Kenya - Day 2

Day 2 in Kenya started with one especially sweet surprise. We loaded into Naomi's Village's vehicle in order to make our way to Kijabe on perhaps one of the roughest roads (if you can call it that) I've ever experienced. But before we reached our final destination, we made a unexpected (for our team) stop to pick up a few extra passengers--Eunice and Joe!

If you'll remember, we had met Eunice and her son, Joe, at the IDP camp on our first day there. Joe had some painful sores on his face. He was sent home from school because of them. His mother, Eunice, was unable to gather enough money to seek medical attention for him. Isaac (the church planter) made special arrangements to get Joe the care he desperately needed but couldn't afford. We were happy to squeeze in almost lap-on-lap so that they could join us on our visit to a hospital in Kijabe. When we dropped them off 45 bumpy minutes later, Eunice's face beamed with appreciation (and Joe's with a bit of anxiety!). My heart was full knowing we could help their family even a little bit.

Our first stop in Kijabe was to see one of Isaac and Esther's many dreams literally being built brick by brick. On a hillside overlooking a lush valley, they are mostly finished constructing a guest house that will also serve as a conference center. Three stories of meeting space and guest rooms will accomodate everything from conferences for Kenyans, local pastors, church planters, and long-term missionaries to short-term mission teams needing a place to rest their heads for a night.

Esther invited us into their home after our tour of the guest house. She served us homemade mandazi--a tasty Kenyan treat somewhat like a beignet without the powdered sugar--and chai. Isaac filled us in on all that the Lord has laid on their hearts to do in Kijabe and Maai Maihiu.
They played the following video. Watch it and may your heart be drawn to pray for what the Lord is doing through Rift Valley Fellowship.

I was so moved by their hearts for the people around them. They love well!  I cannot wait to see what the Lord will do.

Riding the wave of the Karanjas' passionate vision, we got to see for ourselves the very place that started this whole journey. The AIC/CURE hospital team in Kijabe is who invited Bob Mendonsa and his family to serve in Kenya years ago. The Mendonsas were the primary reason our team traveled to Kenya. I was grateful to be able to lay hands and eyes on such a special place. While there we caught a glimpse of Eunice and Joe after his treatment. They were both smiles this time! Thank you to those who helped fund this trip--YOU provided for Eunice and Joe!

Commercial Break--Two Gates

In honor of our thirteenth anniversary, I am taking a commercial break from my posts on Kenya.

For the past couple of months I have been slowly but surely making my way through Kelly Minter's study on Nehemiah. Each entry has been eerily timely. Today's was entitled "Full Circle." In Nehemiah 12 we see him leading the people in celebration through songs and such rejoicing that it could be heard far away (v. 43). What is so remarkable about this is that he is standing in the exact spot that he first inspected when he arrived to survey the devastation. Kelly observes, "God had brought Nehemiah full circle, beginning at one broken gate on the circumference all the way around to the very same gate, only on this day all had been made new."

Thirteen years ago, there were two gates I stood in front of with so much hope and vision. But at the time, they were not all they could be. They were broken and in need of much repair and sanctification. The first gate was our marriage. So much love but also so much baggage. So much growing up to do. Together. We struggled for years because it was worth it. There were days we didn't like each other that much but there was that knitting of souls that kept us from ripping each other apart. I can honestly say each year has been exponentially better than the year before. Today, Matt and I can stand, hand in hand, with our eyes toward the gate, marveling at all the Lord has done--all that He needed to do because we were both in shambles. We are in no way perfect now but grace abounds so much more freely toward each other, and in turn, so much more love.

The other gate was a desire to sing honest, new songs to the Lord from my heart. This was a heavy one. It leaned oppressively on the first gate. It was a good desire the Lord placed in me that I made an ultimate desire (which made it an idol). The Lord was so jealous for my worship that He took His time with this gate. Years and years He pressed, broke, reshaped and set me. For my freedom, for my joy, for His glory alone. I stand gazing at this gate, still with Matt (as he has had a front row seat to this renovation), in awe of what the Lord has done and let me do. Even if I only get to listen to the rough recordings of my first album, it is enough because His grace is enough.

