Updates From the Field:  Kenya # 11:  July 18, 2007
Dear Friends, My job can be so much fun!  I told you that I teach YP Songsters at the Kabete Children's Home on our compound.  Well, it's turned into more of a game night.  I think the kids have enough reality in their life, and they deserve an hour of just being kids.  So, I've been trying to come up with different games that don't need  a grasp of the English language.  Last week, we played "Caterpillar".  It's a relay race in which the kids run to one side of the room, lay down on a sheet, roll up in it, and then wiggle back across the floor to the next person in line.  It was the most hysterical sight!  One little boy (about 5), was completely rolled in the sheet and didn't know what to do.  So, I crawled behind him and slid him across the room.  The children laughed and screamed through the whole thing.  I was laughing so hard at the end, that I couldn't talk for a few minutes.  The centre manager told me yesterday that the children told her to tell "Captain Mida" to play the game with the sheet again.  Don't worry, we will!   The children aren't used to showing or accepting affection (at least as we define it in the US).  The older kids at the children's home are much more comfortable shaking your hand than hugging you.  As I got to know the children, I would hug them now and then.  I tried not to cross their boundaries while still showing them I loved them.  Well, when I returned from the US, three of the girls from the home ran up to me and threw their arms around me!  That's when you know it's all worth it.  I wish I could spend all of my time playing games and hugging children. However, Abraham Lincoln said, "You cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today".  I, like most people, hate to make the hard decisions, and it seems like there are many  facing me now. One of our social centres is in financial crisis.  I have been given the job of assessing the situation there and making a recommendation for the future.  Basically, should this centre be closed?  The future sustainability is an unknown, and it may be in everyone's best interest to get out now. Since this particular centre is 8 hours away, it is not easy to plan a trip there.  There is also the problem of coordinating schedules so that the right people can help me with the assessment.  This weighs heavily on my heart.  Please pray that I can get there soon, and that I make the right recommendation. Of course my job also includes financial decisions and personnel decisions.  With so much need, how do you decide who gets and who doesn't?  I know many of you right now are thinking, "Welcome to the club!  This is what life is all about!"  I think the gravity of the decisions I make is a reality that is hitting me hard lately.   I pray for the Lord's discernment and wisdom everyday as my actions affect the lives and welfare of others.   As all of the big issues are looming in my mind, I keep praying that I don't miss the small opportunities to minister.  The Lord is answering that prayer.  Tribalism is a real problem in Kenya (even within the Army).  People are stigmatized because of the tribe they are in.  Some corps don't want officers from other tribes.  (etc, etc).  There is a sect of a certain tribe that is quiet violent at the moment.  They are causing a lot of problems and fear within the country.  My friend John is from this tribe, but obviously not the violent sect.  An officer was arguing with him over this subject when I happened to walk through the conversation.  I listened for a few moments, and made some limited comments before returning to my office.  John later came to my office, upset about the whole conversation.  I was able to share with him that most people have prejudices because they fear what they do not know.  I told him that since we are all children of God, the best thing for him to do is love those who hurt you and try to educate them.  It was a great moment.  (John just came into my office to ask about something else.  He said, "It makes my heart happy when I talk to you")  I often feel the weight of the world on my shoulders, wishing for an existence in which I had no responsibility.    However, I know that is an immature and escapist way of thinking about life.  As Sir Winston Churchill said, "The price of greatness is responsibility".  Though I think I am still far from greatness by worldly terms, I want to be a great servant of Christ, therefore I cannot escape responsibility. My verse of the week is: "Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are Mine! When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they will not overflow you.  When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, Nor will the flame burn you.  For I am the Lord your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior"   Isaiah 43: 1b-3a Love to everyone! Armida