When Your Heart Is So Full

 It's amazing how the folks with the least seem to have the greatest hope. Maybe it's because they have ceased relying on themselves and have come to the point that their trust is in God, the Sovereign Lord who loves the unlovely and feeds the hungry. 

The very same God that loves us .. the unlovely and us the hungry. 

Today at church I was reminded of the heart of God. It's so easy to think we have it all figured out, to have a handle on the God of the universe. Always being so sure of what we know God is thinking or how He would handle things.

One of the things I like best about our God is that He is unknowable. His ways are not our ways. I will pray for a situation - informing God of what needs to happen and what do you know? The Lord has a plan that is completely outside anything I could have even imagined. Has that ever happened to you? 

A lot of us have been praying for Nancy and her 14 kids. 

Have you ever had your heart so moved that you are forever changed? 

That is how I feel after having known Nancy and the little bit I get to know about the 14 abandoned children. I have heard their very sad story, sadder then I can imagine. The wretched treatment from their "caregivers". 

Nancy has hope - amazing .. with her broken English she writes .. 

I was having some rest in my room reading my Bible and writing poem,as i was reading also my poem book which have written before. And have written how i have passed through and experience it, but advising people to take courage they will come out pure gold. Imagine am loving to send you my poems,and my children teachings and for women too.But i will do it over this weekend first for children before i go.After i come i will write you for women and my poems too.

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Nancy explained to me the conditions which seem hopeless .. 

Otherwise,about the organizations here as Mark Fox told you about, sincerely speaking they are here but they dont help children the way its surposed to be, because have been seeing children suffering yet they belong to certain organization.

Can i tell you the truth why?

Those who are in change of the organization, when they are sent donors and money to help them,they take the advantage of it and they use them for their own benefits and not the children.

Children are left to suffer there there alone, and when you can go there you meet them that they dont have good healthy, no good clothes, food is also the problem, because the vision fell to the wrong hands.

So you meet the owners have big business and they have buit good houses using the money for needy children. Some of the project they have been geting closed and finished because nobody trusted found to project.

And as for my heart this has been making my heart feel troubled and suffering in my heart because of the needy children when i see how they are being treated.

And there God gave me the vision for the needy poor children to care for them the way am capable of,

though there is lack and having. I keep carrying on.

And we will also cook food for the children and the guest,who will be treating the children. 

I went back Meru to see children because some of them i was told that they are not feeling well,and i had to go and see them.

And we played with them,

danced Gospel songs. 

story telling.and others could make fun and laugh very, very much, and finally we prayed for each other God to make a way for them to get helped so that they can go to school.

********

From another note - it must be the Holy Spirit that sustains her

Thanks very much to hear from you and my heart is very much greatful for that.Yes,God is our heaven father,who gives at us.

And my heart is very much sure that he is going to open a way out for me and the children 

and as well as you for your coming here.

Funny enough is that God uses anything to bless our lives,and nobody can be against it.Dont you believe in that Mary?

Yes,have read the verse you have given me Psalm 56,whole of it,and it has really moved my heart so much it has reminded me many past things.

People trying to tell me that Nancy, you will not make it.

Trying to show me discauragement and giving bad report on downfall to the children as well as my own life too.

But i never listened to the sideways voices, only listening to God,s voice.

And i started making it and going on.That verse for sure has a deep impact in us, even our own friends can promise us empty promises wanting to let us down. And thats why we are always insisted to prayers, and God can reveal us all things. So God is good all the time, and he will forever be good. But,the devil is bad, and it will always forever be bad.

Amen Nancy. 

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Regarding our opportunity to bless the children and be a support to Nancy by buying shoes

I talked to Mark Fox who has been a faithful brother to the body of Christ in Kenya, I told him what I thought was the Lord's idea about the shoes. Mark had a suggestion that I take to be from the Lord,  that instead of purchasing the shoes in the United States, we bless the struggling business owners in Kenya. I was told that the unemployment rate is around 70% and what to us is a small contribution of shoes .. to them would be a great blessing. 

I wrote to Nancy that idea and this is what she wrote back: 

Thanks so much to hear from you and am very much happy for that. Hoping your all fine and doing well there please. As for me and children here, we are fine and doing well. 

