l wasn't excited about the lsiolo mission, but neither was I dreading it. Truth is, I had been so preoccupied with all the preparations that I had no time to process my feelings about the journey. The first thing I thought of when I was told of the mission, was 'How are we going to raise the money we need?' And so the last two months were focussed on group support raising efforts. It wasn't an easy journey but somehow God surprised us at every corner, down to the very last day. Additionally,during the weeks leading up to it I was too swamped with deadlines to process the fact that l was going to spend 10 days in a foreign place. All I knew was that I was being taken out of my comfort zone and it was interfering with my work schedule. I registered it as 10 days of no productivity. I had no Idea where Isiolo was as I had never gotten past Nanyuki. So on Wednesday night after handing in all my reports and responding to my emails, I started preparing for my oncoming trip. Usually missions creep me out and previously, I have avoided them. However, this time God gave me peace about it long before I asked for it and l was ready to leave as soon as I'd packed all my long dresses and scarves (one must be culturally sensitive).
On Thursday morning I woke up on time, got dressed at a leisurely pace and got to our departure destination on time. The journey was pleasant enough and we made good time. Our arrival set the pace for the rest of our stay; disorder and disorganization are the order of the day here. Truth is, we have encountered some very rude leaders who don't really think they need to explain themselves to women (young women at that). We have also encountered what seem like political agendas hidden in plain sight within our work. Some of my friends have faced tribalism from their hosts; the "Christians"who are meant to be taking care of them. The sun is hot, the place is dusty, and the wind is relentless. We've no running water, and^... one horrific word: "pit-latrines". 😢ðŸ˜
You know what, though? All is well and I am great. I have a wonderful host family. As in, Cathy is the sweetest lady with a loving face, a generous heart and kind eyes. She has opened up her home to Maggie and I and made us feel welcome and cared for. Her daughter, Carol, has beenjust as loving to us as have the whole family. Seriously, my prayer is always that God would bless them greatly. Only He knows what they desire in their hearts and can grant it to them. Additionally, even through all this disorder, God isteaching me to be still and to dig past the chaos and see Him. lsiolo has beautiful hills and I have caught some amazing sunrises and sunsets. (If you know me well,you knew how much I love sunrises and sunsets; it's like this intimate expression of God's beauty that I am privy to... I don't know how to explain it better, but in EVERY sunrise and sunset I see God's beauty and splendour). On saturday, Maggie and I well walking home after a looooooooooong day ; we were exhausted, but we find ourselves up this mound enjoying the lovely view when we decided to sit and wait for the sunset. That time spent just taking in the view (and tossing rocks at a random paperbag) was extremely refreshing.
Additionally, the stars at night we beyond amazing. It has been a really long time since I saw that many stars in the sky. I could gaze at them forever (were it not for the chilly wind). How can anyone look up to such beauty and wonder, and not be drawn to know more about the one who created them? It brings to mind the verses about the Heavens declaringGod's majesty. They really all just shooting and singing His praises by just being. Do you think that that's the way we are meant to live? We think that evangelism is only about going to talk to (or more often than not to talk at) people. I sometimes wonder if we aren't meant to just shine. Let who we are and what we do speak for us. The other day I was reading about how when Moses had been talking with God, his face would glow with the glory of God. I'm not suggesting that we should have radiant faces, but shouldn't we be so filled with the Holy Spirit, so close with the Father, and so transformed by Jesus' salvation, that people can see it in us? We were challenged to go to teach at schools without talking about Jesus and God. At first it felt like a difficult task, but it really wasn't. We shouldn't have to tell people that we are Christians. It shouldjust shine through. It should be obvious when people see us and interact with us and see that there's something special about us. They shouldn't be shocked when they find out that we're christians. We all supposed to be the light of the earth. All light has to do is shine. If we really are a transferred people; if we really are a new creation, then it should be evident. People are supposed to wonder why we have this special quality.They should look at us and wonder what oursecret is; what is this powerful force that drives us? Why am we so loving and selfless? Where does this inexplicable, hope, joy and peace that we posses come from? Where do we get our value of excellence from? You see, these qualities should shine through us and lead people to seeking this 'secret' that we posess. Now that, to me, is true evangelism. So, here I am staring at millions of twinkling stars wondering how my life can be more like their dazzling light, silently shouting out God's praises, lighting the path for all I encounter..
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