The gift of love that keeps on giving!

I get notes on occasion commending the the life of a missionary and the works being done.  The notes are encouraging so please do not misunderstand my next remarks.  But, in reality there is nothing commendable or out of the ordinary about my life than yours.  Sure the elements in which that I live are challenging at times (especially with a burn, malaria, tropical sprue, and now a bee within the ear canal all within 365 days) and the sacrifice of not seeing family and friends is hard.  But, what I do is no different than what anyone who believes is called to do.  The truth simply given to those of us who love Jesus Christ is to love.  We love in the name of Christ within all tribes and nations.  We love in offices of high rises, slums of the street, suburbs, within our homes, classrooms, and the list goes on.  Loving in the name of Christ makes an eternal difference and a job given to all of us who believe!  

Naserian (my Maasai daughter) was very tearful during our last visit.  Tears usually glisten when she sees me but this time tears kept flowing which she tried very hard to hide.  It was difficult to talk to her and very odd behavior.  During the course of the day Elinipa, Momma Janet, and myself began to uncover the hurts within.  In most cases an orphan may have a place to lay their head at night but there is a cost that comes.  Most of the time they are taken in as slave labor forced to do chores, take care of young ones, or fetch water.  They usually are the last to be served food if there is any to serve and in most cases not enough to serve the last.  She was unable to come to the last Widow and Orphan day they wouldn't allow her to come and in most cases they take the things that have been provided for her from the ministry for their own use.  Naserian said that she had been sick and wasn't given food for a long time.  Of course my heart breaks when I hear things like this and I know that she is one of many in similar situations.  As we were talking Nempburis began to be involved in the dialogue about the situation.  Nempburis is the leader of the Widow's group.  She has three children of her own to provide.  An excellent leader she is learning quickly how to provide and the many trainings offered through the ministry.  Nempburis looked at me and said that Naserian could come live with her come the new year.  That they could register in the school close to her house and live with her.  Nempburis knows the power of love and didn't hesitate when the gift needed to be past along to another least of these.  Life is very difficult for a widow and even more so for an orphan.  But, working together in the power of love great things come from the ashes that surround us.  I asked Naserian if she would like for this to happen come the new hear and she was very delighted.  Her whole demeanor changed for the day and great joy filled her heart.  

A simple missionary, a tearful orphan, a gracious widow and the love of a Mighty Savior is all it takes for a job well done.  Who do you need to love today in the name of Jesus?!  Sometimes we may not know who that might be when we wake up in the morning.  But, as long as we are willing God does such wonderful things!

Prayer Points~

• May Naserian be a child who is loved despite what the world throws at her.  May she know that she has a heavenly Father who loves her very much.  I hope she experiences love from Nempburis along with myself that points her to Jesus who provides.  
• May Nempuris be able to be a confident woman in Jesus who loves others and is able to provide for her household.  May her home be a place where people know she is a woman of God's Truth!  
• The pain and infection of my inner ear and face is much better.  I do still have pain and swelling within my ear.  My hearing has not been fully restored but it has not quite been a week yet and the meds are still working towards it!  
• I was pretty discouraged last week.  In the midst of panic and stress for what to do to get the insect out of my ear.  The tremendous pain that made the minutes tick pass like years.  Even in the midst of discouragement and disappear of the physical form we press on.  Watching the Job series by way of DVD from Plainfield Christian Church helped give my tears comfort and made the minutes pass a little quicker.  Despite our circumstance in the fellowship of the body we press on spreading the love of Christ wherever we are and despite what this life may bring.  What a day it will be when we dance in eternity!