Ram from Heaven

Sign in town for the holiday. 

Last week, Kenya recognized a holiday - Remembering when Ibrahim/Abraham had a dream to sacrifice his son and obediently he set out to do this. The same day of this holiday I read the chapter called The Power of Questions in the book Which None can Shut. This book has a series of stories about a missionary family living in a country in the middle east. One day the wife went to visit her neighbor during this holiday and asked "What is Eid al Adha?" The neighbor told about the dream and Abraham bringing the son on a journey, then preparing to offer the son-

The neighbor explained, "When the boy was on the alter and his father was about to kill him as a sacrifice, God stopped him."

"Is that it? He just told him to stop? What happened?"

Neighbor answered less enthusiastically, "Well, God stopped him and then sent down a ram out of Heaven to be replacement sacrifice." 

"And why do you celebrate this? What does this story mean to Muslims?"

Now it was the neighbor to ask the questions, "What do you mean, 'What does it mean? It's just something we do to remember the story. It doesn't mean anything." Looking at the missionary quizzically she continued, "What are you getting at?"

"Well,  it just seems like such a big celebration would have a reason behind it, some meaning to it. This story is in the Bible as well, and it is considered very important because it has such a powerful and beautiful meaning. All the stories in the Bible have a deep, connected meaning. "

Finally the hanging question in the air was asked, "What's the meaning?" 

"Remember in Eden, how Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit? God said if they ate it they would die. God loved them and wanted them to live in Heaven with Him forever,  but He is holy and never breaks His word. He said the penalty for sin was death, and there was no changing it. Instead, He made it possible for someone else to take the death penalty for them. He promised to send a Substitute down from Heaven one day, to die in place of sinful people. That way He could forgive them without breaking His word. The story is a symbol, a picture of that promise. "

"God said that Abraham's son had to die, just like He says sinners have to die. God stopped the son's death and sent a ram from Heaven to take his place,  just as He stops our death by sending a Substitute from Heaven to take our place.  Don't you see? That's why Jesus is called the Lamb...the'Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.' He is the ram sent down from Heaven to die for us! Jesus sacrificed Himself to fulfill our death sentence. All who believe and confess Him are forgiven, and allowed into Heaven with God forever!"

When I read this to Righteous and Nevaeh for school (how amazing that this is part of our curriculum and the Lord arranged for us to read this very story the same day as the holiday) I was getting goosebumps. I passed the book for Jason to read- which he did and finished that day. We went to the clinic at the farm as a family, this past Thursday. There were not a lot of patients so we closed early and then went to eat beans and rice for lunch with the farm workers. Jason decided to ask them how their EID was and what they did on that day. Often times they are shy at first. If one is brave enough to answer that will usually open it up for others to feel comfortable to contribute in the conversation. Currently there is a day laborer that is very loud and outgoing. He immediately said," We slaughtered a goat, then ate meat, partied and celebrated." Jason asked why they celebrated this-what for?"  Their response ended up being we do it because the prophet Abraham did it. Jason asked them why the ram was necessary. They responded by saying that blood must be spilled.  But none of them knew why. A few said they would go find out the answer and get back to Jason. He is still waiting for their response so that he can share the biblical truth. Many would want to focus on the fact that they believe it was Ishmael when the Bible clearly says it was Issac. We feel it's more important to focus on the Lamb.

We are always looking and waiting for gospel conversations to happen. At times it feels as if they are few and far between. What we trust is that 1) God does not need us. 2) However, He can use us to bring the good news. 3) It is only the Holy Spirit who does the changing of one's heart. This week there were two deaths in the village outside the farm. The reality that people need to believe that Jesus took their place as their Substitute for death is so precedent. I am so grateful for the Lamb of God who paid my debt and gave me life. This is available for all.

Newest anti terrorism sign in town.

Patients waiting under the farm on clinic day at the farm.

Marissa always does the registration. At times Jason will help with that and at times he helps with pharmacy. 

Nevaeh weighs the little boy.

Sometimes Samara helps me with crafts.

The trunk goes up by blowing into a straw.