Where God Lives
Today begins something called the 40 Day Fast, and you can click here to learn about it, and here to get the full roster. I tried to put a widget-linky-thing on my sidebar, but it doesn't work. This is onaccounta I'm a doofus.
Everyone involved wants to see God's Kingdom on earth as it is in Heaven, and we're convinced that sponsoring a child through Compassion International is a great way to help make that happen.
Below is something I wrote while visiting our Compassion girl in the slums of Nairobi. (You should watch the last two minutes of that video, if you haven't already...)
I didn't get to take Jesus into the slums. He was waiting for us.
-----------------
(First, before today's entry, let me note that I'm typing to the strains of a tuxedo-clad young Kenyan on the piano in our hotel. I'm sitting in the lobby, and he's regally playing -- of course -- "You picked a fine time to leave me, Lucille", by Kenny Rogers. Many things don't translate cross-culturally, but -- make no mistake -- Kenny translates. Kenny crosses all boundaries.)
Susan leaned over, from her seat in the van.
"Notice where the children are playing -- look out the left window," she said. Susan knows this area well; she's worked for Compassion for years.
They were playing next to a pile of trash that's well over their heads, and seems to stretch for miles. The stench hit us immediately.
"They put all these schools next to the dump. All of Nairobi dumps its trash here," she said. Children of Dandora -- another sprawling, Where-the-Streets-Have-No-Name-type slum -- scavenge through the refuse, looking for food, or something to sell. Anything.
We stopped, and walked in a Dandora Baptist Church, where children at a Compassion project were singing. Their voices bounced off the walls, singing praises to God. Then we met about dozen people in the church who are suffering from AIDS. The whole community is suffering -- every family, one way or the other -- from AIDS.
A young man -- they called him "Timothy" -- stood up to introduce himself to us.
We could look out the windows to the right and left as he spoke, and see children in the filth. We could see dozens of vultures flying directly overhead, over the trash, over the dirt, over the disease-riddled, dark cardboard homes. Welcome to Dandora.
"Welcome to Dandora, where God lives."
Where God lives?
Circling vultures. Men, women, and children crying out with disease, children searching through stinking trash for anything...where God lives.
Timothy has lived his whole life here. Someone sponsored him through Compassion International, when he was four. He's now in his twenties. He now has a degree in Computer Science. He now teaches kids in the program about computers.
He knows where God lives. He knows God does not run away from suffering. He moves closer. Dandora is suffering, and God gets His mail here.
He also teaches the children -- who are where he once was --about the love of God.
"I understand the love of God. I understand how a God, whom I have not seen, can love me. This is because someone, whom I have not seen, loved me enough to sponsor me. I understand the love of God."
Where God lives.
Thanks for this beautiful post, and for reminding everyone that God is already there, suffering with those who hurt and loving without condition.
(Also, on a totally inappropriate note, I have a story involving Kenny Rogers in Rwanda. Turns out it's really hard to explain what "The Gambler" means in French.)
Posted by: Texas in Africa | June 22, 2008 at 10:14 PM
Thanks for sharing. I too feel a deep connection with the ministry of Compassion International. I hope all who read will learn about the ministry and be inspired to action!
Posted by: Leslie Brooke | June 23, 2008 at 09:01 AM
I was wondering if you would give me permission to use the quote "I didn't get to take Jesus into the slums. He was waiting for us." for a 40DayFast wallpaper I'm designing. I think it's very fitting.
Also, do you have any good, high-resolution photos you could email me to use for this wallpaper? I may or may not use them depending on the quality but I'd like to if I can.
Thanks!
Posted by: Brad Ruggles | June 23, 2008 at 09:04 AM
Beautiful post. Can't wait to see what this 40 days brings.
Posted by: Mandy | June 23, 2008 at 09:16 AM
Thanks, Mandy and Leslie! I want to stress whenever I talk about Compassion now. This is not a guilt trip. To be AT ALL involved in these childrens' lives is an honor, plain and simple. If people want to accept that honor, fine.
Hey Brad -- You mean, like of the pictures with this entry? I can send you what I have. My camera is okay, and I'm not sure how high the resolution.
TexasinAfrica -- That is weird. You likely don't remember, but I tortured some Indonesians with "The Gambler" during a long, smoke-filled night in a garbage truck cab. Something about these situations just screams for Kenny.
Posted by: Brant | June 23, 2008 at 09:18 AM
Very cool story to start off the fast. It's amazing how many times I've heard mission stories where the person going on the trip was ministered to by the people they went to serve.
