Bones in the Mountain

A short drive from Kitale town rises impressive Mt. Elgon. Mountains seem so mighty, like majestic, unmovable giants. When living in Georgia, Steve and I would “run away” to the Appalachian mountains. There's a sense of Godliness when sitting atop something created by Him that proves our tininess. How like God it is, that after moving us all the way to Kenya, He places us beside massive Mt. Elgon. He knew of our love for tall mountains and quiet nature, He placed that in us.
Nature here is quite different than that of the Blue Ridge Mountains in North Georgia. Black bears are replaced by leopards, deer by antelope, horses by zebras, and cattle by water buffalo. Oak, pine, dogwood and poplar trees from home are dwarfed by the massive trees growing in this wild land. Acacia trees decorate the mountain side while dense forests are filled with nandi-flame and baobob trees. Black and white monkeys dance through the high limbs here while black and white skunks hold fast to solid ground back home.
The mountain was formed by volcanic activity millions of years ago. The same earth shifting movements that shaped the Great Rift Valley also pressed the mountain up into the sky. Caves formed over time as rushing waters eroded softer soil, but water was not working alone. Elephants discovered salt in the walls of the caves on Elgon.

 No one knows for sure how long ago the elephants began excavating for salt, no one was there to witness their initial digging. But great tusk scrapings can be seen on the cave walls and ceilings of Kitum Cave, the elephants have “owned” the caves for longer than men have visited them. Crystals are embedded in the walls, alongside salt deposits, bat perches, and spider nests. To step inside the caves of Mt. Elgon ----- one can't help but be visually reminded of our small “vapor” like existence.
Last week we returned to the mountain, thankful for the chance to visit a place that is controlled ONLY by God. Men seem to have their hands on almost everything in this world. Even our churches are managed by skin-covered-clay-vessels. Stepping into the wild places created and controlled by Abba --- there's something much akin to Holiness there.
As we drove through the muddy, wild, winding roads underneath the massive trees that dwarfed us, we came to a trail leading to Chepnyalil Cave, a place we had not yet visited. A short hike up a sharp incline carried us to the waterfall beside the cave opening. Wildness all around, we were transfixed by God's beauty. Staying ever alert, we were watchful as we stepped into the mouth of the cave. These places are not tame; they should be approached with respect. The dank, musty smell of the great vertical hole in the earth is the first to greet. But then immediately we notice the huge boulders that have fallen from the cave ceiling above us. No walls are shored up or supported, we walk cautiously. Next our eyes see drawings on the wall --- or are they fossils? We aren't sure.

 I crawl up the slanted cave wall to touch the marking, there are no grooves, they seem to be drawn, but not with an ink that will rub off. I sense that what I am touching is old, very old. Am I touching something that was touched by another 10 fingered person --- millions of years ago? Or perhaps it was just last week? But, I think of the scripture, “...ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is and walk in it, and you shall find rest for your souls.” Jeremiah 6:16... I know what I am touching is “ancient”(but I will receive not directions from it's lines). There is a sense of awe and wonder in the air of this musky cave as I look around me. My skin shivers when I begin to grasp what my eyes are actually seeing ---- huge, old, ivory protruding from the stone walls and ceiling over my head.

 Bones... ancient bones... bones large enough to carry massive creatures... they surround me. No signs are posted, no guides or museum curators are present. Just these massive white messengers whispering to me. In their silence I still hear... “I use to walk about like you, I use to breath and move as you do ---- but now, i'm silent and still ---- just as you will be someday.
I was overcome and speechless (if you can imagine), and yet squealing with excitement all at the same time. Overhead was a grouping of bones that most surely could have come from something the size of the dreaded T-Rex. We walked further and found more bones... a huge jaw-bone with teeth still set into it, teeth that spoke of fierceness and danger, but held still above me. My imagination was overwhelmed. A hole in the cave ceiling presented lacy fern frond fossils.

It was mesmerizing --- so loud in its silence. We climbed up on the massive boulders, careful at first, then more bold as we felt their solidness underneath us. And my dear Steve said ----- “What could have caused these huge pieces to fall from so high above us? Surely it was an earth shaking of some sort... I wonder if they could have come crashing down on the day Jesus was crucified and the earth shook in darkness?...”

Imagine...
The reality that where we were standing had once been visited by huge animals created by the same God who created us, and the earth had shifted and now held their mighty bones tightly in stone before us, and these bones were tucked into their rock blankets long before Christ walked under the skies above them... it all felt so Holy.
So many had been born, lived, and died between the breathing of these huge animals and the breathing of me... Abraham... Ruth... Noah... Moses... David... Christ... … …
The brevity of our breathing days is undeniable.
There is much to be done, many to be loved, more to be given, but ---- there will always ONLY be ONE to be worshiped...
When my bones lay still ----------- will it have mattered that I took up space and breathed air? Most of all, will I have worshipped the ONE by the way I lived?
The Alpha and Omega was here before the bones of the cave carried muscle ----- and He will be here long after my bones lay silent and still.
May they move while they can, for good, God-honoring reasons... until...

Hebrews 11:32 – 40
And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson and Jephthah, about David and Samuel and the prophets, who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. Women received back their dead, raised to life again. There were others who were tortured, refusing to be released so that they might gain an even better resurrection. Some faced jeers and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were put to death by stoning;they were sawed in two; they were killed by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated—the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, living in caves and in holes in the ground.
These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.


©2013 Donna Taylor/Reaching for the Robe

Some things never change...

Our sweet Talouse cat back in Georgia

We're living in the middle of unfamiliar and “different” these days. And “different” is slowly becoming the new familiar. So, this past month i committed to making note of things that have not changed – the things that can feel “just like home” if i'll let them. In the beginning i believed i would find little to journal about. But...

