Monday, July 31, 2006

Why do we forget so easily?

After three LONG days of travel I had set in my heart that this would be my last trip for a year or two, I couldn't take it anymore. But over the last two days God has moved in our hearts in an unbelievable way.

We have visited churches and received a remarkable reception. It was like we were Paul or one of the early apostles, yet we are just simple people. They had flowers, songs, everthing. We even got our vehicle stuck at one place but they brought a tractor and pulled us out. We seem to have been an encouragement, and for that we are grateful.

Tomorrow we rest a little, fellowship with Japheth's family, and Ed and I begin our two-day training seminar of high school teachers. Please pray for that as well as safe travel as we return to Nairobi.

Barikewe Sana!

Friday, July 28, 2006

Well, we have arrived safely in Nairobi after 16 longs hours of flying, bad movies, no sleep, etc. But all is well, we have been fed well, and we are going to sleep. Tomorrow morning we arise early, change our money, and trek 8 hours northwest to Kitale to spend a few days with our good friend Japheth Simiyu. Your prayers for our team are appreciated!

Monday, July 24, 2006

Before continuing, I suggest anyone interested to proceed to my brother's recent post on the Israel-Lebanon conflict. I find it very interesting and tend to agree with him. It is the post dated July 19, entitled "Attack! Attack! Attack!" and the more recent one titled "The Usual Suspects" is also appropriate as a precursor to this post.

That being said, I am not in favor of Bush's recent declaration that aid be shipped to Lebanon. Yes, I have a deep amount of compassion for the people of Lebanon, particularly those who want nothing to do with this war or the terrorists that run the country. Yet they still are the same people who allow this regime to continue and had no qualms about the social services provided by Hezbollah over the years. Well, in my mind, let Hezbollah take care of them now. If they are such a great organization, let them continue the education and health care provided over the years. The truth is they can't, they are a farce, and they need to be destroyed. Mind you, this is all coming from a peacenik who hates war yet understands it is necessary at times. And with Israel constantly being attacked from all directions, this seems as necessary a time as any.
I'm not going to lie, over the past 12-13 days I've been thinking a lot more about the Lord's return. And I'll admit there's been a little fear, but I feel that this fear is more the fear of the unknown (we know what heaven will be like, yet we don't, does that make sense?) and not a lack of trust in God. But I have been re-evaluating some things, that's for sure.

I really covet all of your prayers. We leave on Thursday for Kenya for over two weeks, then I return for two days and head to Toronto for the Int. AIDS Conference. I'm excited for both, but this is my first time leading an adult mission trip (I've been a leader of three youth missions trips and a co-leader of one adult trip, but I have little responsibility in the latter). I'm struggling making sure that everyone has an enjoyable experience while at the same time accomplishing the mission we set out with. Then there's being in charge of all of the money, making sure the plans are set, etc. Anyway, your prayers are appreciated!

Sunday, July 23, 2006

This shouldn't make me so mad, as it is what is expected these days, and I'm not in the mood to rant (but don't get me started on elderly drivers), but I'm not pleased with Pat Forde's opening to the story of Tiger's triumph at Royal Liverpool earlier today:

Up in the Great Clubhouse in the Sky, Earl Woods is loving this one.

Got himself a whiskey tumbler in one hand and a burning cigarette in the other. Got tears rolling down his cheeks. Got something to say to everyone around him at the 19th hole: "That's my boy. That's how I taught him to play thinking man's golf."

Friday, July 14, 2006

When I'm wrong I say I'm wrong. I turned on the TV late last night and there was an ABC Nightline News report on Rick Warren and his scheduled trip next year to North Korea. At first I was like, "Here we go again..." and found myself agreeing with the skeptical reporter who argued that a crusade to North Korea would do nothing but boost a regime where there is no religious freedom and thousands if no millions of people have been starved to death while Kim Jong Il lives like a king. But Warren answered appropriately, I believe, when he responded that he doesn't care about the politics of the region when he has the opportunity to deliver a message that "may provide people with a purpose and hope and peace in life through Jesus Christ and gain eternal salvation through Him." WOW! Just the fact that he didn't mention his Purpose Driven Program earned my respect, but he actually mentioned Jesus! Then he was quoted as saying that if anything seems fishy about the trip or if he ever feels used or that the lives of the believers in North Korea will be harmed by his trip he won't hesistate to pull the plug. Rick, I've ripped you before, but kudos to you!

Monday, July 10, 2006

What Do I Do?

So I head to the grocery store tonight at around 10:15 to do some major shopping, we had nothing in the house to eat. While I'm there, I notice a couple with two young kids (around one and a half and four). The guy seemed really mad as I walked by him (he was apart from the family), but other than wondering why their kids were out so late I thought nothing of it. As I'm about to leave I remember that I have to get some things for Kendyl in the Natural Foods section on the other side of the store. So I head over there and hear some kids talking, playing, and then hear a loud "Quiet!!!" and the kids immediately cease any noise. I walk toward the family on the way to the checkout and notice the mother and father both visibly angry, both looked like they were almost crying, and talking about 15 feet away from the kids who were in the cart. The guy walked away like he was going to leave a few times (I continued to watch them as I was in line, even walking back to get more bread to make sure everything was all right). My concern was for the children. I wish I could describe the feeling I get in a situation like this when I see parents fighting and the kids present, especially in public. I think it stems from the looks of concern on the faces of Maiya and even Kendyl and their reactions when Lisa and I have our little arguments. I stayed at the store as long as I could to convince myself everything was going to be all right and then I had to head home.

