First, I made it to Kenya early Friday morning (their time). The flights and connections were smooth. Praise God! My friend Kelly picked me up from the airport and assisted me to my home for the next few days.
Leading up to my first flight, wasn’t so smooth. About a week and half before my expected date of departure, my laptop was continuously crashing on me. I’ve had this problem before-one the race-and got my computer fixed upon returning home. It started happening again in Rwanda last year, so I brought it home and had it looked at again. We thought the issue was fixed (and it worked great for almost 2 months), until, you know, right before I was going to leave. I ended up purchasing a new laptop which arrived Saturday. I also had to purchase some new products to put on it. Let’s just say, procrastination got the best. The day of leaving, issues kept arising with the activation of products. I “hired” out my family to help me perform different tasks so I could finish my last-minute packing (yep, another mistake).
In the end, it all worked out. But man, I’m so thankful for my mom and brother in how they pulled through. However, my last day at home was not spent how I imagined—time with them and the dog was no existent. Convicted. Don’t put things off to the last minute. This could have easily ended badly.
Conviction number two was a totally different matter, but one of a more profound impact. On my second flight I had a seat partner. We made some small talk and then dinner arrived. After dinner (at like 10pm), I went straight to sleep (well, after he shared with me a scene from a movie he was watching on his phone). A little before arriving, lights came on and breakfast was served. My seat partner and I began talking about our jobs/lives, etc; this time getting a little deeper.
It was my turn to share and I did. He looked at me and was like, “Why do you seem so shy sharing about this? You are doing wonderful things!” And BAM. I felt like the rooster had crowed for the second time. “Immediately the rooster crowed the second time. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken to him: ‘Before the rooster crows twice you will disown me three times.’ And he broke down and wept.” Mark 14:72
Although I still shared that I was a missionary and spreading the gospel, he saw my timidity. I was lukewarm. Revelation 3:15-16 says, “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.” There are times where I can be very bold; then other times where the “fear of man” still holds me captive. But I’m thankful that God spoke to me in this way, on that plane ride, through a man who has a completely different belief.
So it is said: “Wake up, O sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” Ephesians 5:14
Wow!!
What a message for all of us in our daily lives!! Happy you arrived safely.
Thanks Jackie!
Thanks for the “other side” perspective. And you do have some really good points 🙂 I’m thankful for a good and loving teacher.
Thanks for sharing kell. This is a conviction for myself as well because I relate. Sometimes super bold and sometimes timid depending on the person or crowd. Love this mans reminder to you (and us).
Love ya girl
yes, yes. But read the comment above what you wrote from a pastor back home. Sometimes our approach is okay. Because in the end we did share. It’s when we don’t share that matters. But I think it’s good to feel this conviction to at least know we are being sensitive to the spirit. Love you too Kris and I’m super excited to see what He has in store. 🙂
Glad you got there safely.
May the Lord continue to give you boldness to share his word.
And may you go with an open heart to learn from the people of Kenya.
Isn’t it cool that a person with different beliefs called you out? I know the Lord has filled you with boldness a lot and this next adventure in Africa will not be any different in that regard. And, that the person sitting next to you, said, “You are doing amazing things.” What a great witness you are that he recognized that. Love you Kelly!
Glad you arrived there safely! And God always teaches us through the Holy Spirit to grow in our love and boldness for Him. That being said, do not think too harshly of your shyness. It is also a quality that makes you approachable to those who are shy themselves. It also displays a vulnerability. Remember, you did share. You did engage in conversation with a stranger. Growth happened because you are sensitive to the Holy Spirit! Remember shyness and fear are not the same thing. Peter feared the crowd so he DENIED knowing Jesus. It wasn’t shyness that motivated his lack of confession. If you would not have shared anything about what you were doing and kept silent about your mission with Jesus, then the fear of rejection could have been the issue. But you DID share girl! I just felt led to share the other side of that encounter you had on the plane. Be blessed!