Kenya Relief

It’s funny how God works.

One day a couple years ago, I was trying to figure out what my daughter Audrey’s gifts and callings were. How was she naturally inclined? I knew she loved to read, so I thought…maybe she should be an attorney.

I proceeded to look up Alliance Defending Freedom online. ADF is a group of attorneys who fight for religious freedoms. Right there in all caps, it is says…WANT TO CHANGE THE WORLD? It went on to ask if you wanted to use your gifts and talents to change the world for God’s glory. All I could think was…

Yes!!

I thought, maybe I should be an attorney?? I can almost imagine God rolling his eyes at my logic. Next thing I knew, it was like I had received a heavenly thump on the back of my head. Wait a minute, I can use my anesthesia skills to change the world for God’s glory!!

I remembered a conversation I had had with an anesthesia student regarding Kenya Relief. Kenya Relief was started by a CRNA and facilitates around 15-20 short-term surgical mission teams each year. This man was stewarding his talents. God was using him, to change the world. I wanted in on it.

I sent him an email expressing my interest in participating on one of his teams and I asked him to mentor me. Talk about delusions of grandeur. He sent me an email saying…call me!!

We connected on and off for the next 6 months, met in April and I boarded a plane for Kenya 3 weeks later.

That day years ago, God used ADF to ask me a question.

Did I want to change the world?

The Holy Spirit rejoiced as someone asked the right question. The HS finally had something He could work with. A way He could lead me to practically live out my faith and use me to further God’s kingdom.

Take away:

Are we asking the right questions?
Are we willing to write some awkward emails and reveal our delusions of grandeur?
Are we willing to persist in our endeavors?
Are we prepared to go when He sends us?

I want to share these realities because I don’t want you to mistakenly believe that when you say “yes”, God will roll out the “divine red carpet” for you. Things won’t miraculously open up or become easy. Saying yes requires effort, diligence and persistence. It requires you to run your race with perseverance. Hebrews 12:1

Help us run for you Lord!