But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. Acts1:8 (NIV) I'm one of those people who can multi-task pretty well and actually love trying to juggle those balls! But I've finally learned that even though I can do that, there is great value in saying no, in order to focus on "the one thing". Remember that line in the movie City Slickers? There is a danger of dreaming big dreams and trying to start at the "ends of the earth". But that isn't what the verse says. What I now know is that spreading myself out to the ends of the earth doesn't produce much fruit or lasting power. Of course the temptation in Africa is to try and do it all. To respond to the zillions of requests. To try and help almost every person you meet every day. It's hard. But my experience with St. Andrews Secondary School here in Naivasha has taught me to focus. How? Because to water the seed with one small project, sprouts many flowers, all of which can be nourished to produce more seeds! But it starts with one. The lasting, sustainable power that comes from focus is truly amazing. Let me give you an example. Joining the Board of Governors of the school opened doors to an awareness of not just finding trying to help one child, one term, one year to pay school fees. Because if you only help him or her for one year, then what about the next year? Will that child have to leave school then? Read the stories of our Eagles Wings Project updates on this website. Read the story of Sebastian. And what about the depth of other problems with the youth from the slum who attend St. Andrews. Issues of poverty, which leads to dysfunctional families in despair, child abuse, alcoholism, prostitution, wife beating, and more. It's like peeling an onion to get to the core of the complicated issues that need to be addressed to really, truly help. So my primary focus is to do what I can with this school and community, and to stick with the one person, the one family, the one project as God reveals them to me. My work at St. Andrews has brought into my view dreams of mine for youth that can expand to serve the school as well. Like the Summer Camp (read about that in the website as well!) And for Greg, working with the pastors in the community will help to strengthen the core. Rather than responding to all those unrelated requests with Band-Aid temporary help I have chosen to focus. Not just at St. Andrews where there are more projects than you can imagine, but here in the community of Lake Naivasha, our home and the home of ministry from Eagles Wings. THIS is my Jerusalem. Greg joins me in our Eagles Wings projects here, but his Jerusalem is with the students and programs of ICM in Kitale, where he is academic dean, alumni coordinator and teacher. And you know the blessing of this choice? It is not me, it is not Greg that will be the witnesses in Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth, but those we educate, encourage and empower to take what we offer beyond our Jerusalem. And for those like these young students and others in our Jerusalem of Lake Naivasha to have a chance to realize their dreams and be lifted up to serve others in the name and with the heart of Jesus. | Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary they will walk and not be faint. |
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4/14/2015 04:45:32 pm
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9/6/2021 02:12:38 am
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Deb SnellI have lived in Kenya for almost 25 years and I still know very little! Every day I experience things that change my presuppositions about how things should be and wonder why life isn't easier. Living among people not from my American culture exposes me to these "teachable moments" - I learn something every day - the whys, the hows, the values, the lives of those living in mostly difficult situations. I hope to give you a glimpse into the dilemma, the hope, the ever present questioning, the learning... in these occasional blog posts. Archives
July 2013
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