In all of this gate-repairing, I am struck with this thought: the point isn't the gate alone, it's the going through to what's on the other side. These gates have given me an opportunity to see and experience God Himself. To know His being enough in the very deepest places in my heart and soul. To know the narrow gate--Jesus--through whom I have been invited to enjoy forever and ever. That's full circle. That's lasting joy. That's a gate that will never be in disrepair. It will never be demolished.

Full

31 Meanwhile the disciples were urging him, saying, “Rabbi, eat.” 32 But he said to them, “I have food to eat that you do not know about.” 33 So the disciples said to one another, “Has anyone brought him something to eat?” 34 Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work. 35 Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, then comes the harvest’? Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest. 36 Already the one who reaps is receiving wages and gathering fruit for eternal life, so that sower and reaper may rejoice together. 37 For here the saying holds true, ‘One sows and another reaps.’ 38 I sent you to reap that for which you did not labor. Others have labored, and you have entered into their labor.” John 4:31-38

This passage comes on the heels of the dialogue between Jesus and the woman at the well (one of my favorites in Scripture). A dialogue in which Jesus enters so forthrightly yet tenderly into this woman’s world. Like a surgeon’s scalpel, He cuts through race, ethnicity, gender, culture, religion and right into this woman’s heart. He reveals the depth of her thirst and the only thing that will satisfy--Him. 

I have sat down almost a dozen times to write this post. Once, I even finished it and perched my hand above the keyboard to press “finish” when all of a sudden it was gone. A wise woman told me that there must have been something I left out that the Lord wanted in. I think she was right.  I am using this as an introductory post to a series in which I attempt to download all the things I saw the Lord do in Kenya.

The need was so easy to see and meet there. In fact, there’s so much need that it can at times be overwhelming unless we anchor our hearts in the goodness and sovereignty of God. Even then, I think it’s a blessing to feel the weight of it--a blessed opportunity to experience the reality of living in the already but not yet.  It fuels our prayers and our sowing and reaping.

The impression I’ve been left with since being home has come in the form of a prayer. Lord, as my heart and days were full of doing “the will of him who sent me” in Kenya, may they be that way here. Give me eyes to see the need and the work there is to do around me--where you have planted me for now. Give me x-ray vision to see through the neatly manicured lawns, the crisp, freshly laundered wardrobes and nicely-kept homes and businesses to the deep-seated need. For I know that the fields are white for harvest.

More to come...

Kenya: Day 1

Today was our first full day at Naomi's Village. It has been all I had hoped for and more. The morning was cool and damp (very different from back home!). What darkness covered during the night, the early sunlight began to unveil--deep, green mountains, vibrant bougainvillea, and those trees (I don't know the name yet) that you picture in your mind when you think "Kenya" dotting the landscape. In a word: lovely. Children's voices sifted through the windows of our room. Sounds of life and love echoed from the courtyard. Each of us made our way downstairs to join the chorus.

Audrey and I had the honor of meeting our sponsored child, Hannah. She is truly a delight. We were invited to be a part of the preschool children's morning devotion. Their cheerful voices recited Psalm 19:1. We listened, we sang, we laughed. Our hearts were full.

We met a church planter and his wife (Isaac and Esther) who are longing to plant a church that is gospel-centered and makes a physical difference in their community. One of the places where this is being fleshed out is in the IDP (internally displaced people) camp. They have a contact there who helps coordinate needs and resources--physical and spiritual. We prayed with a woman (Eunice) whose husband was far away looking for work, barely making enough to make ends meet but not enough to seek medical treatment for her youngest son. The sores on his face looked painful. It appeared to be something that could easily be cleared up with medicine. Eunice went on to tell us how she earned a living before her house was burned and they moved to the IDP camp. She was a seamstress. But, when her workplace was burned, she lost everything--her machine, her supplies. She believed that if she had a machine, she could begin working again and bringing income for their family. What I love about Isaac and Esther is that they care more about a person's spiritual need but not at the expense of their physical need. Tomorrow, we will purchase a sewing machine and supplies, and provide medical care for her son. The money we use will be what you all have donated!! Thank you for making this possible!

