Minnesota has some record low temperatures today and I have been blessed with a paid day off from work! Time has been cruising right along and I’m excited to have time to sit and process what God has been doing in my life. Drew and I just recently returned from a trip to Africa. We were gone for over 2 weeks with 3 distinct parts to our time. Our main purpose for travel was meeting up with our World Race squad for a debrief in Ethiopia. Since we were “close” we headed over to Kenya to visit lifelong friends at Heshima Children’s Center in Nairobi. Thirdly, a trip to Kenya would not be complete without a safari and what better way to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary.
Yesterday was my first day back to work since arriving home this past weekend. It’s interesting how people acknowledge and welcome me back, asking the question “How was your trip?” I answer “Great!” – knowing that most people really don’t want more of an answer than that. Life is busy, who has time to hear me try to sum up 2 weeks that I can barely wrap my brain around? Truthfully the trip was pretty great, but it was also chaotic, sobering, stinky, grief ridden, inspiring, chilly, humbling, fruitful, tiring, uncomfortable, gaseous, uncertain, breathtaking, emotional, hilarious, Spirit filled, teachable, relational, boujee (high class) and under budget housing – all wrapped up together in my memories. Life is like that – good and bad on any given day. The challenge is to have the perspective of embracing the good, being thankful for the hard knowing it is the hard things that draw us closer to God, that strengthen us, that give us compassion for others who may be hurting. The hard days/moments are really the reason that good days/moments are so joy filled and precious. The hard parts of our journey make for good stories but more than that they are a testimony to God’s goodness despite the circumstances.
As I reflect on our time away, I realize my favorite part of all of it was the relationships. It was so good to see our squad and hang out with our leadership team. I love these people SO much! Our week was crammed with teaching, worship, one on ones, eating yummy Ethiopian food, a soccer game experience like I have never imagined, laughter, worry (for a bit), taxi mishaps, pictures and community. My favorite time was when racers shared their testimonies of how God was transforming them. The crazy thing was that these 44 young people all live in the same compound, they eat meals together, do ministry together, see each other every day and yet this was the first time most of them shared deep personal stories. I was moved to tears more than once, honored to know such fine young people that walk with such integrity despite the odds. Some had been wounded by the very people that should love and protect them, yet God is using even those trials to bring restoration and healing. What a privilege to see these young adults walking in their true identity – sons and daughters of the the Most High God!
Upon our arrival in Kenya we found out that there had been a terrorist attack fairly close to our friend’s compound just the day prior. That same day our friends received news of 2 different friends who had died suddenly. We could sense their sorrow and didn’t want to be an added burden. I had dreamed of spending time with our friends and laughing over ridiculous things as we have done in our younger days, but somehow coming alongside them in their sorrow felt like such an honor. My heart was heavy for them and we prayed. Don’t get me wrong – there was still laughter even in the middle of the heaviness.
The next day Drew and I were picked up early by a guide to take us through the Rift Valley on to Maasai Mara Game Reserve – a vast land of beauty. We stayed at Mara Eden Camp in tents that had hot showers and flush toilets.
Our tent overlooked a river full of hippos and crocodiles – fascinating to watch. This little paradise in the middle of our time in Africa was a great time to connect as a couple, to pray for our squad and our friends and to marvel at God’s amazing creation. We saw some incredible sites! Our guide did such an amazing job finding lions, elephants, gazelles, giraffes and even a leopard. It rained every night and every day the “roads” were worse with mud. We were treated like royalty during our stay. On our way home the van broke down and we ended up getting to stay another night. The van that rescued us, after 2.5 hours of waiting, was a family from Chile with their guide. I appreciated their willingness to let us join their family. I’m sure when they planned their trip they never imagined having 2 complete strangers taking up the extra space in their van, but they cheerfully welcomed us. Months before this moment I had read through so many reviews trying to pick the perfect place to stay during this once in a lifetime safari. Most were gracious, encouraging but there were a few that focused on all the negatives: Poor wifi (we were in the bush – I was impressed we had ANY wifi), the weather was cold at night, animals walk through the camp and it’s scary, limited electricity, limited choices for food, mud, lions roaring etc. When I think of our time, despite the rain/mud, it was like a dream! The people were so nice, it was relaxing, beautiful and wild. The rain made the roads muddy but it also made the plains GREEN.
So often we want all the good without the inconvenience of the reality of hard things in life. What if we received it all as a gift? Not long ago I had sent a condolence to a woman whose husband died suddenly. She told me that it wasn’t anything she would have asked for but she hoped that she could steward her story well. She was able to recognize that despite the tremendous grief, sorrow she was feeling, that God is in the middle of it all holding her up. She knows her life is eternal and can believe and press into trusting God in the middle of the unknown. That is how I want to live my life too. I want to focus on the fruit that comes from the rain. Even when detours happen I want to sit expectantly knowing that Jesus will never just leave me to figure it out on my own. His love/grace extend much farther than good wifi, muddy roads or even death.
We made it back to Heshima Children’s Center and spent a few days meeting some of the students and mamas. I was brought back to a time almost 23 years ago, I was in a prayer group with Tracey, both of us were pregnant and due around the same time. I remember getting a call that Tracey was in labor months too soon. Simon was born prematurely and spent months in the hospital in Minnesota. Later God would call their family to the mission field in Kenya. It was on that journey that a vision for a place for children with disabilities to learn and grow was planted. Seeing the results of that vision, the buildings, the therapists, the mamas, the students…the HOPE – it was almost too much to take in. I thought of the tears of long ago, a pregnancy cut short, a seemingly impossible situation – BUT GOD knew the bigger picture! The heart for children with special needs was planted in Tracey and Eric that day long ago. Their faith, their story has grown my faith and in hearing the stories of how God brought these desperate women to bring their children to Heshima, it has grown their faith also. God really can bring beauty from ashes.
Probably my favorite night in Kenya was our last night. Simon invited his friends over and we had the privilege of hearing their testimonies. Young adults who against the odds came to Christ, a few from Muslim families. I loved hearing how God pursued them through dreams, people, crazy circumstances and persistence. They understand the Father’s love for them and have counted the cost to follow Christ. My heart was overjoyed as I got a glimpse into God’s kingdom – more powerful than I can even imagine. It was almost a perfect night. As we prepared to say goodnight, our friends got word that one of the students at Heshima had died. More sorrow. But sandwiched between sorrow upon sorrow was this beautiful picture of HEAVEN. The enemy can try to put doubt and fear in us but that isn’t the end of the story.
My prayers go out to Mama Neville as she buries her son. To the Hagman’s as they walk through grief, but not without hope. I’m challenged once again to live without regret, to love God and love people.
My son Kyle has been home from his World Race Gap Year journey for about 3 months now. If you would like to read about his journey, here is the link: 
It has been about a month since our team of parents and World Racers entered the girly bars in Angeles City, a month since images of young girls trapped in the sex industry became permanently embedded in my mind. The lies that they want to be there, or they enjoy it, or it’s what they chose, don’t hold up because I have personally talked to those who have left and those who doubt they could ever leave due to fear. These girls have names and faces, children and dreams. They have a heavy burden because they have been sold a lie that this is the only way that they can eat or live. As if, the men who are abusing them are doing them a huge favor. A lie that says they have no value, when in truth their lives do matter, they deserve to be treated with dignity and love. They deserve a future, they deserve freedom, they deserve to break the cycle of poverty and abuse.
happytobeahousemama 