This week is so full of something good, but after writing, and rewriting this, I will have to leave it unnamed. Can someone explain smell to me in words?
Today we visited again the house of some of our friends. Their daughter has had some problems for a long time. She wasn’t able to keep up in school, or help with things at home. When we saw her she didn’t look like she understood much, and was only partly seeing things. They asked us to pray for her, and we willingly accepted. We talked to them a few days later when they came to church, and they said their daughter was doing better, and was helping with bringing water. Today we visited them again and she was even making food, and was visibly sharper of mind.
It reminds me of the story when Jesus sent his disciples out, and gave them the power to heal and drive out demons. They came back to him ‘astonished’ at what they had seen, because it was for real. I have read a lot, and talked a lot, but when the rubber hits the road, I am left without words.
What can I do? Who am I to do this? Why would God use me? It is in these things that God continuously humbles me. I have often looked up to people in the Bible who have done great things, but the more God works in, around, and through me, the more I understand that my place is very small in this world.
Riding home from Kisii on a matatu, an older woman was sitting in the back seat next to me. She had a basin with a plastic bag of things inside. When we got to her stop, she gave me a smile and we exchanged parting words. She wasn’t able to squeeze through the tight isles while she held the basin, and she couldn’t leave it behind. I picked up the basin and she moved down the isle. When she got to the end, I handed it to her, and exchanged another smile. Something in that moment. Something in her face.
Tonight I am sitting outside on our third floor balcony, looking out on the town of Chepilat. Every night a woman comes out of her run down, tin roofed shack next to our apartment. I see her walk over to the pile of rocks and dump the ashes from her charcoal grill. She does this every night. She must have been inside cooking food for her family. Or does she have a family? A dog comes over and sniffs at the pile, then walks away. Tonight is different than most nights. Tonight she exits her home a second time, and pours water on the coals, then stops and looks up. She pauses for a second, then walks inside. What is her story?
Does Jesus love unimportant people like these too? Are they really unimportant? What is it in her that would make Jesus love someone as simple as this? Is it the simplicity of our createdness that he loves? When we have understood how to love our neighbor, I think we will have understood many of the mysteries of life.
Praises:
-The church on sunday was packed
-We have running water
-We have recovered from sundry illnesses
Prayer Requests:
-Continued health
-That something good would come from our meeting with the Kisii pastors
-Taylor
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