We also met an elderly single mother/grandmother who sleeps on the concrete in her home. She has aches and pains in her legs that keeps her from fetching water. She has to rely on "well-wishers" to bring her food and water each day. Here's what's amazing--she loves the Lord. Like, really loves Him, really TRUSTS Him. As she recounted her heartbreaking story there was no hint of resentment in her voice--only peace. That is faith. That is something only the Holy Spirit can do! We prayed with her but I believe I walked away much more strengthened in my faith because of her. With your donations, we are purchasing mattresses, sheets, blankets and a water tank. Praise God!

As our day comes to a close and I think back on all the Lord has shown me today, I can't help but think of James 2:14-17:

What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and filled," without giving them what the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.


I am so grateful to the Lord for His gift of living, breathing faith! May He be praised!

More to come...

tomorrow!!

Tomorrow around noon, eight of us will board a plane (the first of three) with Kenya as our final destination. Thank you to all who have been a part of this journey! I will do my best to blog while I'm there.

Today we met with our contacts from Lost Orphans International (Joey Darwin has been a HUGE help!) and a couple that recently returned from their fourth (yay!!) visit to Naomi's Village. They had so much to share with us about the children there, the Kenyans who live nearby, the Americans who are serving at NV and all they've seen the Lord do there. To say I am excited and expectant is an understatement! My heart (and eyes) welled up as I drank in the pictures of the people there. The Lord has been so faithful to align all of the details that I can't begin to imagine what He has in store for us!

Will you pray for (and with) us?

• for unity among our team
• for patience and safety as we travel
• for peace in our hearts as we leave our families and our homes
• for the Holy Spirit to speak clearly and LOUDLY
• for the Lord to enlarge our hearts for whatever dreams He puts in them
• that we would love well because we are so well loved by Him
• for the Lord to sustain our health
• for the gospel to go forth!!

Thank you, friends!

Amazed

Thank you to everyone who joined me in prayer for our time in the studio. It could not have been more enjoyable!! I am absolutely in awe of the talent involved in making this dream a reality. Not only were they incredibly gifted, they were so humble! I enjoyed getting to watch them work so well together--united in a vision and sound without forcing any agenda. I will go back into the studio at the end of next week (hopefully) to record vocals. I would love your prayers again--this time for a healthy voice and a heart anchored in Him. Thank you for investing your time and prayers into this!

Here's the track list:

Uphold
For Your Name
No Other One
Already But Not Yet
Though You Slay Me
The Sparrow

Most are originals/co-writes. The Sparrow is an arrangement of His Eye is on the Sparrow. Can't wait to share them and show off my friends' hard work!!

Into the studio

Today I will go into the studio to start recording my first record. It is just a small offering, only 6 songs, but I am praying that it will be something to encourage hearts and point them to an all-satisfying, stabilizing God. The journey to this day has been long and sanctifying--and I wouldn't change a bit of it. I have gotten so much of Jesus. He has shattered me to reshape me, and for that I am incredibly grateful.

The Lord has been so sweet to prepare me for this week. Just this past weekend I was scheduled to speak at a huge women's conference--this was something that caused an equal amount of terror and excitement for me ;) But, as many of you know, the Lord had different plans. You can read about it here.

It was such a powerful experience. I felt so tenderly cared for and loved by God. I felt the heaviness and beauty of His favor. That day will be a monument to His relentless pursuit of my worship. Such a perfect way to walk into today--to be anchored in HIS favor, HIS power, HIS delight, HIS worship. All great weapons to combat the fear that could potentially creep in.

