A Plan & A Purpose

Feb 5, 2013 The boarding call came across the loud speaker and as I walked toward the open door of the plane I realized that I was leaving a world so known to me. The path ahead would be of a different sort, one of adjustment, one of stepping back in time and one with a plan and a purpose to reach out to those who are lost, hurting and in need.  

After close to 16 hours in the air I would be entering a distant land that pulled at my heart and called me by name. There was plenty of time to reflect over the past few days, remembering the tight hugs, words said, the tears and goodbyes. It assured my heart of the love that went with me. I will miss that love.

As I watched the earth below me my thoughts went to the stillness felt within a room of tears and the knowing of futures uncertainty and how a little girl, Vanessa, my 3 year old granddaughter, broke that silence by spontaneously singing “I've got the Joy, Joy, Joy, Joy, down in my heart….”  What joy is in my heart for all that the Lord has blessed me with.  What joy is in my heart for the opportunity to serve Him. The song “I've got the Joy, Joy, Joy down in my heart…..” echoes within me.

Feb 6, 2013 From the small porthole window of the plane I watched the red hot ball of fire slowly glide down the African sky, soon it disappears and the darkness of night rolls in. After almost 16 hours of being in air the landing gear drops into place beneath us...soon we will be on African soil. 

The beautifully spoken Swahili language now encompasses about me as I obtain my visa and gather my luggage. The Customs officer waves me through and I find myself outside the safety of the airport walls.  My eyes scan the many people waiting outside. I’m looking for my taxi man holding a sign that says “Linda.”   Midnight was fast approaching and I had another 30 minutes to go before I entered through the gates of the missionary compound.  Each and every step of the way went smoothly.  Thank you for your prayers!

Feb 7, 2013 Morning seemed to come so early! The beautiful song birds of Africa let the dawn know that soon the sun would break through and light the sky. They are like clockwork always on time and never forgetting to sing a loud and happy song. 

The workers at the compound couldn't wait to see how much Swahili I could remember.  Of course they insisted on greeting me in the Kenyan way. Smiling from ear to ear they waited for me to respond in words familiar to them, many of those words they had taught me.  

Pastor Joseph and Grace traveled almost two hours to visit with me at the compound.  It was an afternoon of catching up on what was happening with the street boys and the ministry which I have so enjoyed being a part of. This small framed pastor seemed shockingly thin to me but his heart was so filled with the love of Jesus.  His face wore a steady smile as he shared about all that God is doing.

Feb 8, 2013 Even though I was tired and ready for bed I found myself up in the middle of the night.  I’m still on American time! I was so happy to see Jackie and Livingstone today. They came to the compound in the afternoon with a message that the school children in the slums were waiting for me!  They also had an invite for me to preach on Sunday morning in the slums.  It broke my heart to have to tell them that I wouldn't be able to go into the slums this week.  The cold that I brought with me from the states made me realize that I needed to make sure my body was strong and in good health before I walked into the slums.  It saddened me as well as them but I knew it was the right thing to do. I needed to wait until I was healthy before stepping into an area filled with sickness and disease.

Jackie’s beautiful baby girl was born right before I returned to the states. While I was away she died suddenly.  Jackie told me how she tried to get help at the hospital but it was too late.  The conditions of slum life are brutal especially on the little ones.  My heart aches as I think of a mother’s joy as she looks into the eyes of her newborn.  Her heart is full of promises, she has one desire, that is to give her child the very best but she knows the best is living in a diseased and over populated low land filled with raw sewage, filth and garbage.  Love continues to live even here where so many refuse to go.  

As I walked them to the gate I think we all felt a little sad. I had traveled so far and they had waited so long….but I could not go with them.

They left and I went back to my room. I was feeling the tiredness of the 8 hour time change and the long trip.  The pillow on the bed was looking really good!  I didn't have time to even touch the pillow though as the guard at the gate called to let me know I had another visitor.  It was Pastor John from Kagame, another slum about 20 minutes out of Nairobi.  He said he thought he saw me in town so he called the compound to see if I was here. So we visited for a while and again my heart pulled as I saw the longing and wanting in his eyes for me to spend time with his people. The slum people are so left out, everyone passes them by.  My heart breaks. My eyes weep. Today I cried.

Psalm 139:9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn, If I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.