But God Caused the Growth

I enjoyed the moments that I got to travel around the beautiful landscape of Kenya and appreciate the culture as a tourist. I went to the Equator (and I have a cool certificate to prove it). I went to the 9600 km long Great Rift Valley. I rode a camel at Thomson Falls. One thing that I was fortunate enough to do was plant a tree. I planted a TREE in the soil of Kenya. How many can say that they physically planted a tree on another continent? I named the tree maisha which means life in Swahili. (Quick shoutout to all the Maisha's I know). I named the tree maisha because I knew that it would continue to bring forth life without my interference. 

Thinking back about that joyful experience in the NBOI forest, I am reminding of the verse from 1 Corinthians 3: 6-9:

I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.

Without my interference, the tree would grow and continue to be a living thing not because of my planting or watering. It would grow because God was in control. In the same way, we have a responsibility as Christians, as believers. Sometimes God will call us to plant the seed. Other times, you will be Apollos and water the seed. But we must always remember that apart from God, we are useless. We must remind ourselves that God in His sovereignty causes the growth. Our planting and our watering only has purpose when we work alongside of God's plan. 

Be obedient to God in whether He has commanded you to plant or water. Humble yourselves before God, also recognizing that He causes the growth.

Special thanks to Jayne and Edward with Flying Fish Mission Tours. Check them out for your next trip: http://flyingfishmissiontours.com

African Safari

Them: Do you know Swahili?

Me: I know the Lion King…Hakuna Matata

I literally saw the Lion King in real life. We drove to the watering hole. I went through the elephant graveyard. I saw Simba, Nala, Zazu, Rafiki. I saw the stampede that killed Mufasa. I saw the stars in the sky of the lion ancestry. I even saw Whoopi Goldberg’s hyena. My heart was full.

I have always loved to see God through nature. With humans out of the way, nature continues as it was created and praises God. Going on a safari and seeing animals in their natural habitat, living and breathing just as God intended left me speechless.

We stayed in THE most amazing place on the Masai Mara: Mara Engai. The view was incredible. The hospitality was 5 star and the food…OMG! Let’s just say, I kept requesting for our bread basket to be refilled.

In our 6-wheel truck, we went on a few game drives. I just wanted to see one lion. Other animals were great, but I just wanted to see one lion…I saw 25 lions! Even caught one eating a baby giraffe. I felt like I was for sure on animal planet. I personally can relate to the lion’s lifestyle: sleep and chill ALL day and only get up for food. If only…

We also saw baboons, hyenas, hippos, large birds (that will eat babies), giraffes, elephants, ostriches, topis, antelopes, mongoose, wart hogs, zebra, cape buffalo and wildebeest. We arrived on the Mara in the middle of the migration from Tanzania to Kenya and were able to ride in the midst of the migration.

Only one thing truly took my breath away…the sunset. God in all His infinite power decorated the sky and it was simply beautiful!

Less is SO much More!

Jambo!

I’ve been back in The States now for 11 days and jet lag is still the enemy. It’s always tea time in Africa so I naturally want to have hot tea all day with samosas (God’s gift to mankind…seriously, everyone needs them). However, I remind myself that I live in Texas and it’s too hot for that lol. But at last, here is the first blog after my mission trip to Kenya…where do I begin? Let’s start with the kids.

Less is SO much more

During our stay, we visited two orphanages and two day care centers that NBOI sponsors: Jamii Center in Kibera, Bowels of Love, Jamii Orphanage and Joy Care Center. These facilities were located in some of the largest slums of Kenya. We threw the children a birthday party. I was able to teach a song and get hype with a birthday cheer (KAA style). Many of the children do not know when they were born and have never had a birthday party. Seeing the joy on the faces for one small toy, cookies and punch was overwhelmingly. I was so humbled by their abundance of gratitude realizing that gifts and celebrations were things that I have grown to expect.

The children gave performances; sharing memory verses, poems, songs and dances. Many of the kids did not have shoes. Many did not have parents. Many did not have hot water. It did not matter that their toilet is a hole in the ground. It did not matter that their facilities were falling apart. It did not matter that their living conditions were not up to American standards because they had each other. Yes, their “lack” of things I take for granted gave them an opportunity for more love and joy. This was the joy that so many of us long for. This joy is not conditional on our circumstances, but built on the simple fact that God is good. They knew deep down that God loved them and brought them together to help, comfort and love one another.

The kids say, “God is good, all the time. All the time, God is good…and that’s His nature wow!”

Many times I find myself so distracted by materialism. I have upgraded things to necessities and complain when I am lacking. Through these kids, God has shown me that He truly is enough. His love, his love joy, his grace is sufficient for me.

Mungu akubariki (God Bless you)