Pastor Steve Richards

Perhaps it is because I am working on a message on prayer for Sunday, but as I was reading today’s scripture, I paused and wrote Exodus 17:6 in my journal. God said to Moses, I will stand there before you. Moses had a very personal relationship with God. The scripture reads like a constant conversation between them. Moses was able to see and to know God when the people cannot see. Moses experienced the power of this relationship when in chapter 17 they face of a threat from the Amelekites, Moses raised his arms to God. Moses received what only God could provide, and when his arms grew tired others came alongside to lift up his arms – to help Moses maintain his connection with God.

Then in Acts, a lame man was healed. How? Peter said, by faith in the name of Jesus. Peter and John came alongside a lame man and lifted him up. Was it just coincidental that this happened at the gate called Beautiful?

Whenever we make the connection and help another make the connection with God by faith in the name of Jesus, it is Beautiful.

I like to do things for my children. I always have. I suspect that I always will. We did not bring children into this world so that they would do for me – so that I would have someone to love me. Just the opposite, I want to give. Sometimes, I’m told that I give too much or I give when they don’t deserve it or give when it may not even be in their best interest. To be honest, I can’t help it. I want to do for them.

So, when I read today’s scripture, I am drawn to a verse from earlier in the month – Luke 11:13. If you then…know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!

In spite of persistent grumbling about the state of their lives, God continues to do for the Israelites above and beyond what they could do for themselves. God acts on behalf of the Israelites even when the Israelites seem ungrateful and want to return to Egypt. God sends bread from heaven. God keeps giving. How much more can God do? In Acts 2, God gives the Holy Spirit and not even because the people ask God to give. God continues to give.

If I give to my children, how much more must God want to give to us. Both the Old Testament and the New Testament readings for today indicate that the people’s response is to praise the Giver – to praise God (Acts 2:47). Look for what God gives – so much more than we could give to our children. Let all God’s children say Praise.

When I read scripture, I am listening for something in the scripture that speaks to me. It may be a word, a phrase, an entire verse or paragraph. Each time I read a passage, even one that is very familiar to me, I don’t always hear the same thing, and sometimes I am surprised by what I hear and how it gets inside of me and relates to my present experience.

In today’s readings, the one verse that has taken hold of me is Psalm 21:7. For the king trusts in the LORD; through the unfailing love of the Most High he will not be shaken. Trust. Trusts in the LORD.

I believe this. Today, life is good, and I eagerly and graciously trust in the LORD. And when the circumstances of my life are not so good – even horribly destructive, I know this is also important. But what if I trust in the LORD and day after day my life does not get better but gets worse? How long would I trust – would you trust? And could we trust if the evidence in the moment was not supporting our belief that God is to be trusted?

In the days since returning from Kenya, I have returned again and again to the depth of faith that I witnessed in the people I met. I saw conditions that I wish I had not seen. I think I would be glad to be naive about the great struggles that some people in this world face every single day. But in our two weeks in Kenya, I never heard a Kenyan complain. The only complaining that I heard came from mzungus (white people like me). What I heard from the Kenyans that I met was hope – a kind of hope that left me wondering how this person could have such hope in the midst of the daily circumstances of their lives. I am in awe of those persons that I met who live by faith alone. I have been left to wonder about my faith.

And so, this verse feels very personal today. For Steve trusts in the LORD; through the unfailing love of the Most High he will not be shaken. I am clinging to this verse today in the hope that I can be as faithful as my brothers and sisters whom I met in Kenya and have come to respect and to love.

Trusts in the LORD – may that be the single greatest witness of my life.

After reading the scripture for today, here’s what I wrote in my journal.

God holds the power. Pharaoh resists, but God holds the power. Pharaoh thinks he has the power, but ultimate power is found in God alone. The clash between powers escalates toward what will happen in the coming chapters. Pharaoh will sacrifice the first born in an effort to hold on to power, but God holds the power. The final act in this clash of powers happens when God allows his own Son, the first-born, to be sacrificed. Just when it appears that the power of this world has prevailed in Jesus’ death, God’s power prevails in the resurrection.

