No Worries

Culture is a unique thing.
When you travel abroad, all of a sudden, you realize how many systems, mindsets and processes (even religious thinking) that are totally not relevant in another culture. Over 20 years ago, I remember listening to a talk from Tony Campolo about how the religion we believe, must be relevant in every culture. If not, it is not the Jesus of the bible, but the Jesus of our culture. Big difference.

As I was in Kenya, all of these thoughts came flooding back to me. Often in Western culture, we think we know "the way".... "the truth" Then... we experience a different culture and it confronts our thinking.

This was one of the first thing I noticed upon settling onto African soil. The culture is different. So different.The lifestyle and priorities are different. The systems are different. Some would say there is a lack of systems, however, I would say, they are just different.

For example - the road system (or lack of it as some may say)

In Nairobi, there are millions and millions of people walking and driving everywhere, no lines on the roads, no road signs, and people and animals, and carts, and buses..... EVERYWHERE!!

To say driving in Nairobi, was stressful - was an understatement. I ended up spending a lot of time on the crazy roads of Kenya on my trip and learned very quickly to "go with the flow" and laugh a lot. I learned that car seats and seat belts are not mandatory. I had many a trip on a severely bumpy road for over an hour with a new born baby in my arms - feeling like at any moment they were about to fly right out of my arms - or worse yet... that I would be part of giving them "shaken baby syndrome" due to the severe jostling.

I discovered a new limit to maximum capacity in a vehicle. Like this huge cow, in this small truck, bumbling along a bumpy African road... how funny!!
The intensity of need that I saw along the roads was absolutely overwhelming. There was poverty and need EVERYWHERE... and yet, a child would smile and wave running along the road with no shoes on. Vendors along the side of the road -that were trying to sell enough to make money to survive for another day - would be sitting back and smiling... Hmmm.


All of a sudden the phrase Hakuna Matata had new meaning and context. I actually heard people saying it, and saw them living it.

Hakuna matata is a Swahili phrase that is literally translated as "There are no worries". It is sometimes translated as "no worries", although is more commonly used similarly to the English phrase "no problem".

Interesting..... it's a simple phrase, yet with profound insight and even more of a challenge to actually live out.

This phrase, challenged me daily in Kenya. I realized that fear, worry and doubt are easy to adopt. Trust, faith, and belief, require a level of relying on God and choosing to believe the truth, that I had much to learn about. These people had so much less than we do in Canada, and yet I saw more peace and joy on their faces. I heard songs, prayers and words of gratitude daily from the children - who only ate beans every day. EVERY DAY.

I realized I worry about WAY too much stuff.. I don't trust like He longs for me to. I don't believe for the impossible - like these kids do. In humility I repented and continue to repent and ask for the ability to believe and to simply trust.

I was reminded of Phillipians 4: 6-7

• Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

• And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

I saw this verse lived out daily. They pray like you wouldn't believe - they petition the Father - three times a day - and before and after - they sing songs of thanksgiving.
I saw the peace of God on their faces - and wanted to be like an African child.


"At about the same time, the disciples came to Jesus asking, "Who gets the highest rank in God's kingdom?"
For an answer Jesus called over a child, whom he stood in the middle of the room, and said,
"I'm telling you, once and for all, that unless you return to square one and start over like children, you're not even going to get a look at the kingdom, let alone get in.
Whoever becomes simple and elemental again, like this child, will rank high in God's kingdom. What's more, when you receive the childlike on my account, it's the same as receiving me."

Simple truth, with profound fruit.

I guess this is why I love kids so much... why I need kids so much.

The African Dream - Part 2

It seems like forever since I've had time to write of Africa, although each day it has been in my heart. We have been extremely busy at my work, preparing for and hosting The NOVA Experience so there has been no extra time for me to write. For those who have waited for the rest of the story... here's more.

Well, the second day in Africa had our team maneuvering through the harried traffic of Nairobi.
It is an extremely busy city filled with millions of people, countless crazy drivers, and almost no traffic signs.












I saw things along the road that overwhelmed me, made me laugh, and had me scratching my head in wonder.

