To Wash Plastic Forks

 It’s the little things in life that make it exciting. Like the fact that a full water jug means 3 happy girls. Or that clean plastic forks means we don’t have to eat with our hands. Or maybe, just maybe, its that an hour and a half car rise seems like a breeze.

Kenya is different. The smells, sights, and mind set. Although it took a little bit for our lives to feel like normal… now it is routine. We wake up, take turns using the bathroom, brush our teeth with a water bottle, and get ready for the day. 5 hours of sleep is known as sleeping in, and the red dirt all over our floor means we had a good day.

These are the joys of living in Kenya.

"The evening meal was being served.... He got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him...

When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. "Do you understand what I have done for you?" he asked them. "You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord', and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you."

                                                                          - John 13:2, 4, 12-15

Jesus is about to let flesh be broken with nail, heart be broken with rejection, the chains be broken with bleeding love. And in His last hours before His earthly end, He doesn't run out to buy something or catch a flight to go see something, but he wraps a towel around his waist and kneels low to take the feet of His forsakers gently in hand and wash away the grime between their toes.

This is the full-bodied eucharisteo, the eucharisteo that touches body and soul: hands and knees and feet awash in grace.

At the last, this is what will determine a fulfilling, meaningful life, a life that, behind all the facades, every one of us longs to live: gratitude for blessings that expresses itself by becoming the blessing.

6-20-12

Today was one of my favorite days thus far because I got to witness a true miracle. This girl, pictured below came into the med-clinic wondering if she contracted HIV. She was almost positive she did.... so Evarlyn performed a simple test.

The test consisted of a simple finger prick along with a dreaded 20 minute wait. Evarlyn sat the girl in the lab room with me and told me that I would read the results at the end of 20 minutes.

My heart dropped... how could I ever give this sweet girl the worst news of her life. I reluctantly agreed and had a seat.

I began talking with this young girl and realized her name was Patricia and she was 19. She was so nervous about the results and continued to ask me how many minutes she had left.

At the end of 20 minutes I looked at the test...... she looked at me anxiously and you could see the terror in her eyes. I grabbed her hand and told her to come with me. 

We walked over to a chart on the wall that showed what a positive and negative HIV test looked like. I told her to walk over and read her result. She paused, and looked at me like a toddler looks at their mother, she was frightened.

She walked over and her mouth dropped.... she was awe struck. It was negative. She grabbed me so tight and started crying in my arms. She said "Thank you, thank you, thank you!" I looked at her in confusion because I had done nothing... but then it hit me.... I was the one there for her, I was the one who had given her some of the best news of her life. And at that moment I experienced true Joy.

We have been given the best news of our whole life and that is that Jesus died for us. Now it is our duty to share with the world. We are each a blessing even when we may not realize it.

"Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever want to be first among you must become your slave."  -Matthew 20:26-27

God can enter into me, even me, and use these hands, these feet, to be HIS love, a love that goes on and one and on forever, endless cycle of grace!

Patricia and her negative HIV test!

The test

Oh you know just doing some vitals on our driver, Victor!

If I could do this for the rest of my life I would be one happy girl! 

taking this sweet little boys weight!

Kezia!

Today in class we made "happy" crafts!

Jesus love me!

These are God's precious children that I get to hug on every day!

Gabriel!

Kezia hard at work!

The finished project from today!

All the crafts we have done over the time I have been here!

My babies class!!

Kisses for Kezia

Monica cheesin'

Me and Joy are best friends!

 Everyone needs a hand to hold!

I love the colors here.... so vibrant! Beauty is found everywhere!

"We are washed by the water!"

Hey angels!

Thanks Jesus for the beautiful sights in Kenya!