Why so much attention to power? What does God want? God wants people to worship God, but not because God is so vain that God wants to be worshipped. Instead, God wants the people whom God has created to be aligned with God’s purposes – and that requires the focus that worship provides. Therefore, Luke’s gospel ends as it begins in the Temple, the house of worship. Worship of the Living God, now revealed in Jesus is at the heart of Luke’s vision of the Christian life. Is it also at the heart of my life?

As I write this, I am listening to Chris Tomlin’s song, “Lord, I need You.”

Lord, I need You, oh I need You
Every hour I need You
My one defense, my righteousness
Oh God, how I need You

So teach my song to rise to You
When temptation comes my way
And when I cannot stand I’ll fall on You
Jesus You’re my hope and stay
And when I cannot stand I’ll fall on You
Jesus You’re my hope and stay

As we read the scripture from the Old and the New Testaments, it is interesting how the reading are so often connected. Today, we read from Exodus how Moses went to Pharaoh asking that he let the Israelites be free. Pharaoh wavered, making a promise to Moses when suffering from a plague but promptly reneging on that promise when there was relief. We are told that Pharaoh had a hardened heart. Although the words “hardened heart” are not part of the reading from Luke 23, Jesus was facing the hardened hearts of the religious leaders. (a warning that even religious leaders can fail to recognize what God is doing)

What does it mean to have a hardened heart? Hardened means cold, insensitive, unfeeling, and unyielding. It can be a positive when a hardened heart shuts out negative influences. A hardened heart toward temptation is a good thing. But in today’s readings, Pharaoh’s hardened heart kept resisting God’s purposes. The religious leaders in Luke hardened their hearts to understanding who Jesus was and what his true purpose was. They felt threatened and thus hardened their hearts. A hardened heart is focused away from God, resisting what God could do.

It is now four days since leaving Kenya. During our mission experience it was easy to stay focused on God. I was ready for whatever God could do in and through me. But the moment I stepped on the airplane home, I began thinking of all that I needed to do as we returned home. It is so easy to get distracted and to lose a Godly focus. A hardened heart makes it difficult to know and to follow God’s purposes.

I’ve described how meaningful it became for me to be invited into Tea Time every morning. It was a call to stop whatever I was doing, to slow down, and to give thanks. In the words of Psalm 46:10, to “be still and know that I am God.” It does not need to be a cup of tea, but some daily practice of stepping away from my focus and being available to God’s focus – that’s what will soften my heart to the things of God.

May it be so.

It reaches this part of a trip, and I cannot get home fast enough. It feels a little like we are waiting for a plane that will never arrive. This will be my final post until we arrive home on Friday afternoon. Today we drove from one side of Nairobi to the other, and this time as I looked at the people, I felt wiser somehow. The experiences of these past few weeks are still very fresh and I feel part of what we passed.

We also became tourists, visiting two different marketplaces and having two very different experiences. One was a very controlled environment. The other became very chaotic. Our safety was suddenly compromised, and we retreated to our vans. I’m speaking only for myself (be mindful that shopping is never a pleasant experience for me) but being the tourist felt oddly out of character from what we experienced the past two weeks. Yes, you might say we were helping the poor by purchasing what they have made. But people looked at us and what they saw was the color of our skin. Mzungus must have an endless supply of money. Yes, it will feel good to have some momentoes to bring home so we will remember the trip. But I also know that whatever I purchase can never last as long or even begin to compare to the experiences that have changed me and will forever be part of the fabric of  my life.

As I read Luke 18, I wrote in my journal the question that Jesus asked the blind beggar: “What do you want me to do for you?” And like the beggar, my response: “I want to see.” My hope and prayer is that deep within me I will know, as I have not known before, what Jesus said next – “Receive your sight; your faith has healed you.”

