Sunday, July 5, 2009

Blank Canvas

This post may not have too much to do with Africa, but yet it does. If you have followed this blog at all you will remember in January 2008 we faced a decision about my job as my leave was not going to be approved. We chose Kenya and God chose to let me return to my job. Then when I returned to work in August, I faced a potential lay-off due to budgetary issues within the State of Illinois. On July 1, 2009 I began an at least 2 week mandatory furlough. The current budget slashes social services and completely eliminates substance abuse treatment services (through which I am employed). If the proposed cuts are not restored I lose my job. Seems like we have been down this road a time or two:) Today in HS Sunday School, Tim was teaching about fear and faith and talking about Jesus walking on the water and how just a few chapters earlier (in Matthew) the disciples had been fearful of a storm and although God calmed the storm here they again finds themselves worried about another one. I can definately relate. But God calmed the first storm for them and he calms the second. He has done that for us in relation to my job.

When news came of the furlough and possibly end of the agency I immediately turned to God. I know my job does not provide for me and that my God provides for me through my job and if he so chooses He can and will provide for me any way He wants to. For not even a second have we questioned this. We have been through this storm before and God calms it every time.

Coming home from Kenya this time means a huge unknown for Tim and I. Last summer we had roles we thought we were slipping right back into and for the most part things were what we thought they would be. This time it's different. I start a furlough that may or may not end, Tim's job as interim HS guy ended so the future is wide open. Talking the other day I mentioned that our life right now is a blank canvas ready to be painted. Never before in my life has this excited me so much. God holds the paintbrush in his hand and has all the colors we can imagine and fortunately He already knows what He plans to paint.

I am so ready for whatever picture He paints next. Allowing God to paint our picture, to write our story has been the greatest adventure so far and I am certain the best is yet to come.

Familiarity

We got back into the states about 2 a.m. on Friday and the jet lag has been exhausting. In bed at 8 p.m. and up at 3 a.m. Trying not to nap in the middle of the day is quite a challenge. I mentioned in an earlier post about how arriving back in Nairobi felt as though we had never left and I felt the same way on Friday when we got up and did normal things like Wal-Mart, lunch at Granny's, time with friends, pizza etc. It amazes me how easy it is to slip back into what is familiar no matter where it is. Although it can be very hard sometimes to feel like your heart is always in 2 places, it is also so nice to be able to find comfort and familiarity in both places. Of course in the familiar is sometimes where I struggle most to find God. One of my favorite Shane and Shane songs starts out by saying "Heaven forbid familiarity would keep me from your majesty..." My prayer for the return home is that in my reality in what is most familiar that I won't lose sight of what is most important.

Here are a few more quotes from the team:

Barb, Jane, Kathy and Rich have been able to effect meaningful changes to the library which is used by all the MoHi schools. The school librarian, Phoeby, has been a joy to work with along with an American woman, Marla, who comes in twice a week. The library is in a well lit room on the fifth floor. The children greatly enjoy visiting it. The staff and children continually give thanks for the help and partnership with the people at West Side. (submitted by Rich Thompson)

It is a great privilege to be here in Kenya. The children we have met in various slums in the Muthare Valley are precious, but they are also dirty, withchronic runny noses, filthy clothes and no place to play...except in the dirt. Their sing-song voices, "How-R-yu?" greet us every day as they delight in having their pictures taken upon our arrival. What I carry in my heart today is how happy we have made them feel this week. They have so little, but they appreciate it so much. No crayons, one pencil, no glue bottle, no backpack, no markers; just a dirt floor inan 8' X 10' room with over thirty kids crammed in it. They do have one teacher, one chalkboard and a strong desire to learn. Amazing (Barb Sanders)

*Pictures to come as soon as we wake up enough to view them!!