I was reading Daniel the other day and the Lord spoke to my heart. I admire the way that Daniel lived out His faith. He was so in tune with God and he made sure that his actions and words matched his beliefs and that they were honoring to God. He lived above accusation, people had nothing they could say he was doing wrong. In fact, when two men tried to get him in trouble, the only thing they could find he was doing "wrong" was praying to God. You see, they had to pinpoint an area in his faith that he was being obedient and then trick the king into passing a law against it. This really boogles my mind!! I want to live like that...I want to keep myself pure and keep my ways and actions in tune with God. Daniel listened to God and knew God. He was devoted to God's word and devoted to communication with God. In turn the Lord made him be a great influence on those around him and continually protected him, provided for him, strengthened him, etc. It is my prayer that we strive to live the same.
I encourage you to read Daniel, especially the first half. I really learned a lot from King N. as well. We must remember that power comes from the Lord and not let pride make us think we are bigger than we are. Plus, when we hear from the Lord and know we need to change our ways...lets not hesitate and forget. We must remember that the Lord never lies...therefore we shouldn't challenge Him.
God Bless!!
Friday, July 24, 2009
Kenya Update
Hello All,
It's been a little over two weeks since I've written. As always, I've been busy especially since last week I had visitors from America. In general, the information continues to pour on how to start an children's home and I am receiving and digesting it all. No big decisions are being made yet because I need time to process and then move forward with all the tools in my belt. But even a month and a half in, I feel like I have grown in discernment and wisdom. I continue to pray that God equips a team of Kenyans to come along side me here (and in the future be a part of the staff) and that I just know that they are genuine. I also pray that I won't do anything unless I know for certain its of the Lord. However, I sense that if its from the Lord that He will do all He can to confirm it.
Right now, I am in the phase of visiting children's homes and traveling around Kenya to see where the Lord would like to set up His home. These two goals are going to be somewhat combined because upon coming here I realized that August is a better time to visit orphanages because the children are on break (even though i've already visited a good number). There is much in store for the next month and a half....my heart is at peace and ready for what lies ahead.
Thank you for all your prayers and thoughts. I know that I am being lifted up before the throne and that gives me energy for each new day. To all my supporters, my letter will be sent to you in the next couple days. I decided to do a midway letter and then a letter when I return. I hope you are having a blessed summer...sorry the weather hasn't been the best there. Love to you from me from Kenya!
It's been a little over two weeks since I've written. As always, I've been busy especially since last week I had visitors from America. In general, the information continues to pour on how to start an children's home and I am receiving and digesting it all. No big decisions are being made yet because I need time to process and then move forward with all the tools in my belt. But even a month and a half in, I feel like I have grown in discernment and wisdom. I continue to pray that God equips a team of Kenyans to come along side me here (and in the future be a part of the staff) and that I just know that they are genuine. I also pray that I won't do anything unless I know for certain its of the Lord. However, I sense that if its from the Lord that He will do all He can to confirm it.
Right now, I am in the phase of visiting children's homes and traveling around Kenya to see where the Lord would like to set up His home. These two goals are going to be somewhat combined because upon coming here I realized that August is a better time to visit orphanages because the children are on break (even though i've already visited a good number). There is much in store for the next month and a half....my heart is at peace and ready for what lies ahead.
Thank you for all your prayers and thoughts. I know that I am being lifted up before the throne and that gives me energy for each new day. To all my supporters, my letter will be sent to you in the next couple days. I decided to do a midway letter and then a letter when I return. I hope you are having a blessed summer...sorry the weather hasn't been the best there. Love to you from me from Kenya!
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Did I Jump the Gun??
Jumping the gun…this is an American saying we did something or said something before it was the right time. This phrase really is not understood in Kenya but the closest phrase I can think of here is “Haraka haraka haina baraka.” This phrase translates like this: Hurry has no blessings. So why am I sharing these phrases with you?? It is not because I am rethinking everything….I know I am called to Kenya, that the Lord is calling me to start a children’s home and extension ministries (school, clinic, etc.), that He is leading and guiding me every step, etc. But what God has been stirring in me is that I might have jumped the gun on the location of His planned ministry.
