Shifting Sand

Come, let us sing with joy to the Lord.

 Let us sing loud with joy to the rock who saves us. 

 Psalm 95:1 

Last Sunday morning, Ken and I climbed into our vehicle and took a long safari into the bush to visit the Mulimani Corps, which is actually built on huge boulders at the top of a large hill.  As we were touring the rocky compound, I couldn't help but imagine myself as a mountain goat -- with heels, of course.  I also started humming one of my old favorites, "On Christ the Solid Rock I Stand."

A few days later, I was given the incredible honor of dedicating a building at the Army's Kolanya Health Centre.  Some of Ken's ancestors (Captains Pell) served at Kolanya in the late 1920's, which made the event even more meaningful to me.

Mrs. Captain Pell 

Construction is not one of my areas of expertise, but as I was shown around the building, I asked the contractor, village chief, and local elders what I hoped were appropriate questions about its foundations and structure.  I think they were a bit surprised by the fact that a woman had been chosen to lead the dedication, but they were all very kind, and they proudly showed off their work.  We then visited the Army's clinic, where I prayed with each patient, and we ended the day with a quick visit to the maternity ward that is now under construction.  Again, I was assured that it had been built on a firm foundation.  What a wonderful ministry!

The Maternity Ward -- Almost Complete!

Visits like that never fail to thrill me, as I'm able to see first-hand how the Lord is using the Army to meet the needs of His people.  I've also found, however, that the next day in the office can often be very difficult, because it's then that I find myself at my desk, trying desperately to find solutions to the difficult problems that confront us.  This week, for example, Kenya's President signed into law a bill allowing men to take as many wives as they wish without consulting their current partner.  Despite the fact that it is now illegal, we are still receiving reports about Junior Home League members being taken by village elders for female circumcision.  The most recent economic survey reported that Kakamega County has the highest number of poor in Kenya, with 56% of the population below the poverty line.  And to top it all off, because desperate people can do desperate things, we always have to be on our guard.

It's at such moments that I thank the Lord for being my rock and my foundation.  When everything around me seems to be shifting, I know that I am safe in His care.

But it doesn't end there.  In my devotions, the Lord reminded me of the song penned by William Doame:

Rescue the perishing, care for the dying,
 Snatch them in pity from sin and the grave;
Weep o’er the erring one, lift up the fallen, 
Tell them of Jesus, the mighty to save. 

It is not enough for me to stand on the rock and declare sanctuary.  I have to get on my knees and reach down into the shifting sands.  I have to grasp the hands of as many as I can, that they too may find safety.