For fun, next month i plan to journal on the “unfamiliar and different”.

This month, however, has proven to be an exercise in “comfort”.

Here are 36 simple things ----- that have not changed ---- neither geography nor culture has altered them an ounce... and i'm so very thankful.

• the way flowers bud and bloom
• the smell of fresh plowed dirt
• the way birds bathe in puddles of water
• the way white clouds float in blue skies
• weeds grow in gardens – even though no one planted them
• the way water falls
• the way hurt people cry
• the way happy children bounce when they walk
• the smell of cut grass
• the way people sit down
• the way birds build nests and feed their baby chicks
• the way death comes...
• the way birds perch in trees and watch the world below them
• the itch of bug bites
• the way babies want their mothers... and the way good mothers respond
• the way it sounds when paper is crumpled
• the way selfishness poisons everything, even the one at the center of it
• the way it feels under a shade tree on a hot day
• dust --- it's everywhere (but it may be different colors in different parts of the world)
• the feel of clean water on dirty skin
• sleep
• the way rain slows everything above ground but waters everything beneath
• God's Bible – it says the same thing... no matter where it is
• the way it smells after rain
• the way a real smile comforts a lonely heart
• the way wind moves tall grass
• the elusive line between “too much” and “not enough” --- (contentment with what we have)
• the way bruises prove something hit too hard (but bruises are harder to see on dark skin)
• the way a leaf falls to the ground
• the fact that birds sing so much more than people and people waste too much time talking
• the darkness of loneliness
• the way it feels to be authentically loved --- when nothing is expected in return
• the sound of thunder and lightening in the sky and rain on windows
• the smell of puppies
• the moo of cows and the way they move so slowly (back home it was in a pasture, here it's more often on the road)
• the way cats act, whether they weigh 5 pounds or 500
  
  

  

  Taken last week in Nakuru.

  
  
  
  
  "I am the same as you in God’s sight;
      I too am a piece of clay." Job 33:6
  
  
  “It was the same in the days of Lot. People were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building." Luke 17:28
  
  
  "There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work." 1 Corinthians 12:5-6
  
  
   "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." Hebrews 13:8
  
  
  
  
  ©2013 Donna Taylor/Reaching for the Robe  

Between a rock and a Holy Place

The toughest professors in my most challenging college courses never came close to teaching me at the deep levels of cognitive and spiritual development surrounding me these days. Truly, my rate of growth, only reflects the harsh reality that there was so much i did not know. I've never thought of myself as “highly intelligent”. But i never realized “just how little i knew” until stepping into the arenas where logic doesn't compute and no amount of “want to, try to, hope to, maybe i can if i work hard enough” will make an ounce of difference. When in one place there are innocent little ones being broken physically struggling to get through another day of hunger and pain, but then just a few lines of latitude and longitude traveled reveal the same sort of skin covered innocent ones being emotionally ruined by lavish unnecessaries piled around them.

But always in the back of my mind I remember ---- the Garden of Eden.

Eden was God's plan... His gift... in Eden no one person would have had too much while another suffered without.

These reflections are not meant to present some magnificent theological finding.

They're just the ponderings of a daughter ... who is … growing.

The scriptures roll through my mind --- “the Lord gives and the Lord takes away, blessed be the name of the Lord”... and I say “Amen”. The Lord is blessed, He is holy and just and loving and merciful. But what of His children?

How often are we acting out “the will of The Lord” in our day to day living?

How much do I act out “the will of the Lord” around me?

The struggle of ---- do I give food to the street children who are ever near me these days. I buy a bag of oranges and give one each to the two boys with jiggered feet and torn, filthy clothes in front of me. And I look at the bag in my hands. And I struggle – missing Eden. Some would actually criticize saying, “don't give them any food, it only encourages them to stay begging on the street”. And I get that point. Others would say, “what would Jesus do, he would surely give them food...”. And I get that point too. Some would say, “just get out of there, come back home to America, where you can avoid the tension, and eat your oranges in peace...” oh God...

I even say to myself, “what are you thinking donna, you're so far away from “home”, from your kids, don't you know you are risking never being near them again with this obedience...”. We aren't suppose to admit things like that are we? But...

Yesterday a pregnant, filthy street woman who looked to be 90 years old came to me as I bought onions at the street market. Oh God!!! her hand is out, she needs help! She carries a little one inside. She's also “mindless” as some of my Kenyan friends would describe it. Dear God, how did her life come to this?? Logic says --- “donna, you can not give her what she needs... you can help her for the next few minutes... but in the end, you can not 'fix' her life...” and this logic is accurate. But... what about the words, “do unto others as you would have them do unto you..”?

In all this tension, this terrible tension ---- my tininess is painfully clear. Like a tiny bush on the side of the escarpment bordering the Great Rift Valley.

Many would say, “oh the problems are just too great, it's too overwhelming, i'll look away or better yet i'll stay far from it, ---- i'll just keep living my life --- and i'll pray for them...” Sometimes it feels like the only possible response to the great need in this world.

But then God plucks a daughter from the peaceful place found at the easier lines of longitude and latitude, and He places her in the middle of where His heart is --- and she stops to hear HIS VOICE.

She realizes she knows too little.

She cringes at the contrast of the two worlds. And He grows her in His ways. “He must increase... I must decrease” (John 3:30) becomes a heartbeat, no longer just inked words on neat white paper.