Yesterday we had good time where 

we all prayed for you there and the other 14 families as a whole and also your church. 

We also read the word of God, and i had to ask them some questions to see if they can get and keep remembering. In fact they are catching up very well and almost everybody is able to write his or her names.

Otherwise as per that idea you talked with Mark Fox in fact it is very good, because it could maybe take long to reach the package of shoes here like maybe one or two months according maybe the weight of them. Well, as for tennis shoes per pair a good one is 2000 ksh from the shop. And those shoes can stay for a long time, because it is the original one. And its like 25 dollars per pair into your currency. But you can check it also.

The plan will be to send $25 cash for each pair of shoes to be purchased. 

For those of you that the Lord has called to be part of the shoe blessing send the money to 

Mary Abele c/o Antioch Community Church 

1600 Power Line Road

Elon

North Carolina

27244 http://www.antiochchurch.cc/index.php by September 10, 2010  I would like to add another thought to sending the money. One of the things that Nancy likes best from me is my words of encouragement. Up until now I have never talked about giving her anything and yet her desire is for me to write her often. What that tells me is that her spirit needs love and encouragement. So, if Nancy's spirit needs words of love how much more the children. If you feel led, what if you prayed and asked the Lord to help you pick out one of those little children to write a note of love to. It does not have to be some really dynamic, life changing word from God but rather a simple note saying that someone on the other side of the earth is praying for them and cares about them and the Lord God Almighty did not make any mistakes or forget about them. I will tell you my true hope and I know this is a really big one ... my hope is that the Lord will use Nancy to start of God honoring orphanage right there in Meru. That the Lord will raise up men and women that love those people for whom the Lord God loves - those little children He has created. That He knit together in their mother's womb. The little ones that are fearfully and wonderfully made by our loving God. Yep, that is my hope. Maybe you would like to pray with me that God would put His hand on that idea - or more importantly that the hope of the orphanage is God's idea and that we as His people can join Him in His plan. I would love to hear from you. Let me know your thoughts or if you have any questions or ideas. May the Glory of God shine bright in their lives.

News from Nancy

In response to the plan of sending these 14 abandoned children a pair of shoes I got an email from Nancy telling me how excited the kids are and I thought I would pass it on to you. I am looking for people that want to buy a pair of shoes. I have several folks that are committed to buy a pair, let me know if you would like to buy a pair and I will start a name list. Then in a couple days I will let you know what size to buy. How exciting to be used by God to bless little children!! Hi Mary, Please thanks very much to hear from you and am very much happy about it.Otherwise am fine and doing well here with the children.In fact as i talked to them about shoes,they felt very much happy about,and good enough is that they started prayed for you there,since have been teaching them in the first place how to pray. They keep saying please lets pray for Mary in America so that we will get shoes,because many of us have never put on shoes.In fact it is very true Mary,and we have prayers here for you and the 14 families,who will buy shoes for these lovely children here. Yes,buying tennis shoes is okay with that,and the shoes which have Velcro,is more better for them,because some are very young to tie up the laces.Its going to be easier for them in that way.Otherwise am very grateful and lets the love of God bless you mightily and the people there.Tomorrow it will be the day i will meet with the children.i does that 4days a week,and we learn many things with them,including sports.We now meets Mondays,Wednesdays,Fridays and surtandays,and we finishes afternoon time. God is Good,and very much good.Hoping to hear from you very soon. All my love and blessings to you, Nancy.

Shoes for 14 Children

 Nancy has been praying to the God she loves and trusts for many years. He has taken her from the streets to having her own home and He has instilled in her a strong desire to love and protect the abandoned street children of Meru.

Here is a poem that talks about her journey and it's a glimpse into the lives of the children she cares for today.

THE SAVED STREET KID/CHILD

1. Brother, Sister, Are you my real brother? And as for you my sister? Ne….ver to know was my birth. Yes, my coming to earth. Never the less, after the great Meru mission crusade, I gave my life to Christ. And now, am born again. Made up of one body, baptized into one spirit. But oh..oh my!! Nobody seems to consider me.

And to heaven I belong. 