Since the time I received my calling, I always assumed that Kibera was the location. As crazy as it sounds, Kibera was a place that was comfortable to me because it is the place that I had lived during my two year stay in Kenya. However, after a trip to a town called Eburru, my mind is reeling over the notion that I might have chosen the slum because it was comfortable and not because it was Divine telling me such.
I’ve done this many times before (we all have) but a notable time about 5 years ago comes to mind. It was a time I knew I was called to missions but I choose comfortable New Zealand over something more challenging and stretching. The reason that I ended up in Kenya is that I then actually prayed about the decision extensively and that’s where my patient, loving Heavenly Father wanted to send me (and I am so glad He did). It took God transforming my plans to come in line with His. It took me deciding to take a risk and trust that the Lord would walk me through it.
So how does this all connect?? This is coming to mind now because Eburru is essentially in the bush of Kenya. Few people come out this way to help those here. I saw hunger and poverty in a much different way then I do in Kibera and my heart broke. Kibera has gotten many people’s attention and there is many NGOs reaching out to the slum. But there is more places like Eburru that have been forgotten but also have great need.
Will you join in me in praying about where God wants me to establish this home for His glory?? I am willing to recklessly abandon my prior thoughts to just be filled with His. In fact, this is what this time this summer is all about. Who knows…maybe the Lord will lead me back to Kibera but just maybe He is going to take me to a remote place to serve. Thanks for your prayer support and I will keep you up to date on where God leads my heart.
Since the time I received my calling, I always assumed that Kibera was the location. As crazy as it sounds, Kibera was a place that was comfortable to me because it is the place that I had lived during my two year stay in Kenya. However, after a trip to a town called Eburru, my mind is reeling over the notion that I might have chosen the slum because it was comfortable and not because it was Divine telling me such.
I’ve done this many times before (we all have) but a notable time about 5 years ago comes to mind. It was a time I knew I was called to missions but I choose comfortable New Zealand over something more challenging and stretching. The reason that I ended up in Kenya is that I then actually prayed about the decision extensively and that’s where my patient, loving Heavenly Father wanted to send me (and I am so glad He did). It took God transforming my plans to come in line with His. It took me deciding to take a risk and trust that the Lord would walk me through it.
So how does this all connect?? This is coming to mind now because Eburru is essentially in the bush of Kenya. Few people come out this way to help those here. I saw hunger and poverty in a much different way then I do in Kibera and my heart broke. Kibera has gotten many people’s attention and there is many NGOs reaching out to the slum. But there is more places like Eburru that have been forgotten but also have great need.
Will you join in me in praying about where God wants me to establish this home for His glory?? I am willing to recklessly abandon my prior thoughts to just be filled with His. In fact, this is what this time this summer is all about. Who knows…maybe the Lord will lead me back to Kibera but just maybe He is going to take me to a remote place to serve. Thanks for your prayer support and I will keep you up to date on where God leads my heart.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Seek God First
It's me again!! I wanted to write you first about how God showed me that if I seek Him first...all other things will be added to me. As you all know, I followed God in obedience to Kenya this summer. As hard as I worked to arrange everything, I did not know where I would end up staying because I wanted to see the places first before I decided on one. However, since this matter was up in the air I was really worrying about it.
On the plane ride here, my mind was plagued by the fact that I was not sure where I would be staying or if I would be safe. Plus, on top of it all I knew that if I stayed by myself, I would need to prepare all my meals (which is a bit harder here)...I would need to buy furniture etc. (which adds up quickly)...I would battle loneliness...etc. I needed to make the choice on the plane whether to let Satan win by worrying and not trusting or whether to give it to God and believe that He would make all things work. I made the choice to give it to God and anytime a thought creeped in..I gave it to God again.
When I arrived I did look at houses. But while I was doing this, I stayed with my friend Eva, who is the caretaker at an orphanage. It was interesting to say the least....three people sharing a double bed (and people know I have issues..lol). So in my head, i knew it wouldn't work for me to stay there. However, my head was telling me wrong because the Lord wanted to provide for me through them. Eva and Jackie graciously moved to the store room and gave me the double bed and room to myself. I am able to eat with them and the kids there and I won't get lonely. I don't need to buy furniture and don't have to worry about safety. WOWIE...God is AMAZING!!
He is providing for me in other ways because I am seeking Him first and being obedient. He has smoothed the path before me and showed me time and again that He cares for His servants. I hope this challenges you to put Him first as well and you will start to see Him work and move in awesome ways.
