Last week I had the opportunity to drive across northern Kenya's dry and cracked landscape as part of a food distribution project with Samaritan's Purse (SP). SP Kenya has just begun an 8 month food distribution to pregnant women, new mothers, and children under 5. One of the aid workers shared with me that the Turkana people have lived off of government subsidies since the 1950's; and as I looked across the barren land, I could only wonder how and why people continue to live there.
Our small plane landed in Loki, the spring-board for aid work in Northern Kenya and Southern Sudan, and then we drove for 2 hours across the desolate land, passing a refugee camp and then arriving at our destination. The women and children sat patiently as the SP staff spoke of Christ's love for them as well as His command that we serve one another. Then they filed through orderly lines as they collected the maize and oil that would carry them through the coming month. SP isrunning 22 distributions sites on a monthly rotation, so these women will see the next supply of food in 4 weeks time. As we drove across bone-dry riverbeds back to our camp, I was yet again thankful for people who are willing to sacrifice so that others might receive food. I recoginze that needs are great all across this continent, so I am thankful for the part that each organization plays in helping to meet needs here in this land.
Seeing thousands of women and children in desperate need of a basic meal was a humbling reminder of the Lord's faithfulness to bless me as well as to bless my friends and family. I have so much to be grateful for, I also have a responsibility to use the blessings that the Lord has given to me to help those in need. As I continue to think on our feeding projects in Western Kenya, I'm filled with a renewed vigor to ensure that the children at Rehema have balanced meals each day, to make sure that the children from the ECD centers leave pre-school each day with full bellies, and to see families equipped with the resources they need to feed their families. As we look for ways to meet these needs for our friends in Western Kenya, would you pray that the Lord will give us wisdom so that we may best use the resources that He has given us?
(the Director of SP Kenya addressing the large crowd)
(a Turkana woman listens intently)
(women heading home with their food rations)
My prayer for Brackhurst Ministries is for wisdom, strength, and a love like Christ has shown each of us through His word. I am in awe of how God is using each of you and I pray He will continue to grow each of you in His likeness and stretch you in areas only He can orchestrate. May His vision come to fruition. Blessings, Debbie Hogan
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