April, 2001

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In my last update, I was in the middle of an adventure in Oloitokitok (LTK). That adventure continued for more than a week after I wrote that update. Wow, did stories abound from that trip. I think that most of you know that LTK is a very small, Masai village, tucked away at the base of Mt. Kilimanjaro. A picturesque location, but with less beautiful chores that go along with making that place livable. Since it is so rural, most amenities aren't available, other than the real basics. The basics of life in Kenya are much different from the basics of life in the USA. That's fine, I've learned how to live without many things this year.

But the one thing that I've learned makes life livable and is essential for every being is the most pure drinking element... water. Point blank, LTK has a problem with water. The Kenyan drought of 2000 seems to have disappeared, even in LTK, but the problem with water persists. It's hard to tell if the problem stems from corruption or if the recession of snow atop Mt. Kilimanjaro over the last several years is slowly taking its toll on the accessibility of water. In any case, the water does not flow through the taps at our compound more than once a week. I think the word "flow" may be too literal, it actually trickles and for an hour or two tops. It often seems like a mean trick.

A Dutch volunteer, Willie and I decided to make a visit to the water department because we heard that our neighbors receive water consistently without a problem. After finding the guy in charge (that was a feat in itself), he pondered over our water billing record and responded "Hmmm. This is strange, your meter has stopped for no reason." Okay, sure buddy, we've heard this before. Its so frustrating that he acted like he had no idea when he has been notified time and time again. "We'll turn it on in the morning", he replied. That was a huge answer to prayer. Willie and I had prayed that God would be over and around our conversation and situation as we visited the department. By God's grace, that we received water two days and for 6 hours at once. Although the pressure was still really low, God still filled up most of our containers. The compound was scrubbed down, girls bathed and there was enough drinking water for all. And I even got to take a sponge bath! It was really appropriate that I was reviewing a grant proposal for a bore hole that week. I had lots of incentive to get it done!

This last month I have been really frustrated with my inability to help the poor. I have been reminded that it's not "me" that can help them, it's God, but still he calls us to serve the poor, but now that I've been doing that as my vocation for a year, I still feel so far from perfect in my service. Case in point, on our way to the water department that week, we ran into some really small children. By now I think you realize that a white person "muzungu" is quite a commodity, especially in LTK.

Children are especially blatant with their bewilderment and fascination with white people and usually exert themselves with the bubbling greeting. "howooryou, howooryou, howooryou, muzungu. muzungu" Out of nowhere, as if they knew we were coming, running toward Willie and me bounded two boys, one who looked 4 dragged his 2 year old brother. Clad with mud, and half naked, the kids abruptly stopped and waited directly above us on a ledge with grins brimming ear to ear. Only a ditch separated us. Their excitement and desire drew us to them. We couldn't help but take a running jump over the ditch, fall into the bank and scramble up the hill to return their enthusiasm. The way that they wanted to be near us and see us, exemplifies the way that I want to run after Jesus. With bewilderment and fascination I long to seek after Him. It seemed as if they expected us to come, as if they were waiting for us. I believe that God wants us to expect His coming, His coming into our lives, His presence in our work, our family, our emotions, our future.

After meeting the children we wanted to meet their parents. Unfortunately the mother and father seemed to be gone, leaving their small children to fend for themselves. This is common for the poor because if both parents need to work, do chores outside of the house (like carry wood from the forest or water from the well), there is no one to take care of the kids and hiring a babysitter is unheard of. We were drawn to this family though, so two days later upon our return from the water department, we returned and found both parents home. Their house was one room, a goat yelped in the back and a chicken raced around between a plethora of children. But they welcomed us with open arms. They invited us in and made us feel honored and accepted as we sat on a small bench trying desperately to communicate to them, but the language barrier deepened as I realized that they spoke only Masai, not even Swahili (which I'm still an amateur at).

Their neighbor came over, at first, in shock that there were white people in his neighborhood, but soon fear overcame him as he thought we were from the press and trying to exploit the poor. Pictures for Africans are precious and it seems as though everyone longs to have a picture of himself. Since I had my camera with me, I offered to take a picture of the kids and the family, they openly accepted. The neighbor began getting angry, telling us we shouldn't be talking to the family and we need a permission letter form the government to enter the land. The father of the family understood what was happening and assured us that we were fine.

