The Lord's Work

I haven't even returned home yet, and I am already asked often, "Rainier! What is the Lord doing out there?!" Though I do not in any way "dislike" this question, and obviously EXPECT its coming, I often find it hard to answer. Its easy for me to sit down and express WHAT Nathan and I have done (built a chicken coop, moved a church, led worship, taught studies, ministered to children, etc...) while the bigger picture of what God is doing WITHIN us still greatly eludes me. Nathan and I have been blessed with many opportunities to share in various ways with each other what we have noticed tweaked or altered in our hearts and mental thought processes, while yet both admitting that the powerful, yet invisible movements of our Lord's handiwork is far beyond our comprehension. In a conversation this very night, we spoke of our countless hopes and dreams for our return home--more of this, less of that, none of those things--while at that time as well I felt within the depth of heart that ever-present mystery. That subtle reminder that though "a man may plan his way, the Lord leads his steps." This is both extremely encouraging and yet irking. I know in my MIND that the Lord has our lives, that He sees all that is before me, and perceives the best road and yet is it not so like the human nature to yearn after the knowledge of what is to come. Nathan wants to be a fireman, I am still searching earnestly for my path, and yet it is ULTIMATELY our Father who knows what will become of our lives. Looking back on a conversation with Pastor Robbie, I remember having a deep heart-to-heart with him about all this when he smiled at me and retorted with, "Ray... 'No Mind'" Of course my first reaction was something to the degree of, "Yeah, okay, but..." and as I thought of it further I realized how true that statement was. How far too often I "over-think" what is to come, spending more time worrying or searching, then praying and waiting. How foolish I am. Since being out here the Holy Spirit has taught us so much, and one lesson reoccurring constantly is one of FAITH and PATIENCE. I truly need more of these two things...

A Continued Work

Well, we headed to Maasai land yet again to continue our work on the chicken coops. We made less trips on the way and thus got there a bit quicker but because of the heavy rain the dirt roads leading to the compound were soaked with water and extremely muddy--completely unsuited for Kefa's (our driver and family friend to the Gorden family) sedan-like car. So we parked it somewhere safe and walked on foot three quarters of a mile to the shamba. It was really interesting. Somehow walking in the African heat along unmarked, mud-covered, grass and thorn roads gave me a tiny glimpse into what its like to be an average Kenyan. I have watched Kenyans walking from all sorts of directions for untold lengths and distances, and to walk around myself as they normally do brought about somewhat of an accomplishing feeling. Obviously what I did that 1 day is nothing compared to their daily lives, but still it gave me a wider perspective on their livelihood. We arrived and shortly after began our work. Unfortunately even before beginning we approached the shack to find Christopher (the hired shamba boy) in the middle of a job he was supposed to have completed the day prior. This sight did not go over well with Elizabeth. In love, while yet not with-holding any of the necessary sternness, Elizabeth reproved Chris for not holding to his word and completing the work in the timely fashion he stated he would. The matter was settled and we continued our task of securing the founding pillars for the first level of the chicken coop and then laid forth the wooden sheet for the lower level floor. We evened it off and began our work for the second level. All around we got a large amount of work done in a fairly short amount of time. At one point Nathan accidentally cut his arm on a rusty nail : / It was definitely a bleeder. He kinda freaked in a calm, reserved sort of way, constantly spraying his hospital strength hand sanitizer into the cut. Thank the Lord for Tetanus shots! We finished up and headed to Whistling Thorns camp site for a late lunch. The food was amazing. Food never seems to taste better than after a hard days work in the sun. On the drive home I listened to an awesome message by Greg Laurie on the Lord's Prayer. What a powerful sermon it was! It was a wonderful reminder of our Lord's glory and might, and His loving gift us. To be able to speak to the King of Glory, to lift up His name, and seek His will for our lives is something I could never deserve. The fact He gives it so freely blows my mind. : )

The next day was our last day (this week) in the land. We sought to finish our work on the coops as best we could. This time we overlaid the walls with chicken wire to better secure the birds inside. This would also act as multiple barriers between the four separated compartments. We also secured 3 of the 4 doors. All around it has sure come a long way since day one and actually looks pretty "legit." At least coming from the standards of two American, city-boys who have NEVER built a chicken coop before, lol. We didn't know it originally, but Elizabeth had scheduled a meeting with the Maasai ladies she ministers to, that day. So during our work we watched women approach from seemingly out of nowhere from all across the open plains. They were all dressed so colorfully in their native styles and attire. It was clear that they were the "real deal," living out in the open land of Kenya, far away from the city-like encampments. What I found 100 times more intriguing as well as encouraging, was how far these ladies walk every week (normally) to meet with Elizabeth. Because of where they live, most women travel AT LEAST 3 to 4 hours ON FOOT. I honestly can't imagine walking on foot for a straight 3 hours! Even more shocking are the ladies who have to travel for a whole day, AND then stay at another lady's home, only to wake up early the next morning and travel with them however many hours are left in their journey to the compound! Forget 3 hours, but a whole days worth of "on-foot" traveling and then some! Wow... I can't even believe I sometimes think of PATHETIC excuses for not driving my car 15 minutes down the 405 freeway to go to church! What a wimp I can be... Much earlier this trip I found myself contrasting the Kenyan culture to our own, and particularly focused on the laziness of the Kenyan men at times. And here I am doing it again but this time in amazement with its women. To think, in America, I have NEVER met a girl--or anyone else for that matter--who would be willing to take a city bus for 2 hours to make it to a bible study or church service, and yet here are women in Africa who WALK for a whole day across WILD, open plains and hill country to meet for a simple Christian gathering... I am speechless, both at the laziness of myself and the human heart as a whole...