After much concentration and perseverance, we found our way through the harried streets to a local hospital where we were to help pick up 4 babies that had been abandoned. They needed to be checked over by a Pediatrician before taking them home to the orphanage.

The first time we met Lucy (the overseer of the orphanage) was in the exam room. She was delighted to see us, and immediately asked for help. The orphanage had never taken new born babies. The youngest they had taken was 6 month olds, and they had only ever taken 2 at a time.

I found it hard to hold back tears of joy, as I immediately took a babe into my arms. They were so little! So beautiful, and so very chosen of God. It could only be God that could arrange for babies to be born - a date of transfer to be arranged, and for him to send 8 Canadians on the exact day - to welcome these sweet ones into the world.

Immediately I was able to see His hand in a huge way. Immediately I was able to see that He had a plan for me in this.
Years ago, I had been blessed to work for a pediatrician, and during that time, gained tremendous experience and a deeper love for infants and children. Simply put - I LOVE babies.

As I watched the doctor examine the first baby and as I heard Lucy mumble words of uncertainty as to how she would keep all the specific needs straight... I realized my first assignment had begun.

So, with all the boldness in me, I put my hand out and introduced myself to the pediatrician, told her of my experience and started assisting her with the examinations, and writing down all the info needed to care for these sweet ones.

As each babe got finished being examined, I would take them to our team in the hall outside - waiting to help and provide a loving arm.

Some on the team had never even held a newborn before. Instantly they were submersed into the chaotic and scary feelings that caring for a newborn can bring.
Oh, how I loved seeing the babes unwrapped from their blankets for the first time. I saw God's divine miracle of creation and His destiny unfolding. I prayed a lot under my breath thanking God for allowing me to love on a rescued one and for the privilege to bless the day of their adoption into a new community of love. History was set for these 4 new ones, and I got to be a part of it.
I said, "God, what do you have for them in the future? It must be great - because You have orchestrated many to help them come to the fullness of what You have for them."

How kind is God? He doesn't have to include us, and yet He does. He allows us to participate in and witness His redemption process.
This day, as we left the hospital, my heart was swelling with thoughts of worship and wonder of a majestic King who cares about all things and everyone all at the same time. He knew the day these babes would be born, He knew that I a dream to be a part of something like this since I was a young girl, He knew Lucy needed help, He knew many many things.

O Lord, you have searched me and know me

You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.

You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.

Before a word is on my tongue
you know it completely, O LORD.

You hem me in—behind and before;
you have laid your hand upon me.

Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too lofty for me to attain.

Father To The Fatherless

My first day on Kenyan soil, landed me at Mulley Children's Family.

Mully Children’s Family (MCF) is a Christian, non-denominational, non-profit making, rehabilitation organization for street children, orphans, abandoned, abused, HIV/AIDS affected and infected, desperate and neglected children regardless of their religion, sex, color or tribe, who have nowhere to call home and no one to care for them.

In Kenya, MCF operates 6 Projects in three different provinces. I was privileged to visit the Yatta site.


Charles and Esther Mulli, are the visionaries behind MCF.

If you haven't had a chance to read their story yet in Father To The Fatherless, please do, you will be overwhelmed at God's divine plan and weep at the stories of God's love for the orphans. You can see the book on the side bar of this site.

As soon as we arrived, Charles's daughter took us on a tour of the site. We were shown a great vision. A vision for orphanages to be completely sustainable, and actually give back to the community. They produce many products that they can sell, and generate revenue for the orphanage as well as providing food, and jobs in the community.

Here, are green houses, that employ women from the community to grow trees , and green beans to export.

They also plant these trees on the property to sell for revenue and they also give these trees away to the community in order to improve the environmental conditions.

They also have fish ponds, for export and consumption.

They are building water resevoirs.

They are training children in trades.

And they are loving children, and bringing hope.

This particular site takes in young (very young) women who are pregnant and want to keep their babies.
They provide them with a safe environment and teach them how to be a mother and to learn new skills.

These little young men, were full of vigor and vim. I saw determination and destiny in their eyes. God had a plan. Even before they were born.

