And Finally...

“Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Matthew 19:14

“The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them” Isaiah 11:6

Yes, children came to us. During our time at Kapsowar we had the opportunity to meet many Kenyan children and it was great to see our children respond with the love of Christ.  We went to the Shammah  School where we had the opportunity to play with them during PE and also to attend their weekly chapel. The Kenyan children all want to touch the hands of our children.  Joseph was a little shy and overwhelmed by so many children but Annie, Sam, Ellie and Ella all joined in the activities.  For the chapel they even helped lead a song and Bible story complete with actions. I must say the African children were a little better at singing and the always wanted to sing for us. A few we actually knew and could sing along like “Lord I Lift Your Name on High.”

We also walked to a Children’s Home and learned how orphaned children live  - very sparsely!

They get love and attention and an education. Some are even sponsored to get a higher education.

That reminds me of Godwin - a child left at the hospital who was abused and not wanted. They are trying to get him into the Children’s Home but in the meantime he hangs out at the hospital. The kids took a game over to play with him and started to get to know him.  By the time we left he was venturing over to the missionary compound and always wanted to play with Sam.  Sam left him a gift of clothing (shirt, pants and socks) before leaving.  Ella also gave him her spinner.

How wonderful to see our kids wanting to help in a way that they could.

The other group of children that our children ministered to was the American missionary children.  Since some families were on furlough there was only one family left and their 4 children were starved for playmates.  All of our children reached out to them despite ages differences.  Ellie especially reached out to 2 younger girls. Joseph, though shy in large groups, loved to play with the children around the mission compound. Oscar was his favorite friend but as time went on he expanded that to a larger group of friends. 

I had the privilege of staying with the kids when their parents were at the hospital and was blest to watch how they all showed their faith in God in their own ways.  We all spent much time at the library of an African Inland Mission Church and School.  It was is disarray and the amount of red dust we stirred up was amazing.  After many partial days of work we felt a sense of completion the day before we left.  Annie and Ella especially liked the task of organizing.

I think sometimes we forget and underestimate how our children can be used by God.

“How many are your works, Lord! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. Psalm 104:24

And we have seen many of those creatures and the beauty of creation here is Kenya. We ended our time at Kapsowar and headed to the Masai Mara where we have gone on 2 safaris and will go on 2 more. In the mountains, on the plains, and in the river we have seen creatures: all types of antelopes, giraffes, male and female lions, jackals, hyenas, elephants, buffaloes, wart hogs, baboons, hippos, monkeys, zebras, and eagles.  What a wonderful variety of creation, each unique and amazing. This, all among the plains in the mountains where they all graze or hunt. God provides for them all in a variety of ways.  This all in an resort atmosphere of exotic tents beside the river. God has blessed us with this time of relaxation and wonder.  A wonderful way to say goodbye to Kenya. 

Judy

Judy 

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