I now realize that I was blind. May the process of receiving sight bring a faith that will heal me from the inside and out into my words and actions. It is time to go – to begin the process of reentry that I know will be the most challenging part of this trip. Life is not what it was. I am not who I was. Thanks be to God!

Today’s readings: Genesis 44-46; Luke 18

I’ve noticed how the little things have a huge impact. On Monday as I painted alongside Pastor Reuben, I asked him how he carried the things he needed for ministry when riding his bicycle. He has two modes of transportation available to him – his bicycle and walking. By bicycle, it takes him 30 minutes to reach his church. Walking takes him an hour – and when it rains, it is nearly impossible for him to reach his church. So, he replied that he uses a bag that he holds between his handlebars, but often the Bible that he carries ends up damaged. When I mentioned this to Amanda, she offered her backpack as a gift to Reuben.

On Tuesday morning as we ended our painting and said farewell to Reuben, I gave him the backpack. It was as if I had given him a treasure from heaven. A backpack was beyond anything he imaged possible. The expression on his face was something I will never forget. He had never worn a backpack and needed help figuring out how to wear it. We had also filled it with food. “I can now climb mountains!” he said. Frankly, from what I learned about his life, I think he is climbing mountains ever day.

This was an emotional day – saying farewell, sharing notes, hugs, photos – and tears. That’s the nature of relationships and the realization that we are all part of the same family in Christ. A brief note from a child at LOH is now a treasured gift. In leaving Light of Hope, the children walked with us, hand-in-hand, the half mile back to the place we have been staying. Part of the way, I walked with Margaret, one of the girls who will be going off to high school next month. She thanked me for coming, mentioning certain things I had said or done during the week – little things that I had nearly forgotten.

I’ve learned that there are no little things. What I’ve considered little things can have great impact. The scripture that I read for today is Jesus’ teaching from Luke 17. He states that even faith the size of a mustard seed (which is about the size of a head of a pin) is enough to have impact. Don’t dismiss the little things. In these past two weeks, the little things are what have changed my life.

Today’s readings: Genesis 42-43; Psalm 5; Luke 17

On a Sunday morning two years ago, our mission team attended the African Inland Church in Karati, just four hundred meters from where we are staying. While worshipping, I noticed that people in the congregation had brought their Bibles to worship but the Bibles were well-worn, missing covers and even entire sections. Upon returning home, I described this observation in a sermon, and there was an immediate outpouring of donations to provide Bibles for the congregation. In preparation for this trip, I contacted the pastor of the church to ask if we could do a two-day work project for the church.

Today, on behalf of that small congregation we arrived at the North Karati Primary School, ready to paint the interior of the small dorm for disabled students. These are students with learning disabilities. Unlike the other students who walk to school each day, these students live at the school. (a side note: for children with physical disabilities it is common that the child is abandoned, killed or secretly kept in the home with minimal food) It is a school of 900 children in Class (grade) one through eight, and it is obviously underfunded. We’ve been told that in Kenya the money never seems to make it to the local school level. The school was crowded. Many of the windows had broken glass. There was little grass, leaving children to play in the dirt. I asked how far a child might walk to get to school each day and I was told it could be as far as four miles – each way. I’ve noticed children walking home on the rocky road that we walk at the end of each day. Some are barefoot; torn clothing. What I saw at the public school was very sad. However…

On Friday, Larry and I had visited the headmaster of the school to see the work project and order the paint.  I kept getting the feeling that the headmaster could not believe we would paint his school. It is known that Americans come and help Light of Hope. This project would help people to know that we are also concerned for the community. This morning when we arrived at the school, Pastor Reuben was waiting for us as was the building contractor from LOH and two of his workers. The contractor has two children attending this public school and the two workers had attended the school. I could tell they were excited to be able to do something for this school. The headmaster stopped to see our progress throughout the day with a huge smile each time. Another teacher stopped and said, “Unbelievable!” Soon after the painting began, a group of children gathered at the door near where I was painted. They were speaking in Kerkuyu (the local tribal language). I asked Pastor Reuben what they were saying and he said, “They are saying ‘we have never seen a mzungu (white person).’” He told me there were afraid me, because they did not know what to think. They did not even know there were white people. Later in the morning, three of the women from our team arrived, creating quite a spectacle. They said they felt like rock stars with the 900 students suddenly gathering around them. For the children, it was the first time most had ever seen or been so close to white people.

