Updates From the Field:  Kenya # 31:  August 28, 2008
Dear Friends and Family, Do you ever have those times in your life when you feel that you are "out of focus"?  I'm referring to periods when you think no one can really see you clearly, and you are not really seeing the world clearly.  I think this is a good description of my life in the last three weeks.  As we moved into a new THQ building and dealt with all the transition pains that brings, I've found myself struggling to feel centered and concentrate.  In the busy-ness of the time, I lost sight of clear direction or goals.  I have felt scattered and "fuzzy".   God has used several things to bring me back to clarity. As I have told you in past updates, we are able to sponsor some young people in their higher education.  Though our funds are limited, at this time, we support about 12 students through various donors and programmes.  Yesterday, I had to drive into the city to help a student with a problem.  She called me in the morning in a panic, thinking the school was not going to admit her due to a fee issue.  We were able to work out the problem fairly quickly, so I decided to take her to lunch.  It was such a blessing to me.  (I will call her Jane for this e-mail).  As I sat with Jane,  I was amazed by her. Jane is an orphan who grew up in one of our children's homes.  She persevered through a lot of problems and graduated secondary school with good grades.   She is a very smart young woman, but she has not been exposed to  things that I find so mundane.  First of all, she did not know what a hamburger was(it didn't sound good to her).  I finally told her she could eat her chicken with her fingers, because she was having such a hard time with a knife and a fork.  We went down an escalator after lunch, which was the first time she had been on one.  She held on to me for dear life. As we ate, Jane told me about her home area.  She shared with me that most girls only finish Grade 7 and then many go into prostitution.  It is a very big tourist area, and prostitution is one of the only secure jobs.  She shared with me her experience of trying to get a position in one of the tourist hotels after she finished secondary school.  At every single one, the owner said she could have a job if she slept with him.  Jane said NO.  She is so excited about going to school.  She is so grateful for the opportunity to have a better life.  Her story and great attitude touched me so much, I took her to the store after lunch to buy her some school supplies.  I was caught up in the excitement. Our ministry will change Jane's life.  That gives me clarity. Another young man came to see me this morning.  He was on the streets before he was taken in at one of our centres ten years ago.  He is now studying library and information services in college and doing well in his endeavors.  As he was leaving, I told him I would be praying for him.  I admit that I said this to him without really thinking about it.  I would pray for him when he came to mind, but I can't say I meant to be a fervent prayer warrior for him.  I turned around to leave, but he grabbed my hand.  He looked me in the eye and said, "I will pray for you, too".  It was a moment when things snap into focus quickly.  Sometimes I get so wrapped up in doing for other people, I forget why I'm doing it and I forget that people can minister to me, too.  I have no doubt that the prayers of this young man will make a difference in my life. I was listening to a sermon by General Eva Burrows on Sunday.  She quoted Romans 9 from The Message, "They were absorbed in what they themselves were doing. They were so absorbed in their "God projects" that they didn't notice God right in front of them."  I am learning to "fix my eyes" and focus on the right things.  Love you all! Armida Armida LaMarr Captain Social/Education Secretary Kenya East Territory