2. I could be a king on earth, yes, a rich man, even, a poor man, anything I came, but from where? Homes of the rich, the poor, Yes, from mother and fathers like you.

And to heaven I belong.  

3. Tap, Tap, Tap. Sometimes bare foot. Yes! Very bare, on mud and dirts. Along the verandahs, the back street. Yes! You can hear me yell. Whatever they use as their dust bin, that’s my plate. Whatever they thro was their rejects, that’s my precious meal. And where they wipe their muddy shoes, that’s my bed

And to heaven I belong. 

4. Tattered are my clothes, bodies with oil and smelling. Oh…the street kids. Without parental care. Society care and even governmental care. Without a roof over my head. The colder it is, the colder I feel. The hotter it is the hotter I feel. Not to forget the trouble some rain, which floods my habitants.

And to heaven I belong. 

5. My stomach rubbles, and there is in no one to care, care, for the street kid. Town kid or village kid, I am the street kid. For how long shall I suffer in this calamitis without peace and joy? Cast your burden unto the lord. Yes! And he shall give me his right yoke.

And to heaven I belong. 

6. Ah…..ah……….ah! Did you hear that? They are all mocking me. But am encouraged to continues pressing on. For in due times, I shall receive my rewards. And my troubles shall be no more

And to heaven I belong. 

7. Ladies, gentleman, Brothers, Sister. You and you. Aren’t we one body in Christ? When one part suffers, every part suffers with it. And when one part is honoured, every part rejoices with it. Extend my concerned to the desperate boys and girls on the street. And my God shall bless you.

And to heaven I belong. 

After I read that I think the Lord brought an idea to my head - when Nancy talked about their bare feet and she talked about being cold it occurred to me, there are only 14 children - 

we could at least buy them a pair of solid tennis shoes. Not to expensive less they get stolen but not cheap ones that will fall apart in no time. 

I emailed the idea to Nancy, her first impulse was to pray and ask the Lord if that was from Him. In her heart she was encouraged, saying that yes, it is an idea from the Lord. 

She sent me their names with their shoe sizes 

Nancy wrote to me ... 

Well,as per your idea, i love it very much,because i didnt know if the holy spirit could have directed you to the same way to those 14-children.God is surely using your heart towards my direction too.And i love that.Otherwise i saw your email in the afternoon time,and i went to pray for the issue first and after that,i went to take the sizes for the children shoes.Am now in Meru please.Here is the sizes for each of them according to their names.

1.VIRGINIA KARIMI  SIZE 25 (8.5 American) , 3YRS.

2.VALENTINE NKIROTE SIZE 23 (6.5 American) , 4YRS.

3.ALEX MUGAMBI  SIZE 23 (6.5 American), 4YRS.

4.EVANS MURITHI SIZE 25 (8.5 American) , 3YRS.

5.JOY MUKIRI  SIZE 10 (size 11 American) 5YRS.

6.BRENDA KANANA SIZE 35, 5YRS.

7.DENIS MUTUMA SIZE 10 (11 American) 6YRS.

8.LINDA MWENDWA SIZE 11 (12 American)  9YRS.

9.BECHAM MUNENE SIZE 13 (1 American) 7YRS.

10.BRIDGET MWENDWA SIZE 1 (2 American) 10YRS.

11.BENSON MWIRIGI SIZE 3  11YRS.

12.RODGERS MURIUNGI SIZE 1 (2 American) 8YRS.

13.INNOCENT KOOME SIZE 13 (1.5 American) 6YRS.

14.JOY KARWITHA SIZE 11 (12 American)  8YRS.

Otherwise this will help you find the fixing size of the shoes since have given you their age.

Please God bless your heart very much and hoping to hear from you very soon please.
Much love and blessings to you,
Nancy.

That's where everything stands now. My next step is to gather 14 pair of shoes.

Auntie Phee

It's Auntie Phee's birthday coming soon. Here are some pictures Elisa took when they visited her.

Happy Birthday Auntie Phee 

We love you

My New Friend

Our spoiled dog Daisy May

I live in a small town of North Carolina. I have a wonderful husband, a quiver full of wonderful family and a spoiled dog. I have a home in the woods that has a pond with a dock. In the morning I awaken in my comfortable bed, come out to the kitchen and have an expected, predictable, dependable cup of coffee and start my day.

