Greetings!
"I send this letter to you in God's church (across the world), Christians cleaned up by Jesus, and set apart for a God filled life. I include in my greeting all who call out to Jesus wherever they live. He's their Master as well as ours".
1 Corinthians 1 The Message
A verse written close to two thousand years ago, but the words rang true today from the plains of Amboseli amongst the Maasai people.
Yesterday, we had little more information about what would be taking place today at the village other than the time we were scheduled to leave this morning. But, as His word promises and is continually fulfilled, He is sufficient, He has a plan, He has a purpose, and He has a future and a hope for the nations.
When we first arrived at the "boma" a few of the children not in school returned out of curiosity, but remained close to the dung huts, out of the sun and out of our reach. We started rolling and tossing a ball, and with coaching soon had a circle of willing players. Before long there were frisbees flying haphazardly through the air (with our prayers they wouldn't hit one of the little ones) and the sometimes bouncing, sometimes rolling ball (with prayers it would not land in the thorn fence and explode prematurely ending our entrance and access to the children.
Pastor J went and asked the school teacher if we could have a small program for the children at the school. She agreed, but with the shy demeanor and age (most under the age of 8) of the children we still did not know exactly how this was going to work. Not to mention the fact the interpretation was still in question!
We walked across the dusty plain avoiding thorns, rocks and animal "remnants" to the one room schoolhouse. Once inside, our eyes had to adjust, for the only light coming inside was from small open windows. But the brightness shining from the dark children's eyes did more than illuminate our way - it eased our hearts with that peace that passes all understanding.
J asked us to introduce ourselves and then the teacher stood and with impeccable English said, "Thank you for coming. I greet you in the Name of Jesus. The Lord I love and my personal Savior."
Tears filled my eyes as she spoke of her thanks, her salvation, and proved to be the answer to our prayers for how we were going to be able to communicate the love of Christ to the children.
I told a story, we played games then promised to return later in the day, when the sun was lower in the sky and their bellies had been filled. When we returned, the children all started running after the car, anxious to see us, excited to hear us, and ready for whatever we had to share. Once again, the teacher did the interpreting and enjoyed my dramatics as she retold the tale.
At the end of the day, we went back outside, turned on the music and made like young and old, black and white hens, dancing the classic "Chicken Dance". Standing on the sidelines or sitting on the rocks, proudly stood the beautiful Maasai women; dressed in the traditional and distinctive red, with multiple beaded necklaces, bracelets and earrings. Those not mimicking the beaks of the chickens, flapping arms like wings and shaking and twisting to the tune were laughing hysterically at those who were! What a sight it was indeed.
"Just think - you don't need a thing, you've got it all! God's gifts are right in front of you as you wait expectantly for our Master Jesus to arrive on the scene..."
We showed up today in the village -
And so did He!
Sometimes a little chicken in you is a good thing
Flapping my wings
In His service
