An Adventure with The God of Hope

If we are Facebook friends, then you know I rarely post.  If I sacrifice my sleep to surf the internet, I would rather look at YOUR pictures and read the things going on in YOUR life.  So, four days back in the United States, my schedule is returning to busy and I do not anticipate having much time to blog.  But before I go, I wanted to pen some of my final thoughts.

I love the Lord. 
He amazes me.  

For an entire year, the Lord quickened me to notice and meditate on the word, "HOPE."  Everywhere I went my eyes were drawn like a magnet to the word "HOPE".  Walking past someone on the street, I would read the word "HOPE" on their t-shirt.  Meandering through a store, I would pick up a greeting card with the word "HOPE."  For Christmas my sister, Chelsea, bought me the decorative wall hanging word "family." But, unfortunately, by the time I got it home, I noticed a sizeable scratch in the black paint.  Wanting to display the word "family," with some pictures, I took it to Hobby Lobby for an exchange.  But, you guessed it...  Hobby Lobby was out of the word "family" but they had the word, "HOPE". 

It is embarrassing to admit that God had to start a year in advance preparing my heart with the theme of "HOPE".  When God sent us to Africa, the needs I saw were so great I said, "Lord, we are just the Finch family from Weatherford.  What can I do that is going to make any difference?"  The Lord answered me with His word.  He said, "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."  Romans 15:13
God is THE God of Hope! 
In closing, I believe as a family we ushered in the God of HOPE.  After going into the orphanages and praying for the children who were HIV positive, we received an email which read,"When you prayed for the children with HIV, they were filled with hope."  On more than one occasion, we were told, "Many missionaries come to Africa.  But, you are the first to bring your family."  Just our presence as a family seemed to bring HOPE.

Before I sign out, I will share with you the scripture I camped on during the trip and continue to do so now that we are home.  While Paul seems to thrive in the African environment, I loved the people but found the conditions to be quite challenging.  So daily I prayed for endurance and encouragement.  Romans 15:5 says,

"May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." 

The second part of that scripture I continue to pray for Paul and I, "give us a spirit of unity among ourselves as we follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth we may glorify God." 

Thank you for following us on this adventure and I pray that the God of Hope will fill you with joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Goodnight and sweet dreams, Danielle

"Welcome Home!"

"May the Lord repay you for what you have done.  May you be richly rewarded by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge.  Ruth 2:12 

"May the Lord reward  you well for the way you treated me today."
1Samuel 24:19

The entire time I was in Africa I really struggled.  Like a scratched vinyl record, the daily soundtrack running through my head was, "Danielle, Danielle you are so spoiled." 
So, I get back home and take a look at what I came home to. 

My lifelong friend and classmate, Casie Carter, drove all the way to Weatherford to tie balloons on our front porch chair.

Kenneth and Lisha Copeland came over with home grown mouth watering peaches and cantalope.

Jenn Montgomery filled the chair with scrumptious loaves of banana bread and sugar cookies. 

Micah's friend, Baylor White, and my nephews, Simon, Jared and Titus came over to welcome the boys home.

Crossing the threshold of our front door, I  discovered that my mom and sister  (Ms. Spic and Ms. Span) had come to my house, dusted, vacuumed, mopped AND stocked the pantry and refrigerator.

Yes, the scratched vinyl record was right, I am spoiled, extravagantly loved and  lavishly blessed.

As much as I could try, I will never be able to repay you for praying for us, providing for us, encouraging us, and taking care of our belongings.  So, to take a scripture on fasting out of context, I pray that

your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 

Matt 6:18

"May the Lord reward you well for the way you have treated me today."

1Samuel 24:19

 

First stop was for mexican food at Pappasitos.

We went through customs in Detroit, Michigan and I really appreciated the man saying, "Welcome Home."

While we were gone, my mom and dad visited Fredericksburg and they bought us one of every animal we posted on the blog.  So, the next time I go to Africa, I plan to visit the diamond mines of Rwanda and I will be posting pictures of some BIG karats.  

(I make myself laugh.)

     Did I tell you it is winter here in Kenya?  The temperature has fluctuated between 82 and 85 degrees and the Africans are freezing.  Mommas have their babies wearing winter caps with ear coverings. Gas station attendants, fueling our car with petrol, are wearing three layers of shirts, a down coat and a winter hat.  And when stranded in traffic, men come up to the car selling sunglasses, maps AND winter gloves.  Now, I know what a native Colorado resident thinks when he sees a Texan spring skiing in a ski bib.  "What?  You think this is cold?  This is t-shirt weather!" exclaims the snowboarders.  I feel the same here in Africa.  I suppose it is all boils down to what you are used to.

     On Wednesday morning before the African sun peaked on the horizon, we packed the "boot" or trunk and headed for the East Coast of Africa.  By 2:00 in the afternoon we arrived safely at Nyali Beach off the coast of Mombasa.  Micah and Kaden needed a place to run and play and Paul and I neeeded an emotional break.  Let me explain.

     Because our skin is white, most people wrongfully assume that we are wealthy Americans with deep pockets and a bank account reflecting many digits.  So people of all ages, with all types of personal and organizational needs do not hesitate to ask us for financial help.  On a daily basis, for four weeks straight, we have been asked to give money to those in need.   So, to a limited extent, I can now relate to the pressure wealthy people experience when they are continually asked and expected to donate to every charitable cause.

     Let me be real transparent.  I have been in need and I have asked for assistance.  I understand desperation, especially when it involves my children and I do not judge the people asking us for help.  Paul and I have been abundantly blessed by our family, friends and TCA and we want to give.  So, when we are asked, we help as much as we are able and we always encourage the people to seek God as their source.  We tell them, "I will help you but my ability to help is limited.  While this is all I can do, I will pray with you.  I will ask God for His provision and blessings on your life."

    I tell you the truth, Paul and I are walking out the encouragement we are giving.  On January 8th, Paul was laid off from Merck Pharmaceuticals and he has been relentlessly sending resumes, applying for jobs and interviewing but nothing has opened up.  So our coming to Africa and giving of what we don't have has been a journey of faith; trusting our Heavenly Father to provide for us everything we need for life both now and when we return.  The Lord has been so faithful.  If you helped make this trip possible, it was the Lord that encouraged you to do so AND I believe your obedience will be rewarded.  May God bless you with His extravagant love!

     Ok, if you are still with me you must be wondering, "How in the world did Danielle start with winter in Kenya, travel to Mombasa and then end up here?"  I admit that was a wild rabbit.  So, as I was saying, Paul and I needed an emotional break and Micah and Kaden room to run.

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/s5lfklxbbt_iMRVsCnpUUw?feat=directlink

The idea of having "room to run" I took from Micah.  Our second afternoon in Mombasa Micah said, "Mom, can we please stay one more day?  We can run here."  At our apartment in Nairobi, the boys do not have room to run or grass to wrestle in.  Thank you Jenn Montgomery for taking care of our house, dogs and lawn.  When Micah and Kaden return, they will be ready to play.  So come one come all!  If you have boys who like to ride bikes, wrestle on the trampoline, run barefoot through the grass, play baseball and soccer, ride wave boards or any other heart pumping activity you are welcome at our house.

     Nyali Beach in Mombasa was a lot of fun.  The boys enjoyed it so much we ended up staying three days.  Micah and Kaden were very fortunate to have a lot of first time experiences.  Together they sailed on a catamaran, rode on a camel, drank coconut juice and Micah, because he is 10 yrs old, was able to take an introductory bubble maker scuba diving lesson.  Paul had the opportunity to take a shallow water dive in the Mombasa Marine Park and I took lots of pictures and slept like a baby. 

<