She realizes she's a pebble with many rough edges. She's tucked in with all the other pebbles at the bottom of the stream. The flood waters come rushing over her. She can hardly breathe. Other pebbles surround her, she can endure if they can, right? But then the water somehow plucks her up from the sandy bottom. She misses the comfort of the spot she had always occupied in the middle of those who held her securely in her place. Still the rushing waters have swept her away. She crashes into bigger, unrelenting boulders that line the boundaries of the water's edge. Every collision knocks off a sharp edge on her, an edge that had been unseen by her until the moment of impact. But when the chiseling blow comes, she knows --- that sharpness had been there all along, and it needed to go for her journey down the stream to flow more gently. It's a painful journey down the waterway --- but it's so very necessary. She realizes, while tucked into the sand, the rough edges had not been so evident. The sand could cover up. Only the part that was exposed had felt the rushing waters; and those waters had nicely smoothed the portion that had felt their constant flow. But only when the current had pulled her away did the jagged, sharp, far-from-smooth sides show. The steady stream didn't seem to notice or care, but she did. She knew. She had thought she was smooth... but now her jagged edges protruded and collided. She was being changed, transformed, altered, awakened.

For as she found herself carried by the rushing waters, she was seeing things she'd never seen before. She was impacted by boulders she'd only heard of before. In truth, she had been afraid of the thought of such huge boulders and hoped she might never have to encounter them. Tucked safely in her stream-bottom-sand-bed, she had felt certain she would be safe from them. And yet, she was now learning, the giants didn't break her to pieces, they were only allowed to chip off tiny pieces of the jagged sharp sides she had hoped would never be seen.

She was a pebble being tossed about at the will of the rushing stream. She had no control over her course. Helpless. But.... not hopeless.

She knew as she encountered another giant boulder, she could do nothing to alter it ---- but if she just let the waters carry her through, the boulder would impact her, and she would be changed. What needed to go would be chipped away. If her already smoothed side was the surface that hit the giant rock, she would slide off easily, nothing would chip away. Only the jagged edges would chip away when they hit the giant hard places.

The One who made the stream. The One who plucked her from her safe, sandy bed. The One who was over the boulders and set her course for the journey through them. That One would someday gather her up at the end of her journey, and hold her in His great hands. And He would hopefully be able to say, “oh little one, it's been a hard journey hasn't it? You've been tossed about, but look at you now. You're smooth in my hands. There is nothing about you now that would prick another. There's no side of you now that has not been touched and shaped. The boulders were cruel. Not even I wish for the boulders to be so hard. But since they have chosen to be that way... I have chosen to use them in ways that will bring about my good purposes. For you see, i've been steadily at work to help you. You're heart had cried out to me, you wanted more of Me; you wanted to bless others, not cut them with your sharp edges. So the work began. And little one --- all along the way, you thought you were having no impact on the giant, hard, unrelenting boulders --- but you did. Look back. My rushing waters that carried you through have been working on smoothing those hard places in this world. You alone didn't change them, but the combination of you along with many others like you mixed in with my waters ---- together we've made a difference. Some of the boulders are now many tiny pebbles rushing down the same stream you've just traveled. And some of the cruel boulders are even now being slowly worn down and weakened. Little stone in my hands ---- I will use you and the many like you ---- to transform even the hardest places. You will never understand the hard places, your mind is not equipped to do so. But I do. And i'm at work.

I, God, know the pregnant homeless lady who ripped at your heart yesterday. I know her intimately. You can't change her any more than you could change the boulder beside the stream. But I, God, I will continue to flood my waters over her. She will not have one day that I, God, am not willing to draw near her and smooth away all that is rough and wrong. She might not feel like she has a choice. But remember my Word --- if she will turn to me, she will find me.

You --- just be my pebble.

Allow me to toss you according to my good will ---- your course is not hap-hazard. I chart each turn and curve.

The awareness of all that you do not “know” and the starkness of all that is wrong in this fallen world. The moments of newness that overwhelm you and make you face your intense inability and weakness ---- just be a pebble in those moments and allow Me, the One who is not weak, the One who loves you dearly, the One who is not overwhelmed, allow ME to carry you through.

I will accomplish what needs to be accomplished.

You just attend to releasing yourself into the rushing waters, let the rough edges be removed, and in the end, I will then allow you to see all that “I” accomplished during your journey.


©2013 Donna Taylor/Reaching for the Robe

Elephants and a Boy --- Salt and Light...

He was standing between bushes on the side of the mud road. It would be better described as a narrow mud trail. His clothes, old and frayed, were almost the same color as his skin, like perfect milk chocolate. His smile. It glowed. Tiny and barefooted, he stood there alone, but he knew how to welcome someone.

He waved loudly, I waved back and smiled --- trying to match the glowing smile on his tiny face. But then I noticed the twitch of his eyes. His whole forehead jerked as muscles in his eyelids moved in abnormal ways. My mother-heart jumped ---- but then we were past him ---- and I whispered to Abba.

We were on our way to speak at a Pastor's Conference. Several dozen men were expecting us; we had been asked to encourage them on unity and reconciliation.

We were almost there, the Pastor's were gathering, but we were “watching” for the arrival of the Holy Spirit. For in truth, we wake daily knowing, only what Abba says through us will be worthy. We had prayed and read and prepared ourselves as best we could ---- but we live with the keen understanding, we are clay vessels ---- vessels that are only valuable because of what we hold inside. So we look for the daily refilling, we ask for the overflow, we watch for the Holy One to pour Himself through. We were eager for what He would give, He knows what is needed, He just watches for which mouths will open for His Words. After all, how could we possibly know what another stands needing to hear? We can not know what Abba is doing in the life of another ---- but we can open our mouths to let His Life and Truth and Light flow. Amazingly, we so often do not even know what was said that helped them ---- even though we witness the flow. For it's one of the wonderful mysteries ---- God among us, ministering and delivering what is needed, if we remain obedient to just show up.

