Faith

 Faith

“For We walk by faith and not by sight” 2 Corinthians 5:7

I’ve been in Kenya for almost three weeks. Within these three weeks I’ve learned how strong my faith is in God. If I didn’t have such strong faith, I would not even think about spending a long period of time in a culture I know little of.  To be able to do such, I had to “walk” in this faith. I have to walk into the field education office at Duke to apply, I had to “walk” into the interview session with Susan Pendleton-Jones, Rhonda Parker, (Duke’s Divinity School field education directors) and Ellen Daniels-Howell (director of GIP), I even had to “walk” onto several planes to arrive to my destination which takes a lot of faith to travel over much water and land. If I walked by sight, I know I would not be experiencing Kenya for in this season of my life for the enemy would have distorted my vision, but I’ve learned that faith is more dominant than what we see, and faith in God overcomes all! Not only am I walking by faith, is the Kenyan culture that I am embracing so easily a wonderful example of believers who are walking by faith and not by sight! Some Kenyans have plenty food and resources and others are barely making through-out the day. But you would never see that within this culture because they ARE walking by faith. They speak of the goodness of God at all times; their praises to our mighty God are continuously flowing out of their months. Even when there are no words spoken out of their mouths, their faith is still evident and radiant by the smiles they show and the hospitality they give. They don’t look at the obstacles in their lives, they quickly acknowledge their faith in God by saying, “I have a father who will never ever fail me, rock of ages will never ever fail me”

“Now Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen” Hebrews 11:1

As I looked at this culture more closely and look at myself even closer I realized that faith is the substance in which we are able to live period. How can I live without this substance? How can the Kenyan culture live without this substance? How can any believer live without this substance? If you really think about it, we can’t live without faith. And we truly can’t live without faith in God.  It is what lies within me that caused me to walk onto all of those airplanes to travel from one continent to another and knowing that God will have me reached the destination that He ordained for me to reach. It’s the source in which the Kenyan culture works many hours out of the week, only to take some time off from working just to go to the house of the Lord to worship on their day of worship. This culture works so hard to provide for their families and while they are working so extremely hard, their smiles never leave their faces. Even when they cannot see the fruits of their labor in resources, or money, they are confident that the Lord’s provision is at work.

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and the he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” (NIV) Hebrews 11:6

We as believers strive to please God in all we do. Whether it is to help those who are in need, give encouragement to those who need to be inspired, share a word from the Lord, or just give a hug to someone just to say that we care, we do things such as this to please our God. I want the life that I live to please the one I love most, who is the Mighty God, creator of the world. The Kenyan culture has reminded me how the ways of God and the teachings of Christ can be demonstrated in the life you live and the faith in God that you show. The hospitality that I’ve received throughout my three weeks here spoke volumes of this great culture and I felt the love of Christ every time I was greeted by any young child, a family, a pastor, or a community member. Christ gave all of himself so we can live a life that is pleasing to God. The Kenyans give all they can give to have me feel welcomed and at home in their culture. I know their acts of kindness, gratefulness, and love, are all truly pleasing to God.

My faith, is stronger, not just because I’m walking more boldly in faith, not just because my faith in God is the substance and source of my life, but because of my encounter with God and his people of a this wonderful culture who reminded me that my life pleases God when I diligently seek him and listen to his commands in all I do and say! I encourage you my friends, to taking a moment in what ways are you walking by faith, to realize that your faith is truly the substance in which you live your life, and most of all, I encourage you to strive to live a life that is pleasing to God.

Blessings~
Mandy Haines