Thursday, October 27, 2011

Ten2Kenya




 


I have always had small dreams. Simple pleasures, small victories, pebbles splashing in tiny ponds, this has been my realm.  But a handful of years ago I became better acquainted with my now-dear friend Lisa and her family, and at that moment I was pushed into the front row to watch what big dreams, big vision, big faith look like. I have seen them host an annual carnival to serve and love orphans and widows around the world, I have listened as their door has swung open and slammed shut to hundreds of people who come over to swim, to talk, to laugh, to be loved, I have been the recipient of their love and wisdom and frienship.  Lisa and her family do life big and they do it beautifully. 




And now their family of ten is heading to Kenya to live and work with Agape Ministries, expanding their loving arms to children who have been abandoned to life on the streets of the city of Kisumu in western Kenya. Dreaming big becomes dreaming huge when you put the wheels in motion to get eight children and their parents across the world. Plane tickets, immunizations, packing, cleaning out, and harvesting walnuts on their ranch...they are doing amazing work, and they have not even gotten to African soil yet.





When you read Agape's website, it is gut wrenching.  I can't help but stop and ask how I can contribute in my small way.  I knew we had no more money to give this month, but then the request came out for walnut harvest help; I knew we had gas in the car and three of us who could lend a helping hand, so off we went.






By the time we finished our small part on Monday, prayers of thanksgiving had been said for the completion of the harvest and the dozens (and dozens) of hands that had volunteered to help the Kjeldgaards meet their needs.  They leave for Kenya in 43 days, having seen God use so many to make this dream of serving and loving street children come true.

We love you, Kjeldgaards!  

If you would like to be a part of reaching these children on the streets of Kisumu, you can sponsor a child or you can contribute directly to the Kjeldgaard family's trip (click here to read their newsletter and see where to send your donation.)  I can attest to the integrity, work ethic and devotion of this family, and the facts about street children in Kenya attest to the dire need for this ministry to be present in Kisumu.


“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” James 1:27

P.S.  This is also my The Way I See It: Community post.  Being a part of the Kjeldgaard community is a privilege and a blast.  The Way I See It photography prompt comes from Molly at Close to Home.  If you love seeing life through the lens of your camera, join in the fun each week.  Tomorrow's prompt is patience (Lord, have mercy!)

4 comments:

darrylin said...

Fellow shipping with you and Eric in the orchard was such a special privilege! Reading your account brings tears to my eyes. It is indeed a delight to serve alongside Jesus and the Kj's! Love you!

Di said...

Darrylin,
I LOVED being with you on Monday. I did not expect that pleasure. You and yours are in my prayers. So good to see you. Stay in touch.

Love,
Diane

tonia said...

How lovely! So inspiring...and I loved that you found a way to put your hands to the task too. Way to go, my friend.

Molly Sabourin said...

Wow, Diane, how inspiring indeed!! What a beautiful family, and beautiful post. Thanks so much for sharing this!

Four Years Later

COVID:2 Collage  Four years ago today we all came home for the lock down. Middle school classes conducted by zoom on the deck, college cours...