Simply Chaos!

I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart.  
And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.  (John 14:27)

Last Monday, we closed the offices, handed out work assignments, and as a team, cleaned our headquarters from top to bottom.   This is the third time we have held what we call "Projects Day," and everyone looks forward to it.  It's a complete change of pace, and it's a chance to bring a little order to what might otherwise become chaos rather quickly.  Furthermore, once the assigned areas have been cleaned and organized, everyone can go home early.  Whoopee!!

Two cabinet women sweeping Kenyan style

After thanking the staff with a cup of tea, Ken jumped into his vehicle to make an overnight trip to Nairobi, and I went home for a quiet evening.  But just as I was settling down for the night, one of our drivers called to inform me that there was rioting in the streets of Kakamega.  He asked that no one leave the compound, and while I felt perfectly safe (this Mama is well-protected), I prayed all night long for our people in the midst of that chaos.

The next morning, national newspapers reported that the local university would be closed indefinitely. Apparently, university officials had told the students they could not take their exams if they had not paid their school fees in full. This produced an angry mob, which soon brought out a large police force, which used tear gas on the students. Sadly, there were countless injuries, extensive property damage, and three deaths.  So we'll be feeling the effects of that night in our little town for some time to come.

Students vacating Masinde Muliro University 

The next night, I was particularly eager for Ken to get home.  Unfortunately, he got caught in a bad rainstorm, which turned the roads into quicksand.  And wouldn't you know it?  The battery on his mobile phone was low.  Ken has always pledged not to drive at night, but this time he had no choice. So when he finally drove up, I threw open the door and blurted out, "I am so mad at you for making me worry!"  But before he could respond, I just threw my arms around him and thanked the Lord for his safe return.

The next morning, I discovered a family of very unattractive spiders living in our pantry, the local ATM machine ate Ken's card for no reason, and more of our Kenyan family members fell ill with typhoid and malaria.  Everything in my life, it seemed, had suddenly become very chaotic.

But this shouldn't surprise me.  Order does not come naturally.   After all, isn't God's role in bringing order out of chaos one of the most prominent themes of the Bible?

CS Lewis wrote:

God cannot give us a happiness and peace apart from Himself,
 because it is not there.  There is no such thing!  

With effort, we can bring order to our homes and offices.   But when we are overwhelmed by the chaos around and within us, it is only Christ that can bring peace. Thank you, Lord, for reminding me of that.

A Far, Far Better Thing

  
They left everything and followed him.  Luke 5:11b

It has been over a week now since we returned from the States.   All critters, dead and alive, have been ushered out of our cottage, and every surface has been thoroughly disinfected.  Our food has been carefully checked for signs of life, and an inventory has been taken of that which survived.  The pantry has been restocked and is once again bursting with beans. We have stored our empty suitcases, and all the gifts from home have been put in the "perfect" place.  Most important, I have hidden the dark chocolate from Ken and announced a rationing plan that will make it last! 

I thank the Lord for every moment we spent with family and friends during our visit. When our daughter first returned to America, I remember that she threw her arms around the greeter at Walmart.  I was really no better, particularly when I jumped over the counter at Burger King and hugged the rather startled staff.  I'm sure they're still wondering about that crazy lady who ordered a whopper. Sorry folks.  I just can't help myself, but I hope I have made some new friends.  

During our visit, this Kenyan doll from Disney World was anonymously delivered to us.
 And you guessed it.  It sings "It's a Small World" in Swahili.

While in the States, we splurged on Krispy Kreme donuts, kettle corn, Dairy Queen blizzards and See's candy. Snickers bars, M&M's, and peanut clusters were a daily indulgence.  Grapes, berries, and fresh greens were eaten in abundance, and we couldn't get enough of that magnificent water -- from the tap even!

Ken luxuriated in air conditioning (glad I brought my flannel pj's), and he constantly praised the smooth roads and working street lamps.  I will also admit that, from time to time, things got a little ridiculous. I fought back tears as I strolled down the aisles at Target, and I choked up the first time I used a washer and dryer.  Oh boy.

One day, we visited the Florida Strawberry Festival.  If there was ever a celebration of Americana, that was it.  We had arrived early to beat the crowd, and I'll never forget the moment the fair officially opened.  A man sang the National Anthem over the sound system, and no matter where they were, everyone stopped dead in their tracks.  Hats were removed.  Hands were placed over hearts. Conversation ceased, and except for few brave souls that tried to sing along, it was perfectly quiet.   Tears streamed down my face.   O God, I thought.  Please bless America.  

The Strawberry Festival pig races made me feel like I was home in Kakamega!

Now we're back in Kenya, doing what we've been called to do among people we love. It's certainly not the first time I have had to leave friends and family behind, and I am sure it will not be the last.   It never gets any easier to say goodbye.  In fact, as our loved ones get older, it becomes that much harder. But I do believe CS Lewis when he says:

There are far, far better things ahead then any we leave behind.

God has proven the truth of that statement in my own life over and over again.   I have learned that my own dreams and desires inevitably fall short of the life He has planned for me.  So where He leads me, I will follow.  After all, He has brought me to this wonderful part of the world called Kenya.  Once again, His plan has surpassed my wildest dreams.