Autumn 2018
We learned of an exciting opportunity to join the February 2019 mission trip to Kenya with members of our church in Illinois.
Amy had been on a mission trip (and has been eager to do another one with our entire family) and I’ve wanted to go on a similar trip to Kenya for a long time. Since our current home is halfway there from the USA this idea became even more enticing.
We started praying about the trip and met the rest of the team who had already signed up. Through video calls we became even more eager to join; the team consisted of several loving, kind, energetic, fun and faithful people. The primary objective of the trip was to photograph and engage with children. This sounded like a perfect opportunity that would involve our entire family.
As we moved forward filling out forms, preparing finances and making plans for the trip, things were looking great. God was at work and we knew it!
A few months into the planning we learned that there was a problem with Amy’s European residence request (permission to remain in Europe). The end result: If she left Europe (now our home) before the residence request issues were resolved, she would risk being deported.
Our prayers for the trip then focused on requests for clarity and direction. We prayed for definitive answers; for it to be clear as to whether or not we should go on the trip. His will be done.
Clarity Received
Our lawyers eventually made it very clear that we should absolutely not go to Africa at this time. We felt this probability in our hearts in the days leading up to receiving this information, so we received the news with mixed emotions. We were saddened to not be part of the trip, but thankful and relieved for the answered prayers for clarity, thankful that we met some wonderful people, and thankful that we could still support the team.
We are now talking to this ministry group about plans to join them in Kenya, 2020 so we have plenty of time for prayer, preparation, and planning!
Today’s Reading
1 Kings 17 has some classic miracle and faith stories that many of us have heard since we were children. What stands out for me is Elijah’s faith, a reminder that we may not know (or even agree with) what God has planned, however we need to wait, listen, and obey.
- Elijah being fed by ravens. He faithfully received God’s provisions. I’m pretty sure I’d have some doubt in this plan… “I am sure you know what you’re doing here God, so I must have not heard you right, you said ravens are going to bring food for me? Surely not!”
- The woman and her son who were about to die of starvation. Elijah asked her for her last morsels of food and she obliged. By faith, he trusted God that the partaking of the woman’s “last” food would not result in the demise of her and her son.
- The woman’s son dying. Elijah faithfully asked God to heal the boy. Why ask for something you do not believe God can do? Elijah believed and God miraculously answered.
Elijah’s faith reminded me of how I need to be faithful as well as lead my family in being faithful through all circumstances, seeking to become more like Jesus every day. We don’t know why our mission trip roadblocks weren’t miraculously cleared. Looking at the photos of the team there this week, my heart breaks a little bit, yearning to be there, but I know God has a different plan and it is good.
Through all of this we are given another opportunity to increase our faith. To apply the learning to our daily life. To give all praise and glory to the only one who is worthy.
“One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. (Luke 15:10)
For more information on the team serving in Kenya right now please check out: http://www.goyasponsorshipteam.com/