A Vision for the Wilderness

The problems of any society aren't easily solved. When Lawrence and his family moved into the Savannah area early this year, they knew they were entering a difficult field of labor. The poverty and recurring famine had kept the region on the edge of survival. Many people spent their days in labor camps just to get a meal.

As ministers of God's love, they came with a vision to live the gospel among the poor and needy. A vocational school and training center would be established. It would take in paying students and market the items produced, thus covering costs and providing a base for local outreach and care for the destitute orphans and elderly. Given skills to become self-supporting and a place to meet for hope and encouragement, they believed life could be different for these people.

I know the desire to make a difference. And the set backs.
In a rented facility (pictured here in the spring) they were enabled to start the “Bible Center,” so-named because bringing students to an understanding of God's truth is at the heart of the study program.
Lawrence writes: "We were hoping to use part of this big building as classes and the other end as dormitories for girls---they are more than the boys. Unfortunately, there is no electricity and water and we have difficulties paying the rents. We are praying for a low cost alternative." They would like to board 40+ students, when they are able to equip for the undertaking.

It is hoped that operating from purchased land will give the work a better footing. At this time the Lord has enabled them to buy a piece of property, which sells for very cheap in this barren area, but there are no funds to start building on it yet.
Despite the slow progress, they are encouraged that this is the work the Lord has given them to do. Here several ministers listen as one brother expounds a scripture. The establishing of the Center has already been a blessing, providing a place for spiritual fellowship and a base for several “Applied Technology Training” sessions. In God's own way, He will provide for the rest.

These women are enjoying a meal served at the Center for trainees.

Several outdoor classes have been given this summer. Here Lawrence demonstrates the making of detergents for home use and resale.

Ministers from local communities have been learning how to process and pack food for resale and for future use. The aim is to train ministers who can train others in their congregations. Widows and orphans are also welcomed in these sessions.
These drying tables were made to show how fruits and vegetables can be safely preserved.

Besides teaching in practical skills this summer, calls to hold gospel meetings in other localities and the maintenance of the Center at Makindu have kept these dear ones very busy. With such pressing needs and slow progress, the outlook can be disheartening. You wish you could solve it once and for all – alleviate the suffering and supply every need. But God doesn't work that way, does He?

A quote on my wall is a meaningful reminder: “Jesus Christ didn't come into the world to explain away suffering or remove it. He came to fill it with His presence.” Why? Because only His presence will truly satisfy our hearts. God wants us to know Him and the power of His love. Yes – you and me – in our foolish materialism and petty pride. So when we take His hand and trust Him with our lives, should we be alarmed when He walks us into trouble?

Hear the intent of the Divine heart: “Therefore, behold, I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak comfortably unto her. And I will give her vineyards from thence... a door of hope” (Hosea 2:14,15).

Yes, hope in the midst of the impossibilities of life. We need this vision when the wilderness is endless and our resources have run out. It is not about our success and alleviating suffering, after all. It is knowing the eternal God as our refuge, our fountain of living water, our source of delight. In His mercy, He measures out our troubles and heeds our cries for help. But we only know the fullness of joy when we let Him sanctify to us our deepest distress.

Do you want to see your wilderness blossom as the rose? Let God lead you to find your joy and comfort in Him, and Him alone.

Water of Life in the Savannah

Do we value our water enough? When four of my baby bunnies died of dehydration this past week, I received a needful reminder. We rely on water more than we realize... and in the heat of summer it can be almost continually. Between laundry and showers, meal preparation and small-farm irrigation, we can keep our well pump going nearly non-stop! What must it be like to live where this precious resource is so scantily measured out?

Last fall a couple of his Makindu contacts showed Lawrence this dried dam bed. The dam had been laboriously constructed in their desperate need to store water during the short rainy season. But it couldn't stand up to the flash flood that followed their single autumn downpour, and the barricade and all the precious water was lost. These gravel ridges are all that remain of their hard work and hopes:

Touring with a rented vehicle, the ministers found local living conditions even more heart-rending. Because of lack of water, many farms were reduced to starvation rations. On this homestead the family was living off of the scarce fruit of their lone baobab tree.

Contemplating the reality of their need, Lawrence wrote: The truth, the eternal water of life, is also a very rare commodity in these areas.... As we walked over gullies and dry areas, I thought of the many homes I have seen in the rich areas. They are so pretty and comfortable and the saints in these homes seem so satisfied to enjoy what the Lord has given them. There are so few that are willing to take help to these dear souls.

As I write this, my mind rests on one woman we found toiling in a little hothouse. She was trying to make food and sell it to the hungry workers who were working in a relief center nearby. She looked up as we sat in the eating room and asked us: “Are you people preachers?” We said, yes, and that we had good news for her. We told her about Jesus and how He was ready to deliver her from sins and disease. She forgot all about her work, knelt down in the little room and prayed her soul into peace. Then she asked us: “Can Jesus heal me of AIDS?” We said, yes, for He is all powerful and can do anything. We read Luke 1:37 to her: “For with God nothing shall be impossible” and left her to believe it and get healed. We found her in church on Sunday, telling us that she had been examined and declared free from AIDS viruses. God can do the impossible. Glory to His name!! Who is willing to go out and tell the good news to the lost world?