I am continuing to focus on special needs/disability centers for two more weeks. Tomorrow I get to visit an inclusion preschool all day which is much like the Headstart program I worked in in the states. God continues to confirm my calling while allowing me to take a small part in the lives of the beautiful children here.
Thanks for your thoughts and prayers. I will post again soon. Jehovah Jireh is our Provider!
On the plane ride here, my mind was plagued by the fact that I was not sure where I would be staying or if I would be safe. Plus, on top of it all I knew that if I stayed by myself, I would need to prepare all my meals (which is a bit harder here)...I would need to buy furniture etc. (which adds up quickly)...I would battle loneliness...etc. I needed to make the choice on the plane whether to let Satan win by worrying and not trusting or whether to give it to God and believe that He would make all things work. I made the choice to give it to God and anytime a thought creeped in..I gave it to God again.
When I arrived I did look at houses. But while I was doing this, I stayed with my friend Eva, who is the caretaker at an orphanage. It was interesting to say the least....three people sharing a double bed (and people know I have issues..lol). So in my head, i knew it wouldn't work for me to stay there. However, my head was telling me wrong because the Lord wanted to provide for me through them. Eva and Jackie graciously moved to the store room and gave me the double bed and room to myself. I am able to eat with them and the kids there and I won't get lonely. I don't need to buy furniture and don't have to worry about safety. WOWIE...God is AMAZING!!
He is providing for me in other ways because I am seeking Him first and being obedient. He has smoothed the path before me and showed me time and again that He cares for His servants. I hope this challenges you to put Him first as well and you will start to see Him work and move in awesome ways.
I am continuing to focus on special needs/disability centers for two more weeks. Tomorrow I get to visit an inclusion preschool all day which is much like the Headstart program I worked in in the states. God continues to confirm my calling while allowing me to take a small part in the lives of the beautiful children here.
Thanks for your thoughts and prayers. I will post again soon. Jehovah Jireh is our Provider!
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
We are all God's children
I have been in Kenya one week. This week, along with getting settled, I have visited organizations and ministries that are reaching out to those with special needs and disabilities. In Kenya, if you have a special need or disability, you are most often ostracized from the community and hidden away. If you try to be a part of the community, there is still a stigma and many are not helpful or sensitive to your additional needs.
I become very sad when I think about this too much. They are beautiful and wonderful children/adults of God and they have been told quite the opposite. I have more faces now in my head of the children here with special needs and disabilities. I have such a love for them and my heart groans for them. I respect the staff who day in and out care for, teach, help, etc. these children even though their society thinks they are wasting their time in such a job. I have such respect for the children as well...that they continue on day by day....with smiles on their faces and abundant love in their hearts. How is it that I am so blessed to be able to even shake the hand of these lovely people??
Otherwise, the Lord is providing for my every need here so far. It has been such a smooth transition and everything that I had worried about has been taken care of by our loving Father. I will write more about this later though....i have so much to say.
You will be hearing from me again soon. Thank you for taking this journey with me!!
I become very sad when I think about this too much. They are beautiful and wonderful children/adults of God and they have been told quite the opposite. I have more faces now in my head of the children here with special needs and disabilities. I have such a love for them and my heart groans for them. I respect the staff who day in and out care for, teach, help, etc. these children even though their society thinks they are wasting their time in such a job. I have such respect for the children as well...that they continue on day by day....with smiles on their faces and abundant love in their hearts. How is it that I am so blessed to be able to even shake the hand of these lovely people??
Otherwise, the Lord is providing for my every need here so far. It has been such a smooth transition and everything that I had worried about has been taken care of by our loving Father. I will write more about this later though....i have so much to say.
You will be hearing from me again soon. Thank you for taking this journey with me!!
Monday, June 8, 2009
Goodbyes
So I leave tomorrow for Kenya! I am still frantically running around the house trying to get everything cleaned and packed before I go (this is the way I do things). Luckily, I have someone coming over to help me and to keep me moving...woohoo...Praise God for good helpers. And I don't have to leave the house as early tomorrow because my flight was changed. It turns out that I was on the inaugral flight from US to Kenya and they cancelled it last week. Praise God for lovely travel agents who stay up all night to rebook you. Now I will be going from Newark to Amsterdam and then to Kenya.
