Happy Resurrection Sunday! The sun is shining down on us all so gloriously! It is a beautiful Sunday, and I pray that all of you have a blessed time together celebrating the reason we live.
I also couldn't help but throw a very fun backyard find photo in for the season.
My cousin posted this on facebook this morning. I think it's very thought provoking.
I won tickets..again! From KLove radio station. Here in Chicago it's 94.3FM. This time it was for Downhere and Rush of Fools.
I was excited about Downhere, because a friend of ours from church moved away, and he now drives the bus on some occasions for the band, Downhere. I started listening to some more of their music, and really liked it! I also heard songs like "Here I Am" and "How Many Kings".
Rush of Fools I had only heard on the radio, but we loved hearing them as well. A song you may have heard would be "Undo". It was the only one I knew, but a lot of fun to hear their other songs.
This time, it was my youngest turn to go to a concert with me. She had a blast and even found a little friend to giggle and plug her ears with. They told me "it sounds normal when you do this!"
After listening to them, hearing their hearts, and being ministered to by their music, we got to meet them! They patiently signed autographs and talked with people. Even more patiently signed for my daughter as she went through the line again after buying a t-shirt. :)
They also showed a slideshow of their recent trip to the Dominican Republic and passed out some photos of children that needed sponsoring through World Vision. A fun story about my mom, she has sponsored a child from there for many many years. He was just a small child when she grabbed his name. He just graduatedfrom medical school this year! He is on his way back to the Dominican Republic to work. Love it!
We had a great night, I enjoyed watching the smile on my daughter's face while she got her shirt signed, and sprinted through the church to catch up to "the one I missed". Yep.. she got it. More importantly, I want our kids to experience music that glorifies the Lord. She is just as thrilled going to a Christian concert, as she would be any others. I appreciate these groups sacrificing family time and play to minister to our hearts, and giving our kids someone to look up to that can share God's love and truth with them.
I also got to talk with the area promotions manager, Jennifer, from KLove. I explained how guilty I felt being a winner.. again. But she said, it's pulled at random, and I must be on a lucky streak! Yay! I enjoyed her stories of traveling with some bands, telling about the hard work it is and having to "wait" (if you know what I mean) until the next stop to go... that was hours and hours away. While we talked about how awesome it was to hear the bands speak, and to clearly see where their hearts were, she told me about the Rush of Fools recent bus breakdown. How people came to their rescue, but at first hit a few "bumps in the road" as far as travel arrangements. This band didn't waver, stayed steadfast, and kept on going when it looked pretty bleak. Their faces radiate their faith, their voices sing God's promises, and our hearts were blessed as a result.
Blurry picture with some of Downhere
another blurry one with some of Rush of Fools
I did try to take a good photo of the bands, but I realized afterwards, I had it set my camera to manual focus (ugh!), and it didn't do so well when I tried to focus in a hurry as people were in line. Story of my life! hah I really think I need glasses. No, honestly. I will schedule an appt. this month! Stay tuned.. ;)
When I hear this song, it makes me realize there are people that stick it out through thick and thin. Chris Medina was on American Idol this year. He had a great voice, and a story that would just melt your heart. His fiance was in a horrific car accident leaving her with brain trauma. She is just beautiful, and their story is incredible. He is raising money for her rehabilitation right now, and he has stood beside her through all of this.
He sings this song "What are Words" When you hear the words, and watch the video of an every day struggle for her, you can't help but feel for them. I cannot imagine the obstacles they face, but I pray that she heals 100% with rehabilitation, and a miracle. Nothing would make me happier to see this couple have a normal, full life together, bringing glory to God for her healing!
I can't stop listening to this song. I love it.. watch it, it will become a new favorite to you, too! I just know it!
This is the spot where he performed the song on Fox News. I listened because the man playing the keyboard was one of the music directors when our daughter was in the American Girl Theater. We couldn't wait to see him, now I am addicted to this song.
My cousin, Amy, and her family are missionaries in Kitale, Kenya. Her posts have just been heart wrenching. I want to pack up a million shoes, and hand deliver them today! The conditions that are normal to them would be a nightmare to us. It's hard to even fathom what these families, children and elderly go through each day just to live.
Not only are they lacking in shoes, they are lacking God's love. There is a girl we've been following through the updates in her blog. I cannot image a girl her age experiencing the streets like she has at age 14. Beaten, taken brutal advantage of, rejected.. BUT GOD sent people to be his hands and feet! They listened to his call, packed up their children, sold their house, and said "Yes, Lord!"
I want to share a bit of what God is doing through them, and the people they are working with. Here is a bit.. with the link to her blog.
We were there to assist in any way possible, but most of the problems were jiggers. Jiggers are sand fleas that get into open wounds, mostly on the feet, and are usually a result of unclean conditions and no shoes. We took a lot of pictures during the day, mostly hoping to send them to the right people and get the attention of Toms Shoes. Their organization is in Africa, but not Kenya. Already God has opened the doors to get that ball rolling.
Most of our "patients" were children, which was very hard. It's so hard to listen to a child scream in pain while you try to do something that will ultimately help them. It's painful to have them removed, but worse if they stay in the foot.
Wanted to share a few pictures, but please be warned, they're not pretty. This is a picture of Jenny removing jiggers from a young man's foot, and what it looked like close up. Don't scroll down if you have a weak stomach. This was our medical clinic: in the dirt. Clean needles, but everything else was a bit dirty.....
Here is a video of them removing the jiggers. It's a bit graphic, but this is their life. It's real.
What can we do now?
Please pray that God would use those who can realistically help those get the proper help. Shoes, workers, prayer warriors, those who can help in any way..here is a link to Shoes for Souls. When asked how to actually send the shoes, right now they are taking donations, and buying them there in Kenya. It is more effective this way as the mail is unreliable, and takes a long time.
A pair of flip flops is only about $1, or they can buy close-toed shoes for more extreme cases for only about $2. People can donate by PayPal on their blog, www.safariofsix.blogspot.com. Please also pray for open doors, and for open hearts to hear about God's love, for Amy and her team of selfless workers, and for health and safety.
I also got to talk with the area promotions manager, Jennifer, from KLove. I explained how guilty I felt being a winner.. again. But she said, it's pulled at random, and I must be on a lucky streak! Yay! I enjoyed her stories of traveling with some bands, telling about the hard work it is and having to "wait" (if you know what I mean) until the next stop to go... that was hours and hours away. While we talked about how awesome it was to hear the bands speak, and to clearly see where their hearts were, she told me about the Rush of Fools recent bus breakdown. How people came to their rescue, but at first hit a few "bumps in the road" as far as travel arrangements. This band didn't waver, stayed steadfast, and kept on going when it looked pretty bleak. Their faces radiate their faith, their voices sing God's promises, and our hearts were blessed as a result. 