Today we had an opportunity to show a school of 900 children what white people do. A building that we would say is more suited to be a chicken coop than a dorm is in the process of being transformed. We are painting their school. No one had ever done this before. The contractor brought his two children who attend the school to meet us. He returned with his wife and his sister-in-law to show them what we were doing. Teachers stopped. Students watched. I suspect we were the topic of conversation in 900 homes this evening. Unbelievable? Not really. This is what God can do when God’s people show up and allow God to work through them. What a day it has been!

Today’s readings: Genesis 39-41; Luke 16

The LORD was with Joseph. Potiphar saw that and entrusted Joseph with responsibility. But then through circumstances beyond his control, Joseph lost his job. Just because the LORD was with Joseph did not mean the circumstances of life would always be in his favor, but because God was with Joseph, he always had a way through the circumstances. Joseph’s faithfulness to God would put him in a position where he would save an entire nation and God’s people. God is always present. It is up to us to reach out to God. How has God’s presence made a difference in your life, especially when circumstances were not in your favor?

After reading Luke 16, I returned to verse 15. God knows our hearts. I wonder if we always know our hearts. What does it mean to you that God would know your heart? I am constantly seeking God’s understanding so that I might know what God can see in me.

Today was Graduation Day. Six of the girls have completed eighth grade. In Kenya, every child is guaranteed an education through the eighth grade. Then a child takes an exam to determine whether he or she can continue into high school. There are four levels of high schools: national, provincial, district and zonal. The national high schools are considered the best schools. Students are assigned a high school based on their test scores. All but the zonal (which are the local) schools are boarding schools. Each high school has four levels or grades. A year ago, a dorm was built at LOH for the high school girls so that they would have a place to return to during school breaks. After all, LOH is their home. A staff person also visits them periodically and follows their progress during high school.

The seven girls at LOH took the high school entrance exam. All received scores that will allow then to enter high school, however one girl decided to remain at LOH for another year in order to improve her score and the possibility of going to a national school. Although the girls have been notified that they will be going to high school, they have not learned which school they will attend. Their new year begins in February.

On Sunday afternoon, there was a graduation ceremony. Like most graduations that you have attended, there were speeches and there was singing. The five graduates (a sixth is a day scholar, meaning she attends LOH but lives at home, was unable to attend) were seated front and center with the rest of us surrounding them. The rest of us included the other girls who live at LOH, the teachers, the administrators, the LOH co-founder, and us. In other words, they were surrounded by their family. They were affirmed, encouraged, challenged, celebrated, and presented with a cross necklace and a letter of graduation.

Unlike any other graduation that I have attended, there was a moment when everyone was invited to leave their seats and dance. We were instructed to dance like we have never danced before – for me, that was easy (though it would be a stretch to call my effort dancing). Somehow under the bright sun, surrounded by the African landscape, it seemed most appropriate for us to be dancing. Sometimes there are events in life when we cannot sit still – moments that call us to rejoice with our whole being. Yesterday afternoon was that moment.

I have not understood the true significance of my graduations until long after the ceremony had ended. That may also be true for these six girls. But in the past week, it has become clear to us that the girls of LOH do not take their being here for granted. One of our team members asked one of the older girls if she remembered when she first arrived at LOH. She replied with the day, the month, and the year. They have been given a chance. God has planted a dream inside each one of their battered but tender hearts. There will be significant challenges ahead, but they have a family that will be alongside them. That family is called Light of Hope. Thank you for being part of that family.

