jambo!! Give us sweets" as soon as they hear us coming.

Their smiles are bright against their little dark faces and the worries of the world you begin to see on the older children, teenagers and adults have yet to bring the signs of concern to their little faces.

As they walk to school, their bright uniforms contrast against the constant green of this tropical world and the brown of the streets and shops lining the roads.

The traffic here is constant and crazy! People, animals, vehicles, carts, bicycles, motorcycles are all vying for the same space and at a rapid pace. Honking horns are used as a communication tool and the side of the road is their social networking space. Cell phones are abundant, even in the midst of rubble and chaos. Quite a juxtaposition of my little corner of the world.

We are so blessed.

peace.

Mombasa...the journey continues

I thought I would just share some sights of my trip with you today. Enjoy!

peace.

I made it to Mombasa!

I'll start by saying flying is not my favorite. I appreciate the speed of the travel, but being stuffed into a little seat, not being able to move, surrounded on all sides is just not my idea of a good time. But, to get to Kenya, it's the only way to travel!

And I'm here! My ankles are the size of a great piece of firewood. Vanity has been reduced to worrying only about not stinking too bad. It is warm here and humid. Even though this is winter for Kenya, it's much like an Oklahoma spring to me. God has blessed us with a breeze and as I look out over the Indian Ocean just a few feet away, I am blessed.

We traveled for 2 days, unpacked and sorted most of yesterday and today, we are finally rested and looking forward to the week to come. Tomorrow, over 300 pastors and 100 of their wives will register for the Leadership Development Institute, which is why we are here.

What strikes me is that even in this absolutley beautiful country, so rich in many resources, inhabited by a generous, joyful people, the poverty and struggle is ever-present, ever with us. I look across the manicured grounds of our compound across a great rock wall to the Indian Ocean. Standing at the wall are people who are selling their wares, offering rides on camels, children who cry out "we are the poor" and it breaks my heart. But I cannot fix it all. I cannot change their worlds.

But Jesus can bring them hope and He is what I share with them. He is why I'm here. I'm so grateful God sent me to Africa for such a time as this.

peace.