I guess you could say I live a charmed life.

As I walk along I notice there is this common theme in my life, a malady that I tend to, take care of, nurture. I find that I see the world - as it concerns me, I see life from how it impacts me.

Often the Lord brings new thoughts and concepts into my life and bumps up against that world view of "I am the center" and I come to realize that somehow in the distance .. real small like, there is more to life then me.

I know, it's a shocker. Whod'a thought?
But outside my mind, outside the walls of my home, outside this little town I live in there is a whole world full of people and issues.

The Lord has done it again. He has opened my world beyond myself.

It's my new friend Nancy. She lives in Nairobi Kenya. She is a single woman, 20 years old - loving 14 poverty stricken children. She has very little income but every day she awaken to another day of struggle to supply for herself as well as those the Lord has brought into her care.

Her faith in the Lord is amazing. All I ever read in her email is praise to the Lord. She has experienced homelessness and abandonment but still she hopes. Hopes for God to help her care for the abandoned little children the Lord brings to her. 

Here is a picture of their sweet, happy faces. 

I studied a little bit about Kenya and it looks like a regular city.

They have housing similar to ours 

I wasn't exactly sure where Kenya was, I knew it was in Africa on the east side, up around the middle so I looked up some map info. 

They have a different type of wildlife then we do, a lot of the pictures were about rhinos. I wonder if rhinos there are the same as elk or antelope here. 

There is a different side to Kenya .. 

This is the bus station. 

and here is where the homeless abandoned children live 

There is a stark difference between the two sides of Kenya. 

It's hard to imagine because here in the United States our poor are housed in air conditioned homes, they get free food and medical care. 

It's hard to understand the reality of these pictures. It's so easy to live in our world and be comfortable. 

I have been praying for Nancy, she and her 14 children. 

I wrote this hoping that maybe you will pray for Nancy too. 

She has asked me to come over to Kenya to visit. That is a huge thought for me. 

We'll see what the Lord provides. 

Yesterday she took one of the little children to the dr. and he got needed medicine but a lot of his condition was a  result of malnutrition. 

What we take for granted - they live without - as a common way of life.

Where do I go from here? I will continue to encourage Nancy. I have asked the Lord what He would have me do. My first inclination is to try to solve all the problems. I still want to do that. 

But I have to wait for instruction from the Lord. 

Nancy wrote a poem and it shows her heart . This is written in English, her second language. 

FOR HOW LONG

1. When we face various trails,

When we suffer afflictions in life,

When the heavens are silence,

During our times of darkness,

We offer ask ourselves;

For how long will the night last,

We should never be discouraged,

It’s just for a little.

2. When enemies persecute you,

When friends betrays you,

When relatives rejects you,

When all stand against you,

Emmanuel still God with you,

We ask ourselves,

For how long will the night last?

Wait patiently on the lord,

It’s just for a little while.

3. When your business is going under,

When you lose your job,

When your bank account is empty,

During times of lack, Jehovah jireh cares for you. We ask ourselves.

For how long will the night last?

Be anxious for nothing.

It’s just for a little while.

4. When your darkness seems to worsen,

Know that your dawn is approaching.

After suffering for a little while, Know that you will come out as pure gold, when the lord light your darkness,

We ask ourselves, for how long wills the night last.

Watch and be constant in prayer,

It’s just for a little while.

Isn't that amazing? Isn't her faith wonderful? 

She continually looks to the Lord even though the night is dark. 

Nancy has great hopes that the Lord will care for her and the children. I am remembering Mother Theresa. The Lord brought things to her from unexpected places. 

Yesterday a lady came up to Nancy and gave her a bag of clothes for the children. Nancy was SO happy. It was an answer to her prayers. The Lord provided clothes for the children. 

How exciting to be watching the Lord move in the life of this brave, faithful young woman. 

If you have any words of encouragement for her I would be glad to send them along to her. 

Psalm 143:1 

O LORD, hear my prayer, listen to my cry for mercy; in your faithfulness and righteousness

come to my relief