Peace

Peace is a deep disposition of the heart.

It is humility,
an ability to let go of the need to be right
in our own eyes or the eyes of others,
an ability based on the knowledge
that our rightness or wrongness in any issue
is totally irrelevant to God’s love for us
or our neighbor.
The peace that comes with claiming our self in God
is the foundation of our ability
to carry God’s reconciliating love to others
in the most humble places
and humble, everyday ways.

I read this quote this morning by church historian Roberta Bondi and it stuck in my heart. Even as I dealt with some painful cultural challenges today, I can go to bed with peace in my heart...

News from Kenya!

I've posted updates from Ilula on the ELI blogs. Please read Don's updates here, and news from Laban here.

Yesterday, Don, Amy and their kids were able to be airlifted by MAF. Getting out of Ilula was a challenge, and they are staying in Nairobi now, not able to change their flight home. They were able to buy $1000's food in the city yesterday and MAF did food drops at both our children's homes as they have been running out of food supplies and no shops in the Eldoret area have been open. (When they do open, there are lines up to almost a mile long as people are trying to stock up!)

Though some of the news I've read today talk of the possibility of another election in 3 months, nothing is certain yet. Things seem to have calmed down significantly in the city, but the conditions are still very volatile.

Please, please pray for peace!

Over the mountains and through the woods

... or so it felt, at least.

I was walking as fast as my feet could carry me, not having had time to put on my gumboots before I left the compound, nor to grab a jacket against the cold wind. I cut through strangers' yards, stopping to shake hands and ask, "Where's Mrs. Sawe's place?" They'd point me in the right direction: a footpath that led through marsh land. At the worst part, my feet sank into the muddy water up to my calves. But I kept going, determined to find this house where I was to meet with someone in distress.

As I sloshed my way to the little iron-sheet house, I kept praying for wisdom and discernment. (I had just studied the passage in Genesis 41 this morning where God's presence was with Joseph, resulting in him having wisdom and discernment!) Some time later, I sat on the lawn with a young woman crying puddles on my shoulder while sheep were grazing all around us and frogs croaked in the adjacent swamp.

And then she started sharing...

"Be a peacemaker," I had sensed God nudge me earlier as I set out on the safari to find my young friend.

"Show me how, Lord," I had replied. This issue is far bigger than I, bigger than my limited understanding. It forces me to keep my eyes on God for direction and understanding. "Reveal it to me through your Spirit," I remembered yet another passage from this morning's study. (1 Cor 2:9-10)

This journey will continue in the days to come, and I'll continue to cling onto Jesus' words in Matthew 5:9, "You're blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That's when you discover who you really are, and your place in God's family." (The Message)

Thank you for praying for continued clarity in this situation.