Will you join with me in praying over this? Will you ask the Lord to be gracious--to have this collection of only a few, little songs bring glory to Him and joy to the listeners? Will you pray that the enemy would have no part in this week? Will you pray that my flesh would be kept at bay and that if it does rear its head that I would be ready, prepared to preach the gospel to myself? Will you pray that my voice will hold up--that I would sing the song the Lord would give me with the voice only I have? Will you pray that I delight in His creativity in crafting the way I hear music and how it overflows through my vocal folds? Even then, will you pray that I will be malleable--able to joyfully take direction and criticism? Will you pray for the players and producers--that even they would be ministered to? Will you pray the Holy Spirit would be thick in that place?

Thank you, friends. 

I hope to be posting during the process...so be keeping an eye out ;)

Why I'm Not at TGC Women's Conference

On my way to the airport this morning, I snapped the above shot of the incredible sunrise. After I had taken the photo, I glanced at its image in my phone and could not help but see the giant heart glowing back at me. I interpreted it as a sign that everything would go as planned today. That I would make my flight (I had more than enough time to make it on any other day...except for today), that the Lord would give me words to speak truth and love to the women at The Gospel Coalition, that the Spirit would move mightily despite me, and that I would get to spend time with women I know and love, and women I don't know yet but still love.

The Lord had a different plan.

This glowing heart in the sky was a reminder that because I am His, everything works out for my good and His glory--that instead of my talking about His being the stability of our times, He proved Himself to be just that.

As I walked into the terminal, I knew it would take an act of God to get me to my flight on time. But, He is that kind of God. He can do the impossible. A line full of families with Mickey-eared children and couples dressed for beachy weather snaked past security, in front of the ticket agents and down the hall to baggage claim. No worries, I had plenty of time--a full hour. This just meant I'd have to make due with airplane coffee rather than Starbucks. The digits on my phone kept creeping closer and closer to boarding time. Once that time passed and I was still in line, I became a bit more nervous. Just as I made it through security with 2 minutes to spare before take-off, I was informed that they had given my seat away. 


I would love to say that I rejoiced in God's sovereignty and that it would all work out for my joy and His glory. But, to be honest, I felt kicked in the gut. Tears brimmed. I thought, Lord, I know You are sovereign. I know You are good. I know this is part of Your plan, but I am struggling to understand it. 

The gate agents did what they could to get me on another flight. They handed me a voucher to put me on stand-by for the next flight and encouraged me to grab a coffee and breathe. I followed their instructions. However, when I got to the next flight's gate, my name kept inching lower and lower on the stand-by list. I was then informed that all the flights from Dallas to Orlando were oversold.

I lost it.

I could no longer contain the tears! I felt so burdened for the women at TGC and burdened with this message--that He would be the stability of our times, an abundance of salvation, wisdom and knowledge. I was a blubbering mess right there at gate C36 at the DFW airport.

The heart of man plans his way,

but the Lord establishes his steps.

Proverbs 16:9

A sweet voice broke the onslaught of "what if I had..."s and "if only..."s that were bombarding my mind. Are you okay?, she asked. Through sniffles and breath-gathering pauses, I related my story to this precious woman. I even unpacked what I'd prepared to share at the workshop with her. I told her how the Lord had proven to be the stability of my times through Matt's brain tumor diagnosis and the uncertainty that comes with that, and what I felt like the Lord showed me about Himself through it.

Her response was staggering.

She felt like the Lord had purposed us to meet, and for me to share my story with her. It became apparent that the Lord was pursuing her. She knows Him, but the Lord was inviting her to return to Him.

Once it became apparent that I would not make any flight to Orlando today, I exchanged cell numbers with her. She texted this to me a few hours later:

I got confirmed on a flight leaving at 3:30 today. Only seat open until tomorrow. I was just sitting here reflecting on our encounter and I have no doubts that your preparation for your testimony and talk on suffering was not wasted. I'm sorry that the women in Florida did not get to hear you speak, but I feel as though my heart heard something it needed to hear and I'm glad we were able to have the time to talk. We have an AWESOME God!


