From Everlasting to Everlasting...

Psalms 90: 1-2 "Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God." 

A journey will always begin with a single step. Depending on the motivation of the traveller, the destination will vary in distance. Any road travelled is paved with a need of focus to continue forward. No one can expect to arrive with both eyes closed. It takes purpose and a motivator to endure any road blocks along the way. "Before the mountains were formed", there was God. Our journey to summit Mt. Kilimanjaro's highest peak, Kibo brought a deep renewal within us- a refreshed vigor for the Hand of the Lord. Our climb began at 6,000 ft. and ended at 19, 340 ft. As we traveled higher up the mountain we began to see individuals carried down on stretches, held arm and arm by porters, and concern of defeat chased our thoughts. Would altitude sickness keep us from our goal of reaching the summit of Kibo...One step at a time- we continued upward on the 4 day climb of acclimating to Kibo's height. 

Making a journey like this, one meets others along the way who carry the same goal in destination and wrestle with similar burdens of possible defeat. God enlightened our territory of the  nations: that every traveler we met from across the world the Lord was not acknowledged in their life. By engaging in different conversations, we realized the constant thread that was missing, compared to our life, in their stories of trials, of life-was that they do not know God can orchestrate their pains into joy. Ps. 68: 19 "Praise be to God who daily bears our burdens." We were able to share our faith- our purpose and our motivator to life- with the nations represented on the mountain. 

The summit climb began at midnight as our lungs started around 15,000 ft. Within 6 hours we continued upward 4,000 more ft.- Pitch black beside our head lamps and the stars and moon illuminated the first part of the path. As we rose higher, the feet in front of our view, was our guide to the top. It was one of the hardest things we have ever done, but one well worth the travel. Within 2 hours left of climbing, the summit remained in focus. The hours of devoted continuation of our step at a time were precious moments with the Lord. We were able to work as a team truly encouraging and edifying one another- a connecting adventure for us as a life committed to walk life together. These last 2 hours were engulfed entirely by the mind. Our legs became heavy bc the lack of oxygen and the one steps forward quickly felt like bricks being piled up beneath us. Prayers and communion became entirely our guide. Any influence of our own efforts thus far were fiercely pushed back. The waged war took its root in our thoughts- forcing one front in the other in order to reach the goal of the destination. 

We reached the summit and darkness was our encampment. Ps. 96:6 "Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and beauty are in his sanctuary." As we turn around an orange sliver summits to meet us. Our precious sister beautifully articulated in seeing a picture of us there, "God in His purest form." An overwhelming array of emotion embraced us, and the teamwork together all seemed worth the pain endured. 

Life grants the same emotion and reality; we all are travelling some path bc of a purpose in our motivation to reach a destination. Kibo will always be etched in our experiences as a rare treasure lived: to stand on top of God's splendor in creation- to be embraced by God's love and existence everlasting to everlasting. 

For you who do not have facebook, we have posted some pics that you can check out: 

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=391511&id=611190289&l=06f3e1cb2e 

Trekking to Kili.

As a great excitement of a break, we are leaving this Friday, the 19th, for Tanzania, to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro- 19,000ft we have been preparing as much as possible to acclimate to the summit! We have talked to several people who have succeeded and will take all measures possible to take it slow, drink lots of water, and bring with us our trail mix. 

Things here have been progressing within the Lord's timing and we have spent our days investing in as many people as possible. It has been a great blessing to have uninterrupted time of fellowship with the community here- sharing lots of meals together in our home, as well as, in others. So, im sure some weight gain to prove the investments:). Because we are waiting for a few things to unfold in beginning to build again, this is a perfect time for us to have our year break.8 months into our time this will allow us a good getaway to come back with the steadfastness and refreshed focus to continue on with perseverance.  With constant rigors, our work ethic is to work hard and to play hard. We chose our time of playing hard to push all that we've got up a 4 day climb to the summit of Kili and a 2 day descend. we will most definitely be playing hard! And, will come back ready to work hard once again. 

We will make sure to post pictures when we return and let you know about the adventure and the refreshing break.  

Survival

 As we were on the property today, I was reminded of Psalm 10: 17-18. “You hear, O Lord, the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them and you listen to their cry, defending the fatherless and the oppressed, in order that man, is of the earth, may terrify no more.”

Survival is a concept that we have grown to know its true meaning all too well within this context.  Growing up in the suburbs of the States does not constitute ‘survival’, even though the cliché’ phrases are thrown around, such as “we are just really struggling…life is just so hard and money is scarce…”  This is not stated to negate the real problems and struggles of lives there as well.  It is more of when I think back to times in my life where I had the same expression, I traced back to the root of it all.  Are struggles there because of life’s sometime painful hand or because of decisions that I made that led me there?  My choices and my decisions brought me to a place of feeling as if I were in over my head- Making financial decisions when debt is inevitable- choosing lifestyles that hinder us from extending to others- overspending rather than choosing simplicity to not ‘struggle.’ 

