Kenya 40 Update: Living Simply

      In Santa Cruz you often see a bumper sticker that states, "Live simply so that others may simply live." The discipline of simplicity is often a stretch for most Americans. We never are without. We have anything we want at our fingertips at a moments notice. Stores on every corner hold goods to satiate our desires for food, electronics, media, and anything else we want. I often am convicted to ask myself, "How much is enough." Do I really need the newest and best there is for myself and my family while others go without basic needs being met. I daily struggle with these questions and am seeking God for wisdeom and discernment as to how he desires us to specifically live.
    The Kenya 40 team in desiring to have God use this time in their lives to inwardly form their inward beings into the image of Christ have committed to a number of things to help facilitate living simply. They decided to only bring over $70 for the totality of their stay in country. This took discussion to decide as a team, as it meant foregoing being able to enjoy certain aspects that Kenya is known for, like safaris. It has required them to budget their money wisely while they are here. I respect this as a couple of them are still praying that their funding for this trip will come in while they are here in Kenya. They also decided to travel with only a minimal amount of baggage. They only brought over whatever they could fit inside of a back pack to carry on the plane. This has amounted to teach of them bringing only 2-3 shirts, 2 pairs of pants, one pair of shoes, a Bible, pen, toiletries and other necessary items for traveling. Although laundry services are available they are doing their own wash in sinks. Every day they are learning, as they live simply and serve alongside of the local church here, how much we truly live in excess in America.
     It's exciting to see already, after only being with them in country for 5 days how God is continually using this experience to shape and form their hearts for the fatherless. Please continue to pray for the team.

Comments

[Rick Campa]

To Serve...how awesome....thinking and praying for you and yours..

From Sunny Arizona