My dear friend Lesley has a poster on her wall that says, "Where you live should no longer determine whether you live". That phrase on the poster always moved me and fed my hunger for justice, especially in Africa.
Since living in Kenya for almost 3 months now, the Lord has been adding to that phrase and has continually reminding me that He has called me to be a minister of reconciliation and of justics. He has said, "Where my people live should not determine whether they have heard about Jesus, whether they have full bellys when they go to sleep, whether they have freedom to choose who they marry, whether they have access to a doctor, whether they can learn to speak".
Many things here in Kenya that the Lord has allowed me to wittness and be a part of have gripped my heart; some have even broken my heart. I want to be like the Lords chosen servant in Isaiah 42 who, "will not grow faint or be discouraged until justice has been established on the Earth" v 4. But, there is one thing that the Lord has heavily placed on my heart lately.
I have had the opportunity to meet three precious little children who have autism. I have heard of many others who have speech and language difficulties. You see, I went to school for Speech, Language, and Hearing disorders. When I chose that major, I knew that the Lords hand was in it. I loved it, but I didn't know if that was what I wanted to do with my life. I enjoyed my classes, but lacked a passion for what I was doing. When I graduated, I was still unsure of whether I would go on to graduate school so that I could be a practicing Speech Pathologist.
Well…the Lord has broken my heart for the children here. I am currrently working with 4 year old Nelly who has autism. She has never received any help with her language because speech therapy simply does not exist in Kenya. She sits in class, disrupting her peers (not on purpose), not able to communicate her needs and frustrations with her preschool teacher. Before the Lord allowed me to work with her and her family, they did not understand why she did what she did and had little idea of how to deal with her language acquisition. Although I still have much to learn, the Lord has used me to teach both her and her family.
I believe that the Lord is asking me to pursue this field…and I also believe that He is asking me this and putting this passion in my heart because He wants to use me here. I dont know exactly what that will look like yet–and it is a bit scary to think about–but it is exciting. The Lord has taught me so much about who I am, who He created me to be. I dont have to fear when and where and who and why because I know Him! Whether I am serving Him in good ol' Minnesota (which I pray I can do, I miss that chilly, wonderful place), or Africa for a time, I know that I will be held in the palm of His hand.
"Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you perceive it?" Isaiah
I am so excited to be perceiving where the Lord is leading me in this next season of life and to be a part of bringing justice to the children of Africa 🙂
