extravagant love

June 18, 2016

“Watch what God does, and then you do it, like children who learn proper behavior from their parents.  Mostly what God does is love you.  Keep company with him and learn a life of love.  Observe how Christ loved us.  His love was not cautious but extravagant.  He didn’t love in order to get something from us but to give everything of himself to us.  Love like that.”  Ephesians 5:1-2, The Message

On Thursday afternoon soon after I shared our last post, we all went to St. Kevin’s Secondary School for the Turkana County Traditional Dancing Competition. We walked into a gym that was packed full with schools who were performing traditional Turkana songs and dances. The spirit and charisma in this place was unlike anything we have ever seen, and it brought tears to me and to Jason seeing each school team come alive on stage with dance and expression that celebrates their culture. 

We were given the gift of sharing a meal at Dalmas’ house on Thursday night (the team leader of Share International) and at Stanley’s house on Friday night (the operations manager).  Both of these times have allowed us to be with people outside of the daily schedule with school visits and Children of the Kingdom work, and it has been such a gift to feel more and more at home here with our Kenyan family here.

When we went to Dalmas’ home, we brought graham crackers, marshmallows and Hershey’s chocolate bars (that we had been storing in a refrigerator at the center since they would have melted!), and we made s’mores for everyone after dinner.  Jason and I roasted the marshmallows over the coals of a small stove, and just like back at home when we enjoy s’mores, the time gathering around the fire was a fun time of fellowship and laughter.

Early Friday morning, we woke up around 5:30 a.m. and left the center by 6 to get to Prayer Mountain before sunrise.  We hiked to the top and shared a brief prayer with our group before going off to find spots on the mountain to have individual time reading Scripture and praying. It was powerful bringing Anna up to this mountain as she had been here before almost exactly 8 years ago (June 19, 2008) which was such a milestone in her faith journey (and mine too!).

“Listen to my pleading, O Lord. Be merciful and answer me! My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.” And my heart responds, “Lord I am coming” (Psalm 27:7-8).

After such a sweet start to our day on the mountain, we drove about an hour to visit three schools near Lake Turkana and then even got to make a visit to Lake Turkana where Anna and Taylor splashed around a bit.  

I get most excited about a school visit when I know the sponsors personally and when I get to bring pictures and gifts from the sponsor to the child.  It has been such a privilege to bring greetings to these children and share encouragement and updates.

This is Collins' father (Collins is supported by my aunt Gingie.) He is the head teacher at a school we visited out near Lake Turkana and it was so great to meet him and for him to ask me about Gingie. 

visiting Joshua Lokuel and showing pictures from his sponsor

 (supported by Marcia and Stuart Murray) 

At Kalokol (the town near Lake Turkana), we met Pauline Elamach who is the mother to 4 children. Three of her girls (Peris, Irene and Esther) are sponsored in the program.  John reminded me the story of their family as we drove into town. Several years ago, Pauline’s husband was killed in a motorbike accident. Before he died, he had helped invest in a new school in the area and was helping to get it started.  Unfortunately, after he died, the other two investors did not give any of the money to Pauline and she has been left with very little to provide for her family.  As we visited for a few minutes there in town, my heart felt like it was going to break. I had brought a few earrings that Anna and I made for the girls, and it seemed so inadequate when their needs were so great.  I could not imagine what it would be like to be left with nothing trying to care for Anna and Taylor, and I tried to explain this to Taylor when he asked why I was emotional after our meeting with them.

Today, we were invited to spend the day with John and Agnes Lodepe Nakara. I first met John as a student in 1994, and then Jason and I were honored to get to be in their wedding in 2000.  John has been a missionary, the team leader at Share International, and he now is a member of the Kenya parliament representing Turkana County.  While we thought we were coming to their home simply to take tea, there was a wonderful surprise waiting for us. 

They had invited the dancers from the Loyo Primary School from the competition on Thursday to come perform for us and the other guests including Bishop Kaaleng, his wife, other friends we know here in Lodwar and some of the graduates from our program.  We were so very humbled and honored today to be among people who have been so dear to us for so many years and who have helped to shape us and bring us closer to God.

in our new outfits from John and Agnes 

(and with Emily Lodepe too!! Oh my- how she has grown!) 

We took Jason to the airport around 4:30 this afternoon after our day with John and Agnes, and were all very sad to say goodbye as it has been such a wonderful time as a family.

This is at the SEND center where we have been staying... :) 

Before Jason left, he asked the children to consider this time in Africa so far. He challenged them to think about what questions they still have about Kenya that they want to explore in the next month we are here and then he went on to ask them to consider what questions this brings up for them about the US as they now have many new reference points… Good thoughts for sure to end this day….