In this context, we endure the survival etched upon the face of a malnourished child.  A 14-year-old who cannot attend school because of diabetes is forced to stay home and to provide for his 7 mth. old brother.  His survival is having enough food for the day to keep his little bro alive and growing.  I took another boy, Francis, down to the ‘duka’ (shop) because hunger was obviously attacking his feeble body. As we are walking back, Samuel whispers to Francis if he would mind sharing some of his bread.  Samuel immediately takes the bread and begins feeding it to Joseph.  Now, I began to think that as a diabetic, eating is survival- to be cautious of not ingesting the wrong things and to be observant in listening to your body’s cries for when to eat.  I know that he has not had the luxury to eat appropriately for his needs, yet as a 14-year teenage boy, he extended his own survival into the hands of his little brother. I gave him 10 shillings so that he could go buy each of them some bread. I continued walking with Francis when I turned back and saw Samuel wavering between the duka and the house.  We really never give money but today I extended in that merit.  I began to worry that Samuel would keep the money and not get himself food, so I quickly returned back to meet him and to walk with him to the duka.  Just as I am approaching him, I see another little one barely able to see over the tall grass running fiercely toward him- with hands lifted high, shouting I need bread, I need bread, I need bread…Now flashes of the suburbs quickly raced again into my mind- When do I ever remember thinking about needing bread- knowing that if I could just have some type of sustenance then that day would not be as painful…Samuel demonstrated a selfless individual who was waiting so that once again he could share his opportunity for sustaining his needs by extending his portion of shillings to this little one- who also is daily concerned with survival at just 1 ½ years old.  My heart sank as I witnessed this selfless act and Psalm 139: 15 entered my mind: “My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place.” From the womb, God knit together these little ones and knew the need for their frames to grow in development and in strength. I walked with Samuel to the duka and humbly witnessed gratitude like I have never seen. As Samuel took 6 pieces of bread, he made sure to give them first to Joseph and to the other little one before taking his own- as he then gazed into my eyes, leaned in to hug me, and whispered ‘ I thank you so much.’  Survival demonstrated thru the beautiful mercy of a 14 year old.  One who in his deserving nature, had every right to keep portions of the bread for himself- a boy attacked by diabetes and his body feeble from the lack of care he receives- yet instead he chose to care about the plights of others. He chose to uphold the cause of the needy and saw others in more detriment of survival then he.

Once again, I saw myself standing back in the ‘burbs with provisions overwhelming to count and seeing the unjust nature of it all—why we have incredible bounty there and why the worries in this context within each day is if they will have enough bread to continue life in their family? We know that our days are numbered here and that within the near months we will be returning to the bountiful land once again- no longer physically seeing the humble mercy of the little ones who teach us deeply within each day- no longer being exposed to real poverty, to people who are truly struggling and to people who’s life is really hard. We know that our choices are each our own and that it is up to us how we live our life. Do we shackle ourselves in the mentality of our own survival and choose decisions that will only keep us chained to our debt, chained to our self and inhibit us from seeing the world through a different lens? It is so true that you do not have to be standing in the slums of Africa or in the havoc of Haiti to organize your life to help those who’s plight is truly in the grasp of struggling for survival. We are sensitive to this challenge and to this truth because we know that our feet will once again be planted on American soil- where blessings are beyond our count and where distractions await us to justify our decisions for our wants, our needs rather than like Samuel consider other’s needs more significant than our own.

“Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.  1 Peter 4: 9-10

“Do nothing our of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus… Phil. 2: 3-5 

Picture of Joseph: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=10775283&l=cb7abb6207&id=611190289

a Vapor.

Eccl. 7: 1-2  "A good name is better than fine perfume, and the day of death better than the day of birth. It is better to go to a  house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, for death is the destiny of every man; the living should take this to heart." 

Praise the Lord that he 'is close to the brokenhearted and that he saves the crushed in spirit' (ps. 34:18). We have found ourselves this week leaning on God's promise that he is 'not a God of confusion but of peace." (1 cor. 14:33). 

2010 has webbed its way of attacks and attempts of defeat. We have witnessed so much opposition of the enemy's hand amidst life here and there. Yesterday, we attended a memorial service of a missionary friend here in Kenya- a man devoted to the service of our Father- 33yo found dead in his home by his wife- natural causes. A time that much questioning before the Lord unfolds in all of our hearts who knew him. To look upon the face of a 26yo widower and ask the Lord his purpose of calling his son home at such a young age? but, we remain assured in God's promises and trust in His power to save those of us who find ourselves crushed in spirit. 

Pray for the grieving process of all those who are left behind to mourn his departure from this world. A strengthening moment was that he spent his life here investing in different slums of this area. The kids gathered before everyone and spoke of how God used his presence to impact their lives- a powerful depiction of our purpose here in this Earth. It is so true that as James 4:14 proclaims, our life is truly a Vapor- here for a short while and gone tomorrow. 

Times like these forces us to examine the efforts of our own life- the ways in which we spend our time and our heart's extensions. It is so vital that we daily put life into perspective, examining our own responsibility to action- how are we being spoken to by the Spirit and are we responding out of that leading? Are fears impacting our current season of life and we find ourselves not acting in God's leading bc of them? Where do our priorities lie? Are they of this world or from the heart of our Father? 

This world is filled with pain, but the hope remains that we serve a Conquerer, Defender, and Comforter amidst any hardship here. God is still in control and even though hardships face us, we have a home awaiting us- Yesterday, they spoke about his "homegoing"- This world is not our home as believers. Its not meant to be 'easy'- we have not reached our place of resting yet and let us not live our lives as we are in that place.