To Kenya and Back

Boarding a plane in Atlanta, I was on my way to Africa. Sure, I had my own presumptions of what I would encounter. But little did I know, my experiences would far surpass any expectations developed back in the states.

Who would have known that luggage tagged in the ATL airport would never make it on the plane to Kenya? That I would spend 10 days living out of my carry-on...

Who knew that "jet lag" was a legitimate phrase for needing to press reset on your biological clock? 

Arriving in Kenya, we made our way to Naomi's Village (NV). Bob and Julie Mendonsa and the rest of the NV staff were so welcoming and inviting for us to join the ongoing ministry of serving the kids and the surrounding community with the love of Christ.

The names, faces, and stories of these children from the NV website were now weighing heavily on our hearts as we heard their laughs, their cries, and their pleas for us to push them on the swing, kick the soccer ball, jump rope in the yard, and join them for bedtime devotions.

Our team, comprised of Georgians and Texans, took our good-spirited Southern hard work and hospitality to serve the kids of NV for two weeks. VBS, school work, soccer games, baby changing, story times, outdoor movies, bonfires & s'mores, and church services were all part of our itinerary for the duration of our stay.

Not a moment was wasted from setting out to accomplish all that we anticipated among the sights and sounds of the Great Rift Valley. While we served the children, visited the local hospital, and contributed to the needs of a nearby IDP camp, we were also afforded opportunities to see other forms of the Kenyan landscape such as Lake Nakuru, Mt. Longonot, and Nairobi.

One of the greatest takeaways from our trip is the message that the NV staff continues to instill in the lives of these orphaned souls: "Hope begins when a child belongs." Life is a gift! God has, in His infinite plan, set these children on a course to encounter excellent healthcare, education, and spiritual instruction to influence their peers, communities, and country with the power of the gospel; the life-giving gift of Jesus Christ. They aren't merely being rescued from an inconceivably difficult life of abuse, neglect, or malnourishment. They are being rescued from death to life and with this life they are declaring the goodness and greatness of God to the world!

 

Practical Steps to Knowing God's Will

I once heard a guy say, "God's will is not a target to be hit but a journey to be traveled." This statement has a profound effect on many people's search for meaning in life. This thought along with a recent conversation led me to write about seeing God's will like an interstate highway. 

Sure, there are many paths we can travel, traveling at varying speeds, looking up at the signs, taking breaks along the way (see recent post). But often times we encounter situations in life where the unexpected outcome has caused us to question our decision-making skills or the closeness of our relationship with God. 

So, what are some practical steps for knowing God's will?

Read God's Word. 
You will not find God's will in People, Cosmopolitan, Home & Garden, or Muscle Fitness. Knowing God's will requires knowing God's heart and knowing God's heart requires reading God's Word. God's Word reveals His character; who He is. God's Word reveals His plan; what He does. God's Word reveals His kingdom; where He is. 

Hear God's voice.

We probably won't hear God speak through a burning bush or a stubborn donkey, but nevertheless, He is speaking through the abiding nature of His Spirit to our hearts. The real test of discernment is  disciplining ourselves to hear and respond to God's voice rather than the internal exploits of self and Satan. Knowing and doing God's will requires a humble obedience to these promptings of His Spirit. 

See God's work.

In those clueless moments to knowing God's plan we oftentimes shift our attention to some ideal that stems from our self-indulged imagination. Here's what we must remember; God is already at work in the world around us (Blackaby). He is using our circumstances and the people around us to affirm the work He is doing in our lives. Know this: God's will is always pointing toward His glory and our good.

So, today, if you're wondering about the will of God, begin reading His Word. While it may not seem clear, remember the promise that He's always there. He will not abandon you in the moment you are needing Him to be present. He's speaking, but we must learn the discipline of listening to His voice. There are also people making the same trek to know God's will that you are on so let them help affirm the work God is doing in your life.