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| The session where the new ones and the ones leaving are together. |
It is that time of year when we are in Nairobi to do debriefing and re entry sessions. We have more of a casual approach by having sit down meetings, worship and fun excursions all mixed up together. We took a look in Scriptures when the disciples were sent out to "preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick." They traveled around doing this and then that time came to an end and they returned to back to where they were before. Luke 9:10 says, "When the apostles returned, they reported to Jesus what they had done. Then He took them with Him and withdrew by themselves to a town called Bethsaida." This is part of the process of debriefing- to discuss all that happened and what God has taught. We like to do this out of the context of gtown in order to see things more clearly and officially close out internship. The newer group of interns also came to Nairobi for a break so there was a chance for the ones leaving to lay hands on the ones remaining, "passing on the baton" of representing Jesus in a hard and baron land. There were messages of advice on how to endure and how to embrace the culture. One of the words of wisdom was to do everything as unto the Lord which might be an obvious act of service, but there are days when no one is in the mood for homework, or trying to learn even more Swahili, or walking around in the hot African sun. In those moments it is crucial to remember all this is for Him, and He is worthy.
We were able to go on an adventure to the Nairobi gamepark, and once again we got stuck in a muddy area for several hours (3-4 I believe). When we were stuck no one complained or got upset about our circumstances. Time and time again everyone has seen how things do not go according to plan. Each day entered is held with a relaxed grasp and the interruptions are seen as something that God has possibly orchestrated. Getting stuck was no exception to this. I cherished just being with those precious ones in the vehicle because in a few days they would be on a plane back to the States. We listened to Christmas music and watch the sun go down. Finally a KWS officer (Kenya Wildlife Society) came to first push us forward with his vehicle pressed into ours, to loosen us out. Then pulled us backward with a rope hooked up between vehicles. There was much cheering when we were rescued! All in all a great story to tell.
We have a few days in Nairobi before we go back to gtown to celebrate Christmas doing an outreach at the farm. I am looking over Acts 20 again where Paul was saying his final goodbyes to the elders of Ephesus, we looked over this passages in our sessions.
To "consider our lives worth nothing, if only we may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given, the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace." Verse 24.
"Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock." Verse 28
"Now I commit you to God and to the Word of His grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified." Verse 32.
"It is more blessed to give than receive" verse 35
After Paul made this speech they wept and embraced and then parted ways. That is indeed what my family has done. But we will be going on our Home Assignment next year and will be there for these precious ones graduation! So we shall see them again soon!
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| Laying hands on eachother in prayer. |
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| The ones leaving passing the baton. |
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| All the individuals that have made an impact had their names written down. Then a prayer of releasing these individuals to the Lord was made. |
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| Over 160 names were written down. |
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| Beautiful gazelle leaping about. |
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| Here we are excited about our adventure together. |
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| These are always my favorite. |
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| A glimpse of the mud. |
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| Jason doing his best to get us out. |
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| A visual of the path we are on to the unknown. |
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| We will be at your graduation! |
4 comments:
I am glad to have met and interact with them, May God see them through the next phase.
Lucy, your name and family was written down because of your love and faithfulness being poured out. You made in impact.
I am so deeply grateful for the impact you & Jason had on Laura so many years ago, & for your continued role in her life. Thank you for continuing to give young adults a taste of what pouring yourself out for the Lord in another culture is like. Thank you for the incredible opportunity you make possible, & for the example you set.
What an honor it was to be with Laura those many years ago! We had hoped that we would get the chance to be with her side by side, but God's plans for her were far beyond what we thought. I cherish every time we get to be with her and her beautiful family, and ask the Lord that it can be as often as possible. Renee, your prayers and words are always uplifting and full of care- I appreciate you very much and so do many others.
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