I thought I knew what that big heart in the sky meant, but the Lord showed me something better. He showed me how intimately He loves us. He showed me that He personally knows what each of us is going through and has gone through. He showed me that He enters in! He orchestrates and establishes the most intricate of details! He showed me that all other props--a flight schedule, a security line, a healthy husband, my plan for my life--cannot truly sustain. Only He is unshakeable. Only He can be the stability of our times.

For all you precious, precious women at The Gospel Coalition's Women's Conference, please know that I am praying for you. More than good doctrine (though it is important!), I pray you get more of JESUS this weekend, in whatever form He may present Himself---in the expected and the unexpected. I pray I get another chance to share with you, some way, some how.

Naomi's Village's Newest Additions

I received the following e-mail not too long ago announcing a few additions to Naomi's Village:

We will soon have 32 children who call Naomi's Village home! 

God has been faithful in rescuing children who need a new hope 

and His love.  Let us introduce to you our newest "adorables." 

Esther (picture on the left), 4 yrs. and newborn Baby Naomi (picture on the right) joined us in April 2012.  Abandoned by her parents when she was 2 yrs. old, Esther was taken in by a person who then severely abused her. She was rescued from this traumatic situation and has been awaiting a permanent home for 2 years.  Sweet Naomi was found abandoned in a field shortly after her birth. Miraculously, she was rescued before being attacked by safari ants, dogs, etc. and before becoming severly dehydrated under an equatorial sun.  We praise God for these 2 rescued lives! 

The boys above are Laban, 6, and his brother James, 4.  They will join us next week upon completion of required paperwork.  After their mother died 2 years ago, the father abused their young teen-age sister. The father is now serving a life sentence in Kenyan prison.   

Laban and James are shy, sweet young boys.  We are thankful God is bringing them to Naomi's Village where they will be safe and loved.  Both of these boys need sponsors.  If you can help, please let me know. You could also help by sharing the story of Naomi's Village and these 2 precious boys with your family and friends.  Perhaps they would like to be a part of restoring hope to Laban and James.  Please also pray for Laban and James as they make the transition to their new home soon.  

Thank you for your love, support and prayers for our children and staff at Naomi's Village.  Your prayers and words of encouragement give us strength to press on each day. 

Introducing: Naomi's Village

Watch a brief video to further acquaint yourselves with the people of Naomi's Village, those our team will be serving in only a month! Thank you to those who have made this happen!

THANK YOU!!!

I am absolutely floored by the outpouring of love and generosity!! We raised enough money to almost send our ENTIRE TEAM to Kenya!! What we lack will be made up for by those who are giving that are connected to other people on the team.

Because of this, the goal has been met! If you'd still like to give, thank you but please know that I won't be able to send my EP to you. If you gave by today and over $10, you will receive my EP. If you give after today, I will not be able to get my EP to you. I am so sorry about that. However, you'll be able to buy it via iTunes once it's released (late July/early August).

More importantly (than all this EP business), I can't wait to share pieces of the journey with you guys! I will start posting more in the coming weeks of what to pray for while we're there and sneak peeks into Naomi's Village--the stories, the people. Thank you so much for standing with me in this..."one on one side and the other on the other side." Thank you for being our Aaron and Hur so that we can be Naomi's Village's Aaron and Hur.

p.s. If you are receiving my EP and would like a digital copy instead of a physical copy, please let me know.

I Need Your Help

On July 16th, Audrey (my 9-year-old) and I will, Lord willing, be traveling with a small group of women to Kenya to love on some missionaries and orphans--one of whom has become particularly special to our family (she is pictured below). She lives in Naomi's Village--a home for children who have been orphaned or rescued from life-threatening circumstances. They receive love, care, support and discipleship.

