How can you possibly put into words when God moves bigger than you ever dreamed about; when He calls you to something larger than extravagant dreams; when He alters a life so completely that you almost can’t recognize it? How can I fill you in on the details of everything He has been doing over the past year…the past 37 years…. Really, I can’t. But if I may, I would love to share with you a few of the highlights, the ways that God has transformed me, to bring us to this blog today.
Imagine for a moment a young girl. She is so shy that her parents aren’t sure if she really knows how to talk. They worry about sending her to school for fear that she will get swallowed up in the interactions. That same young girl pursues a dream to become a dancer. On stage, she feels alive and bold, completely outside of her timid self. That teenage girl meets a boy. A boy who loves her like no other and accepts her exactly the way she is. God decides that dancing is not part of her future, so she gets thrust into education. The fear of public speaking all of a sudden turns into a passion and a joy. God is working. He is preparing her.
The boy and girl get married. The girl has her heart set on a life of simplicity, security, and predictability. Life gets crazy for a while, but God places the girl in situations and environments where He can hone her leadership skills. The wallflower is thrust out of her comfort zone and into a world that she surprisingly enjoys. God brings the couple to a church where their eyes are opened to a world of missions that they never really considered before. Their faith is grown, stretched and deepened as they seek to follow God’s Will for their lives.
God calls their family to spend a week in Jamaica which strengthens them in ways they never imagined. He also calls the girl for more in-depth mission work. God begins to stir a question within the girl: “What if He wants us to become missionaries?” She doesn’t say a word to the boy for fear that he will think she is crazy…or even scarier…agree. God pulls the boy away for a week to place within him the very same question.
The girl goes to Kenya for two weeks. All the time asking God if this is where He wants them. Doubting. Questioning. Realizing. The boy and the girl pray. They pray hard. Their friends pray hard. Their family prays. All the time, marveling at the absurdity of it all. Wondering how they even got to the place where God would ask this of them. Laughing at the irony.
Which brings us to today. The boy. The girl. Their children. God. The Kenyan team. The realization that a life living outside of God’s Will is no life at all. Realizing that regardless of the cost they must be obedient. Deciding to take the next step.
And so, we would like to invite you on this journey with us. A journey into the unknown. A journey that will take us to places never imagined. A journey that will bring blessings untold. A journey to Kenya.
“The LORD directs our steps, so why try to understand everything along the way?” –Proverbs 20:24
Anne, my prayers are with you, Bro. Ben and your children. Your blog is so uplifting and I'm thankful we can stay updated on all God is doing in your lives. What a tremendous joy it was to have you at Glad Tidings and I hope we can see you there again. May God always surround you with His comfort and strength, as only He can. You are a wonderful inspiration! In Christian Love, Sharon
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