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A few months ago, my mom called me and told me that her church was planning a short term missions trip to Kenya. She was really interested in going but her fears were coming at her stronger than ever. My dad was always the big overseas traveler, and she went only when he accompanied her. He also did a lot of overseas missions, and she had hoped that her first trip would have been with Him. At the same time, she knew missions had always been written on his heart when he was alive. After he was diagnosed with his terminal cancer, fully knowing his days on earth were numbered, he went to Pakistan for two weeks to minister to the people there.

There were plenty of excuses available to her…the long flight would be difficult, most of her peers were traveling with a spouse or family member, her gluten allergy would pose a problem when they had little control over what they’d eat there, she’d have to take time off of work…and the list goes on. But she decided God had this in His plans for her, and she decided to go.

A series of baby steps and decisions in faith later, my mom is in Kenya! She has been writing short e-mails to keep us posted. Today I got a rather long one in response to something I wrote her yesterday. I had shared with her that Brian and I were trying to think of everyday heroes to use as examples of modern day heroes for his message this weekend, and we thought of her. She could have decided that the odds were against her, but she decided to fulfill God’s purpose for her life, one step at a time. Here is what she wrote:

I have tears in my eyes from reading your email. It soooooooo encourages me.  If I could just tell you how God has been my “cover” for so many things that I thought would give me problems when I traveled overseas without Dad. See, I always dreamed we would do our first missions trip together…to Pakistan, with him as my buffer and protecter.  It made me scared.  You know how I am shy and don’t like to ask questions (especially in another language)? I didn’t know what I would eat? Silly, I know, but a big fear for me. God has covered me in so many ways. I am eating here better than at home as our host cooks (the husband is also allergic to gluten). British Airways let me preorder gluten free meals!  

I have overcome the shyness in the ENT clinic. I just had to, and God gave me the courage. The greatest thing for me is working in the ENT clinic and fitting some children/adults with hearing aids. Until yesterday, they had never been able to hear before!

Also, yesterday at our women’s seminar (280 women showed up, some walked for 1.5 hours), I was able to give a brief testimony in front of them, then lead a workshop, with Annete, on grieving with about 40 women. I was very tense about it. Many of these women have lost husbands AND children and siblings…to AIDS. When the women lose their husband, sometimes their property is taken away and they cannot grow their own food! God helped Annette and I to hold it together as we shared our grief stories, and in turn, they shared with us. It was a moment in time I will not forget. Another miracle. At the clinic I had an interpreter to help me and guess what his name was? Pastor Peter! Seems like quite a coincidence.I hope this might encourage some to consider stepping out into action. We do not work on our own power. It’s His power working in us.  Take the first step and he will work unbelievable miracles.

Check out updates and blogs from the AIM Kenya Missions Team, as well as an amazing post ”Obstacles” written by my mom, here.