The Lord put this trip on my heart in January, and He has been faithful to line up our schedule and place people to join us in the adventure--physically, spiritually and financially. However, we've run into a snag. With rising gas prices, our plane tickets are much higher than we initially planned.

When I first received the news, I was honestly discouraged. I felt sure that this is what the Lord had in store for us. Providentially, I was reading through a manuscript of an amazing new author who serves as a missionary with her husband and children in the Middle East (I cannot wait to recommend her book to you!). She recounts the story in Exodus 17:8-13 of the battle between the Israelites and the Amalekites. Joshua and a select group of men go out to fight their enemies. Moses, Aaron and Hur stand on the top of a hill nearby. Whenever Moses holds up the staff of God with his hands high in the air, Joshua and the Israelites prevail. As soon as his arms lower, their enemies prevail. Naturally, Moses' arms began to grow weary but they did not give up. They took a stone and put it under Moses, and he sat on it, while Aaron and Hur held up his hands. It says, "So his hands were steady until the going down of the sun...and Joshua overwhelmed Amalek and his people with the sword."

Now, I know this story is ultimately a shadow of Christ's arms being outstretched on a cross on our behalf to utterly destroy our enemies of sin and death. Praise Him!! But, I also believe it is a portrait of how we may come alongside one another, "one on one side, and the other on the other side," to accomplish something we feel the Lord has put in our heart to do.

This is where you come in. Would you prayerfully consider giving to this trip? Would you stand with us, "one on one side, and the other on the other side" to see this come to fruition? If you can't give financially, will you pray for the Lord to provide? If you can give financially, there is one small incentive.

At the end of this month I am going into the studio to record my first EP (a collection of 5 or 6 songs that I have written and will perform). I would love to give you a copy of it (once it is printed, which would be some time toward the beginning of August...after our trip to Kenya), if you give $10 or more to our trip. 

Here's how you can give:

Online: go to  www.lostorphans.com - general donations tab - Naomi's Village - add to cart - select amount to donate - choose Naomi's Village again in the drop down menu - place order - put *Chandler* in the comment section when filling out the donate page.

By mail: Send a check payable to LOI with "Chandler" in the memo line to: LOI, P.O. Box 1388, McKinney, Texas 75070

***make sure you give them your address for tax purposes and (if you give $10 or more) so that I can send you your copy of the EP***

All contributions are tax-deductible.

Thank you for even considering this and especially for praying for us! I will be updating the blog in the coming weeks, during our trip and afterward.

Blessings!
Lauren


For more information on Naomi's Village, go to naomisvillage.com

Hannah

Hannah. A woman well acquainted with waiting. She had the love of her husband. She had a double portion. But, she did not have a child. For her, she could gain the whole world but her heart would still lay in pieces on the ground. To make matters worse, the woman that shared her husband found great pleasure in crushing the shards into fine powder with her annoyingly fruitful womb and surgically sharp tongue. Her poor husband did everything he knew to do to comfort her. He knelt down and carefully gathered the pieces from the dirt. He lifted them up to show her and vainly attempted to fit them back together. All his might, all his skill, all his tenderness, all his love could not mend what the Lord had broken.

God had every ability to open her womb yet He waited. He knew the impact of the little life that would soon sprout within her. He knew the kind of tree He would plant in His house that would usher in a king who would be a shadow of the King to come. The fruit was too precious to let it be plucked by man, sit in a bowl, without being consumed, and rot.

So, He ordained a waiting for Hannah. Not just for her son Samuel but for her soul as well. He knew the best thing for her heart was to come to the end of itself. To reach the point that there was no way she could ever glue the pieces back together. All she could do was let out tear-soaked prayers and throat-tight cries to the only One who could do more than repair a heart but give her a completely new one. He would give her a desire to give up the very thing for which she longed. She would utter a vow to devote her only child to live ever in the service of her God.

And the Lord heard. He remembered Hannah. He boasted in her humility. He lifted her up. And in turn, from a new heart, she worshiped Him. She gave a sacrifice of praise - her only son.