We Were Made to be Courageous

As many of you know for the last couple of years I decided that I wouldn't make New Year's resolutions, but I would pick a word that I would try to live by for that year.  This year I picked the word "COURAGE".  I wanted to have more courage in all that I do; not being foolish, but trying to cast aside fears that would keep me from growing in the Lord.  There is a song by Casting Crowns, that I love and want to share with you.

Courageous

We were made to be courageous

We were made to lead the way

We could be the generation

That finally breaks the chains

We were made to be courageous

We were made to be courageous

We were warriors on the front lines

Standing, unafraid

But now we're watchers on the sidelines

While our families slip away

Where are you, men of courage?

You were made for so much more

Let the pounding of our hearts cry

We will serve the Lord

We were made to be courageous

And we're taking back the fight

We were made to be courageous

And it starts with us tonight

The only way we'll ever stand

Is on our knees with lifted hands

Make us courageous

Lord, make us courageous

This is our resolution

Our answer to the call

We will love our wives and children

We refuse to let them fall

We will reignite the passion

That we buried deep inside

May the watchers become warriors

Let the men of God arise

We were made to be courageous

And we're taking back the fight

We were made to be courageous

And it starts with us tonight

The only way we'll ever stand

Is on our knees with lifted hands

Make us courageous

Lord, make us courageous

Seek justice

Love mercy

Walk humbly with your God

In the war of the mind

I will make my stand

In the battle of the heart

And the battle of the hand

In the war of the mind

I will make my stand

In the battle of the heart

And the battle of the hand

We were made to be courageous

And we're taking back the fight

We were made to be courageous

And it starts with us tonight

The only way we'll ever stand

Is on our knees with lifted hands

Make us courageous

Lord, make us courageous

We were made to be courageous

Lord, make us courageous

For some reason, as I prepared to come to Kenya this time, I was struggling with all kinds of fear; fear of leaving our children and grandchildren; fear of not knowing how we would be received by our Kenyan friends; fear of being able to be what God wants me to be for these people.  I kept thinking of how God wants me to be courageous in the "war of the mind" and the "battle of my heart".  I asked one of our elders to please pray that God would show me the way that He wants me to be used for Him, that He would use my spiritual gifts and talents for the Kenyan people.  The day before Greg and I left a dear friend of mine prayed a scripture over me from the book of Isaiah.

"I will go before you and will level the mountains;

I will break down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron.

I will give you hidden treasures,

riches stored in secret places,

so that you may know that I am the Lord, the God

of Israel, who summons you by name."

Isaish 45:2-3

God has been with me every step of the way.  He has "leveled the mountains" and "broken down the gates".  After we arrived Chris and Sarah (our missionaries here in Kisumu) had a plan for how I could be used most effectively.  One of my main objectives was to be here for Sarah in any way that I could; God has worked it out where I will be working with Sarah on a project that will take some time and will help with the work here. He has combined my love for Sarah and my love for photography!  

But, as I close, I would like to share a few photos of true COURAGE!  Yesterday we visited the cancer ward at Russia Hospital.  All of these children are suffering with Burkitt's Lymphoma.  This my dear friend is courage; day in and day out being in this hospital and going through the rigors of treatment, not knowing what your outcome will be.