Finding God's Glory

The blessing of rain, a greener valley, yet still beset with challenges. The white IDP tents remain.

We bumped down the mountain road and onto the highway that would lead us to the Internally Displaced Persons Camp again. En route we saw a man delivering a garden bench by bicycle. The wooden bench, back rest and all, teetering precariously behind the delivery man served to remind us that life here in Kenya is generally a challenging balancing act.

We turned left toward the camp. Newly built stone homes had sprouted, but many were without a roof and many tents remained. Rain has fostered grass, but the blades struggle, overgrazed by sheep and goats.

Jim spoke from Psalms 44:23-26 and in his authentic, straight-forward way spoke to the struggles and doubts the Psalmist and these folk both faced. "Where was God in calamity?"

Folks gathered under the weathered acacia tree to ponder this...in rainy drizzle. We prayed hard that it would not pour on them -- though the land badly needs the rain. Those of us who had hoods put them up at one point, and someone in the congregation sacrificed an umbrella to shelter our bare-headed friends.

Ever wonder what dogs chased before cars? Donkeys with burdens strapped to their backs, in this case right along side our service. A stray goat also wandered through our midst. Despite rain and livestock, worship went on. A little one in a green filmy party dress, a peach sweater two sizes too big and blue canvas shoes toddled from one side of worship area to another.

Jim spoke to God's glory that He conceals and how in the midst of troubles we cannot always see His perfect plan. Did the message hit home? I think at least our presence did. The hugs, the handshakes, the heartfelt greetings said as much.