So the past couples days have been filled with goodbyes. I have done this leaving thing before but each time its hard to say goodbye to my kiddos. I face this going and coming back from Kenya, the kids don't fully understand why you are leaving them and can't comprehend that you will be back. As my sister said "three months is forever to a little kid."
I had to say goodbye to my two clients. They are two precious little girls that I have bonded with and that I get to see nearly everyday. I know that they will grow so much and change so much while I am away...but I am lucky that I will be able to continue services with them when I return. Praise God for flexible work situations and for Zoe and Maddie.
I had to say goodbye to my niece, Daynika. She is only 3 months old so she really does not understand that her Aunt Alysha is going away. By the time I return, she will be 6 months...goodness me...it seems like she was born yesterday. But praise God for beautiful nieces....she is so darn cute it unbearable sometimes. I know when I come back we will have time to get to know each other.
Then I had to say goodbye to my other niece and nephew. They are so special....I enjoy and love them so much. Aidan is going to be 3...he is hilarous and adorable. Grace is 5 and is a spitfire. She is smarter than me I believe and I think we are a lot alike...haha. They can understand a little better that I'm leaving but are struggling with it. They will forget and invite me to all the things they are doing this summer ("Wanna come wit us Lysha? - Aidan) I told Grace that she could e-mail me messages and I will e-mail her back. She told me to e-mail her "I miss you so very much Gracie. Love, Aunt Alysha." I will certainly do this. Praise God for these two...they have a big piece of my heart. And Praise God that my brother in law was late coming home from work on Saturday so I had extra cuddle time with Grace!!
Yesterday, I had to say goodbye to the little girls in my sunday schoool class. They are too sweet. And although they aren't really kids...and do understand that I'm leaving to follow God's will ...I had to say goodbye to my youth group kiddos...they are fantastic too!
Now I really must go clean. I will post soon after I get to Kenya and let you know what is happening. Take care!!
So the past couples days have been filled with goodbyes. I have done this leaving thing before but each time its hard to say goodbye to my kiddos. I face this going and coming back from Kenya, the kids don't fully understand why you are leaving them and can't comprehend that you will be back. As my sister said "three months is forever to a little kid."
I had to say goodbye to my two clients. They are two precious little girls that I have bonded with and that I get to see nearly everyday. I know that they will grow so much and change so much while I am away...but I am lucky that I will be able to continue services with them when I return. Praise God for flexible work situations and for Zoe and Maddie.
I had to say goodbye to my niece, Daynika. She is only 3 months old so she really does not understand that her Aunt Alysha is going away. By the time I return, she will be 6 months...goodness me...it seems like she was born yesterday. But praise God for beautiful nieces....she is so darn cute it unbearable sometimes. I know when I come back we will have time to get to know each other.
Then I had to say goodbye to my other niece and nephew. They are so special....I enjoy and love them so much. Aidan is going to be 3...he is hilarous and adorable. Grace is 5 and is a spitfire. She is smarter than me I believe and I think we are a lot alike...haha. They can understand a little better that I'm leaving but are struggling with it. They will forget and invite me to all the things they are doing this summer ("Wanna come wit us Lysha? - Aidan) I told Grace that she could e-mail me messages and I will e-mail her back. She told me to e-mail her "I miss you so very much Gracie. Love, Aunt Alysha." I will certainly do this. Praise God for these two...they have a big piece of my heart. And Praise God that my brother in law was late coming home from work on Saturday so I had extra cuddle time with Grace!!
Yesterday, I had to say goodbye to the little girls in my sunday schoool class. They are too sweet. And although they aren't really kids...and do understand that I'm leaving to follow God's will ...I had to say goodbye to my youth group kiddos...they are fantastic too!
Now I really must go clean. I will post soon after I get to Kenya and let you know what is happening. Take care!!
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Kenya Bowl!?!
Last night the Ave. (the young adult group I am a part of) arranged a fundraiser for The SKY Mission called Kenya Bowl!?! It turned out to be a real success and a great time of fellowship. I did not even have time to bowl because I was chatting so much. Last night blessed my heart...to be supported and encouraged....to laugh and have fun. It is good to know that as I travel I have people that will be thinking of me and praying for me. Thank you to all involved in making it happening and all who came out to bowl. Kenya Bowl!?! YES YOU KEN.
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