Chosen

I watched a girl walking down the road on the outskirts of Nairobi.  Dressed in an old, dirty uniform she trudged on to school.  Who knows how long she had been walking.  She shouldered not only her tattered backpack, but the weight of a world too heavy and complicated for a ten year old.  Watching this type of scene before has made me think, “I could be just like her.”  Given if I was born in a different time, different place, different setting.  I had done no more to earn my circumstances at age 10 than she has to earn hers.  That day I had a different thought, however.  Maybe it’s more than that I simply have the capacity to be like her; maybe in a sense I am she.  For in a sense, aren’t we all linked within humanity?  I am she because she is human.  I suffer because she suffers.  I show compassion because she needs compassion.  I love because she is loved.  I was chosen for such a time as this, and so was she.  Perhaps this is what Jesus meant when He calls us to love the least of these.  For if Jesus is in every person, and Jesus is in me, than I should behave as if I really believe this.

“‘For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’  Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'  The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me’” (Matthew 25:35-40).

This scene made me contemplate why I was chosen to be born where I was.  Why was I granted certain privileges, a certain life, simply for being born?  I could have been born anywhere.  I did nothing to deserve those circumstances.  Should I feel guilty?- I know the answer is no, for how should I feel guilty about the things I can not control?  Should I feel sorrow?- I do feel sorrow for the pain of humanity, but I cannot be weighed down by this sorrow.  I must learn to take in the pain of others and let it pass through me, turning it into peace.  Should I feel unfairness or anger?- But this seems unproductive and what are the standards of fairness?  Who would I direct my anger towards? No, it seems my only option for response is gratitude and responsibility.  Gratitude to God and a sense of responsibility to follow His plan for me.  A sense of responsibility to serve, love, accept, understand.  I sense of responsibility to make the most of the opportunity I was given.

The day after this contemplation I read the following verse.  Isn’t it funny how God answers questions?  I suppose I should stop being surprised by this. 

“...and He determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live.  God did this so that men would seek Him and perhaps reach out for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us.  For in Him we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:24-28).

I am called to seek Him.  He wants us to do this even though He is always near.  It’s the process, the journey that He desires: the refinement of our soul.  The result is Him.

This is why I was born where I was.  He desires that I seek Him, reach out for Him, and find Him.  He is with that girl.  He is with me.  We are all chosen.

Becoming A Better Blogger

I have decided that I am not very good at blogging.  I think it is because I have never been one to journal about my daily life.  I went through stages of trying to keep a diary/journal when I was younger, but it rarely lasted longer than a few weeks.  In the past, I have even tried to journal about my life when I am living or traveling someplace new.  People have suggested this to me and I definitely see the positiveness or even importance of it, but somehow it always comes out seeming trite or unnatural.  I think many people have a gift for this type of journaling but maybe it is not mine, and perhaps I should stop trying to make it such.  I record things differently.  I journal my thoughts on my current read or reflections on my spiritual journey.  I document my life through songs that I write or music that inspires me.  I share my experiences with people over coffee or late night ice cream runs :)  I know this should not keep me from blogging, however, I suppose the reason it is hard for me to blog is because it is hard for me to completely open myself to others and to others’ opinions on such a format.  I am open to share my experiences, but not always what my heart is going through in these experiences.  Maybe this is partially because I know that my opinions are always changing and sometimes when I am reflecting on something I am not sure exactly what I think on the subject.  Perhaps I am afraid that I might share something and that feeling might change.  Or perhaps I don’t want to speak in the absolute, for if there is one thing I’ve learned it is that to speak an opinion in rashness is to be very unwise.  I don’t desire to share my thoughts as absolute truths, but more as my perceptions.  However, I know I should not be alarmed to do this.  The Lord is always shaping my thoughts.  That is part of the process of spiritual growth.  Therefore, I should learn to be open to allow others to watch that spiritual growth.  Therefore, I am going to start trying to do that more.  And perhaps through that I might become a better blogger.  Therefore, my goal is to start sharing more.  Expect a new post in the next few days or you have full right to get on to me :)

The Western Project

This past week has been pretty busy.  A marketing group from the States was here and we spent the week showing them all the different facets of the ministry.  The Western Project is an outreach project in the villages of the Bungoma area of Kenya’s western province that partners with local pastors.  Blue Sky helps with orphan sponsorship, well drilling, Cows for Christ, church development, and Early Childhood Development programs.  We left Monday morning at 5:30 for Western, delivered books to the schools in different villages and shoes to the orphanage, visited the new well drilling site, and drove back to Nairobi Tuesday afternoon.  Needless to say it was a whirlwind trip.  The van was completely packed, but full of wonderful people to share the ride :)  I loved being able to see this part of the ministry.  Probably my favorite parts of the trip included a Kenya vs. U.S. volleyball match, a game of tag with local village kids where I seemed to constantly be "it", and viewing the countryside from the back of a motorbike.  Below are some pictures from the trip!

 Blue Sky provides cows for local pastors and needy families.

 Site of the New Well!

 At the orphanage handing out shoes

 Little man's going to drive ;)