For Such a Time as This

The Doro Team (1 man missing)

 This last week was really special for Eli and I since we got to see more clearly WHY God had us staying here in Kenya this long before heading back to the States for our home assignment. Tomorrow we'll have been here three months and I'll admit that it has not been easy. We are not city people. After being used to living in the bush, especially the boys were missing the freedom, space to run and play, and all their friends. They've been confined in our apartment with no grass or trees to climb and lots of school work that I use to keep them busy.

But we know this is exactly where we needed to be as a family so we could process, grieve and heal from the crazy Christmas and evacuation we had, including the loss of everything we own again and the huge question marks in our future. It has been precious to have time together with our teammates to cry, struggle, pray, encourage, and play.

In February the assessment team went into Doro for a week to check on our base, visit friends, and get a feel of the "new Doro" after the intense tribal fighting in December. Then in mid March, a team of 5 SIM men flew into Doro to REBUILD. They have been working hard in over 100 degree heat every day, wiring the missionary houses, setting up solar power, trying to get internet set up again, and many other things to make it easier for the rest of the team to come back and re-settle.

This week we had the great joy to pray with and send back our Doro team.

The team has literally been cut in half. There are now 8 SIM missionaries and 4 Kenyan health workers who will all live on one compound and begin picking up the pieces of ministry, home, friendships, and push forward to whatever God has in store for them. Last Monday, as I stood with one arm around one beloved teammate, and one around another, and prayed my heart out for them as they prepared to fly back in, my heart overflowed with thanks that we could be here FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS.

Ladies Painting Night

A couple weeks ago I came across an old Wayne Watson song called "For Such a Time as This". As I listened to it and read the lyrics, I was struck with how fitting it was for our team going back into South Sudan during a time when things are still very shaky and uncertain. We are so thankful that God has opened the door and for the courage and bravery our brothers and sisters are demonstrating as they continue to love and serve the Southern Sudanese in our small corner of South Sudan.

For Such a Time as This

Now, all I have is now
To be faithful
To be holy
And to shine

Lighting up the darkness
Right now, I really have no choice
But to voice the truth to the nations
A generation looking for God

[Chorus]
For such a time as this
I was placed upon the earth
To hear the voice of God
And do His will
Whatever it is
For such a time as this
For now and all the days He gives
I am here, I am here
And I am His
For such a time as this

You, Do you ever wonder why
Seems like the grass is always greener
Under everybody else's sky
But right here, right here for this time and place
You can live a mirror of His mercy
A forgiven image of grace

Can't change what's happened till now
But we can change what will be
By living in holiness
That the world will see Jesus

[Chorus]

Songwriters: WATSON, WAYNE