We drove on through the mud trail and finally arrived at the church. Children were the first to greet us – it's most always that way here. Ladies waved from a distance, but children were all around. Barefoot, beautiful, glowing in the morning light, they watched after each other and reached with eager timidity to shake our hands and greet us with, “How are you?” (said with the most lovely accent and always inflection on the “you”). And then sliding into the mix of them, was the little guy from the bushes. His smile captivated. All their smiles do. They are unhindered by the mud between their toes or the tears in the clothes ---- they were open and excited --- they had someone to welcome, they shined with something so much more lovely than gold.

The cutey up front is the little one with the eye spasms.

As we shook hands and giggled together, we were thankful for the gentle way God was easing our nerves with His little ones. We never stand to teach with a gloating confidence ---- we are always willing, but always a bit unnerved. It takes obedience and attention to not allow human flesh to hinder the flow of God. Any pitcher meant to carry good, clean water ----- needs to be scrubbed clean itself. The children were ministering to us with their eager goodness. So often the smallest among us do the most good.

But I noticed the eye spasms of the first little boy. They had increased. Between each muscle twitch his eyes would almost close. It was disturbing to watch. The mother in me wanted to load him up and take him to the nearest doctor. But it is most important to show respect for the adults around him first, to see what others have already done.

As we met with others during the morning, and sipped Kenyan tea before we were to begin the first session, the children lingered near, including the little boy with the twitching eyes. I learned that just the day before a medical clinic had taken place at this very church. Hundreds had come and been cared for by a team of Kenyan doctors and nurses. An American team had raised funds for the clinic and provided meds to be administered. Ministry at its best, in my opinion, many working together for the good of those in need. Unity ---- with a focus ---- that blesses outward. So I asked if the little fellow had been seen by the doctors, did they know what was wrong with his eyes? The kind lady said he probably had not been seen, the doctors only attended to those who stood in line to see them, and there had been a long line all day. But why had no one stood in line with him I asked. I thought of the man who had sat beside the pool at Bethesda year after year, never able to get into the healing waters because no one had helped him. She replied, “We should have thought of this and made sure he was seen, but you see, his mother left him long ago and his father is a picky-picky driver who is gone from sun-up to sun-down. So there was no one to wait with him in line.” She was remorseful I could tell. But I quickly reminded myself she had organized a clinic where hundreds of people had been cared for ---- attention was needed for the boy, but words of appreciation and encouragement were in order for her.

She called a friend over, a pastor in the area who knew of the boy's situation. He explained that months ago the boy's father had taken him to a doctor nearby and had learned there was some sort of neurological disorder developing in the boy that did not allow proper filter of sunlight. He could see better at night than he could in the day. He wasn't in pain, he was just unable to hold his eyes open in the light of day.

And I reminded myself ---- he is a boy whose father is working long hours to try and provide --- he has a father who faithfully returns to him each night. May God bless that father.

I asked who watched over him during the day while his father worked. She waved her arm wide and said, “All the mothers surrounding him”.

The Pastors were gathering, it was time to focus on why we had come. But the little guy tugged at my heart.

Inside the little tin church there were not lights. Doors opened wide let in the needed sunlight. Many men sat in a large circle and worship began. Breezes wafted through as bird songs dominated the loud voices of worship around us. Just outside the open doors a water spout stood, giving clean water from a deep bore-hole. Children lined up with their assortment of plastic jugs waiting their turn to gather the needed water for the day. These little ones did not have to walk miles for water. They only had to walk to the church each day --- such a beautiful thought in so many ways. And while they waited in line --- they danced to the worship. The children teach us, if we are willing to learn.

Introductions were made, we began to share what God had placed on our hearts, the air inside the stick-pole, tin covered church was wonderfully sweet. We all sensed Abba's nearness. Then as we spoke I noticed movement just inside the doorway. Steve was talking so I was allowed the time to look more closely ----- and warmth flooded me as I realized it was the little boy with the twitching eyes. He noticed my eyes on him, he smiled so sweetly, as his eyes held steady. No spasms or squinting. He sat as peaceful as a lamb, completely still, looking around, smiling.

We talked for the full length of the time requested of us --- almost four hours. And for much of that time the little guy sat inside the nice shaded church. Other children carried water and later played in the distance. But this little guy ---- he stayed nearer the shaded places inside the church.

While his father transports riders on his motor-bike all day, this son finds his solace in the shaded, breezy church.

And I wondered ------------ whose eyes are healthier?

In this world we want eyes that can see clearly in the light of day and we understand we should not be able to see well in the darkness. It's what we expect, what our eyes were “designed” to do, right? But as I watched the little boy who found rest in the shaded church and danced to the worship and sat quietly as if he were a grown man listening to all that was being said inside the church ---- I pondered it all.

To be able to see clearly ---- even in the “darkness” ----- it can be done --- with the Light?

Bats and roaches and leopards come out at night...

Darkness is equated to the evil one's arena in the scriptures...

But where do we sometimes find those who are hurting the most in this world?

Here in Kenya, we have been cautioned by Kenyans that we should be where we need to be by nightfall. An occasional drive home from a rare dinner out is ok, but it should not be often. Here on the “dark continent” (as it is often referred to) it is wise to be safely tucked indoors before darkness comes.

Dark places can be very dangerous.

But, this little boy spoke to my soul, without saying a word ----- “the light is wonderful, but it can be blinding for those in the darkness” ---- “bright light is hard on eyes that have only ever known darkness” ---- so as I live out the Light that I so dearly love and cling to, may I be ever so patient and gracious when I encounter those whose eyes are stung at their first glimpses of the Light.