It's cool how God uses all believers to encourage one another - no matter what their position. After all, there are no divisions in Christ, right?
Posted by: Sarah Chia | June 23, 2008 at 09:50 AM
Awesome.
Posted by: Steven | June 23, 2008 at 11:19 AM
Really hit home for me. Thanks for starting off the Fast in such a powerful way, Brant. God Bless.
Posted by: annie | June 23, 2008 at 11:35 AM
Your blog makes me get it, really get it. Thanks for that.
On a lighter note, I didn't think it was possible to look tough and rugged while carrying an accordian.
Posted by: Lori Broach | June 23, 2008 at 11:39 AM
Brant, amazing post bro! This really afftected me, and left a mark... thank you!
Posted by: ScottMocha | June 23, 2008 at 12:04 PM
Hey!
Just discovered your blog from Vicky in the US. I am from SA and a fellow God chaser. The more I get involved in ministry to the poor, the more I see the way He moves and His incredible compassion. Isn't it just such a privilege to be His hands and feet.
Posted by: Fellow Clapper Mel | June 23, 2008 at 12:10 PM
Great way to start the fast. Thanks so much for sharing.
Posted by: Emily | June 23, 2008 at 01:03 PM
"You should watch the last two minutes of that video, if you haven't already..."
Just for future reference, us real men leader of leaders types really hate to cry.
Posted by: Bob Sacamento | June 23, 2008 at 02:35 PM
that is a really great post Brant! Thanks for being apart of the 40 day fast.
Posted by: Kristin | June 23, 2008 at 03:15 PM
Nice. Very poignant and beautiful. I absolutely love this:
"Circling vultures. Men, women, and children crying out with disease, children searching through stinking trash for anything...where God lives."
Makes me once again question my personal quest for comfort...
Posted by: Ron Nelson | June 23, 2008 at 04:16 PM
Good stuff as always Brant.
I love this:
"I understand the love of God. I understand how a God, whom I have not seen, can love me. This is because someone, whom I have not seen, loved me enough to sponsor me. I understand the love of God."
It gives me great joy when I read this. If only I could have the same faith as this gentleman.
Thank God for Compassion and for their work opening our eyes as to what is really important.
Posted by: Just Matt | June 23, 2008 at 04:56 PM
Thank you so much for your post, and the reminder of where we can find God, if we care enough to look and see.
Posted by: Angela | June 23, 2008 at 05:56 PM
Brant,
Thanks for this post. We knew you would start things off while wonderful clarity and focus - you have not disappointed. I would have loved to have commented earlier, but my work now blocks your blog. Apparently, you are classified as "online storage or personal drives" and filtered. But I've been praying for you anyway, man.
Posted by: euphrony | June 23, 2008 at 07:41 PM
Thank you for your beautiful start to our 40 days. You have inspired me to raise my bar quite a few notches.
Posted by: Pollyh | June 23, 2008 at 09:20 PM
Wow. What a way to start things off. Thanks Brant. Thank you for reminding me that God is so much bigger than my little world and that my little world needs to change if God is going to fit in it.
Posted by: Kat | June 24, 2008 at 12:35 AM
Thank you Brant. Not only are you one of my favorite bloggers you are one of my favorite writers.
My work also blocks your blog!!
Posted by: Amy | June 24, 2008 at 02:20 AM
Great way to start the fast, Brant! I thank God for all that He has done, is doing, and will do.
Posted by: Kelly | June 24, 2008 at 03:43 AM
"I didn't get to take Jesus into the slums. He was waiting for us."
Wow! That quote will be etched on my heart forever!
Posted by: Shane L. | June 24, 2008 at 11:23 AM
thank you for writing this post...it really grabbed a hold of my heart and close my eyes in prayer...not just for the children around the world, but for each of us to be moved to action...that God would get his mail at our homes also. blessings to you!
Posted by: Krissy Thomas | June 24, 2008 at 12:33 PM
You can't fool me. This post is a NOT EVEN BARELY veiled attempt to get each of us to stop and think about what we have and what others don't and how we can maybe make a difference!
SURE JESUS SAID, "As you have done it unto the least of these..." but now you, Brant, have to go and prove that it might still be needed in today's world! Sure, I see it...
YOU CAN'T FOOL ME WITH THIS ONE MISTER!!!
Thanks
Posted by: RevJeff | June 24, 2008 at 12:43 PM