Today’s readings: Genesis 37-38; Psalm 7; Luke 15

In Genesis, the story of Joseph begins. But then there is chapter 38. What do we learn from this chapter? Could this be what happens when people stray from God’s direction? In Psalm 7, the writer states there are consequences for our actions – therefore (verse 17) “I will give thanks…I will sing the praises.” And in Luke 15, every one matters. Have you ever been lost – and found? Who is the lost today?

The more time I spend in Kenya, the less I think I know about Kenya. I observe ways certain things happen, but I don’t know understand what is happening. For instance, there is Kenyan time. If a meeting is scheduled for 10:00 that does not mean the meeting happens at 10:00. It means people start leaving home at 10:00 to go to that meeting. We made arrangements this evening to drop some Bibles at someone’s house tomorrow and we made the point to say we would be there at American time and not Kenyan time.

We are the only Caucasians I have seen this week. Wherever we go, people look at us. When we pass children on the road they often call out to us – “sweet, sweet”. What they want is a piece of candy. They seem to think we Americans have candy to give away – and sometimes we do! But is that reinforcing some image that we do not want to reinforce? This week, we started painting the exterior of a building with a roller. The painter came and told us not to use the roller but to use a brush. We knew a roller would be more efficient, and we thought about trying to convince him that we had a better way. Instead, we surrendered the roller and painted with a brush. Did we do the right thing or should we have shown him another way? There have been moments of frustration when rather than going with the Kenyan practice we did it our way because it would be quicker. Was that the appropriate thing to do?

This evening we invited a local pastor and his wife to have dinner with us. His church is small – only 40-50 attend worship on a Sunday morning. He said it is hard to get men to come to church – and he has no teenagers. This is a country where Christian Religious Education is compulsory in primary and high school. We see Christian images and phrases on vehicles, buildings and signs. And yet, this pastor indicates what has been taught in the schools is not reflected in worship attendance.

We observe teaching practices and would like to suggest other teaching practices that we have found helpful with our children. They do not seem to be the Kenyan way so we keep silent. We want to be helpful and we also want to be respectful. Our desire to be both often keeps us silent. But should we? We are guests in a culture very different from our own. I am often pausing to reflect on how my thoughts and comments have been shaped by my culture. My way may not be a better way – just a different way.

As I study the Bible, I have found a greater depth of meaning by learning more about the life, culture and practices of the people at the time books of the Bible were written. Luke 14 begins with Jesus at a Pharisee’s house. I cannot understand what happens next unless I understand what it meant to be a Pharisee at that time and what practices a Pharisee would consider appropriate and inappropriate on the Sabbath. In other words, cultural understanding is important.

This evening as it began to get dark, the pastor and his wife needed to leave. To get home, they would be taking a matatu (a small van that stops along the highway to pick up passengers) and also walking a certain distance. I would have certain reservations about walking after dark. Poverty is apparent everywhere. With 30% unemployment, desperate people can sometimes do desperate things. So as they were leaving, we gave them a torch (flashlight) and I said, “I hope it is safe for you to be walking.” He smiled and said, “This is our country.”

I still have so much to learn. God, help me to listen and to be humble.

Today’s readings: Genesis 34-36; Luke 14

The reading begins with a horrible story as awful as any we might hear in today’s news. The question is whether what happens in this chapter will sidetrack Jacob and the direction God has given him. It is noteworthy that God is not mentioned in this chapter. The next chapter returns us to Bethel. Jacob has refocused his direction on God’s way. The final chapter offers a contrast between the descendents of Jacob and the descendents of Esau. Why would there be such space devoted to the listing of these descendents? What would people learn about you by look at your descendents?

In Luke, we receive teachings about humility, commitment and total surrender to God’s way through Jesus Christ.