Laying here in bed listening to the singing of birds, a rooster crowing in the faint distance, and watching the skies begin to light from the sun peeking up somewhere, many thoughts are rushing through my head as I am processing the events and emotions of the past few days and what's ahead in a few hours.
The quiet really helps you to just be still and imagine........right now I imagine a different world...
One with less trauma
Free of loss
No disease
No homeless...everyone feels like a daughter or son instead of extreme loneliness
More kindness and sacrifice
Focusing on the lasting and not the temporal things.
Could we sell it all?
I met a family yesterday as I spent the day at New Life Childrens Home; they did!
Husband, wife, and three daughters, 7, 8, and 11 sold their business, home, cars, all belongings except 4-5 outfits each and left Florida to experience a life they did not know. This month they are living in Kibera, largest slum in central/Eastern Africa, sharing one room and bathing from a pail standing up.
As Erin shared her heart about their encounters, the very hard days so far, and even some loneliness, a tear streamed down her face-she said this is what I miss most, a girlfriend to share my heart with and sip a glass of wine....that was the 'luxury' she was wanting. Gratefulness has become the place she is functioning from now, and not focusing on the material things.
I'm not sure I could really do this.......
BUT I pray this is the place I am moving into, one of radical obedience. That might not be the path we are called to walk, but the "take up my cross and follow Him" has to be the most important and powerful position I take.
There is so much desperation here in Kenya as well as all over the world. Last night as I spoke with Fred, Joy Divine Children's Home director about a boy from two years ago, Joseph that he took in from youth camp who kept running away back to the streets, because he only new an orphan mentality. I found myself overwhelmed to the point of tears of so much need and devastation that I was questioning how we can ever do enough? Fred made the statement,
"I can only be obedient to the one at a time He calls me to, BUT God is mighty to save."
So I will continue to look for the ONE! If we all look for the ONE, the impact can be far-reaching.
A hug
A smile
A touch
Buying a cup of coffee
Giving your shoes or a jacket
Time............................