Without words, a little boy with damaged eyes, can teach me.

In caves not far from our home, elephants journey deep into the catacombs searching for salt deposits. They make this journey at night, in the darkness. During the light of day they graze on vegetation that is life-giving but it lacks the salt they need. So at night they take the journey into pitch black caves, scrape the walls with their tusks and eat the salt they find there. How interesting --- they go searching for salt in the dark...

… I wonder how many living in the light of day are still hungry for more Salt... too many times God's good news is watered down, and the saltiness is too. Or could it be at times there are too many other “spices” offered on the table, when truly only good Salt is needed.

I remember --- my Savior was often found in “dark” places ---- shining the Light and delivering life-giving Salt.

Makes living on this “dark continent” taste right to this southern born day-light-loving girl.

Matthew 5: 13 - 16

“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.  Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.


©2013 Donna Taylor/Reaching for the Robe

Boldly and without hindrance he preached and taught...

After 7 days here and several trips to town in our Lori-car, Peter and I decided to walk today. It's a beautiful walk first on dirt roads with birds and flowers, then dirt trails with people and noise. About a mile in, we began encountering curious faces. We were greeted by a group of students. We spoke cordially and continued on our way. They followed close behind. I became uncomfortable (my Dad always says, "be aware of your surroundings donna" - i am Dad)... I paused to pretend I wanted to take a picture... they should pass on by... they didn't. They asked if we would take a “nap” with them. What? I asked why we would take a “nap” in the morning? They looked baffled; so did we. Finally Peter deciphered the confusion and said, “Do you want us to take a picture of you?” --- they looked relieved and with bright smiles exclaimed, “Yes, a snap...” We all laughed uproariously! How many times do we think we understand something when in fact we are confused? I love God's reminders to me that I do not understand what I sometimes think I do.

Photos were taken, more laughter was shared. Then they asked the normal questions, “Where are you from? Why are you here?” We answered. Then they asked something new --- “Will you please give us something we can show to others to prove we have shared time together?” Ah... there it was, almost always here, someone will ask for “something”. Peter pulled from his pocket an old, expired Walmart gift card. Bless his heart, he likely felt sentimental in some way regarding the card --- but his heart quickly releases “things” when it comes to people – i've learned this about him. They were thrilled to have the card as we explained what Walmart is --- they said, “Your supermarket at home?” we smiled and nodded. 

They asked more questions --- about why we lived here now.

I shared with them our ministry name --- Kweli Moyo. They quickly deciphered it's meaning in their Swahili language. “Moyo means heart”. “Yes”, I said, “but what of Kweli?” They talked among themselves finally concluding, “Kweli means truth”. “Well done! You are right. We are hear to help grow hearts that are truthful. And how can a heart become more truthful?” The baffled look came again. And I shared, “In the Bible we are told that all our hearts are deceitful; our hearts will trick us. My 'heart' might cause my mind to think thoughts that are not true at all. When we believe untrue things we live a very sad, confused, lonely life. But the Bible is filled with God's Truth for us. So, to have a 'Kweli Moyo' we must look to God and the Bible to help us know what is right and true and good”.

They were taking it in, I felt Abba near.

We talked a bit more.

A man on a bike, a street boy sniffing blue, more students --- all had stopped to hear what was being said. When too large a crowd gathers, and you're in the center of it --- it becomes quite uncomfortable. We gave cordial goodbyes and continued our walk. They headed back to where they had come from. The street boy shouted at us with garbled words, the others continued on their way.

Walking with Peter is a joy to my heart. 

We made our way to the Post office but just as we were about to walk inside the man on the bike appeared again. In a quiet, timid way he said, “When you were speaking to the children, I heard your words. You spoke of a heart that is true and God's Word. I was on my way to Marsabit (a town FAR north of here) and after you walked on, I continued on my way. But then I knew, I needed to know more about how a heart can actually become truthful and good.” Oh Lord... this man needs You – don't let me fail you now...

Two weeks ago in church here, another man had stood and quietly read scripture i'd never settled on before. He read from Acts 28:30-31. It's was our first Sunday here after our move, we needed deep encouragement --- God gave it to us with these words...
“For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. Boldly and without hindrance he preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ.”

We were awed at the clarity and closeness of the words.

Oh Lord, you called us to rent a home for two years here in Kitale. We are eager to welcome all who come to see us. Thank you for letting us see here that Paul did the same – he surely must have felt some of the same things we now feel. Oh help us Lord --- we don't feel like a “Paul”, but we want to be able to boldly and without hindrance teach and preach about your Kingdom and your Son...

With this man on the bike before me ------ I heard the words roll through me again ---- teach him about my Son donna, teach him about the One who loves him... it's why you are here daughter.

Timothy holding his stool which he gave to Peter to sit on -- street boys on the steps.

So with Peter near I asked if we could sit to talk.

He agreed.

We sat on the steps outside a business we had frequented – I knew the men inside were friends and would be watchful over us.

I leaned into Peter and whispered softly, “Pray son, pray as I share, ok?” He smiled and nodded.

And so I began by asking, “What do you want to know?”

He had many questions. I worked to respond in ways that would not get lost in language translations. He spoke English --- but not proficiently.

I prayed as we talked --- “Lord help me. Put Your Words on this tongue of mine. You know what is needed most...”

We learned his name was Timothy Too (pronounced Taw).

He knew of God as the Creator.

He knew little of Jesus.

Oh Lord, Jesus is the way, the TRUTH, and the LIFE ---- help me introduce him...

And so I shared of God's great love.

“God made you Timothy so He could love you and so you could love Him...”

I shared of how most people struggle to accept and believe that they are truly loved.

