Trusting In Him

Sean and I have been on an incredible journey with God these past few months.

He has broken us in places where we needed to be broken. He has mended us where we needed to be mended.

He has done things that have increased our faith even more in Him.  He has shown us that He is the almighty Father and that we can trust Him with all things: big or small.

In Joshua 1, Moses has already died and God has chosen Joshua to lead the Israelites.  I would personally be a bit hesitant on leading the Israelites because, well, they weren’t exactly great followers and in fact, were very difficult to deal with most of the time.

God promises Joshua that He will be with him (“As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.”  Joshua 1:5). 

The Creator of all things promises to be with Joshua and to never leave him.  What a comfort!

In Psalm 9:10, David sings:  “Those who know Your name will trust in You, for You, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek You.”

We have been trusting in Him, seeking Him, and obeying Him.  And how awesome has this journey been with Him.

In August, God brought two little boys into our lives: Brison & Kevin. He asked us to take care of them for a little while; He asked us to be His hands and hug them.  He asked us to love on them.

“Here we are.” We said.  He trusted us to care for these boys and we trusted Him to provide what was needed in every way.

And He did. He began to provide what would be needed for the boys to stay with us.

Brison and Kevin came into our home just over eight weeks ago.  They were both severely malnourished; they smelled terrible (who knows when they each had their last bath) and were incredibly small for their age.

Five-year old twins, Brison could wear 9-12 month old clothes.  Brison could walk and slightly potty-trained. Kevin could wear 0-3 month old pants while needing to wear 12-18 month old t-shirts because of his distended belly. Kevin could not walk; his legs were extremely weak.  He was not at all potty-trained either.

Just over eight weeks ago, we welcomed them into our home. 

Brison (August 21st, 2013)

Brison has grown taller; he’s definitely having a bit of a growth spurt.  He has learned to dress himself, brush his teeth and go to the bathroom (without accidents most days). With the “home schooling” that I have recently started, he has learned to count to 10. He has learned the sounds of different animals. He is beginning to learn his A, B, C’s and shapes.

Brison came to us with a nasty fungal infection on his head; it’s now gone and his head is healed and clean.

Kevin (August 9th, 2013)

Kevin has grown taller also. He even noticed it a week or so back when his feet could finally touch the foot rest on the high chair. Kevin has learned to dress himself (the odd time he puts two legs in one leg hole – but who hasn’t done that) and brush his teeth as well.  And he walks now. He walks.  It brings such great joy to my heart that he walks now.  And he goes to the bathroom by himself.  He undresses himself, climbs up on the toilet and climbs down when he’s finished. 

Kevin’s distended belly has decreased. His once skinny and weak legs now have chunk and muscle on them.  Kevin has learned to count to 10 and the sounds of different animals. He too, is starting to learn his A, B, C’s and shapes.

We pray for and over these boys every day.  We give thanks to God for these boys every day.  We give our God the glory for these boys and the strides they have made, every day.

Bob the Builders at a Fall Party (October 31st, 2013)

Car Ride (November 4th, 2013)

Kevin walking like a pro (November 16th, 2013)

We have taught the boys how to pray; how to give thanks to God for what He provides for them.  They both even try to be the first one to pray at every meal.  We want them to know God and know that when God promises to never leave or forsake them, they believe Him and trust Him.

For them, you and me to say, “But I trust in You, O Lord; I say, ‘You are my God.’” Psalm 31:14

It's a Wonderful Life

I just turned forty.  Where did the time go?  It seems like a lot of people take some time at this age to reflect on their life.   I don’t know why, but forty seems to be a good age to do that.

Growing up, I was the smallest kid in class.  Even when my mom registered me for school, the lady behind the counter thought that we were registering my older brother.  I don’t have an older brother.  I was never the really popular one either.  I was extremely shy.  It would take me a good hour to even warm up to my grandparents, and I saw them at least weekly.  I am sure that my shyness is what held me back from making friends, but what could I do.  I was bullied.  Usually it was the older and much bigger kids who would come up to me and say, “We saw what you did!  We are taking you to the principal’s office!”  Even though I had done nothing wrong, they would pick up by my wrists and ankles and carry me kicking and screaming to the doors of the school, then put me down and walk away laughing.

