Message to Philadelphia
We might be far from Philadelphia, but after 4 very short hours of sleep this morning, Debi found herself stuck behind a door no one could open. No one but Jesus that is. Apparently, in the daze of a 3:00 am arrival she locked the door with the wrong key - which led to her imprisonment as we were trying to be off for breakfast. I stood on one side of the door (frustrated to think "who can't unlock a door?") After five minutes we had to laugh realizing the predicament. "Glad there is not a fire!" "Good thing we're in Africa where on time means 30 minutes late." The list and laughter continued until it got scary. How was she really going to get out? After a few more wrangles and jangles the door opened - the key was stuck, but the captive was free (at last) on to discover the key was genuinely stuck, making it impossible to lock the door. Hunger and faith prevailed as we prayerfully walked away, shrugged and said, "it is what it is."
"I see what you've done. Now see what I have done."
We know even after the few hours we have spent speaking with our host, God has done a mighty work bringing us back. The daily numbers are being multiplied (more than the supplies) and we just keep marveling at what HE has done. Not to mention getting Debi out when the key was literally broken off down in the lock.
"You don't have much strength, I know that; you used what you had to keep my Word."
We have traveled half way around the world. We are tired but what we have we are using to bring light to the nations, to say to those living in darkness be free.
We drove through the countryside, went to the snake farm and Maasai center learning about the cultural heritage. It was fascinating but such a far distance from where we live, there were times we were holding back the gasps (circumcision rituals for boys and Female genital mutilation for girls). As we processed the excursion, we realized Western culture has very few "rites of passage" anymore - unless you count Fraternity House hazing. As bad ad discouraged for the harmful accidents that have happened, I'm quite sure any guy would opt for another round of humiliation over being circumscised with a sharp stone at 15!
Music is rattling the winds inside my room. There is a celebration of something outside - but then again Africans love to dance and sing. Soon I will be sleeping. I'm listening for the Master, I think I hear Him...
"I'm on My way, I'll be there soon,"
Smiling Maranatha!
Charlynn
Pray for rest in the ruckus
Pray for health with unfamiliar food
Pray for discernment for our lessons tomorrow
Pray for supplies - our "5 loaves and 2 fish" we found out today needed to be 100 instead of 30
Pray for the hearts the Master opens the people gladly walk through!
If He did it for her...
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