Guilty as charged!

“Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.  Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.”  Romans 13:1-2

As he neared the bottom of the escarpment he noticed a police officer standing at the side of the road waving him over.
“Oh no – now what!”
Our experience in all of Africa has been that when the police wave you over they usually “want” something – they look for things to get money – test your lights … test your brakes … seatbelts? …. Cell phone? …  do you have triangles?...  did you sign your license?  Absolutely anything to give you a fine – then if all else fails – “Give me a coke  -- or,  it is time for tea (hint-hint!)

We try not to get waved over; but when we do – we submit to the governing authority.

Kenyan policeman with AK-47

“You were speeding my friend.”
“Was I? – I didn't realize as we were going downhill and there is no speed limit sign.”
“Yes, well, you were and I must give you a ticket, then you must pay the bail and appear in court.”

Oh my – what a to do.

“Can I see your radar device?”
The gun was dully retrieved and there indeed was a picture of the car with the speed 110 kph – 68 mph.
“What is the speed limit?”

“100 kph” – 62 mph.

The accused with his cell-mates

The bail money was paid and receipt given. The court date was set for two days later.
This court appearance turned out to be only a formality; but a good experience. It built our faith in the legal system – everything was transparent.

The accused was placed in a holding cell.

The guilty behind bars

The ticket was presented before the judge, the verdict of speeding was given, the ticket was paid, the bail money (the initial money given on the road) was returned and the prisoner was released.

While the process was more convoluted than reconciling a speeding ticket in the U.S.; it is important to follow the procedure, to be under submission.  We are foreigners, not only we, here in Kenya, but as Christians roaming this earth.  As God’s children we are obligated to represent Christ-likeness in every situation.

Pray for the authorities over you.  Ask God to move them to make decisions which are right and good for the benefit of all, not just themselves.

Presidential elections are to be held at the beginning of March in Kenya. Pray for peaceful campaigning and an honest and peaceful election with a true result.

Delighting in God's creation

Upon hearing the heavy chomp- chomp- chomp, my head pops up, "They are outside again," my roommate whispers from her bed.
Scurrying out from under the heavy covers, my feet hit the cold tile floor; it is 3:30 a.m. and our nightly visitors have come.
I had not realized their magnitude when I saw them earlier in the day.

Peeking out from behind the curtains we see a magnificent animal not five feet away--
 he looks up seeing the slight movement of the curtain.
We crouch at the window staring into the night and watch him -- watch us. The cool, sweet, dew covered grass has tempted them to come and graze closer to civilization.

Finally the spell is broken. Swinging his heavy head away, we hear the thud of hooves as he and the others in the herd carry their heavy bodies back into the cover of darkness.

Thank you Lord, for the opportunity to glimpse, up close, the beauty of your incredible creation.
Thank you for the picture you paint in Psalms 42:1,  "As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God."
Oh may our souls, our very beings, long to know the Living God -- the Creator, Sustainer -- our hope for eternity.

**The picture was taken earlier in the day of a female waterbuck.  The night was too dark and the moment too spell-binding to take a picture at the moment.
I was attending a women's leadership meeting at a wonderful venue on Lake Naivasha surrounded by God's beautiful creation.

Praying for the People of South Sudan

If you have been able to journey with us through South Sudan you have already been praying for those who live there.  

Thank you.  

God continues to lay the people of South Sudan on our hearts as we compile information, make recommendations and wait for our next research adventure. 

In Colossians 2:2-3, Paul writes;  

 “My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”

This is our purpose in prayer – That the different peoples of South Sudan may be  

encouraged in heart
united in love
understand the Word of God
know Christ – the mystery of God

Would you join us in praying to this end? 

Currently the door of opportunity is open. 

Pray that God would send His workers, who are able to live in hard places, with the message of the eternal grace and mercy of Christ.