We talked of the Old Testament --- he knew a bit about it.

Then we talked of the New Testament --- he knew less.

We talked of Jesus and his willingness to leave his home in Heaven and come live in a troubled world. He came to help us understand God and bring answers for the confused; He taught about God's love. He never sinned. We sin. He loved us anyway --- but He wanted to show us a better way to live.

Timothy said, “i've tried to go to church, i've visited many different ones in many different towns. I know I need something that I do not have. But when I sit in this church they say one thing, and then I sit in another church and they say something different. This church criticizes that church and that church criticizes the others. So I came to believe no one really knows anything and God is too far away.”

I understood ---- I ached as we talked --- we people have done such a terrible job of living out the love of our Savior.

But my good God was pursuing this Timothy ---- he was at least still willing to ask...

He asked, “So what is the procedure to knowing this Savior?” I smiled and answered, “God's Word says, “If you believe in your heart, and confess with your mouth... you will be saved.”

“But Timothy --- you must truly believe. You can not simply say you believe and speak words with your mouth. Your heart must be Kweli Moyo --- it must be truthful. Believe truly and with your tongue confess, invite Jesus to be your Savior, and He will be with you always, you will become His child.”

He smiled. I smiled. Peter smiled.

By this time we had another crowd of street boys sitting all around Peter. It was becoming noisy --- and distracting.

Timothy looked away.

I prayed silently for him.

Oh God --- is this to be a time of harvest or a time of planting. You decide – give me your words.

I told Timothy we had to be going soon, my dear husband was coming to pick us and we did not need to be late. But if he wanted to pray with us now and invite Jesus into his heart, we could do so together. He looked away. Then I offered, or “if you would like for me to pray for you that God will continue to send others to you that will speak Truth, and give you more chances to understand and receive God's gift of Salvation, then I would do so”. He smiled and said, “My heart is not truthful yet, but if you will pray for me now, I will think on all you've said and see what God will do.”

Oh Lord... a seed has been planted ---- may it settle on good soil inside of Timothy.

We prayed.

The street boys wanted food.

We kindly said our goodbyes.

We walked on to the Post Office.

And I rolled the words again through myself --- “Boldly and without hindrance he preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ.”

…. whether it's for planting, tending, or harvesting ----- may I without hindrance and with loving boldness attend to the portion that is placed before me. Abba presides over it all and ONLY Abba grows beautiful things out of the dust.

©2013 Donna Taylor/Reaching for the Robe

The One who is the Stairway between Heaven and earth...

Reading --- the Holy Words ---- this morning i find these mesmerizing words...

John said them.

The disciple considered to be the disciple of love --- the one not martyred. The one who lived a long life after Christ's suffering and ascension penned them. 

In the days when he first met the Lamb that would 3 years later be sacrificed before his very eyes ----- John was introduced to Jesus with these words -----

⁵¹ Then he (Jesus) said, “I tell you the truth, you will all see heaven open and the angels of God going up and down on the Son of Man, the one who is the stairway between heaven and earth.^[a]” John 1:51 NLT --- parenthesis added by me

Wait --- i've never read it that way before... i've never read specific words that speak of my Savior as "the One who is the stairway between Heaven and earth"... 
So i dig in ---
and i take note of the footnote ----
for as i pull out my other translations --- none of them speak specifically in John 1:51 of my Christ as "the stairway". So i know --- the footnote might hold a treasure for me. The footnote reads ---

1. 1:51 Greek going up and down on the Son of Man; see Gen 28:10-17. “Son of Man” is a title Jesus used for himself. 

So i flip through the pages to Genesis 28:10-17 and read of Jacob's dream at Bethel and in verse 12 it says, "As he slept, he dreamed of a stairway that reached from the earth up to Heaven. And he saw the angels of God going up and down the stairway." (and there's another footnote leading me back to John 1:51) Riches are found in the footnotes.

 A new way to see my Savior ---- He is the One who is the stairway between heaven and earth...

i pause and digest it --- i allow myself the treat of "seeing".

In my pursuit of Abba --- wanting more of Him, daily facing my need for more of HIM and less of what use to seem so important --- i choose to read different translations of His Holy Words. Some, can be quickly discerned as unsound translations and so i peacefully lay them down. But for the many translations written by highly educated men and women that are sound and accurate--- i indulge myself in taking in Truth.
And as i read the words written, in efforts to bring greater understanding ---- i am hungry to grasp new insights. New, deep, upright, enlightening ways to get a glimpse of the Faithful One.
Imagine -- it's The Holy of Holies ---- bringing Himself to me/us through black ink on white paper and letting more of His light shine inside. It's a hunger i have. One i've not always felt.

I use to crave warm cookies with a tall glass of milk.
Physically yes ------- but i'll be transparent enough to admit --- even Spiritually --- i wanted "milk" and cookies as well (only what "tasted" good and comforted)... What a patient Father we have.

But, milk was only used to grow me to a place of needing more.

My dear mother gave me milk as a child. But then there came a day when milk would not fill my growling stomach. So she eased me into more solid foods.
This is true for each and every person walking today. No one began by grinding young gums on meat.

The One who loves us and cares for us even more than our mothers ---- allows us to begin our growing with His Spiritual milk as well. But then, there should come a day when that "milk" leaves us with a growling, aching  longing for more.
More of Him. No longer satisfied on milk alone.

Funny --- my physical body has begun to decide it no longer wants milk. Two days ago i indulged in the most luscious ice cream cone (yes, here in Kenya :). Two days later --- my insides still ache a bit because of it. My body does not want milk now. It craves healthy foods --- fresh foods --- no longer will cookies and milk sit well inside me.

