"Who is Brave?", You ask. Although not his given name, Brave is the appropriate name for this young boy who earlier that week began a journey that would change the trajectory of his life. Brave starting attending Cornerstone Preparatory Acadamy. Brave now can receive an outstanding quality education. And thanks to generous donors and sponsors not only can Brave receive this kind of education but so can hundreds more like him, and all at no cost to his family.
But those facts weren't what was going through my mind that January day. As we bounced and jostled up the mountain side, thankful for safety belts that kept us from dog piling on the floorboard, I was imaging myself to be Brave. I tried to imagine what is was like to be a seven-year-old boy living in rural Kenya. No running water, no electricity, very limited income, possibly no father, little to no education, and a future that held little hope of change. As I tried to process these hard facts, my mind drifted to how one day his little hope was replaced with immense hope. That day when some kind souls paid his family a visit. They said something about a school and an opportunity for children like Brave to obtain something that only seemed possible in dreams -an education. These people that had come asked his family some inquiring questions so they could know how to help this family best, to help Brave become what little boys dream of becoming -heroes, world changers.
Then with another bump and washed out section, I was brought back to the present. I watched as Brave looked out the window taking it all in -the landscape, the car ride, as most of this was all so new. He had boldly climbed into the back of the land cruiser with people that were pretty close to a stranger. But nonetheless, here he was buckled up and bouncing to the doctor (whoever that is), so he could examine his ear and maybe explain or correct why it was hard for this him to hear. Although it might have caused Brave to be uneasy, or even scared, he sat quietly on the bench waiting to see what was coming next.
In three weeks I will board a flight that will take me to Kenya. It will be the third time in almost a year that I will make this trip. You might think that each time I go it would get easier. Well if each time I did the same thing that might be the case. But now I feel like Brave boldly climbing into the back of the land cruiser not sure exactly what's going to take place. Despite the unknown, I'm eagerly anticipating all that God has for me in these next four months.
I'm learning that sometimes God asks us to get in the back seat, buckle up, and trust that He knows where He's going.
Sometimes He gives us a window seat, and we get to see first hand His marvelous working and navigation, other times He provides us with a middle or aisle seat, and we can't see clearing until we arrive at a particular location.
In the uncertain of all that the next four months will bring, I know there is One that is certain. There is One that pilots all the paths that these two feet will walk. There is One whose highest plan is that all peoples bring glory to His name by being everything He created them to be.
So in the coming days, weeks, months, I invite you to join me in prayer as I step out in faith, embracing God and His will in deeper ways. Here are some verses that I'm praying over...
"My son, if you receive my words
and treasure up my commandments with you,
making your ear attentive to wisdom
and inclining your heart to understanding;
yes, if you call out for insight
and raise your voice for understanding,
if you seek it like silver
and search for it as for hidden treasures,
then you will understand the fear of the LORD
and find the knowledge of God."
Proverbs 2:1-5
