CALLED

I've been thinking a lot about Africa. Specifically, about Kenya. More specifically ... should we go back? I was able to see quite a bit of Kenya. In Nairobi I saw an industrialized, international city. I saw the second largest slum in Africa. I saw mansions and I saw abject poverty. I met pastors and medical professionals who prayed with equal passion. I heard the heart of those who are in the trenches fighting a national tragedy. In Massai Mara (on the border with Tanzania) I saw the beauty of Kenya's wildlife -- lions, elephants, zebras, hippos, leopards and the rest. And the beauty of her landscape -- lush green hillsides, volcanos, mountain majesty, and virgin valleys. In El Doret I saw a provincial town where white people rarely trod. In Lemoru I saw village life like something out of the early 1900's. And I saw the devastating effects of HIV/AIDS on the innocent victims ... the children. It was, of course, the children that affected me the most.

Jesus has called us to the "uttermost parts of the earth" (Matt. 28). Kenya sure qualifies. We could go anywhere. There are certainly places just as needy. The only place I want to go is the place where Jesus is calling me. I didn't choose the Valley. God did. And because HE chose it I'm prepared to be buried here. The same must be true of Kenya. IF we go back it must be because God is calling us there. No other reason will justify it. No other reason is necessary.

Do you remember Kimberly? She is the 21 year old young lady who is the director of the orphanage in Lemoru. I asked her about her call. She shared it with me. I asked her where she would go from here. She said, "this is it." She wants to build a home for 1000 children (she has 200 on her waiting list right now). She wants to die in Lemoru ... with her children. I nodded in silence. I recognized the sound in her voice. I don't know whether or not she will die in Lemoru with her children. No one knows what tomorrow brings. But I recognized the sound in her voice. She believes she will die in Lemoru.

On the last day we set up the medical clinic in Kimberly's office. On a bulletin board over her desk were pinned pictures and cards sent to her. I snooped. On one of the pieces of paper pinned to her wall was written this prayer:

"Dear Lord -- I do not ask that Thou shouldst give me some high work of Thine, some noble calling or some wonderous task; Give me a little hand to hold in mine; Give me a little child to point the way. Over the strange, sweet pain that leads to Thee; Give me a little voice to teach to pray; Give me two shining eyes Thy face to see. The only crown I ask, dear Lord, to wear is this: That I may lead a little child. I do not ask that I may ever stand among the wise, the worthy or the great; I only ask that softly, hand in hand, a child and I may enter the gate."

And I whispered ... Amen.

blessings,

pastor ellis

Comments

[Melissa]

Ellis, your ministry blesses me. I can't wait to see how God is going to use you after this mission trip. Thank you for trusting me with your family while you were away. My time with Priscilla and my niece and nephews was beautiful. May God continue to use you in the most unique way. God bless you!

[FLOR COX]

This is why we must fully understand that it does not take rocket science to see that God is not asking us to do extravagant things all he wants is for us be a family. This means sticking together to the end and helping each other. tell me this why is it so easy for us to say our fellow ABF family is in need lets take them food or help them with this or that, yet when our family the church asks for our help and volunteer we always have an excuse. We are all in this together and we should stand our ground and say YES I am available to do what God wants me to do.

[George]

WOW... I want to welcome you HOME... I am so blessed that you are our pastor... that you have such a way with describing things so that those of us who were unable to go with you to Kenya, went along with you in a virtual reality type of way. I know what you are saying about being called somewhere, I grew up here in the valley, and when I had the chance to leave, I swore I would NEVER live here again... that was back in 1985, and in 1988 God put me right back here where I said I would never live again, now I never want to leave. This is my home, and unless God places a new home in my heart, I will die here. I love the people of the valley, I love the life of a valleyite (sp). I don't love the heat, but it goes along with the valley, so I endure it, and try not to complain too much about it. I have never been to Kenya, or the otherside of the world, at least not until this visit with you. I am not sure that is where God is something God is calling me to or not. I do know that as you pointed out in one of the blogs this past week we have a very similar mission field not more than 20-30 miles away. I believe that God calls us there as well. Perhaps that is where God wants to start us out, and then move us into Kenya. And for others, perhaps Kenya is exactly where He wants them to be. I do know this, God wants us to be on mission where ever it is that He has placed us, and whereever He moves us. We are to be on mission all the time, in all that we do.

We love you pastor, and welcome you HOME with open arms, and look forward to seeing you, and hearing from you what God continues to place on your heart.

george