Kenya and Back

Isaiah 41:17-20

"The poor and needy search for water,

but there is none;

their tongues are parched with thirst.

But I the LORD will answer them;

I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them.

I will make rivers flow on barren heights,

and springs within the valleys.

I will turn the desert into pools of water,

and the parched ground into springs.

I will put in the desert

the cedar and the acacia, the myrtle and the olive.

I will set pines in the wasteland,

the fir and the cypress together,

so that people may see and know,

may consider and understand,

that the hand of the LORD has done this,

that the Holy One of Israel has created it.

Our trip to Kenya is behind us, but is forever in my heart. How can I even put the words down to describe the experience? I want to write it all down at once--but that is impossible, so I will trust God that I will be able to express it all, blog by blog!

God teaches me lessons that are lessons that I already thought I had all figured out. It is an ever increasing knowledge--building brick by brick on what He has already taught me.

For example, here is one of those lessons learned in Kenya: Faith, Hope, and Love are the GREATEST gifts that He could give us.

My soul was as parched and hungry as those Kenyans were physically before Jesus came into my life so many years ago. I was as hopeless spiritually as they are physically and spiritually.

I was so honored to be part of the ministry that Fox River Christian Church has in Africa. We are making a difference in a big way--feeding hungry children, educating their minds, but most importantly, feeding their hungry souls.

As we ventured into the villages, I witnessed children carrying babies on their backs, with eyes that told unknown stories of heartache and despair, realizing that this is their life--full of mundanenss, poverty and hopelessness, completely lacking any future or dreams.

I also witnessed children from our schools who were fed a lunch to fill their stomachs, and stories of Jesus's love to fill their souls.

Those children and many of their teachers lived in the same hopeless situation as the others in the village, but because of the FAITH, HOPE and LOVE that they have experienced through Jesus and individuals who love Him, they were able to dream and hope for a future. God has good plans--and in plenty or in want, with Him and the gifts that He gives us, we are blessed.

I have lots to share--thoughts, pictures, etc. I just hope words will do it justice! Stay tuned!