I left LTK soon after this visit, but Willie continues to visit them each week and has brought them food on many occasions. It's so hard to serve the poor when you know that what you can do is only temporary. The bread that we give is temporary, the love we have to offer is temporary, but Jesus is forever. I am praying that these children will know Jesus, that they will run after Him like they ran after us. That they would invite Him into their house with the same regard and hunger as we met.

I've been selling God short. I continue failing to realize that when I say, "Lord, reveal yourself," it is not He who is without revelation. It is me who is not looking for Him. I am looking in the wrong places. I fail to give the Lord the benefit of His Holy Spirit in my life. A few days ago, I was reading My Utmost For His Highest and God spoke to me through a passage. Oswald Chambers writes,

We have no reluctance to obey Jesus, but it is highly probable that we are hurting Him by what we ask – "Lord show us the Father…" (John 14:8). His response immediately comes back to us as He says, "Can't you see Him? He is always right here or he is nowhere to be found." We look for God to exhibit Himself to His children, but God exhibits Himself in His children. And while others see the evidence, the child of God does not. We want to be fully aware of what God is doing in us, but we cannot have complete awareness and expect to remain reasonable or balanced in our expectations of Him. If all we are asking God to give us is experiences, and the awareness of those experiences is blocking our way, we hurt the Lord. The very questions we ask hurt Jesus, because they are not the questions of a child.

As His child, I must realize that His power is in me. That His supernatural power is usually exhibited through those who love Him. I must hold onto this as I prepare to make a HUGE transition back to my home in Seattle. I am preparing to face some tough times in my life as I look for a job, resettle into a very different culture, and reacquaint myself with relationships that I left behind. When I want to ask, "God where are you." I pray that I am shaken with the knowledge I have that He is nestled within every cell of my body.

This year I have been a "missionary," but honestly I have not felt any different than I did when I was living in Seattle. I have had a different lifestyle, different social group, different climate and job than I've ever had, but being a missionary does not automatically transform a person into someone super-spiritual or super-chosen by God. We are all missionaries wherever we are. We are called to be His hands and feet and to carry his Good News. A verse that spoke to both Mark and me this week is from Ecclesiastes 9:10 and it says, "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might… " I want to encourage all of you, if you have been at all inspired by the stories I've told you, the thoughts I've shared or the pictures you've seen... go out and do your work with fervor. Whatever it is that God has given you to do, wherever He's given you do it, pour your life into it with wholehearted devotion. Wholehearted devotion. Your love for God and His people is known by your love and devotion.

Since this is my last month of service in Kenya (I arrive in Seattle on May 19th at 3:15, BA flight 049). Anyone is welcome. I wanted to sincerely thank all of the people who have contributed to my service this year. Through donations of goods, prayers, and finances that have kept me eating and well. For those of you who are my monthly supporters, May is your last month – then I become "independent"... so thank you for your faithful support. And for all of you who pray for me regularly... you don't have to stop that :-)

On that note, I really need prayer as I finish up these last three weeks.

  For strength to finish the work I have left, with wholehearted devotion.

  For a good trip for the UPC team, that their projects would run smoothly and that they would see God in the children.

  Preparation for saying goodbye. Pray that both the kids and I would be comforted and thankful for the time we've had.

  For a smooth transition out of my position. That God would prepare a place for me to work in Seattle.

I cannot wait to see you all! Before you hear from me next (I will do one more "Tales" after I return), I will be home. I have been graciously given a place to live this summer by my friends, the Ackers. I will live at their house until I get married in September. God has been so good to me. You can continue to email me at this address until I notify you of a new one in May. I have to say, that some of the best emails I get are in response to my monthly updates... PLEASE WRITE ME... even if it's just to be in good standing so that when I get home you can say that you did write me :-)

With Love,

Sarah Jamieson
Child Sponsorship Coordinator,
Homeless Children International-Kenya

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