Do we marvel at this thirst for hope? It should make us think. Why, in societies flooded with so much gospel knowledge, are so many dehydrated by doubt and indifference? You have to wonder whether our barrenness is worse.

Here is a picture of the Savannah countryside taken this April, after the Lord blessed the area with rain. The local people are very grateful for this answer to prayer. Due to the short winter rains, gardens were grown on those same barren farms this spring. The dear brother writes: See the wonderful artwork of the Lord in this area. Praise the all wise and able God! “Unto thee, O God, do we give thanks, unto thee do we give thanks: for that thy name is near thy wondrous works declare” (Psa. 75:1). Oh, how true the word of God is. God’s wonderful mercies have been so graciously bestowed in this area... This season (January to June of 2010) the people have harvested enough to keep them well fed for a number of months, if not a year. Wherever we go, we see maize spread out on the ground to dry. Except in a few homes where there was a shortage of seeds and/or a shortage of labor, they have enough to eat. Praise the Dear Lord for His goodness.

Would you drink water out of this ditch? Drain-off reservoirs like this are the life supply of many people in the Savannah region. Lawrence comments: We are trying to teach the homesteads how to purify the water - a very difficult task given our situation and schedule. We need expert help, as the scanty water that is accessible is "salty" and soiled. But without a better alternative, we trust God to help us and thank Him for life.

Here you can see the pipeline used to drain water into containers for home use. The current purification system is to filter out most of the sediment through sand, then boil the water. The resulting water is still too salty to drink, so they are now looking into ways to remove the salt.

If siphoning water from a muddy ditch gives you the shivers, be glad you have access to a clean source. I agree – when it comes to drinking, there is nothing that compares with fresh, pure water. Why are so many living off of the scum of society, filtering their life source through the philosophies of this world, when they could have access to the pure water of life. It is just as real as the water in your pipelines and eternally more satisfying. I speak from experience. Since Jesus flowed into my barren waste (yes - sun-baked mud, skeletons, and all), I have found life full of beauty and refreshment. Are you thirsty? "Whosoever will, let hm take of the water of life freely." (Rev. 22:17)

By Way of Introduction...

I like to keep busy being “useful.” But it is so easy to get buried in busyness, never see farther than my own little circle of activities. Yes, hard work and accomplishment are important. But what about opening my heart to another's need?

I think the second is often harder... we tend to to be selfish, and we don't even realize it most of the time. So I'm glad that the Lord opened my eyes to a little forgotten file on our USB drive earlier this year. It was the beginning of a new journey into the caring heart of God...

"The Savannah Report." Instead of being an outdated school file, I was surprised to discover an update from a Kenyan minister that we knew. For the last several years I had helped contribute toward his ministry, but somehow I had missed the last report. And one with pictures, too! Ten minutes later I was lost in a world I had only vaguely known existed... the vivid description of hunger and loss was poignant, but it was their thirst for hope that brought the tears. I was still wiping them away as I scrolled through the last page. The closing plea couldn't be shrugged off: “It will be my lot to stay with these people...I need your prayers.” And as I prayed, the Lord showed me ways that I could do more.

In a land so impoverished by famine that all able-bodied people soon flee, God had sent one of His children to enter into their needs and offer them hope. In these pages I'm thankful I can share in that ministry.

So what is it like to live on the dry Savannahs, just outside of those world-famous African wildlife preserves? The pictures of their day-to-day needs are vivid and compelling...

In a land of continual drought, there are long donkey treks for water. Some families go as far as ten miles before they can dig enough moisture out of the sand to take home.

Last winter, this agriculture-based region was suffering severely from famine. Food relief brought in from the Mt. Kenya region was a great blessing – a single banana and piece of sugar cane (food that is often discarded in wealthier societies) can keep someone alive for several days.

Traveling long distances by foot, children gathering to study under a tree... these are their common realities.

Here, in mud-brick buildings, they meet together for worship and instruction. In a dry and thirsty land, these people are looking for a way of life that will satisfy. What can they hope for amidst such poverty and extreme difficulties? If we can only step closer to find out...

Who Cares?

A barren land. Desolation. Suffering. Need.

That's nothing new. We are surrounded by it. Yesterday it was an earthquake across the seas, tomorrow it will likely be a break-in down the street. We are bombarded by the news reports until we feel our middles grow cold. It is easy to stop caring. Why should I bother with their problem when I have my own to worry about?

Does God even care?

Perhaps you've wondered.

I believe He does. But looking at the barren landscape won't give you that assurance. There is no question that the ground is dry. What we need to be asking is, where is the water? Instead of looking to your resources, I want to invite you to dip into a far greater supply.

This blog isn't just another report about real people and real needs. It is also about a real God who is able to satisfy the cry of the thirsty. I trust it will be an encouragement to you and inspire you to care again... simply because there is One who cares about you.