Likewise, my Abba has taken me to a Spiritual place where "milk" no longer satisfies or sits well inside me. There's nothing wrong with "milk". It's just that it does not feed me as it use to. i must have Life Giving --- protein rich "meat" now.
When "milk" was my diet, i would read the scriptures and feel a daftness concerning the fact that meat was even an option in the days ahead.
"I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready." 1 Corinthians 3:2

Then in Hebrews i read ---
 "In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! ¹³ Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. ¹⁴ But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil." Hebrews 5:12-14

i meditate on verse 14. For in honesty, i do not view myself as "mature" ---- rather, it seems to me the more i seek, and learn of the One True Father ---- i feel more childlike than ever before. 

The more we know, the more we become aware of all we do not know. 

The closer i step to Abba the more i feel like a well-cared-for daughter -- small, immature.
When i bow in deep prayer --- i become a tiny girl approaching the Throne where all that is before me are the white robes of my Abba --- and He allows me, His daughter to run round His great legs twirling in His Robes. My filth never dirties Him ---- and He never holds me at a distance, because of my human-rags. He draws me to Him. He powerfully attends to all the matters of the earth below ---as He allows His daughter to run through and hold onto His Robes. 
Maturity ?---- no i don't feel mature at all.
Loved, yes.
But milk no longer satisfies this daughter.

The author of Hebrews pens, "In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers...".

Oh God ---- milk no longer sustains me, it actually makes me ache inside if that is all i'm given. i crave solid food. i seek more. BUT, i do not think myself mature. i sense my child-likeness. Still may i not indulge myself in the many years of milk and refuse to step into the place of teaching.

So --- You God, You and i will know when i stand to teach ---- i'm only Your daughter, the one who can no longer bear the aching emptiness of milk alone --- who stands to share of the meat sacrificially given by the Lamb.

Sometimes in life, when i sit with an aching sister or Steve sits with a growling brother ---- you give us eyes to see ----- they've just been "nursing" too long on milk alone. They are gnawing on things that never "fill" them in the ways YOU desire for them to be filled. 
Sometimes they're gnawing on each other ---  because of their great need of "meat" from Your table.They want more of something --- 
-----but they've forgotten about or carelessly overlooked the "meat" you offer them.

Babies begin on milk ----- then they need more.
So it is with your children.

Help us to belly up to the table "You have prepared for us", push milk to the side, and receive the life-giving marinated "meat" served up for us in Your Word. 
The Lamb gave ALL so we could do so.
 --- He is our stairway between Heaven and earth...
Truly we are the much-loved-children-of-the-Most-High-God.

  
©2013 Donna Taylor/Reaching for the Robe 

He knows the plans He has...

Every morning for 20 days now i've sat in our “office” here in Nairobi. “Office” is perhaps not the correct term. It's a lovely table sitting outdoors, sheltered by a brown umbrella and resting on carefully laid stones surrounded by lush green. It's a sitting area just feet from our room.

The Ha-Da-Da ibis flies over every morning and the hawk like Kites fly over head most all day long. Just miles outside the wild bustle and smothering fumes of Nairobi town, it's quite amazing how God has provided this oasis for this tired daughter.

Steve and i would have never chosen to be here and rest for this length of time. After all, there is much to do, we need to “get at it”. Right?
But before we can do another thing, we must have a safe, solid vehicle carrying us from here to there. We've paid drivers and asked for help from friends here as much as is permissable. But if we are going to serve here, we need to be able to be the ones offering help, not asking for it. And so our good God has chosen that while we wait for fund transfers and servicing and security systems to be installed in the vehicle He has chosen for us ---- we can do little more than ------ rest.

For the month prior to this big move – we worked, thought and prepared at a wild pace. In four short weeks, we moved out of our home of 31 years, closed on its sell, moved in with my sister and brother, planned final details and gave our daughter in marriage, then packed for four days, gave countless “farewells”, and flew to a new country. We've been running with the “hares” wishing for more “turtle time”. But, consistently we've trusted our Abba ---- perhaps He knew if we had too much time to ponder, we would become too timid. After all my Steve has waited for almost 13 years, and we've been diligently working to get to this place for over 2 years. So --- there is no murmuring or complaining over the quick pace of the past month; rather just at telling of it's intensity.

While God authored the timing of the weeks before our departure, we see his authorship of our days since we've arrived in Kenya as well.

This time of God-imposed-rest has given me time to visit many “rooms” inside myself ---- reorder them, cry over the ones that hold precious memories, but most of all, to be attentive to Abba's presence in each corner. To pause and “see” how He is rearranging things and allowing Him to re-clean what had become dusty.

As i sit here in my morning office, my eyes turn to the right and ponder the stone path the leads from where i sit to a lovely row of cottages at its far end. This pathway has caught my eyes dozens of times. Why? Well, it's a neat, clean, well trimmed pathway that curves back and forth slightly, just enough to be pleasing to the eye. The stones are laid carefully with attention to keeping the path level. The greenery surrounding the path is beautiful. At the other end of the path are chairs, inviting rest in flower-laden gardens.

Along the pathway there are attractive African-ish pots painted in green and yellow.

BUT, in the midst of all the careful landscaping and pleasant allure of the path ---- there are 3 black, ugly, “decorative” pots in the shape of large hand-grenades.

They do not belong on the beautiful path.

Oddly enough --- i find it is the 3 ugly, black grenades that have continually grabbed my attention. They are a curiosity. Why are they there? What were the gardeners thinking when they placed those three ill-fitting atrocities in the midst of the pleasant pathway?

This morning my eyes were once again pulled in the direction of the path.

