Is this how You felt, my sweet Jesus? Is this how You felt when the sin of the world was upon Your shoulders? The evil and corruption that is in a human being. Totally depravity at its best is what I witness today. I will share this with you, not to sadden nor frustrate you, but to remind you to pray and never lose heart.
Today after our Sunday school service I spent some time with the kids and took care of my girls (Sharon, Phillis, Silvia, Chella, and Abigail). I played and took pictures. I sat down on the grass and watch the older kids play volley ball. By this time it was already lunch time. I found out that we were going to feed everyone lunch so I lead a crowd of kids to wash their little hands. As I walked towards the water-well I see one of my students from middle class...her name is Vivian (You might have seen a couple of pictures of her on my facebook, she has the cutest smile). She comes running to me and greets me. I get her to wash her hands and I go in line to get some food. I assist my Chella and I go grab a couple of big cups and fill them up with maze and beans. I usually tend to be a big sister and get all the younger kids food before the group of older kids crowd the place. While I get the food I see Vivian trip and fall, crying her little eyes out. I go and pick her up, calm her down, and hand her a cup with food. I didnt pay much attention but I did notice that she wasn't able to keep her balance. I sit Chella and Vivian down together to eat and I go get them clean water to drink. I ate some beans myself and assisted Phillis (she was thirsty). When I turn back to check on Chella and Vivian...Vivan was on the floor. Her little face all covered with dirt. She didnt cry....all she did was laugh. I tried picking her up but she just couldn't get her balance back. I knew something was wrong. She wasn't behaving like herself. I take Vivian to Kellie (the missionary I'm living with) and then to Auntie Sarah (the kenyan lady that works at GOGCP). This little girl. My Vivian. This 5-year-old girl was drunk! I smell her breath and it smelled like beer and she was drunk. I couldn't believe it. My mind began to boggle. How could this little girl get drunk? How in the world did she get a hold of alcohol?
Vivian stumbled along. Falling on her face every couple of steps. I rush to her and embrace her. Trying to keep her still. I continue to sit her down on the grass but she continues to get up and lose her balance. I thought to myself: "This sweet little girl is going to fall down from the playground and break her neck...shes going to die. How could this be?! Is this for real? Am I really witnessing this little 5-year-old being wasted?"
I asked around if Vivian had any sibblings...apparently her big brother was there. I carry Vivian to where he was and told him to take his sister home. He grabs her and starts dragging her. He gets her and slaps her face. He starts hitting her. By this time I am in complete shock. Vivian is crying at the top of her lungs. I quickly snatch Vivian from the floor and pick her up. Trying to calm her down and wipe her tears from her face. I keep Vivian with me. I sit down on the grass and lay her head on my lap. Soon enough Auntie Sarah comes and carries her. We get Vivian's brother to lead the way to their house. I remain at the Children's Home with my girls.
Auntie Sarah and my roommate Bella come back from taking Vivian home. Apparently Vivian's parents produce alcohol. Their next door neighbors informed Auntie Sarah that the dad gives Vivian the scraps of their alcohol. Apparently this is not the first time Vivian has been drunk. Vivian has in fact shown up to school drunk before. That Vivian was complaining that her belly hurt. My heart has just been stabbed.
How could this be?! How could anyone in their right mind give a child alcohol?! Thats just it huh. People dont have a "right mind". Oh the evil, the sin, the corruption in this world!
"A child wouldn't know any better. Why would a child want to drink alcohol? Wouldn't they gagg at the taste of it? I would.. Is Vivian going to be an alcoholic when shes older? Vivian could have alcohol poisioning if this keeps happening," were the thoughts that rushed through my head at a speed of a 1000 mph.
Now...here I am. Sitting down on my bed, typing up an event that I wish no one would ever have to experience. but I ask that you would keep Vivian in prayer. That the LORD would heal her of her pain. That He would convict her parents that they would come to repentance and believe in Jesus. That this chaos would end. Continue to pray for the people here in Kenya. Pray for the kids that are being abused.
Earlier today I went outside and sat beneath this little hut and had a quiet time. I got to write/pray and read Hebrews 12 before leaving to church in the morning. Its amazing to see how God answers prayers and prepares me for things through His Word.
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right of the throne of God.
Consider Him who endured from sinners such hostility against Himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted."-Hebrews 12:1-3.
Do Not Grow Weary
"In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons?
"My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord,
nor be weary when reproved by him.
For the Lord disciplines the one he loves,
and chastises every son whom he receives."
It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons.
For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our good, that we may share His holiness. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed. Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no "root of bitterness" springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled; that no one is sexually immoral or unholy like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal. For you know that afterward, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no chance to repent, though he sought it with tears."-Hebrews 12:4-17
"Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire."-Hebrews 12:28-29.
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