Do I give like the least of these gives? Hmmm not so sure...

First Grade class in rural Ngaamba, Kenya

When I went to Kenya for the first time in 2008 we spent some time at an elementary school in Ngaamba called Tumbelea.  It was my first experience witnessing the conditions typical of a third world country classroom.  I had so many thoughts and emotions running through my head.


I was teamed up to assist for two days in first grade with my friend Rita.  We were helping the teacher draw pictures on the board and then the kids would have to name the picture in English.  Most of them spoke their tribal language because we were so far removed from any major city.  They didn't even speak their national language Kiswahili.  (English is Kenya's official language)


Rita drew a horse on the board and no one could figure out the picture.  We laughed thinking her picture was so bad, they just couldn't tell it was a horse.  The teacher told us they don't know what a horse is-they have never seen one.  Wow-did that put things in perspective.


Keep in mind, these little ones walk anywhere from 2-5+ miles ONE WAY to school five days a week, most of them with no shoes on their feet.  Their mom's don't drive them to school or walk them to the end of the driveway to catch the bus-no matter how young they are. 


Each morning we arrived, the kids from the entire school would come out singing to greet us as our bus pulled up.  We could not even get off the bus without being bombarded with hands, smiles and hugs and lots of singing!  They welcomed us with open hearts and big gracious smiles.  It touched my heart profoundly.  Most of them had massive dark green runny noses and you could tell many were really sick.  Before I got to Ngaamba, after being briefed,  I was scared that I was going to get menegitis from them or something else-but the second I saw them all running on the playground towards our team, all those fears fled from this first time mission-trip girl.


Something happened the next day that I still think about often.  As we were wrapping up the second day and moving onto out into the field with the rest of our team to dig the ditches to lay pipe for water, the class had a little ceremony to thank Rita and I.  They brought one egg for me and one for Rita and a pot of corn.  Rita and I were so humbled it brought tears to our eyes.

It was confusing for us because we were not comfortable accepting it-knowing their mom, dad, brothers and sisters may go without food that evening because they gave to us-we were mere strangers, whom they may never see again, who don't even think twice about buying a dozen or two or more of eggs for our families, nor do we ever think how fortunate we are to cook corn anytime our heart desires.  

They-so financially poor, so young, so rich in faith and spirit....so Christ-like.

Luke 21:2-4
He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins.  "I tell you the truth," he said, "this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on."

Lord-Help me to always remember the example of the poorest of the poor who you have introduced me to.  I look forward to meeting many many more who are so rich in faith.  I learn more from them, then they could ever learn from me.  Amen 

TMI

Psalm 46:10

"Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, 

I will be exalted in the earth."

This may be too much information to share, but I just have to because it is so amazing to me that I have realized as of late, God whispers to me when I am in four very distinct places:


1.  Driving alone in the car 
2.  When I am walking or running by myself, sometimes with my dog (praying is part of my ritual of my walks/run)
3.  In the shower (this is most often the case when I hear Him)
4.  When I am swimming laps in the pool, praying as well-all the while trying to remember the # of laps I have done 


It is always when things are quiet and I am removed from the hussle and bussle of my day and the world, that He catches me off guard, with a whisper, with a loving word, with encouragement, and also with conviction.  And it is "so God" to do it when least expected and with perfect timing.


I became aware of this repeated pattern of His only during a quiet time, when I slowed down to settle myself.  It is oh so precious to me.


It does not happen in every instance when I am physically in one of these places-no not at all.  Usually it is when my heart is aligned with His-which is not often enough.  I notice when I redirect my efforts for the day towards His Kingdom and am working for Him on projects, ideas, etc. is when it occurs vs when I am simply on autopilot for the day. 


When I ponder on it, it is chilling to think what measures I go to, to readjust my schedule for work, for a personal indulgence, to accomodate my own coziness or comfort or to ensure an hour of exercise-but I don't necessarily do the same for Him.  I feel the continous tug of war inside of me to go to bed earlier so I can wake up earlier and spend the early morning hours with Him and in His Word.  When I do that, my day always takes a different path.  Those days are more of an adventure, with tiny revelations throughout them.  They are exciting days, even during tough times.  I seem to have ears that hear and eyes that see moreso on those particular days.  I am more intune with Him.


Is He truly at the top of my list each morning? No-not always.  Yet I claim I love Him so much.


It takes intention, discipline and obedience to keep our Heavenly Father, the King of Kings at the top of our day, in the center of our life and on the forefront of our mind as we make decisions and choices.  


But I think before we even get to that point, we have to have an open heart to receive Him in, so we can begin to experience the love relationship that He so longs to have with us.  He is after all our Perfect Parent and loves us more than our parents love us and even more than a parent loves their own child.


Lord- Thank you for revealing yourself to me when I am still and removed from the chaos of life.  I cherish those moments.  I am honored to get the nudge or the whisper.  It is a joy and an adventure that compares to none other.  Help me to always receive your Word and put it to good use as nothing You say or do is meaningless.  Thank you for pursuing me continually.