Here is my thing, my heart went out to the kids and even the adults. For the kids, I know that they want nothing more than to see their parents get along and receive the long they deserve. For the parents, I understand how hard marriage relationships much less adding two kids to the mix can be. What do I do? Should I have approached the couple and asked if I could help? I obviously asked the Lord to help the situation, providing His peace and comfort not only to the kdis but also the parents. What else is there to do? That's the major question on my mind.

As I got into the truck to head home the U2 song "Where the Streets Have No Name" came on and the first lines to that song really sum up my feelings:

I wanna run, I want to hide
I wanna tear down the walls
That hold me inside.
I wanna reach out
And touch the flame
Where the streets have no name.

I'm in what Morrie Schwarz might call a tension of opposites. On one hand I want to run from all of the crap in this world. I want to get away from it all. Yet I also want to reach out. I want to talk to these people, share Christ's love and peace with them, hold the hands of the kids and play with them, show them a normal life. I've said this before but I'm a tormented soul on the inside, thanks be to God for the grace (and hope) given to us in Christ Jesus.

**Note, I do know this could have been some isolated incident and I may be thinking way too far into it, yet I know this happens far too often in this world and my concern extends far beyond, yet not excluding, this family**

Thursday, July 06, 2006

I've really enjoyed this latest series by a former prof on his weekly e-journal. I hope you don't mind me sharing:

The Ancient Word...

2 Samuel 15-19 tells the sad story of how Absalom led a rebellion against his own father, King David.

When David learned that Absalom's troops were coming to kill him, the king quickly gathered his family and fled. The refugees left Jerusalem, passed through the Kidron Valley (15:23), crossed over the Mount of Olives (15:30), traversed the desert, and sought safety on the east side of the Jordan River (17:22).

Some of David's servants remained loyal to him, in spite of the risks. For example, Ittai the Gittite promised, "Wherever my lord the king may be, whether it means life or death, there will your servant be" (15:21, NIV).

Others, however, treated the king with contempt. For example, Shimei, the son of Gera, cursed David, threw rocks at him, and shouted, "Get out, get out, you man of blood, you scoundrel!" (16:7) David's bodyguard wanted to cut off Shimei's head, but the king forbid it, saying, "Leave him alone" (16:11).

A civil war followed, in which Absalom died as David's forces gained the victory. But the king took no joy in his success. He only wept and cried out, "O my son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you -- O Absalom, my son, my son!" (18:33)

Then David crossed back over the Mount of Olives, passed through the Kidron Valley, and returned to his throne in Jerusalem. The multitudes came out to meet him, welcoming David home. Even Shimei, trembling with fear, fell prostrate before the one he had cursed (19:18).

A thousand years later another King, a Son of David, also crossed the Kidron Valley, pursued by rebel troops. On the Mount of Olives, he prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, offering to die, if necessary, in place of his enemies (Matthew 26:36-44).

One of the King's servants betrayed him, showing the soldiers where to find him. Others wanted to fight, and one drew his sword and cut off another man's ear as a warning to back away.

However, the King forbid any resistance, saying, "Put your sword back into its place" (Matthew 26:45-56). He simply mourned over his people, saying, "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem...how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing" (Matthew 23:37).

Nevertheless, the rebellion will fail and the King will be victorious. Rejected at Gethsemane, the Son of David will one day return to the Mount of Olives, to the Kidron Valley, to Jerusalem, and to his throne. And all will rise up to meet him -- even those who cursed him (Matthew 25:30-31; Revelation 1:7).

Now we look to the eastern horizon, awaiting the Return of the King.

Sunday, July 02, 2006

Well, the time here with Japheth has been great. We have kept him very busy and everyone we have met has been very gracious to him. I was kind of worried in taking him to people like my grandparents as I know he is the first black man to step in their home for sure. But they have all been very polite, asked appropriate questions, and my grandfather even offered his home if Japheth ever brings his wife Ruth back to the states. I was amazed!

He also preached this morning in church and I thought it was good for him to get his vision and message out. He was received very warmly and kindly.

On the bad news front, I think I may have totaled my car today on the way to church. Japheth pointed out a bank I had never seen before and when I turned back around I didn't have enough time to stop and prevent a collision with a car that had stopped in front of me. We'll see tomorrow. It may have been a blessing though, as no one was injured, my car is worth nothing, their car was barely scratched and will only require a new rear bumper. Plus, my car was running poorly, is 14 years old, and we had been commenting of late that it may have seen its last days.