If He can rescue them... If He has a great plan for them....What makes us ever consider that He doesn't have our future close to His heart?

Psalm 146
7 He upholds the cause of the oppressed
and gives food to the hungry.
The LORD sets prisoners free,

8 the LORD gives sight to the blind,
the LORD lifts up those who are bowed down,
the LORD loves the righteous.

9 The LORD watches over the alien
and sustains the fatherless and the widow,
but he frustrates the ways of the wicked

Right there, God confronted me, He reminded me that His plans are infinite. He considers all things, He sees all things, He longs to look after His kids, and He does it through ordinary people who carry His heart. Some serve in Africa, some give finances, some pray, but it is all part of His provision and purpose.

Now this scripture had visual context.

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

I saw the hopelessness and poverty on the roads of Kenya, I was overwhelmed with the need, the despair, the conditions. At yet, here at MCF, I could see with my eyes, His plan. I could see hope and a future.

That night, after we toured the site, we were invited to particpate in a worship gathering. I wept as I sat in the room, listening to the overpowering songs of worship from about 500+ children.

I heard songs of hope and joy. I saw love in their eyes, as they greeted Charles and Esther (whom they call mother and father) I saw contentment. I saw Jesus, and I heard a heavenly sound that I will never forget. The sound of worship and gratitude from many tribes and another tongue.

God had always known of my longing to hear the sounds of worship around the world, and most especially to hear it from children. I have always loved the songs that come from children. They carry such simplicity, such trust, such joy.

And these beauties, carried the hope of Christ within their hearts and voices.
They knew that the Father was watching out for them.

And I, felt like the richest woman on earth.

(This is some of the kids, after the service... still lingering and singing.... and me, after 48 hours days of travelling....... trying to get the rhythm... (Ha, nice try Cheryl)

Living A Dream

Ever since I was a young child I had a dream to be a missionary in a third world country. I have already written about this in my previous post called Living Your Dreams Through Your Kids

I wrote that post on May 13. How would I know that 2 months later, someone, who I had just met,would offer to take me to Africa, to visit and serve at an orphanage?

When the person, offered this trip to me, inside my heart, I heard God say:

"Do you remember what you just wrote... you had let go of the dream to go to a third world country and do missions. You let go, and were OK with that........ but I didn't forget your dream. I never forgot."

In that moment, my heart was swirling with emotions, and I was unable to even give an answer to the offer. "Was this for real?" I thought? "God is this you?"
Could this be real? Could it be real that a kind and passionate stranger would offer me a dream, that only God knew I had.

It can be. With God all things are possible.

This dream was a good 30 years in the waiting. And now, all of a sudden, here it was.
I couldn't believe it. I had left it long behind, not in frustration, but just let it go. Not really even longing for it any more. How did He know that now was the time? Was this the time?

These and many other questions flooded my heart and spirit, to the point that I was unable to give the person an answer. I went home, told my husband, and kept thinking it couldn't be real. Finally, 2 weeks later I got up the nerve to contact the person, and find out more information.

It was perfect timing. That day, she had booked the tickets for a team, and there was one spot left. All other team members were married couples, and she needed a partner. It was me.

That day, I had to rush home at lunch, and cry. That evening, I cried. I cried tears of humility as I began to read the stories of the rescued children I would meet. I cried tears of joy, because I was about to see a dream come true.... one that had been in my heart since I was little.

God had already set it up. Right to the day. He preordered it even before I was born. How overwhelming.

He hears everything. He knows everything, He considers everything, and knows what is best for us. He only has the best in mind for us, and nothing is outside of His rule.

Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Here's a glimpse of the story that is yet to be told.


In this moment, as I held this beautiful baby, that I was helping to rescue and bring to the safe and loving care of Hope Community Centre, I was weeping, overwhelmed, and thanking God for this little beauty that I got to love, and hold and pray for and be a part of his first early days here on earth.


Thank you God. You are good.

My steps are ordered by You and You include me.....You include us in Your divine plans.
You have a plan for me. You have a plan for the beautiful children of Africa.

And you start with a dream.

I am forever grateful and my heart is filled with worship.