In the Mud

Generally, I see myself as a humble person. But maybe, when we start assessing ourselves as "so humble," that is when we jump the fence to the land of proud. Sometimes I think the Lord puts things in our path as if to say " Are you really humble?" For it me, this happened 3 weeks ago today. I got up for the day, took a shower, even blow-dried my hair, and then put on the outfit that I had spent 5-10 minutes considering (from many other options). My Kenyan son, Albert, came over and after a long conversation, we headed out for some shopping. The trouble came when we reached one of the main roads for that area, which they were working on. I am not talking about a blacktop road that was easy to pass anyhow....this was a road of dirt...that turned into mud central from the rain. In order to improve the road, they removed some of the dirt and had huge mounds on the side which made it super tricky to pass by. My son, being 17 and very agile, passed around one of these first huge mounds of dirt with a confident, "This will be no trouble. Just follow me."

I bet you can guess where this story is heading. I, being almost 30 and certifiably clumsy, tried to pass by said mound of dirt in the same manner and PLOP!!!! in the mud I went. It was not graceful, it was not pretty,    I almost took out a child on the way down, and I found myself covered in mud on one side of my body up to my knee on my leg and elbow on my arm. As I got up from the mud, I had a decision to make in the moment: would I react with anger and yell, cry, or even curse or would I take it in stride, shrug it off, and have a good laugh? (Side note: My Kenyan son was so far ahead of me at that point that he did not even know I fell down. It took him a good minute to realize i wasn't behind him and he came rushing over to my aid). By the grace of God, though, I was able to react with laughter. I was laughing so much in fact that I kind of froze in position and could not move to go clean myself up back at my friend's house. 

Albert was struggling to know how to help me and decided he would go and get some water from a small restaurant across the road (which he sort of flew over, by the way, with out mud even touching him it seemed). As I waited for him, many passed by and said "sorry" and pitied my condition. I was able to say to them "Oh, it is no trouble. It is just a bit of mud!!" I think they were really surprised. The water boy came back and I cleaned myself up, rolled up my jeans, and continued the journey to go shopping. About every 10 minutes, one of us would break out into laughter and relive the event all over again.

I think we all need to fall in the mud sometimes. I am glad that the Lord reminded me of humility through such a circumstance. He was willing to humble himself by becoming a man and then dying on a cross. How am I being called to more humility? It is easy to be proud here if I allowed myself to be. My skin alone brings me a lot of attention and elevates my "status" so to speak. Honestly, most days I forget I'm a foreigner here but very quickly after leaving the house I'm reminded that I'm different in many eyes. But through my actions and interactions, I want to humility of Christ to shine forth more than anything else...whatever that looks like and whatever lengths I am asked to go. I want to set an example. I want to set a standard that is like Jesus' standards. 

Start with One

I meet with people from Start with One ministries the other day but this blog is not about them. However, through the name of this ministry, the Lord got my attention. One of the ministries that I am serving with is at a baby home. To be honest, when the Lord first called me here, there was a bit of confusion. "How does this fit into the bigger plan, Lord?" was my first question. As I follow Him in obedience, I see that clarity is coming. And one of His answers is "start with one." This can be a struggle for me because I want to help as many disabled children and adults as I possibly can...like superhero Alysha with Jesus power (as i have mentioned in the past i'm sure). Now you might be asking, "Well, how do you know who is the "one"? I know who is the one because there is one special little lady at this home...with a physical disability...who is not a baby anymore...who is still here because of the lack of special needs/disability programs in the country. Meet Lizzy Lou.

Lizzy is a 6 year old girl with Cerebral Palsy. She was one of the first babies to enter Haven of Hope back in 2009. She has been a joy to the home ever since. She has received different therapies while at HOH and has made significant progress. She is loved well here by the aunties, visitors and by the babies in the home. Unfortunately, for Lizzy, she has seen many babies come and go from Haven of Hope while she remains. 

One of my duties during the week is to work one-on-one with Lizzy and then arranging for the staff to work with her doing special learning times and therapy times on the days I am volunteering at the school. Also, i will assist in making God-directed decisions of what Lizzy future looks like and how we can best help this amazing little girl. 

I have known Lizzy from the very beginning of the home. For years now, the Lord has put her on my heart and I've even felt led to give to her specifically over the past few years. Now, the Lord has brought me here to "start with one"....one that I've already had a connection with and a love for. I know I've only been here a few days but we are already the best of friends. I know the Lord will do much through this relationship. I don't know what the Lord has planned for Lizzy in the future but I have a feeling it will be HUGE. 

The Lord challenged me to start with one and challenge you to do the same. Often we bite off more than we can chew and end up giving up. But one intentional relationship...led by the Spirit...can make more difference than we can see with our own eyes. 

And if you remember, Pray for Lizzy! This is a time of hope for Lizzy...whether that means that she is adopted by a "forever family" or if that means that she finds another children's home where she live and grow and flourish!!

Awake

This is a blog post from my first night in Kenya, about 4 hours after I actually fell sleep. It is not a blog post that will be full of pictures and detailed stories, but a look at what was on my heart the night I arrived. Those picture-full posts will come but in the meantime, I hope this post somehow encourages you.

1/24/13
Oh, I am awake. One of the joys of jet lag. Yes, I want to be sleeping because that seems more pleasant to me in the moment but no...I am AWAKE. I think if i remain in my bed with my eyes closed that I won't have to truly wake up. My thoughts circle in my head and even though i am halfway between wakefulness and slumber, I know I must take these thoughts captive. So I pray and my soul eases a bit. I know I am to turn on the light and be in His Word. But...ahhhh...no...I am still so tired. However, I obey this nudge. The scriptures my heart is drawn to have a theme: AWAKE (or in modern day English: WAKE UP!!!!)

As soon as I think about it, my soul has been sleepy lately and not attuned to the voice of my Father (as it should be). I've been walking around with a groggy heart and it has been taking its toll. Instead of meeting each new day (and this new journey for that matter) with joy and anticipation, I have been downhearted and skeptical. Do I want to remain there? NO MORE!!

Lord, wake me up from the top of my head to the bottom of my feet. Stir my heart and clothe me with joy. Give me the same attitude that you have and make my heart strong. If I rest Lord, may I find rest in You and getting away with You. Even when my physical body sleeps, I pray that it continues to be in touch with you. Lord, I am AWAKE! Help me rise up and greet the new day and be ready for all that you have in store.