Talking with God again, i thanked him for much. i had already begun my day by “reminding” Him of all the many loves in my heart who i daily hand to Him and thank Him for His care over them. He, Jehovah, can do all that is needed in their lives, i can do little more than love them. So as i began another day of watching for, listening to, sitting with, and praising Him ------ i whispered --- of my curiosity over the ill-placed grenades on the pretty winding path. (His Word says we can talk with Him about anything right?) :)

And instantly, almost like a gentle ocean wave lapping across my feet, i could see something that had been a mystery until that moment.

The two pretty decorative pots at the beginning of the pathway spoke of the sweetness we feel when we first come to know our Savior. In those first few days of feeling His nearness and knowing He has saved us, we are doubly blessed. We enjoy a season of “honeymoon” with the One who has given all for us as we first feel the depth of His true love.

Then time passes.

Still covered and still loved, however something usually happens that shatters our tranquil place of peace --- something akin to a grenade exploding. Something we thought we might be protected from still comes. Wounds from a friend. Betrayal of someone we counted on. Financial pressure or physical decline; requirements of life, we once again face times of distress ---- and we can begin to wonder ---- where did my Savior go?

It's a part of the path.

The One who Redeemed us and counts us among His kids has not left us or deserted us ---- but instead He is growing us, teaching us, peeling away things that must go and introducing us to things that will better serve us on our journey to a better place. But to our human-selves it can feel like a grenade has exploded.

It is then, if we cling to Him and trust His goodness------ we will find ourselves at a new curve on the path He is guiding us down. And another lovely decorative pot is found. Something we would not have been wise enough to even know to ask for. Something good and right and filled with blessings --- but not something our “old” selves would have sought after. We enjoy this portion of the path, it has hints of our honeymoon moments when all was well. But it's richer. We “know” our Lover better because we have endured hardship and felt His nearness. He has not left us when we stumbled or felt distress; we can speak of His faithfulness with a confidence that only comes with experience. We have stories laced with Him, and we know what it feels like to be carried through storms in His arms.

We enjoy the sections of peacefulness on the path.

Then we round another curve and another grenade is waiting. Another hit comes, another disappointment, another wounding, and we pause. We look at the “grenade” and wonder ---- why? What good could come from this ugly black thing being allowed on my path. Why Lord? Why must this painful black thing be allowed on my path?
And then we remember.
We've encountered dark “decorations” before. We endured. We learned and grew in different ways, we gained depth and courage, faith and hope when we journeyed past other bombs in our lives. We remember – we are not alone. The One who died for us will most certainly carry us through ----- and even more, He will prove His Greatness. He will use this painful impact to increase good inside of us. Only GOD can do that.
The enemy of our Lord will set off bombs in our lives to try and destroy us. After all, he is the one who seeks to kill, steal, and destroy.
But not our Yahweh.
El Shaddai holds our very lives in His hands as if we were most rare treasure. HE takes what was intended to harm us, touches it, and uses it for good in our lives and the lives of those around us.
The “grenade” goes off, we stumble over the impact. But our Father is there, very present, weeping if we weep but not feeling weak when we do. He is confident and certain of the plans He has for us. He knows exactly what He can do with the "explosion" --- He sees the possibilities even in the darkest sections of the lowest valley portions of our path. Nothing is beyond Him, nothing is a mystery to Him, nothing surprises Him. He knows the destination of the path we walk on, He will not be thwarted from carrying us through.

Everything along the path 
can be used by Him to transform us ----- 
from what we were ----- 
to what He sees in us.
 

Saul to Paul.

Simon the fisherman to Peter the Rock.

Hungry street boy to anointed minister.

Self-centered child to devoted mother.

Materialistic hoarder to generous giver.

Frightened hider to bold warrior.

He knows the plans He has for us ---- and they are not to harm us. But to give us a Hope and a Future. We read it clear in Jeremiah...

This pretty path beside me with the African pots and the black grenades ----- ends in front of an enchanting cottage. But just before it ends ---- there are two green and yellow pots on either side of the path. How interesting that the pathway begins and ends with pretty pots on either side. No grenades in those two places.

My time has not come to leave this world yet. But i suspect that for those who have walked the path and been transformed by the goodness of God on it --- even when explosions along the way had brought them to their knees --- i suspect in those last breathing moments, when they step off the path and into the place of promise ---- they will feel peaceful beauty on either side.

My first day in this temporary office, i had been tempted to ask the hotel management, “Why do you have the ugly black grenades on the pretty pathway leading to the cottages?”

Now, i'm oddly appreciative of their placement.

They're still not pleasant to look at, but my eyes have been opened to see a simple truth they represent as we travel our paths ---- this side of Heaven.

Years ago, i heard a minister preach on "The Rogue Wind". He said, "Everyone will experience a 'rogue' wind in their lives. If you're not in the middle of one right now, then either one is on the way or one has just subsided." i was horrified over his words. What young mother wants to hear those kind of words.
His message concluded with wise words, "It's not a matter of 'if' you will encounter rogue winds. It's a matter of how you will cope when the winds come. Will you run to the Savior and find refuge in Him or will you try and endure the storm on your own. If you choose the former, you will be blessed even in the hard storms. If you choose the latter, you will fall."
Now --- all these years later -----  i know his words to be truthful.
Rogue winds come --- grenades explode ---- no one gets through this world without pain.
No one.
But in our Savior --- we can find refuge --- no matter how hard the winds blow or how damaging the explosion. It's an inalterable truth ---

The Lord gives, and the Lord takes away ------ blessed be the name of the Lord.

May the grenades and the winds ------ only draw us into His lap ---- and allow God's Holy transformations to be accomplished.


©2013 Donna Taylor/Reaching for the Robe