Happy New Year, friends!
It was so good to be in the States for a few weeks, though I apologize
to all those I was not able to see. Three and a half weeks
went by quickly, and there was not enough time to do
everything. However, I thank God for the opportunity to be
with friends and family on a wonderful vacation.
When I was called to be an officer ten years ago, I saw Training School
(seminary) as a means to an end. In my young arrogance, I
even told people that when asked how I felt about going to
Training. Recently, I realized that I often lead my life like
that. College was a means to graduate school.
Graduate school was a means to "real life". My job after
graduate school was a means to seminary, which was a means to
officership. When stationed at the training school, I often
saw it only as a stepping stone to Africa. In the middle of
the hardest times, I've often thought, "I just have to get through
this. When this is over, my happiness will begin.
My life will start. I'll be content". As I returned
to Kenya two weeks ago, this comfortable pattern of thinking started to
set in. I thought, "Eleven months until I have fulfilled my
time in Kenya and go back to the U.S." I often think it is
what I have accomplished in the end that is important.
I'm wrong. How one ends is important, but getting there is
also important. Arthur Ashe said, "Success is a journey, not
a destination. The doing is often more important than the
outcome". I have read that quote a million times; it's been
on posters, mugs, t-shirts and probably lunch boxes. I
thought I really understood it, but it is becoming very clear to me now
and it changes how I look at everything.
The Salvation Army in Kenya is partnering with a group in the U.S. to
open a centre for vulnerable children. In December, the new
administrators asked me if they could throw a Christmas party for local kids from the
slums and the streets. I jumped right on it, seeing it as an opportunity to
show pictures of kids in the centre to our partners. I also
saw it as a way to prepare the community for the programmes to
come. Though I realize these are not bad motives, I never
really thought about the party itself or its impact. We
planned on 50 -60 children coming, and ended up with 320!
There were so many children, some had to get food outside, because they
could not control the whole group together. Those kids and
their families received food, clothing, candy, fellowship and the
Christmas message that day. For most of them, it was the only
Christmas celebration they had. The love shown to them on
that day may make a difference in their lives.
What I do today is important. What I do everyday is
important. I pray every morning that my thoughts, words and
deeds would be pleasing to the Lord and will bring glory to
Him. God has something for me in this journey, and
I don't want to miss it by focusing on the end. I hope to
learn from the past, live for today, and look forward to the blessings
God has for me tomorrow.
Sir
Winston Churchill said:
"Every day
you may make progress. Every step may be fruitful. Yet there will
stretch out before you an ever-lengthening, ever-ascending,
ever-improving path. You know you will never get to the end of the
journey. But this, so far from discouraging, only adds to the joy and
glory of the climb."
May you find Joy in your Journey today!
All my love,
Armida
Armida
LaMarr
Captain
Social/Education
Secretary
Kenya East Territory
|