In eighth grade my family moved and I went to a new school.  I was able to make a few friends there.  It was pretty easy, because there was only one class for grade eight.  However, once I hit high school, and everybody dispersed into his or her own stream of classes, I once again became a loner.  I would sit with people through lunch, but outside of school I sat at home.

When I reached grade twelve, I got invited to my first party.  At that party, something clicked.  I started to come out of my shell a little.  The more I hung out with my friends (some from grade eight and a few new ones), the more I came into my own.  My sense of humour grew by leaps and bounds.

I didn’t always hear from my friends when I graduated high school.  Once again, we were developing our own paths.  Due to some choices in my twenties, I lost touch with my friends and basically became a loner again.  I had other friends in church, but I really just hung out away from most people.

In my late twenties and early thirties, I reconnected with my high school friends.  The amazing thing I discovered was that they received me back into the group, with no judgment.  I fell back into friendship with them as though no time had passed.  I connected with their children, and in some ways became like an uncle to them.

I had good friends in my church as well.  People, who were able to walk with me through difficult times, encourage me and help me again break out of my shell a little more.  I was a member of the worship team, drama team, and youth group leadership.  I even spoke a few sermons on a Sunday morning.

In my mid thirties, I moved to Kenya.  I was able to make new friends.  These are people who work in the same area, locals, and visitors to the different ministries that we have been involved with.  Some people I hear from.  Others, I don’t.  Some of us try to communicate, but it doesn’t always happen.  Some people I hear from on a regular basis.

Sometimes I wonder about if I have made any kind of impact in the lives of people.  I know how much these people have impacted me.  They have all played a part in who I am today.  All of these people have taken the time to show me who I can be, and who I am.  But, did (or do) I make a difference for them?

This year, for my birthday, my beautiful and amazing wife, put together a scrapbook for me.  This is a big deal on so many levels.  She doesn’t do crafts.  She doesn’t like to do them.  She also doesn’t think that she is talented enough for such things.  I think she is mistaken.  She did a great job.  She hand stitched the binding.  She chose fabric and patterns to make the cover.  She cut card stock for the pages.  Then she did something amazing.

She contacted my family and friends and asked them to send her pictures, and stories and words for me.  I received little blurbs from all kinds of people.  She received pictures of times in my life, I had forgotten.  There were times that had significance for both the people who sent them and me.  From my family, I received messages about how they have noticed the changes in my life from being extremely shy, to becoming less shy (I am still very introverted).  From my friends, they all spoke to how much I mean to them, and the impact that I have made on their lives.  From people I consider to be my mentors, they told me how they have seen me develop and grow.

In all of these messages, people took the time to say how much I mean to them.  I was not expecting that at all.  When I opened the book and realized what it was I broke down and cried (heck, I am crying even as I type this).  I knew just how much people around the world loved me.  That is the best birthday present anyone could receive.  It is the gift that keeps on giving.

In those times when I feel like I am losing touch, and am unable to connect with people far away, I can turn to this book and realize how people see me.  Ultimately, I will be able to see how God sees me.

Let me take this opportunity to say “Thank you” to everyone who was able to contribute to my birthday present.  Your words, pictures and love mean the world to me.  You have all touched me deeply and shown me, again, who I am.  I am truly blessed to have all of you in my life.

To Meredith, you are truly amazing to put this together for me.  This gift blows my socks off.  The hours you put into it, and the amount of love you poured over it cannot be equaled.  Thank you for being in my life.

I can truly say that this is a wonderful life that I have been given.  I have a wonderful wife, and I have wonderful friends all over the world.  I am glad for the reminders.

“But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.”

Hebrews 3:13