Dana's Christian Journey

musings of a thankful cancer survivor

Author: Dana

  • servant leader

    —

    Dana

    photoOur 410 Bridge guide in Kenya was a wonderful man named David. David’s home was in the northern part of the country, where he lived with his wife, his twelve-year-old son, and his seven-year-old daughter.

    Not only did David get us from place to place and help us communicate where English was not spoken, he exemplified a servant leader. Our high school students loved him and he had a special way of relating to each individual.

    David especially reached out to John, our eleven-year-old who was able to go with me on the trip. Maybe it was because he had a son of similar age, but there seemed to be no limit to his patience and love for the youngest member of our mission team.

    Somehow the conversation of beautiful women came up in our travels and David explained the culture and practices of his nation. All men have to pay a dowry for their wives. David told us he was still paying to the parents of his lovely wife twelve years after their wedding day.

    These are the attributes most cherished in Kenya that lead to a woman being worth a few more cows or goats:

    1. a strong, wide woman who can lift heavy things and bear many children
    2. a gap between the two front teeth that helps with fire-building
    3. a dimple on a cheek, or even better, a dimple on each cheek.

    David taught us some of the local language and seemed to enjoy bragging about his country. He had a great sense of humor and was tireless in serving his American visitors. Most of all, David reflected Jesus.

    These are the things I saw in our guide that reminded me of Christ:

    • humility
    • love for children
    • putting others’ needs and comforts ahead of his own
    • appreciation for the Father’s creation
    • willingness to go the ‘second mile’ in serving others

    Praise God for his Son and for those who walk in His steps!

    “Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: ‘Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in human appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death – even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.’” Philippians 2:4-11

  • grandparents

    —

    Dana

    unnamed

    One of our last days in Kenya, we were invited to visit the home of a local family. As we sat under the tree overlooking their garden, we shared life with one another.

    In the circle were five Americans, a few neighbors, an older couple who owned the home and property, a daughter-in-law, and several children. One teenage boy named Benjamin was in a wheelchair due to contracting polio as a child.

    The couple shared that they had nine children who had all moved away from home. Four or five lived close by and the others had gotten jobs in Nairobi. The husband and wife beamed with pride while talking about their family.

    We were shown how they prepared a staple food as the daughter-in-law ground corn and taught us how. Then we went to the kitchen, which was a free-standing little hut where the fire was built. The cornmeal was mixed with beans and onions and soon we enjoyed a tasty snack.

    As we were getting ready to leave, I thought of little Wilkes, our three-week-old grandson in Atlanta. With the help of an interpreter, I asked the older couple how many grandchildren they had. They talked it over for a couple of minutes and I saw them counting on their fingers. Finally, they came up with the answer: nine children, thirty-six grandchildren, and three great grandchildren. Susan and I have a ways to go…

    “Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain. In vain you rise up early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat – for He grants sleep to those He loves. Sons are a heritage from the Lord, children a reward from Him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one’s youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their enemies in the gate.” Psalm 127

  • alongside

    —

    Dana

    photoPictures like this will be my memories of our trip to Kenya… God’s children walking side by side… black and white, African and American, older and younger, different, but the same.

    The 410 Bridge Departure Book states this: “We provide opportunities for Americans to get involved with God’s overall mission to serve people, and thereby experience a growing relationship with Him. As we walk alongside the people of these developing countries, we recognize the indescribable needs and suffering that exist there. Our desire is to work alongside our friends, empowering and encouraging them towards sustainable solutions and closer relationship with God, one community at a time.”

    Every time I’ve visited the continent of Africa, I have met people of faith who closely walk in relationship with the Father, and I have asked God to let me be more like them. The beauty of the Body of Christ is that the members of God’s family need each other. We are all different and each of us is called to “use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.”

    As Jesus prepared to leave the earth, He spoke of God’s plan for the third Person of the Trinity to come alongside those who had put their faith in Him. “If you love Me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Counselor to be with you forever – the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept Him, because it neither sees Him or knows Him. But you know Him, for He lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.” (John 14: 15-18)

    God knows that we need Him to come alongside us. Even better, we need Him to live in us. The Counselor, the Comforter, the Advocate, the Helper, the Spirit of Truth… these are names given the One who comes. And the Holy Spirit is a far superior Companion than any human being! He will constantly remind us of Jesus and He will always tell us the truth.

    “But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have said to you.” John 14:26

    “When the Counselor comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father, He will testify about Me.” John 15:26

    “But when He, The Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on His own; He will only speak what He hears, and He will tell you what is yet to come. He will bring glory to Me by taking from what is Mine and making it known to you.” John 16:13-14

  • mourning/dancing

    —

    Dana

    We were standing at the gate in Amsterdam’s airport waiting to get on the plane when we saw the report of the terrorist attack that had just struck Garissa University in northeast Kenya. After landing in Nairobi and going through extra vigilant security, we met with our 410 Bridge Kenyan leader and got further updates.

    We appreciate all prayers for our trip. God gave us great peace and we knew we were in His hands.

    We did enter some of the pain of a nation hit by evil, just as people of other nationalities entered our pain on 9/11/01. President Uhuru Kenyatta declared three days of mourning for all Kenya as the final report revealed 147 dead and 79 people wounded in the Thursday attack by four members of Al-Shabaab.

    After spending the night in Nairobi, we drove south and reached our ministry destination just in time to join a Good Friday church service. At the close of worship, our American team was introduced and all were invited to exit the building for a time of fellowship. Little cookies and warm bottled soft drinks were served to all, and we enjoyed meeting many brothers and sisters in Christ.

    photoEventually, many of us wandered back to the little church building where we heard music and laughter. Upon entering, I smiled to see children, young adults, elderly Kenyans, and a few Americans dancing to the music. One of our ladies asked about the lyrics of a song and was given this translation: “When we praise God and dance, God laughs.”

    Early in the thirty-minute drive on the dirt road leaving the village, we gave a ride to three ladies walking back to their home. As they rode with us, one of the ladies burst out singing in English and the other two joined: “We are dancing for the Living God; we are dancing for the Living God; we are dancing for the Living God. Hallelujah, Jesus Christ.”

    “Joy is gone from our hearts; our dancing has turned to mourning.” Lamentations 5:15

    “You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; You have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness.” Psalm 30:11

    “Praise Him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise Him with the harp and lyre, praise Him with tambourine and dancing, praise Him with the strings and flute, praise Him with the clash of cymbals, praise Him with resounding cymbals. Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord.” Psalm 150:3-6

  • Kenya

    —

    Dana

    I’m headed to Kenya this week so I’ll probably not write next week. I would appreciate your prayers as we take a group of students to work with a school in a village a couple of hours outside Nairobi.

    We’re working with a group out of Atlanta called 410 Bridge, which partners with villages in Kenya, Uganda, and Haiti. Their goal is to come alongside, encourage, and learn from those who serve Christ in developing countries. 410 relates to the Scripture (below) that serves as a purpose statement for the ministry.

    I pray you have a wonderful Easter as we give thanks for God’s great Gift to the world. He is risen! He is risen indeed!!

    “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.” I Peter 4:10

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